Abstract: The system and method of producing a first path comprising a pulse stretcher for a mid-wave infrared (MWIR) signal, an optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) amplifier, and a MWIR compressor for producing a first beam in a MWIR portion of the spectrum and a second path comprising a pulse stretcher for a long wave infrared (LWIR) signal, an OPCPA amplifier, and a LWIR compressor for producing a second beam in a LWIR portion of the spectrum. Each beam, on its own, is configured to produce laser-matter interactions at long range (100s of meters), having nonlinear effects and favoring supercontinuum generation spanning multiple octaves, that is temporally and spatially overlapped with the fundamental laser beam.

Abstract: The system and method for enhancing and suppressing radio frequency (RF) emissions in a laser induced plasma system using a second laser. A first igniter laser is used at short pulse widths and a second heater laser is used at longer pulse widths. By varying the energy of the heater laser and/or the timing of the arrival of the heater laser with respect to the igniter laser suppression and/or enhancement of the radio frequency (RF) emission from the induced plasma system is possible.

Abstract: The system and method for enhancing and suppressing radio frequency (RF) emissions in a laser induced plasma system using a second laser. A first igniter laser is used at short pulse widths and a second heater laser is used at longer pulse widths. By varying the energy of the heater laser and/or the timing of the arrival of the heater laser with respect to the igniter laser suppression and/or enhancement of the radio frequency (RF) emission from the induced plasma system is possible.

Abstract: A solid state optical beam steering device and method of operation includes converting a frequency or wavelength of a signal in a non-linear converter associated with one channel just before launch. A second channel has a similar constructions and operation. A processor compares the phase difference between the two channels and uses the difference to horizontally steer a beam without moving mechanical parts. This establishes the solid-state nature of the present disclosure. The non-linear converter may be a quasi-phase matched non-linear converter with alternating crystal domains.

Abstract: A solid state optical beam steering device and method of operation includes converting a frequency or wavelength of a signal in a non-linear converter associated with one channel just before launch. A second channel has a similar constructions and operation. A processor compares the phase difference between the two channels and uses the difference to horizontally steer a beam without moving mechanical parts. This establishes the solid-state nature of the present disclosure. The non-linear converter may be a quasi-phase matched non-linear converter with alternating crystal domains.

Abstract: A compact, low cost FTIR spectrometer with no moving parts includes an interferometer having optical paths through silicon waveguides. The optical path lengths are varied by changing the temperature and/or carrier density of at least one of the waveguides. In embodiments, the interferometer is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Embodiments vary both optical path lengths in opposite directions. In embodiments, a germanium or InGaAs IR detector is grown on the same wafer as the waveguides. Embodiments include a laser pump, such as a COT CW diode laser, and wavelength mixer, such as an OPGaAs or OPGaP converter, for up and/or down converting measured IR wavelengths into a range compatible with the waveguide and detector materials. The wavelength mixer can be a waveguide. Embodiments include a sample compartment and an IR source such as a glowbar. In embodiments, the sample compartment can be exposed to ambient atmosphere for analysis of gases contained therein.

Abstract: In the method for generating blue laser light with high optical and electrical efficiency, wherein the improvement comprises the step of using a phosphate glass photonic crystal fiber rod as a gain medium.

Abstract: A compact, low cost FTIR spectrometer with no moving parts includes an interferometer having optical paths through silicon waveguides. The optical path lengths are varied by changing the temperature and/or carrier density of at least one of the waveguides. In embodiments, the interferometer is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Embodiments vary both optical path lengths in opposite directions. In embodiments, a germanium or InGaAs IR detector is grown on the same wafer as the waveguides. Embodiments include a laser pump, such as a COT CW diode laser, and wavelength mixer, such as an OPGaAs or OPGaP converter, for up and/or down converting measured IR wavelengths into a range compatible with the waveguide and detector materials. The wavelength mixer can be a waveguide. Embodiments include a sample compartment and an IR source such as a glowbar. In embodiments, the sample compartment can be exposed to ambient atmosphere for analysis of gases contained therein.

Abstract: In the method for generating blue laser light with high optical and electrical efficiency, wherein the improvement comprises the step of using a phosphate glass photonic crystal fiber rod as a gain medium.

Abstract: A broadband spectral power generator in a multimode optical fiber utilizes a standard multimode fiber that is coiled. A plate is placed on the coiled fiber and a force is applied to compresses the coiled fiber and thereby increase the interactions between the compressed windings and induce modal mixing and birefringence in the fiber. In addition, the compression causes additional non-linear processes to be excited and occur in the compressed fiber coil to generate more broadband light. This allows for better “mixing” of the spatial beam in the multimode fiber coil and allows for the various modes to overlap. The multimode fiber coil is made of silica, silicate, germinate, phosphate, fluoride, chalcogenide, or telluride. The compressed coiled fiber may be driven by a laser providing more than one wavelength output and this greatly increases the amount of nonlinear mixing in the fiber for a greatly enhanced spectral coverage.

Abstract: A system is provided for providing high power, wavelength tunable, laser radiation, the system comprising: a plurality of seeder sources, each the source of the plurality having a different seeder wavelength; a Ytterbium doped amplifier chain, receiving radiation from the plurality of seeder sources and at least one pump source; a second harmonic generator communicating with the Ytterbium doped amplifier chain, the second harmonic generator comprising converting radiation of the seeder wavelength into radiation of a second harmonic wavelength; and wherein the second harmonic generator comprises a crystal having a plurality of grating segments, wherein each grating segment converts radiation of a different wavelength.

