Abstract: A fiber optic phased array, as well as associated methods and apparatus for controllably adjusting the frequency of the optical signals emitted by a fiber optic phased array, are provided that permit wide band phase control and may be implemented utilizing conventional analog electronics. In this regard, the method and apparatus can independently control the phase of the optical signals propagating through each fiber optic amplifier of the fiber optic phased array, even as large optical phase disturbances occur. As such, the control method and apparatus permit a fiber optic phased array to generate a flat phase front that, in turn, can provide a diffraction limited output laser beam. Alternatively, the control method and apparatus may be designed such that the output signals emitted by an array of fiber optic amplifiers has any other desired phase front, such as to compensate for atmospheric perturbations or the like.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and method for friction welding structural members. The apparatus includes a connected shank and probe. The probe defines an absorption surface and a cavity extending thereto. The absorption surface is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source such as a light source or RF generator. The radiation heats the probe, supplementing the heat generated by friction between the probe and the structural members, and thereby increasing the speed at which the probe can be used to frictionally weld the structural materials.

Abstract: A fiber optic phased array, as well as associated methods and apparatus for controllably adjusting the frequency of the optical signals emitted by a fiber optic phased array, are provided that permit wide band phase control and may be implemented utilizing conventional analog electronics. In this regard, the method and apparatus can independently control the phase of the optical signals propagating through each fiber optic amplifier of the fiber optic phased array, even as large optical phase disturbances occur. As such, the control method and apparatus permit a fiber optic phased array to generate a flat phase front that, in turn, can provide a diffraction limited output laser beam. Alternatively, the control method and apparatus may be designed such that the output signals emitted by an array of fiber optic amplifiers has any other desired phase front, such as to compensate for atmospheric perturbations or the like.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and method for friction welding structural members. The apparatus includes a connected shank and probe. The probe defines an absorption surface and a cavity extending thereto. The absorption surface is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source such as a light source or RF generator. The radiation heats the probe, supplementing the heat generated by friction between the probe and the structural members, and thereby increasing the speed at which the probe can be used to frictionally weld the structural materials.

Abstract: A fuel cell device for generation of electricity from a polar oxidizer liquid and a non-polar fuel fluid includes a cathode in contact with the polar oxidizer liquid; an anode in contact with the non-polar fuel fluid; and a separator for separating the polar oxidizer liquid from the non-polar fuel fluid. The separator is made from material that is lyophobic with respect to the oxidizer liquid, and has a plurality of apertures, which are appropriately sized and spaced to form a meniscus in each aperture. The meniscus forms a liquid heterointerface between the conductive polar oxidizer liquid and the non-polar fuel fluid providing a controlled contact surface for oxidation processes. The fuel side of the separator may be coated with a conductive material to form the anode, in electric contact with the perimeter of the meniscus, and the cathode may be formed on the oxidizer side of the separator.

Abstract: A multi-aperture fiber laser system that includes a fiber amplifier laser engine having a tunable master oscillator, a wavelength selective beam router optically connected to the laser engine, and a plurality of beam directors optically connected to the wavelength selective beam router. The tunable master oscillator outputs a first optical signal selectively tuned to at least one specific wavelength. The wavelength selective beam router receives a plurality of second optical signals that have the same at least one wavelength of the first optical signal. The wavelength selective beam router then routes each second optical signal to one of the beam director assemblies based the wavelength of the second optical signals. Thus, the multi-aperture fiber laser system enables a single high power fiber amplifier laser engine to supply laser power to more than one beam director in a highly flexible and efficient manner.

Abstract: A multi-aperture fiber laser system that includes a fiber amplifier laser engine having a tunable master oscillator, a wavelength selective beam router optically connected to the laser engine, and a plurality of beam directors optically connected to the wavelength selective beam router. The tunable master oscillator outputs a first optical signal selectively tuned to at least one specific wavelength. The wavelength selective beam router receives a plurality of second optical signals that have the same at least one wavelength of the first optical signal. The wavelength selective beam router then routes each second optical signal to one of the beam director assemblies based the wavelength of the second optical signals. Thus, the multi-aperture fiber laser system enables a single high power fiber amplifier laser engine to supply laser power to more than one beam director in a highly flexible and efficient manner.

