Ultrashort pulse generation in diode lasers

The basic ideas and current state of the art of ultrashort pulse generation by injection lasers are reviewed. All developed techniques, including gain switching,Q-switching, and mode-locking are described and compared. A simple theoretical treatment of a diode laser which emits picosecond light pulses is discussed. Some fundamental limits of the pulse parameters are discussed. Finally, compression of chirped optical pulses by optical fibres and the soliton effect is considered.