Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a compact laser system with nearly continuous wavelength scanning is presented. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned over a broad range. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned at high scan rates. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can have a variable coherence length. In particular, embodiments with wavelength scanning over 140 nm with continuously variable scan rates of up to about 1 nm/?s, and discrete increase in scan rates up to about 10 nm/?s, and variable coherence lengths of from 1 mm to about 30 mm can be achieved.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a compact laser system with nearly continuous wavelength scanning is presented. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned over a broad range. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned at high scan rates. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can have a variable coherence length. In particular, embodiments with wavelength scanning over 140 nm with continuously variable scan rates of up to about 1 nm/?s, and discrete increase in scan rates up to about 10 nm/?s, and variable coherence lengths of from 1 mm to about 30 mm can be achieved.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a compact laser system with nearly continuous wavelength scanning is presented. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned over a broad range. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned at high scan rates. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can have a variable coherence length. In particular, embodiments with wavelength scanning over 140 nm with continuously variable scan rates of up to about 1 nm/?s, and discrete increase in scan rates up to about 10 nm/?s, and variable coherence lengths of from 1 mm to about 30 mm can be achieved.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a compact laser system with nearly continuous wavelength scanning is presented. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned over a broad range. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned at high scan rates. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can have a variable coherence length. In particular, embodiments with wavelength scanning over 140 nm with continuously variable scan rates of up to about 1 nm/?s, and discrete increase in scan rates up to about 10 nm/?s, and variable coherence lengths of from 1 mm to about 30 mm can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for outcoupling of light in an external cavity laser, which external cavity laser comprises at least one light source, at least one wavelength selective feedback element, at least one polarization selective beam-splitting optical element, and at least one Faraday-rotator element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for outcoupling of light in an external cavity laser, which external cavity laser comprises at least one light emitting and/or amplifying element (300, 500, 600, 700, 800), at least one wavelength selective feedback element (340, 540, 640, 740, 840). The outcoupling device further comprises at least one polarization selective beam-splitting optical element (320, 520, 620, 720, 820), and at least one Faraday-rotator element (330, 530, 630, 730, 830).

Abstract: Method to arrange and adjust a laser that is stable with respect to external and internal influences, and which comprises at least three optical components consisting of a laser element (1), which can generate optical radiation within a wavelength band .lambda..sub.1 -.lambda..sub.2, an optical collimator (2) that inside the laser collimates radiation emitted from the laser element, and a plane reflection grating (3) with parallel grating grooves, arranged such that the latter together with a flat reflection surface, which can be one end surface of the laser element, forms a resonator, that selects the radiation wavelength emitted by the laser. At least one optical component, which for instance can be (1), (2) or (3) is fixedly mounted in a holder, that for the purpose of adjusting the laser to a lasing condition can be turned about an axis, that is fixed in the device, such that the angle .PHI.