Abstract: A tunable semiconductor laser system includes a laser with a semiconductor active region positioned between upper and lower confining regions of opposite type semiconductor material. First and second reflective members are positioned at opposing edges of the active and confining regions. A wavelength tuning member and a temperature sensor are coupled to the laser. A control loop is coupled to the temperature sensor and the tuning member. In response to a detected change in temperature the control loop sends an adjustment signal to the tuning member and the tuning member adjusts a voltage or current supplied to the laser to provide a controlled output beam of selected wavelength.

Abstract: A modular microchannel heat exchanger for cooling a heated region and a method for making the device. A first section of the device features an array of thin copper sheets which are etched with rows of elongated holes that pierce the sheets, coated with silver and held together with the holes aligned. These holes form a microchannel having a desired aspect ratio. A second section of the device has a series of thin copper plates which are etched as apertures, coated with silver and stacked in a sequence on the sheets of the first section, the plate closest to the sheets having elongated apertures oriented transversely to the microchannel of the sheets, the apertures combining further from the sheets into circular apertures to fit a coaxial inlet and outlet conduit where unitary or pipe flow occurs.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser that includes a monolithic submount with a light emitting source aligned along one side thereby defining a radiation path over which the emitted light propagates. The submount includes two notches that flank the light emitting source. A micro-lens is mounted adjacent to the light emitting source by attaching to the submount with either epoxy or solder. Finally, the components of the semiconductor laser have matching coefficients of thermal expansion so that the optical alignment of the light emitting source and the micro-lens is maintained notwithstanding thermal cycling.

Abstract: A laser array submount structure for assembly into a two-dimensional stacked array with precise separation between laser diodes of adjacent submounts. The submount includes a deformable metal layer, such as a soft solder, on one major surface of a laser array support plate. A spacer element having spaced apart ridges is disposed on the opposite major surface. A laser diode array is mounted on a front edge of the support plate. In a cold bonding step, submounts are pressed together causing ridges to penetrate the deformable metal layer to a specified depth. The displaced metal spreads into channels between the ridges, allowing pressing of multiple laser array submounts into stackes of precise total tolerance.

Abstract: An optical system producing bright light output for optical pumping, communications, illumination and the like in which one or more fiberoptic waveguides receive light from one or more diode lasers or diode laser bars and transmit the light to an output end where it is focused or collimated into a bright light image. The input end of the fiberoptic waveguides may be squashed into an elongated cross section so as to guide light emitted from an elongated light source such as a diode laser bar. The waveguides are preferably arranged at the output end into a tightly packed bundle where a lens or other optical means focuses or collimates the light. For diode laser bars much wider than 100 microns, a plurality of waveguides may be arranged in a line to receive the light, and then stacked at the output in a less elongated configuration. In this manner, light from many diode lasers or laser bars may be coupled through the bundle into the end of solid state laser medium.

Abstract: An optical system producing bright light output for optical pumping, communications, illumination and the like in which one or more fiberoptic waveguides receive light from one or more diode lasers or diode laser bars and transmit the light to an output end where it is focused or collimated into a bright light image. The input end of the fiberoptic waveguide may be squashed into an elongated cross section so as to guide light emitted from an elongated light source such as a diode laser bar. The waveguides are preferably arranged at the output end into a tightly packed bundle where a lens or other optical means focuses or collimates the light. For diode laser bars much wider than 100 microns, a plurality of waveguides may be arranged in a line to receive the light, and then stacked at the output in a less elongated configuration. In this manner, light from many diode lasers or laser bars may be coupled through the bundle into the end of solid state laser medium.

Abstract: A fiberoptic coupling system comprising a phased array semiconductor laser and a squashed multimode light transmitting fiber. The squashed input end has an oblong, preferably elliptical, or polygonal cross-section with major and minor core widths. The major width decreases toward an output end which preferably has a circular cross-section. The minor width may increase toward the output end or remain constant. This increase and decrease correspond to the characteristic laser light beam widths and divergences in planes parallel and perpendicular to an active region of the laser such that the fiber core widths are at least as large as the laser light beam widths and the fiber has input numerical apertures that cause the beam to be coupled at the divergences. This system has a light coupling efficiency of at least 70 percent.

Abstract: An optical system producing bright light output for optical pumping, communications, illumination and the like in which one or more fiberoptic waveguides receive light from one or more diode lasers or diode laser bars and transmit the light to an output end where it is focused or collimated into a bright light image. The input end of the fiberoptic waveguide may be squashed into an elongated cross section so as to guide light emitted from an elongated light source such as a diode laser bar. The waveguides are preferably arranged at the output end into a tightly packed bundle where a lens or other optical means focuses or collimates the light. For diode laser bars much wider than 100 microns, a plurality of waveguides may be arranged in a line to receive the light, and then stacked at the output in a less elongated configuration. In this manner, light from many diode lasers or laser bars may be coupled through the bundle into the end of solid state laser medium.