High repetition rate, wide-aperture KrF lasers for subpicosecond amplification

A high repetition rate, wide-aperture KrF laser with a magnetic switch has been developed. A dynamic response and a core loss of several magnetic materials were measured, resulting in a loss as low as 0.45 J/pulse for a voltage risetime of approximately 100 ns. A maximum output energy of 2.5 J in 20 ns (FWHM) was obtained with a total efficiency of 2.5% at 20 Hz. The cross section of the output beam was 65*50 mm/sup 2/. Spectral, spatial, and temporal profiles of gain and absorption coefficients were also measured, resulting in a peak gain of 8.5%/cm. An output energy of 410 mJ was extracted in 280 fs with two beams by using this laser as an amplifier.>