Abstract: A method and apparatus for coherent beam combining in an array of laser beam collimators. The array of laser beam collimators includes an array of a plurality collimating lenses, each lens intercepting a respective one of a plurality of divergent laser beams. Each collimating lens is joined with adjacent collimating lenses such that an output aperture is formed with a common vertex of the adjacently joined collimating lenses. A concave mirror is positioned a distance from the common vertex for receiving a fraction of each of the collimated laser beams that passed through a portion of each of the collimating lenses that are adjacent to the common vertex, and then providing reflected fractional collimated laser beams. A sensor intercepts the reflected fractional collimated laser beams so as to provide a signal that is applied to synchronize the phase of each of the collimated laser beams.

Abstract: A positional deviation between a phase distribution in a wavefront sensor and a compensation phase pattern in a wavefront modulator is corrected in a short time and with high accuracy by a method including a first step of causing the wavefront modulator to display a singularity generation pattern, a second step of measuring in the sensor an adjustment wavefront shape when an optical image modulated by the singularity generation pattern enters the wavefront sensor, a third step of detecting a position of a singularity in the adjustment wavefront shape from a measurement result in the sensor, and a fourth step of adjusting a positional deviation between a wavefront shape measured in the wavefront sensor and a compensation pattern displayed on the wavefront modulator based on a positional deviation of the position of the singularity.

Abstract: Multiple transmit antenna beam formers include/share a same set of power amplifiers and antenna elements to form multiple concurrent transmit antenna beams. Multiple receive antenna beam formers include/share a same set of antenna elements and low noise amplifiers to form multiple concurrent receive antenna beams. A transceiver includes the multiple transmit antenna beam formers and the multiple receive antenna beam formers, where the multiple transmit and receive beam formers include/share the same set of antenna elements. The transmit antenna beam formers and the receive antenna beam formers are configured to transmit, receive, and operate in the millimeter wave frequency band.

Abstract: A radiation source includes a beam generator configured to generate a radiation beam to be used to produce a radiation output of the radiation source, and a beam monitor, configured to monitor the radiation beam. A lithographic apparatus includes the radiation source. A device manufacturing method includes generating a first type of radiation by utilizing a beam of a second type of radiation, monitoring a quality of the second type of radiation, and projecting a patterned beam of the first type of radiation onto a substrate.

Abstract: An automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is described. The automated adaptive optics and laser projection system includes an adaptive optics system and a compact laser projection system with related laser guidance programming used to correct atmospheric distortion induced on light received by a telescope. Control of the automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is designed in a modular manner in order to facilitate replication of the system to be used with a variety of different telescopes. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: An Integrated Laser Phase and Amplifier Compensation System (ILPACS) for end-to-end compensation of high-energy laser for propagation through turbulence with non-cooperative target are described. ILPACS using interferometric slaving technique and stand-alone adaptive optical systems to effect pre-compensation of phase aberrations in turbulent medium, providing pre-compensation for aberrations in a laser amplifier is presented. ILPACS enables integration with a short pulse mode locked laser for use in Target Feature Adaptive Optics (TFAO) or with a mode locked ultra short pulse laser with carrier envelope phase stabilization for use in Broadband Coherent Adaptive Optics (BCAO).

Abstract: An Integrated Laser Field and Amplifier Compensation System (ILFACS) for end-to-end compensation of high-energy laser for propagation through turbulence with non-cooperative target are described. ILFACS using interferometric slaving technique and stand-alone adaptive optical systems to effect pre-compensation of amplitude and phase aberrations in turbulent medium, providing pre-compensation for aberrations in a laser amplifier is presented. ILFACS enables integration with a short pulse mode locked laser for use in Target Feature Adaptive Optics (TFAO) or with a mode locked ultra short pulse laser with carrier envelope phase stabilization for use in Broadband Coherent Adaptive Optics (BCAO).

