Abstract: A micro-contact printing apparatus includes a roller (100, 200, 300) with a gas filled volume (220, 320) that deforms to provide a more uniform and better-controlled surface pressure for a deformable stamp roller surface (240, 340). In one approach, a gas-filled volume (220) is provided in a deformable gas-tight material (225) within a cylindrical support (210). Mechanical supports (230, 234, 241, 246, 251) such as pins couple the stamp roller surface (240) to the deformable gas-tight material (225). Or, the gas filled volume (320) may be provided between a gas-tight cylindrical support (310) and a stamp roller surface (340). Mechanical supports (330, 332) such as folded blades, couple the stamp roller surface (340) to the cylindrical support (310) while preventing lateral movement of the stamp roller surface relative to the cylindrical support. Active control (130) of the pressure in the gas filled volume may also be provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation source unit for supplying shortwave optical radiation, and to a method of assembling such a unit. The radiation source unit comprises a diode laser and a waveguide of a non-linear optical material for converting the diode laser radiation into radiation having a smaller wavelength. The diode laser is provided in a bush having a first end and a second, open end. The second end is adapted to accommodate a first holder in which a lens system is arranged for imaging the exit plane of the diode laser on the entrance plane of the waveguide. At a side of the first holder remote from the diode laser a second holder is secured in which the waveguide is arranged. Said holders are aligned and fixed with respect to each other in such a way that the chief ray of the diode laser beam, the optical axis of the lens system and the axis of the waveguide are in alignment, and that the diode laser beam is focused on the entrance aperture of the waveguide.

Abstract: Device (1) for raising the frequency of electromagnetic radiation. The device (1) comprises a diode laser (3) for generating the radiation, and a non-linear optical medium (11) in which a first optical waveguide (9) is arranged for guiding a fundamental wave of the diode laser radiation while forming a higher harmonic wave. Moreover, the device (1) comprises a wavelength stabilizer (5) for stabilizing the wavelength of the fundamental wave. The wavelength stabilizer (5) is constituted by a second optical waveguide (13) with a refractive index grating extending in its longitudinal direction and whose selection wavelength is electrically controllable by means of an electrode structure (15; 29).

Abstract: A doubler for a pulsed multimode laser diode. A controllable feedback loop controls the laser output such that one of the output wavelengths, or the average of two of them, fall within the acceptance bandwidth of a non-linear optical medium. Alternatively, radiation emitted from the pulsed laser is reflected over a path length such that reflected energy reenters the laser during the build-up of a following pulse.

Abstract: An optical device (7) for use in optical write, read, inspection or measuring apparatuses comprising a diode laser (8) for generating a radiation beam (11) and an optical system (9) for concentrating and guiding the radiation beam. The diode laser is a pulsed laser and a feedback element is arranged in the radiation path at a specific distance (d) from the diode laser. By giving the element a suitable reflection coefficient, a stabilized radiation beam is obtained. The beam direction can be varied by rendering the wavelength adjustable and by making use of a dispersive element.

Abstract: A device for doubling the frequency of a light wave and having a satisfactory waveguide action is obtained in a simple manner by providing, in a nonlinear optical material 11, periodic domains 12 having a reduced second-order susceptibility and an increased refractive index relative to the nonlinear optical material by means of proton exchange or proton implantation. By means of a heat treatment, the refractive index of the material in the periodic domains is reduced to a value which is less than 0.10 higher than that of the nonlinear optical material, thus obtaining a low degree of light scattering.