Title :
Programmable pulse shaping for optimized laser interactions
Author :
Bruner, Barry D. ; Miller, R. J. Dwayne ; Demmer, D. ; Walker, David
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Chem. & Phys., Toronto Univ., Ont., Canada
Abstract :
Summary form only given. We have developed Q-switched lasers which function as arbitrary pulse shapers. We apply the effect of "dynamic mirrors" by temporally varying the cavity Q as the laser rod is pumped (i.e. effectively varying the output coupling). Hence, the energy storage in the rod and the intracavity intensity can be controlled. This allows temporal shaping of the laser pulses with intracavity elements. We have built and tested both acousto-optic and electro-optic pulse shapers. Both systems are based around quasi-CW diode-pumped Nd:YLF systems.
Keywords :
Q-switching; acousto-optical devices; electro-optical devices; laser beams; laser mirrors; lithium compounds; neodymium; optical materials; optical pulse shaping; optical pumping; solid lasers; yttrium compounds; LiYF/sub 4/; Nd:LiYF/sub 4/ laser; Q-switched lasers; acousto-optic pulse shapers; arbitrary pulse shapers; cavity Q; dynamic mirrors; electro-optic pulse shapers; energy storage; intracavity elements; intracavity intensity; laser pulses; laser rod; optimized laser interactions; programmable pulse shaping; pumped laser; quasi-CW diode-pumped laser; temporal shaping; Laser excitation; Laser feedback; Optical amplifiers; Optical pulses; Optical pumping; Power system harmonics; Pulse amplifiers; Pulse compression methods; Pulse shaping methods; Ultrafast optics;
Conference_Titel :
Lasers and Electro-Optics, 1999. CLEO '99. Summaries of Papers Presented at the Conference on
Conference_Location :
Baltimore, MD, USA
Print_ISBN :
1-55752-595-1
DOI :
10.1109/CLEO.1999.834473
