Pulse-energy-stabilization and first-pulse-suppression optical gain fiber apparatus and method
US8363312B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/04
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process wherein excess stored optical energy is removed from one or more stages in a fiber-amplifier, in order to stabilize the gain and obtain a constant level of energy per pulse. In some embodiments, a method of the invention includes providing a gain fiber, optically pumping the gain fiber using pump light, amplifying seed-signal pulses having a signal wavelength using the gain fiber to obtain amplified output pulses, and automatically limiting a gain of the gain fiber. In some embodiments, an apparatus of the invention includes a gain fiber, a source of pump light coupled to the gain fiber, a source of seed-signal pulses having a signal wavelength coupled to the gain fiber, wherein the gain fiber outputs amplified signal pulses, and an automatic-gain-control mechanism configured to limit gain of the gain fiber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.