Method and system for arbitrary optical pulse generation
A system, method, and apparatus for continuous seed laser pulses supplied to a CW pumped pre-amplifier and/or power-amplifier chain comprises an optical modulator configured to impress pulse signals on an optical signal, a waveform generator configured to establish a structure of the optical signal, and a keep-alive circuit that generates a continuous electrical pulse pattern provided to the optical modulator, wherein the system provides a continuous seed laser pulse structure.
1. A system comprising:
an optical modulator configured to impress pulse signals on an optical signal;
a waveform generator configured to establish a structure of said optical signal; and
a keep-alive circuit that generates a continuous electrical pulse pattern provided to said optical modulator wherein said system provides a continuous seed laser pulse structure, wherein said keep-alive circuit further comprises:
a crystal oscillator;
a count-down and 1-shot circuit;
a delay circuit configured to generate keep-alive pulses; and
a driver circuit configured to generate at least one trigger.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a synchronization circuit configured to synchronize said optical pulses to an external process.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a single frequency laser diode, wherein said single frequency laser diode outputs said optical signal.
4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a computer system configured to implement non-transitory instruction media for controlling said waveform generator, generating a desired waveform.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said waveform generator further generates a marker pulse provided to said keep-alive circuit.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said trigger comprises a process trigger that synchronizes an output of the system to a process.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said continuous seed laser pulse structure is provided to an amplifier.
8. A pulse generation apparatus comprising:
a seed laser producing an optical signal;
an optical modulator configured to impress pulse signals on said optical signal;
a waveform generator configured to establish a structure of said optical signal; and
a keep-alive circuit that generates a continuous electrical pulse pattern provided to said optical modulator wherein said system provides a continuous seed laser pulse structure, wherein said keep-alive circuit further comprises:
a crystal oscillator;
a count-down and 1-shot circuit;
a delay circuit configured to generate keep-alive pulses; and
a driver circuit configured to generate at least one trigger.
9. The pulse generation apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:
a synchronization circuit configured to synchronize said optical pulses to an external process.
10. The pulse generation apparatus of claim 8 wherein said seed laser further comprises:
a laser diode; and
an optical isolator.
11. The pulse generation apparatus of claim 8 wherein said waveform generator further generates a marker pulse provided to said keep-alive circuit.
12. The pulse generation apparatus of claim 8 wherein said optical modulator comprises a Mach Zener Optical Modulator.
13. The pulse generation apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:
a phase modulator; and
a radio frequency modulation module comprising an RF source for said phase modulator.
14. The pulse generation apparatus of claim 8 wherein said continuous seed laser pulse structure is provided to an amplifier.
15. A method for pulse generation comprising:
producing an optical signal;
imparting pulse signals on said optical signal with an optical modulator;
structuring said optical signal with a waveform generator;
generating a continuous electrical pulse pattern with a keep-alive circuit, said electrical pulse pattern being provided to said optical modulator, wherein said keep-alive circuit comprises:
a crystal oscillator;
a count-down and 1-shot circuit;
a delay circuit configured to generate keep-alive pulses; and
a driver circuit configured to generate at least one trigger; and
providing a continuous seed laser pulse structure.
16. The method for pulse generation of claim 15 further comprising:
synchronizing said optical pulses to an external process with a synchronization circuit.
17. The method for pulse generation of claim 15 further comprising:
generating a marker pulse; and
providing said marker pulse to said keep-alive circuit.
18. The method for pulse generation of claim 15 further comprising:
providing said continuous seed laser pulse structure to an amplifier.