Abstract: An Integrated Laser Phase Compensation System (ILPCS) for end-to-end compensation of high-energy laser for propagation through turbulence with non-cooperative target. ILPCS using interferometric slaving technique and stand-alone adaptive optical systems to effect pre-compensation of phase aberrations in turbulent medium, providing pre-compensation for aberrations in a laser amplifier with a minimal number of phase correction devices is presented. ILPCS enables integration with a short pulse mode locked laser for use in Target Feature Adaptive Optics (TFAO) or with a mode locked ultra short pulse laser with carrier envelope phase stabilization for use in Broadband Coherent Adaptive Optics (BCAO).

Abstract: A System and Method for Joint Compensation of Turbulence-induced-aberration and Laser Source Aberrations to provide measurement and compensation of aberrations in a laser beam projected from a laser source and the aberrations induced by propagation through an optical system and through a turbulent medium to a target utilizing only a single primary phase correction device means in the projected laser beam path and a secondary phase correction device means incorporated into the wavefront sensor path while at the same time the corrections are made using strictly null-seeking feedback control loops, thus providing a robust means of compensation. Reduction of the number of phase correction device means in the projected laser beam path can reduce cost, size, weight, and power compensation of the compensation system when the projected laser beam is a high energy laser.

Abstract: An automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is described. The automated adaptive optics and laser projection system includes an adaptive optics system and a compact laser projection system with related laser guidance programming used to correct atmospheric distortion induced on light received by a telescope. Control of the automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is designed in a modular manner in order to facilitate replication of the system to be used with a variety of different telescopes. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for calibrating an imaging system for analyzing a plurality of molecular species in a sample. According to one embodiment, the method comprises acquiring a plurality of images of the sample with an image acquisition device at a plurality of different wavelengths, comparing a region of interest associated with at least one of the images acquired at one respective wavelength to a region of interest associated with at least one of the images acquired at a different wavelength, and aligning the plurality of images such that the region of interest associated with at least one of the images acquired at one respective wavelength corresponds to the region of interest associated with the at least one of the images acquired at a different wavelength.

Abstract: There is provided a method of eliminating an offset in a spot centroid due to crosstalk. A crosstalk matrix is used to characterize crosstalk characteristics of a multi-pixel spot-centroid detector. Left-multiplication of signals outputted from the multi-pixel spot-centroid detector, which are affected by the crosstalk, by an inverse matrix of the crosstalk matrix can result in a light-intensity-distribution signal with impacts of the crosstalk substantially removed. Based on this light-intensity-distribution signal, it is possible to derive the spot centroid, with the offset in the spot centroid due to the crosstalk substantially eliminated, resulting in an improved accuracy of the spot centroid detection, as compared with conventional methods.

Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium increase transmission of waves through a highly scattering random medium. Transmission is increased by iteratively refining wavefronts using measurements of the backscatter wavefronts resulting from transmission of waves into the medium. The process of double phase conjugation by time-reversing a wavefront, transmitting the time-reversed wavefront into the medium, and time-reversing the reversing backscatter wavefront is leveraged to implement the method in a physical system using a phase conjugate mirror. In an embodiment, transmission may be increased by phase-only modulation of the wavefronts. In an embodiment, the invention may be used to focus transmission through the medium to a location opposite the wave source.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a wavefront parameter includes a light source, a lenslet array, a detector for detecting light generated by the light source and passed through the lenslet array, a wavefront corrective element disposed between the lenslet array and the light source; and a data analyzer configured to estimate at least one wavefront parameter at a plane located on the light source side of the corrective element. The lenslet array and the sensor array are arranged to form a wavefront sensor, and the wavefront corrective element is configured to correct an aberration of the wavefront.

Abstract: A phase noise detection apparatus comprises a laser beam, an optical resonator coupled thereto at a coupling point and a photodetector receiving light from the laser beam. The laser beam and the resonator coupled thereto convert phase noise of light transported by the laser beam prior to the coupling point into intensity noise of light transported by the laser beam thereafter. Intensity noise is converted into an electrical signal by the photodetector. The electrical signal is sent through a first signal path and a second signal path such that the first signal path transports a signal substantially proportional to the intensity noise, which is integrated in an integrator in the second path. Relative gain of the two signal paths can be adjusted and the overall gain of the signal path is preferably such that the optical phase modulator at least partially cancels said phase noise in the optical domain.

