Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: A directly cooled diode-laser bar package includes a diode-laser bar bonded to a heat-sink. The operating temperature of the diode-laser bar can be selectively varied by varying the thermal impedance of the heat-sink in or near a region of the heat-sink on which the diode-laser bar is bonded. The thermal impedance is selectively varied by varying the insertion depth of screws inserted into corresponding screw holes extending into the heat-sink close to or immediately adjacent the region on which the diode-laser bar is bonded.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: A gain-module for a laser resonator has an elongated gain-element located in an diffusely reflective cylindrical enclosure having an elongated entrance slit for admitting pump radiation. Pump radiation is supplied by two diode-laser arrays assemblies each including a fast-axis collimating lens. Propagation axes of the diode-laser array assemblies are at an angle to each other. The propagation axes extend through the entrance slit into the enclosure without being intercepted by the gain-element and with the gain-element being located between the propagation-axes.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: A directly cooled diode-laser bar package includes a diode-laser bar bonded to a heat-sink. The operating temperature of the diode-laser bar can be selectively varied by varying the thermal impedance of the heat-sink in or near a region of the heat-sink on which the diode-laser bar is bonded. The thermal impedance is selectively varied by varying the insertion depth of screws inserted into corresponding screw holes extending into the heat-sink close to or immediately adjacent the region on which the diode-laser bar is bonded.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid state filter used in sequentially illuminating an image display, directly or indirectly, with first, second, and third bandwidth light. The solid state filter includes at least one hologram that is switchable between active and inactive states. While in the active state, the at least one switchable hologram diffracts a first bandwidth light. In contrast, the switchable hologram transmits the first bandwidth light without substantial alteration when operating in the inactive state. In one embodiment, the diffracted first bandwidth light is used to illuminate a monochrome image presented on a display device. In another embodiment, the transmitted first bandwidth light is used to illuminate the monochrome image presented on the image display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid state filter used in sequentially illuminating an image display, directly or indirectly, with first, second, and third bandwidth light. The solid state filter includes at least one hologram that is switchable between active and inactive states. While in the active state, the at least one switchable hologram diffracts a first bandwidth light. In contrast, the switchable hologram transmits the first bandwidth light without substantial alteration when operating in the inactive state. In one embodiment, the diffracted first bandwidth light is used to illuminate a monochrome image presented on a display device. In another embodiment, the transmitted first bandwidth light is used to illuminate the monochrome image presented on the image display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid state filter used in sequentially illuminating an image display, directly or indirectly, with first, second, and third bandwidth light. The solid state filter includes at least one hologram that is switchable between active and inactive states. While in the active state, the at least one switchable hologram diffracts a first bandwidth light. In contrast, the switchable hologram transmits the first bandwidth light without substantial alteration when operating in the inactive state. In one embodiment, the diffracted first bandwidth light is used to illuminate a monochrome image presented on a display device. In another embodiment, the transmitted first bandwidth light is used to illuminate the monochrome image presented on the image display.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination system using optical feedback to maintain a predetermined illumination output. The illumination system employs an electrically controllable optical filter for filtering light incident thereon. The illumination system also includes a light detector for detecting at least a portion of the light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter. The light detector is in data communication with the electrically controllable optical filter. Some or all light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter is detected by the light detector, which, in turn generates a corresponding signal that is compared to at least one predetermined value. If the signal generated by the light detector differs when compared to the at least one predetermined value, one or more filtering characteristics of electrically controllable optical filter are varied which, in turn, varies the amount of light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter.

Abstract: A wavelength locker for use with tunable optical devices, such as tunable lasers, detectors, or wavelength selection filters is described. The invention enables the determination of an optical wavelength or waveband position of a tunable device. Embodiments of the invention supply a reference wavelength which may be used to tune the tunable device to a specified wavelength or waveband. The invention enables the tunable device to be locked to a desired wavelength. The invention enables discrete and continuously tunable optical wavelength determination and locking across a waveband. Applications for the invention include utilization in optical networks. For instance, the invention may be utilized to reference, tune, and lock an incoming signal at the receiving end of an optical network link. In particular, the invention may be used in tunable laser sources, tunable detectors, or tunable optical signal filters as used in optical fiber communications and DWDM applications.

Abstract: A light-source includes a plurality of diode-laser bars. The diode-laser bars are arranged in a parallel array and arranged to emit laser-light in the same direction. The diode-laser bars are spaced-apart from each other in the emission-direction. Optical-waveguides are provided for collecting laser-light emitted from each of the diode-laser bars and delivering the collected laser-light to an output aperture of the light-source.

Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator (50) includes a resonator cavity (26) for laser light, and a gain medium (28) disposed in the resonant cavity for converting pump light to the laser light. The oscillator includes an optical arrangement for directing a pulse of the pump light pulse to make generally axially counterpropagating initial and return passes through the gain medium. The optical arrangement includes a pulse return reflector (37) for directing the pulse to make the return pass. The reflector is separated from the gain medium forming a delay line of length sufficient that the initial and return passes are separated in time by greater than about 0.5 FWHM of the pump light pulse. The reflector forms part of a relay imaging system (51) which causes the initial and return passes to propagate through substantially the same volume of gain medium.