Abstract: A laser system includes an injection laser source having an output and operable to provide a laser output characterized by a first wavelength, a first linewidth, an output power. The laser system also includes a tunable pulsed source characterized by a gain bandwidth. The tunable pulsed source is operable to provide an output signal having an average power. The output signal includes a plurality of optical pulses. Each of the plurality of optical pulses is characterized by a second wavelength, a second linewidth, and a peak power. The laser system further includes an optical combiner having a first port coupled to the output of the injection laser source, a second port coupled to the tunable pulsed source, and a third port.

Abstract: A method of operating an optical amplifier includes determining a gain of the optical amplifier and providing a modulator drive signal to an optical signal source. The modulator drive signal is a function of the gain of the optical amplifier. The method also includes producing an input optical signal using the optical signal source. The input optical signal includes a first plurality of pulses, each of the first plurality of pulses having an amplitude related to the modulator drive signal. The method further includes coupling the input optical signal to the optical amplifier and amplifying the input optical signal using the optical amplifier to produce an output optical signal including a second plurality of pulses.

Abstract: A method of operating a fiber amplifier characterized by a spectral gain curve includes providing an input signal at a signal wavelength. The signal wavelength lies within an in-band portion of the spectral gain curve extending from a first in-band wavelength to a second in-band wavelength, the in-band portion being characterized by a first amplitude range. The method also includes providing pump radiation at a pump wavelength. The pump wavelength is less than the signal wavelength. The method further includes coupling the pump radiation to the fiber amplifier and amplifying the input signal to generate an output signal. All portions of the spectral gain curve at wavelengths less than the first in-band wavelength and greater than the pump wavelength are characterized by a second amplitude less than or equal to 10 dB greater than the first amplitude range.

Abstract: A method of operating a fiber amplifier characterized by a spectral gain curve includes providing an input signal at a signal wavelength. The signal wavelength lies within an in-band portion of the spectral gain curve extending from a first in-band wavelength to a second in-band wavelength, the in-band portion being characterized by a first amplitude range. The method also includes providing pump radiation at a pump wavelength. The pump wavelength is less than the signal wavelength. The method further includes coupling the pump radiation to the fiber amplifier and amplifying the input signal to generate an output signal. All portions of the spectral gain curve at wavelengths less than the first in-band wavelength and greater than the pump wavelength are characterized by a second amplitude less than or equal to 10 dB greater than the first amplitude range.

Abstract: A method of operating a fiber amplifier characterized by a spectral gain curve includes providing an input signal at a signal wavelength. The signal wavelength lies within an in-band portion of the spectral gain curve extending from a first in-band wavelength to a second in-band wavelength, the in-band portion being characterized by a first amplitude range. The method also includes providing pump radiation at a pump wavelength. The pump wavelength is less than the signal wavelength. The method further includes coupling the pump radiation to the fiber amplifier and amplifying the input signal to generate an output signal. All portions of the spectral gain curve at wavelengths less than the first in-band wavelength and greater than the pump wavelength are characterized by a second amplitude less than or equal to 10 dB greater than the first amplitude range.

Abstract: A method of operating an optical amplifier includes determining a gain of the optical amplifier and providing a modulator drive signal to an optical signal source. The modulator drive signal is a function of the gain of the optical amplifier. The method also includes producing an input optical signal using the optical signal source. The input optical signal includes a first plurality of pulses, each of the first plurality of pulses having an amplitude related to the modulator drive signal. The method further includes coupling the input optical signal to the optical amplifier and amplifying the input optical signal using the optical amplifier to produce an output optical signal including a second plurality of pulses.

Abstract: A tunable pulsed laser source comprising a seed source adapted to generate a seed signal and an optical circulator. The optical circulator includes a first port coupled to the seed source, a second port, and a third port. The laser source also includes an amplitude modulator characterized by a first side and a second side. The first side is coupled to the second port of the optical circulator. The laser source further includes a first optical amplifier characterized by an input end and a reflective end including a spectral-domain reflectance filter. The input end is coupled to the second side of the amplitude modulator. Moreover, the laser source includes a second optical amplifier coupled to the third port of the optical circulator.

Abstract: A tunable pulsed laser source comprising a seed source adapted to generate a seed signal and an optical circulator. The optical circulator includes a first port coupled to the seed source, a second port, and a third port. The laser source also includes an amplitude modulator characterized by a first side and a second side. The first side is coupled to the second port of the optical circulator. The laser source further includes a first optical amplifier characterized by an input end and a reflective end including a spectral-domain reflectance filter. The input end is coupled to the second side of the amplitude modulator. Moreover, the laser source includes a second optical amplifier coupled to the third port of the optical circulator.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to reduce stimulated Brillouin scattering in high power optical fiber amplifiers. In an embodiment, a seed source includes a narrow linewidth semiconductor laser driven with a current ramp that simultaneously sweeps the optical power and the lasing frequency at a rate fast enough to reduce stimulated Brillouin scattering.

Abstract: A method of operating a fiber amplifier characterized by a spectral gain curve includes providing an input signal at a signal wavelength. The signal wavelength lies within an in-band portion of the spectral gain curve extending from a first in-band wavelength to a second in-band wavelength, the in-band portion being characterized by a first amplitude range. The method also includes providing pump radiation at a pump wavelength. The pump wavelength is less than the signal wavelength. The method further includes coupling the pump radiation to the fiber amplifier and amplifying the input signal to generate an output signal. All portions of the spectral gain curve at wavelengths less than the first in-band wavelength and greater than the pump wavelength are characterized by a second amplitude less than or equal to 10 dB greater than the first amplitude range.

