Abstract: A laser device with frequency conversion, the device comprising a complex optical cavity comprising two cavity parts with two different levels of circulating intracavity power wherein there is placed at least one non-linear crystal (30) is placed within the cavity part of higher circulating power and an active medium (21) in the cavity part of lower circulating power, the power enhancement achieved in two steps and the total enhancement being the product of the enhancement factors in each step, providing additional freedom in design allowing both the condition for high enhancement of the interacting laser power inside the intracavity non-linear crystal and the condition for maximum power output from the laser to be satisfied simultaneously and wherein said complex optical cavity the first cavity part provides the initial step of power enhancement and comprises at least a laser cavity back mirror (20), highly reflective about a laser radiation fundamental frequency ?, and an active (gain) medium.

Abstract: Array comprising high power laser diode comprising laser light emitters, each defining, in a direction perpendicular to direction of propagation of an output laser beam, a fast axis and a slow axis; fast axis collimating means for collimating output laser beams in fast axis direction; and slow axis beam shaping means for collimating or focussing output laser beams in slow axis direction, said slow axis beam shaping means disposed external to said high power laser diode; wherein said laser light emitters are displaced relative to each other in fast axis direction or in fast and slow axis direction by equidistant spacings, respectively; and including optical means for forming output laser beam profile in far field of all laser light emitters consisting of said fast and slow axis collimated or focussed output laser beams arranged adjacently in seamless manner in one or two dimensions with optical fill factor of about 100%.

Abstract: A storage and retention unit for gas cylinders is provided wherein a movable inner frame defines a plurality of cylinder receptacles which are indexed from an opening in a surrounding outer frame about an axis such that any cylinder within a receptacle is restrained by the outer frame and inner frame as it advances about the axis until the receptacle returns to the opening.

Abstract: Error introduced by analog to digital conversion of a set of laser pulses can be reduced by shifting the clock reference time associated with the firing of the laser pulse. A timing offset module shifts the timing reference of each laser pulse. Digital codes generated by the ADC from the received signals are realigned and summed eliminating systematic error introduced by clock driven operations of the ADC. A comparison of the total ADC output of detected laser pulses over a select number of clock intervals enables a return signal to be distinguishable over the systematic error.

Abstract: Methods for the creation of microspheres treat the clear, intact crystalline lens of the eye with energy pulses, such as from lasers, for the purpose of correcting presbyopia, other refractive errors, and for the retardation and prevention of cataracts. Microsphere formation in non-contiguous patterns or in contiguous volumes works to change the flexure, mass, or shape of the crystalline lens in order to maintain or reestablish the focus of light passing through the ocular lens onto the macular area, and to maintain or reestablish fluid transport within the ocular lens.

Abstract: Error introduced by analog to digital conversion of a set of laser pulses can be reduced by shifting the clock reference time associated with the firing of the laser pulse. A timing offset module shifts the timing reference of each laser pulse. Digital codes generated by the ADC from the received signals are realigned and summed eliminating systematic error introduced by clock driven operations of the ADC. A comparison of the total ADC output of detected laser pulses over a select number of clock intervals enables a return signal to be distinguishable over the systematic error.

Abstract: An optical motion sensing device included a sensor frame defining an opening, a sensor pad disposed in the opening, an optical sensing system adapted to detect an amount of movement of the sensor pad in the sensor frame, and an output unit. The optical sensing system includes an optical waveguide, an optical source device, and an optical detector. The optical waveguide is positioned within the sensor frame such that the movement of the sensor pad results in the flexing or compressing of the optical waveguide. The optical source device supplies optical energy to the optical waveguide. The optical detector detects an amount of optical energy exiting the optical waveguide. The output unit is configured to receive a signal indicative of the amount of optical energy exiting the optical waveguide and to generate a measure of the amount of movement of the sensor pad from the received signal.

Abstract: A high precision, high performance optical system and beam pathway design for laser-based distance measuring, or range-finding, devices includes an etched, or etched and filled, aiming reticle in the image plane which does not require daytime use illumination, and only minimal auxiliary illumination during nighttime operation, thereby conserving available battery power. In a preferred embodiment, a low power consuming back-lit liquid crystal display provides high contrast distance or other operational information to a user superimposed upon a black-appearing field stop thereby further providing operational power savings.

Abstract: A controlling method for capacitive sensors in a vibrating mirror motor system includes a capacitive sensor, a subtraction circuit and an adder circuit connected to the capacitive sensor, a high frequency power supply providing power for the capacitive sensor, a D/A converter, and a gain stage adjustment device, wherein values obtained at the capacitive sensor are summed through the adder circuit, then the summed value and a value processed by the D/A converter are input to a comparator which comparing the values, and a gain adjusting value is obtained and supplied to the high frequency power supply, meanwhile the values obtained by capacitive sensor are subtracted by the subtraction circuit and then adjusted by the gain stage adjustment device, finally a position signal is outputted.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens of the prior art is split into two Fresnel lenses to allow easier control of the horizontal and vertical viewing angles. In a second embodiment, the Fresnel lens is entirely eliminated. Instead, the diffuser contains elliptical microstructures so that the diffusing cones in orthogonal directions are different, eliminating the need for a Fresnel lens to perform this function. To compensate for the absence of the light collimation provided by the Fresnel lens, a diffuser with spatially varying diffusing angles is used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which uses the edge emitting characteristics of the LED bare chip to form a backlight with uniform illumination. This allows a reduced separation between the diffuser plate and the LED array. In one embodiment, the LED chip(s) is mounted over a prism structure, which redirects the side emitted light outwards.

