Patent ID: 7991022

Claim:
A method for using stimulated Raman scattering to produce amplified laser pulses in an optical amplifier device, comprising: directing a train of input laser pulses at a first pulse repetition rate and at an input laser frequency into an optical amplifier that has an optical gain section to amplify the input laser pulses; controlling the input laser pulses to extend a pulse duration of each laser pulse; setting pump light at a pump wavelength different from the input laser frequency coupled into the optical gain section at a power level to optically excite the optical gain section to produce an optical gain at the input laser frequency to amplify optical power of each input laser pulse at the input laser frequency above a stimulated Raman scattering threshold of the optical gain section to generate Raman pulses that are at a Raman optical frequency shifted from the input laser frequency by a Raman frequency detuning and are amplified in power by the optical gain section; and coupling the Raman pulses out of the optical gain section as amplified laser pulses after a length of propagation in the optical gain section before or at beginning of generation of secondary Raman pulses from the Raman pulses at an optical frequency shifted from the Raman optical frequency of the Raman pulses by the Raman frequency detuning.