Abstract: A laser diode assembly includes a laser diode having an emitting surface and a reflective surface opposing the emitting surface. Between the emitting and reflective surfaces, the laser diode has first and second surfaces to which a first heat sink and second heat sink are attached, respectively, via a solder bond. A spacer element is disposed between the first and second heat sinks and is below the laser diode. The spacer element has a width that is chosen to provide optimum spacing between the first and second heat sinks. The spacer element has a height that is chosen to place the emitting surface of the laser diodes at a position that is substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the heat sinks. A substrate is positioned below the first and second heat sinks and is attached to these two components usually via a solder bond. The substrate is preferably of a nonconductive material so that electrical current flows only through the heat sinks and the laser diode.

Abstract: A passively cooled solid-state laser system for producing high-output power is set forth. The system includes an optics bench assembly containing a laser head assembly which generates a high-power laser beam. A laser medium heat sink assembly is positioned in thermal communication with the laser medium for conductively dissipating waste heat and controlling the temperature of the laser medium. A diode array heat sink assembly is positioned in thermal communication with the laser diode array assembly for conductively dissipating waste heat and controlling the temperature of the laser diode array assembly. The heat sink assemblies include heat exchangers with extending surfaces in intimate contact with phase change material. When the laser system is operating, the phase change material transitions from solid to liquid phase.

Abstract: A laser diode array assembly includes a laser diode array and a memory device integrally packaged with the array. The memory device includes operational information concerning the array. The memory device is accessible by a host external operating system which determines the manner in which the array is to be powered based on the operational information. The memory device may have the capability to be written to such that the external operating system can record in the memory device significant events such as extreme operational conditions, operational faults, and the on-time or shot-count of the array. The assembly may include sensors to which the operating system is coupled. The assembly may further include a processing means to monitor the sensors and provide real-time updates to the external operating system such that laser diode array is continuously powered in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A combination tool for edging and polishing the edge of eyeglass lenses comprises an axially extending rotatable cutter body having first and second peripherally disposed and axially extending cutter portions. Each cutter portion has a first notch therein for shaping an edge of a lens. The first notches are equiaxially spaced along the body. An axially extending polishing tool is secured to the body and is rotatable therewith. The tool has a second notch formed therein for shaping an edge of a lens. An abrasive coating is applied to the polishing tool for polishing the lens edge.

Abstract: A laser diode array assembly includes a laser diode array and a memory device integrally packaged with the array. The memory device includes operational information concerning the array. The memory device is accessible by a host external operating system which determines the manner in which the array is to be powered based on the operational information. The memory device may have the capability to be written to such that the external operating system can record in the memory device significant events such as extreme operational conditions, operational faults, and the on-time or shot-count of the array. The assembly may include sensors to which the operating system is coupled. The assembly may further include a processing means to monitor the sensors and provide real-time updates to the external operating system such that laser diode array is continuously powered in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A multi-cavity, solid-state laser system for producing a plurality of output laser beams includes a plurality of optical energy sources, a solid-state laser medium, and resonating means associated with each of said plurality of optical energy sources. The plurality of optical energy sources produces input optical energy and each is spaced from an adjacent one of the plurality of optical energy sources by a predetermined distance. The input optical energy is produced substantially along a line and is received by the solid-state laser medium. The laser medium has first and second side surfaces that substantially oppose each other and first and second end surfaces that also substantially oppose each other. The input optical energy enters the laser medium through its first side surface and it is substantially absorbed in the laser medium so as to produce a high-gain region associated with each of the plurality of optical energy sources.

Abstract: A solid-state laser system for producing high output power and which is packaged in a small, cylindrical housing is set forth. The system includes a plurality of optical energy sources which emit energy that is absorbed by a solid-state laser medium that is configured as a rod. The solid-state laser medium has a central axis, first and second end surfaces, and outer surface between the end surfaces upon which the energy emitted from the optical energy sources is incident. The energy power sources are typically semiconductor laser diode arrays. The laser diode arrays are positioned adjacent to the cylindrical outer surface of the laser medium and usually extend along a substantial portion of the entire length of the outer surface. The system also includes first and second mirrors which are substantially aligned with the central axis of the laser medium for producing laser resonation through the first and second end surfaces of the laser medium.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a laser diode package including a laser diode, a heat sink and a lid. The laser diode has an emitting surface, a reflective surface opposing the emitting surface, and first and second surfaces between the emitting surface and the reflective surface. The laser diode has a diode height defined between the emitting surface and the reflective surface. The heat sink has an interior surface, an exterior surface opposing the interior surface, a top surface and a base surface. The height of the heat sink is defined between the top surface and the base surface and is approximately less than four times the laser diode height. The first surface of the diode is attached to the interior surface of the heat sink with a first solder. The base surface of the heat sink is coupled to a thermal reservoir. The lid is attached to the second surface of the laser diode via a second solder. An upper end of the lid is near the emitting surface of the laser diode.

Abstract: A laser diode assembly includes a laser diode having an emitting surface and a reflective surface opposing the emitting surface. Between the emitting and reflective surfaces, the laser diode has first and second surfaces to which a first heat sink and second heat sink are attached, respectively, via a solder bond. A spacer element is disposed between the first and second heat sinks and is below the laser diode. The spacer element has a width that is chosen to provide optimum spacing between the first and second heat sinks. The spacer element has a height that is chosen to place the emitting surface of the laser diodes at a position that is substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the heat sinks. A substrate is positioned below the first and second heat sinks and is attached to these two components usually via a solder bond. The substrate is preferably of a nonconductive material so that electrical current flows only through the heat sinks and the laser diode.

