Abstract: A laser device for generating an optical wave including at least two frequencies, such laser device including: a first element including a gain region, a second mirror, distinct from the first element, and arranged so as to form with a first mirror an optical cavity including the gain region; means for pumping the gain region so as to generate the optical wave; means for shaping the light intensity of the optical wave arranged for selecting at least two transverse modes of the optical wave; and means for shaping the longitudinal and/or transversal phase profile of the optical wave and arranged for adjusting at least two transverse modes of the optical wave.

Abstract: A laser device for generating an optical wave including at least two frequencies, such laser device including: a first element including a gain region, a second mirror, distinct from the first element, and arranged so as to form with a first mirror an optical cavity including the gain region; means for pumping the gain region so as to generate the optical wave; means for shaping the light intensity of the optical wave arranged for selecting at least two transverse modes of the optical wave; and means for shaping the longitudinal and/or transversal phase profile of the optical wave and arranged for adjusting at least two transverse modes of the optical wave.

Abstract: A fiber-optic sensor includes an optical fiber coil and a laser source optically coupled to the coil. Light from the source is transmitted to the coil as a first optical signal and a second optical signal counter-propagating through the coil. The optical paths of the first optical signal and the second optical signal are substantially reciprocal with one another and the first optical signal and the second optical signal are combined together after counter-propagating through the coil to generate a third optical signal. The laser source is frequency-modulated or can have a coherence length longer than a length of the coil.

Abstract: A fiber-optic sensor includes an optical fiber coil and a laser source optically coupled to the coil. Light from the source is transmitted to the coil as a first signal propagating along the coil in a first direction and a second signal propagating along the coil in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The optical paths of the first signal and the second signal are substantially reciprocal with one another and the first signal and the second signal are combined together after propagating through the coil to generate a third signal. The laser source is frequency-modulated or can have a coherence length longer than a length of the coil.

Abstract: A narrow linewidth semiconductor laser device has a semiconductor laser and a low noise current source operatively connected to the laser with the current source being adapted to prevent degradation of the laser's frequency noise spectrum. An optical frequency discriminator provides an error signal representative of the laser's optical frequency and a control circuit has a feedback network that provides a frequency feedback signal that is adapted to the frequency noise spectrum of the frequency discriminator and to the laser's frequency noise spectrum and tuning response. The control circuit also has a sequencer to automatically enable frequency locking of the laser on the frequency reference of the optical frequency discriminator. An enclosure encloses the frequency discriminator to isolate the frequency discriminator from external perturbations.