Abstract: Controlling a low-threshold femtosecond supercontinuum (fs SCG) in a bulk nonlinear material (BNLM) with a positive thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT>0 K?1) is provided by coupling light at a first wavelength output by a fs oscillator at a full pulse repetition PRR into the BNLM. The coupling of light produces a nonlinear lens of the coupled beam in the BNLM which is insufficient to provide intensity of the light sufficient to reach ta threshold of the fs SCG. To raise the pulse energy and reach the SCG threshold, light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength is absorbed in the BNLM to form a thermal lens in the BNLM which assist the nonlinear lens in creating the SCG.

Abstract: An optical parametric device (OPD), which is selected from an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) or optical parametric generator (OPG), is configured with a nonlinear optical element (NOE) which converts an incoupled pump radiation at first frequency into output signal and idler radiations at one second frequency or different second frequencies, which is/are lower than the first frequency, by utilizing nonlinear interaction via a random quasi-phase matching process (RQPM-NOE). The NOE is made from a nonlinear optical material selected from optical ceramics, polycrystals, micro and nanocrystals, colloids of micro and nanocrystals, and composites of micro and nanocrystals in polymer or glassy matrices. The nonlinear optical material is prepared by modifying a microstructure of the initial sample of the NOE such that an average grain size is of the order of a coherence length of the three-wave interaction which enables the highest parametric gain achievable via the RQPM process.

Abstract: An optical parametric device (OPD), which is selected from an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) or optical parametric generator (OPG), is configured with a nonlinear optical element (NOE) which converts an incoupled pump radiation at first frequency into output signal and idler radiations at one second frequency or different second frequencies, which is/are lower than the first frequency, by utilizing nonlinear interaction via a random quasi-phase matching process (RQPM-NOE). The NOE is made from a nonlinear optical material selected from optical ceramics, polycrystals, micro and nanocrystals, colloids of micro and nanocrystals, and composites of micro and nanocrystals in polymer or glassy matrices. The nonlinear optical material is prepared by modifying a microstructure of the initial sample of the NOE such that an average grain size is of the order of a coherence length of the three-wave interaction which enables the highest parametric gain achievable via the RQPM process.

Abstract: Controlling a low-threshold femtosecond supercontinuum (fs SCG) in a bulk nonlinear material (BNLM) with a positive thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT>0 K?1) is provided by coupling light at a first wavelength output by a fs oscillator at a full pulse repetition PRR into the BNLM. The coupling of light produces a nonlinear lens of the coupled beam in the BNLM which is insufficient to provide intensity of the light sufficient to reach ta threshold of the fs SCG. To raise the pulse energy and reach the SCG threshold, light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength is absorbed in the BNLM to form a thermal lens in the BNLM which assist the nonlinear lens in creating the SCG.

Abstract: An optical parametric device (OPD), which is selected from an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) or optical parametric generator (OPG), is configured with a nonlinear optical element (NOE) which converts an incoupled pump radiation at first frequency into output signal and idler radiations at one second frequency or different second frequencies, which is/are lower than the first frequency, by utilizing nonlinear interaction via a random quasi-phase matching process (RQPM-NOE). The NOE is made from a nonlinear optical material selected from optical ceramics, polycrystals, micro and nanocrystals, colloids of micro and nanocrystals, and composites of micro and nanocrystals in polymer or glassy matrices.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for optical frequency comb generation with self-generated optical harmonics in mode-locked lasers for detecting the carrier envelope offset frequency. The mode-locked laser outputs an optical frequency comb and a harmonic output. The harmonic output provides an optical heterodyne resulting in a detectable beat note. A carrier envelope offset frequency detector detects the beat note and generates an optical frequency comb signal. The signal can be used to stabilize the optical frequency comb output.

Abstract: A Kerr Mode Locked (“KLM”) laser is configured with a resonant cavity. The gain medium, selected from polycrystalline transition metal doped II-VI materials (“TM:II-VI), is cut at a normal angle of incidence and mounted in the resonant cavity so as to induce the KLM laser to emit a pulsed laser beam at a fundamental wavelength. The pulses of the emitted laser beam at the fundamental wavelength each vary within a 1.8-8 micron (“?m”) wavelength range, have a pulse duration equal to or longer than 30-35 femtosecond (“fs”) time range and an average output power within a mW to about 20 watts (“W”) power range. The disclosed resonant cavity is configured with a plurality of spaced apart reflectors, two of which flank and are spaced from the gain medium which is pumped to output a laser beam at a fundamental wavelength and its higher harmonic wavelengths. The gain medium is mounted on a translation mechanism operative to controllably displace the gain medium along a waist of the laser beam.

