Integrated optical pulse shaping devices for mode-locked lasers in the 1.5 μm region

Optical pulse shapers are devices that can be used to correct e.g. chirp in optical pulse from lasers, chirp from dispersion or create specific shapes or phase behaviour to optimise e.g. non-linear imaging techniques. In this paper we will discuss design considerations for and present result of our research on integrated devices that can shape optical pulses from mode-locked lasers in the 1.5 μm region. Such devices have the advantage over conventional bulk optics pulse shapers that they can be much more compact as well as more flexible.