Abstract: A laser apparatus has a gain medium which has opposite ends, wherein the laser apparatus includes at least two independently controllable excitation sources, each one of the excitation sources being operable to produce an input beam to excite or pump the gain medium. Beam splitting arrangements are associated with the excitation sources are configured to split the input beam of its associated excitation source into at least two sub-beams. Beam guiding arrangements are associated with the excitation sources and are configured to direct a path of at least one of the split sub-beams from its associated excitation source, whereby each excitation source, its associated beam splitting arrangement, and beam guiding arrangement are arranged such that the sub-beams are respectively directed inwardly towards the gain medium at opposite ends.

Abstract: A controllable laser amplifier apparatus includes a gain medium and a seed laser emitter configured to generate a seed laser beam, the seed laser emitter directed toward the gain medium. The apparatus has at least two pump laser emitters configured to generate respective pump laser beams, wherein the pump laser emitters are adjustable such that respective intensities of the pump laser beams are adjustable relative to one another and/or relative to the seed laser pump, wherein the pump laser emitters are arranged such that at least one of the pump laser beams is laterally offset relative to the seed laser beam, and wherein the pump laser beams are configured to effect a gain profile in the gain medium. An output laser beam from the gain medium is a function of at least the gain profile and the seed laser beam.

Abstract: A laser apparatus has a gain medium which has opposite ends, wherein the laser apparatus includes at least two independently controllable excitation sources, each one of the excitation sources being operable to produce an input beam to excite or pump the gain medium. Beam splitting arrangements are associated with the excitation sources are configured to split the input beam of its associated excitation source into at least two sub-beams. Beam guiding arrangements are associated with the excitation sources and are configured to direct a path of at least one of the split sub-beams from its associated excitation source, whereby each excitation source, its associated beam splitting arrangement, and beam guiding arrangement are arranged such that the sub-beams are respectively directed inwardly towards the gain medium at opposite ends.

Abstract: A collapsible crate having a four sided base with at least one pair of parallel sides, upstanding opposing semi-rigid side walls and upstanding opposing semi-rigid end walls, the side walls being connected to the end walls via hinges, the base comprising a flexible web connected to the lower end of at least two of the opposing walls and a semi-rigid flap connected via a hinge to the lower end of one of the side walls such that the flap overlies and is supported by the flexible web when the crate is in a constructed state and is upstanding when the crate is in a collapsed state for flat packing, wherein the semi-rigid side and end walls and the flap each have a sandwich construction of a semi-rigid panel or panels between flexible webs, and wherein each end wall comprises at least two semi-rigid sections connected via a central upstanding hinge.