Abstract: A protective heel cover. The protective heel cover includes a base wherein the base has a straight front edge and a curved rear portion. The base has a side wall rising vertically therefrom. The side wall starts at one side of the straight front edge encircles around the curved rear portion and ends at the opposing side of the straight front edge. The base and the side wall are made from a protective material. There is a strap that is connected to the side wall. The strap will go across the top of a user's food securing the protective heel cover to the user's shoe heel.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for optical frequency comb generation with self-generated optical harmonics in mode-locked lasers for detecting the carrier envelope offset frequency. The mode-locked laser outputs an optical frequency comb and a harmonic output. The harmonic output provides an optical heterodyne resulting in a detectable beat note. A carrier envelope offset frequency detector detects the beat note and generates an optical frequency comb signal. The signal can be used to stabilize the optical frequency comb output.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing short laser pulses that are amplified and spectrally broadened in a bulk gain media. The bulk material, having laser gain and nonlinear properties, is concurrently exposed to an optical pump input and a seed input, the pump power being sufficient to amplify and spectrally broaden the seed pulse.

Abstract: Systems and methods for spectrally broadening seed pulses with a single pass laser amplifier are disclosed. A bulk TM:II-VI polycrystalline material with combined gain and nonlinear characteristic provides passive (cold) spectral broadening of high power seed pulses. Continuous pumping provides more significant spectral broadening. In particular, pulsed pumping of TM:II-VI polycrystalline material (e.g. Cr2+:ZnS, Cr2+:ZnSe, and Cr2+:CdSe) is shown to provide significant spectral broadening to the super continuum generation SCG level. Pulse picking, pump sources, master oscillators and various optical components are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing short laser pulses that are amplified and spectrally broadened in a bulk gain media. The bulk material, having laser gain and nonlinear properties, is concurrently exposed to an optical pump input and a seed input, the pump power being sufficient to amplify and spectrally broaden the seed pulse.

Abstract: Systems and methods for spectrally broadening seed pulses with a single pass laser amplifier are disclosed. A bulk TM:II-VI polycrystalline material with combined gain and nonlinear characteristic provides passive (cold) spectral broadening of high power seed pulses. Continuous pumping provides more significant spectral broadening. In particular, pulsed pumping of TM:II-VI polycrystalline material (e.g. Cr2+:ZnS, Cr2+:ZnSe, and Cr2+:CdSe) is shown to provide significant spectral broadening to the super continuum generation SCG level. Pulse picking, pump sources, master oscillators and various optical components are described.

Abstract: A Kerr Mode Locked (“KLM”) laser is configured with a resonant cavity. The gain medium, selected from polycrystalline transition metal doped II-VI materials (“TM:II-VI), is cut at a normal angle of incidence and mounted in the resonant cavity so as to induce the KLM laser to emit a pulsed laser beam at a fundamental wavelength. The pulses of the emitted laser beam at the fundamental wavelength each vary within a 1.8-8 micron (“?m”) wavelength range, have a pulse duration equal to or longer than 30-35 femtosecond (“fs”) time range and an average output power within a mW to about 20 watts (“W”) power range. The disclosed resonant cavity is configured with a plurality of spaced apart reflectors, two of which flank and are spaced from the gain medium which is pumped to output a laser beam at a fundamental wavelength and its higher harmonic wavelengths. The gain medium is mounted on a translation mechanism operative to controllably displace the gain medium along a waist of the laser beam.

Abstract: A short-pulse mode-locked laser is configured with at least two reflective elements defining a resonant cavity therebetween, a laser gain element (“GE”) placed inside the resonant cavity at normal incidence and selected from transition metal doped II-VI materials; and an optical pump emitting pulsed output to synchronously or quasi-synchronously pump the GE at a pulse repetition rate frequency fpump, the pump being configured so that the fpump substantially matches an inversed round trip time in the resonant cavity flaser:fpump?flaser=c/2L, where c is the speed of light, L is the length of the resonant cavity. The synchronous or quasi-synchronous pumping triggers and sustains a short-pulse emission of the laser with picosecond or femtosecond pulse durations.