Abstract: A nonlinear optical crystal (NLO) with a phase matching angle that is corrected with a source laser beam for harmonic conversion. The source laser only has to be within a wavelength range depending on the dispersion of the crystal while the crystal is tilted to the calculated expected conversion angle of the source laser as reference. The angle correction is accomplished with a parallel kinematic motion device to which a nonlinear crystal is mounted on a platform, to determine the wavelength- and temperature-specific angle with active laser alignment and subsequent precision resurfacing. The invented phase matching angle correction is applicable to any uniaxial and biaxial NLO crystals in a wide range of wavelengths, e.g., from far ultraviolet to visible to far infrared. It is of most value for NLO crystals of large walk-off and is applicable to any prior art frequency converting architectures.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical crystal (NLO) with a phase matching angle that is corrected with a source laser beam for harmonic conversion. The source laser only has to be within a wavelength range depending on the dispersion of the crystal while the crystal is tilted to the calculated expected conversion angle of the source laser as reference. The angle correction is accomplished with a parallel kinematic motion device to which a nonlinear crystal is mounted on a platform, to determine the wavelength- and temperature-specific angle with active laser alignment and subsequent precision resurfacing. The invented phase matching angle correction is applicable to any uniaxial and biaxial NLO crystals in a wide range of wavelengths, e.g., from far ultraviolet to visible to far infrared. It is of most value for NLO crystals of large walk-off and is applicable to any prior art frequency converting architectures.

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: 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: Walk-off corrected (WOC) non-linear optical (NLO) components, devices and systems including one or more engineered WOC NLO crystal doublets. Such systems and devices advantageously increase the efficiency of an OPO operation. 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 WOC NLO components according to embodiments of the present invention 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. The correct crystal orientation is also experimentally confirmed. This allows the use of WOC crystal doublet assemblies for a wide range of wavelengths and NLO crystals that until now have not been used because of low efficiency due to walk-off and inability of readily correcting walk-off.

Abstract: Walk-off corrected (WOC) non-linear optical (NLO) components, devices and systems including one or more engineered WOC NLO crystal doublets. Such systems and devices advantageously increase the efficiency of an OPO operation. 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 WOC NLO components according to embodiments of the present invention 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. The correct crystal orientation is also experimentally confirmed. This allows the use of WOC crystal doublet assemblies for a wide range of wavelengths and NLO crystals that until now have not been used because of low efficiency due to walk-off and inability of readily correcting walk-off.

Abstract: This invention modifies the microstructure of semiconductor nanocrystallite embedded glass by following a prescribed process schedule, so that it can be a solid state laser active medium. The crystalline phase of the glass consists of uniformly dispersed nanometer size single crystals which belong to one of the following semiconductor compounds: ZnS.sub.x Se.sub.1-x, CdS.sub.x Se.sub.1-x, ZnS.sub.x Te.sub.1-x, ZnSe.sub.x Te.sub.1-x, CuCl.sub.x Br.sub.1-x, InP, Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As, GaInAsP, AlGaAsSb, InAsSbP, and AlGaInP, where x=0 to 1.Some of the semiconductor nanocrystallite embedded glass has a tunable range which overlaps that of the visible dye lasers, therefore it can be used as a replacement for the existing liquid dyes as the active media utilized in the tunable dye laser systems.

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.