Coherent light generators – Particular beam control device – Control of pulse characteristics
Patent
1995-05-10
1996-07-30
Scott, Jr., Leon
Coherent light generators
Particular beam control device
Control of pulse characteristics
372 96, 372 6, 372 39, 372102, 372 30, H01S 310
Patent
active
055419470
ABSTRACT:
The invention provides a method and apparatus for generating high pulse energy, short optical pulses having relatively high contrast. The system comprises a diode laser to seed a compact diode pumped amplifier, and comprises pulse shaping and cleaning elements to achieve relatively high energies and high contrast. The system is not locked to a fixed repetition rate as it is controlled by an electronic trigger. The system of the invention comprises a selectively triggered pulse source (asynchronous) which is coupled to pulse amplifying/pulse shaping means, which is coupled to pulse cleaning means, which is further coupled to a chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system. The method of the invention comprises the general steps of: (1) selectively triggering a pulse source; (2) amplifying the pulse and shaping it; (3) increasing contrast of the pulse utilizing a preferred, passive, nonlinear pulse cleaner; and (4) increasing the energy of the pulse and decreasing its pulse width by chirped pulse amplification (CPA) means. In the method of the invention, steps (2) and (3) may be repeated in order to achieve a desired energy intensity and contrast.
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Mourou Geard A.
Nees John A.
Jr. Leon Scott
The Regents of the University of Michigan
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