Abstract: The ultra-short pulse chirped pulse amplification (CPA) laser system and method of operating CPA laser system include outputting nearly transform limited (TL) pulses by a mode locked laser. The system and method further include temporarily stretching the TL pulses by a first Bragg grating providing thus each stretched pulse with a chirp which is further compensated for in a second Bragg grating operating as as a compressor. The laser system and method further include a pulse shaping unit measuring a spectral phase across the recompressed pulse and further adjusting the deviation of the measured spectral phase from that of the TL pulse by generating a corrective signal. The corrective signal is applied to the array of actuators coupled to respective segments of one of the BGs which are selectively actuated to induce the desired phase change, with the one BG thus operating as both stretcher/compressor and pulse shaper.

Abstract: A multiple wavelength laser processing system is configured with a multiple wavelength laser source for generating a multiple wavelength coaxial laser processing beam. The laser processing system further includes a multiple wavelength optical system to deliver the coaxial laser processing beam to a laser-material interaction zone on the surface of a workpiece such that each of the first and a second laser wavelengths in the processing beam impinge at least a portion of the interaction zone as respective first and second concentric laser spots. The multiple wavelength optical system includes a multiple wavelength beam collimator, a configurable chromatic optic, and a laser processing focus lens, wherein the configurable chromatic optic provides an adjustment to the relative focus distance of the first and second laser wavelengths.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided to monitor and characterize the dynamics of a phase change region (PCR) created during laser welding, specifically keyhole welding, and other material modification processes, using low-coherence interferometry. By directing a measurement beam to multiple locations within and overlapping with the PCR, the system, apparatus, and method are used to determine, in real time, spatial and temporal characteristics of the weld such as keyhole depth, length, width, shape and whether the keyhole is unstable, closes or collapses. This information is important in determining the quality and material properties of a completed finished weld. It can also be used with feedback to modify the material modification process in real time.

Abstract: A laser cutting head with movable mirrors may be used to move a beam, for example, to provide beam alignment and/or to provide different wobble patterns for cutting with different kerf widths. The laser cutting head includes a cutting nozzle for directing the laser beam together with a gas to a workpiece for cutting. The movable mirrors provide a wobbling movement of the beam within a relatively small field of view, for example, within an aperture of the cutting nozzle. The movable mirrors may be galvanometer mirrors that are controllable by a control system including a galvo controller. The control system may also be used to control the fiber laser, for example, in response to the position of the beams relative to the workpiece and/or a sensed condition in the cutting head such as a thermal condition proximate one of the mirrors.

Abstract: A pigtailed diode laser module is configured with a case housing a plurality of multimode chips which are arranged in at least one row and output respective beams in one direction. Each output beam is collimated in upstream fast and downstream slow axes collimators which are spaced from one another in the one direction. The collimated output beams are incident on respective mirrors redirecting the incident output beams in another direction which is transverse to the one direction. Propagating further one above another, the output beams constitute a combined beam which diverges in the slow axis while propagating towards at least one lens which focuses the combined beam in the slow axis in the focal plane thereof. The output fiber is mounted to the case such that its core end is located coplanar with the smallest cross-section of the focused combined beam spaced downstream from the focal plane at a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Catheter steering handles that are ergonomically designed to enable an operator to reduce hand fatigue. Various ergonomic aspects of the disclosed steering handles include geometries that more naturally conform to the palm of the hand and that enable the hand to be held in a natural, low stress posture during operation of the steering handle. In another aspect of the disclosure, the catheter steering handle is configured so that the operator can release or partially release the grip on the handle, thereby enabling the operator to relax and flex the hand, thereby reducing fatigue.

Abstract: Laser welding of a first metal substrate having a first planar surface and a second planar surface disposed opposite the first planar surface to a second metal substrate is performed by placing an end face of the second metal substrate proximate to the first planar surface. An input laser beam from a fiber laser is generated, and a beam delivery system is provided that is configured to receive the input laser beam and generate an output laser beam having a beam spot that moves in a predetermined pattern along a first and a second axes to irradiate a target area on the second planar surface such that the target area is positioned over an intersection region of the first planar surface where the end face is positioned proximate to the first planar surface.

Abstract: A laser system and method. In one example, the laser system includes an optical pulse stretcher configured to stretch pulse durations of an input train of input pulses to produce a train of stretched laser pulses, a pulse replicator module configured to increase a pulse repetition rate of the train of stretched laser pulses to produce a modified pulse train of laser light, a fiber power amplifier configured to amplify the modified pulse train to produce amplified laser pulses, and a pulse compressor that temporally compresses the amplified laser pulses to produce amplified and compressed laser pulses. The system may further include a nonlinear frequency conversion stage comprising at least one nonlinear crystal.

Abstract: Steering handles with manifolds that enable an operator to configure an endoscopic system in situ for a variety of tasks, including irrigation, aspiration, or both. In addition, the disclosed endoscopic systems facilitate rapid reconfiguration of the location of a laser fiber optic within a catheter assembly. The laser fiber optic, for example, can be removed from an irrigation channel of the endoscopic system and reinserted in the aspiration channel during a laser lithotripsy procedure. In some embodiments, the removal and reinsertion can be performed in situ, without removing the catheter from the patient or the treated organ. These aspects of the disclosed system reduce the time required to perform laser lithotripsy procedures, with less trauma to the patient.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser, sintering, and welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.

