Patent ID: 7711014
Filing Date: 2010-05-04
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for generating short optical pulses comprising: a storage medium capable of storing optical energy; a first module for pumping optical energy into the storage medium to energize the storage medium, wherein said first module pumps optical pulses or a continuous beam into the storage medium to energize the storage medium; a second module for delivering one or more trigger optical pulses to the optical storage medium in which each of the trigger optical pulses causes a cascade release of the energy stored in the storage medium in an output optical pulse having a greater power and narrower full width at half maximum size than the trigger optical pulse that caused the output pulse, wherein said one or more trigger optical pulses each have a rising edge which triggers the cascade release of one of said output optical pulse from the storage medium by substantially discharging the energy stored by a storage medium, said one or more trigger pulses are polarized, and said second module represents one or more sources for delivering said one or more trigger optical pulses; a third module controlling the operation of the first and second modules to effect characteristics of the output optical pulse; means for controlling said output optical pulse outputted from said storage medium; optics for receiving a return optical signal in response to said output pulse; and a module for detection of said output optical pulse in said return optical signal.