REGENERATIVE OPTICAL AMPLIFIER FOR SHORT PULSED LASERS, A LASER SOURCE AND A LASER WORKSTATION

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A regenerative optical amplifier comprising:
an optical cavity defined by two end mirrors, and an electro-optical unit arranged to change a polarization state of an incident beam upon application of an electric signal, wherein the electro-optical unit is located essentially in the middle of the optical cavity wherein a length of each of a first and a second optical path, extending from the electro-optical unit towards the end mirrors is long enough so that the electro optical unit is able to fully transition from one state to another while a pulse of light is propagating in either of the first and the second optical paths, and wherein the regenerative optical amplifier is arranged in such a manner that, depending on a timing of a control signal of the electro-optical unit, amplified pulses are directed towards one of two outputs of the regenerative optical amplifier, located on opposite sides with respect to the electro-optical unit.