To provide a method and apparatus for generating laser pulses of various different pulse lengths or pulse duration times, from a single incidence laser pulse of a predetermined length so as to be adaptable in a simple and quick manner to various different laser systems and/or different applications.
The apparatus 10, 20 for changing the length or duration time of an incident laser pulse includes at least one beam splitter 1, 11, 21 for dividing the incident laser pulse into a first partial pulse and a second partial pulse, and a plurality of reflecting mirrors, arranged so as to guide the first partial pulse along a delay propagation route 2, 12, 22 by making the first partial pulse bend. At least one beam splitter 1, 11, 21 can be shifted to an engaging position G or to a non-engaging position N. When the beam splitter is at the non-engaging position N, the splitter is positioned outside the laser beam propagation path 4, and when the splitter is at the engaged position G, the splitter is positioned inside the laser beam propagation path 4.
BERGMANN JOACHIM
TRIEBEL WOLFGANG
NATURA UTE
Yoshiaki Sato