The Center for Advanced Laser Applications (CALA), the high-tech campus of the Munich universities in Garching, is home to one of the most powerful lasers in the world. The ATLAS (Advanced Ti:Sapphire Laser 3000 Terawatt) delivers pulses of 2.5 to 3 petawatts at a repetition rate of 1 Hz. In order to generate this kind of power, all inhabitants of the Earth would have to turn on approximately 4,000 100-W light bulbs simultaneously.
Physicists, physicians, and biologists are using the ATLAS beam for various experiments. For example, Photon and ion beams generated by the ATLAS produce high-power X-Rays, having the ability to detect cancerous tumors in their very early stages, in the future, significantly increasing the chance of a full recovery. In addition, photon and ion beams generated by ATLAS could open up the door to new forms of radiation therapy.
The large-area mirrors for this high-performance laser are manufactured at LASER COMPONENTS. For optimal functionality at enormous power levels, the optics must meet the highest of standards. Reflection values of more than 99.8% across a spectral range of more than100 nm are required, with the group delay dispersion being as low as possible. The pulse duration must not be impaired even in the femtosecond range, and the laser damage threshold must be correspondingly high, given the enormous laser power at the testing facilities.
In order to achieve these specifications, the coatings required must exhibit particularly high homogeneity across the entire surface of the mirror without deforming the substrate. Few manufacturers worldwide, are able to supply mirrors that meet all these requirements. LASER COMPONENTS does.
