Pulse width reduction for laser amplifiers and oscillators

A laser system, comprising:

• at least one oscillator;
• at least one pulse stretcher in optical communication with the oscillator and configured to broaden a temporal duration of at least one optical signal incident thereon;
• at least one regenerative amplifier in optical communication with the pulse stretcher and configured to amplify the optical signal;
• at least one compressor in optical communication with the regenerative amplifier and configured to compress the optical signal;
• and
• at least one birefringent optical element configured to selectively adjust a spectral modulation depth of the optical signal while leaving a spectral transmission function substantially constant.

A method of reducing the pulse width of an optical signal, comprising:

• positioning at least one birefringent optical element within a beam path of the optical signal;
• rotating the birefringent optical element about the beam path;
• and
• varying a spectral modulation depth of the signal while a spectral transmission function remains substantially constant.

A method of reducing the pulse width of an optical signal, comprising:

• positioning at least one variable reflectivity etalon having at least a first region having at least a first reflectivity and at least a second region having at least a second reflectivity within a beam path of the optical signal;
• translating the variable reflectivity etalon relative to the optical signal such that the optical signal is incident on locations of variable reflectivity formed on the etalon;
• and
• varying a spectral modulation depth of the signal while a spectral transmission function remains substantially constant.