Abstract: A lens arrangement is presented. The lens arrangement comprises a first element having a concave reflective surface and defining an optical axis of the lens arrangement, and a second substantially flat and at least partially reflective element spaced-apart from the first element along the optical axis. The second element is configured to allow light passage therethrough and is oriented with respect to the optical axis and the first element such that at a predetermined angle of incidence of an input light beam onto the second element, the input light beam is reflected onto the reflective surface of the first element and reflected therefrom to pass through the second element.

Abstract: A lens arrangement is presented. The lens arrangement comprises a first element having a concave reflective surface and defining an optical axis of the lens arrangement, and a second substantially flat and at least partially reflective element spaced-apart from the first element along the optical axis. The second element is configured to allow light passage therethrough and is oriented with respect to the optical axis and the first element such that at a predetermined angle of incidence of an input light beam onto the second element, the input light beam is reflected onto the reflective surface of the first element and reflected therefrom to pass through the second element.

Abstract: A broadband polarizer device of a Glan-Thompson type is described, as well as a method of manufacturing such device. Such parameters as a material of the polarizer prisms, the prisms' configuration and a glue material, are selected so as to ensure total internal reflection for the broadband input light, including DUV spectral range (from about 190 nm). The glue material is selected so as to be characterized by a dispersion profile matching that of the polarizer prisms' material for extraordinary and ordinary rays in the broadband spectral range. Different methods of manufacturing such broadband polarizer are described is disclosed.

Abstract: A lens arrangement is presented. The lens arrangement comprises a first element having a concave reflective surface and defining an optical axis of the lens arrangement, and a second substantially flat and at least partially reflective element spaced-apart from the first element along the optical axis. The second element is configured to allow light passage therethrough and is oriented with respect to the optical axis and the first element such that at a predetermined angle of incidence of an input light beam onto the second element, the input light beam is reflected onto the reflective surface of the first element and reflected therefrom to pass through the second element.

Abstract: A lens arrangement is presented. The lens arrangement comprises a first element having a concave reflective surface and defining an optical axis of the lens arrangement, and a second substantially flat and at least partially reflective element spaced-apart from the first element along the optical axis. The second element is configured to allow light passage therethrough and is oriented with respect to the optical axis and the first element such that at a predetermined angle of incidence of an input light beam onto the second element, the input light beam is reflected onto the reflective surface of the first element and reflected therefrom to pass through the second element.

Abstract: A lens arrangement is presented. The lens arrangement comprises a first element having a concave reflective surface and defining an optical axis of the lens arrangement, and a second substantially flat and at least partially reflective element spaced-apart from the first element along the optical axis. The second element is configured to allow light passage therethrough and is oriented with respect to the optical axis and the first element such that at a predetermined angle of incidence of an input light beam onto the second element, the input light beam is reflected onto the reflective surface of the first element and reflected therefrom to pass through the second element.

Abstract: The invention provides a diode pumping module for a laser system, including a laser rod and a diode light source for excitation of the laser rod, the diode source being constituted by at least one diode array, a dual-function optical coupler/heat conductor located on one side of the laser rod between the at least one diode array and the laser rod, and attached to the rod, which coupler/heat conductor guides the light from the diode source into the rod while adjusting the angular spread of the light and also serves as heat conductor, conducting heat away from the rod. The system further includes a dual-function heat conductor/light reflector located on the opposite side of the laser rod, and attached to the rod, which conductor/reflector conducts the heat away from the laser rod and reflects unabsorbed diode light back into the rod.

Abstract: A diffusely reflective fluorescent powder used in a laser pumping cavity directs light onto a laser rod and in addition increases the spectral overlap between a pump source and a laser material. Undesirable ultra-violet radiation, which is a substantial fraction of the pump spectrum is converted into useful longer wavelength radiation thereby increasing the laser energy output. The invention further relates to a method of increasing the energy output of lasers and of laser amplifiers.