Patent ID: 8379298
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: G02F,H01S

Abstract:
1. A high power short optical pulse source comprising: an optical signal source operable to output short optical pulses; an optical pump light source provided at a first location; an optical head provided at a second location remote from the first location; an optical fibre amplifier having at least its optical output located within the optical head; an optical signal delivery fibre arranged to deliver optical pulses from the optical signal source to the optical fibre amplifier; a pump light delivery fibre arranged to deliver optical pump light to the optical fibre amplifier, wherein short optical pulses of a first optical power are delivered to the optical fibre amplifier and are amplified therein to a second, higher optical power for output from the optical head; and wherein the signal source is provided at a third location, intermediate the first and second locations, with an optical pump source being provided at the first location and being coupled to the optical signal source via a pump delivery fibre.