Abstract: This invention relates to the use of novel glass materials comprising rare earth aluminate glasses (REA1™ glasses) in the gain medium of solid state laser devices that produce light at infrared wavelengths, typically in the range 1000 to 3000 nm and for infrared optics with transmission to approximately 5000 nm in thin sections. The novel glass materials provide stable hosts for trivalent ytterbium (Yb3+) ions and other optically active species or combinations of optically active species that exhibit fluorescence and that can be optically excited by the application of light. The glass gain medium can be configured as a waveguide or placed in an external laser cavity, or otherwise arranged to achieve gain in the laser waveband and so produce laser action.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of novel glass materials comprising rare earth aluminate glasses (REA1™ glasses) in the gain medium of solid state laser devices that produce light at infrared wavelengths, typically in the range 1000 to 3000 nm and for infrared optics with transmission to approximately 5000 nm in thin sections. The novel glass materials provide stable hosts for trivalent ytterbium (Yb3+) ions and other optically active species or combinations of optically active species that exhibit fluorescence and that can be optically excited by the application of light. The glass gain medium can be configured as a waveguide or placed in an external laser cavity, or otherwise arranged to achieve gain in the laser waveband and so produce laser action.

Abstract: A device to provide hyperspectral reflection spectrum, hyperspectral depolarization, and hyperspectral fluorescence spectrum data in a portable, remote sensing instrument. The device can provide a large range of remotely-sensed optical property data, presently only obtainable in laboratories, in a low-cost field instrument. Among its many uses, the present invention can be used by farmers as a tool for determining the nitrogen content of crops to optimize fertilizer laydown.

Abstract: A light detector is disclosed for measuring the temperature of an object. The light detector includes a lens assembly for accepting light emitted from the object, an aperture, and a mirror for reflecting the infrared energy of the object into a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable is connected to a depolarizing element to which pressure is externally applied. The depolarization element relays the infrared energy into a detection portion and a signal processing portion for calculating temperature. Before the infrared light enters the fiber optic cable, a chopper, controlled by a driving circuit, chops the infrared energy reflected by the mirror.