Abstract: A system where a laser having an input that controls the frequency of laser emission, an optical frequency discriminator, and a control system are configured such that the laser frequency can be swept according to a desired function of time. In particular a linear triangular frequency output is achieved which is a repeating sequence of linearly increasing optical frequency and a linearly decreasing optical frequency. The control system relies on a frequency discriminator signal to obtain the information about laser frequency. During generation of repeating swept frequency waveforms the laser frequency remains between the adjacent periodic features of the discriminator optical frequency response. The control system dynamically or iteratively optimizes the laser frequency control signal to maintain the desired laser optical frequency sweep.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigation using lidar devices in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a Reconfigurable Navigation Doppler Lidar (RNDL) for measuring velocity and position relative to terrain is disclosed, containing (1) an optical module with at least one laser source configured to generate a laser emission, where the at least one laser source is capable of operating in a plurality of modes, and a transceiver configured to generate at least one electronic return signal, and (2) a signal processing and control module configured to receive the at least one electronic return signal, generate a control signal, and transmit the control signal to the at least one laser source, where the control signal causes the at least one laser source to switch between the plurality of modes.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a resonator structure, comprising engineering dispersion of electromagnetic radiation guided along a boundary of an axially symmetric substrate, the engineering comprising micro-structuring a geometry of the boundary, wherein the structure defines a waveguide for electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a resonator structure, comprising engineering dispersion of electromagnetic radiation guided along a boundary of an axially symmetric substrate, the engineering comprising micro-structuring a geometry of the boundary, wherein the structure defines a waveguide for electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An optical device, optical system, and method of generating optical beams having high angular momenta are provided. The optical device includes a whispering gallery mode resonator defining a resonator radius and an elongated waveguide having a length defined between a first end and a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide defines a waveguide radius which increases at least along a portion of the length of the waveguide in a direction from the first end to the second end. The waveguide radius at the first end of the waveguide is smaller than the resonator radius and the resonator is integrally formed with the first end of the waveguide.