Abstract: This invention provides a solution for operating a regenerative amplifier using a single electro-optical device, such as a Pockels cell. An efficient cavity geometry of a regenerative amplifier is provided for enabling pulse selection, coupling and releasing to an output by operating a single Pockels cell unit placed essentially in the middle of the optical cavity, between two polarizers, whereas a first polarizer is used for release of an amplified pulse and a second polarizer is used for injection of seed pulses and release of at least one of waste amplified pulses and seed pulses. One side of the cavity, with respect to the location of said Pockels cell, includes an empty space, whereas the other side is provided with a gain medium, which is pumped by a pump source. The regenerative amplifier of such optical design is both efficient and cost effective. The single electro-optical unit works both as the control unit for operating the regenerative amplifier and as an output pulse picker unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a solution for operating a regenerative amplifier using a single electro-optical device, such as a Pockels cell. An efficient cavity geometry of a regenerative amplifier is provided for enabling pulse selection, coupling and releasing to an output by operating a single Pockels cell unit placed essentially in the middle of the optical cavity, between two polarizers, whereas a first polarizer is used for release of an amplified pulse and a second polarizer is used for injection of seed pulses and release of at least one of waste amplified pulses and seed pulses. One side of the cavity, with respect to the location of said Pockels cell, includes an empty space, whereas the other side is provided with a gain medium, which is pumped by a pump source. The regenerative amplifier of such optical design is both efficient and cost effective. The single electro-optical unit works both as the control unit for operating the regenerative amplifier and as an output pulse picker unit.

Abstract: The current invention describes the method of making symmetrical radiation of extremely asymmetrical light sources, e.g. laser diode bars, using the shaper of three optical elements that preserve the brightness of the initial light source. The first element of the shaper-collimator of the fast axis-images the light source in the direction of the fast axis directly into the output plain of the shaper. The second and the third element of the shaper are the multi-segment elements that separate and optimally redistribute different beams and focus these in the direction of the slow axis. The surfaces of the shaper optical elements are described by the surfaces of the second and higher order, which enables compensation of different distortions, for instance field curvature aberration, distortion caused by the light source bending, etc. The shaper offers optimal order of secondary beam redistribution that has the least possible impact on the initial beam brightness.

Abstract: The current invention describes the method of making symmetrical radiation of extremely asymmetrical light sources, e.g. laser diode bars, using the shaper of three optical elements that preserve the brightness of the initial light source. The first element of the shaper—collimator of the fast axis—images the light source in the direction of the fast axis directly into the output plain of the shaper. The second and the third element of the shaper are the multi-segment elements that separate and optimally redistribute different beams and focus these in the direction of the slow axis. The surfaces of the shaper optical elements are described by the surfaces of the second and higher order, which enables compensation of different distortions, for instance field curvature aberration, distortion caused by the light source bending, etc. The shaper offers optimal order of secondary beam redistribution that has the least possible impact on the initial beam brightness.