Abstract: In one aspect, a computational machine includes an optical device configured to receive energy from an optical energy source and generate a number N1 of optical signals, and a number N2 of coupling devices, each of which controllably couples a plurality of the number N1 optical signals. The coupling devices are individually controlled to simulate a computational problem. In another aspect, a computational machine includes a number N1 of parametric oscillators and a number N2 of coupling devices, each of which controllably couples a plurality of the number N1 of parametric oscillators together. The coupling devices are individually controlled to simulate a computational problem.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computational machine includes an optical device configured to receive energy from an optical energy source and generate a number N1 of optical signals, and a number N2 of coupling devices, each of which controllably couples a plurality of the number N1 optical signals. The coupling devices are individually controlled to simulate a computational problem. In another aspect, a computational machine includes a number N1 of parametric oscillators and a number N2 of coupling devices, each of which controllably couples a plurality of the number N1 of parametric oscillators together. The coupling devices are individually controlled to simulate a computational problem.

Abstract: Charge transfer is provided to or from an electrically isolated test body by AC modulation of the photoelectric effect. More specifically, a reference body is disposed near the test body without physical contact between the reference and test bodies. Facing surfaces of the reference and test bodies are illuminated by optical radiation having a sufficiently short wavelength that charged particles are emitted from the reference and test bodies. An electrical bias is established between the reference body and the test body. Both the optical radiation and the electrical bias are modulated at the same frequency. A magnitude and direction of a charge transfer rate between the reference and test bodies is set by selecting a phase relation between the optical radiation and the electrical bias.

Abstract: An angular magnification effect of diffraction is exploited to provide improved sensing and scanning. This effect is most pronounced for a normal or near-normal incidence angle in combination with a grazing diffraction angle, so such configurations are preferred. Angular sensitivity can be further enhanced because the width of the diffracted beam can be substantially less than the width of the incident beam. Normal incidence configurations with two symmetric diffracted beams are preferred, since rotation and vertical displacement can be readily distinguished. Increased sensitivity to vertical displacement can be provided by incorporating an interferometer into the measurement system. Quad cell detectors can be employed to provide sensitivity to rotation about the grating surface normal. A 2-D grating can be employed to provide sensitivity to angular displacements in two different planes (e.g., pitch and yaw).

Abstract: Photodarkening in active fiber or waveguide devices (e.g. lasers, amplifiers, and incoherent sources such as ASE sources) can be reduced by altering the dopant concentration along the length of the doped fiber. A fiber or waveguide device includes two or more intentionally doped fiber or waveguide sections having different concentrations of one or more dopants. The dopants provide optical gain responsive to pump radiation provided to the fiber device by a pump source. A first optical intensity in a first of the fiber or waveguide sections is greater than a second optical intensity in a second of the fiber or waveguide sections. A first dopant concentration in the first fiber or waveguide section is lower than a second dopant concentration in the second fiber or waveguide section. Thus the dopant concentration is reduced in sections of the fiber or waveguide device having a higher optical intensity. The optical intensity can be due to pump radiation and/or signal radiation.

Abstract: Measurement of a distance change between a reference surface and a target is provided. A substrate has a first surface facing the target and including a grating. The grating and target combine to form an optical interferometer responsive to changes in distance between the grating and the target. A second surface of the substrate coincides with the reference surface and faces away from the target. Thickness information pertaining to the substrate is combined with results from the optical interferometer to provide a measurement of distance change between reference surface and target. The substrate is preferably a rigid material having picometer level dimensional stability.

Abstract: A method for batch manufacturing of slabs for zig-zag lasers including steps of bonding two non-active media to either side of an active medium to form a sandwich, dicing the sandwich to provide slices, rendering two surfaces of each slice into total-internal-reflection (TIR) surfaces, and then dicing the slices perpendicular to the TIR surfaces to provide a plurality of zig-zag slabs.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating three or more optical signals. The apparatus generally comprises a coherent source, an optical parametric generation device and a sum frequency generator. The coherent source generates a first optical signal having a first free-space wavelength. The optical parametric generation device interacts the first optical signal to produce an idler signal and a second optical signal having a second free-space wavelength while transmitting a portion of the first optical signal to the sum frequency generator. The sum frequency generator non-linearly combines part of the second portion of the first optical signal with the idler signal to produce a third optical signal characterized by a third free-space wavelength. The first, second, and third optical signals may comprise collinear red green and blue beams that may be modulated and scanned to produce an image. Furthermore, the optical parametric generation device and the sum frequency generator may be fabricated as a single monolithic device.