Mode-locked operation of a master oscillator power amplifier

Mode-locked semiconductor lasers are attractive as compact sources of short optical pulses for use in physics measurements, for instrumentation systems, and for telecommunications applications. Such lasers operate with average output powers of typically a couple of milliwatts, which is a problem for their use in certain applications where higher power is required. Tapered-stripe master oscillator power amplifiers (MOPAs) have been demonstrated to be capable of multi-Watt powers using diode injection. In this paper we describe the use of such a device using a mode-locked master oscillator source