Abstract: An apparatus for optically circulating light beams between ports is disclosed, with a first port positioned at a proximal end of the apparatus, a second port positioned at a distal end of the apparatus, and a third port positioned at the proximal end of the apparatus. The first port is capable of transmitting a first light beam and the second port is capable of transmitting a second light beam. The apparatus includes a first beam bender. The first beam bender has opposing first and second faces. The first face and the second face are at an angle to one another. The first face and the second face intersect a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal to the distal end of the optical circulator. The beam bender is responsive to a polarization orientation of the first light beam to refract the first light beam toward the second port. The beam bender is further responsive to a polarization orientation of the second light beam to refract the second light beam toward the third port.

Abstract: A modular approach to the design of motion modules, e.g., positioning elements, is provided. Thus, a single positioning element can be integrated into a number of multi-axis configurations through combination with other basic positioning elements all of which share a modular interlocking feature. In an embodiment of the invention a motion module is disclosed which includes a base and a mobile stage. The base includes an exterior surface and a first interconnector located on the exterior surface. The mobile stage includes an exterior surface and a second interconnector. The mobile stage is positionable with respect to the base. The second interconnector is located on the exterior surface of the mobile stage. The first and the second interconnector are mutually engagable in releasable frictional engagement with second and first interconnectors of other motion modules for stackable interconnection therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides an external cavity laser that has wide-range continuous tuning and is compatible with a compact, robust, inexpensive form factor. In an embodiment of the invention a tunable external cavity laser is disclosed. The laser includes a laser amplifier, a retroreflector, a first and second reflector and a translator. The retroreflector is located in a path of the beam provided by the laser amplifier. The first and second reflectors are positioned opposite one another and in the path of the beam between the laser amplifier and the retroreflector. The translator translates at least one of said first reflector and said second reflector to vary the separation between the reflectors along the path of the beam, thereby tuning the laser amplifier. In another embodiment of the invention a method for adjusting wavelength in an optical device is disclosed.

Abstract: Optical circulators including a first beam displacer/combiner, a first nonreciprocal rotator, a first beam angle turner, a second beam angle turner, a second nonreciprocal rotator, and a second beam displacer/combiner, together with methods of using the optical circulators and telecommunications systems including the optical circulators.

Abstract: Optical circulators including a first beam displacer/combiner, a first nonreciprocal rotator, a first beam angle turner, a second beam angle turner, a second nonreciprocal rotator, and a second beam displacer/combiner, together with methods of using the optical circulators and telecommunications systems including the optical circulators.

Abstract: A laser absorption sensor system for performing optical measurements on a sample is described. The sensor system includes a tunable laser, capable of being tuned at rates exceeding 1 KHZ, and with a tuning range approaching 1 GHz. The laser beam is modulated at a modulation frequency between 1 and 100 KHz. Modulation in this frequency range is termed wavelength modulation. The beam is split into two beams, a signal beam and a reference beam. The signal beam traverses the sample where characteristic absorption takes place and is incident on a signal photodetector. The reference beam is incident directly on a reference photodetector. A noise cancellation circuit combines signal and reference photo-currents from signal and reference photodetectors reducing signal noise and increasing system sensitivity. The combination of wavelength modulation and the noise cancellation scheme provide a highly sensitive simple, rugged, low cost laser absorption sensor system.

Abstract: Disclosed are both a housing and an assembly for a tunable external cavity laser. The housing includes: a base section, a motion section, and an actuator. The base section includes a proximal and distal portion, and the laser and the dispersive element mounted at respectively the proximal and distal portions such that energy emanating from the laser strikes the dispersive element leaving the dispersive element as a second beam at an angle with respect to the first beam which depends on wavelength. The motion section includes a proximal and a distal portion and a torsional member positioned at the proximal portion and the reflector positioned at the distal portion to reflect the second beam to the laser via the dispersive element, and the motion section supported by the base about the torsional member.

Abstract: An improved optical mounting apparatus permits a single kinematically adjustable surface to be presented in either a horizontal or vertical orientation with respect to a support. A three point fastening system allows cylindrical optical elements of various sizes to be fastened to the kinematically adjustable surface in a horizontal orientation. The three point fastening system is removable so that when the kinematically adjustable surface is placed in a horizontal orientation transparent optical elements such as prisms can be fastened to the surface with an unobstructed optical path for a full 360.degree. around the mounting surface. The apparatus for mounting optical elements comprises a support, base plate, a pivot member, two adjustable projections, a stage plate, and at least three removable fasteners. The base plate includes first and third opposing faces and a second face at right angles to the first and third faces.

