Abstract: A lightweight electrochemical fuel cell suitable for modular stacking to achieve high output power is described. The electrochemical fuel cell is constructed of a stack of flexible polymer layers sealed at the periphery to create fuel and reactant channels. To scale up the output power, the electrochemical fuel cell is stacked on an external mechanical frame, wrapped-over on to itself in a self-supported 3-dimensional form, or wrapped over around a central mandrel to increase the active area of the fuel cell The electrochemical fuel cell has built in current collecting means and sealed electrodes to eliminate the need for bipolar plates, thereby enabling applications requiring high output power while maintaining a low weight. The thermal management is external to the fuel cell core structure to facilitate modular expansion of the stack to achieve high output power.

Abstract: A lightweight electrochemical fuel cell suitable for modular stacking to achieve high output power is described. The electrochemical fuel cell is constructed of a stack of flexible polymer layers sealed at the periphery to create fuel and reactant channels. To scale up the output power, the electrochemical fuel cell is stacked on an external mechanical frame, wrapped-over on to itself in a self-supported 3-dimensional form, or wrapped over around a central mandrel to increase the active area of the fuel cell The electrochemical fuel cell has built in current collecting means and sealed electrodes to eliminate the need for bipolar plates, thereby enabling applications requiring high output power while maintaining a low weight. The thermal management is external to the fuel cell core structure to facilitate modular expansion of the stack to achieve high output power.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for 3-D imaging and scanning using a 2-D planar VCSELs source configured as a lightfiled optical source. VCSELs are configured in different 2-D spatial arrangements including single VCSEL, or preferably a group, cluster, or array each to be operated effectively as an independent VCSEL array source. A set of microlens and an imaging lens positioned at a pre-determined distance collimates radiation from each VCSEL array source to a set of parallel beams. The parallel beams from different VCSEL array sources generated in a rapid pre-determined timing sequence provide scanning beams to illuminate an object. The radiation reflected from the object is analyzed for arrival time, pulse shape, and intensity to determine a comprehensive set of distance and intensity profile of the object to compute a 3-D image.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for 3-D imaging and scanning using a 2-D planar VCSELs source configured as a lightfiled optical source. VCSELs are configured in different 2-D spatial arrangements including single VCSEL, or preferably a group, cluster, or array each to be operated effectively as an independent VCSEL array source. A set of microlens and an imaging lens positioned at a pre-determined distance collimates radiation from each VCSEL array source to a set of parallel beams. The parallel beams from different VCSEL array sources generated in a rapid pre-determined timing sequence provide scanning beams to illuminate an object. The radiation reflected from the object is analyzed for arrival time, pulse shape, and intensity to determine a comprehensive set of distance and intensity profile of the object to compute a 3-D image.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for 3-D proximity sensing, imaging and scanning using a 2-D planar VCSEL array source using reflected radiation from an object being detected. An important aspect of the apparatus is a compact high power optical source and in particular, an optical source comprising a plurality of VCSELs to illuminate the object. VCSELs in the optical source are configured in different 2-D planar arrangements, such that the optical source may be used in many different modes to adapt to different sensing, imaging and scanning requirement suited for different environments including one where shape, size and illumination mode require to be altered dynamically. When used in different modes of operation the apparatus provides a comprehensive set of measured distance and intensity profile of the object to compute a 3-D image.

Abstract: A process to bond VCSEL arrays to submounts and printed circuit boards is provided. The process is particularly suited to large area thin and ultra-thin VCSEL arrays susceptible to bending and warping. The process integrates a flatness measurement step and applying appropriate combination of pressure prior to bonding the VCSEL array to the submount or a printed circuit using a vacuum flux-less bonding process. The process is very promising in making very good quality bonding between the VCSEL array and a submount or a printed circuit board. The process is applied to construct optical modules with improved flatness that may be integrated with other electronic components in constructing optoelectronic systems.

Abstract: A process to bond VCSEL arrays to submounts and printed circuit boards is provided. The process is particularly suited to large area thin and ultra-thin VCSEL arrays susceptible to bending and warping. The process integrates a flatness measurement step and applying appropriate combination of pressure prior to bonding the VCSEL array to the submount or a printed circuit using a vacuum flux-less bonding process. The process is very promising in making very good quality bonding between the VCSEL array and a submount or a printed circuit board. The process is applied to construct optical modules with improved flatness that may be integrated with other electronic components in constructing optoelectronic systems.

