Abstract: A power system for a satellite includes a high power amplifier that has a control input. The high power amplifier has a minimum effective isotropic radiated power. A controller is coupled to the control input. The controller generates a control signal to adjust a saturated power output of the high power amplifier to the minimum effective isotropic radiated power.

Abstract: A power system for a satellite includes a high power amplifier that has a control input. The high power amplifier has a minimum effective isotropic radiated power. A controller is coupled to the control input. The controller generates a control signal to adjust a saturated power output of the high power amplifier to the minimum effective isotropic radiated power.

Abstract: An improved electro-optic modulator having reduced amplitude of acoustic resonances is provided. Acoustic energy is efficiently removed from the electro-optic crystal and channeled into electrode and side dielectric bars where it is dissipated by materials acoustically matched to the electro-optic crystal, that is, materials that have acoustic impedances within .+-.15% of that of the electro-optic material.

Abstract: A system is provided that corrects the undesirable fast power modulation observed at an output of a wideband frequency modulated (FM) laser. The correction is accomplished by applying a corrective voltage to an amplitude modulated (AM) modulator. The response of the laser is first measured to characterize the laser. Iterative predictions of appropriate voltage correction waveform, based upon the observed power modulation and the laser's response are then applied to the AM modulator to reduce the unwanted laser power modulation.

Abstract: An amplitude stabilization circuit for a CO.sub.2 laser employing a filter for generating a Q-switched baseband video pulse representing intracavity laser flux, a comparator to detect when the video pulse and flux reach a selected level, and logic timing circuitry for timing generation of a Q-switch discharge pulse to occur at the peak of the intracavity flux. A second comparator is advantageously used to generate a sample signal for frequency locking from the baseband video pulse.

Abstract: A high power phase coupled waveguide laser comprising a plurality of symmetrically disposed lasing members disposed around the outer periphery of an annular enclosure. The laser includes an annular body of dielectric material having a multiplicity of laser cavities formed therein in a symmetrical annular array. The body includes a central bore having conduits extending therethrough for providing a flow of cooling fluid. The heat path between the cavities and the cooling fluid is symmetrical for all cavities. This provides equal conditions for all laser cavities in the array and ensures phase coupling of all cavities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which corrects the amplutide variation in the output in an electro-optic modulated laser system (10). Birefringence within the electro-optic crystal (25) causes elliptical polarization of the linearly polarized laser light (22) produced by the laser gain medium (16), in turn causing a loss in the laser output (27). The loss owing to the elliptical polarization is corrected by either applying a D.C. bias from voltage source (30) directly to the electro-optic crystal (25) or by inserting a quarter-wave plate (32) within the laser's resonant cavity.

Abstract: The laser (10) has a crystal modulator (22) located at one end (16) of the laser gain medium (12) opposite the end (14) to which the total reflector or grating (18) is attached. The outcoupler (28) is spaced a predetermined nonzero distance apart from the edge (30) of the crystal (22). The spacing (d) is selected to overcome and compensate for distortions caused by thermal lensing effects in the crystal (22).