Abstract: An optical element includes a traditional element having a single refractive index to transmit light from a scene from one direction; a gradient-index element attached to the traditional element and having an off-axis focus point and a refractive index that changes in a direction from a center of the gradient-index element to adjust an angle of incident light that is incident from a second direction reflected across an irradiance profile of the incident light to collimate the reflected light and reduce an optical aberration of the traditional element; and a dichroic coating between the traditional element and the gradient-index element to reflect the incident light and transmit the light from the scene, wherein the traditional element reduces an optical power of the gradient-index element.

Abstract: An optical component includes a substrate, the substrate including a first surface having a surface flatness oOJ4 (peak-valley) wherein the optical component transmits no more than 0.001% of light at 532 nm at an angle of incidence between 45-90°. The substrate is one-piece including no joints, no seams, or any formerly separate pieces, and made of black quartz. The optical component can include a radiation absorbing layer on the substrate, wherein the radiation absorbing layer includes one of tungsten, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, black chrome, black oxide, and black paint.

Abstract: Provided is an optical apparatus comprising a hygroscopic optical crystal and a coating on at least a portion of the surface of the hygroscopic optical crystal, wherein the coating is non-porous and configured to prevent migration of water and/or oxygen and/or moisture therethrough.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first optical component including a reflective surface opposing a second optical component; and the second optical component including a non-flat reflective surface opposing the first optical component, wherein a portion of the first optical component allows an optical pulse to pass through the first optical component and reflect off the non-flat reflective surface, an arrangement of the first optical component and the second optical component defines a self-focusing cavity that refocuses the optical pulse and controls divergence of the optical pulse, and at least one of the reflective surface and the non-flat reflective surface is coated with a group delay dispersion (GDD) coating.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to optical systems, and more particularly, optical systems for temporal compression or stretching of optical pulses.

Abstract: A mirror includes an optical portion including an optical surface opposite to a rear surface of the optical portion; and a mounting stem protruding from the rear surface of the optical portion and configured to mount to an optical mount.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to optical systems, and more particularly, optical systems for temporal compression or stretching of optical pulses.

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 a method for automatic multi-layer welding of a joint formed by two joint surfaces according to which method the contour of the joint in a number of cross-sections is established by means of a sensor emitting signals representative of the contour of the current cross-section of the joint. After evaluation, said signals control the deposition of the weld beads by means of a continuously fed electrode which is directed towards a welding zone in the joint.