Abstract: A broadband antenna system utilizes multiple photonic bandgap crystals to achieve nearly 100 percent power efficiency over a larger range of frequencies than prior antenna systems. Multiple custom tailored photonic bandgap crystals form a substrate for the antenna system. Each of the crystals is designed to cover a specific range of frequencies. The multiple crystals are attached together to form a photonic bandgap substrate whose bandwidth varies as a function of location on the substrate. A broadband antenna that can cover a wide frequency range, and whose active region shifts to different portions of the antenna as a function of frequency, is formed on the substrate such that the active region of the antenna is always on a crystal that has a corresponding operating bandwidth. The photonic bandgap crystals provide a nearly 100 percent efficient reflector for radiation emitted into the substrate that would otherwise be trapped or dissipated therein.

Abstract: A Raman laser (10) is provided using a pump laser (22) as a source of radiation at a first wavelength and a Raman cell (30) for converting the first wavelength radiation to a second wavelength. The pump laser (20) provides polarized radiation at a predetermined first wavelength which is focused by a focusing means (40) into a Raman medium (32) which converts radiation at the first wavelength to a predetermined second wavelength by Raman scattering processes. A reflection means (50) which is aligned normal to the first wavelength radiation is disposed between the pump laser (20) and focusing means (40). The reflection means is substantially 100% reflective of radiation at the second wavelength and substantially non-reflective of radiation at the first wavelength.