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 CO
2
and N
2
O laser light, including a case where 100 percent modulation was observed, are presented.