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US 5,526,171 AGranted
Laser pulse shaper
AssigneeThe Trustees of Princeton University
InventorWarren S. Warren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The frequency components of an input pulse are dispersed into divergent respective rays that are applied to an acousto-optic modulator after being collimated. The amplitude of each frequency component emerging from the modulator is determined by the amplitude and phase of a grating formed therein by modulated radio frequency wave applied to it. The parallel rays emerging from the modulator are focussed onto a device for forming an output pulse.
Claims12
Pulse shaping apparatus, comprising:
- a source of input laser pulses;
- means for spatially dispersing frequency components of each of said pulses;
- means for collimating the dispersed frequency components to produce collimated frequency components;
- an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) positioned in the paths of the collimated frequency components;
- means including a transducer for applying modulated radio frequency voltage waves to said acousto-optic modulator;
- means for focussing the collimated frequency components after they have passed through the acousto-optic modulator;
- and
- means for forming shaped pulses of light from the focussed collimated frequency components.
5 more elements
A method for shaping laser pulses comprising the steps of:
- spatially dispersing frequency components of said pulses;
- collimating the frequency components to produce collimated frequency components;
- directing the respective collimated frequency components onto a crystal that diffracts portions of the respective collimated frequency components depending on their amplitude and phase;
- focussing the collimated frequency components that pass through the crystal;
- and
- forming shaped laser pulses from the focussed frequency components.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.