Interleaved multi-pass optical amplifier

Abstract

The described methods and devices minimize or reduce the effects of the leading amplified spontaneous emission component of an optical pulse in optical multi-pass amplifier systems. One multi-pass optical amplifier includes a gain medium positioned to receive a pump laser, and to receive an optical pulse having a main component and one or both of a leading or a trailing component. The optical amplifier also includes one or more reflectors positioned at a first side or at a second side of the gain medium that allow multi-pass propagation of the optical pulse through the gain medium. The one or more reflectors are positioned to allow the main component of the optical pulse to traverse through the gain medium in a first pass before the leading component of the optical pulse reaches the gain medium in a second pass through the gain medium.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.