6. Transmission networks

Transmission gratings are less widely used for pulse compression than reflection gratings. Nevertheless, such gratings can offer high diffraction efficiency (>90%), satisfactory wavefront quality and high flux resistance, a set of characteristics compatible with use on high-power lasers. Their manufacturing process involves fewer elementary steps. Unlike reflective gratings, where a vacuum treatment step is required to obtain the reflective function, here only the steps of photosensitive resin deposition, recording and possibly etching are necessary. In most cases, therefore, costs can be kept to a minimum.

Transmission gratings were first used in the field of nanosecond power lasers to deflect, focus or sample laser beams. For example, the work of Nguyen et al. details the optimization, fabrication and optical performance of a 2,850 tr/mm grating operating at...