Improvements in contrast of laser radiation by optimization of interstage decoupling devices based on bleachable filters

A two-level model is used in optimization of a bleachable filter operating as an interstage decoupling device. The optimization criterion is the maximum enhancement of the contrast of laser radiation pulses at the expense of a slight deterioration in the divergence and a small reduction in the output energy. An analysis which allows for the interaction of the pulse proper and of a prepulse with a bleachable filter is used to identify the ranges of permissible values of the initial transmission coefficient of such a filter and of the specific power density of the laser radiation incident on the filter.