Automated polarization correction
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a source of chirped laser pulses;
a variable polarization compensator configured to modify a polarization of the chirped laser pulses;
a single-pass pulse amplifier configured to alter polarization of the entire chirped laser pulses without optical feedback and to amplify the chirped laser pulses modified by the variable polarization compensator to produce amplified laser pulses, the variable polarization compensator modification configured to compensate for a change in polarization state caused by the pulse amplifier;
a polarization sensor configured to measure the polarization state of the amplified laser pulses;
a controller configured to receive an output of the polarization sensor responsive to the measured polarization and to control the variable polarization compensator responsive to the output; and
a pulse compressor configured to temporally compress the amplified laser pulses.
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Abstract
A chirped pulse amplification system includes one or more polarization compensator configured to compensate for polarization altering elements with the chirped pulse amplification system. The polarization compensator is responsive to a sensor configured to provide feedback to the polarization compensator. In some embodiments, the chirped pulse amplification system further includes a controller configured to automatically adjust the polarization compensator responsive to the sensor. The sensor is optionally a power sensor.
635 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a source of chirped laser pulses; a variable polarization compensator configured to modify a polarization of the chirped laser pulses; a single-pass pulse amplifier configured to alter polarization of the entire chirped laser pulses without optical feedback and to amplify the chirped laser pulses modified by the variable polarization compensator to produce amplified laser pulses, the variable polarization compensator modification configured to compensate for a change in polarization state caused by the pulse amplifier; a polarization sensor configured to measure the polarization state of the amplified laser pulses; a controller configured to receive an output of the polarization sensor responsive to the measured polarization and to control the variable polarization compensator responsive to the output; and a pulse compressor configured to temporally compress the amplified laser pulses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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generating a chirped laser pulse; amplifying the chirped laser pulse with a single-pass amplifier that excludes optical feedback; measuring the polarization of the chirped laser pulse; compressing the chirped laser pulse; and adjusting a polarization of the entire chirped laser pulse prior to compressing the chirped laser pulse, responsive to the polarization characteristic of the chirped laser pulse. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification