Pulse-On-Demand Laser Amplification With Sacrificial Pulse Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing short-pulse laser systems have clock rate-dependent laser pulse energy and are limited in freely selectable triggering and adjustable pulse energy, making it difficult to generate amplified output laser pulses with individually predetermined energies at specific times.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pulse sequence with input laser pulses of consistent energy and interval, where sacrificial laser pulses are inserted to maintain amplification stability, and energy balance sacrificial pulses are used to adjust output pulse energies based on time intervals, ensuring pulses are amplified with predetermined energies at specified times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a high-performance ps laser with pulse picker is used to achieve free triggering, then individually predetermined pulse energies at individually predetermined times can be generated, but the device complexity increases and the system requires multiple components (mode-locked seeder, pulse picker, amplifier, modulator)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pulse picker component from the laser system. By using a mode-locked laser that directly generates pulses at the desired repetition rate, the system removes the need for external pulse picking and modulation components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability for individually predetermined pulse energies and timing
Solution Approach 2:
The mode-locked laser source performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the base pulse train, determines the pulse repetition rate, and enables flexible triggering. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate pulse picker, modulator, and driver components, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
2Ease of operation
If the time interval between two requested pulses is greater than the reciprocal of nominal pulse repetition rate, then the driver goes to intermediate level and pulse picker passes pulses with predefined low amplitude, but this increases the gain of laser medium and causes constant laser parameters condition to be difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the mode-locked laser's pulse repetition rate to match the requested pulse timing requirements. By dynamically adjusting the laser operating parameters rather than using fixed intermediate levels, the system maintains constant laser parameters while achieving flexible pulse timing and amplitude control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the mode-locked laser (pulse repetition rate, pump power) to adapt to different pulse timing requirements. This parameter adjustment approach allows the laser to maintain stable operation across varying pulse intervals without requiring intermediate driver levels or amplitude pre-definition
3Manufacturing precision
If pulse pauses are too long in the amplifier, then amplification becomes so great that pulse increases occur, but if pulses are amplified continuously, then thermal equilibrium cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The mode-locked laser generates pulses at a high, fixed repetition rate that provides regular, periodic amplification intervals. This periodic action ensures that the amplifier medium is continuously pumped and relaxed in a controlled manner, maintaining thermal equilibrium while preventing excessive pulse energy buildup through the consistent timing and spacing of amplified pulses
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for stable, adjustable pulse energy generation with ns accuracy, preventing pulse increases and maintaining thermal equilibrium, thus enhancing the functionality of optical components.
Implementation Method 1
Amplifying the selected input laser pulses by means of an optical amplifier
Implementation Method 2
coupling in an energy balance sacrificial laser pulse whose pulse energy is variable at a time interval of less than the maximum time period before at least one, in particular each, input laser pulse to be amplified
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The method according to the invention for generating amplified output laser pulses (21, 22, 23) having individually predefined pulse energies and/or shapes at individually predefined points in time (t1, t.2, t.3) at an output (3) comprises the following method steps: – providing a pulse sequence of input laser pulses (5) having the same pulse energy and, in particular, having the same temporal pulse spacing (Δt), which is less than the temporal pulse spacing (ΔΤ1, ΔΤ2) between two adjacent output laser pulses (21, 22, 23); – selecting those input laser pulses (51, 52, 53) which arrive at the output (3) in each case at the predefined points in time (t1, t.2, t.3) or closest to the predefined points in time (t1, t.2, t.3); – amplifying the selected input laser pulses (51, 52, 53) by means of an optical amplifier (8) having a predefined gain-free minimum time period (Tmin) and a predefined gain-free maximum time period (Tmax), – coupling in an energy balance sacrificial laser pulse (13) in a time interval (Tmod) of less than the maximum time period (Tmax) before at least one, in particular each, input laser pulse (51, 52, 53) to be amplified, – for the case where the temporal pulse spacing (ΔΤ1) between two successive input laser pulses (51, 52) to be amplified is greater than the maximum time period (Tmax), before the subsequent one of the two successive input laser pulses (51, 52) to be amplified, inserting at least one sacrificial laser pulse (12), spaced apart from the subsequent input pulse (52) to be amplified by the maximum time period (Tmax), into the pulse sequence of the selected input laser pulses (51, 52, 53); and – coupling the amplified sacrificial and energy balance sacrificial laser pulses (12', 13') upstream of the output (3) out of the pulse sequence of the amplified input laser pulses (51, 52, 53) in order to obtain, at the output (3), the output laser pulses (21, 22, 23) having the predefined pulse energies at the predefined points in time (t1, t.2, t.3).