Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the profile of a single pulse or a pulse with a very low repetition rate, comprising replication means (100,105,120,125,130) for generating a series of replica pulses of an initial optical pulse (I), with a recurrence period (?); means (100b,150) for extracting said replica pulses; optical sampling means (160,161) for sampling the extracted replica pulses (Ri) to output optical samples (Ei) from the extracted replica pulses (Ri) with a sampling period (Te), the deviation between the sampling period and the recurrence period being chosen to be not equal to zero and very much less than the recurrence period; detection means (180) for obtaining an electrical signal from optical samples (Ei) output by said optical sampling means (160,161); said replication means comprising parametric amplification means (120,140,141,142) for amplifying said replica pulses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the profile of a single pulse or a pulse with a very low repetition rate, comprising replication means (100,105,120,125,130) for generating a series of replica pulses of an initial optical pulse (I), with a recurrence period (?); means (100b, 150) for extracting said replica pulses; optical sampling means (160,161) for sampling the extracted replica pulses (Ri) to output optical samples (Ei) from the extracted replica pulses (Ri) with a sampling period (Te), the deviation between the sampling period and the recurrence period being chosen to be not equal to zero and very much less than the recurrence period; detection means (180) for obtaining an electrical signal from optical samples (Ei) output by said optical sampling means (160,161); said replication means comprising parametric amplification means (120,140,141,142) for amplifying said replica pulses.

Abstract: In a pulse generator of very high resolution phase and/or intensity profiles, an active mode-locking laser source (1) emits a first train of optical pulses according to a determined period (To), which is intensity-modulated pulse-by-pulse by a modulator (2). The modulated pulses are transmitted to an optical loop (3) via a coupler (4). The optical length of the optical loop is slightly different from the period (To) of the source. The modulated pulses are transmitted to input B of the coupler. The optical loop connects output D to input A of the coupler. This coupler is commanded such that, according to a first command (k=0), it transmits the light received on its two inputs A, B towards output d, and according to a second command (K=1), it transmits the light received on its input (A) towards output (C).

Abstract: A device for measuring the profile of single optical pulses includes an optical fiber loop (1, F) for creating a series of replica pulses (Ri) of the initial optical pulse, starting from the initial optical pulse (I), an automatic gain control (2, 3, 4, AMP) for adjusting the amplitudes of replica pulses (Ri) to values substantially the same as each other, an optical sampler (7, Ech) for forming optical samples (Ei) starting from replica pulses (Ri), and a detector (D) for forming an electrical signal from the optical samples (Ei). The device is applicable to measurement of single optical or electrical pulses or pulses with a low repetition rate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pulse generator of very high resolution phase and/or intensity profiles. An active mode-locking laser source (1) emits a first train of optical pulses according to a determined period (To), which is intensity-modulated pulse-by-pulse by a modulator (2). The modulated pulses are transmitted to an optical loop (3) via a coupler (4). The optical length of the optical loop is slightly different to the period (To) of the source. The modulated pulses are transmitted to input B of the coupler. The optical loop connects output D to input A of the coupler. This coupler is commanded such that, according to a first command (K=0), it transmits the light received on its two inputs A, B towards output D, and according to a second command (K=1), it transmits the light received on its input (A) towards output (C).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the profile of single optical pulses, comprising: means (1, F) for creating a series of replica pulses (Ri) of the initial optical pulse, starting from the initial optical pulse (I), slaving means (2, 3, 4, AMP) for adjusting the amplitudes of replica pulses (Ri) to values substantially the same as each other, sampling means (7, Ech) for forming optical samples (Ei) starting from replica pulses (Ri), and detection means (D) for forming an electrical signal starting from the optical samples (Ei). The invention is applicable to measurement of single optical or electrical pulses or pulses with a low repetition rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optically programmable electric generator of arbitrary time profiles, which comprises a first ultrahigh frequency triggering line (10) and a second ultrahigh frequency discharge line (12) resistively coupled, by points, the first line being triggered by a voltage transition of duration less than one nanosecond, at least one point being taken off from the first line (10) by at least one photoconductor in variable resistance mode, directly coupled to the second line, illuminated by a programmable light source (13). A resistive load is connected at the output (S) of this generator.