Abstract: A method or apparatus for controlling the output pulse of a Q-switched laser. The intensity of laser light within the resonator of a Q-switch laser is sensed. A reference pulse related to a desired laser output pulse shape is compared with the sensed intensity. A variation signal corresponding to differences between the sensed light intensity and the reference pulse is fed to a Pockels cell or Q-switch within the resonator. The Q-switch responds to the variation signal by altering the resonator laser light polarization to maintain the Q-switch laser's output pulse in the desired shape. The reference pulse may be dynamically altered to change the shape of the output pulse.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of fabricating an tubular reflector for use in a laser. The tubular reflector is formed by first grinding smooth the inside surface of a round metal tube. The polished tube is inserted into an elliptical mold. The mold is then pressed to shape the round tube into an elliptical tube. Next the inner wall of the tube is coated with a highly reflective material. Finally, a light source and a laser rod are positioned in the tube such that after the light source is turned on, light is reflected off the reflective walls of the tube to the laser rod resulting in laser light emitting from the ends of the rod. It may also be preferable that the elliptical tube be formed by combining and bending two flat metal sheets.

Abstract: A PbTe/PbEuSeTe buried quantum well diode laser and array and the method for making the same. The quantum well active region layer is buried between electrical and optical confinement regions which have an energy band gap greater than the active buried layer and an index of refraction less than the active layer. The buried structure enhances electrical and optical confinement, reduces threshold currents, and provides a stable single mode laser. The buried laser and array are produced using a two-step molecular beam epitaxy method.

Abstract: A PbTe/PbEuSeTe buried heterostructure tunable diode laser and array and the method for making the same. The active region layer is buried between two lead salt semiconductor layers containing europium and selenium that are mutually of opposite conductivity type and have substantially the same lattice constant as the active region layer. In addition, the europium and selenium containing lead chalcogenide layers have an energy band gap greater than the active buried layer and an index of refraction less than the active layer. The buried structure enhances electrical and optical confinement, reduces threshold currents, and provides a stable single mode laser. Strontium, calcium or tin may be used in place of the europium. The buried laser and array are produced using a two-step molecular beam epitaxy method.

Abstract: An optical energy transmission device and a related method includes a flexible fiber optic rod and a flexible sheath surrounding and spaced from the fiber optic rod, with a disc member fixed in edge contact with both the rod and the sheath for supporting and uniformly spacing the rod from the sheath. The inner and outer periphery of the disc is arched in order to permit cooling fluids to pass relatively unimpeded along the passageway along the rod and the outer sheath, while maintaining the desired position of the rod relative to the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser apparatus and a related method for use with a laser medium of a type which emits a beam of coherent laser energy having both low and high order modes. End reflectors are provided for reflecting at least a portion of the energy in the beam back through the laser medium, and positive and negative lens elements are positioned on opposing sides of the lasing medium so that discrimination against the higher order modes is achieved by non-linearly amplifying the reflected beam portion passing through the lasing medium.

Abstract: A laser device having an improved resonator utilizes a single rigid base component for a light reflector coating that defines and forms the end terminals of the resonator cavity, means being provided for translating and reflecting the laser beam between linear light paths that respectively terminate at the mirror surfaces provided by the coating. Various embodiments are shown and in which one or more prisms are used to fold the laser beam between offset and parallel light paths. The end terminal forming mirror surfaces may be coplanar and face in a common direction in the base component, or the mirror surfaces may be provided on opposite side surfaces of the component. Where the base component is made from transparent material the terminals may also be defined by the inside and outside surfaces of the coating. The use of figured surfaces in the unitary structure is contemplated and the use of mirror clusters for folding the beam is also contemplated.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning device is disclosed and which includes an optical system that is mounted on a carriage which is movable back and forth along a linear path in front of a target area and which is parallel to the optical path of a projected laser beam. The lens system includes a component on the carriage which is arranged in the optical path for the laser beam and serves to project the laser beam along a second optical path toward the target area and which is normal to the first optical path. The optical system also includes a focusing lens on the carriage which is arranged in the second optical path for focusing the laser beam on the target area. A pair of lenses that are mounted on the carriage as part of the optical system are arranged to form a collimating telescope so as to expand and then collimate the laser beam light for delivery to the focusing lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating and projecting a bright, narrow, color selectable beam of light has a light source for producing a beam of light directed into a collimating lens and from the collimating lens into a prism. The prism disperses the light into a plurality of color components which are directed into a movable focusing lens for focusing the dispersed light into one of a plurality of positions onto an aperture to thereby select one or more color components of light through the aperture responsive to the positioning of the focusing lens. The focusing lens is moved responsive to an electric motor, which moves responsive to a voltage signal. The selected color component may be further collimated and directed against a series of movable mirrors for generating a variety of scanned patterns of colored light onto a flat surface. The moving spot of light will appear as patterns due to the persistence of the eye which blends the fast moving spot into long continuous lines.