Abstract: A method for determining three-dimensional coordinates of an object point on a surface of an object, the method including steps of: providing a source, a projector, and a camera; in each of two instances: spatially modulating source light; sending a modulator pattern of light through the projector lens to form light spots; filtering the spots with a pinhole plate; propagating light from the light spots onto the object to produce a fringe pattern; imaging the object point with a camera lens onto an array point of the photosensitive array to obtain first and second electrical data values from the photosensitive array; and determining the three-dimensional coordinates of the first object point based at least in part on the first electrical data value, the second electrical data value, and a baseline length.

Abstract: Exceptionally crisp infrared images are provided by a binocular infrared imaging system for close in focusing that simultaneously directs the center lines of the optical channels to a close in point while at the same time providing auto focusing.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including: an image pickup element; an image pickup optical system for forming an image of an object by using a beam; a phase modulating element disposed on a pupil plane, for modulating a phase state of the beam; a modulating element controller for controlling the phase modulating element; and an image pickup element controller for dividing the image pickup element into multiple areas, and reading, for each of the multiple divided areas, information on the image in a time-sharing manner, in which, when the image pickup element controller reads the information on the image formed on the image pickup element by an area-by-area basis for the multiple divided areas in the time-sharing manner, the modulating element controller controls the phase modulating element so as to reduce a wavefront aberration in the divided area from which the information is to be read.

Abstract: A turbulence and winds aloft detection system may include an image capturing device for capturing a plurality of images of a visual feature of a selected celestial object; and an image processor configured to compare the plurality of images of the visual feature to detect a transit of a turbule of turbulent air between the image capturing device and the selected celestial object; compensate for one or more of apparent visual motion of celestial objects due to a planet's translation and rotation, the moon's revolution about the planet, and the atmosphere's refractive displacement of celestial objects; and compute a measurement of at least one of a velocity of the turbule and a height of the turbule relative to the planet.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of providing image data for constructing an image of a region of a target object (40) comprising providing incident radiation from a radiation source at a target object (40); detecting, by at least one detector (50), a portion of radiation scattered by the target object; and providing image data via an iterative process responsive to the detected radiation (340), wherein said iterative process comprises estimating a wave front of scattered radiation at a plane of the detector, updating a portion of the wave front based on the detected radiation, leaving a portion of the estimated wave front substantially unchanged, setting a portion of the wave front, corresponding to a portion of radiation scattered by the target object and not detected by the detector, to one or more values, and providing image data based upon the updated wave front.

Abstract: In the field of optic instruments comprising at least one optical architecture, a photoreception assembly and means for acquisition and analysis of the images arising from the said photoreception assembly, the acquisition and analysis means comprising an algorithm of phase diversity type, an optical architecture comprises an optical plate of low or zero optical power arranged in the vicinity of the photoreception assembly and disposed so as to form on all or part of the said assembly a first focused image and a second image defocused by a first predetermined value and shifted by a second predetermined value with respect to the first image. The optic instrument can advantageously be a space telescope.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operation for a high power broad band elongated thin beam laser annealing light source, which may comprise a gas discharge seed laser oscillator having a resonance cavity, providing a seed laser output pulse; a gas discharge amplifier laser amplifying the seed laser output pulse to provide an amplified seed laser pulse output; a divergence correcting multi-optical element optical assembly intermediate the seed laser and the amplifier laser. The divergence correcting optical assembly may adjust the size and/or shape of the seed laser output pulse within a discharge region of the amplifier laser in order to adjust an output parameter of the amplified seed laser pulse output. The divergence correcting optical assembly may comprise a telescope with an adjustable focus. The adjustable telescope may comprise an active feedback-controlled actuator based upon a sensed parameter of the amplified seed laser output from the amplifier laser.

Abstract: A bidirectional beam director includes a pair of optically coupled diffraction gratings, each being independently rotatable so that a laser beam passing through the pair of gratings can be steered by rotation of at least one of the gratings. The bidirectional beam can be coupled to many types of optical systems, including optical phased arrays, multi-beam laser transmitters and receivers, telescopes, and high energy laser beam control systems.

