Abstract: A laser or nonlinear optical waveguide is presented that is formed from a core anisotropic crystal sandwiched by a cladding of anisotropic crystals of the same material but slightly rotated optical axes. The core and cladding crystals can be cut from the same crystal boule and bonded without adhesives between them. Because the crystals are anisotropic, the core and slightly skewed cladding crystals exhibit different refractive indexes to a propagating light beam. The difference in refractive indexes should be ?1.2×10?6 for mode confinement and 2d/?*Sqrt(ncore2?nclad2)?1.37 to achieve single mode operation in a square cross section, ?1 for a planar cross section. Alternative embodiments use slightly different doping amounts in crystals to achieve the difference in refractive indexes between the core and cladding.

Abstract: A laser assembly and method of operating the assembly are described in which a pump beam is directed through an end-pumped solid-state laser gain medium four or more times. The pump beam is directed at a slight angle through a first end of the medium, reflects off the inner surface of the second, opposite end (to form a “V”), and then reflected by an external or integrated mirror back through the first end and off the inner surface of the opposite end again (back through the “V”).

Abstract: Adhesive-free bond non-linear optical (NLO) components, devices and systems including one or more engineered quasi non-critical phase matched or contra-phase matched NLO crystal doublets. Such systems and devices advantageously increase the efficiency of NLO frequency conversion and improve beam quality. Devices are applicable to any uniaxial and biaxial NLO crystals in a wide range of wavelengths, e.g., from far ultraviolet to visible to far infrared. Devices employing engineered AFB NLO components according to certain embodiments include any conventional frequency converting architectures. Systems and methods are also provided to unambiguously determine and correct walk-off for any arbitrary uniaxial and biaxial crystal orientation.

Abstract: Adhesive-free bond non-linear optical (NLO) components, devices and systems including one or more engineered quasi non-critical phase matched or contra-phase matched NLO crystal doublets. Such systems and devices advantageously increase the efficiency of NLO frequency conversion and improve beam quality. Devices are applicable to any uniaxial and biaxial NLO crystals in a wide range of wavelengths, e.g., from far ultraviolet to visible to far infrared. Devices employing engineered AFB NLO components according to certain embodiments include any conventional frequency converting architectures. Systems and methods are also provided to unambiguously determine and correct walk-off for any arbitrary uniaxial and biaxial crystal orientation.

Abstract: Adhesive-free bond non-linear optical (NLO) components, devices and systems including one or more engineered quasi non-critical phase matched or contra-phase matched NLO crystal doublets. Such systems and devices advantageously increase the efficiency of NLO frequency conversion and improve beam quality. Devices are applicable to any uniaxial and biaxial NLO crystals in a wide range of wavelengths, e.g., from far ultraviolet to visible to far infrared. Devices employing engineered AFB NLO components according to certain embodiments include any conventional frequency converting architectures. Systems and methods are also provided to unambiguously determine and correct walk-off for any arbitrary uniaxial and biaxial crystal orientation.

Abstract: A laser assembly and method of operating the assembly are described in which a pump beam is directed through an end-pumped solid-state laser gain medium four or more times. The pump beam is directed at a slight angle through a first end of the medium, reflects off the inner surface of the second, opposite end (to form a “V”), and then reflected by an external or integrated mirror back through the first end and off the inner surface of the opposite end again (back through the “V”).

Abstract: Manufacturing techniques and composite structures that are able to meet increasing demanding requirements for large-scale crystal composites (e.g., greater than 100-200 mm in dimensions) that can be manufactured within reasonable time frames. A method of making an optical composite comprises providing first and second components to be bonded along respective surfaces, treating at least one component over at least a portion of the respective surface, and thereafter, bringing the first and second components into optical contact for bonding along the surface having the treated layer. Treating can include one or more of processing the component to provide a porous interface layer, processing the component to form a pattern of channels on the surface to be bonded, and providing an optical coating on the surface to be bonded.

Abstract: Manufacturing techniques and composite structures that are able to meet increasing demanding requirements for large-scale crystal composites (e.g., greater than 100-200 mm in dimensions) that can be manufactured within reasonable time frames. A method of making an optical composite comprises providing first and second components to be bonded along respective surfaces, treating at least one component over at least a portion of the respective surface, and thereafter, bringing the first and second components into optical contact for bonding along the surface having the treated layer. Treating can include one or more of processing the component to provide a porous interface layer, processing the component to form a pattern of channels on the surface to be bonded, and providing an optical coating on the surface to be bonded.

Abstract: Parasitic oscillations are eliminated in solid-state laser components by applying a pattern of grooves to the peripheral sections that do not transmit the desired laser radiation. Additionally, the invention frustrates total internal reflections at polished peripheral component walls by providing a pattern of roughened surface sections in between polished sections. The roughened surfaces may be only microns deep or may be as deep as a few centimeters for large components. The grooves should be sufficiently deep as to inhibit any total internal reflections. The invention applies to all common solid-state architectures that are designed with polished surfaces that do not serve to propagate the desired laser radiation. Examples are slabs, plates, laser rods, waveguides and disks functioning as laser oscillators or amplifiers. The invention is operational with conventional crystal or glass laser hosts or with hosts that are composites of same, similar or dissimilar crystals or glasses.

