Abstract: The system and method for mounting a high power laser having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is thermally matched for the gain medium and the mount. In some cases, the gain medium is clamped by the mount along longitudinal edges and has a pair of free ends not in thermal contact with the mount. A thermal interface may be present along at least a portion of the longitudinal edges.

Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method of a Laser Designator/Rangefinder (LDR) having two wavelengths of 1064 nm and 1572 nm. The 1064 nm wavelength laser is generated by a pump diode by exciting Nd:YAG medium (source). The 1572 nm wavelength laser is produced using an OPO-OPA converted which is located in a by-pass path. Because the 1572 nm wavelength uses near diffraction limited signal, it provides long range identification and tracking capability needed for advanced tactical platforms, while using the smallest transmit aperture, in a low Size, Weight and Power Consumption (SWaP) package.

Abstract: A hybrid resonator and amplifier combination for generating a high energy output signal. The combination comprises a beam splitter for splitting a pump laser beam into first and second portions. The second portion beam being conveyed to a resonator which operates in a single transverse mode to generating a signal wavelength beam. An output coupler of the resonator allows a first portion of the signal wavelength beam to pass therethrough while retaining a second portion of the signal wavelength beam within the resonator. A system dichroic mirror receives and directs both the first portion and the signal wavelength beam toward an amplifier. The amplifier receives both the first portion and the signal wavelength beam. The first portion, upon passing through the amplifier, creates gain which is used by the amplifier to amplify the signal wavelength beam generate the high energy output signal.

Abstract: A hybrid resonator and amplifier combination for generating a high energy output signal. The combination comprises a beam splitter for splitting a pump laser beam into first and second portions. The second portion beam being conveyed to a resonator which operates in a single transverse mode to generating a signal wavelength beam. An output coupler of the resonator allows a first portion of the signal wavelength beam to pass therethrough while retaining a second portion of the signal wavelength beam within the resonator. A system dichroic mirror receives and directs both the first portion and the signal wavelength beam toward an amplifier. The amplifier receives both the first portion and the signal wavelength beam. The first portion, upon passing through the amplifier, creates gain which is used by the amplifier to amplify the signal wavelength beam generate the high energy output signal.

Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method of a Laser Designator/Rangefinder (LDR) having two wavelengths of 1064 nm and 1572 nm. The 1064 nm wavelength laser is generated by a pump diode by exciting Nd:YAG medium (source). The 1572 nm wavelength laser is produced using an OPO-OPA converted which is located in a by-pass path. Because the 1572 nm wavelength uses near diffraction limited signal, it provides long range identification and tracking capability needed for advanced tactical platforms, while using the smallest transmit aperture, in a low Size, Weight and Power Consumption (SWaP) package.

Abstract: In the method for generating blue laser light with high optical and electrical efficiency, wherein the improvement comprises the step of using a phosphate glass photonic crystal fiber rod as a gain medium.

Abstract: In the method for generating blue laser light with high optical and electrical efficiency, wherein the improvement comprises the step of using a phosphate glass photonic crystal fiber rod as a gain medium.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for fabricating optical instrumentation. The techniques can be used, for instance, to populate an optical bench with several optics that can be simultaneously bonded and simultaneously verified to precise assembly, and without the use of adjustable mounts or active alignment. The techniques may be embodied, for instance, in a jig designed for operatively coupling to a given optical bench. The jig includes cut-outs that identify placement locations for the various optical components on the underlying optical bench. Thus, once the jig is secured to the optical bench, precise placement of the optical components is simplified. In some such embodiments, the jig further includes a clamping assembly for each cut-out, so that once an optical component is placed on the optical bench via that cutout, the clamping assembly can be engaged to hold that optical component in place while a deposited bonding agent is cured.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight, laser target designator uses a TIR bounce geometry to place an end-pumped gain element functionally in the center of the resonator path, thereby allowing the resonator path to be terminated by a pair of crossed Porro prisms, so that the designator produces a high quality beam that is insensitive to alignment and temperature, and is low in manufacturing cost. Some embodiments fold the Porro legs of the resonator path back toward the gain element for compactness. Embodiments use a single gain element as both an oscillator gain element with TIR and as an output amplifier gain element without TIR. Various embodiments use block optical elements in a planar layout on a standard support medium such as aluminum to facilitate automated manufacturing.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight, laser target designator uses a TIR bounce geometry to place an end-pumped gain element functionally in the center of the resonator path, thereby allowing the resonator path to be terminated by a pair of crossed Porro prisms, so that the designator produces a high quality beam that is insensitive to alignment and temperature, and is low in manufacturing cost. Some embodiments fold the Porro legs of the resonator path back toward the gain element for compactness. Embodiments use a single gain element as both an oscillator gain element with TIR and as an output amplifier gain element without TIR. Various embodiments use block optical elements in a planar layout on a standard support medium such as aluminum to facilitate automated manufacturing.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for fabricating optical instrumentation. The techniques can be used, for instance, to populate an optical bench with several optics that can be simultaneously bonded and simultaneously verified to precise assembly, and without the use of adjustable mounts or active alignment. The techniques may be embodied, for instance, in a jig designed for operatively coupling to a given optical bench. The jig includes cut-outs that identify placement locations for the various optical components on the underlying optical bench. Thus, once the jig is secured to the optical bench, precise placement of the optical components is simplified. In some such embodiments, the jig further includes a clamping assembly for each cut-out, so that once an optical component is placed on the optical bench via that cutout, the clamping assembly can be engaged to hold that optical component in place while a deposited bonding agent is cured.