Abstract: A method involves obtaining a first beam image on a focal plane of a first camera and a second beam image on a focal plane of a second camera from light scattered by ambient atmospheric aerosols in the path of a laser beam. First and second projected beam images are formed, representing the respective first and second beam images in the projected scenes of the respective first and second cameras. First and second ambiguity planes are then formed from the respective first and second projected beam images. An intersection of the first and second ambiguity planes is then determined, identifying the position of the laser beam. A source of the laser beam is then determined, along with a camera-source plane. A beam elevation angle with respect to this plane is then determined, as well as beam azimuth angles with respect to lines between the respective camera and the source.

Abstract: A Q-switched neodymium laser may be operated in the 0.9 &mgr;m [( &lgr;1)] band at relatively high gain levels. The laser uses a birefringent filter which provides selective discrimination for wavelengths near 1 &mgr;m [(&lgr;2)] and prevents parasitic lasing in that wavelength region. The filter includes a specific wavelength dependent crystal quartz wave plate in combination with a linear polarizer. The linear polarizer is placed between two mirrors which define a laser cavity. The wave plate provides exactly 2 full waves of retardation at the desired wavelength &lgr;1 in the 0.9 &mgr;m band, and exactly 1.75 waves of retardation at wavelength &lgr;2 near the center of the 1 &mgr;m band for one pass. A Q-switching device such as a Pockels cell is positioned in the laser cavity to selectively control a pulsed emission at &lgr;1.

Abstract: A solid state laser comprises a composite solid state laser gain element, The gain element comprises a undoped section and a doped section having a concentration of dopant ions for absorbing pumping radiation. The doped section is diffusion bonded to the undoped section to form an active region in the gain element, A cooling jacket conducts flowing coolant around the circumference of a portion of the gain element surrounding the active region.