Abstract: A new ytterbium-phosphate glass and a method for producing the same are disclosed. The glass finds special use in forming laser glass. Previously the level of ytterbium that could be incorporated into a phosphate glass without leading to formation of crystals or devitrification was limited. It has been found that much higher levels of ytterbium can be incorporated if an initial glass melt is formed from phosphate and ytterbium prior to adding the other components. Using the present process ytterbium-phosphate glasses having up to 30 mole percent ytterbium can be created. The new glasses function as well and often better than previous ytterbium containing glasses as laser glasses especially when combined with one or more of the lasing ions erbium oxide, neodymium oxide, holmium oxide or thulium oxide.

Abstract: A relatively simple and inexpensive method to increase the operational lifetime of semiconductor laser diode elements and light emitting diodes (LEDs) is disclosed. The semiconductor laser diode element is placed in contact with a non-electrically conductive, chemically inert liquid. Preferably the liquid is a perfluorinated liquid. This results in a dramatically increased operational lifetime for the semiconductor laser diode element by preventing damaging heat build up to vulnerable areas of the laser diode element, such as the p-n junction. This method can work with the liquid being either static or flowing. The disclosed method can be used when the semiconductor laser diode element is used either as a laser itself or when it is used to optically pump another lasing element. The liquid can also be in contact with the lasing element, collimating lens, sub-mounts, or thermoelectric coolers in a lasing assembly.

Abstract: A method of transferring energy in an optical fiber (12) from the fiber's cladding element (16) of the fiber's core element (14) is disclosed. The core element (14) includes an active gain component and an energy migration component, and the cladding element (16), which surrounds the core element (14), includes the energy migration component. The method includes the steps of providing a pump (22) for producting energy and optically coupling the pump with the cladding element (16), such that the energy is absorbed and stored in the cladding element (16) by its energy migration component. A further step includes the active gain component in the core element (14) lasing or providing gain, when the transferring of energy from the cladding element's energy migration component to the core element's energy migration component takes place.

Abstract: A method of transferring energy in an optical fiber structure is disclosed. This method transfers energy from a cladding element of the fiber structure to a core element of the fiber structure. The core element includes an active gain component and an energy migration component. The cladding element, which surrounds the core element, includes the energy migration component. The structure and method can be utilized to provide either an optical fiber laser or an optical fiber amplifier. The method includes the steps of providing a pump for producing the energy and optically coupling the pump with the cladding element. The cladding element, including the energy migration component, is then pumped with the energy produced by the pump such that the energy is absorbed and stored in the cladding element by the energy migration component.

Abstract: A high-gain phosphate glass composition, which can be used to produce ultra-short gain length lasers and optical amplifiers is described wherein the composition of the glass in addition to exhibiting high gain for lasers and amplifiers, also exhibits high thermal shock resistance, high cross section, insignificant concentration quenching, and high solubility for rare earth ions and other properties which enable the material to be fabricated into a new class of ultra-short length micro-laser, fiber laser and amplifier configurations and designs.

Abstract: An optical fiber laser structure and system are disclosed. The fiber laser structure includes a core, an inner cladding, and an outer cladding. The core has a first and second end and includes a combination of ytterbium and erbium as a first active gain component. The inner cladding, having a length defined between the first and second ends, surrounds the core. The inner cladding includes neodymium as a second active gain component that is different from the first active gain component. The system includes a pumping source coupled to the inner cladding to provide energy to the neodymium in the inner cladding. Upon being pumped, the neodymium achieves amplified spontaneous emission in the inner cladding along the length between the first and second ends. As a result, energy is efficiently transferred from the neodymium to the combination of the ytterbium and erbium in the core thereby providing laser activity at an eye-safe laser wavelength of 1535 nanometers.

Abstract: A field adjustable beam splitter includes a mirror pivotably supported at a pivot point, a first wedge which is movable and which supports the mirror at a first support point, and a second wedge which is also movable and which supports a mirror at a second support point. The support points and pivot points are preferably arranged in a right triangular relationship with the pivot point being at the right angled apex thereof. Motion of the wedges along parallel paths of travel causes the mirror to tilt on its pivot axis in mutually perpendicular directions.

Abstract: Phosphate glass compositions which exhibit both athermal behavior under high thermal loading and high thermal shock resistance without special conditioning. High gain, laser rods, discs and other optical elements formed of these phosphate glass compositions are also described.

Abstract: An intra-cavity high order harmonic laser consists of a output coupler, total reflection mirror, and a laser medium disposed therebetween. The output coupler and the total reflection mirror form a resonator. At least two nonlinear crystals are disposed between the laser medium and the output coupler. One of the crystals acts as a frequency doubler, doubling the fundamental frequency of the laser and the other crystal acts as a frequency mixer or high order harmonic doubler in order to produce higher nth order harmonic (n.gtoreq.2). The invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with producing a high order harmonic laser beam in low peak power lasers such as CW lasers.

Abstract: A pulse forming and delivery system 10 is disclosed for forming and deliverying a pulse of electrical energy to a flashlamp 38. System 10 includes a capacitor 14 which is adapted to selectively store electrical energy from a power supply 16 and to transfer this electrical energy to flashlamp 38 when the gate portion of thyristor 12 is open. This gate portion is opened by controller 28. The total amount of light energy emanating from the laser and/or provided to flashlamp 38 is monitored by detector 42 and communicated to controller 22 by means of bus 44. When this total amount has exceeded a desired energy level, controller 22 prevents further electrical energy to be impressed upon switch controller 28 thereby, closing the gate portion of thyristor 12 and preventing any further transfer of energy to flashlamp 38.