Abstract: A laser machining device is provided with a laser light source, a spatial light modulator, a driving unit, a control unit, and a condensing optical system. The control unit selects a basic hologram corresponding to each basic machining pattern included in a whole machining pattern in a workpiece from a plurality of basic holograms stored by the storage unit, and determines a display region of the basic hologram in the spatial light modulator so that the deviation of the value of “I?/n” becomes small for the selected respective basic hologram when the intensity of a laser beam input to a display region of the basic hologram in the spatial light modulator is defined as I, the diffraction efficiency of the laser beam in the basic hologram is defined as ?, and the number of condensing points in a basic machining pattern corresponding to the basic hologram is defined as n.

Abstract: A system for generating extreme ultraviolet light may include a chamber, a target supply device configured to supply a target material into the chamber, a laser apparatus configured to output a laser beam to irradiate the target material, a wavefront adjuster configured to adjust a wavefront of the laser beam, an imaging optical system configured to focus the laser beam reflected by the target material, an image detector configured to capture an image of the laser beam focused by the imaging optical system, and a controller configured to control the wavefront adjuster based on the captured image.

Abstract: A multi-beam laser beam control and imaging system includes a laser transmitter configured to emit light in a plurality of beamlets towards a target. At least one of the beamlets illuminates the whole target or a substantial portion of the target when imaging the target. A sensor is configured to receive light from the beamlets. A processor is communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to compute a relative phase of a wavefront of at least one beamlet based on output from the sensor. The processor also reconstructs a wavefront which is used to formulate two or three dimensional images of the target. A controller is communicably coupled to the processor and to the laser transmitter. The controller is configured to adjust a phase of at least one of the beamlets.

Abstract: The present invention provides high-resolution wavefront measurement systems and methods for real-time inspection of optical and geometrical properties of specular and transparent objects, the systems of the invention comprising at least one illumination apparatus, at least one imaging apparatus constructed and configured to image the object onto an image plane, at least one gradient element disposed at one of the aperture stops of the imaging apparatus; and a sensor placed in the image plane of the imaging apparatus, wherein the sensor is capable of differentiating between different areas of the gradient element thereby being adapted to provide real-time optical and geometrical data of the object.

Abstract: An atmospheric aberration sensor that uses two optically correlated images of a scene and the Fourier transform capabilities of a lens or other focusing element. The sensor receives light via an f-number matching element from a scene or from an external optical system and transmits it through a focusing optical element to an updateable display element such as a spatial light modulator or micro mirror array, which modulates the real time image from the focusing element with previous template image of the same extended scene. The modulated image is focused onto an autocorrelation detection sensor, which detects a change in centroid position corresponding to a change of the tip/tilt in the optical path. This peak shift is detected by centroid detection and corresponds to the magnitude of global wavefront tip/tilt. With a lenslet array and detector array, the system can also measure local tip/tilt and higher order aberrations.

Abstract: An Integrated Laser Field Conjugation System (ILFCS) for end-to-end compensation of high-energy laser for propagation through turbulence with non-cooperative target. ILFCS using interferometric slaving technique and stand-alone adaptive optical systems to effect pre-compensation of amplitude and phase aberrations in turbulent medium, providing pre-compensation for aberrations in a laser amplifier. Performing compensation functions in low-power beam paths, increasing capability, reducing cost, reducing size compensation components for phase correction devices. Pre-compensating low-power master oscillator beam for aberrations in both high-power amplifier and turbulent propagation path-to-target with configuration enabling wavefront sensing of aberrations. Can be configured to perform phase compensation, or compensation of phase/amplitude aberrations. Capability to compensate aberrations in master oscillator beam.

Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are implemented for optical imaging. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an optical imaging apparatus utilizes a laser-based coherent light source, and an optical device to pass grated light along an illumination direction from the laser-based coherent light source toward an object. Additionally, an illumination modulator is provided for changing angles at which the light, moving toward the object plane, reaches the object plane, and the light reaches the object plane at different angles. Further, the apparatus can include circuitry to process image-based data in response to and based on the light reaching the object plane at different angles for a user-viewable image of an object in proximity of the object plane.

