Synchronously-pumped phase-conjugate laser

Abstract

Laser apparatus is disclosed which employs the principles of phase conjugation to provide for short-pulse operation. A phase-conjugate reflector, lasing medium, and output coupling device are arranged to form a laser resonator. The lasing medium may be pumped by a conventional pump source to produce population inversion in the lasing medium. The phase-conjugate reflector is pulsed by means of a pulsed pump source which applies a periodic train of short laser pulses having high peak power and low average power thereto. The short-duration pulses create high reflective efficiencies in the phase-conjugate reflector, while minimizing the overall energy demands on the system. Additionally, the pump source which pumps the lasing medium may also provide pulsed energy thereto which is synchronous with the pulsed energy provided by the pulsed pump source to the phase-conjugate reflector. Accordingly, the system provides for a series of short pulsewidth laser pulses at its output.