Abstract: Optical pump modules comprising VCSEL and VCSEL array devices provide high optical power for configuring fiber optic gain systems such as fiber laser and fiber amplifier particularly suited for high power operation. Pump modules may be constructed using two reflector or three reflector VCSEL devices optionally integrated with microlens arrays and other optical components, to couple high power pump beams to an optical fiber output port, particularly suited to couple light to an inner cladding of a double-clad fiber suitable for a high power gain element. Multiple-pumps may be combined to increase pump power in a modular fashion without significant distortion to signal, particularly for short pulse operation. The pump modules may be operated in CW, QCW and pulse modes to configure fiber lasers and amplifiers using single end, dual end, and regenerative optical pumping modes.

Abstract: Optical pump modules comprising VCSEL and VCSEL array devices provide high optical power for configuring fiber optic gain systems such as fiber laser and fiber amplifier particularly suited for high power operation. Pump modules may be constructed using two reflector or three reflector VCSEL devices optionally integrated with microlens arrays and other optical components, to couple high power pump beams to an optical fiber output port, particularly suited to couple light to an inner cladding of a double-clad fiber suitable for a high power gain element. Multiple-pumps may be combined to increase pump power in a modular fashion without significant distortion to signal, particularly for short pulse operation. The pump modules may be operated in CW, QCW and pulse modes to configure fiber lasers and amplifiers using single end, dual end, and regenerative optical pumping modes.

Abstract: Optical pump modules comprising VCSEL and VCSEL array devices provide high optical power for configuring fiber optic gain systems such as fiber laser and fiber amplifier particularly suited for high power operation. Pump modules may be constructed using two reflector or three reflector VCSEL devices optionally integrated with microlens arrays and other optical components, to couple high power pump beams to a fiber output port. The pump module having a fiber output port is particularly suited to couple light to an inner cladding of a double-clad fiber, often used to configure high power fiber laser and fiber amplifier. The pump modules may be operated in CW, QCW and pulse modes to configure fiber lasers and amplifiers using single end, dual end, and regenerative optical pumping modes. Multiple-pumps may be combined to increase pump power in a modular fashion without significant distortion to signal, particularly for short pulse operation.

Abstract: Optical pump modules comprising VCSEL and VCSEL array devices provide high optical power for configuring fiber optic gain systems such as fiber laser and fiber amplifier particularly suited for high power operation. Pump modules may be constructed using two reflector or three reflector VCSEL devices optionally integrated with microlens arrays and other optical components, to couple high power pump beams to a fiber output port. The pump module having a fiber output port is particularly suited to couple light to an inner cladding of a double-clad fiber, often used to configure high power fiber laser and fiber amplifier. The pump modules may be operated in CW, QCW and pulse modes to configure fiber lasers and amplifiers using single end, dual end, and regenerative optical pumping modes. Multiple-pumps may be combined to increase pump power in a modular fashion without significant distortion to signal, particularly for short pulse operation.

Abstract: Optical pump modules using VCSEL arrays are provided to pump optical gain media for achieving high power laser output in CW, QCW and pulse operation modes for operation. Low divergence and symmetric far-field emission from VCSELs are particularly suitable for compact arrays. VCSEL arrays configured as laser pump modules are operable at high temperatures with practically no degradation over a long period of time. VCSEL pump modules are adaptable for side- or end-pumping configurations to pump high power lasers in CW, QCW and pulse mode. Power output from VCSEL pump modules is scalable. Incorporating microlens arrays with the VCSEL arrays improve brightness of the pump modules. High power and high temperature operation of VCSEL modules make it suitable for making compact high power solid state lasers that are operable in small spaces such as, ignition of internal combustion engines, stationary power generation engines and pulsed detonation engines.

Abstract: Illuminator module comprising VCSEL arrays with planar electrical contacts, readily adaptable for surface mounting, is provided. Monolithic VCSEL arrays are configured in array patterns on two and three-dimensional surfaces. Illuminator modules are easily expandable by increasing the array size or by modularly arranging more arrays with or without a transparent substrate. Different shapes of illuminator modules may be configured by tiling array modules monolithically on a common substrate, or by tiling small modules. The surface mountable illuminator modules are easily assembled on a thermally conductive surface that may be air or liquid cooled for efficient heat dissipation. Array modules may be integrated with other electronic circuits such as current drivers, sensors, controllers, processors, etc.