Abstract: Various embodiments of a multi-laser system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the multi-laser system includes a plurality of lasers, a plurality of laser beams, a beam positioning system, a thermally stable enclosure, and a temperature controller. The thermally stable enclosure is substantially made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as at least 5 W/(m K). The thermally stable enclosure can help maintain alignment of the laser beams to a target object over a range of ambient temperatures. Various embodiments of an optical system for directing light for optical measurements such laser-induced fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis are disclosed. In some embodiments, the optical system includes a thermally conductive housing and a thermoelectric controller, a plurality of optical fibers, and one or more optical elements to direct light emitted by the optical fibers to illuminate a flow cell. The housing is configured to attach to a flow cell.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a multi-laser system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the multi-laser system includes a plurality of lasers, a plurality of laser beams, a beam positioning system, a thermally stable enclosure, and a temperature controller. The thermally stable enclosure is substantially made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as at least 5 W/(m K). The thermally stable enclosure can help maintain alignment of the laser beams to a target object over a range of ambient temperatures. Various embodiments of an optical system for directing light for optical measurements such laser-induced fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis are disclosed. In some embodiments, the optical system includes a thermally conductive housing and a thermoelectric controller, a plurality of optical fibers, and one or more optical elements to direct light emitted by the optical fibers to illuminate a flow cell. The housing is configured to attach to a flow cell.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical system that includes a base unit and one or more cartridges that are removably attachable to the base unit. The one or more cartridges can include optical components configured to output a beam of light (e.g., a laser). The base unit can be configured to combine multiple beams of light (e.g., emitted by multiple cartridges) and output a combined beam of light. The cartridges can be interchanged to modify the light output by the optical system. The optical system can include thermally one or more stable enclosures and/or a temperature controller. The optical system can include one or more alignment adjustment optical components configured to adjust the alignment of one or more light beams.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a multi-laser system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the multi-laser system includes a plurality of lasers, a plurality of laser beams, a beam positioning system, a thermally stable enclosure, and a temperature controller. The thermally stable enclosure is substantially made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as at least 5 W/(m K). The thermally stable enclosure can help maintain alignment of the laser beams to a target object over a range of ambient temperatures. Various embodiments of an optical system for directing light for optical measurements such laser-induced fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis are disclosed. In some embodiments, the optical system includes a thermally conductive housing and a thermoelectric controller, a plurality of optical fibers, and one or more optical elements to direct light emitted by the optical fibers to illuminate a flow cell. The housing is configured to attach to a flow cell.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a multi-laser system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the multi-laser system includes a plurality of lasers, a plurality of laser beams, a beam positioning system, a thermally stable enclosure, and a temperature controller. The thermally stable enclosure is substantially made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as at least 5 W/(m K). The thermally stable enclosure can help maintain alignment of the laser beams to a target object over a range of ambient temperatures.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an optical system for directing light for optical measurements such laser-induced fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis are disclosed. In some embodiments, the optical system includes a thermally conductive housing and a thermoelectric controller, a plurality of optical fibers, and one or more optical elements to direct light emitted by the optical fibers to illuminate a flow cell. The housing is configured to attach to a flow cell.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical system that includes a base unit and one or more cartridges that are removably attachable to the base unit. The one or more cartridges can include optical components configured to output a beam of light (e.g., a laser). The base unit can be configured to combine multiple beams of light (e.g., emitted by multiple cartridges) and output a combined beam of light. The cartridges can be interchanged to modify the light output by the optical system. The optical system can include thermally one or more stable enclosures and/or a temperature controller. The optical system can include one or more alignment adjustment optical components configured to adjust the alignment of one or more light beams.

