Controllabel dual-wavelength operation of modelocked lasers

A laser system comprising:

• i. a generation means having an inhomogeneously broadened, single gain medium, for generating light outputs at at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength wherein said gain medium has a relaxation time greater than 1 .mu.sec;
• ii. first active or passive modelocking means for modelocking said first wavelength;
• iii. second active or passive modelocking means for modelocking said second wavelength;
• iv. output coupling means for coupling said first wavelength and said second wavelength to respective outputs;
• v. laser excitation means for exciting said gain medium;
• vi. at least one laser cavity for said first wavelength and said second wavelength;
• and
• vii. wavelength selective elements, wherein said elements feed said first wavelength along a first path and said second wavelength along a second path different from said first path.

A laser system, comprising:

• i. a generation means having an inhomogeneously broadened, single gain medium, for generating light outputs at at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength, wherein said gain medium has a group velocity walk off between pulses approximately equal to or greater than one pulse width;
• ii. first modelocking means for modelocking said first wavelength;
• iii. second modelocking means for modelocking said second wavelength, wherein said first modelocking means is positioned at a location separated from said second modelocking means;
• iv. output coupling means for coupling said first wavelength and said second wavelength to respective outputs;
• v. laser excitation means for exciting said gain medium;
• vi. at least one laser cavity for each of said first wavelength and said second wavelength, wherein said gain medium is positioned in a location common to said laser cavities;
• and
• vii. wavelength selective elements, wherein said elements feed said first wavelength along a first path and said second wavelength along a second path different from said first path.

A laser system, comprising:

• i. a generation means in the form of a gain medium which generates soliton-like pulse outputs at at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength;
• ii. first modelocking means for modelocking said first wavelength;
• iii. second modelocking means for modelocking said second wavelength, wherein said first modelocking means is positioned at a location separated from said second modelocking means and said gain medium;
• iv. output coupling means for coupling said first wavelength and said second wavelength to respective outputs;
• v. laser excitation means for exciting said gain medium;
• vi. at least one laser cavity for each of said first wavelength and said second wavelength, wherein said gain medium is positioned in a location common to said laser cavities;
• and
• vii. wavelength selective elements, wherein said elements feed said first wavelength along a first path and said second wavelength along a second path different from said first path.