Abstract: A modular chassis for use in a manufacturing process line wherein manufacturing process steps are performed by manufacturing devices on workpieces carried by pallets. The chassis top plate is machined attaching one or more different types of manufacturing devices to the chassis, such as a robot or automatic parts feeder. A non-synchronous incoming pallet conveyor is aligned horizontally to receive a set of incoming pallets. A pallet transfer and index module is attached and aligned to accept the set of incoming pallets from the incoming pallet conveyor. The transfer and index module includes an indexing mechanism to accurately position each of the retrieved incoming pallets in one of a plurality of workstations so that at the end of the transfer cycle the process steps can be performed on each of the workpieces.

Abstract: A solid-state laser system includes a solid-state laser having a laser gain medium and at least one pumping diode. The system also includes a thermal management system capable of placing a coolant in thermal communication with the solid-state laser such that the coolant can carry heat away from the solid-state laser. The thermal management system is then capable of rejecting the heat carried away by the coolant to a fluid at an ambient temperature, where the coolant can be at a temperature between 40° C. and 80° C. when the thermal management system rejects the heat. Advantageously, the thermal management system of the present invention can include reject the heat to a fluid comprising, for example, air or water. As such, the thermal management system does not require separate cooling of the fluid carrying the heat away from the coolant.

Abstract: A micro-doppler ladar comprising a tunable laser to identify an unknown constituent of a gaseous cloud or region at a safe distance from the cloud or region. The tunable laser produces a laser beam tunable over a range of different frequencies. Each frequency produces a different vibrational response in the constituent in the gaseous cloud when the cloud or region is illuminated by the laser beam. A micro-doppler ladar system then interprets a back scattered beam to determine the induced vibrations. The determined induced vibrations can then be compared to known vibrations stored in a look-up table to identify the specific constituent(s) in the cloud or region.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier employing a prism to optimally couple pump energy into the pump core of a dual clad fiber. The optical fiber amplifier consists of a dual clad fiber having an inner (e.g., signal) core, an outer (e.g., pump) core surrounding the inner core, and a cladding layer at least partially surrounding the outer core. Pump energy can be injected into the outer core through the prism located adjacent to the outer core in order to amplify signals propagating through the inner core.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier has an anisotropic numerical aperture to optimally couple pump energy into the pump core of a dual-clad fiber. The optical fiber consists of a dual-clad fiber having a longitudinally extending inner core, an outer core surrounding the inner core, and a cladding layer at least partially surrounding the outer core. The outer core is capable of transmitting pump energy to thereby amplify signals propagating through the inner core. Further, the outer core is capable of accepting pump energy within a first range of acceptance angles in a first direction and within a second range of acceptance angles in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The outer core and the cladding layer are structured such that a numerical aperture of the fiber amplifier in the first direction is different than the numerical aperture of the fiber amplifier in the second direction.

Abstract: A micro-doppler microscope for providing an indication of the vibration of a target. An input laser beam is received by a beamsplitter that divides the input laser beam into a transmitted portion and a reflected portion. A first focusing optics focuses the transmitted portion onto a target, the target scattering a scattered portion thereof. This scattered portion is directed back through the first focusing optics, and reflected off the beamsplitter. Second focusing optics is positioned to receive the scattered portion from the beamsplitter and for focusing the scattered portion. A planar mirror is positioned to reflect the reflected portion of the input laser beam back through the beamsplitter and through the second focusing optics so that it is focused. A fast photodetector receives the focused scattered portion from the second focusing optics and the focused reflected portion from the second focusing optics. Both focused portions are focused on the same spot on the fast photodetector.

