Coherent combining pulse bursts in time domain

A method for coherently combining pulses of a pulsed optical signal in the time domain, comprising:

• receiving an optical input signal comprised of a periodic pulse train;
• splitting the input signal into N optical signals;
• amplitude modulating each signal in the N optical signals to form clusters of pulses in each signal, such that amplitude of pulses in each cluster varies amongst pulses;
• phase modulating each signal in the N optical signals, such that phase of pulses in each cluster varies amongst pulses;
• and
• coherently combining each of the phase modulated signals in the time domain using one or more resonant cavities and thereby forming an optical output signal having a solitary pulse for each cluster of pulses, where the N optical signals are combined in a manner such that pulse energy of the solitary pulse exceeds N times highest energy of any given pulse in the cluster of pulses from the N optical signals.

A method for coherently combining pulses of a pulsed optical signal in the time domain, comprising:

• receiving an optical input signal comprised of a periodic pulse train;
• forming at least one cluster of pulses in the pulse train, where amplitude and phase of pulses in the at least one cluster varies amongst pulses;
• and
• coherently combining pulses in the at least one cluster in the time domain to form an optical signal with a solitary pulse using a resonant cavity, where the resonant cavity has an entirely reflective cavity.

A method for coherently combining pulses of a pulsed optical signal in the time domain, comprising:

• receiving an optical input signal comprised of a periodic pulse train;
• amplitude modulating the optical input signal to form at least one clusters of pulses, such that amplitude of pulses in each cluster varies amongst pulses;
• phase modulating the optical input signal, such that phase of pulses in each cluster varies amongst pulses;
• splitting the optical input signal into N optical signals;
• amplifying each of the N optical signals;
• coherently combining each of the amplified optical signals into a combined signal using a beam combiner;
• and
• coherently combining pulses in the at least one cluster of pulses in the combined signal in the time domain using a resonant cavity having an entirely reflective cavity, thereby forming an optical output signal having a solitary pulse for each cluster of pulses.