Author: claimsbot

1. A plasma display panel, comprising:
a front substrate and a back substrate facing each other across a discharge space;
a plurality of row electrode pairs each extending in a row direction and arranged in column direction on a rear-facing face of the front substrate, each of the row electrode pairs being constituted of a pair of row electrodes facing each other across a discharge gap;
a plurality of column electrodes each extending in the column direction and arranged in the row direction on a face of the back substrate facing the front substrate, and forming unit light emission areas in the discharge space in positions respectively corresponding to intersections with the row electrode pairs; and
phosphor layers respectively provided in the unit light emission areas for emitting light of different colors,
wherein each of the column electrodes has widened portions of a row-direction width larger than that of the other portions, and each of the widened portions faces a head portion of one of the pair of row electrodes constituting each row electrode pair, the head portion facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between,
the widened portion of the column electrode, that faces the unit light emission area of the unit light emission areas in which the phosphor layer emitting light of a required color is provided, is located in a different position in the column direction of the head portion of one of the corresponding row electrode pair facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between from a position of another widened portion of another column electrode facing another unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer is provided for emitting light of a different color from the required color; and
wherein a column-direction width of the widened portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer emitting the light of the required color is provided is larger than a column-direction width of the widened portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer emitting the light of a different color from the required color is provided.
2. A plasma display panel, comprising:
a front substrate and a back substrate facing each other across a discharge space;
a plurality of row electrode pairs each extending in a row direction and arranged in column direction on a rear-facing face of the front substrate, each of the row electrode pairs being constituted of a pair of row electrodes facing each other across a discharge gap;
a plurality of column electrodes each extending in the column direction and arranged in the row direction on a face of the back substrate facing the front substrate, and forming unit light emission areas in the discharge space in positions respectively corresponding to intersections with the row electrode pairs; and
phosphor layers respectively provided in the unit light emission areas for emitting light of different colors,
wherein each of the column electrodes has widened portions of a row-direction width larger than that of the other portions, and each of the widened portions faces a head portion of one of the pair of row electrodes constituting each row electrode pair, the head portion facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between,
the widened portion of the column electrode, that faces the unit light emission area of the unit light emission areas in which the phosphor layer emitting light of a required color is provided, is located in a different position in the column direction of the head portion of one of the corresponding row electrode pair facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between from a position of another widened portion of another column electrode facing another unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer is provided for emitting light of a different color from the required color; and
wherein, as the column electrode faces the unit light emission area provided with the phosphor layer formed of phosphor materials that make it more and more difficult for a discharge to occur through the phosphor layer between the row electrode and the column electrode, the widened portion of the column electrode has a wider column-direction width.
3. A plasma display panel, comprising:
a front substrate and a back substrate facing each other across a discharge space;
a plurality of row electrode pairs each extending in a row direction and arranged in column direction on a rear-facing face of the front substrate, each of the row electrode pairs being constituted of a pair of row electrodes facing each other across a discharge gap;
a plurality of column electrodes each extending in the column direction and arranged in the row direction on a face of the back substrate facing the front substrate, and forming unit light emission areas in the discharge space in positions respectively corresponding to intersections with the row electrode pairs; and
phosphor layers respectively provided in the unit light emission areas for emitting light of different colors,
wherein each of the column electrodes has widened portions of a row-direction width larger than that of the other portions, and each of the widened portions faces a head portion of one of the pair of row electrodes constituting each row electrode pair, the head portion facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between,
the widened portion of the column electrode, that faces the unit light emission area of the unit light emission areas in which the phosphor layer emitting light of a required color is provided is located in a different position in the column direction of the head portion of one of the corresponding row electrode pair facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between from a position of another widened portion of another column electrode facing another unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer is provided for emitting light of a different color from the required color;
wherein the phosphor layers are formed of phosphor materials emitting light of red, green and blue colors from the respective unit light emission areas,
the widened portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer emitting the green light is provided is located in a different position in the column direction from positions of the widened portions of the column electrodes respectively facing the unit light emission areas in which the phosphor layers respectively formed of the phosphor materials emitting the red and blue lights are respectively provided; and
wherein the widen portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer formed of the phosphor materials emitting the blue light is provided is located close to a position facing the center of the unit light emission area,
the widen portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer formed of the phosphor materials emitting the red light is provided is located closer to a position facing the center of the unit light emission area, and
the widen portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer formed of the phosphor materials emitting the green light is provided is located closest to a position facing the center of the unit light emission area.
