Abstract: The present application discloses a cavity dumped low repetition rate infrared tunable femtosecond laser source configured to produce pulses of 200 femtoseconds or less with a peak power of four megawatts or more for use in a variety of applications including multi-photon microscopy.

Abstract: The present application discloses a cavity dumped low repetition rate infrared tunable femtosecond laser source configured to produce pulses of 200 femtoseconds or less with a peak power of four megawatts or more for use in a variety of applications including multi-photon microscopy.

Abstract: The present application is directed to various embodiments of optical components having hybrid nano-textured anti-reflective coatings applied thereto which includes at least one substrate having at least one substrate body defining at least one surface, at least one layer may be applied to a surface of the substrate body, and at least one nano-textured surface formed on least one layer applied to the surface of the substrate body.

Abstract: The present application discloses a double-clad crystal fiber which includes a Yb-doped CALGO core region, a pump cladding region configured to have the core region positioned therein, and a second cladding region configured to have the core region and pump cladding region positioned therein.

Abstract: The present application discloses a double-clad crystal fiber which includes a Yb-doped CALGO core region, a pump cladding region configured to have the core region positioned therein, and a second cladding region configured to have the core region and pump cladding region positioned therein.

Abstract: A supercontinuum source using diamond as the supercontinuum material is disclosed that works at higher average powers than previous sources. The thermal properties of diamond allow continuum to be generated directly from an oscillator at high repetition rates. The diamond does not need to be translated even at multi-Watt power levels. This diamond continuum source can be based on a single filament and thus possesses excellent stability and phase coherence.

Abstract: Methods and devices for narrow band diode pumping of various laser gain materials which for some embodiments reduces or eliminates some thermal problems as well as other optical problems associated with diode pumping of crystalline materials, including anisotropic materials. In some embodiments, a VBG is used to narrow the bandwidth of the pump light from a pump diode source. In some embodiments, pump light from a diode pump source is chosen to have a wavelength centered substantially at an intersection of absorption coefficients for different polarizations of pump light in the laser gain material.

Abstract: Frequency conversion methods are taught wherein non-collinear phase matching configurations may be implemented in non-linear crystals used in three wave mixing processes such that the frequency conversion efficiency is enhanced through walk-off compensation while also maximizing conversion efficiency. The harmonic conversion techniques are especially applicable to sum frequency process, and in particular to third harmonic generation.

Abstract: A laser device is provided for generating an ultraviolet output. The device comprises a laser having at least one diode-pumped alkali metal vapor gain cell for generating a near infrared laser output, and at least two optically-nonlinear crystals. In one particular embodiment, the laser uses a Rb gas cell and generates radiation at a wavelength of about 199 nm and at least 200 mW of power with a linewidth of less than 10 GHz. In another embodiment, narrow linewidth UV light is generated at 265 nm.

Abstract: An optical system includes a laser oscillator or a laser amplifier. The optical system includes a gain medium that is optically coupled to a pump source. A solid cooling element is in physical contact with, but not bonded to, a cooling surface of the gain medium. A mounting apparatus holds the solid cooling element to the gain medium. In a preferred embodiment the gain medium is a thin disk gain medium and the solid cooling-element is made from CVD-diamond.

Abstract: An optical system includes a laser oscillator or a laser amplifier. The optical system includes a gain medium that is optically coupled to a pump source. A solid cooling element is in physical contact with a cooling surface of the gain medium. The gain medium and cooling element are held together using a low temperature contacting method. In a one embodiment the gain medium is a thin disk gain medium, the solid cooling-element is made from CVD-diamond, and the low temperature bonding technique is surface activated bonding.

Abstract: Methods and devices for inspecting and calibrating a stereoscopic imaging device, such as a binocular endoscope. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of the present invention measures a fringe pattern from light emitted through two channels of the device. An angle of each of the fringe pattern can be measured so as to allow a diopter difference between the channels to be calculated.

Abstract: Methods and devices for inspecting and calibrating a stereoscopic imaging device, such as a binocular endoscope. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of the present invention measures a fringe pattern from light emitted through two channels of the device. An angle of each of the fringe pattern can be measured so as to allow a diopter difference between the channels to be calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for in situ protection of sensitive optical materials from alteration or damage due to exposure to trace atmospheric components, during shipping, storage or operation. The sensitive optical material is disposed within an enclosure adaptable to be substantially sealed against the external atmosphere. A container, enclosing a sink material absorbing trace atmospheric components, is coupled to the enclosure by a gas permeable surface, which allows fast diffusion of the trace atmospheric components present inside the enclosure to the sink material.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a modular, high power, flyback transformer based power supply with step up and step down capability. The power supply uses multiple flyback transformers having switching transistors which may be either connected to one terminal of the primary winding or which may be placed in the center of the primary winding. The switching transistors are driven by pulse trains which are out of phase with each other. This results in lowered RMS values for ripple current through the input and output capacitors. The flyback voltage transients may be used to step up or step down the input voltage by varying the pulse width of the pulses in the switching pulse trains. In embodiments where the switching transistors are placed in the middle of the primary windings, better suppression of radio frequency emissions and current in safety ground wires is achieved.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a modular, high power, flyback transformer based power supply with step up and step down capability. The power supply uses multiple flyback transformers having switching transistors which may be either connected to one terminal of the primary winding or which may be placed in the center of the primary winding. The switching transistors are driven by pulse trains which are out of phase with each other. This results in lowered RMS values for ripple current through the input and output capacitors. The flyback voltage transients may be used to step up or step down the input voltage by varying the pulse width of the pulses in the swicthing pulse trains. In embodiments where the switching transistors are placed in the middle of the primary windings, better suppression of radio frequency emissions and current in safety ground wires is achieved.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a modular, high power, flyback transformer based power supply with step up and step down capability. The power supply uses multiple flyback transformers having switching transistors which may be either connected to one terminal of the primary winding or which may be placed in the center of the primary winding. The switching transistors are driven by pulse trains which are out of phase with each other. This results in lowered RMS values for ripple current through the input and output capacitors. The flyback voltage transients may be used to step up or step down the input voltage by varying the pulse width of the pulse in the switching pulse trains. In embodiments where the switching transistors are placed in the middle of the primary windings, better suppression of radio frequency emissions and current in safety ground wires is achieved.

Abstract: A detector device for a rotating light beam, which beam defines a reference plane, includes a pair of adjacent detector elements which provide detection signals when illuminated by the beam. If the beam is above or below a first reference band, the detection signals differ sufficiently in amplitude to actuate a comparator. An averaging circuit determines if the beam is above or below the first reference band during a certain number of a set of immediately preceding rotations of the beam, and appropriate visual and audible indication are produced. The device may also provide an indication that the beam is above or below a second reference band which is aligned with, but wider than, the first reference band. The widths of the reference bands may be adjusted.