Abstract: A hybrid fiber rod includes a fiber core and inner and outer cladding layers. The core is doped with an active element. The inner cladding layer surrounds the core, and has a refractive index substantially equal to that of the core. The outer cladding layer surrounds the inner cladding layer, and has a refractive index less than that of the core and inner cladding layer. The core length is about 30 to 2000 times the core diameter. A hybrid fiber rod laser system includes an oscillator laser, modulating device, the rod, and pump laser diode(s) energizing the rod from opposite ends. The rod acts as a waveguide for pump radiation but allows for free-space propagation of laser radiation. The rod may be used in a laser resonator. The core length is less than about twice the Rayleigh range. Degradation from single-mode to multi-mode beam propagation is thus avoided.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of a pair of acoustooptic devices in a laser or other optical resonator to produce a wavelength-dependent deflection of the light without incurring a net frequency shift. This permits rapid electronic tuning of the resonator wavelength, as well as rapid electronic variation of cavity loss, out-coupling fraction, and round-trip phase shift. The dispersive quality of acoustooptic devices in transmission is utilized as a reflection grating substitute. Two mirrors, one an output coupler, a gain medium and two acoustooptic devices arranged for maximum efficiency such that the incident and diffracted beams are approximately at the Bragg angle for each acoustooptic device permit the laser wavelength to be determined by the acoustic frequency.

Abstract: A solid phase photosensitizer and method of use for photochemical generation of singlet oxygen. The sensitizer comprises one or more layers of an organic polycrystalline dye solid which absorbs radiant energy to release triplet excitons. Where multiple layers are employed, triplet state energies of the layers decrease toward the outer surface. A sub-monomolecular surface layer of organic molecules has a triplet state energy which is less than that of the adjacent dye-solid layer but greater than that of molecular oxygen. The sub-monomolecular layer thus functions to trap exciton energy at the sensitizer surface for reaction with gaseous molecular ground state oxygen directed thereover.

Abstract: This invention relates to production of singlet oxygen and includes means and methods for storage and retrieval thereof as well as continuous production from ground state oxygen. With respect to storage and retrieval of singlet oxygen, certain aromatic acceptor compounds are oxidized to yield solid endoperoxides which, in turn, are decomposed to yield singlet oxygen and regenerate the acceptor. Continuous production of singlet oxygen occurs through irradiation of dye sensitizers with electromagnetic radiation causing activation thereof and excitation of flowing ground state oxygen.