Multi-pass light amplifier

Apparatus for producing amplified spontaneous emission of light emitted by an optical gain medium by passage of this emitted light through a light amplifier at least once, the apparatus comprising:

• a confocal resonator including first and second curvilinearly shaped mirrors facing each other along a resonator axis and having a common optical focal point positioned between the mirrors, the two mirrors being arranged so that a light beam that passes through the common focal point is subsequently received by either of the mirrors and is reflected toward the other mirror in a direction that is approximately parallel to the resonator axis;
• an optical gain medium, having a diameter that is small compared the distance between the two mirrors and being positioned at the common focal point of the two mirrors;
• optical translation means, positioned between the two mirrors so that the translation means does not lie on the resonator axis, for receiving and translating a light beam travelling parallel to the resonator axis by a small, controllable amount in a direction substantially perpendicular to the resonator axis so that, when the light beam issues from the translation means, the light beam travels substantially parallel to the resonator axis;
• and
• light beam removal means for removing a light beam from a region between the first mirror and the second mirror.

A multiple-pass light amplifier comprising:

• a White Cell multiple-pass optical cavity, including first, second and third curvilinearly shaped mirrors, with the first and second mirrors facing the third mirror and all three mirrors having optical focal points lying on a common focal plane positioned between the mirrors, the three mirrors being arranged so that a light beam, which is reflected from the first mirror, is subsequently received by the third mirror and is reflected toward the second mirror and so that a light beam, which is reflected from the second mirror, is subsequently received by the third mirror and is reflected toward the first mirror;
• an optical gain medium, having a diameter that is small compared the distance between the third mirror and either of the first mirror or the second mirror and being positioned contiguous to the first mirror or the second mirror;
• light beam insertion means for introducing a light beam produced by a light source into a region between the first, second and third mirrors;
• and
• light beam removal means for removing a light beam from the region between the first, second and third mirrors.

Apparatus for producing amplified spontaneous emission of light by an optical gain medium, by passage of a light beam through a light amplifier at least once, the apparatus comprising:

• a White Cell multiple-pass optical cavity, including first, second and third curvilinearly shaped mirrors, with the first and second mirrors facing the third mirror and all three mirrors having optical focal points lying on a common focal plane positioned between the mirrors, the three mirrors being arranged so that a light beam, which is reflected from the first mirror, is subsequently received by the third mirror and is reflected toward the second mirror and so that a light beam, which is reflected from the second mirror, is subsequently received by the third mirror and is reflected toward the first mirror;
• an optical gain medium, having a diameter that is small compared the distance between the third mirror and either of the first mirror or the second mirror and being positioned contiguous to the first mirror or the second mirror;
• light beam insertion means for introducing a light beam produced by a light source into a region between the first, second and third mirrors;
• and
• light beam removal means for removing a light beam from a region between the first, second and third mirrors.