Patent ID: 7822093

Claim:
An apparatus ( 10 , 20 ) for changing the length or duration of an incident laser pulse, said apparatus comprising at least one beam splitter ( 1 , 11 , 21 ) for dividing the incident laser pulse into a first partial pulse and a second partial pulse, and a plurality of reflectors ( 3 ) for deflecting the first partial pulse, said reflectors being arranged to guide the first partial pulse along a delaying travel path ( 2 , 12 , 22 ); wherein the at least one beam splitter is shiftable into an engaged position (G) or into a disengaged position (N) and wherein said at least one beam splitter ( 1 , 11 , 21 ) is located outside of a laser beam travel path ( 4 ) in the disengaged position (N) and is located in the laser beam travel path ( 4 ) in the engaged position (G).