4. A plasma display panel, comprising:
a front substrate and a back substrate facing each other across a discharge space;
a plurality of row electrode pairs each extending in a row direction and arranged in column direction on a rear-facing face of the front substrate, each of the row electrode pairs being constituted of a pair of row electrodes facing each other across a discharge gap;
a plurality of column electrodes each extending in the column direction and arranged in the row direction on a face of the back substrate facing the front substrate, and forming unit light emission areas in the discharge space in positions respectively corresponding to intersections with the row electrode pairs; and
phosphor layers respectively provided in the unit light emission areas for emitting light of different colors,
wherein each of the column electrodes has widened portions of a row-direction width larger than that of the other portions and each of the widened portions faces a head portion of one of the pair of row electrodes constituting each row electrode pair, the head portion facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between,
the widened portion of the column electrode, that faces the unit light emission area of the unit light emission areas in which the phosphor layer emitting light of a required color is provided, is located in a different position in the column direction of the head portion of one of the corresponding row electrode pair facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between from a position of another widened portion of another column electrode facing another unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer is provided for emitting light of a different color from the required color
wherein the phosphor layers are formed of phosphor materials emitting light of red, green and blue colors from the respective unit light emission areas,
the widened portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer emitting the green light is provided is located in a different position in the column direction from positions of the widened portions of the column electrodes respectively facing the unit light emission areas in which the phosphor layers respectively formed of the phosphor materials emitting the red and blue lights are respectively provided; and
wherein a column-direction width of the widened portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer formed of the phosphor materials emitting the green light is provided is larger than a column-direction width of each of the widened portions of the column electrodes respectively facing the unit light emission areas in which the phosphor layers formed of the phosphor materials emitting the red and green lights are respectively provided.
5. A plasma display panel, comprising:
a front substrate and a back substrate facing each other across a discharge space;
a plurality of row electrode pairs each extending in a row direction and arranged in column direction on a rear-facing face of the front substrate, each of the row electrode pairs being constituted of a pair of row electrodes facing each other across a discharge gap;
a plurality of column electrodes each extending in the column direction and arranged in the row direction on a face of the back substrate facing the front substrate, and forming unit light emission areas in the discharge space in positions respectively corresponding to intersections with the row electrode pairs; and
phosphor layers respectively provided in the unit light emission areas for emitting light of different colors,
wherein each of the column electrodes has widened portions of a row-direction width larger than that of the other portions, and each of the widened portions faces a head portion of one of the pair of row electrodes constituting each row electrode pair, the head portion facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between,
the widened portion of the column electrode, that faces the unit light emission area of the unit light emission areas in which the phosphor layer emitting light of a required color is provided, is located in a different position in the column direction of the head portion of one of the corresponding row electrode pair facing the other row electrode with the discharge gap in between from a position of another widened portion of another column electrode facing another unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer is provided for emitting light of a different color from the required color;
wherein the phosphor layers are formed of phosphor materials emitting light of red, green and blue colors from the respective unit light emission areas,
the widened portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer emitting the green light is provided is located in a different position in the column direction from positions of the widened portions of the column electrodes respectively facing the unit light emission areas in which the phosphor layers respectively formed of the phosphor materials emitting the red and blue lights are respectively provided; and
wherein the widen portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer formed of the phosphor materials emitting the green light is provided has a larger column-direction width,
the widen portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer formed of the phosphor materials emitting the red light is provided has a smaller column-direction width, and
the widen portion of the column electrode facing the unit light emission area in which the phosphor layer formed of the phosphor materials emitting the blue light is provided has a smallest column-direction width.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A cosmetic composition in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprising at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers, wherein the at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers are present in the composition in an amount ranging from 4% to 7% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, and wherein one of the at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers is chosen from polyglycerolated silicone elastomers and another of the at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers is chosen from polyoxyalkylenated silicone elastomers.
