The project made the following advances with respect to the original objectives.
1/ Increasing energy in few-cycle infrared pulses: Modelling completed indicating favourable scaling. Work towards implementation in the laboratory ongoing under UK funding with tests awaiting the completion of an energy upgrade of our laser system.
2/ Reduction in pulse duration: A robust optimisation of the pulse duration has been achieved and the demonstrated in two recent applications: (a) using the few-cycle 1800 nm pulses to drive HHG to generate soft X-rays at 165 eV that have been used to probe the time dependence of S L edge XANES in photo-excited optoelectronic materials, (b) direct driving of HHG in liquid samples with CEP dependence investigated.
3/ Automation of alignment and locking: Successful demonstration of a prototype system, further optimisation of control software and optical system underway.
4/ Commercialisation: Underdevelopment along with discussions with a potential commercial partner.