Abstract: The instant invention senses shutter blade position indirectly by sensing the position of rotor(s) driving the shutter blade in an electromagnetically driven actuator system. It generally comprehends systems where a plurality of rotors each drive respective blades of a shutter such that the position of each of the rotors is indicative of the position of their respective shutter blades, and combines such systems with non-optical sensors responsive to the rotors which signal the position of the shutter blades based on the position of the rotors. The non-optical sensors used are preferably responsive to the magnetic fields produced by the rotors, and can be advantageously positioned adjacent stator poles associated with the rotors, which stator poles are associated with the open or closed positions of the shutter blades. The sensors are preferably Hall Effect (Hall IC) sensors producing voltages proportionate to and greatest when the pole of a magnet is proximate the Hall Effect sensor.

Abstract: The instant invention teaches a compact collection lens with finite conjugates for use in coupling the collected energy from a broadband source into a multi-mode fiber. The lens is reflective in nature and provides finite conjugate imaging in one piece. The entrance and exit surfaces are made concentric with the object and image so that on-axis imaging is completely free of chromatic aberrations. The primary is nominally elliptical and is the only surface with optical power in the lens. The secondary is planar and serves to fold the progressing rays back in the original direction. In summary, the invention comprises a monolithic lens composed of four optical surfaces (two reflective and two transmissive) such that the primary and secondary mirrors are annular and the entrance and exit surfaces are predominantly spherical with their centers located at the front and back focal points.

Abstract: This magnetic voice-coil shutter drive actuation system for an optical shutter having an aperture with at least one shutter blade includes an actuator operating to open/close the shutter blade when moved in opposing directions, and a moveable element that operates said actuator and can be a moveable voice coil or a moveable permanent magnet. The voice coil is activatable to generate an electromagnetic flux in opposing polar orientations to react against the magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet. The moveable element can be located in a position peripheral of the aperture and not surrounding the aperture, or in a position peripheral of the aperture and surrounding the aperture. The magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet and the electromagnetic flux produced by the voice coil define magnetic axes that are parallel to each other and to a central axis for the aperture.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of controlling a frequency-converted diode laser system are disclosed. The diode laser systems can include embodiments of thermally coupled elements facilitating temperature stabilization. Aspects of some methods include monitoring the output of a stabilized diode laser system to reduce noise of the output laser beam. Other aspects of some methods include adjusting the temperature of a frequency converter based on noise in the output beam, and/or the current provided to drive the diode laser. Systems incorporating such control aspects, and others, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of controlling a frequency-converted diode laser system are disclosed. The diode laser systems can include embodiments of thermally coupled elements facilitating temperature stabilization. Aspects of some methods include monitoring the output of a stabilized diode laser system to reduce noise of the output laser beam. Other aspects of some methods include adjusting the temperature of a frequency converter based on noise in the output beam, and/or the current provided to drive the diode laser. Systems incorporating such control aspects, and others, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for transforming a laser beam to a polarized shaped beam in, for example, a frequency converted laser system. In one embodiment, an anamorphic optical system includes a first prism and a second prism that can be configured to form a Brewster telescope, the first prism and second prism each having an input surface and an exit surface, and wherein at least one surface of the input or exit surfaces are coated with a polarization selective coating. The optical system can include an adjustment system configured to change the position of one or both of the first prism and the second prism to adjust the transformation of the shape of the laser beam. In some embodiments of the optical system, a configuration of the first prism, the second prism, and the polarization selective coating produce a laser beam having a polarization ratio of about 100:1 or higher.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for transforming a laser beam to a polarized shaped beam in, for example, a frequency converted laser system. In one embodiment, an anamorphic optical system includes a first prism and a second prism that can be configured to form a Brewster telescope, the first prism and second prism each having an input surface and an exit surface, and wherein at least one surface of the input or exit surfaces are coated with a polarization selective coating. The optical system can include an adjustment system configured to change the position of one or both of the first prism and the second prism to adjust the transformation of the shape of the laser beam. In some embodiments of the optical system, a configuration of the first prism, the second prism, and the polarization selective coating produce a laser beam having a polarization ratio of about 100:1 or higher.