Abstract: Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) laser systems emits at multiple wavelengths spanning the mid-IR transmission bands with tunability not to coincide with absorption lines within the bands. Optical fiber-based pump sources and a series of Raman fiber wavelength shifting amplifiers create a single output aperture that contains multiple spectral lines within each MWIR sub-band.

Abstract: A tunable, modulated high-frequency light beam from a single source of coherent light. An ultra-short pulse of coherent light, having an optical spectrum, is derived from a single source. Spreading the optical spectrum of the ultra-short pulse of coherent light forms a spectrally spread optical pulse which is thereafter split into two or more spectrally spread optical pulses. At least one of the two or more spectrally spread optical pulses is delayed, such that, upon recombining the two or more spectrally spread optical pulses a tunable, modulated spectrally spread optical pulse is formed.

Abstract: The invention includes a device for amplifying light having a pumping resonator and a Raman resonator that share an output mirror and are divided by an interior mirror. A pumping beam is directed though a gain medium in each resonator. A seed signal is directed into the Raman resonator, which is configured to contain cascaded Raman-shifted signals generated through the interaction of the pumping beam, seed signal, and gain medium, and to transmit a selected Raman-shifted signal as optical output. Also disclosed is a method of amplifying light using a Raman resonator that partially overlaps a pump resonator. A pumping beam is directed through a pump gain medium and a Raman gain medium and generates cascading Raman-shifted signals within the Raman resonator. A seed signal is used to shape the temporal profile, and improve the coherence, of the Raman-shifted signals.

Abstract: A high brightness, wavelength-adjustable, deep-UV-C light source identifies, neutralizes, and validates the absence of one or more pathogens. An optical source using a Raman-based nonlinear optical amplification process converts low brightness continuous wave (CW) and Quasi-CW pump light into high brightness and high peak power optical UV-C radiation at a specific wavelength, pulse duration, repetition rate, and optical bandwidth for targeted pathogen identification, neutralization, and absence validation. A tunable Raman-based output operates at a wavelength between 400 nm and 460 nm, which is employed for Raman spectroscopic pathogen detection, and which is frequency doubled to the Deep-UV-C (DUV-C) spectral region of between 200 nm to 230 nm for fluorescence detection of potential pathogens.

Abstract: A resonating optical amplifier includes a laser pump cavity defined by a first mirror and a second mirror with a laser pump gain medium configured within a first portion of the laser pump cavity and a Raman amplifier within a second portion of the laser pump cavity. A circulating pump-laser light is introduced to the laser pump gain medium forming a pump signal that is configured to bi-directionally propagate along a beam path within the laser pump cavity. The Raman amplifier is positioned in line with the beam path of the pump signal and operable to impart gain on a seed pulse. The seed pulse and the pump signal are co-aligned and linearly polarized.

Abstract: At a designated range an ultra-short pulse laser beam collapses focusing its power and thereby creating a plasma. A range specific thermal plasma is formed from a pulsed laser configured to produce a pulsed wavefront at a peak power. The peak power of the wavefront exceeds a self-focusing critical power level. An optical wavefront controlling element having one or more optical lens manipulates the pulsed wavefront based on a ratio of the peak power to the self-focusing critical power level, and an atmospheric condition, initiating whole beam collapse at the designated range.

Abstract: A low wavelength infrared Super Continuum (SC) signal from a master oscillator introduces two or more seeds into an amplifier that supports the Raman effect. A counter-propagating, high-power, continuous wave, or quasi-continuous wave quantum cascade lasers pump (amplifies) a first optical seed creating a cascading amplification of subsequent optical seeds forming two or more tunable wavelength coherent optical pump sources.

