Direct space-to-time pulse shaping at 1.5 (mu)m

We present a novel direct space-to-time pulse shaper, operating in the 1.5-(mu)m optical communications band which enables generation of continuous optical pulse sequences at a rate of ~100 GHz. The apparatus includes several novel features, such as the use of a diffractive optical element for spatial patterning, fiber coupled input/output, and a telescopic configuration which collectively enable generation of nearly equal amplitude optical pulse sequences over a time aperture in excess of 100 ps. We also present a mathematical description of the temporal and frequency modulation behavior of our apparatus, in addition to continuous 100-GHz optical pulse sequences generated in our system.