Method and Arrangement for Sampling Optical Signals and for Forming Corresponding Samples

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This patent describes a method and device for sampling individual optical pulses in such a way that it is possible to accurately capture and measure even extremely short pulses without needing to average over multiple events. The invention uses a sequence of closely spaced optical sampling pulses, each with a distinct wavelength, to probe the optical pulse. These sampling pulses become modulated by the measured pulse and are subsequently separated by wavelength and measured individually, allowing the precise reconstruction of the optical pulse shape.

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• Characterization of ultrafast laser pulses in scientific research and industrial applications.
• Real-time monitoring and quality control of high-speed optical communication signals.
• Development and calibration of photonic devices and components (e.g., fiber optics, lasers).
• Diagnostics in medical and biological imaging systems using ultrashort laser pulses.
• Testing of next-generation data center optical interconnects and telecommunications equipment.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables accurate single-shot measurement of individual optical pulses, avoiding the need for averaging over many pulses.
• Allows measurement of ultrashort pulses (picosecond/femtosecond range) that traditional techniques struggle to capture in real time.
• Achieves high temporal resolution without requiring extremely fast electronics, by leveraging wavelength multiplexing and spatial separation.
• Provides simultaneous or parallel measurement of multiple sampling events, increasing measurement speed and efficiency.
• Supports flexible implementation with standard components such as spectrometers, CCD cameras, or semiconductor lasers, which can reduce system cost and complexity.

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Patent Abstract

The invention provides, inter alia, a method for sampling an individual optical pulse (LP) and for forming samples (AW1-AW5) which characterize the pulse profile of the optical pulse to be sampled, in which a sequence of temporally successive optical sampling pulses (AP1-AP5) having different optical wavelengths (1-5) is formed when the pulse to be sampled is sampled by means of the sampling pulses with the formation of modulated sampling pulses (AP1'-AP5') and the modulated sampling pulses (AP1'-AP5') are measured wavelength-individually with the formation of the samples.