Abstract: A laser diode package includes a laser diode, a heat sink and a lid. The laser diode has an emitting surface, a reflective surface opposing the emitting surface, and first and second surfaces between the emitting surface and the reflective surface. The laser diode has a diode height defined between the emitting surface and the reflective surface. The heat sink has an interior surface, an exterior surface opposing the interior surface, a top surface and a base surface. The height of the heat sink is defined between the top surface and the base surface and is approximately less than four times the laser diode height. The first surface of the diode is attached to the interior surface of the heat sink with a first solder. The base surface of the heat sink is coupled to a thermal reservoir. The lid is attached to the second surface of the laser diode via a second solder. An upper end of the lid is near the emitting surface of the laser diode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging energy between relativistic charged particles and laser radiation using inverse diffraction radiation or inverse transition radiation. The beam of laser light is directed onto a particle beam by means of two optical elements which have apertures or foils through which the particle beam passes. The two apertures or foils are spaced by a predetermined distance of separation and the angle of interaction between the laser beam and the particle beam is set at a specific angle. The separation and angle are a function of the wavelength of the laser light and the relativistic energy of the particle beam. In a diffraction embodiment, the interaction between the laser and particle beams is determined by the diffraction effect due to the apertures in the optical elements. In a transition embodiment, the interaction between the laser and particle beams is determined by the transition effect due to pieces of foil placed in the particle beam path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging energy between relativistic charged particles and laser radiation using inverse diffraction radiation or inverse transition radiation. The beam of laser light is directed onto a particle beam by means of two optical elements which have apertures or foils through which the particle beam passes. The two apertures or foils are spaced by a predetermined distance of separation and the angle of interaction between the laser beam and the particle beam is set at a specific angle. The separation and angle are a function of the wavelength of the laser light and the relativistic energy of the particle beam. In a diffraction embodiment, the interaction between the laser and particle beams is determined by the diffraction effect due to the apertures in the optical elements. In a transition embodiment, the interaction between the laser and particle beams is determined by the transition effect due to pieces of foil placed in the particle beam path.

Abstract: A laser diode array assembly includes a laser diode array and a memory device integrally packaged with the array. The memory device includes operational information concerning the array. The memory device is accessible by a host external operating system which determines the manner in which the array is to be powered based on the operational information. The memory device may have the capability to be written to such that the external operating system can record in the memory device significant events such as extreme operational conditions, operational faults, and the on-time or shot-count of the array. The assembly may include sensors to which the operating system is coupled. The assembly may further include a processing means to monitor the sensors and provide real-time updates to the external operating system such that laser diode array is continuously powered in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting diffraction radiation from a charged particle beam in order to measure parameters that characterize the charged particle beam. The charged particle beam passes near one or more edges, apertures, or interfaces between media of different dielectric constants such that the beam is not intercepted. This generates forward diffraction radiation and reflected diffraction radiation at an angle relative to the direction of the beam. The radiation passes through a focusing system and onto a detector which measures a desired parameter.

Abstract: A combination tool for edging and polishing the edge of eyeglass lenses comprises an axially extending rotatable cutter body having first and second peripherally disposed and axially extending cutter portions. Each cutter portion has a first notch therein for shaping an edge of a lens. The first notches are equiaxially spaced along the body. An axially extending polishing tool is secured to the body and is rotatable therewith. The tool has a second notch formed therein for shaping an edge of a lens. An abrasive coating is applied to the polishing tool for polishing the lens edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for independently adjusting the spacing between opposing magnet arrays in charged particle based light sources. Adjustment mechanisms between each of the magnet arrays and the supporting structure allow the gap between the two magnet arrays to be independently adjusted. In addition, spherical bearings in the linkages to the magnet arrays permit the transverse angular orientation of the magnet arrays to also be adjusted. The opposing magnet arrays can be supported above the ground by the structural support.

Abstract: A vehicular submersible lamp assembly comprising an external housing, with an integral bulb fixture molded to the external housing, an internal enclosure which is designed to form a watertight compartment about the light bulb assembly by use of a gasket and post mounting means internal to the watertight light bulb enclosure. Wiring for the lamp assembly enters the watertight internal enclosure by means of an aperture which is sealed with encapsulant. The assembly allows for replacement of light bulbs while maintaining the watertight integrity of the light bulb compartment.

Abstract: An OTDR stores data samples in a predetermined sequence in a memory. Data is read from and written to the memory in the predetermined sequence by application of successive control signals. The stored data is read, added to a correlated sample of a new signal and the result stored to maintain the predetermined sequence of samples. Successive tests thus accumulate samples in sequence to provide an indication of the variation of the signal as the light pulse passes along the fiber under tests.

Abstract: An OTDR to examine light reflected from an optic fibre has an amplification stage that operates in either a high gain or low gain mode. To avoid saturation of the amplifier in the high gain mode, the trace is examined to identify the location of spikes and a switch is controlled to connect the amplifier to the signal after the occurrence of the spike.

Abstract: An adhesive blocking system, for generating and for fining and polishing eyeglass lenses, utilizes a collar which slides over and engages a lens block, which lens block is secured to a lens blank by a relatively thick adhesive pad, to uniformly transfer pressure from the cylinder machine to the lens blank without deforming the adhesive pad, which deformation adversely affects the optics. In this manner, a lens blank is blocked only once for both generating and fining and polishing. In addition, the environmental risks and heating effects of current solder blocking systems are avoided.