Sub-Cycle Optical Parametric Synthesizer

Coherent light-field synthesis is a promising route to scale the bandwidthof optical parametric amplifiers beyond one octave. Our visionis to create custom-tailored sub-cycle optical waveforms opening upunprecedented prospects for precision control of strong-field interactions,for the generation of intense isolated attosecond pulses and forattosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. We present our system based onthree OPA channels each featuring a three stage amplification chaindelivering a combined bandwidth of more than two octaves (500 nm -2.2 m) allowing for sub-cycle electric field transients with pulse durationsbelow 1.9 fs and millijoule-level pulse energies. The sub-cyclepulse duration allows for immediate isolated attosecond generation andthe synthesized non-sinusoidal waveforms are expected to significantlyenhance the HHG efficiency for bright isolated attosecond pulses. Thesystem is a challenging approach with respect to CEP-stable ultrabroadbandseed generation, timing synchronization, more than twooctavewide dispersion management and sufficient long term stabilityof the setup based on more than 20 non-linear crystals