Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of laser system modules coupled to a communication bus that includes a module update bus, each laser system module including at least one module update port coupled to the module update bus and at least one micro controller unit (MCU) in communication with the module update port, wherein each laser system module is situated to receive a module update instruction over the module update bus based on a type identifier in a general purpose input/output (GPIO) register of the at least one MCU of the corresponding laser system module that indicates a laser system module type.

Abstract: Pulsed fiber lasers that amplify seed laser pulses include pump laser drivers that produce simmer currents during periods in which the seed pulse is suspended, and forward currents associated with steady state pulse amplification. By suitable selection of simmer currents, initiation of a series of seed pulses produces pulse-to-pulse output powers with suitable power variation.

Abstract: A pulse shaper includes a seed laser situated to emit laser pulses, an amplitude modulator situated to receive one or more laser pulse bursts from the seed laser, and a pulse signal generator situated to send a seed pulse signal with a predetermined delay to the seed laser so that the seed laser emits the laser pulses in one or more laser pulse bursts at a selected frequency with each laser pulse burst having a selected number of laser pulses and a selected temporal spacing between laser pulses in the laser pulse burst and situated to send an amplitude pulse signal so that the amplitude modulator adjusts the amplitude of at least one laser pulse in each laser pulse burst.

Abstract: A method includes applying a boost pump signal to a pump laser of a laser system based on a preceding off duration associated with the laser system, and applying a forward pump signal to the pump laser. A laser system includes a seed laser situated to generate seed optical pulses, a pump laser situated to generate pump optical radiation, a fiber amplifier situated to receive the pump optical radiation and the seed optical pulses, and a controller situated to select a pump boost duration or pump boost magnitude based on an off duration associated with the laser system.

Abstract: A pulse shaper includes a seed laser situated to emit laser pulses, an amplitude modulator situated to receive one or more laser pulse bursts from the seed laser, and a pulse signal generator situated to send a seed pulse signal with a predetermined delay to the seed laser so that the seed laser emits the laser pulses in one or more laser pulse bursts at a selected frequency with each laser pulse burst having a selected number of laser pulses and a selected temporal spacing between laser pulses in the laser pulse burst and situated to send an amplitude pulse signal so that the amplitude modulator adjusts the amplitude of at least one laser pulse in each laser pulse burst.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of laser system modules coupled to a communication bus that includes a module update bus, each laser system module including at least one module update port coupled to the module update bus and at least one micro controller unit (MCU) in communication with the module update port, wherein each laser system module is situated to receive a module update instruction over the module update bus based on a type identifier in a general purpose input/output (GPIO) register of the at least one MCU of the corresponding laser system module that indicates a laser system module type.

Abstract: A method includes applying a boost pump signal to a pump laser of a laser system based on a preceding off duration associated with the laser system, and applying a forward pump signal to the pump laser. A laser system includes a seed laser situated to generate seed optical pulses, a pump laser situated to generate pump optical radiation, a fiber amplifier situated to receive the pump optical radiation and the seed optical pulses, and a controller situated to select a pump boost duration or pump boost magnitude based on an off duration associated with the laser system.

Abstract: Pulsed fiber lasers that amplify seed laser pulses include pump laser drivers that produce simmer currents during periods in which the seed pulse is suspended, and forward currents associated with steady state pulse amplification. By suitable selection of simmer currents, initiation of a series of seed pulses produces pulse-to-pulse output powers with suitable power variation.