Abstract: A laser diode is mounted on a plate that fits closely within a mortise in a thermally conductive insert. The insert, in turn, fits closely within a thermally conductive sleeve. The plate has six sides and the laser diode is attached to one of the sides. Heat is conducted away from the remaining five sides of the plate. The insert includes a conic section that fits within a conic section in the sleeve to provide good thermal contact between the insert and the sleeve. The sleeve includes a plurality of holes and contains a fan for circulating air through the sleeve, thereby removing heat from the sleeve. The sleeve includes a cylindrical portion for being held in a hand.

Abstract: An optical display device to allow a person or a device to physically sense various images. The device includes an image sensor having at least one image input portion adapted to be directed at a scene in which images are to be viewed, a circuit optically coupled to the image sensor to convert the images viewed by the input portion into amplified coherent light energy beam, and a photosensitive display device in optical communication with the coherent light energy beam for producing a physically recognizable display of the viewed scene.

Abstract: A laser device which comprises a base having an optical channel, a laser diode pump source mounted to the base and in thermal conductive relation thereto, the laser diode pump source positioned in alignment with the optical channel, a laser gain medium mounted in the optical channel and capable of being excited to establish a lasing condition, a lens mounted in the optical channel and positioned between the laser diode pump source and the laser gain medium and aligned with the laser diode pump source and the laser gain medium, a power supply for energizing the laser diode pump source to produce a lasing condition therein to produce an output of lasing energy, the output directed to the lens and focused on the laser gain medium to excite the laser gain medium to establish a lasing condition for producing a beam, and a mirror mounted in alignment with the optical channel adjacent the laser gain medium.

Abstract: A laser construction having a laser medium mounted on a mounting structure, and one or more diode laser pumped sources each formed by a plurality of laser diodes arranged in arrays and mounted on a mounting structure adjacent to the side of the laser medium in position such that when they are stimulated to lase their output radiation energy will be directed at the laser medium, insulation between the mounting structures for the laser medium and the laser diodes, and separate coolers for the mounting structures for the medium and for the pump sources including electrical connections thereto for controlling the temperature of the respective coolers. The invention also resides in such a structure wherein the medium is formed of separate medium portions, and the pump source on are mounted on separate mounting structures and are positioned separately excite the separate medium portions so as to produce separate laser output radiations therefrom.

Abstract: A package for the components of a laser device that includes an elongated laser medium, a pump source adjacent to one side of the laser medium and laser mirrors positioned in alignment with the optical axis of the laser medium, the package including a planar heat conducting structure including a base member with a cavity formed on one side and a platform at an intermediate location for supporting the laser elements, and a closure member for closing the cavity around the laser elements, and a multi-conductor connection cable mounted in the package having connections to the pump source and to a source of electrical energy.

Abstract: In a laser device having a laser medium and a laser pumping device associated therewith the improvement including an apparatus for efficiently dissipating heat generated in the laser medium to maintain the laser medium at a more suitable operating temperature, the apparatus including an elongated closed ended heat pipe having a first portion in closely spaced proximity and in heat conductive relationship to the laser medium and a second remote end portion in heat conductive relationship to a heat sink, the heat pipe having an outer conductive layer with a coating of a fluid absorbing material positioned therein and forming a passage therethrough, and a heat transfer fluid positioned in the heat pipe and absorbed by the absorbent material, the absorbed fluid adjacent to the laser medium heating when exposed to the heat generated in the laser medium whereby the fluid moves through the heat pipe to a remote location for conduction of the heat therein into the heat sink.

Abstract: A laser device having a support structure of unitary form including having connected first and second portions, the first of which extends outwardly from the connection portion to a free end which is defined by a groove and spaced surfaces on opposite sides thereof. A crystal gain medium is positioned in the groove and diode laser pump sources are located on opposite sides of the groove on the spaced surfaces and are constructed of heat sink members attached to the surfaces and a plurality of laser diodes mounted on selected ones of the heat sinks in positions to optically couple the laser diode outputs to the crystal gain medium rod.

Abstract: A laser device having apparatus for increasing the pump energy from a laser diode array pump source that is available to be absorbed by the laser medium, the device also includes a heat sink apparatus having portions associated with the laser medium and with the pump source for dissipating the heat generated therein efficiently enough so that the device can be operated effectively even in a continuous wave mode.

Abstract: An Nd:YAG laser pumped by an array of diode laser bars. The diode laser bars are driven by high frequency pulsed DC and switched so that the bars may be driven in any desirable combination, but not all bars are driven at the same time. Switching between sequential bars must provide an overlap to accommodate the lag between the optical output of the main laser cavity and the input pulse to the diode bar. Althrough the diode bars operate uncooled at a low duty cycle, the YAG output is a continuous wave.

Abstract: This external cavity laser utilizes an unstable resonator in conjunction with a high reflectivity stripe end mirror which is oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the maximum divergence of the laser diode output beam and whose axis is substantially parallel to the plane of the junction of the laser diode. This configuration operates with high efficiency to select only the fundamental mode of the laser diode with a minimal divergence in the output beam.

Abstract: An ornamental article of jewelry having an internally lighted pendant housing suspended from a necklace or bracelet for free irregular movement with body movement of the wearer. The internally lighted pendant housing encloses small batteries at the bottom and thereabove a low current demand light emitting structure that is subject to intermittent jiggled tilting to complete the battery-light circuit.

Abstract: Ornamental articles of jewelry having a battery-light circuit extending through an articulating electrically conductive material interconnect link such as an ornamental multi-linked chain subject to intermittent circuit opening and closing with body movement.