The Dispersive Modulator—A New Concept in Optical Pulse Compression

A description of a new method of optical pulse compression, named the dispersive modulator, is given. In this device, amplitude modulation and temporal compression of light were achieved by passage through a Stark-modulated, near-resonant dispersive medium. The relationship between the dispersive modulator and the chirp compression scheme is discussed. Experimental results on modulation of 10-μ CO2 and N2O laser light, including a case where 100 percent modulation was observed, are presented. Copyright © 1977 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.