Patent ID: 9306370
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: H01S

Claim Text:
1. A regenerative optical amplifier comprising: an optical cavity defined by two end mirrors, and an electro-optical unit arranged to change a polarization state of an incident beam upon application of an electric signal, wherein the electro-optical unit is located essentially in the middle of the optical cavity wherein a length of each of a first and a second optical path, extending from the electro-optical unit towards the end mirrors is long enough so that the electro-optical unit is able to fully transition from one state to another while a pulse of light is propagating in either of the first and the second optical paths, wherein the regenerative optical amplifier is arranged in such a manner that, depending on a timing of a control signal of the electro-optical unit, amplified pulses are directed out of the regenerative optical amplifier in at least one of a first direction and a second direction, with the first direction being directed away from a first side of the electro-optical unit and the second direction being directed away from a second side of the electro-optical unit, and wherein the first side and the second side of the electro-optical unit are substantially opposite to each other.