Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided that facilitate the formation of incisions in tissue while reducing, minimizing or avoiding the generation of scar tissue. Devices are provided that facilitate the generation of an incision during multiple passes of a laser beam, such as a picosecond infrared laser (PIRL) beam. Some implementations employ the use of guidelines or guide structures to facilitate alignment of a laser beam delivery tool during the formation of an incision, optionally based on feedback provided by one or more sensors. Optical waveguide structures are disclosed for the efficient and controlled generation of laser incisions. Devices and methods are disclosed for applying tension, via manual or autonomous means, during and/or after the formation of an incision. The tension may be applied, optionally based on feedback from one or more sensors, to avoid the deformation of tissue within the incision beyond the elastic deformation limit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for serial, high-throughput acquisition of electron diffraction patterns from nanocrystals. Nanocrystals dispersed on a TEM grid are automatically identified from an overview image that is obtained, for example, using a dark field detector in scanning mode. Diffraction patterns are subsequently obtained from a plurality of crystals identified in the overview image by sequentially moving (e.g. scanning) the electron nanobeam relative to the crystals and collecting diffraction images using a fast electron camera. In some example embodiments, this sequence may be repeated for different tilt angles, where registration among overview images obtained at the different tilt angles is employed to position the electron nanobeam for the different tilt angles (e.g. before the sample stage is moved to interrogate a different sample region). The present methods may be automated, thereby facilitating unsupervised acquisition of arbitrarily large data sets.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for serial, high-throughput acquisition of electron diffraction patterns from nanocrystals. Nanocrystals dispersed on a TEM grid are automatically identified from an overview image that is obtained, for example, using a dark field detector in scanning mode. Diffraction patterns are subsequently obtained from a plurality of crystals identified in the overview image by sequentially moving (e.g. scanning) the electron nanobeam relative to the crystals and collecting diffraction images using a fast electron camera. In some example embodiments, this sequence may be repeated for different tilt angles, where registration among overview images obtained at the different tilt angles is employed to position the electron nanobeam for the different tilt angles (e.g. before the sample stage is moved to interrogate a different sample region). The present methods may be automated, thereby facilitating unsupervised acquisition of arbitrarily large data sets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser surgery apparatus for contact laser surgery and to a method of using the laser surgery apparatus. The laser surgery apparatus (1) comprises a contact laser scalpel (3) for contact laser surgery, the contact laser scalpel (4) comprising an optical fiber (4) of IR laser radiation transmissive material and terminating at an optical fiber tip (5) having an exposed core region, and support means for holding said fiber and for positioning said scalpel (3). Said fiber tip (5) is tapered and disposed at a distal end of the scalpel (3) for contacting a tissue to be cut and comprises an uncoated contact surface (6) for transmit ting laser radiation and a guiding surface that is at least partially reflective to laser radiation and provided such that laser radiation guided by said optical fiber (4) to said fiber tip (5) will be at least partially reflected by said guiding surface and emitted through said uncoated contact surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser surgery apparatus for contact laser surgery and to a method of using the laser surgery apparatus. The laser surgery apparatus (1) comprises a contact laser scalpel (3) for contact laser surgery, the contact laser scalpel (4) comprising an optical fiber (4) of IR laser radiation transmissive material and terminating at an optical fiber tip (5) having an exposed core region, and support means for holding said fiber and for positioning said scalpel (3). Said fiber tip (5) is tapered and disposed at a distal end of the scalpel (3) for contacting a tissue to be cut and comprises an uncoated contact surface (6) for transmit ting laser radiation and a guiding surface that is at least partially reflective to laser radiation and provided such that laser radiation guided by said optical fiber (4) to said fiber tip (5) will be at least partially reflected by said guiding surface and emitted through said uncoated contact surface.

Abstract: A device is provided for the controlled sampling of fluid into a well formed within an upper surface, in which the well may be filled under dynamic wetting conditions by contacting a droplet on the upper surface with the top of the well. Wetting is supported by the increased hydrophilicity of the upper surface relative to that of the well side wall. The relative difference in hydrophilicity may be achieved by providing an upper surface with greater roughness than the side wall, effectively amplifying the hydrophilicity of the upper surface relative to that of the side wall. Wells are preferably formed in an unpolished surface of a siliconwafer, and can achieve a stable film with micron depth and an aspect ratio in excess of 100.

