Abstract: A high pressure, high power, compact laser fabricated from a block of material which is highly transparent at the wavelength of operation. The transmitting block contains a multiplicity of channels along the longitudinal axes thereof, each channel being of such a minute cross-section that a laser medium located within each channel is incapable of independently sustaining a lasing action in a waveguide mode of operation. The multiplicity of channels, in combination, provide sufficient gain for a laser mode propagating within the transmitting material and totality of channels thereby providing an extremely large output from a laser having a minimal cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A near millimeter bistable device having a source of electromagnetic radiation in optical alignment with a variable reflecting means in the form of a Schottky barrier diode corner cube assembly. Interposed between the radiation source and the variable reflecting means is a beam splitter which reflects a beam of energy from the variable reflecting means through another beam splitter to a detector. The voltage produced by the detector is fed through a feedback circuit back to the variable reflecting means in order to vary the reflectivity thereof. In this manner the output of the device emanating from the other beam splitter has two stable conditions, one of relatively high output power and one of relatively low output power.

Abstract: A remote pointing system which permits the remote positioning of a laser beam in accordance with signals received from a laser beam situated at another location. These signals are derived through the use of an appropriate filter, television camera, pair of counters and modem located at the transmitting location and a telephone receiver, modem, microcomputer, pair of analog to digital converters and suitable beam directing means at the remote or receiving location. By interconnecting the above-mentioned elements by way of a telephone line and proper interfacing of electronics, positioning of the remote laser beam can be accurately and reliably accomplished.

Abstract: A modulator and tunable oscillator capable of reliable operation in the near millimeter wavelength region. The modulator is made up of a pair of reflectors and a beamsplitter interposed therebetween with one of the reflectors having variable reflectivity. In addition, the reflectors are spaced apart a preselected distance such that a resonant condition is achieved with respect to an incoming beam of near millimeter wavelength radiation. By applying a signal to the variable reflector a beam of radiant energy is generated at a wavelength at which a non-resonant condition is achieved between the reflectors. This generated beam of radiation is directed out of the modulator by the beamsplitter. The oscillator utilizes the same elements as the modulator and in addition incorporates therein an additional beam splitter and a detector as well as a feedback circuit between the detector and variable reflector.

Abstract: A near millimeter wavelength electromagnetic filter having a pair of substantially parallel mirrors and a beamsplitter interposed therebetween. The mirrors are spaced apart a distance equal to an integer times half the preselected (near millimeter) wavelength thereby producing a resonant condition. At this resonant condition substantially all the preselected wavelength radiation is reflected by the beamsplitter while other wavelengths pass therethrough thereby removing the preselected wavelength radiation from a beam of radiant energy.

Abstract: A multiplexer/demultiplexer having a series of novel interferometer elements optically aligned with one another in a stacked relationship. Each of the interferometer elements being made up of a plurality of reflective elements forming an optical path therebetween and a pair of beamsplitters for directing a beam of radiant energy into or out of the optical path. The optical path of each interferometer element being defined for resonance at a different frequency whereby in operation as a multiplexer a plurality of beams of radiant energy, each of a predetermined frequency, emerge from the multiplexer/demultiplexer as a single beam of radiant energy having a multitude of frequencies or in operation as a demultiplexer a single beam of radiant energy having a multitude of frequencies emerges from the multiplexer/demultiplexer as a plurality of beams radiant energy, each at a preselected frequency.

Abstract: An optically pumped submillimeter laser system having a laser cavity which contains therein a diffraction grating. The diffraction grating is used simultaneously as an efficient first order diffractor for coupling in the short wavelength pump radiation and as a zero order or highly reflecting plane mirror for the production of an output of (long wavelength) submillimeter wavelength.

Abstract: A laser for producing a stable frequency standard which finds applicability within a clock. The laser contains a pair of active materials having close but non-overlapping gain profiles so that the laser can oscillate at frequencies particular to each active material without interraction therebetween. The beat frequency generated between the two laser frequencies is highly stable and can be readily used as a frequency standard.

Abstract: A high power, compact waveguide gas laser having a housing located within a resonant cavity. The housing has a longitudinal chamber situated therein, the chamber being divided into a plurality of waveguides by a plurality of infrared transmitting partitions. During operation of the laser, the leakage of laser radiation between adjacent waveguides through the partitions causes the coupling of the phases of the waveguide modes thereby producing a laser output of high power.

Abstract: A gaseous infrared waveguide mixer having a laser beam source in optical alignment with a waveguide, a symmetric top molecular gas having its resonance lines near the wavelength of the laser contained within the waveguide and a DC source electrically connected to the waveguide. Applying the DC field to the gas removes the inversion symmetry of the gas and thereby produces a high output laser beam of preselected frequency or wavelength.