Patent ID: 6700698
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A multi-pass optical amplifier system comprising:an amplifier medium; at least one relay imaging telescope for imaging light from the amplifier medium onto a primary light directing optical component and for imaging light directed back from a primary light directing optical component into the amplifier medium to that light is re-passed through the amplifier medium, and a phase conjugate mirror arrangement for intercepting light between passes of the amplifier medium to generate a phase conjugate reflection of the right incident on it; characterised in that the system additionally comprises a controllable phase shifting means for imparting a spatially dependent phase shift to an input beam wherein the stem is arranged such that the aperture of the phase shifting means is imaged onto an aperture of the amplifier medium, such that the system generates an output beam with the spatially dependent phase shift applied to the input beam.