Abstract: A method of laser processing of materials and specifically laser induced ablation processes for laser removal of material by impulsive heat deposition (IHD) by direct and specific excitation of short lived vibrations or phonons of the material in such a way as to not generate highly reactive and damaging ions through multiphoton absorption. The heat deposition and ensuing ablation is achieved faster than heat transfer to surrounding tissue by either acoustic or thermal expansion or thermal diffusion. The deposited laser energy is channeled into the ablation process to drive the most efficient ablation process possible with minimal damage to surrounding areas by either ionizing radiation or heat effects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the soft desorption of analyte from a sample, in which an optical beam absorbed within an irradiate zone of the sample causes vibrational excitations of a component within the sample. The optical beam, providing sufficient energy to superheat the component, is provided for a time interval that is less than the time duration required for the loss of energy out of the irradiated zone due to thermal diffusion and acoustic expansion. The superheated component thus drives ablation within the irradiated zone, resulting in the soft desorption of analyte without ionization and fragmentation. The ejected ablation plume may be directed towards the inlet of a mass analysis device for detection of the desorbed analyte, which is preferably ionized by a linear resonant photo-ionization step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of laser processing of materials, specifically laser induced ablation processes for laser removal of material particularly important in medical and dental applications in which the laser removal of material should be done in such a way as to not damage any of the surrounding soft or hard biomaterial. The ablation process is achieved by impulsive heat deposition (IHD) by direct and specific excitation of short lived vibrations or phonons of the material in such a way as to not generate highly reactive and damaging ions through multiphoton absorption. The heat deposition and ensuing ablation process under prescribed time and wavelength conditions for laser irradiation is achieved faster than heat transfer to surrounding tissue by either acoustic or thermal expansion or thermal diffusion that otherwise would lead to excess heat related damage.

Abstract: A device for generating a high power frequency converted laser beam includes a nonlinear optical crystal having an entrance surface and a curved surface. The nonlinear optical crystal is configured to receive at least one laser beam at the entrance surface and provide a frequency converted beam through a frequency conversion process. The device also includes an optical coating coupled to the curved surface. The reflectance of the optical coating is greater than 50% at a wavelength of the frequency converted beam. Additionally, the far field divergence angle of the frequency converted beam increases after reflection off the curved surface. The device further includes a heat sink in thermal contact with the optical coating.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the soft desorption of analyte from a sample, in which an optical beam absorbed within an irradiate zone of the sample causes vibrational excitations of a component within the sample. The optical beam, providing sufficient energy to superheat the component, is provided for a time interval that is less than the time duration required for the loss of energy out of the irradiated zone due to thermal diffusion and acoustic expansion. The superheated component thus drives ablation within the irradiated zone, resulting in the soft desorption of analyte without ionization and fragmentation. The ejected ablation plume may be directed towards the inlet of a mass analysis device for detection of the desorbed analyte, which is preferably ionized by a linear resonant photo-ionization step.

Abstract: A laser system capable of efficient production of high energy sub-nanosecond pulses in the 2-15 ?m spectral region is disclosed. Diode pumped solid state lasers are used as pump sources. The system design is simple, reliable and compact allowing for easy integration. The laser system includes a combination of compact solid-state ˜1 micron laser sources, producing high power picosecond pulses, with optical parametric amplification and a quasi-continuous wave laser for seeding the amplification process that enables the efficient conversion of the high power ˜1 micron laser radiation to tuneable mid-infrared sub-ns pulses. New parametric processes are presented for achieving high gains in bulk nonlinear crystals. Furthermore, a method of exceeding the fundamental conversion efficiency limit of direct three wave mixing is presented.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser amplifier with high gain and low thermally induced optical aberrations on the amplified laser beam. The amplifier designs allow simple multipass configurations to optimally extract the gain and reduce thermally induced index of refraction aberrations, making it possible to obtain an amplified laser beam of high quality combined with very high overall gains comparable to those achievable with expensive regenerative amplifiers. The amplifier includes a thin active laser solid to create the population inversion and associated heat generation within the thin laser active solid possible for the desired gain value. The system includes a cooling device in thermal contact with the thin active laser solid to provide good heat transport and high reflectivity coatings at the wavelengths of the pump and laser wavelengths. The pump light sources are laser diodes tuned to the maximum absorption of the laser active material.

