Optical systems using volume holographic elements to provide arbitrary space-time characteristics, including frequency-and/or spatially-dependent delay lines, chirped pulse compressors, pulse hirpers, pulse shapers, and laser resonators
US4834474A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 1987 |
| Grant date | May 30, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S372/70
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optical systems, using volume holographic elements (gratings) having geometries which tailor the spatio-temporal dispersion of the optical pulses for the system. The input optical pulse is characterized by a frequency variation across the temporal profile of the pulse. The various frequency components of this pulse are first dispersed by at least one grating which may be of the blazed reflection or holographic volume transmission type. The resultant dispersed light is then diffracted by a holographic volume grating which imparts the desired temporal dispersion characteristics to the pulse. The shape of the holographic element will vary according to the input pulse frequency profile as formed by varied chirping techniques. A grating stage may then be repeated, preferably with additional elements in mirror symmetry to the first or by retro-reflection, in order to recombine the spatially dispersed pulse components into an exiting pulse which may be of vastly compressed temporal profile. In optical dispersive delay lines, the grating geometry provides temporal dispersion which is a desired function of wavelength of the optical pulses.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.