Chirped-pulse programming of optical coherent transient true-time delays

Programming an optical coherent transient true-time delay device with two frequency-chirped pulses provides a novel means of performing broadband (>> GHz) true-time delay with a wide dynamic range of delays with fine temporal resolution. We have demonstrated true-time delays exceeding 2 mu s with sub-100-ps resolution. Chirped-pulse programming has the advantages over the previously proposed brief pulse programming [Opt. Lett. 21, 1102 (1996)] of reduced instantaneous power requirements and the ability to control the true-time delay by frequency shifting the programming pulses. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.