Abstract: All-optical wavelength converters based upon difference frequency generation (DFG) in optical chips with periodically poled materials are presented. Tunable continuous wave (CW) laser sources and various arrangements are made with the optical input signals in different ITU channels. In some arrangements the laser source(s) acts as the pump for the conversion of the input signals to different wavelengths. In other arrangement, the amplified input signals acts as a pump with the laser source in the role of the input signal. The net effect is that input signals are converted to different wavelengths. One-to-any, any-to-one, and any-to-any wavelength converters are described. Simultanenous conversation can also be preformed so that bands of signals may also be converted.

Abstract: A polarization-insensitive integrated wavelength converter system includes polarization-separating, polarization-rotating and wavelength-converter structures integrated into a monolithic optical structure. In one embodiment, a lithium niobate waveguide structure includes an integrated polarization separator which comprises two coupled Zinc-diffused and annealed-proton-exchanged waveguides, an electro-optic quarter-wave retarder, a mirror structure and a quasi-phasematching structure. In another embodiment, an electro-optic half-wave retarder and bent waveguide are used in place of the electro-optic quarter-wave retarder and mirror structure. In a further embodiment, an optical circulator is used in conjunction with the waveguide structure in order to discriminate between input and output optical signals.

Abstract: A photonic device includes a silicon semiconductor based superlattice. The superlattice has a plurality of layers that form a plurality of repeating units. At least one of the layers in the repeating unit is an optically active layer with at least one species of rare earth ion.

Abstract: A photonic device includes a silicon semiconductor based superlattice. The superlattice has a plurality of layers that form a plurality of repeating units. At least one of the layers in the repeating unit is an optically active layer with at least one species of rare earth ion.

Abstract: A fluidized mixture is issued from a nozzle comprising a fan jet at the outlet, causing the mixture to spread as it is issued. The issued material is collected on a moving collection surface located a distance of between 0.25 and 13 cm from the outlet of the nozzle, prior to the onset of large scale turbulence in the fluid jet. The resulting product has good basis weight uniformity.

Abstract: A process is provided for issuing material from a nozzle in a rotor rotating at a given rotational speed wherein the material is issued by way of a fluid jet. The material can be collected on a collector concentric to the rotor. The collector can be a flexible belt moving in the axial direction of the rotor. The collected material can take the form of discrete particles, fibers, plexifilamentary web, discrete fibrils or a membrane.

Abstract: A photonic device includes a silicon semiconductor based superlattice. The superlattice has a plurality of layers that form a plurality of repeating units. At least one of the layers in the repeating unit is an optically active layer with at least one species of rare earth ion.

Abstract: A photonic device includes a silicon semiconductor based superlattice. The superlattice has a plurality of layers that form a plurality of repeating units. At least one of the layers in the repeating unit is an optically active layer with at least one species of rare earth ion.

Abstract: A photonic device includes a silicon semiconductor based superlattice. The superlattice has a plurality of layers that form a plurality of repeating units. At least one of the layers in the repeating unit is an optically active layer with at least one species of rare earth ion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to film-fibril plexifilamentary sheet products which demonstrate improved balance of toughness and softness combined with improved balance of air permeability and liquid barrier resistance, which are prepared by point bonding a nonwoven sheet on both sides by passing said sheet between embossing rolls at a combination of bonding temperature, pressure and residence time such that the majority of bond points are not bonded to the point of translucency. The present invention relates to the use of these products in rooflining materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to film-fibril plexifilamentary sheet products which demonstrate improved balance of toughness and softness combined with improved balance of air permeability and liquid barrier resistance, which are prepared by point bonding a nonwoven sheet on both sides by passing said sheet between embossing rolls at a combination of bonding temperature, pressure and residence time such that the majority of bond points are not bonded to the point of translucency.

Abstract: A polarization-insensitive integrated wavelength converter system includes polarization-separating, polarization-rotating and wavelength-converter structures integrated into a monolithic optical structure. In one embodiment, a lithium niobate waveguide structure includes an integrated polarization separator which comprises two coupled Zinc-diffused and annealed-proton-exchanged waveguides, an electro-optic quarter-wave retarder, a mirror structure and a quasi-phasematching structure. In another embodiment, an electro-optic half-wave retarder and bent waveguide are used in place of the electro-optic quarter-wave retarder and mirror structure. In a further embodiment, an optical circulator is used in conjunction with the waveguide structure in order to discriminate between input and output optical signals.

Abstract: A photonic device includes a silicon semiconductor based superlattice. The superlattice has a plurality of layers that form a plurality of repeating units. At least one of the layers in the repeating unit is an optically active layer with at least one species of rare earth ion.