Abstract: Low wavelength infrared Super Continuum (SC) signals from a master oscillator seeds an amplifier that supports the Raman effect. Counter-propagating, high-power, continuous wave, and quasi-continuous wave quantum cascade lasers pumps (amplify) the optical seeds forming multiple coherent wavelength optical pump sources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the conversion of flue gas to valuable products, in particular to the conversion of carbon dioxide in flue gas to liquid fuels and valuable carbons in a carbon negative manner.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that converts flue gas carbon dioxide to liquid fuels with the aid of biomass and methane. This process incorporates biomass pyrolysis, and gasification of the renewable carbon obtained from this pyrolysis with carbon dioxide and methane in two separate gasification reactors. The gasification reactions occur optionally in the presence of microwave energy. Water, liquid fuels and a sequesterable carbon are expected to be the primary products in this carbon negative process.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for optical surveillance using modulated lasers, or other forms of light, and optical detection. In one embodiment, an optical surveillance system includes a light source, such as a laser or light emitting diode, and a signal generator operable to modulate the light source. The system also includes a detector operable to detect the modulated light source and a processor communicatively coupled to the detector to distinguish the modulated light source from other detected light based on the modulating waveform of the modulated light source. The processor is also operable to determine a presence of an object between the laser and the detector based on an obscuration of the laser pulses on the detector.

Abstract: Molecular precursor compounds, processes and compositions for making Zn-Group 13 mixed oxide materials including IZO, GZO, AZO and BZO, by providing inks comprising a molecular precursor compound having the formula MAaZn(OROR)3a+2, and printing or depositing the inks on a substrate. The printed or deposited ink films can be treated to convert the molecular precursor compounds to a material.

Abstract: Molecular precursor compounds, compositions, inks and processes for making IGZO materials. Inks made from molecular precursor compounds having the empirical formula InbGacZn(OROR)3(b+c)+2 can be printed or deposited on a substrate. The printed or deposited film can be treated to convert the molecular precursor compounds to an IGZO material.

Abstract: Molecular precursor compounds, processes and compositions for making Zn-Group 13 mixed oxide materials including ABGZO, AGZO and BGZO by providing inks comprising a molecular precursor compound having the empirical formula AlaGacBdZn(OROR)3(a+C+d)+2, and printing or depositing an ink as a film on a substrate. The printed or deposited film can be treated to convert the molecular precursor compounds to a material.

Abstract: Molecular precursor compounds, processes and compositions for making Zn-Group 13 mixed oxide materials including ABIZO, AIZO and BIZO, by providing inks comprising a molecular precursor compound having the empirical formula AlaInbBdZn(OROR)3(a+b+d)+2, and printing or depositing an ink in a film on a substrate. The printed or deposited film can be treated to convert the molecular precursor compounds to a material.

Abstract: Molecular precursor compounds, processes and compositions for making Zn-Group 13 mixed oxide materials including ABIGZO, AIGZO and BAIZO, by providing inks comprising a molecular precursor compound having the empirical formula AlaInbGacBdZn(OROR)3(a+b+c+d)?2, and printing or depositing an ink on a substrate. The printed or deposited film can be treated to convert the molecular precursor compounds to a material.

Abstract: A laser amplifier system is presented including a pump regenerative amplifier. The amplifier generally has a cavity defined by a pair of end cavity mirrors between which an amplified pump pulse oscillates. The amplifier also includes an interaction cell with a tunable gain medium amplifies laser pulses (e.g., Raman gain). The interaction cell may be positioned within the pump amplifier cavity and an input pulse may be injected into the cavity of the amplifier to transit through the tunable gain medium of the interaction cell. A pump pulse transfers energy via interaction with the input pulse (e.g., Raman interaction) as the pulses counter-propagate through the gain medium of the interaction cell. Amplification of output laser pulses, however, is generally achieved according to the wavelength of the pump laser pulses thereby providing a wavelength dependent, or “tunable”, means for amplifying laser pulses.

Abstract: Processes for making a solar cell by depositing various layers of components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Processes of this disclosure can be used to control the stoichiometry of metal atoms in making a solar cell for targeting a particular concentration and providing a gradient of metal atom concentration. A selenium layer can be used in annealing a thin film photovoltaic absorber material.

Abstract: Processes for making a solar cell by depositing various layers of components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Processes of this disclosure can be used to control the stoichiometry of metal atoms in making a solar cell for targeting a particular concentration and providing a gradient of metal atom concentration. A selenium layer can be used in annealing a thin film photovoltaic absorber material.

Abstract: Processes for making a thin film solar cell on a substrate by providing a substrate coated with an electrical contact layer, depositing an ink onto the contact layer of the substrate, wherein the ink contains an alkali ion source compound suspended or dissolved in a carrier along with photovoltaic absorber precursor compounds, and heating the substrate. The alkali ion source compound can be MalkMB(ER)4 or Malk(ER). The processes can be used for CIS or CIGS.