This paper reports the study and demonstration of a new variable temporal shaping method capable of generating linearly polarized picosecond laser pulses with arbitrary predefined shapes, which are highly desired by various applications including low emittance high brightness electron bunch generation in photocathode guns. It is found that both high transmittance and high stability of the shaped pulses can be achieved simultaneously when birefringent stages (BSs) are set at specific phase delay. Such variable temporal shaping technique may lead to new opportunities for many potential applications over a wide range of laser wavelengths, pulse repetition rates, time structures and power levels, etc. In addition, a new double-pass variable temporal shaping method is also proposed and could significantly simplify the shaper structure and reduce the cost.
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