Pinpoint Precision: Russian Physicists Revolutionize Control Over Laser Pulses

© Sputnik / Yury Strelets / Go to the mediabankWork of laser probing industry in the Institute of image processing systems in Samara
Work of laser probing industry in the Institute of image processing systems in Samara - Sputnik International
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Researchers from Moscow's National University of Science & Technology (MISiS) and Nizhny Novgorod's Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences have created a computer-aided system allowing for the digital correction of laser beam pulses, thus taking control over laser beam technology to a fundamentally new level.

The scientists' system consists of a computer program and electronic device with a modulator and control unit that allows them to control the strength of pulses entering the amplifier. By controlling the output stream, researchers are able to effectively moderate the laser's power. Furthermore, significant amounts of information can be transferred via lasers using precision pulses. The results of the physicists' work have been published in the Photonics Research journal.

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The Russian physicists' unique control system allows them to resolve a long-standing problem: the crude nature of the systems that are currently available to control lasers at the level of individual pulses. Laser systems have long become a standard component in modern technology, but have one important drawback: in and of themselves, laser beams are simply light generated at a particular wavelength. 

The laser pulses initially generated tend to be weak, and require strengthening for most practical applications. This means running the laser through a photomultiplier tube, whereby it passes from one semitransparent mirror to another. This increases the number of photons (and hence, the laser's power) dramatically, but the power of individual pulses increases unequally, meaning that what is produced is a beam of pulses without a uniform strength.

© Sputnik / A. PolyaninaSimplified diagram showing how a laser beam's power is increased using a photomultiplier.
Simplified diagram showing how a laser beam's power is increased using a photomultiplier. - Sputnik International
Simplified diagram showing how a laser beam's power is increased using a photomultiplier.

Real-world Applications

Konstantin Yushkov, lead researcher at MSiS, explained that system he and his colleagues have come up solves this problem, leading to numerous important practical applications.

"With the help of our technology, we will be able to better control the energy of charged particles in particle accelerators, which will make it easier and more efficient to find new elementary particles and more quickly reach the 'dark matter'" that scientists are looking for, the scientist said.

© Photo : National University of Science and Technology MISiSPhysicist Konstantin Yuzhkov
Physicist Konstantin Yuzhkov - Sputnik International
Physicist Konstantin Yuzhkov

There are other real-world applications as well, the physicist stressed. "For example, by monitoring the intensity of each pulse, we will be able to form a binary or octal code with our beam. This will make it possible to encode information, varying the time between two close-together pulses by cutting out unnecessary ones. As a result, we will receive an ordinary pulse laser with an incredible capacity to transmit information."

Yushkov noted for example that if before, lasers were not capable of transmitting anything more complicated than simple Morse code, precision control allows it to send the equivalent of video signals.

© Photo : National University of Science and Technology MISiSDevice created by Russian researchers for controling the laser drivers of electronic accelerators.
Device created by Russian researchers for controling the laser drivers of electronic accelerators. - Sputnik International
Device created by Russian researchers for controling the laser drivers of electronic accelerators.

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Another application for the technology is in medicine. In a situation where surgeons are able to have precision control over every pulse, eye surgery, lithotripsy (the removal of kidney stones), and any other procedures where laser technology is involved will become dramatically more precise.

Research into this form of information transfer has been conducted by scientists around the world starting in the early 1990s. However, the technology of the time did not allow this possibility to be implemented on a mass scale. Now, thanks to efforts like those by the Russian physicists, this possibility is coming closer to becoming a practical reality.

The Russian system of control of laser pulses has undergone successful testing at Nizhny Novgorod's Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

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