Abstract: A method is provided for precise and repeatable location of one or more Bragg gratings in a large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, featuring the steps of: defining a reference location on a fixed placement datum arranged on a waveguide fixture device; defining one or more desired locations on a large diameter optical waveguide arranged on the waveguide fixture location in relation to the reference location; and writing one or more Bragg gratings in the large diameter optical waveguide at the one or more desired locations based on the reference location on the fixed placement datum. The step of defining the reference location may include marking the fixed placement datum with a scribe mark thereon; and securing the fixed placement datum in a groove in a waveguide fixture device.

Abstract: A method is provided for precise and repeatable location of one or more Bragg gratings in a large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, featuring the steps of: defining a reference location on a fixed placement datum arranged on a waveguide fixture device; defining one or more desired locations on a large diameter optical waveguide arranged on the waveguide fixture location in relation to the reference location; and writing one or more Bragg gratings in the large diameter optical waveguide at the one or more desired locations based on the reference location on the fixed placement datum. The step of defining the reference location may include marking the fixed placement datum with a scribe mark thereon; and securing the fixed placement datum in a groove in a waveguide fixture device.

Abstract: An optical limiter structure which includes a limiter material preferably dissolved in a host. The limiter material is selected from substituted and unsubstituted phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, porphyrins, salts of these materials and mixtures thereof, whereas the host is selected from any material which can dissolve the limiter material to at least the extent of 0.1% by weight.

Abstract: An ultraviolet laser system is disclosed for generating an ultraviolet frency in the spectral region between 223 nm and 243 nm by mixing the tunable output of a Ce.sup.3+ :LiCAF laser with the 1064 nm radiation from a Nd:YAG pump laser in a BBO nonlinear crystal.

Abstract: A mirrorless, distributed-feedback (DFB), ultraviolet, tunable, narrow-liidth, solid state laser for remote sensing and medical applications is disclosed. Optical pumping in the DFB laser is accomplished using a frequency quadrupled, 10 Hz., Q-switched, Nd:YAG laser operating at 266 nm. The pump beam is diffracted off a grating (2400 grooves per mm.) into two parts. The two beams are subsequently recombined at the side face of the Ce:doped crystal (8 mm.times.8 mm.times.30 mm) at an angle of about 2.theta.(about 81 degrees). The resulting spatially periodic excitation within the Ce-doped gain medium due to the interferring pump beams determines the operating wavelength of the DFB laser.

Abstract: An ultraviolet solid state laser includes: (a) a laser cavity defined by a et of opposing mirrors, (b) a laser medium disposed in this laser cavity, where this medium includes a LiSrAIF.sub.6 (LiSAF) host material doped with enough cerium ions to produce a longitudinal mode laser emission when this laser medium is pumped; and (c) a source of pumping radiation.

Abstract: A room-temperature solid state laser for producing an output laser emission t any wavelength within a preselected range of wavelengths is disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous wave modelocked laser is provided which generates output pul having a duration in the picosecond range at a repetition rate in the MHz to GHz ranges. The laser includes a laser cavity defined by spaced, opposed reflective member forming a reflective path therebetween; a host laser crystal disposed in the cavity; an acousto-optic modulator disposed between the host laser crystal and one reflective member for modulating the output of the host laser crystal; and a birefringent filter, disposed in the laser cavity between the host laser crystal and the one reflective member, for tuning the laser emission to any one of a plurality of wavelengths within a range between 1.86 .mu.m and 2.14 .mu.m. A pump source pumps the host laser crystal at a wavelength of substantially 785 nm. A collimating plano-convex lens is disposed so that the planar face thereof faces the laser crystal.

Abstract: A flashpumped, tunable, two-micron, solid state laser is disclosed in which laser spiking is suppressed. The solid state laser comprises: a laser cavity defined by a first reflective element and an output coupler reflective element to form a reflective path therebetween; a laser crystal disposed in the laser cavity, the laser crystal having a host material doped with preselected activator ions sufficient to produce a pulse of laser emission at a desired laser transition wavelength in a range between about 1.9 microns and about 2.1 microns when the crystal is optically excited to produce the laser emission; a pulsed flashlamp for optically exciting the laser crystal to produce a pulse of laser emission at the desired laser transition wavelength; a tuner disposed in the laser cavity between the laser crystal and one of the reflective elements for tuning the laser emission to the desired laser transition wavelength in the range of wavelengths between about 1.9 microns and about 2.

Abstract: A tunable solid state laser for producing a laser emission at any desired w or high laser gain transition in a predetermined range of wavelengths is disclosed. The tunable solid state laser comprises: a laser cavity defined by a first reflective element and an output coupler reflective element to form a reflective path therebetween; a laser crystal disposed in the laser cavity; means for optically exciting the laser crystal to produce a laser emission in the predetermined range of wavelengths; a tunable element disposed in the laser cavity between the laser crystal and one of the reflective elements for tuning the laser emission to any desired laser transition in the predetermined range of wavelengths; and a plurality of optical plates oriented at Brewster's angle in the reflective path in the laser cavity for suppressing oscillation of undesired wavelengths within the laser cavity, the optical plates being transparent to the laser emission over the predetermined range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A room temperature solid state laser for producing a laser emission at a wavelength of substantially 1.96 microns is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the laser includes: a laser cavity defined by a plurality of coated reflective elements to form a reflective path thereamong; a laser crystal disposed in the laser cavity and capable of lasing at substantially 1.96 mircons and 2.01 microns when excited; and means for exciting the laser crystal to lase at substantially 1.96 microns and at substantially 2.01 microns. The laser crystal is comprised of a host crystal material capable of accepting Cr.sup.3+ and Tm.sup.3+ ions. Through their respective reflectivities at each of the wavelengths at substantially 1.96 microns and 2.01 microns, the coated reflective elements collectively operate to produce substantial loss in radiation at the wavelength of substantially 2.

Abstract: A powerful and stable color center laser is provided by additively colored NaCl:OH.sup.- crystals. The OH.sup.- impurity is the key dopant for creating color center lasing in NaCl, providing an output tunable over the 1.41 to 1.81 .mu.m region. In addition, modelocked pulses of 5 psec duration are available in a synchronously pumped arrangement, tunable from 1.47 to 1.73 .mu.m.

Abstract: A powerful and stable color center laser is provided by additively colored NaCl:OH.sup.- crystals. The OH.sup.- impurity is the key dopant for creating color center lasing in NaCl, providing an output tunable over the 1.41 to 1.81 .mu.m region. In addition, modelocked pulses of 5 psec duration are available in a synchronously pumped arrangement, tunable from 1.47 to 1.73 .mu.m.