Abstract: Processing food with a laser. In one embodiment, the system includes a laser that creates holes in a food item with an output beam, and includes a post processing module that enables a substance to pass through the holes. The substance may include a flavoring, a vitamin, a medicine, a gas, steam, and the like. The holes facilitate cooking, cleaning, flavorizing, medicating, off-gassing, eating, or the like. The laser system may also perforate or score a food item shell to ease cracking and access to interior material. The system may also include one or more mirrors, focus heads, delivery optics, beam scanners, or the like, to control output beam characteristics, such as focus and positioning. In another embodiment, a dynamic control system may add computerized-feedback and control to the laser system. A position system may also control a position, orientation, or other characteristic of a food target.

Abstract: A laser system and method having an output laser beam uses an gain medium with one or more output beam transverse profile tailoring (OBTPT) longitudinal strips to tailor the transverse profile of the output laser beam to a desirable shape such as having a symmetrical profile transverse to the direction of propagation of the output laser beam. The laser system has two reflector systems on opposite ends in the long z-axis dimension of the gain medium to form a resonator that outputs the output laser beam following the same long z-axis dimension. In some embodiments the gain medium has a narrow y-axis dimension and a wide x-axis dimension. In these embodiments the OBTPT longitudinal strips have lengths running the long z-axis dimension, widths running the wide x-axis dimension and thicknesses running the narrow y-axis dimension of the gain medium. The widths of the OBTPT longitudinal strips are generally chosen with respect to coupling width of the output laser beam.

Abstract: A system and method for laser beam coupling between waveguide optics uses extension members to reduce power losses in a laser beam traveling within a resonator cavity of the laser beam. In some embodiments, the extension members are made of electrically conducting material and are spaced from longitudinal ends of electrodes by electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material is sized to prevent electrical discharge from occurring between the electrode and the extension member adjacent thereto. In other embodiments, the extension members are fashioned from a lasing medium such as from a solid-state crystal lasing medium.

Abstract: A system and method for laser beam coupling between waveguide optics uses extension members to reduce power losses in a laser beam traveling within a resonator cavity of the laser beam. In some embodiments, the extension members are made of electrically conducting material and are spaced from longitudinal ends of electrodes by electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material is sized to prevent electrical discharge from occurring between the electrode and the extension member adjacent thereto. In other embodiments, the extension members are fashioned from a lasing medium such as from a solid-state crystal lasing medium.

Abstract: A laser system and method for beam enhancement utilizes shaped electrodes or one or more shaped lasing media, including crystal media, to prescribe the operational transverse modes of a laser beam produced by the laser. The electrodes and shaped lasing media are shaped with respect to the transverse mode or modes to be selected for operational use. In some embodiments shaping is done according to a desired mode so that the desired mode has the highest power level of any of the modes present in the laser beam during operation of the laser. In some embodiments, the electrodes or lasing media are so shaped that the total power of the laser beam fluctuates below plus and minus 10% of an average total power level. Some embodiments utilize folded resonators. Other embodiments utilize other resonators including resonators having multiple discharge sections and are not folded.

Abstract: A laser with a heat transfer system and method of making the same using electrodes. The heat transfer system draws heat from the electrodes which have internal electrode surfaces adjacent to a lasing medium of the laser. Cooling of the electrodes helps to maintain proper operating temperature for the lasing medium. The heat transfer system utilizes thermally conductive material positioned between external surfaces of the electrodes and internal surfaces of a housing that contains the electrodes and the lasing medium. Since the thermally conductive material adds capacitance to the laser system, inductance may be added for compensation depending upon the amount of thermally conductive material used.

Abstract: A laser system and method for beam enhancement utilizes shaped electrodes or one or more shaped lasing media, including crystal media, to prescribe the operational transverse modes of the laser. The electrodes and shaped lasing media are shaped with respect to the transverse mode or modes to be selected for operational use. In some embodiments shaping is done according to the selected transverse modes for operation so that at least a designated percentage of the total operational power of the beam is made up of the selected transverse modes. The designated percentage of total operational power of the selected transverse modes can be 90% of the total power of the beam, but in other more relaxed cases can be 85% and in other more stringent cases are 95% of the beam. In some embodiments, the electrodes or lasing media are so shaped that the theoretical fundamental transverse mode is the only selected transverse operational mode. Some embodiments utilize folded resonators.

Abstract: A laser assembly system and method uses an electrode assembly and flexible housing to reduce manufacturing costs and complexity. The flexible housing also helps to insure uniform contact with the housing and electrically insulating material between the housing and electrodes. The uniform contact in turn assists in maintaining a uniform electric field in the discharge area of the laser, which affects laser performance, and assists in maintaining efficient cooling of the electrodes and the lasing medium. The electrode assembly is pre-assembled before insertion into the laser housing, which reduces adverse effects of anomalies of housing construction and helps to reduce the complexity and cost of manufacturing of the laser. The electrode assembly includes first and second electrodes that are separated by spacers made out of an electrically insulating material such as ceramic.