2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein each emulsifying silicone elastomer is present in the composition in an amount greater than 1.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyoxyalkylenated silicone elastomers are obtained by a crosslinking addition reaction of a diorganosiloxane comprising at least one hydrogen bonded to silicon and a polyoxyalkylene comprising at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups.
4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyglycerolated silicone elastomers are obtained by a crosslinking addition reaction of a diorganosiloxane comprising at least one hydrogen bonded to silicon and a polyglycerolated compound comprising ethylenically unsaturated groups.
5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the crosslinking addition reaction takes place in the presence of a platinum catalyst.
6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyglycerolated silicone elastomer(s) are present in an amount of at least 1.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein the polyglycerolated silicone elastomer(s) are present in an amount ranging from 1.5% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyoxyalkylenated silicone elastomer(s) are present in an amount of at least 1.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
9. The composition according to claim 8, wherein the polyoxyalkylenated silicone elastomer(s) are present in an amount ranging from 1.5% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
10. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one oil chosen from hydrocarbon-based oils and silicone oils.
11. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one volatile oil.
12. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the at least one volatile oil is chosen from hydrocarbon-based volatile oils, silicone volatile oils and fluoro volatile oils.
13. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the at least one volatile oil is present in an amount ranging from 1% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
14. The composition according to claim 13, wherein the at least one volatile oil is present in an amount ranging from 7% to 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
15. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one non-volatile oil.
16. The composition according to claim 15, wherein the at least one non-volatile oil is present in an amount ranging from 1% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
17. The composition according to claim 16, wherein the at least one non-volatile oil is present in an amount ranging from 10% to 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
18. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one oil chosen from volatile oils and non-volatile oils, wherein the at least one oil is present in an amount ranging from 5% to 70% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
19. The composition according to claim 18, wherein the at least one oil is present in an amount ranging from 20% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
20. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising an aqueous phase present in an amount ranging from 25% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
21. The composition according to claim 20, wherein the aqueous phase is present in an amount ranging from 30% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
22. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one water-miscible organic solvent.
23. The composition according to claim 22, wherein the at least one water-miscible organic solvent is chosen from polyols and glycol esters.
24. The composition according to claim 22, wherein the at least one water-miscible organic solvent is present in an amount of at least 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
25. The composition according to claim 22, wherein the at least one water-miscible organic solvent is present in an amount ranging from 5% to 12% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
26. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises an oily phase and an aqueous phase, wherein the weight ratio of the oily phase to the aqueous phase ranges from 0.5 to 2.5.
27. The composition according to claim 26, wherein the weight ratio of the oily phase to the aqueous phase ranges from 1 to 2.
28. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one filler.
29. The composition according to claim 28, wherein the at least one filler is chosen from mineral and organic fillers, in platelet, spherical or oblong form.
30. The composition according to claim 29, wherein the at least one filler is chosen from spherical fillers.
31. The composition according to claim 28, wherein the at least one filler is present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
32. The composition according to claim 31, wherein the at least one filler is present in an amount ranging from 2% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
33. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one dyestuff chosen from pigments, nacres, flakes, liposoluble dyes and water-soluble dyes.
34. The composition according to claim 33, wherein said at least one dyestuff is chosen from at least one pigment.
35. The composition according to claim 34, wherein the at least one pigment is chosen from coated pigments.
36. The composition according to claim 35, wherein the at least one coated pigment is chosen from iron oxide and titanium dioxide pigments.
37. The composition according to claim 33, wherein the at least one dyestuff is present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 40% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
38. The composition according to claim 37, wherein the at least one dyestuff is present in an amount ranging from 5% to 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
39. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one non-emulsifying elastomer.
40. The composition according to claim 39, wherein the at least one non-emulsifying elastomer is present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
41. The composition according to claim 40, wherein the at least one non-emulsifying elastomer is present in an amount ranging from 1% to 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
42. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition has a viscosity ranging from 10 Pa\xb7s to 300 Pa\xb7s for a shear of 1 s\u22121.
