Abstract: A spectrometer for measuring a spectral signature of an object comprises fringe generating optics for use with a camera and a processor. The fringe generating optics are formed of front optics and birefringent optics. The front optics comprises a diffuser adapted to receive light from the object. The birefringent optics is adapted to receive light from the diffuser and to generate interference fringes. The camera is adapted to receive the interference fringes and the processor generates the spectral signature of the object. This spectrometer is an improved Fourier transform spectrometer suitable for use with digital cameras, such as cameras found in mobile devices.

Abstract: A spectrometer for measuring a spectral signature of an object comprises fringe generating optics for use with a camera and a processor. The fringe generating optics are formed of front optics and birefringent optics. The front optics comprises a diffuser adapted to receive light from the object. The birefringent optics is adapted to receive light from the diffuser and to generate interference fringes. The camera is adapted to receive the interference fringes and the processor generates the spectral signature of the object. This spectrometer is an improved Fourier transform spectrometer suitable for use with digital cameras, such as cameras found in mobile devices.

Abstract: A laser vibrometer makes non-contact measurements of vibrations of a target. A laser produces a laser beam, and a beamsplitter splits the laser beam into a reference beam and a first target beam. A first frequency shifter/splitter splits the first target beam into a pair of target beams each having a frequency different than a frequency of the other target beams. The target beams are reflected from the target to a detector, and the reference beam is combined with the target beams such that the detector receives the target beams and reference beam together.

Abstract: A polarization controller includes a phase retarder having a rotation about an {1,0,0} axis that receives an optical signal from a waveguide structure. At least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber produces ±45° birefringent axes by placing the at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber at selective positions around the phase retarder to produce dynamic change in the effective index in one of the modes existent in an extraordinary axial direction.

Abstract: A PMD emulator includes at least two polarization phase plates. The rotation matrix of the at two phase plates are varied to reduce the required number of phase-plates without reducing the number of birefringent segments used.

Abstract: A PMD emulator includes at least two polarization phase plates. The rotation matrix of the at two phase plates are varied to reduce the required number of phase-plates without reducing the number of birefringent segments used.

Abstract: A polarization mode dispersion (PMD) feedforward compensator compensates first and second order PMD. An optical signal is provided to a PMD detector that senses first and second order PMD in the optical signal and produces control signals for the PMD compensator. The PMD compensator comprises, in series, a first polarization controller, an adjustable delay, a second polarization controller, a first fixed delay, a third polarization controller and a second fixed delay.

Abstract: A polarization controller includes a phase retarder having a rotation about an {1,0,0} axis that receives an optical signal from a waveguide structure. At least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber produces ±45° birefringent axes by placing the at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber at selective positions around the phase retarder to produce dynamic change in the effective index in one of the modes existent in an extraordinary axial direction.

Abstract: A device for producing laser radiation, the device comprising: an elongate sample of a quasi-three-level laser material; a source of pumping radiation; and a concentrator configured such that at least some of the pumping radiation emitted by the source of pumping radiation is concentrated by the concentrator and subsequently enters the sample through a side surface thereof.

Abstract: A PMD compensator or generator includes one module for adjusting first order PMD without altering second order PMD (FOnSO module), and another module for adjusting second order PMD without altering first order PMD (SOnFO module). The modules enable separate compensation of first and second order PMD. First order PMD can be measured and compensated in a feedforward manner, while second order PMD can be compensated in a feedback manner. Both first and second order PMD can be compensated in a feedforward manner. The modules also enable separate generation of first and second order PMD, and can be used in a completely deterministic manner to achieve the desired PMD.

Abstract: A PMD device includes a first stage that receives a signal and performs rotation about {1,0,0} on the signal. The first stage outputs a first signal. A second stage receives the first signal and performs a rotation about {0,0,1} on the first signal. The second stage outputs a second signal that represents the alignment the PMD of various frequencies into a common direction. A third stage receives the second signal and provides the necessary frequency dependent variable in the {1,0,0} direction to cancel the PMD in any specified frequency range.

Abstract: In optical media (e.g., an optical fiber) having first and second order polarization mode dispersion, the relationship between the polarization mode dispersion and the change in the measured averaged state of polarization of an optical signal in the media as a function of the signal's bandwidth can be predictable. Accordingly, first and second order polarization can be determined by measuring a series of the averaged state of polarization's for an optical signal with varying signal bandwidths.

Abstract: A PMD device includes a first stage that receives a signal and performs rotation about {1,0,0} on the signal. The first stage outputs a first signal. A second stage receives the first signal and performs a rotation about {0,0,1 } on the first signal. The second stage outputs a second signal that represents the alignment the PMD of various frequencies into a common direction. A third stage receives the second signal and provides the necessary frequency dependent variable in the {1,0,0} direction to cancel the PMD in any specified frequency range.

Abstract: A device for producing laser radiation having a wavelength of about 2 ?m, the device comprising: a solid-state sample capable of producing lasing transitions corresponding to a wavelength of about 2 ?m; and a source of pumping radiation having a wavelength of about 1 ?m, the source being arranged so that at least some of the radiation produced thereby is absorbed by the solid-state sample, causing the solid-state sample to emit radiation having a wavelength of about 2 ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating laser radiation, the apparatus comprising: a pumping device comprising a resonant cavity; and a laser radiation generation element that is substantially Poynting vector walk-off compensated, the laser radiation generation element being located within the resonant cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating laser radiation, the apparatus comprising: a pumping device comprising a resonant cavity; and a laser radiation generation element that is substantially Poynting vector walk-off compensated, the laser radiation generation element being located within the resonant cavity.

Abstract: A device for producing laser radiation, the device comprising: an elongate sample of a quasi-three-level laser material; a source of pumping radiation; and a concentrator configured such that at least some of the pumping radiation emitted by the source of pumping radiation is concentrated by the concentrator and subsequently enters the sample through a side surface thereof.

Abstract: A device for producing laser radiation having a wavelength of about 2 &mgr;m, the device comprising: a solid-state sample capable of producing lasing transitions corresponding to a wavelength of about 2 &mgr;m; and a source of pumping radiation having a wavelength of about 1 &mgr;m, the source being arranged so that at least some of the radiation produced thereby is absorbed by the solid-state sample, causing the solid-state sample to emit radiation having a wavelength of about 2 &mgr;m.