Abstract: A device comprising measurement (7) and reference (3) interferometers is disclosed. Each interferometer is configured to receive light from the same light source (1) and to emit light to respective detectors (6) and has a respective operating point. The measurement interferometer (7) is configured to respond to variations in a physical parameter by varying the intensity of light emitted, whereas the reference interferometer (3) is configured to be unresponsive to variations in the physical parameter. The device further comprises a signal processor for generating a differential output signal depending on respective output signals generated by the detectors (6).

Abstract: A device comprising measurement (7) and reference (3) interferometers is disclosed. Each interferometer is configured to receive light from the same light source (1) and to emit light to respective detectors (6) and has a respective operating point. The measurement interferometer (7) is configured to respond to variations in a physical parameter by varying the intensity of light emitted, whereas the reference interferometer (3) is configured to be unresponsive to variations in the physical parameter. The device further comprises a signal processor for generating a differential output signal depending on respective output signals generated by the detectors (6).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder, in which combustion of a fuel-air mixture compressed in the cylinder by a piston is initiated by time-controlled external ignition, wherein there is provided at least one laser light source for time-controlled external ignition and the laser light is focussed in the combustion chamber (32) on to at least two real focal points (19). Use of a holographic optical element for focussing of the laser light.

Abstract: A device for igniting a fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, particularly a stationary gas engine, with at least one light source, an optical transmission device and launching optics for focusing light into the combustion chamber. At least one master light source is provided for the continuous or periodic delivery of untriggered master light pulses, which themselves, are not capable of igniting. The optical transmission device has at least one amplifier, which can be selectively triggered and which amplifies individual or groups of master light pulses to an energy level that is sufficient for igniting the fuel/air mixture.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder, in which combustion of a fuel-air mixture compressed in the cylinder by a piston is initiated by time-controlled external ignition, wherein there is provided at least one laser light source for time-controlled external ignition and the laser light is focussed in the combustion chamber (32) on to at least two real focal points (19). Use of a holographic optical element for focussing of the laser light.

Abstract: A laser system for the generation of an ultra-short light pulse—with a laser resonator which contains at least one active solid-state oscillator element, preferably a thin disk of a laser-active crystal with a high amplification bandwidth, particularly of a “quasi-three-level” system such as Yb:YAG—comprises at least one respective arrangement for phasecoupling of the laser modes and for dispersion compensation. For industrial applications,in order to be able to emit ultra-short pulses with very high average powers in a power-scalable fashion while being constructed optimally simply and inexpensively, the arrangement for phase coupling is constructed as a passive, non-linear element, and a prismless arrangement for dispersion compensation is provided.