Abstract: An optical device has a mount including a mount surface with a longitudinal axis. A diode source has a first diode emitter producing a first beam, a second diode emitter producing a second beam and a third diode emitter producing a third beam. The diode source is mounted above the mount surface at an angle &thgr; relative to the longitudinal axis of the mount. A prism array has a first prism face, a second prism face and a third prism face. The prism array has an angled surface cut at the angle &thgr; relative to a longitudinal axis of the prism array. The first, second and third beams are incident on the first, second and third prism faces respectively. Optical path lengths between the first, second and third diode emitters relative to the first, second and third prism faces are equal.

Abstract: A laser diode package couples laser diode outputs into a plurality of fibers, and these are bundled and brought to an output face that produces a divergent composite beam from the fiber ends. The beam end pumps a solid-state laser across a gap, and the divergence allows a wide tolerance in alignment of the pump and crystal. Preferably, one cavity mirror is a focusing mirror that reconcentrates residual pump light in the desired mode. In a preferred embodiment, the output face of the package is at a short stub or ferrule that provides a simple and effective pump beam centering alignment. The solid-state laser may be a rod or crystal and is preferably sufficiently short, in relation to pump beam diameter and divergence in the rod, that the pump beam within the rod lies in the TEMoo mode volume of the laser cavity. A concave mirror then refocuses residual pump light back into that mode. The rod preferably has a high index at the pump wavelength, but need not have high absorption.

Abstract: A laser with a quasi-top-hat pump beam has a modified intensity profile that produces a parabolic temperature gradient. The laser includes a high reflector and an output coupler defining a laser cavity. A gain medium positioned in the laser cavity. A first diode pump source produces a first pump source beam. An intensity profile of the first diode pump source beam is tailored to produce the parabolic temperature gradient across the gain medium.

Abstract: A solid state laser amplifier includes a diode pump source and a crystal capable of lasing light at a fundamental wavelength. The source is directed into the crystal, and a seed beam is also coupled along an input path into the crystal to initiate lasing, which amplifies the seed beam. The amplifier is intended for intermittent use, or use over a wide range of input power levels, so that variations of the energy input and output give rises to extreme thermal challenges. To manage heat stress in the amplifier crystal, both the pump beam and the seed beam are directed into the crystal through a cap of undoped material which is non-absorbent at the seed or pump wavelength, and is diffusion bonded to the crystal, thus serving as a thermal reservoir and allowing the laser to operate over a broad power band, with high gain over an extended range of saturation values, and to maintain stable operation during intermittent or changing operation of the seed laser.

Abstract: A solid state laser amplifier includes a diode pump source and a crystal capable of lasing light at a fundamental wavelength. The source is directed into the crystal, and a seed beam is also coupled along an input path into the crystal to initiate lasing, which amplifies the seed beam. The amplifier is intended for intermittent use, or use over a wide range of input power levels, so that variations of the energy input and output give rises to extreme thermal challenges. To manage heat stress in the amplifier crystal, both the pump beam and the seed beam are directed into the crystal through a cap of undoped material which is non-absorbent at the seed or pump wavelength, and is diffusion bonded to the crystal, thus serving as a thermal reservoir and allowing the laser to operate over a broad power band, with high gain over an extended range of saturation values, and to maintain stable operation during intermittent or changing operation of the seed laser.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved sheets of flash-spun plexifilamentary film-fibrils useful in fluid microfiltration and sterile packaging. The sheet material suitable for use in microfiltration of liquids has a permeability that causes a pressure drop of less than 21 kPa at a water flow rate per unit area of 12.55 ml/min/cm.sup.2, and that has a filtration efficiency of 99% of dust particulates in the size range of 1 to 2 microns suspended in a stream of distilled water pumped through the sheet material at a pressure differential of 207 kPa. The sheet material suitable for use in sterile packaging that has a Gurley Hill Porosity of less than 15 seconds and a bacteria spore log reduction value of at least 2.5.

Abstract: A laser diode package (1) couples laser diode outputs into a plurality of fibers (21), and these are bundled and brought to an output face (2') that produces a divergent composite beam from the fiber ends (21'). The beam end pumps a solid state laser (100) across a gap (6), and the divergence allows a wide tolerance in alignment of the pump and crystal (3). Preferably, one cavity mirror (7) is a focusing mirror that reconcentrates residual pump light in the desired mode. In a preferred embodiment, the output face of the package is at a short stub (2) or ferrule that provides a simple and effective pump beam centering alignment. The solid state laser (100) may be a rod or crystal (3) and is preferably sufficiently short, in relation to pump beam diameter and divergence in the rod, that the pump beam within the rod lies in the TEM.sub.OO mode volume of the laser cavity. A concave mirror then refocuses residual pump light back into that mode.