Patent ID: 7388891
Filing Date: 2008-06-17
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A wide bandwidth light source, comprising: an optical pulse-generating means for generating pulses of light comprising a predetermined waveplate and a rotation stage, on which the plate is rotatably arranged, in a light path through which the pulses of light travel; white light-emitting means for emitting a white light, of which spectrum distribution ranges to a wide bandwidth, by inputting pulses of light outputted from said optical pulse generating means; monitoring means for monitoring a light component of a predetermined wavelength yielded by splitting the pulses of light outputted by said optical pulse generating means or the white light outputted by the white light emitting means; operation-stabilizing means for controlling an output from said optical pulse generating means in the range, in which mode-locking is maintained, by using a result of monitoring by said monitoring means for controlling the rotation of the rotation stage.