Invention:
This invention is a multi-pass master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA). The technology is an optical amplifier, such as a laser amplifier, that has been configured so the signal cycles through the gain media multiple times. The goal of this is to better saturate the available power from the gain and greatly decrease the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE).
Background:
In standard oscillators, the nonlinear effect causes limitations in the output peak power and pulse energy. There is a need for a product that allows for the oscillator to have a high-output peak and pulse energy. In applications where the signal to be amplified is pulsed and the pulses are accompanied with unwanted preceding components such as an ASE, the preceding components can saturate the gain and effectively reduce the available power to the main component of the pulse.
Applications:
- Optical amplifiers
- Pulsed lasers
Advantages:
- Higher peak power output
- Decreased ASE
