Abstract: A technique for operating a diode pumped solid state laser in a continuous-wave (cw) mode using diodes blocks (12) that are individually operated in a pulsed mode. For some high power laser applications, it is desirable to provide for operation in pulsed and cw modes, but pump diodes are typically designed for efficient operation in only one of these modes. The invention includes a controller (20) that pulses the individual diode blocks (12) on and off, but not necessarily in unison. For a pulsed mode of operation, the diodes (12) in an array are pulsed either at the same time, or sub-arrays are pulsed in a temporally interleaved manner for a higher effective pulse repetition rate. For the cw mode of operation, the diodes (12) are pulsed sequentially in sub-arrays (A-E), such that at least one sub-array is always energized and the complete array appears to be providing continuous pumping energy. In one embodiment, the sub-arrays (A-E) are columns of the array.

Abstract: Apparatus, and a corresponding method for its use, for producing a phased array of high-energy laser beams from multiple laser amplifiers. A reference beam produced by a master oscillator senses phase and piston errors in a primary mirror array, and is divided into multiple probe beams, each of which makes multiple passes of its own laser amplifier. The multiple probe beams are together focused into a single phase conjugation cell, which not only produces phase-conjugated reflected beams, to effect compensation for various phase aberrations, but also locks all of the reflected beams together in phase. An arrangement of a birefringent wedge and a quaterwave plate for each of the beams prevents the reflected beams from returning to the master oscillator and facilitates combining of the reflected beams for output as a cophasal array.

Abstract: The specification describes a process and apparatus for pumping and removal of unwanted gases by effecting a chemical reaction between the gases and a highly reactive substance which is in the form of aerosol particles, to form a non-volatile, solid reaction product. In one embodiment of the invention, the reactive substance is initially provided in the form of a solid; the solid is heated to liquify it; and the liquid is forced through spray nozzles under high pressure to form the desired aerosol particles, which then react with the gas to be pumped.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping and removal of unwanted gases by effecting a chemical reaction between the gases and a highly reactive substance which is in the form of aerosol particles, to form a nonvolatile, solid reaction product. In one embodiment of the invention, the reactive substance is initially provided in the form of a solid; the solid is heated to liquify it; and the liquid is forced through spray nozzles under high pressure to form the desired aerosol particles, which then react with the gas to be pumped.