Abstract: A device for shifting a nonlinear crystal arranged to frequency convert a laser beam includes an anchor, a mount for holding the nonlinear crystal, and two parallel flexures each interconnecting the mount and the anchor to cantilever the mount from the anchor. Each flexure extends in a first horizontal direction from the mount to the anchor. The two flexures being offset from each other in a vertical direction. The device also includes a transducer connecting between the anchor and the mount. Bending of the transducer shifts the position of the mount in the vertical direction, and the two parallel flexures cooperate to prevent rotation of the mount during shifting of the mount position induced by the transducer. This device provides an inexpensive and compact crystal-shifter solution with crystal-orientation stability equaling that of far more costly and bulky conventional translation stages.

Abstract: A device for shifting a nonlinear crystal arranged to frequency convert a laser beam includes an anchor, a mount for holding the nonlinear crystal, and two parallel flexures each interconnecting the mount and the anchor to cantilever the mount from the anchor. Each flexure extends in a first horizontal direction from the mount to the anchor. The two flexures being offset from each other in a vertical direction. The device also includes a transducer connecting between the anchor and the mount. Bending of the transducer shifts the position of the mount in the vertical direction, and the two parallel flexures cooperate to prevent rotation of the mount during shifting of the mount position induced by the transducer. This device provides an inexpensive and compact crystal-shifter solution with crystal-orientation stability equaling that of far more costly and bulky conventional translation stages.

Abstract: An intra-cavity doubled OPS-laser has a laser-resonator including a birefringent filter (BRF) for coarse wavelength-selection, and an optically nonlinear (ONL) crystal arranged for type-II frequency-doubling and fine wavelength-selection. Laser-radiation circulates in the laser-resonator at one of a range of fundamental wavelengths dependent on the resonator length. The ONL crystal has a transmission peak-wavelength dependent on the crystal temperature. Reflection of circulating radiation from the BRF is monitored. The reflection is at a minimum when the ONL crystal transmission-peak wavelength is at the circulating radiation wavelength. The temperature of the ONL crystal is selectively varied to maintain the monitored reflection at about a minimum.

Abstract: An intra-cavity doubled OPS-laser has a laser-resonator including a birefringent filter (BRF) for coarse wavelength-selection, and an optically nonlinear (ONL) crystal arranged for type-II frequency-doubling and fine wavelength-selection. Laser-radiation circulates in the laser-resonator at one of a range of fundamental wavelengths dependent on the resonator length. The ONL crystal has a transmission peak-wavelength dependent on the crystal temperature. Reflection of circulating radiation from the BRF is monitored. The reflection is at a minimum when the ONL crystal transmission-peak wavelength is at the circulating radiation wavelength. The temperature of the ONL crystal is selectively varied to maintain the monitored reflection at about a minimum.

Abstract: Apparatus for steering a beam of radiation includes a thermally anisotropic element configured such that the shape of the optical element can be varied by varying the temperature of the element. The beam is reflected from or transmitted through the element in a manner such that the direction of the beam on leaving the element can be varied by the change of shape resulting from the temperature variation.

Abstract: Apparatus for steering a beam of radiation includes a thermally anisotropic element configured such that the shape of the optical element can be varied by varying the temperature of the element. The beam is reflected from or transmitted through the element in a manner such that the direction of the beam on leaving the element can be varied by the change of shape resulting from the temperature variation.