Mode-locked cavity-dumped laser

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
Apparatus for producing uniform light pulses comprising: source means for providing coherent light pulses at a constant repetition rate along a first light path; deflection means for diverting a portion of each of said pulses from said first light path to a second light path, and comprising first acousto-optic modulator means located in said first light path and responsive to a modulator drive signal for deflecting a portion of the light of each of said light pulses along said second light path such that the intensity of each deflected light portion is dependent on the magnitude of said modulator drive signal at the time of occurrence of each of said light pulses, and first drive means for providing a sinusoidal signal serving as said modulator drive signal; and, synchronizing means responsive to said pulse repetition rate for phase coherently synchronizing said drive signal with said pulse repetition rate to thereby obtain uniform intensity of said deflected light portions.
2.
Apparatus for producing uniform light pulses as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first synchronizing means comprises frequency tracking means for maintaining the ratio of the frequency of said drive signal to said constant repetition rate in a predetermined ratio of integers, and phase synchronizing means for establishing a fixed phase relationship between said frequencies.
3.
Apparatus for producing uniform light pulses as set forth in claim 1, and further comprising optical resonant cavity means having at least two light reflective end pieces disposed along said first light path for folding said light path back upon itself to form a closed path upon which said pulses recurrently circulate.
4.
Apparatus for producing uniform light pulses as set forth in claim 3 wherein said source means comprises a laser including a laser medium disposed along said closed path, and optical exciting means for pumping said laser medium to produce said pulses.
5.
Apparatus for producing uniform light pulses as set forth in claim 4 wherein one of said end pieces has a spherically shaped reflective surface and wherein said first acousto-optic modulator means is disposed at a fixed distance from said reflective surface, said distance being equal to the radius of curvature of said spherically shaped surface, such that said spherical end piece and said first acousto optic modulator means together comprise a two pass acousto optic modulator means