Patent ID: 7877021

Claim:
Pulse generator of very high resolution phase and/or intensity profiles, comprising an optical source configured to emit a first train of optical pulses according to a determined period (To), characterized in that it also includes: a first modulator modulating the intensity of the optical pulses emitted by the source, and emitting at least a second train of intensity-modulated optical pulses, the different pulses being modulated independently of each other at determined intensity levels, an optical circuit having an optical length such that an optical pulse emitted by the source travels along it in a time (τ) slightly different to the period (To) of the source, a first, active, commandable optical coupler having a first and second input and a first and second output, this coupler configured to receive said second train of optical pulses on its second input, having its second output coupled to the first input via an optical circuit of determined optical length, and configured to deliver on the first output a third pulse train containing as many pulses as contained in the second pulse train, a command device configured to allow commanding of the first optical coupler so that, according to a first command (K=0), it transmits the light received on its two inputs towards the second output and, according to a second command (K=1), it transmits the light received on its first input towards the first output.