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: Techniques for generating terahertz (THz) radiation are provided in which each nonlinear crystal in an array of such crystals is coupled to one or more corresponding waveguides such that any THz radiation generated in any single crystal is coupled into that crystal's THz waveguide structure. After the THz radiation is generated in the crystals and coupled into the waveguides, the individual THz signals may be coherently combined to form a single THz signal (non-coherent configurations are provided as well). Crystal-waveguide arrays embodying the techniques can be used to implement efficient, robust, and compact THz sources suitable for applications such as security screening, medical imaging, quality control and process monitoring in manufacturing operations, and package and container inspection.

Abstract: Techniques for generating terahertz (THz) radiation are provided in which each nonlinear crystal in an array of such crystals is coupled to one or more corresponding waveguides such that any THz radiation generated in any single crystal is coupled into that crystal's THz waveguide structure. After the THz radiation is generated in the crystals and coupled into the waveguides, the individual THz signals may be coherently combined to form a single THz signal (non-coherent configurations are provided as well). Crystal-waveguide arrays embodying the techniques can be used to implement efficient, robust, and compact THz sources suitable for applications such as security screening, medical imaging, quality control and process monitoring in manufacturing operations, and package and container inspection.

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.

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 countermeasure device includes an emitter having a surface. A band gap material is integral with the surface of the emitter. A series of apertures are formed in the band gap material. A heat source for heating the emitter is provided proximate to the emitter and may be the metal surface itself. When the emitter is heated, the band gap material, and the apertures therein, allows the emitter to emit photons at predetermined wavelengths.

Abstract: A countermeasure device includes an emitter having a surface. A band gap material is integral with the surface of the emitter. A series of apertures are formed in the band gap material. A heat source for heating the emitter is provided proximate to the emitter and may be the metal surface itself. When the emitter is heated, the band gap material, and the apertures therein, allows the emitter to emit photons at predetermined wavelengths.

Abstract: A directly pumped, un-sensitized, holmium, quasi-two level fiber laser is disclosed that is doped with Holmium active ions between 0.1 and 2.0 percent by atomic weight. This yields greater energy efficiency from the laser because up-conversion losses are minimized, mismatches created by sensitizer ions are eliminated by having no sensitizer ions, and thermal loading of the fiber medium of the laser is thereby reduced. In addition, the pump ratio of the fiber laser is 0.9 which yields a very low quantum defect. The low doping percentage of holmium active ions also eliminates any absorption of its own energy because the power of the diode pumping source is sufficient to cause the laser to reach transparency.

Abstract: A directly pumped, un-sensitized, holmium, quasi-two level fiber laser is disclosed that is doped with Holmium active ions between 0.1 and 2.0 percent by atomic weight. This yields greater energy efficiency from the laser because up-conversion losses are minimized, mismatches created by sensitizer ions are eliminated by having no sensitizer ions, and thermal loading of the fiber medium of the laser is thereby reduced. In addition, the pump ratio of the fiber laser is 0.9 which yields a very low quantum defect. The low doping percentage of holmium active ions also eliminates any absorption of its own energy because the power of the diode pumping source is sufficient to cause the laser to reach transparency.

Abstract: A night vision device includes an emitter having a surface band gap material integral with the surface of the emitter. A structure of uniformly spaced apertures formed by the photon band gap material. A heat source for heating the emitter is provided proximate to the emitter. When the emitter is heated, the emitter causes the photon band gap material to emit photons in the infrared bands of radiation, which have a wavelength between one hundred nanometers and one micrometer. An infrared viewing system is provided for viewing infrared bands of radiation emitted by the emitter and band gap material.

Abstract: A system for generating an optical signal is provided. The system includes a plurality of light emitting devices. Each light emitting device has an input and an output. The system also includes a combiner having a plurality of inputs and an output. The plurality of inputs of the combiner are coupled to the outputs of the plurality of light emitting devices. The output of the combiner provides a composite signal. The system also includes a control circuit. The control circuit is coupled to the plurality of light emitting devices. The control circuit controls the plurality of light emitting devices to shape the composite signal in time, frequency, and amplitude.

Abstract: The present invention is an amplifier for amplifying an optic signal. The amplifier includes a signal source transmitting the signal, which includes a signal portion in the L-band. The signal first passes into a first signal manipulator. The first signal manipulator is one or more collimators and/or concentrators and, in some embodiments, can include dichroics or optical manipulators known to those skilled in the art. An input pump is aligned to overlap the signal with pump light. From the first signal manipulator, the signal and the pump light intersects the erbium doped crystal, wherein the pump light excites the crystal and the signal impinges the crystal, amplifying the signal.

Abstract: The present invention is an amplifier for amplifying an optic signal. The amplifier includes a signal source transmitting the signal, which includes a signal portion in the L-band. The signal first passes into a first signal manipulator. The first signal manipulator is one or more collimators and/or concentrators and, in some embodiments, can include dichroics or optical manipulators known to those skilled in the art. An input pump is aligned to overlap the signal with pump light. From the first signal manipulator, the signal and the pump light intersects the erbium doped crystal, wherein the pump light excites the crystal and the signal impinges the crystal, amplifying the signal.

Abstract: The present invention is an amplifier for amplifying an optical signal. The signal to be amplified passes into and then from a first optical manipulator. The first manipulator is at least one or more collimators and/or concentrators. The amplifier includes an input pump which produces pump light overlapping the optical signal as the signal passes from the first manipulator. The amplifier further includes a plurality of ion-doped crystalline hosts to be excited by the pump light and impinged by the signal. Finally the signal passes through a second manipulator, which is also one or more collimators and/or concentrators, and exits the amplifier.