Abstract: The invention provides a diode pumping module for a laser system, including a laser rod and a diode light source for excitation of the laser rod, the diode source being constituted by at least one diode array, a dual-function optical coupler/heat conductor located on one side of the laser rod between the at least one diode array and the laser rod, and attached to the rod, which coupler/heat conductor guides the light from the diode source into the rod while adjusting the angular spread of the light and also serves as heat conductor, conducting heat away from the rod. The system further includes a dual-function heat conductor/light reflector located on the opposite side of the laser rod, and attached to the rod, which conductor/reflector conducts the heat away from the laser rod and reflects unabsorbed diode light back into the rod.

Abstract: A complete sorting system is provided herein including a sequence of interlacing cable conveyors for conveying objects to be sorted, such as apples or other agricultural produce, from bulk storage at the input to the system, through the system, and along to drops at the output of the system. The cable conveyors are configured and arranged to handle even delicate agricultural produce without damage and at high speed. The produce or objects which are conveyed typically do not roll along the conveyors. Preferably, objects of substantially any shape can be conveyed along the system.

Abstract: An optical system for viewing data, possibly superpositioned on the view of scenery. The optical system consists of a lens divided into two parts by a beam splitter, and it has a surface facing the viewer and a second surface which is convex and defines a mirror facing the surface close to the viewer. The thick lens has a truncated surface facing the data source and the beam from the data source is reflected by the beam splitter to the concave surface of the mirror which reflects it to the eye of the viewer. When the data is superpositioned on a direct view of the scenery, the mirror is partially reflecting.

Abstract: A complete sorting system is provided herein including a sequence of interlacing cable conveyors for conveying objects to be sorted, such as apples or other agricultural produce, from bulk storage at the input to the system, through the system, and along to drops at the output of the system. The cable conveyors are configured and arranged to handle even delicate agricultural produce without damage and at high speed. The produce or objects which are conveyed typically do not roll along the conveyors. Preferably, objects of substantially any shape can be conveyed along the system.

Abstract: A system for measuring distances between a central location and any number of remote locations. A transmitter at the central location radiates one or two rotating beams which rotate at an angular velocity which need not be determined. Specially placed sensors at a remote location sense the passage of the beam or beams and allow the accurate determination of the distance between the transmitter and the sensors without the need to measure and/or communicate the angular velocity of rotation of the transmitter signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to means for generating a laser beam with an essentially constant angle of divergence over a wide range of operating conditions. The invention further relates to a method of generating such laser beam. The oscillator-amplifier laser system of the invention comprieses in combination an optical resonator, a first active medium and first optical means located within said resonator for generating an oscillator beam; a second active medium for amplifying said oscillator beam and a second optical means external to said resonator. Said first and second optical means have each, according to the invention, a predetermined optical power which maintains a constant divergence-angle of the output beam, even under variations in the induced optical power of the active media.