We demonstrate an inexpensive and easily fabricated, highhyphen;performance system for the generation of single and multiple optical pulse bursts. The system, which is comprised of commercially available components, provides single pulses as short as 190 ps full width half maximum. Used as an active, very low jitter, delay line for application to fast coincidence timing experiments, delays of much less than 1 ns to in excess of 1 mgr;s are possible using 1300 nm standard telecommunications fiber. Optical fiber ladder networks containing differential fiber delays, connected together using singlehyphen;mode fiber connectors have been used to construct flexible and reconfigurable optical burst generators. Precise delay time determination (plusmn;5 psecs) allows very accurate, discretely variable burst frequencies demonstrated at up to 3 GHz. Instruments capable of 4, 8, and 16 pulse trains are also demonstrated. A conservative estimate indicates pulse trains consisting of 128 pulses at 8 mgr;W per pulse should be possible with a simple extension to the present apparatus.
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