Abstract: A CO2 laser that generates laser-radiation in just one emission band of a CO2 gas-mixture has resonator mirrors that form an unstable resonator and at least one spectrally-selective element located on the optical axis of the resonator. The spectrally-selective element may be in the form of one or more protruding or recessed surfaces. Spectral-selectivity is enhanced by forming a stable resonator along the optical axis that includes the spectrally-selective element. The CO2 laser is tunable between emission bands by translating the spectrally-selective element along the optical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for laser welding workpieces (W), a laser beam (L) directed onto a workpiece surface having such a radiation intensity that the workpiece material of the at least one workpiece (W) to be welded is melted in the region of the laser focus (F), a vapor capillary (D) which is at least partly surrounded by a molten bath (S) forming in the region of the laser focus (F). The laser beam (L) is moved relative to the workpiece surface in a direction of advance (V) in order to produce a weld seam. According to the invention, the molten bath (S) is subjected to mechanical stress by directing a gas stream (G) onto the workpiece surface for the purpose of stabilization during welding. The invention further relates to a device (1) designed for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A CO2 laser that generates laser-radiation in just one emission band of a CO2 gas-mixture has resonator mirrors that form an unstable resonator and at least one spectrally-selective element located on the optical axis of the resonator. The spectrally-selective element may be in the form of one or more protruding or recessed surfaces. Spectral-selectivity is enhanced by forming a stable resonator along the optical axis that includes the spectrally-selective element. The CO2 laser is tunable between emission bands by translating the spectrally-selective element along the optical axis.

Abstract: A device for frequency conversion of a first laser beam generated with a first frequency. The device has a first crystal for generating a second laser beam having a second frequency, which differs from the first frequency. The second laser beam propagates parallel to the first laser beam after leaving the first crystal. A second crystal, which generates from the first and second laser beams a third laser beam having a different third frequency. An optical deflection device influences the relative beam position between first and second laser beams such that the first and second laser beams, before entering into the second crystal, propagate at an angle with respect to one another, which angle differs from zero, and enter in a manner spaced apart from one another at an entrance surface of the second crystal and intersect within the second crystal with at the same time collinear phase matching.

Abstract: The present invention provides a packaging for a fiber optic component, such as an optical fiber, wherein the heating induced strain to the fiber optic component is minimized, wherein the packaging comprises a first support member having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (k1). The packaging further comprises a second support member, which is resiliently mounted to the first support member for minimizing transfer of thermal expansion induced strain of the first support member to the second support member. The second support member comprises a longitudinal groove open at least on one side of the second support member for receiving a fiber optic component, wherein the second support member has a tensile strength considerably higher than that of the fiber optic component.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fiber-optic component, in particular a fiber coupler, and method for manufacturing thereof. The component comprises a housing (25), at least one first optical element (21) capable of guiding light and having an output end, the first optical element (21) being affixed to said housing (25) at a mounting zone (26A), and at least one second optical element (22, 23) optically coupled to the first optical element (21) at a coupling zone (27) for receiving light from the output end of the first optical element (21). According to the invention, the component comprises at least one zone (29) of light-scattering material arranged in the vicinity of the first optical element (21) at a region between the coupling zone (27) and the mounting zone (26A). By means of the invention, the effect potentially harmful reverse radiation in fiber-optic components can be mitigated.

Abstract: A fiber optic mode scrambler includes a multi-mode optical fiber formed with a core and a cladding around the core and a non-adiabatic cross-sectional shape change zone in the optical fiber. The fiber further has a bending region extending over a length of the optical fiber. The optical fiber has a non-zero curvature at the bending region and a device for maintaining the curvature of the optical fiber at the bending region. Mode scramblers can be provided that are accurately adjusted to match with different desired optical characteristics. A well-controlled manufacturing method for the mode scrambler is also described.

Abstract: In a slab laser, a gas mixture containing carbon dioxide CO2 is formed as a laser-active medium in a discharge space which is formed between two plate-shaped metal electrodes, the flat faces of which are located opposite one another. A resonator mirror is arranged on each of the mutually opposite end faces of the discharge space, the mirrors forming an unstable resonator parallel to the flat faces. At least one of the mutually facing flat faces is provided either on the entire flat face with a dielectric layer the thickness of which is greater on at least one sub-surface than in the remaining area of the flat face, or the at least one flat face is provided with a dielectric layer exclusively on at least one sub-surface.

Abstract: In a slab laser, a gas mixture containing carbon dioxide CO2 is formed as a laser-active medium in a discharge space which is formed between two plate-shaped metal electrodes, the flat faces of which are located opposite one another. A resonator mirror is arranged on each of the mutually opposite end faces of the discharge space, the mirrors forming an unstable resonator parallel to the flat faces. At least one of the mutually facing flat faces is provided either on the entire flat face with a dielectric layer the thickness of which is greater on at least one sub-surface than in the remaining area of the flat face, or the at least one flat face is provided with a dielectric layer exclusively on at least one sub-surface.