43. The composition according to claim 42, wherein the composition has a viscosity ranging from 15 Pa\xb7s to 200 Pa\xb7s for a shear of 1 s\u22121.
44. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cosmetic ingredient chosen from non-elastomeric surfactants, hydrophilic or lipophilic gelling agents andor thickeners, antioxidants, fragrances, preserving agents, neutralizers, sunscreens, vitamins, moisturizers, self-tanning compounds, anti-wrinkle active agents, emollients, hydrophilic or lipophilic active agents, anti-pollution agents or free-radical scavengers, sequestrants, film-forming agents, dermo-relaxing active agents, calmatives, agents for stimulating the synthesis andor for preventing the degradation of dermal or epidermal macromolecules, anti-glycation agents, anti-irritant agents, desquamating agents, depigmenting agents, anti-pigmenting or pro-pigmenting agents, NO-synthase inhibitors, agents for stimulating fibroblast or keratinocyte proliferation andor keratinocyte differentiation, agents acting on the capillary circulation, agents acting on the energy metabolism of cells, and cicatrizing agents.
45. A cosmetic composition in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprising:
i) at least 1.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of a polyoxyalkylenated emulsifying silicone elastomer;
ii) at least 1.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of a polyglycerolated emulsifying silicone elastomer;
iii) at least 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of water;
iv) at least one volatile oil;
v) at least 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of at least one water-miscible organic solvent chosen from glycols and polyols; and
vi) at least 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of at least one dyestuff,
wherein the composition has a viscosity ranging from 10 Pa\xb7s to 300 Pa\xb7s for a shear of 1 s\u22121, and wherein the polyoxyalkylenated emulsifying silicone elastomer and the polyglycerolated emulsifying silicone elastomer are present in the composition in an amount ranging from 4% to 7% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
46. A process for making up or caring for keratin materials, comprising: applying to the keratin materials a cosmetic composition in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprising at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers, wherein the at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers are present in the composition in an amount ranging from 4% to 7% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, and wherein one of the at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers is chosen from polyglycerolated silicone elastomers and another of the at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers is chosen from polyoxyalkylenated silicone elastomers.
47. A process for making a makeup composition that is comfortable to wear, has no tacky feel, andor spreads easily, said process comprising:
adding to said composition at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers, wherein the at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers are present in the composition in an amount ranging from 4% to 7% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, and wherein said composition is in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion, and wherein one of the at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers is chosen from polyglycerolated silicone elastomers and another of the at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers is chosen from polyoxyalkylenated silicone elastomers.
48. A cosmetic composition in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprising at least one polyoxyalkylenated emulsifying silicone elastomer formed from divinyl compounds and at least one polyglycerolated emulsifying silicone elastomer and at least one filler, wherein the at least one polyoxyalkylenated emulsifying silicone elastomer formed from divinyl compounds and at least one polyglycerolated emulsifying silicone elastomer together are present in the composition in an amount of at least 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
49. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is free of hydrophobically treated metal oxides or pigments.

1. A method for accepting a payment from a consumer for monies owed by the consumer to a lender pursuant to a financial relationship between the consumer and the lender, the method comprising:
sending a promise-to-pay record from a lender system operated by the lender to a payment service provider system operated by a payment service provider distinct from the lender, the record comprising a set of identifiers forming a database, the database comprising existing promise-to-pay accounts, the set of identifiers being formatted into a consumer database, the promise-to-pay record identifying at least a payment amount and including a transaction identifier of the set of identifiers;
sending a record of receipt of a cash payment from the consumer to the payment service provider, the record of receipt identifying a paid amount and including a purported identifier provided by the consumer;
associating the record of receipt of the cash payment with the promise-to-pay record, wherein associating the record of the cash payment with the promise-to-pay record comprises matching the purported transaction identifier provided by the consumer with the transaction identifier included in the promise-to-pay record;
receiving a notice from the payment service provider system at the lender system, the notice comprising an indicator that a payment has been received for the promise to pay record at a location of the payment service from the consumer, the indicator identifying the paid amount and a purported identifier provided by the consumer wherein the consumer is physically present at the location of the payment service provider when the payment is made; and
receiving by the lender an electronic funds transfer of at least a portion of the paid amount from the payment service provider.