Abstract: A scanning multispectral telescope comprises an optical architecture arranged so as to focus the image of an object in the vicinity of a photodetection assembly, the area of focus being an image plane. The photodetection assembly comprises a number of parallel rows of photodetectors, each row being dedicated to a particular spectral band, each spectral band being centered on a mean wavelength. The telescope comprises means for acquiring and analyzing the images obtained from the rows of photodetectors using a phase diversity algorithm. Finally, the telescope comprises optical or mechanical means arranged in such a way that at least one of the rows of photodetectors is offset by a fraction of the mean wavelength which corresponds to it on an axis perpendicular to the image plane.

Abstract: A light-field pixel for detecting a wavefront, the light-field pixel comprises an aperture layer, a light detector layer, and a processor. The aperture layer has a non-conventional aperture and a non-conventional aperture. The non-conventional aperture has a higher gradient of transmission at normal incidence than the conventional aperture. The light detector is configured to measure a first intensity of light through the non-conventional aperture and a second intensity of light through the conventional aperture. The processor is configured to detect the wavefront based on the first intensity normalized by the second intensity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coherent beam combining in an array of laser beam collimators. The array of laser beam collimators includes an array of a plurality collimating lenses, each lens intercepting a respective one of a plurality of divergent laser beams. Each collimating lens is joined with adjacent collimating lenses such that an output aperture is formed with a common vertex of the adjacently joined collimating lenses. A concave mirror is positioned a distance from the common vertex for receiving a fraction of each of the collimated laser beams that passed through a portion of each of the collimating lenses that are adjacent to the common vertex, and then providing reflected fractional collimated laser beams. A sensor intercepts the reflected fractional collimated laser beams so as to provide a signal that is applied to synchronize the phase of each of the collimated laser beams.

Abstract: A system for path compensation of multiple incoherent optical beams incorporates an optical element combining a plurality of incoherent beams to an aperture by angle using carrier frequency tilt fringes. An illumination laser is employed for reflection of an illumination beam from a target. An interferometer receives a sample of the reflected illumination beam reflected from the target and provides interference fringes. A spatial light modulator receives the interference fringes and generates a real time hologram. Relay optics are employed for transmitting the combined plurality of incoherent beams to the SLM and receiving a diffraction corrected full aperture compensated combined beam for emission to the far field.

Abstract: A method for restoring and enhancing a space based image of point or spot objects. The method includes: 1) dividing a space-variable degraded image into multiple space-invariant image sub-blocks, and constructing a point spread function for each of the image sub-blocks; 2) correcting each of the image sub-blocks via a space-invariant image correction method whereby obtaining a corrected image {circumflex over (f)}i for each of the image sub-blocks; and 3) stitching the corrected image sub-blocks {circumflex over (f)}i altogether via a stitching algorithm whereby obtaining a complete corrected image {circumflex over (f)}.

Abstract: Provided is an actuator formed in a substrate including a handle layer, an elastic body layer, and an insulating layer, the actuator including a movable portion supported to a support portion by an elastic body, a movable comb electrode formed on the movable portion, a fixed comb electrode supported by the support portion, and electrode wirings connected to the respective comb electrodes in which the elastic body supports the movable portion such that the movable portion is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the substrate in accordance with voltages applied to the comb electrodes; the comb electrodes are made up of the handle layer, and the elastic body is made up of the elastic body layer; and a handle layer separation groove is provided to electrically separate between the handle layers of the support portions supporting the comb electrodes, and a structure reinforcing portion is formed across the separation groove.

Abstract: A method for correcting a wave front analyzer, in which the analyzer detects a signal from an incident wave front to be analyzed (FO), the detected signal providing phase and intensity local information. The method includes correcting the phase computation according to intensity space variations. A wave front analyzer for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a laser system in which a current laser wavefront performance of the laser system may be monitored. Further, the laser system embodiments disclosed herein may be configured for correcting the laser wavefront internally via correction system(s) within the laser system. Still further, the correction system(s) disclosed herein may provide a long lifetime of performance and may be configured for having a minimal impact on photocontamination.

