Abstract: A laser source (10) for emitting a set of sequential, different wavelength output beams (12) includes a gain medium (16), a feedback assembly (26) and a control system (30). The gain medium (16) includes a first facet (16A), and the gain medium (16) generates a beam (12A) that exits the first facet (16A). The feedback assembly (26) includes a feedback device (40) and a device mover (42). The feedback device (40) is positioned in the path of the beam (12A) that exits the first facet (16A) and the feedback device (40) redirects at least a portion of the beam (12A) back to the gain medium (16). The device mover (42) continuously adjusts an angle of incidence (?) of the beam (12A) on the feedback device (40). The control system (30) selectively directs pulses of power to the gain medium (16) as the device mover (42) is continuously adjusting the angle of incidence (?) of the beam (12A).

Abstract: A lens may operate in the mid-IR spectral region and couple highly divergent beams into highly collimated beams. In combination with a light source having a characteristic output beam, the lens may provide highly stable, miniaturized mid-IR sources that deliver optical beams. An advanced mounting system may provide long term sturdy mechanical coupling and alignment to reduce operator maintenance. In addition, devices may also support electrical and thermal subsystems that are delivered via these mounting systems. A mid-IR singlet lens having a numerical aperture greater than about 0.7 and a focal length less than 10 mm may be combined with a quantum well stack semiconductor based light source such that the emission facet of the semiconductor lies in the focus of the lens less than 2 mm away from the lens surface. Together, these systems may provide a package that is highly portable and robust, and easily integrated with external optical systems.

Abstract: A compact mid-IR laser device utilizes an external cavity to tune the laser. The external cavity may employ a Littrow or Littman cavity arrangement. In the Littrow cavity arrangement, a filter, such as a grating, is rotated to provide wavelength gain medium selectivity. In the Littman cavity arrangement, a reflector is rotated to provide tuning. A quantum cascade laser gain medium provides mid-IR frequencies suitable for use in molecular detection by signature absorption spectra. The compact nature of the device is obtained owing to an efficient heat transfer structure, the use of a small diameter aspheric lens for both the output lens and the external cavity lens and a monolithic assembly structure to hold the optical elements in a fixed position relative to one another. The compact housing size may be approximately 20 cm×20 cm×20 cm or less.

Abstract: A fiber clamp (220) for clamping an optical fiber (16) includes a first clamp section (228) and a second clamp section (230) that flexibly urges the optical fiber (16) against the first clamp section (228). The second clamp section (230) can include a retainer housing (244) and a pair of spaced apart flexible members (246) that extend from the retainer housing (244). The flexible members (246) flexibly urge the optical fiber (16) against the first clamp section (228). A fastener assembly (232) can be used to urge the clamp sections (228) (230) directly together.

Abstract: An optical assembly (16) for a precision apparatus (10) includes an optical element (234) and a housing (230) that defines a housing cavity (244). The housing (230) includes a body section (238), a removable section (240) and a fastener assembly (242). The body section (238) is secured to an apparatus frame (12) of the precision apparatus (10). The removable section (240) retains the optical element (234) with the optical element (234) positioned in the housing cavity (244). The fastener assembly (242) selective secures the removable section (240) to the body section (238). With this design, the removable section (240) can be selectively removed to repair or replace the optical element (234) and the optical element (234) is supported by a rigid mechanical housing (230) so that the optical element (234) is less susceptible to long term or operating misalignments.

Abstract: A compact mid-IR laser device utilizes a quantum cascade laser to provide mid-IR frequencies suitable for use in molecular detection by signature absorption spectra. The compact nature of the device is obtained owing to an efficient heat transfer structure, the use of a small diameter aspheric lens and a monolithic assembly structure to hold the optical elements in a fixed position relative to one another. The compact housing size may be approximately 20 cm×20 cm×20 cm or less. Efficient heat transfer is achieved using a thermoelectric cooler TEC combined with a high thermal conductivity heat spreader onto which the quantum cascade laser is thermally coupled.

Abstract: A MIR laser source that produces a fixed frequency output beam that is within the MIR range includes a QC gain media, and a wavelength dependent (“WD') feedback assembly that is spaced apart from the QC gain media and that cooperates with the QC gain media to form an external cavity. The WD feedback assembly may be used to precisely tune and control a lasing wavelength of the external cavity, and the position of the WD feedback assembly relative to the QC gain media may be fixed to maintain the precise lasing wavelength of the external cavity. With this design, each MIR laser source can be individually tuned to achieve the desired fixed frequency output beam that is within the MIR range.

Abstract: Highly compact quantum well based laser systems with external cavity configurations are tightly integrated in a very small mounting system having high thermal and vibrational stability. The mounting systems may include adjustability and alignment features specifically designed to account for the particular nature of the micro components used. The laser systems may provide for wavelength selection, including dynamic wavelength selection. The laser systems may also provide special output couplers.