Abstract: Laser processing systems and methods image a multiple core array to a work surface in a multiple processing beam array. An optical system separates processing beams and converges the beams toward the work surface and focuses each beam of the array at or near the work surface. A central axis with access for filler material flow to the work surface is provided. The processing beam array and central filler material feed provide omni-directional additive laser processing capability.

Abstract: A high average and peak power single transverse mode laser system is operative to output ultrashort single mode (SM) pulses in femtosecond-, picosecond- or nanosecond-pulse duration range at a kW to MW peak power level. The disclosed system deploys master oscillator power amplifier configuration (MOPA) including a SM fiber seed, outputting a pulsed signal beam at or near 1030 nm wavelength, and a Yb crystal booster. The booster is end-pumped by a pump beam output from a SM or low-mode CW fiber laser at a pump wavelength in a 1000-1020 nm wavelength range so that the signal and pump wavelengths are selected to have an ultra-low-quantum defect of less than 3%.

Abstract: A delivery system extends from a laser radiation source for connecting to a medical device that utilizes the laser radiation for medical treatment. The delivery system comprises an optical fiber connecting to a male launch connecter. The male launch connector having a body portion with the optical fiber fixed or constrained therein and the optical fiber terminating at a male ferrule with a forward directed fiber facet, the male ferrule may be compliantly supported and positioned by elastomeric material positioned between the male ferrule and the body portion. The launch connector engages a receiving connector first with mechanical connection portions and then more finely aligning optical connection portions by the male ferrule self aligning in a female ferrule with cooperating tapered surfaces. The male portion may fully seat in the female portion with cooperating cylindrical surfaces.

Abstract: A CW laser with a rotating ring gain element is disclosed. The ring is pumped at multiple locations and the laser generates a mid-IR output. Multiple pumped gain portions of the ring provide a power scaled output. The gain portions may be positioned in a single resonator cavity, in multiple resonator cavities, and in MOPA architectures with associated focusing, folding, and combining optical elements.

Abstract: An optical communication system is disclosed. The optical communication system may include a first fiber pump laser system having a first single mode (SM) fiber output configured to output a first pump laser radiation, a second fiber pump laser system having a second SM fiber output configured to output a second pump laser radiation, at least one combiner-splitter element configured to combine the first pump laser radiation and the second pump laser radiation and to transmit N portions of pump laser radiation, and N doped fiber amplifiers, where N is at least four, each doped fiber amplifier configured to receive one portion of the N portions of pump laser radiation and an input optical signal to be amplified, amplify the input optical signal into an amplified optical signal, and to transmit the amplified optical signal.

Abstract: Laser lift off systems and methods may be used to provide monolithic laser lift off with minimal cracking by reducing the size of one or more beam spots in one or more dimensions to reduce plume pressure while maintaining sufficient energy to provide separation. By irradiating irradiation zones with various shapes and in various patterns, the laser lift off systems and methods use laser energy more efficiently, reduce cracking when separating layers, and improve productivity. Some laser lift off systems and methods described herein separate layers of material by irradiating non-contiguous irradiation zones with laser lift off zones (LOZs) that extend beyond the irradiation zones. Other laser lift off systems and methods described herein separate layers of material by shaping the irradiation zones and by controlling the overlap of the irradiation zones in a way that avoids uneven exposure of the workpiece.

Abstract: Laser processing systems and methods image a multiple core array to a work surface in a multiple processing beam array. An optical system separates processing beams and converges the beams toward the work surface and focuses each beam of the array at or near the work surface. A central axis with access for filler material flow to the work surface is provided. The processing beam array and central filler material feed provide omni-directional additive laser processing capability.

Abstract: A heatable element is configured to apply sufficient energy density to contaminants in an internal ambient atmosphere with in a sealable housing to drive a reaction that inactivates the contaminants.

Abstract: Laser processing systems and methods are capable of moving a laser beam while maintaining consistent laser beam characteristics at processing locations. The laser processing systems generate a collimated laser beam having a consistent Z axis power density along at least a portion of a length of the laser beam and dither the collimated laser beam along one of the X and Y axes. The dithering of the collimated laser beam facilitates consistent laser processing on a three-dimensional surface, for example, to provide consistent deposition of a coating in a laser cladding process. A laser processing system may include a beam delivery system that provides both the collimation and the dithering of the collimated laser as well as an adjustment of the beam diameter of the collimated beam.

Abstract: An active waveguide including active and passive rods which have respective polymeric claddings mechanically and optically coupled to one another so as to define a side pumping scheme. One or a plurality of elements are embedded in one of or both active and passive rods and have a refractive index lower than the lowest of refractive indices of the respective active and passive rods at least 1*10?3. The MM core of the active rod includes inner and outer concentric regions with a concentration of light emitters in the outer region being lower than that of the inner region at more than 50% and, a radius of the inner region being at most 92% of that of the outer region. The unabsorbed pump light at the output of the active waveguide constitutes less than 1% of the delivered pump light which in combination with the refractive index of the embedded elements and selectively doped core regions contribute to laser efficiency of at least 86%.