GENERATING LASER PULSES OF PRESCRIBED PULSE SHAPES PROGRAMMED THROUGH COMBINATION OF SEPARATE ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL MODULATORS

摘要

A programmable laser pulse (126) combines electrical modulation of the pulse frequency and optical modulation of the pulse shape to form laser pulses of prescribed pulse shapes. A prescribed pulse shape features high peak power and low average power. The laser system (90) disclosed also allows for power-scaling (102) and nonlinear conversions (104) to other (shorter or longer) wavelengths. The system provides an economical, reliable alternative to using a laser source with high repetition rates to achieve shaped pulses at a variety of wavelengths. The combinatorial scheme disclosed is inherently more efficient than existing subtractive methods.