Abstract: A device for generating a high power frequency converted laser beam includes a nonlinear optical crystal having an entrance surface and a curved surface. The nonlinear optical crystal is configured to receive at least one laser beam at the entrance surface and provide a frequency converted beam through a frequency conversion process. The device also includes an optical coating coupled to the curved surface. The reflectance of the optical coating is greater than 50% at a wavelength of the frequency converted beam. Additionally, the far field divergence angle of the frequency converted beam increases after reflection off the curved surface. The device further includes a heat sink in thermal contact with the optical coating.

Abstract: A device for generating a frequency converted laser beam includes a nonlinear crystal having a first end face and a second end face opposed to the first end face. The nonlinear crystal is configured to receive at least one input laser beam at the first end face and output a frequency converted beam at the second face. A beam waist of the at least one input laser beam is positioned between the first end face and the second end face during a frequency conversion process. The device also includes a second crystal having a first end face bonded to the second end face of the nonlinear crystal and a second end face opposed to the first end face. A beam diameter of the frequency converted beam at the first end face of the second crystal is less than a beam diameter of the frequency converted beam at the second end face of the second crystal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser amplifier with high gain and low thermally induced optical aberrations on the amplified laser beam. The amplifier designs allow simple multipass configurations to optimally extract the gain and reduce thermally induced index of refraction aberrations, making it possible to obtain an amplified laser beam of high quality combined with very high overall gains comparable to those achievable with expensive regenerative amplifiers. The amplifier includes a thin active laser solid to create the population inversion and associated heat generation within the thin laser active solid possible for the desired gain value. The system includes a cooling device in thermal contact with the thin active laser solid to provide good heat transport and high reflectivity coatings at the wavelengths of the pump and laser wavelengths. The pump light sources are laser diodes tuned to the maximum absorption of the laser active material.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of acquisition of binary information that has been stored physically in a periodic storage medium. The method, referred to as matrix-method deconvolution (MMD), is useful for use with optical storage media using an optical addressing system that reads and writes binary information in a periodic array of nano-particles. With this MMD method, the density of existing memory systems can be boosted to between 10 and 100 Terabytes of data per cubic centimeter. This matrix-method deconvolution method compensates for the effects of the optical addressing system's point spread function. Prior knowledge of a system's point spread function and inter memory-center spacing is used.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of acquisition of binary information that has been stored physically in a periodic storage medium. The method, referred to as matrix-method deconvolution (MMD), is useful for use with optical storage media using an optical addressing system that reads and writes binary information in a periodic array of nano-particles. With this MMD method, the density of existing memory systems can be boosted to between 10 and 100 Terabytes of data per cubic centimeter. This matrix-method deconvolution method compensates for the effects of the optical addressing system's point spread function. Prior knowledge of a system's point spread function and inter memory-center spacing is used.

Abstract: This invention discloses optical system and method for writing a refractive index pattern in a light transmissive or light absorbing sample. A light source for providing a short pulse laser beam in the femtosecond range having a low power per unit area is coupled to provide the short pulse beam to a diffractive optical element. A curved mirror collects light transmitted through or reflected from the diffractive optical element preserves an image relating to characteristics of the diffractive optical element encoded within the collected light, and directs the collected light in wavelength independent manner while preserving the image of the diffractive optical element encoded within the collected light. A rod lens demagnifies the image within the light received from the curved mirror so as to increase its power per unit area when directed to the light transmissive or absorbing sample to be permanently impressed therein.

Abstract: An electro-optic device, which processes by modulating, switching or gating, a light beam in response to an electrical signal utilizes an electro-optic crystal through which the beam to be processed passes. An electric field is generated by pulses which modulate the crystal's index of refraction and also causes piezoelectric ringing in the crystal. Acoustic energy absorbing material is coupled to the crystal for absorbing the piezoelectrically generated acoustic waves propagating perpendicularly to the applied electric field direction which has been found to be the dominant acoustic mode affecting the birefringence of the crystal and causing the ringing. The field is applied in short pulses (of the order of 10 nsec or less) thereby reducing lower frequencies in the acoustic energy spectrum thereby facilitating the absorption of the ringing energy.