Abstract: Apparatus and method for designing and operating a solid-state laser that compensates for thermal lensing such that lasing instability is maintained at high pumping power. In some embodiments, the laser is an optically pumped semiconductor laser (OPSL). In some embodiments, a concave end facet is formed on the OPSL that at least compensates for thermal lensing at high pump power. In some embodiments, an external mirror is used for at least one end of the OPSL, wherein the external mirror at least compensates for thermal lensing at high pump power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the beam quality of the emissions from a multimode gain medium such as a broad-stripe laser through the use of SBC techniques is provided. In order to achieve the desired beam quality without a significant reduction in output power, discrete lasing regions are formed across the gain medium using an etalon or similar device located within the SBC cavity.

Abstract: A wide variety of Fiber Bragg writing devices comprising solid state lasers are provided. The solid state lasers emit moderate peak-power output beams which are suitable for efficient production of fiber Bragg gratings without causing embrittlement of the optical waveguide. These solid state lasers generate fourth harmonic output beams with wavelengths of approximately 240 nm, in order to match the primary absorption peak in the ultraviolet range for a typical optical waveguide. Some of these solid state lasers comprise a fequency-doubling crystal and a CLBO crystal used in a non-critically phase-matched orientation as a frequency-quadrupling crystal. In such lasers, both the frequency-doubling crystal and frequency-quadrupling crystal are preferably engineered to minimize or eliminate beam “walkoff.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a display is provided. In the disclosed system, each color required by the display is generated by incoherently combining the beams of tens or hundreds of individual lasers. In order to achieve a full color display, three independent IBC systems are used to generate the required three colors (e.g., red, green and blue). The output from each IBC system is modulated and the three beams are combined to form a single, modulated output beam that is directed to a display scanner.

Abstract: A wide variety of Fiber Bragg writing devices comprising solid state lasers are provided. The solid state lasers emit moderate peak-power output beams which are suitable for efficient production of fiber Bragg gratings without causing embrittlement of the optical waveguide. These solid state lasers generate fourth harmonic output beams with wavelengths of approximately 240 nm, in order to match the primary absorption peak in the ultraviolet range for a typical optical waveguide. Some of these solid state lasers comprise a frequency-doubling crystal and a CLBO crystal used in a non-critically phase-matched orientation as a frequency-quadrupling crystal. In such lasers, both the frequency-doubling crystal and frequency-quadrupling crystal are preferably engineered to minimize or eliminate beam “walkoff.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a display is provided. In the disclosed system, each color required by the display is generated by incoherently combining the beams of tens or hundreds of individual lasers. In order to achieve a full color display, three independent IBC systems are used to generate the required three colors (e.g., red, green and blue). The output from each IBC system is modulated and the three beams are combined to form a single, modulated output beam that is directed to a display scanner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that enables an IBC system to operate over a large field angle. As a consequence, wide laser gain arrays can be used providing greater control over the output power and the bandwidth of the IBC system. The IBC resonator cavity is comprised of a reflector, preferably deposited on the back facets of the gain element array, and an output coupler. Interposed between the array and the output coupler is a wavelength dispersive element, such as a diffraction grating, and a collimating optic. A lens system, comprised of either a single cylindrical lens, a single cylindrical lens in combination with an array of orthogonally positioned cylindrical lens elements, or an array of individual lens elements, is located between the laser gain array and the collimating optic. At a minimum, the lens system reduces the divergence of the light from each emitter in the fast axis, thus allowing smaller, less optically complex optics to be used for the IBC resonator optics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving broad gain bandwidth in a Raman amplifier using a wavelength multiplexed pump source is provided. The pump source offers high power, broad bandwidth, and the ability to tailor the pump spectrum, thus providing a means to achieve gain flattening within a specific band of the Raman amplifier. The pump source is preferably comprised of one or more multi-gain element arrays multiplexed together within a single external resonator cavity. Interposed between the array and the resonator cavity output coupler are a collimating element and a diffraction grating. The collimating element can be a refractive optic, a ¼ pitch GRIN lens, or a reflective optic. The diffraction grating can either be transmissive or reflective. The combination of the diffraction grating and the collimating element forces each emitter within the array to lase at a distinct wavelength.

Abstract: A solid state laser system producing coherent radiations at deep ultraviolet wavelengths includes a solid state laser producing a first beam having a wavelength near 1 micron. The 1 micron beam is passed to both a harmonic generation stage and to a tunable optical parametric oscillator. The harmonic generation stage is configured to produce a fifth harmonic of the 1 micron beam, while the optical parametric oscillator produces a tunable beam in the near infrared spectrum (e.g., approximately 2.075 micron). The fifth harmonic and the near infrared beams are mixed in a sum frequency generator to produce a highly coherent beam in the deep ultraviolet (e.g., between approximately 180 nm to 213 nm).

Abstract: A laser system for producing pulsed, longitudinal mode optical energy over a widely tunable range of wavelengths. The system includes an optical cavity and a solid-state gain medium. The optical cavity comprises first, second, and third optical element means. The first optical element means reflects energy received along a first reflective optical axis and directs the energy toward the second optical element means, which diffracts the optical energy into at least two orders of interference. The energy diffracted according to a first order of interference is reflected back toward the second optical element means by a third optical element means, thereby creating a resonant optical cavity. Another portion of the optical energy diffracted by the second optical element means is produced as an output beam.