Abstract: A laser system having a cooling apparatus is disclosed. The laser system includes a resonator, a gain medium and multiple heat-absorbing discs. The resonator is formed by a first mirror and a second mirror. The gain medium, which is contained within the resonator, is collectively formed by a group of gain medium segments. Each of the gain medium segments is preferably in the shape of a cylindrical disc. The heat-absorbing discs are interleavely disposed among the gain medium segments to provide face cooling for the gain medium segments during the operation of the laser system.

Abstract: A broadband spectral power generator in a multimode optical fiber utilizes a standard multimode fiber that is coiled. A plate is placed on the coiled fiber and a force is applied to compresses the coiled fiber and thereby increase the interactions between the compressed windings and induce modal mixing and birefringence in the fiber. In addition, the compression causes additional non-linear processes to be excited and occur in the compressed fiber coil to generate more broadband light. This allows for better “mixing” of the spatial beam in the multimode fiber coil and allows for the various modes to overlap. The multimode fiber coil is made of silica, silicate, germinate, phosphate, fluoride, chalcogenide, or telluride. The compressed coiled fiber may be driven by a laser providing more than one wavelength output and this greatly increases the amount of nonlinear mixing in the fiber for a greatly enhanced spectral coverage.

Abstract: Nuclear quadrupole resonance substance detection at a distance is provided by crossed or overlapping high frequency beams in which the frequency of one of the beams is offset with respect to the frequency of the other beam by an amount equal to the resonant frequency of the non-linear material to be detected. The presence of energy at the offset frequency within the overlapping beams pumps any non-linear material within the overlapping beams to cause stimulated emission which is detected, in one embodiment, utilizing a network analyzer, along with correlation of the detected stimulated emission signature with a library of signatures for predetermined substances.

Abstract: Nuclear quadrupole resonance substance detection at a distance is provided by crossed or overlapping high frequency beams in which the frequency of one of the beams is offset with respect to the frequency of the other beam by an amount equal to the resonant frequency of the non-linear material to be detected. The presence of energy at the offset frequency within the overlapping beams pumps any non-linear material within the overlapping beams to cause stimulated emission which is detected, in one embodiment, utilizing a network analyzer, along with correlation of the detected stimulated emission signature with a library of signatures for predetermined substances.

Abstract: An all fiber mid-IR pulse generator is disclosed that may be used to drive an external non-linear converter. The generator comprises fiber laser oscillator and fiber amplifier elements wherein diode lasers are used to cladding pump the different fiber elements depending on different configurations of the pulse generator. Gain switching of the fiber lasers precludes the need for discrete devices such as Q-switches to generate pulses. The fiber laser and fiber amplifier elements are all fused together, along with fiber isolators and reflective gratings, so there is no free space coupling, and there are no optical elements except as may be needed to couple the output of the generator to a non-linear converter. The all fiber implementation has a single transverse mode at the lowest order mode of operation which results in a nearly diffraction limited output which causes non-linear converters to operate more efficiently.

Abstract: A system for laser induced reduction of visual acuity suitable for crowd control and disabling of individuals uses an eye-safe pulsed IR source in which a laser beam is imaged onto the cornea of an individual to heat the cornea, thereby to cause defocusing and disorientation.

Abstract: Structures and techniques are disclosed that enable efficient generation of terahertz (THz) radiation capable of surpassing the fundamental quantum limit, as defined by the Manley-Rowe relations. In one particular embodiment, a difference frequency mixing (DFM) crystal stage receives pump radiation and signal radiation, and generates THz radiation. Leftover signal radiation from the DFM stage is then used to pump an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) stage, which is used to generate another mixing signal and more THz radiation. The output signal and the residual pump from the OPO stage can then be used in a subsequent DFM process to generate even more terahertz radiation, and further drives a subsequent OPO stage. Such cascaded OPO, DFM, OPO staging can be repeated to maximize total amount of THz output power.

Abstract: Structures and techniques are disclosed that enable efficient generation of terahertz (THz) radiation capable of surpassing the fundamental quantum limit, as defined by the Manley-Rowe relations. In one particular embodiment, a difference frequency mixing (DFM) crystal stage receives pump radiation and signal radiation, and generates THz radiation. Leftover signal radiation from the DFM stage is then used to pump an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) stage, which is used to generate another mixing signal and more THz radiation. The output signal and the residual pump from the OPO stage can then be used in a subsequent DFM process to generate even more terahertz radiation, and further drives a subsequent OPO stage. Such cascaded OPO, DFM, OPO staging can be repeated to maximize total amount of THz output power.

Abstract: A terahertz imaging system and method of use including a compact Yb-doped fiber laser-pumped ZGP crystal as a THz source and an uncooled microbolometer array as a detector. According to the present invention, semiconductor lasers are also drive current modulated to produce desired laser pulsewidth, repetition rate and wavelengths needed for DFG THz generation in various non-linear crystals. The fiber-coupled semiconductor lasers provide at least two wavelengths that will produce THz radiation by DFG in non-linear converter. These two wavelengths are combined and amplified in a single Yb fiber amplifier chain. Yb amplifier is staged in continually increasing core diameters to provide significant signal amplification while suppressing deleterious non-linear effects.