DUALLY MODE-LOCKED ND: YAG LASER

摘要

A dually mode-locked laser system is disclosed, the laser system being of the general type including a laser cavity defined by a pair of at least partially relecting mirrors with a laser material disposed in the cavity. A loss modulator mode-locking element and a phase modulator mode-locking element are disposed in the laser cavity in optical series with one another. Modulation drive signals are provided for each mode-locking element such that each mode-locking element produces an output pulse train of substantially the same repetition rate and wherein the output pulse train is in a timed inter-relationship such that the pulses pass through both mode-locking elements without being extinguished. The loss mode-locker is driven at a low level so that relaxation oscillations do not occur and forces the pulses generated by the phase mode-locker to maintain a constant phase relative to the mode-lock drive signal. The laser system can be run both open loop and with a phase-lock stabilization feedback loop.