Arbitrary pulse-shaping in ultrashort pulse lasers using high-resolution direct phase control in the spectral domain

Many High Energy Density (HED) physics experiments rely on ultrafast laser systems, those with a pulse duration on the order of picoseconds or less, given their ability to deliver incredibly high peak intensities. Despite this, studies done within the HED community on the shape of the laser pulse have focused almost exclusively on pulse duration. This is important due to the relationship between pulse duration and peak intensity, but some recent works have revealed that the femtosecond scale structure of the pulse shape, a largely unstudied property, can have a strong impact on laser-plasma interactions. To broaden the variety of potential pulses available for study, we have developed a method of reliably adjusting the pulse shape at this time scale using sub-nanometer resolution direct phase control. This presentation details the benefits of direct phase control pulse shaping compared to more commonplace dispersion-based pulse shaping methods, as well as the capabilities of this method's core algorithm when used in conjunction with two instruments that are already commonly found in high intensity laser labs, the WIZZLER and DAZZLER. Some discussion will also be given to planned future implementations and applications of this new pulse shaping technique.