Abstract: In a stripline laser, a gas mixture containing carbon dioxide is situated as a laser-active medium between two plate-type electrodes lying with their flat sides opposite one another. The electrodes define a discharge space, at whose end sides lying opposite one another a resonator mirror is respectively arranged. The resonator mirrors form an unstable resonator. To operate the stripline laser in the 9.3 ?m band and/or in the 9.6 ?m band, the electrodes are provided with a passivation layer on their flat sides. The passivation layer, of at least one electrode, contains silicon dioxide in a region covering a partial area of a flat side. A distance between the electrodes is set such that the attenuation of laser beams in the 10.3 ?m band and in the 10.6 ?m band is greater than the attenuation of laser beams in the 9.3 ?m band and/or in the 9.6 ?m band.

Abstract: In a stripline laser, a gas mixture containing carbon dioxide is situated as a laser-active medium between two plate-type electrodes lying with their flat sides opposite one another. The electrodes define a discharge space, at whose end sides lying opposite one another a resonator mirror is respectively arranged. The resonator mirrors form an unstable resonator. To operate the stripline laser in the 9.3 ?m band and/or in the 9.6 ?m band, the electrodes are provided with a passivation layer on their flat sides. The passivation layer, of at least one electrode, contains silicon dioxide in a region covering a partial area of a flat side. A distance between the electrodes is set such that the attenuation of laser beams in the 10.3 ?m band and in the 10.6 ?m band is greater than the attenuation of laser beams in the 9.3 ?m band and/or in the 9.6 ?m band.

Abstract: A solid body laser has a crystal disk forming its laser active medium. A flat side of the crystal disk is totally reflecting. A resonator mirror configuration includes a partially transparent end mirror and one or more folding mirrors, which are disposed with spatial separation from the crystal disk, and the optical axes of the mirrors extend in an inclined manner on the central axis of the crystal disk in such manner that the laser beam which is diffused inside the resonator mirror configuration impinges upon the folding mirror at an oblique angle.

Abstract: A laser beam source has a laser element provided with a thin crystal disk as a laser active medium. The laser beam source has improved mechanical stability and improved thermal contact with respect to a cooling element on the flat side of the crystal disk that is disposed opposite the cooling element. A cooling disk is disposed between the crystal disk and the cooling element.

Abstract: A solid-state laser having an active medium for generating a laser beam is described. The laser includes a resonator, and a plurality of crystal wafers disposed in the resonator and are optically coupled to one another and form a common beam path for the laser beam. A pumping light source is provided for generating a pumping light beam whose optical axis is collinear with respect to an optical axis of the laser beam. The pumping light source is disposed upstream of the resonator. At least one lens functioning as an imaging element is provided for focusing the pumping light beam emerging from one of the crystal wafers onto another one of the crystal wafers disposed downstream.

Abstract: A solid-state laser includes a crystal wafer provided as an active medium, a cooling chamber for accommodating a cooling liquid, and an optically transparent support body. The crystal wafer has a flat side that faces the cooling chamber and a side that is remote from the cooling chamber. The flat side of the crystal wafer is in direct thermal contact with the cooling liquid. The cooling chamber has a wall element that is formed by the crystal wafer. The optically transparent support body is configured on the side of the crystal wafer that is remote from the cooling chamber. Since, the crystal wafer is in direct thermal contact with the cooling liquid, a minimal heat transfer resistance is ensured that even when the crystal wafer becomes deformed.

Abstract: A stripline laser includes a discharge chamber between two flat electrodes. A flat multipass resonator which is stable in relation to the width of the discharge chamber has a folding mirror configuration inside the resonator and is associated with end surfaces directed perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A device for connecting two components by welding with a laser beam, in which the components are overlapping in a partial region of their mutually facing surfaces. The device includes an optical beam divider that has an inlet for the laser beam and a device for alternately distributing the laser beam to a plurality of outlets. Each of the outlets is optically coupled via a beam-guiding device to a laser welding head which contains a focusing and deflection lens system for guiding the focused laser beam over a surface of a component facing the laser welding head.

Abstract: A gas laser, in particular an axial-flow CO2 gas laser, includes a resonator having a folded beam path in a first folding plane and in a second folding plane inclined at 45° thereto. At least one Z-fold of the beam path is provided in the first folding plane and at least one U-fold of the beam path is provided in the second folding plane.

Abstract: A laser system with compensated optics contains at least one optical element which is thermally coupled to a heat source in order to thermally compensate for a deformation of optical elements disposed in a beam path of the laser system. The deformation is brought about by the laser beam.