Abstract: A spectral beam combining system includes a spectral channel splicer comprising a plurality of reflectors and a spectral beam combiner comprising a diffraction optical element such as a diffraction grating. The spectral beam combining system may further comprise at least one additional diffractive optical element or diffraction grating for dispersion compensation that reduces the effects of angular dispersion of wavelength components within the input channel. This spectral beam combining system facilitates combining an increased number of wider spectral channels thereby potentially allowing higher optical power, e.g., within each fewer channel lasers. The combined beam focal spot shape profile is maintained as spectrum width or central spectrum wavelength of any one or all input channels is changed.

Abstract: A glass substrate may be processed at high temperatures without substantially losing its thermal-strengthening characteristics or deforming. In some examples, the glass substrate exhibits an increased annealing point and/or softening point as compared to standard glass substrates. In some examples, the glass substrate includes a relatively high amount of CaO and/or MgO, and/or a relatively low amount of Na2O, as compared to traditional soda-lime-silica-based glass. Depending on the composition, the glass substrate may be useful, for example, to fabricate a glass-based solar cell that mates two substantially flat glass substrates together.

Abstract: A glass substrate may be processed at high temperatures without substantially losing its thermal-strengthening characteristics or deforming. In some examples, the glass substrate exhibits an increased annealing point and/or softening point as compared to standard glass substrates. In some examples, the glass substrate includes a relatively high amount of CaO and/or MgO, and/or a relatively low amount of Na2O, as compared to traditional soda-lime-silica-based glass. Depending on the composition, the glass substrate may be useful, for example, to fabricate a glass-based solar cell that mates two substantially flat glass substrates together.

Abstract: This application relates to methods of making glass compositions, and glasses resulting from these methods. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a method of making a glass having high total solar transmittance and high light transmittance in the visible and near infrared ranges with the use of oxygen-fuel burners in a furnace. Such glass compositions are useful, for example, in glass-based solar cells.