Method for high amplitude fast optical modulation

Abstract

A short intense pulse of radiation is generated by shining radiation through a magneto-optical material and providing multiple stimulations to the material. The material is excited multiple times to rapidly change a property of the radiation, such as the angle of its polarization. The first excitation rotates the polarization in a first direction and the second excitation can rotate the polarization further. Alternatively the second excitation can bring the polarization back to its initial direction. Effect of lengthy relaxation times in the material cancel each other out and the pulse of light has a length that depends on the time difference between the two excitations and the spacing between them. This allows a pulse of light to be produced that has more rotation or has a shorter pulse width than the time for excitation plus the time for normal relaxation of the magneto-optical material.

1 - 63 . (canceled)  
   
   
       64 . A method of providing a signal comprising the steps of: 
 a) forming a light pulse comprising an on-portion and an off-portion, said off-portion having a residual magnitude;    b) directing said pulse through a saturable absorber to absorb residual off-signal; and    c) amplifying said pulse after said saturable absorber step.    
   
   
       65 . The method as recited in  claim 64 , wherein said saturable absorber comprises an organic dye solution, a semiconductor, or quantum wells.  
   
   
       66 . The method as recited in  claim 64 , wherein said amplifying step (c) comprises directing said pulse through an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA).  
   
   
       67 - 70 . (canceled)