Abstract: An improvement to prism films for displays that reduces the Moiré pattern effect, and also provides a light diffusion function. A prism film with many small prism units is used. The pattern of the prism film is varied, ideally with a random or pseudo random variation. The variation can be in any, some or all aspects of the prism structure. In particular, the thickness and position of the prism elements can be varied.

Abstract: An efficient optical system and beam transmission and reception pathway design of particular applicability in the implementation of a cost effective, compact laser-based range-finding instrument. The design is one in which the visual pathway may be made coincident with either the laser transmission or laser reception pathway and may conveniently be implemented in conjunction with a low cost liquid crystal display (LCD) aiming reticle and head up (HUD) information display or in conjunction with a light emitting diode (LED) element. In accordance with the present invention, relatively inexpensive plate mirrors may be used to replace more conventional and costly prism-based implementations.

Abstract: A method for preserving a mechanical alignment of a semiconductor laser (100) by use of a temperature control system (101). The semiconductor laser includes an optical mount (110) for mounting a semiconductor laser diode (131) and optical components (132,133). A thermal device (140) and a temperature sensor (180) are used for heating or cooling the optical mount and the semiconductor laser. The method includes adjusting the temperature of the semiconductor laser at a rate less than a predetermined temperature rate by use of the thermal device so as to minimise temperature-related faults, wherein the predetermined temperature rate is experimentally determined and is adapted to the semiconductor laser.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens of the prior art is split into two Fresnel lenses to allow easier control of the horizontal and vertical viewing angles. In a second embodiment, the Fresnel lens is entirely eliminated. Instead, the diffuser contains elliptical microstructures so that the diffusing cones in orthogonal directions are different, eliminating the need for a Fresnel lens to perform this function. To compensate for the absence of the light collimation provided by the Fresnel lens, a diffuser with spatially varying diffusing angles is used.

Abstract: A welding system comprises a combined torch that includes a consumable electrode and a non-consumable electrode positioned so that their respective axes form an acute angle and so that arcs initiated from the electrodes intersect a workpiece plane to define an impingement point distance D, and a magnetic mechanism coupled to the torch and used for controlling the distance D during welding. The magnetic mechanism may be a magnetic shield inserted between the electrodes, or a separate magnetic device, e.g. a permanent magnet or electromagnet.

Abstract: An apparatus for substrate treatment by means of laser radiation includes a rotating polygonal mirror by which at least one incident laser beam is reflected and is pivotable across an arrangement of converging lenses which lie next to one another and which are arranged at a spacing from the substrate corresponding precisely or approximately to their focal lengths. The rotating polygonal mirror is divided into at least two regions having a different number of facets and is adjustable such that different regions can be introduced into the beam path of the laser radiation and accordingly different sweep angles or fan angles of the laser beam reflected by the rotating polygonal mirror can be set.

Abstract: A laser surface treatment for reducing reflection loss on the surface of an optical material is provided. A metal film is formed on the surface of the optical material, and then the metal film is removed from the optical material by irradiation of an ultra-intense short-pulse laser beam having a pulse width of 1 femtosecond to 100 picoseconds, so that a fine periodic structure is formed on the surface of the optical material exposed by the removal of the metal film. The obtained fine periodic structure has asperities with a periodic interval of preferably 50 to 1000 nm, which can be controlled by changing the laser energy density.

Abstract: A measurement technique for normalizing the sensitive-axis output of a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor which greatly reduces both temperature effects and magnetic contributions from the insensitive-axis cross-terms. Specifically, the normalization techniques disclosed may be effectuated by direct measurement with no prior knowledge of the sensor constants being required and may be performed for a single sensor with multiple sensors not being required in order to estimate the cross-axis fields for each of the other sensors. The technique can additionally provide an output proportional to the insensitive-axis field as well as that of the sensitive-axis and, when combined with knowledge of ambient field strengths, can be used to determine fundamental MR sensor constants which then allows for correction of higher-order sensor non-linearities. The techniques disclosed are particularly conducive to low power supply availability applications such as battery operation.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens of the prior art is split into two Fresnel lenses to allow easier control of the horizontal and vertical viewing angles. In a second embodiment, the Fresnel lens is entirely eliminated. Instead, the diffuser contains elliptical microstructures so that the diffusing cones in orthogonal directions are different, eliminating the need for a Fresnel lens to perform this function. To compensate for the absence of the light collimation provided by the Fresnel lens, a diffuser with spatially varying diffusing angles is used.