2. The method as in claim 1 further comprising storing a record of the cash payment in a database coupled with the payment service provider system.
3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the promise-to-pay record comprises a time limit, and wherein associating the record of receipt of the cash payment with the promise-to-pay record comprises verifying with the payment service provider system that the cash payment was made to the payment service provider within the time limit.
4. The method as in claim 3 further comprising sending a request for instructions from the payment service provider system to the lender system if the time limit expires without the payment service provider receiving the cash payment.
5. The method as in claim 3 further comprising sending a request for instructions from the payment service provider system to the lender system if the consumer attempts payment after the time limit expires.
6. The method as in claim 1, wherein:
the promise-to-pay record includes information that identifies the customer; and
associating the record of receipt of the cash payment with the promise-to-pay record comprises verifying a consumer identity through a comparison with the information that identifies the customer in the promise-to-pay record.
7. The method as in claim 1, wherein the customer comprises a borrower, and the promise-to-pay comprises a promise to pay a delinquent amount owed by the borrower.
8. The method as in claim 1 further comprising associating a transaction identifier with the promise-to-pay record with the lender system.
9. The method as in claim 8 further comprising providing the transaction identifier to the customer.
10. The method as in claim 1 further comprising receiving a request for instructions at the lender system from the payment service provider system.
11. The method as in claim 10 further comprising providing the payment service provider system with an instruction in response to the request for instructions from the lender system.
12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for accepting a payment from a consumer for monies owed by the consumer to a lender pursuant to a financial relationship between the consumer and the lender, having sets of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
send a promise-to-pay record from a lender system operated by the lender to a payment service provider system operated by a payment service provider distinct from the lender, the record comprising a set of identifiers forming a database, the database comprising existing promise-to-pay accounts, the set of identifiers being formatted into a consumer database, the promise-to-pay record identifying at least a payment amount and including a transaction identifier of the set of identifiers;
send a record of receipt of a cash payment from the consumer to the payment service provider, the record of receipt identifying a paid amount and including a purported identifier provided by the consumer;
associate the record of receipt of the cash payment with the promise-to-pay record, wherein associating the record of the cash payment with the promise-to-pay record comprises matching the purported transaction identifier provided by the consumer with the transaction identifier included in the promise-to-pay record;
receive a notice from the payment service provider system at the lender system, the notice comprising an indicator that a payment has been received for the promise to pay record at a location of the payment service from the consumer, the indicator identifying the paid amount and a purported identifier provided by the consumer wherein the consumer is physically present at the location of the payment service provider when the payment is made; and
receive by the lender an electronic funds transfer of at least a portion of the paid amount from the payment service provider.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 12, wherein the promise-to-pay record comprises a time limit, and wherein associating the record of receipt of the cash payment with the promise-to-pay record comprises verifying with the payment service provider system that the cash payment was made to the payment service provider within the time limit.
14. The method as in claim 13 further comprising sending a request for instructions from the payment service provider system to the lender system if the time limit expires without the payment service provider receiving the cash payment.
15. The method as in claim 13 further comprising sending a request for instructions from the payment service provider system to the lender system if the consumer attempts payment after the time limit expires.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 12, wherein:
the promise-to-pay record includes information that identifies the customer; and
associating the record of receipt of the cash payment with the promise-to-pay record comprises verifying a consumer identity through a comparison with the information that identifies the customer in the promise-to-pay record.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 12, wherein the customer comprises a borrower, and the promise-to-pay comprises a promise to pay a delinquent amount owed by the borrower.
18. The method as in claim 12 further comprising storing a record of the cash payment in a database coupled with the payment service provider system.
19. The method as in claim 12 further comprising associating a transaction identifier with the promise-to-pay record with the lender system.
