Abstract: A system and method of sensing temperature at an optical fiber tip, including the steps of positioning a slug of fluorescent material adjacent the optical fiber tip, providing an optical stimulus having a wavelength within a first predetermined range through at least one fiber optically linked to the optical fiber tip, wherein a desired optical fluorescent response having a wavelength within a second predetermined range from the fluorescent slug is generated, detecting a signal representative of the optical stimulus, detecting a signal representative of the optical fluorescent response, digitally processing the optical stimulus signal and the optical fluorescent response signal to determine a phase difference therebetween, and calculating a temperature for the optical fiber tip as a function of the phase difference.

Abstract: A system and method of sensing temperature at an optical fiber tip, including the steps of positioning a slug of fluorescent material adjacent the optical fiber tip, providing an optical stimulus having a wavelength within a first predetermined range through at least one fiber optically linked to the optical fiber tip, wherein a desired optical fluorescent response having a wavelength within a second predetermined range from the fluorescent slug is generated, detecting a signal representative of the optical stimulus, detecting a signal representative of the optical fluorescent response, digitally processing the optical stimulus signal and the optical fluorescent response signal to determine a phase difference therebetween, and calculating a temperature for the optical fiber tip as a function of the phase difference.

Abstract: An optical bench for processing laser light in a laser system, including an optical bench housing, a beam dump mounted to the optical bench housing so as to be in optical communication therewith, steering optics mounted within the optical bench housing for directing the laser light in a path from a laser light input to an output, and a mechanism for causing the laser light to deviate from the path and be directed into the beam dump upon recognition of a specified condition in the laser system, wherein the laser light is thermally isolated from the steering optics. The mechanism can either cause at least one optically reflective element to be inserted into the path, cause at least one optical element of the steering optics to have a change in position with respect to the path, and/or causes at least one optical element of the steering optics to be removed from the path.

Abstract: An optical bench for processing laser light in a laser system, including an optical bench housing, a beam dump mounted to the optical bench housing so as to be in optical communication therewith, steering optics mounted within the optical bench housing for directing the laser light in a path from a laser light input to an output, and a mechanism for causing the laser light to deviate from the path and be directed into the beam dump upon recognition of a specified condition in the laser system, wherein the laser light is thermally isolated from the steering optics. The mechanism can either cause at least one optically reflective element to be inserted into the path, cause at least one optical element of the steering optics to have a change in position with respect to the path, and/or causes at least one optical element of the steering optics to be removed from the path.

Abstract: A system and method of sensing temperature at an optical fiber tip, including the steps of positioning a slug of fluorescent material adjacent the optical fiber tip, providing an optical stimulus having a wavelength within a first predetermined range through at least one fiber optically linked to the optical fiber tip, wherein a desired optical fluorescent response having a wavelength within a second predetermined range from the fluorescent slug is generated, detecting a signal representative of the optical stimulus, detecting a signal representative of the optical fluorescent response, digitally processing the optical stimulus signal and the optical fluorescent response signal to determine a phase difference therebetween, and calculating a temperature for the optical fiber tip as a function of the phase difference.

Abstract: A system and method of sensing temperature at an optical fiber tip, including the steps of positioning a slug of fluorescent material adjacent the optical fiber tip, providing an optical stimulus having a wavelength within a first predetermined range through at least one fiber optically linked to the optical fiber tip, wherein a desired optical fluorescent response having a wavelength within a second predetermined range from the fluorescent slug is generated, detecting a signal representative of the optical stimulus, detecting a signal representative of the optical fluorescent response, digitally processing the optical stimulus signal and the optical fluorescent response signal to determine a phase difference therebetween, and calculating a temperature for the optical fiber tip as a function of the phase difference.

Abstract: An optical bench for processing laser light in a laser system, including an optical bench housing, steering optics mounted within the optical bench housing for directing the laser light in a path from a laser light input to an output, and a first mechanism for monitoring power output of the laser light regardless of shifts in wavelength of the laser light. The steering optics includes a sampling filter mounted to the optical bench housing and positioned in the path of the laser light, wherein a first portion of the laser light is reflected to the output and a second portion of the laser light is transmitted to the first mechanism.