Abstract: Dermal hydration is determined in a target region of a human subject by determining a relationship between first and second measurements. The first measurement is a measurement of a first type of electromagnetic radiation that has been reflected from the target region, the second measurement is a measurement of a second type of electromagnetic radiation that has been reflected from the target region, and the second type of electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by liquid, namely water or perspiration, to a greater degree than the first type of electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the liquid. The electromagnetic radiation that is reflected from the region and measured is initially transmitted to the region from a remote location, and the transmitted electromagnetic radiation is not visible to a naked human eye. An examination being carried out in accordance with the present invention can be carried out while the region is moving, by tracking the region.

Abstract: A fuel cell device for generation of electricity from a polar oxidizer liquid and a non-polar fuel fluid includes a cathode in contact with the polar oxidizer liquid; an anode in contact with the non-polar fuel fluid; and a separator for separating the polar oxidizer liquid from the non-polar fuel fluid. The separator is made from material that is lyophobic with respect to the oxidizer liquid, and has a plurality of apertures, which are appropriately sized and spaced to form a meniscus in each aperture. The meniscus forms a liquid heterointerface between the conductive polar oxidizer liquid and the non-polar fuel fluid providing a controlled contact surface for oxidation processes. The fuel side of the separator may be coated with a conductive material to form the anode, in electric contact with the perimeter of the meniscus, and the cathode may be formed on the oxidizer side of the separator.

Abstract: A micro-doppler microscope for providing an indication of the vibration of a target. An input laser beam is received by a beamsplitter that divides the input laser beam into a transmitted portion and a reflected portion. A first focusing optics focuses the transmitted portion onto a target, the target scattering a scattered portion thereof. This scattered portion is directed back through the first focusing optics, and reflected off the beamsplitter. Second focusing optics is positioned to receive the scattered portion from the beamsplitter and for focusing the scattered portion. A planar mirror is positioned to reflect the reflected portion of the input laser beam back through the beamsplitter and through the second focusing optics so that it is focused. A fast photodetector receives the focused scattered portion from the second focusing optics and the focused reflected portion from the second focusing optics. Both focused portions are focused on the same spot on the fast photodetector.

Abstract: A laser activated switch includes a substrate, such as a sapphire or a silicon carbide substrate, with two opposed major surfaces including a ground layer on one surface. Extending laterally across the first surface of the substrate, the laser activated switch includes at least one pair of first and second electrically conductive electrodes. Each electrode of the pair of electrodes is spaced apart from one another to thereby define a gap. Additionally, the laser activated switch includes at least one III-nitride-based photoconductor extending laterally across at least part of the surface of the substrate opposite the ground layer, and extending across the gap defined between the pairs of electrodes. Upon being illuminated, the photoconductor becomes conductive and changes the switch from an “off” state to an “on” state. In one embodiment, the laser activated switch further includes first and second terminals electrically connected to the first and second electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier employing a prism to optimally couple pump energy into the pump core of a dual clad fiber. The optical fiber amplifier consists of a dual clad fiber having an inner (e.g., signal) core, an outer (e.g., pump) core surrounding the inner core, and a cladding layer at least partially surrounding the outer core. Pump energy can be injected into the outer core through the prism located adjacent to the outer core in order to amplify signals propagating through the inner core.

Abstract: A multimode Raman fiber amplifier and method for generating high levels of laser output power from arbitrary pump laser wavelengths using Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) in optical fibers of a dual clad design. The optical fibers are amplified in such a manner that facilitates high power, improves brightness conversion, increases conversion efficiency, effectuates lower laser pump brightness, and increases output beam quality. The invention includes a signal core which can support an arbitrary multimode signal from a pump laser, an SRS pump core, and low index outer cladding. The refractive indices of the aforementioned are designed to propagate SRS along the length of the optical fiber.

Abstract: System and method for photodynamic therapy using a phased array Raman laser amplifier including a beam generator for generating a fundamental laser beam and a Raman seed frequency laser beam, and a fiber optic laser amplifier array for forming a diffraction limited output laser beam at the Raman seed frequency by amplifying the fundamental laser beam to a power level corresponding to the Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) threshold to thereby pump the SRS process and provide Raman gain to the Raman seed frequency laser beam.