Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating controllable, narrow-band radiation at short wavelengths, driven by two colors injected into a structured waveguide. The use of multicolor excitation with the structured waveguide allows the use of very small guided beam diameters, without damaging the waveguide. Reduced guided wave mode area combined with low intensities required to drive wave-mixing frequency conversion allow the use of very compact, high average power, moderate peak intensity femtosecond fiber laser technology to drive useful conversion efficiency of laser light into the deep-UV and vacuum-UV at MHz repetition rates.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating controllable, narrow-band radiation at short wavelengths, driven by two colors injected into a structured waveguide. The use of multicolor excitation with the structured waveguide allows the use of very small guided beam diameters, without damaging the waveguide. Reduced guided wave mode area combined with low intensities required to drive wave-mixing frequency conversion allow the use of very compact, high average power, moderate peak intensity femtosecond fiber laser technology to drive useful conversion efficiency of laser light into the deep-UV and vacuum-UV at MHz repetition rates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring small changes in the centroid of the spectrum of a light field by conversion of optical frequency centroid shifts into time delays are described. A time delay for a particular frequency of light is created by directing the light into an optically dispersive system that converts the change in center frequency to a change in transit time through the system as the dispersive element causes different colors to travel at different speeds. Examples of such dispersive elements include, but are not limited to, optical fibers, bulk materials, volumetric or fiber Bragg gratings, and grating or prism based pulse stretchers. This time delay can be measured, by detecting the change in transit time (or time of flight through the dispersive element) by using a detector such as a photodiode, PMT, etc. that converts the incident optical pulse train into an electronic pulsed signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to determine the axial and/or lateral location of a particle using light modulated with temporal and/or spatial modulation pattern. The system, for example, may include a modulator configured to temporally modulate an intensity pattern of a line of light uniquely at each point along a lateral length of the line of light and produce an undiffracted modulated line of light, a first first-order diffracted line of light, and a second first-order diffracted line of light; and one or more optical elements configured to direct the undiffracted line of light and one of the first first-order diffracted line of light and the second first-order diffracted line of light toward at least one particle disposed at or near a sample region. The system may include a processor configured to determine an axial and/or a lateral position of the particle disposed at or near the sample region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring small changes in the centroid of the spectrum of a light field by conversion of optical frequency centroid shifts into time delays are described. A time delay for a particular frequency of light is created by directing the light into an optically dispersive system that converts the change in center frequency to a change in transit time through the system as the dispersive element causes different colors to travel at different speeds. Examples of such dispersive elements include, but are not limited to, optical fibers, bulk materials, volumetric or fiber Bragg gratings, and grating or prism based pulse stretchers. This time delay can be measured, by detecting the change in transit time (or time of flight through the dispersive element) by using a detector such as a photodiode, PMT, etc. that converts the incident optical pulse train into an electronic pulsed signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to determine the axial and/or lateral location of a particle using light modulated with temporal and/or spatial modulation pattern. The system, for example, may include a modulator configured to temporally modulate an intensity pattern of a line of light uniquely at each point along a lateral length of the line of light and produce an undiffracted modulated line of light, a first first-order diffracted line of light, and a second first-order diffracted line of light; and one or more optical elements configured to direct the undiffracted line of light and one of the first first-order diffracted line of light and the second first-order diffracted line of light toward at least one particle disposed at or near a sample region. The system may include a processor configured to determine an axial and/or a lateral position of the particle disposed at or near the sample region.