Abstract: A fiber laser system includes a master oscillator configured to generate linear polarized infrared laser radiation with wavelengths of 1015-1085 nm, pulses with durations of 100 ps to 10 ns, pulse train repetition rates of 1 kHz to 10 MHz, spectral bandwidth less than 0.5 nm, and a predominately single spatial mode and a polarization-maintaining optical isolator optically coupled to the master oscillator. The fiber laser system also includes a fiber amplifier system optically coupled to the optical isolator and including a power amplifier configured to amplify the laser radiation transmitted through the optical isolator. The power amplifier includes a polarization-maintaining, large-mode-area, multiple-clad Yb-doped gain fiber having a core, an inner cladding, and at least an outer cladding, one or more diode pump lasers emitting pump light of a nominal wavelength of 976 nm, and a pump coupler configured to couple the pump light into the gain fiber.

Abstract: A compound for non-linear optics for use at 350 nm and below. The compound includes a material for non-linear optics comprising AxM(1-x)Al3B4O12. x is larger than or equal to zero and smaller than or equal to 0.1, A is selected from a group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Yb, and Lu, and M is selected from a group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Yb, and Lu. The compound is free from a molybdenum bearing impurity of at least 1000 parts per million.

Abstract: A compound for non-linear optics for use at 350 nm and below. The compound includes a material for non-linear optics comprising AxM(1-x)Al3B4O12. x is larger than or equal to zero and smaller than or equal to 0.1, A is selected from a group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Yb, and Lu, and M is selected from a group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Yb, and Lu. The compound is free from a molybdenum bearing impurity of at least 1000 parts per million.

Abstract: A material that is a saturable absorber capable of passive Q-switching is provided. In one embodiment the material is a saturable absorber optical compound that forms in an atomic arrangement that comprises boron polyanions and photoactive metal cations. Thus, the present invention encompasses host materials comprising boron polyanions into which suitable photoactive cations are introduced into the four-coordinated zinc site, said photoactive cations capable of producing a saturable absorption effect.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, the material is a non-linear optical compound with a general chemical formula (&Sgr;iM&agr;i1)(&Sgr;jM&bgr;j2)(&Sgr;kM&ggr;k3)Be2O5  Formula 1 wherein M1, M2, and M3 are mono-, di-, or tri-valent metal ions respectively; wherein (&Sgr;i&bgr;i)=X and ranges from 0 to 6, (&Sgr;j&bgr;j)=Y and ranges from 0 to 3, and (&Sgr;k&ggr;k)=Z and ranges from 0 to 2, (hereinafter referred to as “MBE2O5” compounds).

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, the material is a non-linear optical compound with a general chemical formula

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, the material is a non-linear optical compound with a beryllium oxide (BeO2) framework or superstructure.

Abstract: Provided are nonlinear optical materials that can be used for a number of optical applications including, but not limited to, second harmonic generation (SHG), sum-frequency generation (SFG), difference-frequency generation (DFG) and optical parametric amplification (OPA). The nonlinear optical materials of the present invention are formed from divalent metal ions and borate anions to form a complex borate framework, with the B:O ratio of the framework being about 10:17. The present NLO materials generally satisfy Formula 1: Ba2−xMxB10O17  Formula 1 wherein M is a divalent metal ion; wherein x ranges from 0 to 0.3. M of Formula 1 is independently selected from Groups IIA and IIB metals, preferably strontium, barium, and lead. Other charged species that charge balance the B10O17 species may also be used to form compounds satisfying Formula 1 as long as these compounds also exhibit NLO properties.

Abstract: Nonlinear optical materials, methods of crystal growth, and devices employing such materials satisfy the general formula (&Sgr;i=1-3M&agr;i1)(&Sgr;j=1-3M&bgr;j2)(&Sgr;k=1-6M&ggr;k3)B14O25  Formula 1 wherein M1, M2, and M3 are mono-, di, or tri-valent metal ions respectively; wherein (&Sgr;i=1-3&agr;i)=X and ranges from 0 to 2, (&Sgr;j=1-3&bgr;j)=Y and ranges from 0 to 4, and (&Sgr;k=1-6&ggr;k)=Z and ranges from 0 to 2, and wherein X+Y+Z=4.0. Other nonlinear optical compounds according to this invention also generally satisfy Formula 2 through 7 below: (&Sgr;j=1-3M&bgr;j2)B14O25, where (&Sgr;j=1-3&bgr;j)=4  Formula 2 M42B14O25  Formula 3 (&Sgr;i=1-3M&agr;i1)(&Sgr;k=1-6M&ggr;k3)B14O25  Formula 4 where (&Sgr;i=1-3&agr;i)=2, and (&Sgr;k=1-6&ggr;k)=2.