Abstract: An optic mount for holding an optic element in a light path is provided. The optic mount includes a base and a holder. A base and a holder are pivotally connected. The holder includes an optic bore. The optic bore is dimensioned to contain an optical element. Arcuate movement of the holder with respect to the base allows an optic element to be moved from a first position, in which the light path passes through the optic bore to a second position in which the optic bore avoids the light path. In another embodiment of the invention, a modular configuration of optic mounts for holding a plurality of optic elements in a light path is provided. The modular configuration includes at least two base and holder pairs. Each base and holder are pivotally connected. Each holder includes an optic bore. The optic bores of both holders are dimensioned to hold an optical element. The first and second bases are aligned by complementary interlocking elements on the opposing faces of each of the base units.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the controller for machining parts on a work piece positioned on a numerically controllable (NC) machine includes a memory, a display and a plurality of layout processes. A job comprising multiple parts in various quantities is displayed textually as a job list of parts and quantities. The job is also displayed graphically in a scaled layout. In the scaled layout part icons corresponding to each of the parts on the job list are superimposed on a work piece icon in an arrangement corresponding to a physical part layout. Layout processes handle the location of the machine instruction records which correspond to the parts selected for the job. These processes also determine the dimension and scaling of each part icon on the basis of the machine code records for the chosen parts. The processes also handle the scaling of the work piece icon and parts icon on the display in an arrangement corresponding to an actual physical layout for the job.

Abstract: An optic mount for holding an optic element in a light path is provided. The optic mount includes a base and a holder. A base and a holder are pivotally connected. The holder includes an optic bore. The optic bore is dimensioned to contain an optical element. Arcuate movement of the holder with respect to the base allows an optic element to be moved from a first position, in which the light path passes through the optic bore to a second position in which the optic bore avoids the light path.In another embodiment of the invention, a modular configuration of optic mounts for holding a plurality of optic elements in a light path is provided. The modular configuration includes at least two base and holder pairs. Each base and holder are pivotally connected. Each holder includes an optic bore. The optic bores of both holders are dimensioned to hold an optical element. The first and second bases are aligned by complementary interlocking elements on the opposing faces of each of the base units.

Abstract: An improved optical mounting apparatus permits a single kinematically adjustable surface to be presented in either a horizontal or vertical orientation with respect to a support. A three point fastening system allows cylindrical optical elements of various sizes to be fastened to the kinematically adjustable surface in a horizontal orientation. The three point fastening system is removable so that when the kinematically adjustable surface is placed in a horizontal orientation transparent optical elements such as prisms can be fastened to the surface with an unobstructed optical path for a full 360.degree. around the mounting surface. The apparatus for mounting optical elements comprises a support, base plate, a pivot member, two adjustable projections, a stage plate, and at least three removable fasteners. The base plate includes first and third opposing faces and a second face at right angles to the first and third faces.

Abstract: Universal chuck for holding of irregular or regular shaped parts for machine processing such as milling, shaping, grinding and the like. Movable and fixed platens have grid-like patterns including protrusions and spaces into which gripping jaw members, having a configured bottom surface, align and secure. A robotic tool provides for selection and transfer of jaw members from a jaw storage fixture and for securing of the jaw members to the movable and fixed platens.

Abstract: Optical system mounting device having a tilting optical element holder which may be positioned in or out of a laser beam path. A pivot system of pivot balls adjustably located between a mirror holding element and a base provide a pivotal axis for the mirror holding element.

Abstract: Rotary beamsplitter prism mount providing individually adjustable rotation about three axes where adjustment about one axis does not significantly affect the remaining axis with respect to beam emergence.

Abstract: A non-linear crystal is used as an optical radiation frequency converter. Its efficiency is optimized though control of one or more operating conditions that include the temperature of the crystal, its angular relationship with incident radiation and an electric field bias in which the crystal operates. The relative phase between radiation incident upon the crystal and that generated by it is adjusted by a servo loop which controls one or more of these operating conditions. The servo loop responds to a cyclic variation in the output radiation which occurs when the crystal is not operating at an optimal efficiency. A quasi-phase matched (QPM) crystal is preferred. Several specific crystal structures are described. The technique has an application in a frequency doubler, among others.

Abstract: An achromatic anamorphic prism pair for the conversion of the elliptical output beam of a tunable diode laser to a circular beam. The achromatic design prevents a directional shift in the output beam with respect to the optical axis of the system laser wavelength is varied.

Abstract: This invention relates to electromechanical actuators, and particularly to actuators utilizing magnetostrictive elements to rotate positioning shafts associated with optical elements.

Abstract: A diode laser utilizing a grazing incidence grating in combination with collimating and refocusing devices and a mirror having a plurality of spaced reflective areas which are effective to return different wavelengths to the grating and thence to the laser to sustain oscillation at the reflected frequencies with tuning of the frequencies accomplished by translation of the mirror to position the reflective areas to change the reflected wavelengths.

Abstract: An adjustable optical element mount having a pair of ball elements, respectively attached to a base and optical element, within a pair of sockets positioned at opposite ends of a spindle which supports a screw actuated cam element positioned within the spindle and between a pair of plungers which simultaneously engage and clamp the both ball elements against the sockets in response to rotation of the screw to hold the ball elements in a desired position.