Abstract: A laser system includes an injection laser source having an output and operable to provide a laser output characterized by a first wavelength, a first linewidth, an output power. The laser system also includes a tunable pulsed source characterized by a gain bandwidth. The tunable pulsed source is operable to provide an output signal having an average power. The output signal includes a plurality of optical pulses. Each of the plurality of optical pulses is characterized by a second wavelength, a second linewidth, and a peak power. The laser system further includes an optical combiner having a first port coupled to the output of the injection laser source, a second port coupled to the tunable pulsed source, and a third port.

Abstract: A method of operating a fiber amplifier characterized by a spectral gain curve includes providing an input signal at a signal wavelength. The signal wavelength lies within an in-band portion of the spectral gain curve extending from a first in-band wavelength to a second in-band wavelength, the in-band portion being characterized by a first amplitude range. The method also includes providing pump radiation at a pump wavelength. The pump wavelength is less than the signal wavelength. The method further includes coupling the pump radiation to the fiber amplifier and amplifying the input signal to generate an output signal. All portions of the spectral gain curve at wavelengths less than the first in-band wavelength and greater than the pump wavelength are characterized by a second amplitude less than or equal to 10 dB greater than the first amplitude range.

Abstract: A tunable pulsed laser includes a seed source and an optical circulator. The optical circulator includes at least a first port coupled to the seed source, a second port, and a third port. The laser also includes an amplitude modulator characterized by a first optical side and a second optical side. The first optical side is coupled to the second port of the optical circulator. The laser further includes a first optical amplifier characterized by an input end and a reflective end. The input end is optically coupled to the second side of the amplitude modulator. The laser additionally includes a tap coupler optically coupled to the amplitude modulator and characterized by a pre-determined split ratio. Moreover, the laser includes a first photo-detector optically coupled to the tap coupler and adapted to receive a portion of the seed signal transmitted through the amplitude modulator and to generate an output signal.

Abstract: A tunable pulsed laser source comprising a seed source adapted to generate a seed signal and an optical circulator. The optical circulator includes a first port coupled to the seed source, a second port, and a third port. The laser source also includes an amplitude modulator characterized by a first side and a second side. The first side is coupled to the second port of the optical circulator. The laser source further includes a first optical amplifier characterized by an input end and a reflective end including a spectral-domain reflectance filter. The input end is coupled to the second side of the amplitude modulator. Moreover, the laser source includes a second optical amplifier coupled to the third port of the optical circulator.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to reduce stimulated Brillouin scattering in high power optical fiber amplifiers. In an embodiment, a seed source includes a narrow linewidth semiconductor laser driven with a current ramp that simultaneously sweeps the optical power and the lasing frequency at a rate fast enough to reduce stimulated Brillouin scattering.

Abstract: A tunable pulsed laser source includes a seed source adapted to generate a seed signal and an optical circulator having a first port coupled to the seed source, a second port, and a third port. The tunable pulsed laser source also includes a modulator driver adapted to produce a shaped electrical waveform and an amplitude modulator coupled to the modulator driver and adapted to receive the shaped electrical waveform. The amplitude modulator is characterized by a first side coupled to the second port of the optical circulator and a second side. The tunable pulsed laser source further includes a first optical amplifier characterized by an input end and a reflective end. The input end is coupled to the second side of the amplitude modulator. Moreover, the tunable pulsed laser source includes a second optical amplifier coupled to the third port of the optical circulator.

Abstract: A laser system for processing a workpiece includes a tunable pulsed laser source having an output comprising a set of optical pulses. The tunable pulsed laser source includes a seed source, an optical circulator having a first port coupled to the seed source, a second port, and a third port, a modulator driver, and an amplitude modulator coupled to the modulator driver. The tunable pulsed laser source also includes a first optical amplifier characterized by an input end and a reflective end and a second optical amplifier coupled to the third port of the optical circulator. The laser system also includes a controller configured to adjust laser parameters of the tunable pulsed laser source, a supporting member configured to support the workpiece, and an optical system configured to adjust laser beams from the tunable pulsed laser source and direct them towards the workpiece.

Abstract: An optical system adapted to amplify an input signal includes an optical pump supporting the input signal and an optical pump beam. The optical pump includes an input port, a first active medium coupled to the input port, and a pump output coupled to the first active medium. The optical amplifier includes an amplifier input optically coupled to the pump output and adapted to receive the input signal after passing through the optical pump, a second active medium coupled to the amplifier input, and an amplifier output adapted to output the amplified input signal.

Abstract: A tunable pulsed laser source comprising a seed source adapted to generate a seed signal and an optical circulator. The optical circulator includes a first port coupled to the seed source, a second port, and a third port. The laser source also includes an amplitude modulator characterized by a first side and a second side. The first side is coupled to the second port of the optical circulator. The laser source further includes a first optical amplifier characterized by an input end and a reflective end including a spectral-domain reflectance filter. The input end is coupled to the second side of the amplitude modulator. Moreover, the laser source includes a second optical amplifier coupled to the third port of the optical circulator.

Abstract: A method of operating an amplifier system includes providing a pump signal at a pump wavelength. The pump signal is a function of a pump power. The method also includes providing an input signal at a signal wavelength and coupling the pump signal and the input signal to an optical amplifier. The optical amplifier includes a gain medium characterized by a gain value at the signal wavelength. The method further includes amplifying the input signal to provide an output signal, detecting a feedback signal related to the gain value, and modifying the pump power based on the detected feedback signal.