Abstract: A laser (14) includes an optical amplifier array system (17) that generates a plurality of laser beams (24); and a beam combiner (18) that coherently combines the plurality of laser beams (24) to form a combination beam (26) having a hollow center in a near field. The combination beam (26) with the hollow center allows for the use of a beam director (19) having an on-axis, reflective beam expander (21) without (i) loss in power, (ii) degradation of beam quality, or (iii) excessive heating of the beam expander (21).

Abstract: A second harmonic generation laser system comprising: a non-linear frequency converting medium; and an external cavity pump laser that produces optical energy at a single mode and at a single frequency and that is disposed to provide the optical energy to the non-linear frequency converting medium.

Abstract: External cavity lasers apparatus and methods that allow fast tuning, high wavelength stability, low cavity losses, and form factors that are comparable to solid state, fixed wavelength lasers. The apparatus comprise a gain medium emitting a light beam, a tunable wavelength selection element positioned in the light beam and configured feed back light of a selected wavelength to the gain medium, and a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) actuator element operatively coupled to the tunable wavelength selection element. The MEMS actuator element may be configured to actuate the tunable wavelength selection element according to a first degree of freedom to select the wavelength of the feedback to the gain medium, and to actuate the actuate the tunable wavelength selection element according to a second degree of freedom to provide phase control of the feedback.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method with compact cavity design that provides suppression of source spontaneous emission (SSE) and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light with minimal loss. The laser comprises a gain medium emitting a light beam along an optical path, a tuning element positioned in the optical path and configured feed back light of a selected wavelength to the gain medium and configured to define a first output beam directed along a first output path, a partial reflector located in the optical path and positioned to create a second output beam directed along a second output path substantially parallel to the first output path; and having a spontaneous emission component that is spatially separated from the selected wavelength. The second output beam can be coupled into optical fiber and produce a coherent light source with high spectral purity and tunable wavelengths.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method with compact cavity design that provides suppression of source spontaneous emission (SSE) and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light with minimal loss. The laser comprises a gain medium emitting a light beam along an optical path, a tuning element positioned in the optical path and configured feed back light of a selected wavelength to the gain medium and configured to define a first output beam directed along a first output path, a partial reflector located in the optical path and positioned to create a second output beam directed along a second output path substantially parallel to the first output path; and having a spontaneous emission component that is spatially separated from the selected wavelength. The second output beam can be coupled into optical fiber and produce a coherent light source with high spectral purity and tunable wavelengths.

Abstract: External cavity lasers apparatus and methods that allow fast tuning, high wavelength stability, low cavity losses, and form factors that are comparable to solid state, fixed wavelength lasers. The apparatus comprise a gain medium emitting a light beam, a tunable wavelength selection element positioned in the light beam and configured feed back light of a selected wavelength to the gain medium, and a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) actuator element operatively coupled to the tunable wavelength selection element. The MEMS actuator element may be configured to actuate the tunable wavelength selection element according to a first degree of freedom to select the wavelength of the feedback to the gain medium, and to actuate the actuate the tunable wavelength selection element according to a second degree of freedom to provide phase control of the feedback.