Abstract: An aluminum panel comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and the upper surface comprises at least one recessed area. The panel has a reduced thickness in the at least one recessed area. Both the upper surface of the panel and the at least one recessed area are provided with an aluminum oxide coating and the aluminum oxide coating of the at least one recessed area includes at least one colored dye. A method for producing an aluminum panel is also provided.

Abstract: A method and assembly for frequency stabilization of an optical signal especially from a laser, the assembly (11) comprising beam splitter (15), a passive frequency discriminator (16), and a pair of photodiodes (17 & 18). The beam splitter (15) in use receives a collimated optical beam (B) and diverts a sample beam (B1) which is directed towards the discriminator (16) which transmits a portion (B2) of said sample beam to one of the photodiodes (17) and reflects a second portion (B3) of said sample beam to the other photodiode (18). A control signal (S3) is derived from the respective intensities of the transmitted and reflected portions of the sample beam, and utilized to operate the electronic control to adjust the frequency of the laser output signal, if required, to maintain a specified frequency.

Abstract: A method and assembly for frequency stabilisation of an optical signal especially from a laser, the assembly (11) comprising beam splitter (15), a passive frequency discriminator (16), and a pair of photodiodes (17 & 18). The beam splitter (15) in use receives a collimated optical beam (B) and diverts a sample beam (B1) which is directed towards the discriminator (16) which transmits a portion (B2) of said sample beam to one of the photodiodes (17) and reflects a second portion (B3) of said sample beam to the other photodiode (18). A control signal (S3) is derived from the respective intensities of the transmitted and reflected portions of the sample beam, and utilised to operate the electronic control to adjust the frequency of the laser output signal, if required, to maintain a specified frequency.

Abstract: An optical link is operative for transmitting a microwave signal in modulated optical form over an optical fiber. The optical link has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter splits and converts the microwave signal into two separate optical signals, each of which represents either the positive varying part of the microwave signal or the negative varying part of the microwave signal. The receiver combines the two separate optical signals and converts them back into the microwave signal.

Abstract: An optical device for generating a modulated, phase controlled RF carrier by combining a modulated optical carrier signal having a first frequency with an unmodulated optical reference signal having a second frequency. The modulated and unmodulated signals are polarized on orthogonal axes and are transmitted in a single optical waveguide. Modulation of the optical carrier is performed, for example, by means of an integrated optical device which modulates only one polarization direction.