Abstract: The optical modulator of the invention comprises an electro-optic material or magneto-optic material EOD which modulates optical energy in accordance with an applied electromagnetic waveform. The electromagnetic waveform impressed in the EOD is controlled by a light activated switch, or switches, which varies the magnitude of the electromagnetic waveform to the EOD by switching portions of a transmission line (of which the EOD forms all or at least a part of the dielectric) in or out. The switch, or switches, may be configured between segments of one of the conductors of the transmission line and may overlay the electro-optic dielectric material. The transmission line may include a plurality of sections, each charged to a selected voltage, so that when switched by said light activated switches, the electromagnetic waveform to the EOD is controlled. When used in a laser cavity, the optical modulator can control the output of the laser cavity in response to optical input control signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the energy extraction efficiency from laser amplifiers by passing a laser signal through the amplifier multiple times in a collinear geometry without need to use active optical switching components. The invention uses a non-reciprocal optical element which affects (e.g., rotates the polarization of) a light beam differently depending on which direction the beam passes through the optical element. In a preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus employs a Faraday rotator as the direction-dependent light beam rotating device.

Abstract: A source for generating energy in the microwave region to a load comprising a transmission line, a semiconductor switch connected between said transmission and said load, said switch being operable, in its open state, to sustain a voltage corresponding to the average maximum electric field physically sustainable by the switch and, in its closed state, to sustain the maximum current density J equal to Wd.sub.3, where W is the width of the switch and d.sub.3 its thickness to thereby supply maximum power to the load and maximum switching speed.

Abstract: A source for generating microwaves using sequential switching of cascaded TEM transmission lines of arbitrary lengths charged to arbitrary voltages where the delay between any two switches is equal to or greater than the temporal length of the transmission line separating them, the first switch activated being the one closest to the load. The source uses an optimized transmission line and switch geometry which yields the highest possible power flow. Various folded configurations of the source which provides added compactness and simplified energizing are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reversible inductive energy transfer device for use where efficient transfer of energy between inductors is required. The apparatus is a current amplifying device which utilizes an energy storage inductor which comprises a plurality of series connected induction elements, the inductor being connected in series with a current source and a load inductor. The series connected induction elements are progressively disconnected from the load inductor in a make-before-break manner. The switching may be accomplished by a mechanical switch or by means of superconducting switches, semiconductor switches or PCT switches. The energy storage inductor comprises a single turn or current loop having a plurality of high conductivity, at least partially mutually coupled current paths. The current is continuously or discretely diverted into progressively smaller current paths in order to amplify the current and transfer energy into the load inductor.