Abstract: A method and device are provided for generating bursts of sub-pulses, preferably in the picosecond range. Seed pulses are first generated, and then phase modulated to spread their spectral profile to several time-dependent spectral components. The phase modulated seed pulses are then spectrally filtered to remove spectral components and retain only selected ones, creating gaps in the amplitude profile of the seed pulses which therefore form bursts of sub-pulses. Various parameters such as the modulation amplitude, the modulation frequency, the spectral characteristics of the filters and the overall amplitude of the seed pulses may be controlled to provide a great versatility and adaptability.

Abstract: High power optical pulses generating methods and laser oscillators are provided. A light generating module generates seed optical pulses having predetermined optical characteristics. A spectrum tailoring module is then used to tailor the spectral profile of the optical pulses. The spectral tailoring module includes a phase modulator which imposes a time-dependent phase variation on the optical pulses. The activation of the phase modulator is synchronized with the passage of the optical pulse therethough, thereby efficiently reducing the RF power necessary to operate the device.

Abstract: A digital pulse shaping module for controlling a pulsed laser oscillator according to a digital input waveform is provided. The pulse shaping module includes a clock generator generating a plurality of phase-related clock signals and a shape generator which outputs a digital shape signal corresponding to the digital input waveform in Double Data Rate in response to the clock signals. A DAC converts the digital shape into an analog shape signal. The analog shape signal may be used to control the current source of a laser seed source or modulators in the laser oscillator shaping a seed light signal. Optionally, the pulse shaping module may also output a gate control signal having a predetermined timing relationship with respect to the digital shape 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: An optical fiber amplifier system is described and comprises a first optical fiber having a doped core with a first gain spectral profile upon being pumped. The first optical fiber is adapted to receive an optical signal from a light source. A second optical fiber has a doped core with a second gain spectral profile upon being pumped. The second optical fiber is optically coupled to the first optical fiber. A continuous wave pump light system is optically coupled to the fibers so as to store energy in the fibers for a subsequent amplification of the optical signal from the light source. An overlapping configuration is provided between the first gain spectral profile and the second gain spectral profile so as to reduce energy depletion in one of the optical fibers from amplification of spontaneous emission generated by another of the optical fibers.

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 pulsed laser light source for producing amplified light pulses is provided. It includes a three-port optical circulator connected to a first, second, and third waveguide branch, a seed module for generating a pulsed light and propagating the light along the first waveguide branch to the first port of the optical circulator and out the second port to the second waveguide branch, a reflector in the second waveguide branch for reflecting the light back through the second port of the optical circulator for circulation out the third port to the third waveguide branch, and a light output provided in the third waveguide branch for outputting the amplified light pulses. An amplifier is disposed in the second waveguide branch between the optical circulator and the reflector for amplifying the light and an optical modulator operable for modulating the pulsed light is disposed in the third waveguide branch.

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: An optical fiber amplifier system is described and comprises a first optical fiber having a doped core with a first gain spectral profile upon being pumped. The first optical fiber is adapted to receive an optical signal from a light source. A second optical fiber has a doped core with a second gain spectral profile upon being pumped. The second optical fiber is optically coupled to the first optical fiber. A pump light system is optically coupled to the fibers so as to store energy in the fibers for a subsequent amplification of the optical signal from the light source. An overlapping configuration is provided between the first gain spectral profile and the second gain spectral profile so as to reduce energy depletion in one of the optical fibers from amplification of spontaneous emission generated by another of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A pulsed laser light source is provided. A continuous light beam is first generated by a CW laser source such as a laser diode, a superfluorescent source or a CW solid state laser. The continuous light beam is then modulated by a first modulator, and further shaped by a second modulator at least in partial synchronization with the first. The first and second modulators are preferably each followed by a gain medium for signal amplification.

Abstract: A coupling technique for the side coupling of light from a light source into a waveguide is provided. A transversal groove is made into a section of the waveguide, extending into the target light guiding region. A coupling element is coupled to the light source at one of its end to receive the light beam therefrom. The opposite end of the coupling element is inserted in the groove and has at least one reflecting interface which specularly reflects the light beam for propagation into the waveguide. This technique may advantageously be used to couple light from the laser diodes of an array into one or a plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A coupling technique for the side coupling of light from a light source into a waveguide is provided. A transversal groove is made into a section of the waveguide, extending into the target light guiding region. A coupling element is coupled to the light source at one of its end to receive the light beam therefrom. The opposite end of the coupling element is inserted in the groove and has at least one reflecting interface which specularly reflects the light beam for propagation into the waveguide. This technique may advantageously be used to couple light from the laser diodes of an array into one or a plurality of optical fibers.