Direct generation of 10-mJ ultrafast vortex pulses from a thin-disk regenerative amplifier

While ultrafast vortex laser technology progresses towards achieving higher peak powers, the generation of high-energy ultrafast vortex pulses remains a significant challenge. Here, we present a vortex regenerative amplifier that directly produces high-energy ultrafast vortex pulses with energies of more than 10 mJ at a repetition rate of 1 kHz for both the HG_0,1 and LG_0,1 modes. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the highest vortex pulse energy generated directly from an intracavity setup to date. Our approach is based on the integration of a defect mirror into a thin-disk regenerative amplifier. This compact and stable system demonstrates the potential for direct intracavity generation of high-energy ultrafast vortex pulses, serving as a foundation for the development of systems capable of producing hundred-millijoule-level femtosecond vortex pulses.