Abstract: Systems and methods of high efficiency amplification of pulsed laser output for high energy ultra-short pulse laser systems are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods for amplifying pulsed laser output for high energy ultra-short pulse laser systems include receiving pulsed laser output and amplifying the pulsed laser output by propagating the pulsed laser output through a non-silica based gain medium that has been doped with a concentration of rare earth ions, wherein the concentration of the rare earth ions within the gain medium is approximately greater than one percent by weight.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, an ultra short pulse system comprises a laser platform which includes an optical source configured to generate an optical pulse, an optical amplifier configured to amplify the optical pulse, and a compressor configured to temporally compress the amplified optical pulse. The ultra short pulse system further comprises monitor circuitry configured to monitor one or more performance aspects of the laser platform. Additionally, the ultra short pulse system may comprise logic configured to control the one or more performance aspects of the laser platform in response to at least the monitored one or more performance aspects.

Abstract: Systems and methods of high efficiency amplification of pulsed laser output for high energy ultra-short pulse laser systems are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods for amplifying pulsed laser output for high energy ultra-short pulse laser systems include receiving pulsed laser output and amplifying the pulsed laser output by propagating the pulsed laser output through a non-silica based gain medium that has been doped with a concentration of rare earth ions, wherein the concentration of the rare earth ions within the gain medium is approximately greater than one percent by weight.

Abstract: A method of controlling an ultra-short pulse system is described comprising controlling an optical power within the ultra-short pulse system and control-system controlling a width of an optical pulse. In some embodiments, the method also comprises tuning a compressor by controlling a number of passes of the optical pulse through a Bragg grating to control the width of the optical pulse output from the compressor. In other embodiments, the method may comprise tuning a multi-pass stretcher by controlling a number of passes of the optical pulse through a loop of the multi-pass stretcher to control the width of the optical pulse output from the multi-pass stretcher. A method of controlling an ultra-short pulse system may also comprise accessing a control system from a remotely located command station, communicating status information from the control system to the command station, and communicating information from the command station to the control system.

Abstract: An ultra-short pulsed laser system comprises an optical combiner, optical amplifier, optical pulse compressor, and optical separator. The optical combiner is configured to combine a primary optical pulse with a secondary optical signal to generate a combined optical signal. The primary optical pulse and the secondary optical signal have a distinguishable characteristic. The optical amplifier is configured to optically amplify the combined optical signal. The optical pulse compressor is configured to compress at least the primary optical pulse contained within the optically amplified combined optical signal and output a compressed combined optical signal. The optical separator is configured to separate the compressed combined optical signal into an output primary optical pulse and an output secondary optical signal according to the distinguishable characteristic.

Abstract: An ultra-short pulsed laser system comprises an optical combiner, optical amplifier, optical pulse compressor, and optical separator. The optical combiner is configured to combine a primary optical pulse with a secondary optical signal to generate a combined optical signal. The primary optical pulse and the secondary optical signal have a distinguishable characteristic. The optical amplifier is configured to optically amplify the combined optical signal. The optical pulse compressor is configured to compress at least the primary optical pulse contained within the optically amplified combined optical signal and output a compressed combined optical signal. The optical separator is configured to separate the compressed combined optical signal into an output primary optical pulse and an output secondary optical signal according to the distinguishable characteristic.

Abstract: A method of controlling an ultra-short pulse system is described comprising controlling an optical power within the ultra-short pulse system and control-system controlling a width of an optical pulse. In some embodiments, the method also comprises tuning a compressor by controlling a number of passes of the optical pulse through a Bragg grating to control the width of the optical pulse output from the compressor. In other embodiments, the method may comprise tuning a multi-pass stretcher by controlling a number of passes of the optical pulse through a loop of the multi-pass stretcher to control the width of the optical pulse output from the multi-pass stretcher. A method of controlling an ultra-short pulse system may also comprise accessing a control system from a remotely located command station, communicating status information from the control system to the command station, and communicating information from the command station to the control system.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, an ultra short pulse system comprises a laser platform which includes an optical source configured to generate an optical pulse, an optical amplifier configured to amplify the optical pulse, and a compressor configured to temporally compress the amplified optical pulse. The ultra short pulse system further comprises monitor circuitry configured to monitor one or more performance aspects of the laser platform. Additionally, the ultra short pulse system may comprise logic configured to control the one or more performance aspects of the laser platform in response to at least the monitored one or more performance aspects.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, a network laser system comprises a laser platform including an optical source configured to generate an optical pulse, an optical amplifier configured to amplify the optical pulse, and a compressor configured to temporally compress the amplified optical pulse. The network laser system may also comprise monitor circuitry (e.g., sensors) configured to monitor one or more performance aspects of the laser platform. The network laser system may further comprise logic configured to transmit data to a remote computing device over a network. The network laser system may be configured to perform a diagnostic test and/or maintenance in response to instructions received from the remote computing device.

Abstract: Multiwavelength modelocked laser systems and methods for reducing intensity fluctuations and amplitude noise in each of the wavelength channels as well as manipulating the interwavelength phase coherence properties. The systems and methods can include lens, semiconductor optical amplifier, grating, cylindrical lens, rod lens and an approximately 7 nm MQW saturable absorber between mirrors for providing a laser cavity resonator for hybridly modelocked operation. Additional systems and methods can include two different positions for the saturable absorber inside the laser resonator which enables direction of the interwavelength phase coherence properties. Up to approximately 300 MHz optical pulse trains in each of up to approximately three channels can be generated. Combining gain flattening and noise suppression within the optical cavity of the modelocked laser can result in generating up to approximately 123 wavelength channels, each having up to approximately 6 Giga Hertz optical pulse trains.

Abstract: Multiwavelength modelocked laser systems and methods for reducing intensity fluctuations and amplitude noise in each of the wavelength channels as well as manipulating the interwavelength phase coherence properties. The systems and methods can include lens, semiconductor optical amplifier, grating, cylindrical lens, rod lens and an approximately 7 nm MQW saturable absorber between mirrors for providing a laser cavity resonator for hybridly modelocked operation. Additional systems and methods can include two different positions for the saturable absorber inside the laser resonator which enables direction of the interwavelength phase coherence properties. Up to approximately 300 MHz optical pulse trains in each of up to approximately three channels can be generated. Combining gain flattening and noise suppression within the optical cavity of the modelocked laser can result in generating up to approximately 123 wavelength channels, each having up to approximately 6 Giga Hertz optical pulse trains.