Amplitude and phase modulation with waveguide optics

Conference · Tue Dec 17 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:462931

Burkhart, S C; Wilcox, R B; Browning, D; Penko, F A

We have developed amplitude and phase modulation systems for glass lasers using integrated electro-optic modulators and solid state high- speed electronics. The present and future generation of lasers for Inertial Confinement Fusion require laser beams with complex temporal and phase shaping to compensate for laser gain saturation, mitigate parametric processes such as transverse stimulated Brillouin scattering in optics, and to provide specialized drive to the fusion targets. These functions can be performed using bulk optoelectronic modulators, however using high-speed electronics to drive low voltage integrated optical modulators has many practical advantages. In particular, we utilize microwave GaAs transistors to perform precision, 250 ps resolution temporal shaping. Optical bandwidth is generated using a microwave oscillator at 3 GHz amplified by a solid state amplifier. This drives an integrated electrooptic modulator to achieve laser bandwidths exceeding 30 GHz.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 462931
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC--124531; CONF-9610225--13; ON: DE97051652
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AMPLITUDES
BEAM OPTICS
FREQUENCY MODULATION
ICF DEVICES
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
LASER FUSION REACTORS
PHASE OSCILLATIONS
PHASE STABILITY
SOLID STATE LASERS
WAVEGUIDES