Contrast ratio of laser pulses shaped by electrooptic deflectors

An experimental investigation was made of the contrast ratio of subnanosecond light pulses shaped by high-speed deflectors utilizing lithium niobate, KDP, and DKDP crystals. It was shown that the main factor limiting the contrast ratio is the scattering of light in the optical elements of the shaping system, for example, in the deflectors. The possibility is indicated of suppressing the influence of light scattering in real laser systems employing a pulse shaping deflector system and of obtaining a contrast ratio of ~10⁸.