Abstract: This invention is a demultuplexer consisting on a sequential division of the data stream in a series of Sagnac interferometer amplitude modulators (SIAMs), wherein each modulator in the series is driven by a single microwave frequency derived directly from a radio frequency (RF) data rate clock, with the RF phase properly adjusted to extract a channel of interest.

Abstract: An optical intensity modulator which uses a Sagnac interferometer having an electro-optic phase modulator therein. An electric modulation signal is delivered to the modulator, and the latter is selected so that the phase velocity of optical and electrical signals are comparable in it. This causes the optical signal from one interferometer arm to copropagate through the modulator with the electrical signal, increasing interaction time with it, and causes the optical signal from the other arm to counterpropagate with the electric signal, reducing interaction time. In addition to phase modulating the optical signals by the electrical signal, the electro-optic effect in the modulator phase shifts the optical signals with respect to one another, permitting them to form a non-zero interference pattern, whose intensity corresponds to the electrical signal.

Abstract: A blue laser source outputting a beam having a wavelength of approximately 460 nm. A first laser cavity is formed around a Nd:YAG gain medium generating a first light beam having a wavelength of approximately 1064 nm. A second laser cavity, at least partially coextensive with the first laser cavity is formed around a Tm:ZBLAN gain medium generating a second light beam having a wavelength of approximately 810 nm. A non-linear KTP crystal is provided intracavity to both the first and second laser cavities to mix the first light beam and the second light beam and output a third light beam having a wavelength of approximately 460 nm. One of the mirrors forming the first or second laser cavity is coated to output a laser beam having a wavelength of approximately 460 nm.

Abstract: A pulsed laser includes a polarization section having a port, the polarization section being for receiving light at the port in a selected state of polarization and for outputting light at the port having a state of polarization orthogonal to the selected state of polarization. The laser also includes an amplifying section having a port, a bidirectional amplifier, and a rotator-reflector, the amplifying section being for receiving light at the amplifying section port and for outputting light at the amplifying section port amplified with respect thereto, the bidirectional amplifier being operatively coupled to the amplifying section port at a first end and operatively coupled to the rotator-reflector at a second end.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluorozirconate laser host doped with a suffict amount of Tm.sup.3+ ions to permit significant emission at a wavelength between about 790 nm and about 830 nm when pumped at a wavelength or wavelengths to excite Tm.sup.3+ ions from the .sup.3 H.sub.6 ground state to the .sup.3 F.sub.4 excited state, and then from the .sup.3 F.sub.4 excited state to the .sup.3 H.sub.4 excited state.

Abstract: A ring laser gyro that minimizes and avoids the effects of lock-in and backscatter. A ring laser is pumped in a lasing cavity with a mode-locked laser. Dual counterrotating pumped pulses are precisely positioned to avoid overlay in optical elements that contribute to lock-in and backscatter. The position of the stimulated counter rotating laser beams is controlled by two methods. In the first method the pumped pulses are synchronized with a wave propagation delay line. In the second method the pumped pulses are chopped by an acousto-optic modulator shutter to precisely time the location of the pumped pulses. Both methods are can be combined to achieve a hybrid synchronized and acousto-optic modulated approach.

Abstract: An optical pulse generator for producing mode-locked optical pulses comprises: a beam splitter; first and second optical loops coupled together by the beam splitter so as to define a figure eight optical path in which a light beam propagating toward the beam splitter in one of the first and second optical loops is split by the beam splitter to form two light beams propagating in opposite directions around the other one of the first and second optical loops; a direction dependent loss element disposed in the first optical loop for reducing the intensity of light propagating in a predetermined direction around the first optical loop; a nonlinear element disposed in the second optical loop and having an intensity dependent nonlinear optical transmission characteristic; an optical gain medium disposed in a selected one of the first and second optical loops; coupling apparatus for coupling pump light into the selected one of said first and second optical loops having the gain medium, and for coupling mode-locked o