Abstract: Reference frames are selected for use in a frame reference buffer in a video encoding system, so as to provide long term prediction of motion in video sequences. Candidate reference frames are characterized by characteristic vectors. From the candidate reference frames, a number of reference frames are maintained in the frame buffer so as to obtain a specified distribution of the characteristic vectors over a vector space. Frames are selected for use in encoding a current frame based on the characteristic vector of the current frame and the reference frames in the frame buffer.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to the field of image processing, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for determining a wavefront of an object, in particular a human eye. The invention discloses a method and an apparatus for real-time wavefront sensing of an optical system utilizing two different algorithms for detecting centroids of a centroid image as provided by a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor. A first algorithm detects an initial position of all centroids and a second algorithm detects incremental changes of all centroids detected by said first algorithm.

Abstract: One embodiment is a machine comprising a sequential wavefront scanner, a variable aperture, a position sensing device and an electronic control and detection system. The electronic control and detection system is configured to control the sequential wavefront scanner to shift the incident wavefront by a set of displacements selected to form a selected scanning pattern to scan the incident wavefront and configured to vary the aperture size to vary detection resolution at different parts of the scanning pattern.

Abstract: A Coherent Phased Array Beam Transmission and Imaging System is disclosed for end-to-end compensation of a plurality of laser beams through a turbulent medium to a non-cooperative target where the optical device used to transmit and receive laser energy is a plurality of optical transceivers (typically a telescope, but often referred to as a subaperture telescope or transceiver). The Coherent Phased Array Beam Transmission and Imaging System controls the plurality of laser beams (that originate from a single master oscillator laser and are amplified and/or transported using separate beam paths) to coherently combine the outgoing beams from each subaperture to form a single phased beam at the target. The preferred embodiment for the Coherent Phased Array Beam Transmission and Imaging System includes a method to maintain the beam hit spot on the target aim point at the full resolution of the array.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a low height imaging system has: one or more optical channels and a detector array, each of the optical channels (a) associated with at least one detector of the array, (b) having one or more optical components and a restrictive ray corrector, and (c) configured to direct steeper incident angle field rays onto the at least one detector.

Abstract: An automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is described. The automated adaptive optics and laser projection system includes an adaptive optics system and a compact laser projection system with related laser guidance programming used to correct atmospheric distortion induced on light received by a telescope. Control of the automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is designed in a modular manner in order to facilitate replication of the system to be used with a variety of different telescopes. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wavefront sensor comprising a film and a photodetector. The film has one or more structured two dimensional apertures configured to convert a phase gradient of a wavefront into a measurable form. The photodetector is configured to receive the wavefront through the one or more 2D apertures and measure the phase gradient of the wavefront.

Abstract: A mirror structure is provided in which at least a portion of a wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror. In particular, a mirror structure is provided in which a Hartmann mask or a microlens array of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror to provide a very compact wavefront detector/corrector in a single device. Such a mirror structure may be used with a tip-tilt stage in a laser cavity to provide much simplified adaptive optics in the cavity. Furthermore, a Hartmann Mask may be integrated with self deforming mirror comprising an active PZT layer bonded to a passive mirror substrate, wherein the Hartmann Mask comprises an array of apertures formed through the active PZT layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for combining laser radiation (1) 5 which apparatus comprises a seed laser (2), a splitter (3), a plurality of amplifier chains (4), a reference amplifier chain (7), detection means (5). demodulator means (6), and phase control means (12), wherein each of the amplifier chains (4) comprises at least one optical amplifier (11), optical radiation (17) emitted from the seed laser (2) is split into the plurality of amplifier chains (4) by the splitter (3).

Abstract: An adaptive plasma optics cell includes a housing defining a chamber, and a gas disposed within the housing chamber. A first light transmissive electrode layer is coupled to a first side of the housing and a first light transmissive dielectric layer is coupled between the first light transmissive electrode layer and the housing chamber. A second electrode layer is coupled to a second side of the housing such that the housing chamber is at least partially disposed between the first and second electrode layers and a second dielectric layer coupled between the second electrode layer electrode and the housing chamber. In operation, a power supply is controlled such that the power supply selectively supplies an electric signal sufficient to cause the gas to generate a plasma having a desired plasma gradient.