20. The method as in claim 19 further comprising providing the transaction identifier to the customer.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. Optical pulse source for generating optical supercontinuum pulses, comprising:
an optical pump laser operable to generate optical pump pulses at a pump pulse repetition rate Rf;
a nonlinear optical element comprising an optical fiber arranged to receive the optical pump pulses and configured to generate therefrom optical supercontinuum pulses;
an optical modulator provided between the pump laser and the optical fiber and operable to selectively control the launch of pump pulses into the optical fiber at a reduced, lower repetition rate Rr=RfN, wherein N is a positive integer, in order to generate optical supercontinuum pulses at a selectable repetition rate lower than the pump pulse repetition rate;
an optical fiber amplifier located between the optical modulator and the optical pump laser;
wherein the optical pulse source is configured such that the optical supercontinuum pulses generated by the optical fiber have a supercontinuum spanning from below 450 nm to greater than 2000 nm;
wherein the optical pulse source is provided with a microprocessor configured to determine when supercontinuum pulses are delivered; and
wherein the optical pulse source is configured to provide an output trigger signal.
2. The optical pulse source of claim 1 wherein the optical pulse source further comprises a wavelength tunable optical bandpass filter configured to receive an optical supercontinuum pulse and to wavelength filter the pulse at a predetermined wavelength.
3. The optical pulse source of claim 1 wherein the optical pulse source comprises an all-fiber source wherein said optical pump laser comprises a fiber oscillator, said optical modulator comprises a fiber coupled optical modulator, and wherein the optical pulse source is configured such that pump pulses are launched into said fiber without free space optics.
4. The optical pulse source according to claim 2 wherein the wavelength tunable optical bandpass filter comprises an acousto-optic tunable filter.
5. The optical pulse source according to claim 1 wherein said optical modulator comprises an acousto-optic modulator.
6. The optical pulse source of claim 1 configured to generate optical supercontinuum pulses at pulse repetition rates variable between 40 MHz and less than 100 kHz.
7. The optical pulse source according to claim 1, wherein the optical pulse source further comprises a gating device provided after the nonlinear optical element and configured to receive and pulse-pick optical supercontinuum pulses.
8. The optical pulse source according to claim 6 wherein pump pulses are launched into said optical fiber without the use of free space optics.
9. The optical pulse source according to claim 1 comprising a second optical fiber amplifier located between said optical modulator and said nonlinear optical element.
10. The optical pulse source according to claim 9 wherein pump pulses are launched into said optical fiber without the use of free space optics.
11. The optical pulse source according to claim 1 wherein pump pulses are launched into said optical fiber without the use of free space optics.
12. Optical pulse source for generating optical supercontinuum pulses, comprising:
an optical pump laser operable to generate optical pump pulses at a pump pulse repetition rate Rf;
a nonlinear optical element comprising an optical fiber arranged to receive the optical pump pulses and configured to generate therefrom optical supercontinuum pulses;
an optical modulator provided between the pump laser and the optical fiber and operable to selectively control the launch of pump pulses into the optical fiber at a reduced, lower repetition rate Rr=RfN, wherein N is a positive integer, in order to generate optical supercontinuum pulses at a selectable repetition rate lower than the pump pulse repetition rate;
wherein the optical pulse source is configured such that the optical supercontinuum pulses generated by the optical fiber have a supercontinuum spanning from below 450 nm to greater than 2000 nm;
wherein the optical pulse source is provided with a microprocessor configured to determine when supercontinuum pulses are delivered by the optical pulse source; and
wherein the optical pulse source is configured to provide an output trigger signal.
13. The optical pulse source according to claim 12 wherein pump pulses are launched into said optical fiber without the use of free space optics.
14. The optical pulse source of claim 13 wherein the optical pulse source further comprises a wavelength tunable optical bandpass filter configured to receive an optical supercontinuum pulse and to wavelength filter the pulse at a predetermined wavelength.
15. The optical pulse source of claim 12 wherein the optical pulse source further comprises a wavelength tunable optical bandpass filter configured to receive an optical supercontinuum pulse and to wavelength filter the pulse at a predetermined wavelength.
16. The optical pulse source according to claim 12 comprising an optical fiber amplifier located between said optical modulator and said nonlinear optical element.