Abstract: Systems, methods, circuits and/or devices for generating high repetition rate ultra-short pulses are described. As one of many examples, an optical pulse generating laser system is described that produces mode-locked optical pulses. The laser system incorporates an optical pulse generation device that includes two optical loops coupled via a beam splitter. In addition, the optical pulse generation device includes an optical gain medium that is associated with the first optical loop, and a saturable element that is disposed in either the first optical loop or the second optical loop. The saturable element is operable to modulate a group of optical pulses propagating in at least one of the first optical loop and the second optical loop to create a group of substantially regular modulated pulses.

Abstract: A composite assembly comprises a first component, a second component, and a coating formed on at least one of the first and second components. The coating comprises a layer of material for allowing the first and second components to be optically contacted, while the coating is optically inert when disposed between the first and second components.

Abstract: This invention is a method of assembling precision optical or optomechanical components that provides first and second components having respective first and second polished contacting surfaces to be bonded; generates a hydrophilic surface on at least a portion of at least one of the first or second surfaces; rinses the hydrophilic portion with water or another suitable solvent; and contacts the hydrophilic portion of the first or second components with the respective contacting surfaces to be bonded, while maintaining alignment of the two components, to form a single structure

Abstract: A method of assembling precision optical or optomechanical components of otherwise incompatible chemistry that provides first and second components having respective first and second polished contacting surfaces to be bonded; deposits a thin film dielectric coating at the surface of the first and or second polished surface, and contacts the coated portion of the first or second components with the respective contacting surfaces to be bonded, while maintaining alignment of the two components, to form a single structure.

Abstract: A method of assembling precision optical or optomechanical components of otherwise incompatible chemistry that provides first and second components having respective first and second polished contacting surfaces to be bonded; deposits a thin film dielectric coating at the surface of the first and or second polished surface, and contacts the coated portion of the first or second components with the respective contacting surfaces to be bonded, while maintaining alignment of the two components, to form a single structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, circuits and/or devices for generating high repetition rate ultra-short pulses are described. As one of many examples, an optical pulse generating laser system is described that produces mode-locked optical pulses. The laser system incorporates an optical pulse generation device that includes two optical loops coupled via a beam splitter. In addition, the optical pulse generation device includes an optical gain medium that is associated with the first optical loop, and a saturable element that is disposed in either the first optical loop or the second optical loop. The saturable element is operable to modulate a group of optical pulses propagating in at least one of the first optical loop and the second optical loop to create a group of substantially regular modulated pulses.

Abstract: The invention allows for the accurate, real-time readout of the optical frequency of a swept-wavelength laser device by counting the number of fringes of a calibrated etalon that occur as the laser is swept. The distinguishing feature of the present invention is that the etalon fringe signal is phase-locked to a slave signal of a higher multiple frequency. The higher frequency of the slave signal divides the frequency interval of the etalon fringe spacing by the additional frequency multiple. The slave signal therefore generates a scale for optical frequency that is of higher resolution than possible with the etalon alone. The phase-lock also insures that the slave signal tracks monotonic scans of the optical frequency regardless of scan profile. The invention also allows for the precise, real-time control of the optical frequency of a laser during the sweep of the laser.

Abstract: A wavelength locker includes a first beam splitter positioned in a beam path of an output beam produced by a laser. The first beam splitter splits the output beam into a first beam and a second beam. An interferometric optical element is optically contacted to the first beam splitter. The interferometric optical element receives the second beam from the first beam splitter and generates a third beam with an optical power that varies periodically with wavelength. A second beam splitter is positioned in a beam path of the first beam or in a beam path of an output beam produced by a laser, and creates a fourth beam. A first detector generates a first signal in proportion to an optical power of the third beam. A second detector generates a second signal in proportion to an optical power of the fourth beam. A wavelength of the output beam is adjusted in response to a comparison of the first and second signals and a predetermined reference signal level.