Laser amplification methods and apparatuses. With the invention, one can increase laser intensity on a target by computing a distance to the target, based upon the distance determining an ultra short laser pulse that will in traveling through a medium compress to approximately a minimum width, and emitting the pulse at the target, whereby an intensity of the pulse is approximately maximized upon contact with the target. One can also amplify and detect a laser return signal by receiving the laser return signal, amplifying the received return signal by optical parametric amplification and detecting the amplified signal. One can further perform spectroscopy by determining an ultra short laser pulse such that the pulse compresses and then expands in traveling through a medium, emitting the pulse at a target, and performing spectroscopic analysis of the pulse after propagation.