Abstract: A beam modulator (14) for modulating a beam (20) includes a modulator element (26) and a housing assembly (24). The modulator element (26) is positioned in the path of the beam (20). The housing assembly (24) retains the modulator element (26). The housing assembly (24) can include a housing (234), a first retainer assembly (342), and a second retainer assembly (344). The first retainer assembly (342) flexibly secures the modulator element (26) to the housing (24) and the second retainer assembly (344) fixedly secures the modulator element (26) to the housing (234) with the modulator element (26) positioned between the retainer assemblies (342) (344). With this design, the retainer assemblies (342) (344) can cooperate to retain the modulator element (26) in a fashion that applies a substantially uniform and small pressure across the modulator element (26).

Abstract: Highly compact quantum well based laser systems with external cavity configurations are tightly integrated in a very small mounting system having high thermal and vibrational stability. The mounting systems may include adjustability and alignment features specifically designed to account for the particular nature of the micro components used. The laser systems may provide for wavelength selection, including dynamic wavelength selection. The laser systems may also provide special output couplers.

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (222), an actuator (344), and a mover housing assembly (220). The mover output (222) is connected to the object (12), and the actuator (344) causes the mover output (222) to move. The mover housing assembly (220) seals many of the other components of mover assembly (16), including the actuator (344) within a clean, nonvolatile, housing chamber (420) that isolates all contaminants from the outside working environment.

Abstract: A precision apparatus (10) includes a constraint joint (256) having a contact (258A) and a contact engager (258B). The contact (258A) includes a contact region (268) that is rounded, and the contact engager (258B) includes a first wall (270A), a second wall (270B), and a third wall (270C). Further, the walls (270A) (270B) (270C) are arranged so that the contact region (268) simultaneously contacts only one location on each wall (270A) (270B) (270C) to create a true three point contact that provides three degrees of constraint. One or more of the walls (270A), (270B), (270C) includes a contact pad (274) that engages the contact (258A). Each contact pad (274) can be made of a hard, relatively low friction material with a low friction surface (273).

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) along a first axis includes a motor (20) and a coupling assembly (22). The motor (20) includes a motor output (332) that is moved along the first axis and about the first axis. The coupling assembly (22) includes a stage (344) that couples the motor output (332) to the object (12) and a stage guide (346) that guides the motion of the stage (344) along the first axis. In one embodiment, the stage guide (346) is a linear bearing that allows for motion of the stage (344) along the first axis and inhibits motion of the stage (344) about the first axis, along a second axis and along a third axis. Additionally, the coupling assembly (22) can include a measurement system (28) that monitors the movement of the stage (344).

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (226), an actuator (230), and a measurement system (20). The mover output (226) is connected o the object (12), and the actuator (230) causes the mover output (226) to rotate about a first axis and move along the first axis. In this embodiment, the measurement system (20) directly measures the movement of the mover output (226) and provides feedback regarding the position of the mover output (226).

Abstract: A fiber clamp (220) for clamping an optical fiber (16) includes a first clamp section (228) and a second clamp section (230) that flexibly urges the optical fiber (16) against the first clamp section (228). The second clamp section (230) can include a retainer housing (244) and a pair of spaced apart flexible members (246) that extend from the retainer housing (244). The flexible members (246) flexibly urge the optical fiber (16) against the first clamp section (228). A fastener assembly (232) can be used to urge the clamp sections (228) (230) directly together.

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (226), an actuator (230), and a measurement system (20). The mover output (226) is connected to the object (12), and the actuator (230) causes the mover output (226) to rotate about a first axis and move along the first axis. In this embodiment, the measurement system (20) directly measures the movement of the mover output (226) and provides feedback regarding the position of the mover output (226).

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (226), an actuator (230), and a measurement system (20). The mover output (226) is connected to the object (12), and the actuator (230) causes the mover output (226) to rotate about a first axis and move along the first axis. In this embodiment, the measurement system (20) directly measures the movement of the mover output (226) and provides feedback regarding the position of the mover output (226).

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) along a first axis includes a motor (20) and a coupling assembly (22). The motor (20) includes a motor output (332) that is moved along the first axis and about the first axis. The coupling assembly (22) includes a stage (344) that couples the motor output (332) to the object (12) and a stage guide (346) that guides the motion of the stage (344) along the first axis. In one embodiment, the stage guide (346) is a linear bearing that allows for motion of the stage (344) along the first axis and inhibits motion of the stage (344) about the first axis, along a second axis and along a third axis. Additionally, the coupling assembly (22) can include a measurement system (28) that monitors the movement of the stage (344).

Abstract: A modular approach to the design of motion modules, e.g., positioning elements, is disclosed which allows a single positioning element to be integrated into a number of multi-axis configurations through combination with other basic positioning elements all of which share a modular interlocking feature. The motion module includes a base and a mobile stage. The base includes an exterior surface on which a first interconnector is located. The mobile stage includes an exterior surface and a second interconnector. The mobile stage is rotary or linearly positionable with respect to the base The second interconnector is located on the exterior surface of the mobile stage, The first and the second interconnector are mutually engagable With second and first interconnectors of other motion modules for stackable interconnection therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for detecting near-visible frequency light comprising a sensor which includes a near-visible to visible light conversion phosphor defining an active area and a covering having a thickness, the covering adapted to substantially protect the phosphor from degradation. The phosphor extends to within about a first distance of a flush portion of a first edge, the first distance corresponding approximately to the thickness of the covering. In an alternative embodiment, the active area comprises an aperture.