Abstract: A compound planar waveguide comprising multiple confinement structures that provides independent containment of pump and laser radiation. The waveguide may be formed of multiple layers of laser-active and laser-inactive materials to provide step changes in refractive index. The planar waveguide may include a central laserable core layer substantially sandwiched by at least two non-laserable cladding layers to provide an interface between the inner surfaces of the cladding layers and the gain medium core to define a first waveguide by virtue of an index of refraction discontinuity for containing developed laser radiation, and wherein the outer surfaces of the cladding layers define a second waveguide by virtue of an index of refraction discontinuity for containing pump radiation within the waveguide. The second waveguide may be also defined by an interface formed between the cladding layers and additional non-laserable external layers which sandwich the cladding layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating unique gemstones is provided. The method comprises the steps of optically contacting the gemstones of interest followed by a heat treatment of the composite gemstone. The heat treatment step increases the bond strength and therefore the resistance of the bond to reversal. In one aspect of the invention, a composite gem is fabricated by bonding a naturally occurring gem to an artificial gem to form a single composite gemstone of large size that outwardly appears to be a single natural gem. The composite gem may be fabricated at a fraction of the cost of a natural stone of the same size. In another aspect of the invention, an intensely colored natural stone is bonded to a colorless or lightly colored artificial stone. This composite retains the intense color associated with the natural stone while enjoying the brilliance, depth, and size resulting from the combination of stones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving improved performance in a solid state laser is provided. A flanged, at least partially undoped end-cap is attached to at least one end of a laserable medium. Preferably flanged, undoped end-caps are attached to both ends of the laserable medium. Due to the low scatter requirements for the interface between the end-caps and the laser rod, a non-adhesive method of bonding is utilized such as optical contacting combined with a subsequent heat treatment of the optically contacted composite. The non-bonded end surfaces of the flanged end-caps are coated with laser cavity coatings appropriate for the lasing wavelength of the laser rod. A cooling jacket, sealably coupled to the flanged end-caps, surrounds the entire length of the laserable medium. Radiation from a pump source is focussed by a lens duct and passed through at least one flanged end-cap into the laser rod.

Abstract: A system for improving the thermal uniformity, beam quality and lasing efficiency of composite solid state lasers by reducing parasitic oscillations and confining the laserable medium to a location in the composite laser component where it is most efficient is provided. The improvements are accomplished by bonding one or more laser-inactive or laser-radiation-absorbing layers to a laserable medium.

Abstract: A method of forming defect-free permanent bonds without the use of adhesives as well as devices formed by this method is disclosed. In general, the disclosed process allows similar or dissimilar crystalline, vitreous or dense polycrystalline ceramic, metallic or organic polymeric components to be first joined by optical contacting and then heat treated to stabilize the bond. The heat treatment can be performed at a low enough temperature to prevent interdiffusion between species, thus insuring that the bond is not subjected to excessive mechanical stresses and that the materials do not undergo phase changes.

Abstract: This invention relates to solid state lasers and more particularly to laserable rods, slabs or other configurations where thermal effects and/or ground state absorption cause a degradation in lasing efficiency and/or beam quality. The improvement in operating efficiency is achieved by using a composite of lasing and non-lasing sections. The composite is formed using diffusion bonding techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming, and constructs of, bonded composites of single crystal materials. The method comprises the steps of optically contacting the surfaces of the single crystal materials selected to form an assembly, bonding the surfaces by gradually heating the assembly to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to diffusion bond the surfaces, and cooling the bonded assembly at a rate which avoids thermal shock and allows the removal of stress by annealing. No bonding agents are necessary. Moreover, since the bonding temperature does not have to reach the substances' melting or fusing temperature, minimal distortion and displacement of the surfaces results.

Abstract: A phosphate based laser glass composition for high average power systems including by mol percent 60-66% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, 6-9% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 8-12% Li.sub.2 O, 0-15% MgO, 0-15% ZnO, 0-5% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0.1-4%, Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3, with MgO+ZnO totaling 14-16%.

Abstract: Processes in which glass parts are strengthened by ion exchange with cations in a molten salt bath are improved by removal of the small amounts of moisture and other forms of the hydroxyl group present in the salt melt by either chemical or electrolytic means, prior to the ion exchange. The chemical means involve reacting the hydroxyl-containing compounds with the chlorine-containing gas, while the electrolytic means involve electrolysis to gaseous hydrogen and oxygen. Preferred embodiments further include a gas purge prior to the chemical or electrolytic treatment.

Abstract: Optical lenses high in configurational accuracy with smooth surfaces are press molded in a carefully finished, polished and properly dimensioned mold preferably in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The molding operation includes placing a quantity of glass having an internal viscosity of at least about 10.sup.6 poises in such a mold while maintaining the mold at a temperature at least equal to the glass transition temperature and thereafter passing the glass into a lens of predetermined configuration at a pressure of at least 100 Kg/cm.sup.2. Performing procedures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and processes are disclosed for the treatment of waste gases, particularly automotive exhaust gases, to remove the oxides of nitrogen therefrom. Mixed noble metal catalysts consisting essentially of platinum or palladium and at least one other noble metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium are employed in combination with layered oxide support coatings to eliminate ammonia formation during the removal process.