Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a compact laser system with nearly continuous wavelength scanning is presented. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned over a broad range. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned at high scan rates. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can have a variable coherence length. In particular, embodiments with wavelength scanning over 140 nm with continuously variable scan rates of up to about 1 nm/?s, and discrete increase in scan rates up to about 10 nm/?s, and variable coherence lengths of from 1 mm to about 30 mm can be achieved.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a compact laser system with nearly continuous wavelength scanning is presented. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned over a broad range. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned at high scan rates. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can have a variable coherence length. In particular, embodiments with wavelength scanning over 140 nm with continuously variable scan rates of up to about 1 nm/?s, and discrete increase in scan rates up to about 10 nm/?s, and variable coherence lengths of from 1 mm to about 30 mm can be achieved.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a compact laser system with nearly continuous wavelength scanning is presented. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned over a broad range. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned at high scan rates. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can have a variable coherence length. In particular, embodiments with wavelength scanning over 140 nm with continuously variable scan rates of up to about 1 nm/?s, and discrete increase in scan rates up to about 10 nm/?s, and variable coherence lengths of from 1 mm to about 30 mm can be achieved.

Abstract: Arrangement for generating well-defined beam distribution over a surface or in a volume by means of a diffraction optical element (17). The arrangement includes at least one laser source (14), an optical filter means, preferably a mode-selective filter (16), a diffraction optical component (17) as well as possible coupling and focusing elements (15, 18). Said components, means and elements are positioned and fixed in a common unit and that the filter (16) is so developed that the beam from the source (14) after passage through said mode-selective filter (16) occurs essentially in one mode.