Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions that can be used for optical fibers and other systems that transmit light in the near-, mid- and/or far-ranges of the infrared spectrum, such as for example in the wavelength range of 1.5 ?m to 14 ?m. The optical fibers may comprise a light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition and a cladding composition. In some embodiments, the light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition has a refractive index n(core) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(core), and the cladding composition has a refractive index n(cladding) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(cladding), wherein n(cladding) is less than n(core) and in some embodiments wherein CTE(cladding) is less than CTE(core). In some embodiments, the chalcogenide glass core composition comprises a) sulfur and/or selenium, b) germanium, and c) gallium, indium, tin and/or one or more metal halides.

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: An optical element includes a first surface and an opposed second surface. A refractive index of the optical element varies from a center of the optical element to a perimeter of the optical element such that the optical element is configured to convert a Gaussian input beam introduced to the first surface into an output beam from the second surface with a substantially flat irradiance profile along at least one axis. The optical element can have a refractive index that varies along an axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical element and has a profile that is concave up at a center of the optical element.

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

Abstract: A finishing and coating apparatus is configured for power polishing optical components. The apparatus includes a housing, a substrate holder, a vacuum pump system, a laser, and a coating source. The housing defines a chamber and the substrate holder is disposed within the chamber and configured to hold one or more optical components. The vacuum pump system is configured to create a vacuum within the chamber. The laser includes a laser engine and a laser beam delivery apparatus configured to direct a beam from the laser engine toward the one or more optical components. The laser is configured to finish the one or more optical components prior to coating the one or more optical components.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions that can be used for optical fibers and other systems that transmit light in the near-, mid- and/or far-ranges of the infrared spectrum, such as for example in the wavelength range of 1.5 ?m to 14 ?m. The optical fibers may comprise a light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition and a cladding composition. In some embodiments, the light-transmitting chalcogenide core composition has a refractive index n(core) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(core), and the cladding composition has a refractive index n(cladding) and a coefficient of thermal expansion CTE(cladding), wherein n(cladding) is less than n(core) and in some embodiments wherein CTE(cladding) is less than CTE(core). In some embodiments, the chalcogenide glass core composition comprises a) sulfur and/or selenium, b) germanium, and c) gallium, indium, tin and/or one or more metal halides.

Abstract: A glass composition and a method for producing the glass composition having an improved infrared transmission are provided. The composition includes indium and or cadmium; germanium; phosphorus, arsenic, and/or antimony; silver; lead; and sulfur, selenium, and/or tellurium. The method is performed by melting a mixture for a time period of between about 5 to about 48 hours and mixing the mixture at a temperature range that is between about 600-1000° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamically engaged plant stimulation lighting system and methods for growing plants. Specific wavelengths may be provided in the system along with specific color temperature and even specific color rendering index values for optimal plant growth.

Abstract: A glass composition and a method for producing the glass composition having an improved infrared transmission are provided. The composition includes indium and or cadmium; germanium; phosphorus, arsenic, and/or antimony; silver; lead; and sulfur, selenium, and/or tellurium. The method is performed by melting a mixture for a time period of between about 5 to about 48 hours and mixing the mixture at a temperature range that is between about 600-1000° C.

Abstract: A glass composition and a method for producing the glass composition having an improved infrared transmission are provided. The composition includes indium and or cadmium; germanium; phosphorus, arsenic, and/or antimony; silver; lead; and sulfur, selenium, and/or tellurium. The method is performed by melting a mixture for a time period of between about 5 to about 48 hours and mixing the mixture at a temperature range that is between about 600-1000° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Nd-doped, aluminate-based or silicate-based, laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is longer than 1059.7 nm, an emission cross section (?em) of ?1.5×10?20 cm2, and/or an emission bandwidth (??eff) of ?28 nm, while maintaining properties that render the glass suitable for commercial use, such as low glass transition temperature Tg and low nonlinear index, n2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Nd-doped (and/or Yb-doped and/or Er-doped) phosphate laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is shorter than 1054 nm. Cerium oxide (CeO2) is incorporated into a phosphate glass host system, preferably in replacement of lanthanum oxide, to shift the peak emission wavelength to a wavelength shorter than 1054 nm. The invention further relates to a laser system using mixed-glass arrangement and phase compensation, wherein one of the glasses of the mixed glass system is an Nd-doped (and/or Yb-doped and/or Er-doped) phosphate laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is shorter than 1054 nm, and a method of generating a laser beam pulse using such a laser system.

Abstract: The invention relates to glasses for use in solid laser applications, particularly short-pulsed, high peak power laser applications. In particular, the invention relates to a method for broadening the emission bandwidth of rare earth ions used as lasing ions in solid laser glass mediums, especially phosphate-based glass compositions, using Nd and Yb as co-dopants. The invention further relates to a laser system using a Nd-doped and Yb-doped phosphate laser glass, and a method of generating a laser beam pulse using such a laser system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Nd-doped, aluminate-based or silicate-based, laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is longer than 1059.7 nm, an emission cross section (?em) of ?1.5×10?20 cm2, and/or an emission bandwidth (??eff) of ?28 nm, while maintaining properties that render the glass suitable for commercial use, such as low glass transition temperature Tg and low nonlinear index, n2.

Abstract: The invention relates to process for manufacturing infrared optical lenses that will transmit in multiple infrared bands, for example, lenses with multiple optical elements such as doublet and triplet lenses (i.e., achromatic, apochromatic, and superachromatic optical elements). The lens materials are selected on the basis of dispersion ratios and/or minimum dispersions and minimum dispersion wavelengths as defined herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Nd-doped, aluminate-based or silicate-based, laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is longer than 1059.7 nm, an emission cross section (?em) of ?1.5×10?20 cm2, and/or an emission bandwidth (??eff) of ?28 nm, while maintaining properties that render the glass suitable for commercial use, such as low glass transition temperature Tg and low nonlinear index, n2.

Abstract: The invention relates to glasses for use in solid laser applications, particularly short-pulsed, high peak power laser applications. In particular, the invention relates to a method for broadening the emission bandwidth of rare earth ions used as lasing ions in solid laser glass mediums, especially phosphate-based glass compositions, using Nd and Yb as co-dopants. The invention further relates to a laser system using a Nd-doped and Yb-doped phosphate laser glass, and a method of generating a laser beam pulse using such a laser system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Nd-doped, aluminate-based or silicate-based, laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is longer than 1059.7 nm, an emission cross section (?em) of ?1.5×10?20 cm2, and/or an emission bandwidth (??eff) of ?28 nm, while maintaining properties that render the glass suitable for commercial use, such as low glass transition temperature Tg and low nonlinear index, n2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Nd-doped (and/or Yb-doped and/or Er-doped) phosphate laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is shorter than 1054 nm. Cerium oxide (CeO2) is incorporated into a phosphate glass host system, preferably in replacement of lanthanum oxide, to shift the peak emission wavelength to a wavelength shorter than 1054 nm. The invention further relates to a laser system using mixed-glass arrangement and phase compensation, wherein one of the glasses of the mixed glass system is an Nd-doped (and/or Yb-doped and/or Er-doped) phosphate laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is shorter than 1054 nm, and a method of generating a laser beam pulse using such a laser system.