Patent ID: 7440162
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A fiber-based chirped pulse amplification system, comprising: a mode-locked laser; a polarization-maintaining device coupled to an output of the mode-locked laser; a pulse stretcher coupled to a first output of the polarization-maintaining device; a first amplifier coupled to the pulse stretcher; a pulse selector comprising an integrated modulator coupled to the first amplifier; and a second amplifier coupled through a beam splitter to a second output of the polarization-maintaining device, wherein the pulse stretcher comprises: a dispersive optical element, at least a portion thereof comprising an optical fiber, the element causing an increase in a width of a pulse prior to and after amplification of the pulse by the first amplifier; and a Faraday rotator mirror, wherein the pulse selector is coupled between the first amplifier and the Faraday rotator mirror.