Abstract: Ion-exchangeable phosphate glass compositions containing in mole percent from about 50 to 70% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, from about 5 to 30% Li.sub.2 O, from about 5 to 25% MO, where M is selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn, and about 5 to 30% X.sub.2 O.sub.3, where X is selected from the group consisting of Al, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu are provided. In another aspect, the phosphate glass compositions of the present invention also contain in mole percent up to 10% R.sub.2 O, where R is selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb and Cs. Solarization inhibitors and minor amounts of anhydrous fluorides and chlorides are also included in some embodiments. Optical quality phosphate glass articles formed of the phosphate glass compositions of the present invention are readily ion- exchangeable when contacted with certain salts. Optical quality phosphate glass articles are also provided having good thermal shock resistance.

Abstract: Ion-exchangeable phosphate glass compositions containing in mole percent from about 50 to 70% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, from about 5 to 30% Li.sub.2 O, from about 5 to 25% MO, where M is selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn, and about 5 to 30% X.sub.2 O.sub.3, where X is selected from the group consisting of Al, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu are provided. In another aspect, the phosphate glass compositions of the present invention also contain in mole percent up to 10% R.sub.2 O, where R is selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb and Cs. Solarization inhibitors and minor amounts of anhydrous fluorides and chlorides are also included in some embodiments. Optical quality phosphate glass articles formed of the phosphate glass compositions of the present invention are readily ion-exchangeable when contacted with certain salts. Optical quality phosphate glass articles are also provided having good thermal shock resistance.

Abstract: Phosphate laser glass compositions which include erbium ions as the active laser ion material. In one aspect, ytterbium, chromium and cerium ions are present as auxiliary dopants. The ytterbium, chromium and cerium additives serve to sensitize the erbium-doped phosphate glasses of the present invention. The glasses are particularly useful in applications where an "eye-safe" wavelength is desirable.

Abstract: Ion-exchangeable phosphate glass compositions containing in mole percent from about 50 to 70% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, from about 5 to 30 % Li.sub.2 O, from about 5 to 25% MO, where M is selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn, and about 5 to 30% X.sub.2 O.sub.3, where X is selected from the group consisting of Al, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu are provided. In another aspect, the phosphate glass compositions of the present invention also contain in mole percent up to 10% R.sub.2 O, where R is selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb and Cs. Solarization inhibitors and minor amounts of anhydrous fluorides and chlorides are also included in some embodiments. Optical quality phosphate glass articles formed of the phosphate glass compositions of the present invention are readily ion- exchangeable when contacted with certain salts. Optical quality phosphate glass articles are also provided having good thermal shock resistance.

Abstract: Ion exchangeable glass compositions containing from 50 to 90 mole percent GeO.sub.2, from 5 to 30 mole percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, from 3 to 30 mole percent Li.sub.2 O, up to 30 mole percent Na.sub.2 O and up to 30 mole percent K.sub.2 O are provided. In another aspect, minor amounts of anhydrous fluorides and chlorides corresponding to these oxides are added to the glass compositions to aid in water removal. Glass articles formed of the germanate glass compositions of the present invention are readily ion exchangeable when contacted with certain salts. Strengthened germanate glass articles are also provided having an inner tension region and an outer compressive surface layer which provide good mechanical strength for the formed glass article. The strengthened germanate glass articles are made using the ion exchangeable germanate glass compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: A sensitized laser glass which includes a primary lasing dopant and auxiliary dopants which absorb in regions of the flashlamp emission spectrum away from the absorption bans of the primary dopant and transfer the energy absorbed to the primary dopant, thus improving the efficiency and sensitivity of the laser glass. The auxiliary dopant comprises the combination of cerium and chromium as Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and the primary dopant is a rare earth metal, preferably neodymium or erbium as Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Er.sub.2 O.sub.3. Th auxiliary dopant consists essentially of 0.1 to 5% by weight Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0.025 to 0.1% by weight Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, however the preferred concentration of the auxiliary dopant is 2 to 4% by weight Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3 plus 0.03 to 0.07% by weight Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3. The experimental data establishes that such auxiliary dopants are particularly suitable for phosphate laser glasses.

Abstract: A phosphate laser glass in which the optical path length is substantially independent of temperature, or "athermal", particularly under rapid pulsing, and chemically stable, while providing high gain. The base glass composition comprises, in mole percent, 55 to 70% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, 3 to 15% of an alkali metal oxide, preferably Li.sub.2 O plus K.sub.2 O, 20 to 30% BaO and 0.5 to 5% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. Up to 15% of the BaO may be replaced by CaO, SrO or MgO and part of the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 may be replaced by Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3. The total Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 plus Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3 is 4 mole percent .+-.1.5%. The laser glass composition also includes a laseable component, preferably Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3 and preferably includes a solarization inhibitor.

Abstract: Laser phosphate glass compositions are provided by combining constituent elements at defined amounts to form compositions which provide a balance of properties to the glass, especially high gain and low n.sub.2.