Abstract: A monolithic nonplanar ring oscillator (NPRO) laser with a large piezo-electric tuning range and high frequency slew rate, denoted as a ?NPRO, is described. A tuning range of 3.5 GHz with 192 volts applied, corresponding to a tuning coefficient of 18.2 MHz/volt was experimentally demonstrated. This performance was achieved by making the solid-state gain element small, with a small distance between a piezo-electric element bonded to the solid-state gain element and a first lase plane in the solid-state gain element. The entire nonplanar ring lasing path within the solid-state gain element may lie within the half of the solid-state gain element closest to the bonded piezo-electric element. This large frequency modulation span and wide frequency modulation bandwidth, combined with unsurpassed coherence and high power, make this an attractive laser for frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) LIDAR.

Abstract: A passively Q-switched laser with adjustable pulse parameters and a method of controlling the pulse parameters is described. The laser has a pumped spot size in a gain element that may be adjusted to control the pulse energy. The laser has a laser resonator that may have a variable resonator length to control the pulse duration.

Abstract: A passively Q-switched laser with intracavity pumping is described. The passively Q-switched laser has an optically pumped gain element and a saturable absorber element. The optically pumped gain element is situated in an extended cavity of a VECSEL (Vertical Extended Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) so that the gain element is pumped by a circulating pump beam of the VECSEL. The passively Q-switched laser may produce output pulses at an eye-safe wavelength using a low gain laser transition and may use a plurality of surface emitting gain regions to pump the passively Q-switched laser.

Abstract: A laser resonator assembly and a method of assembly of the laser resonator assembly are described. The laser resonator assembly has a gain element and an output coupler that are placed in a gain element frame and output coupler frame, respectively. The output coupler may also be a saturable absorber element so that the laser resonator assembly emits Q-switched pulses. The frames provide heat dissipation and can be easily aligned and permanently affixed in an appropriate alignment. A laser using the laser resonator assembly can be assembled in a low-cost manner.

Abstract: A passively, Q-switched laser is described. The laser may operate at an eye-safe lasing wavelength of 1.34 microns and use a gain element of Nd:YVO4 and a saturable absorber element of V:YAG with a space separating the gain element and saturable absorber element. The Q-switched laser is pumped by a grating stabilized laser diode. The laser may be used in laser ranging applications.

Abstract: A passively, Q-switched laser operating at an eye safe wavelength of between 1.2 and 1.4 microns is described. The laser may operate at a lasing wavelength of 1.34 microns and use a gain element of Nd:YVO4 and a saturable absorber element of V:YAG. The systems and methods to produce short pulses having a pulse duration less than 1 ns and high energy pulses having pulse energies greater than 2 ?J are described.

Abstract: A frequency modulated, continuous wave (FMCW) laser using a microchip gain medium, an optical coupling element, and a tuning element is described. The laser may be part of a coherent laser ranging system.

Abstract: A passively, Q-switched laser operating at an eye safe wavelength of between 1.2 and 1.4 microns is described. The laser may operate at a lasing wavelength of 1.34 microns and use a gain element of Nd:YVO4 and a saturable absorber element of V:YAG. The position of the resonator axial mode spectrum relative to a gain peak of the gain element is controlled to yield desired characteristics in the laser output.

Abstract: A passively, Q-switched laser operating at an eye safe wavelength of between 1.2 and 1.4 microns is described. The laser may operate at a lasing wavelength of 1.34 microns and use a gain element of Nd:YVO4 and a saturable absorber element of V:YAG. The position of the resonator axial mode spectrum relative to a gain peak of the gain element is controlled to yield desired characteristics in the laser output.

Abstract: Pulsed, coherent light is generated by optical mixing which takes place inside the resonator of a pulsed laser oscillator. One of the beams to be mixed is generated by the pulsed laser, and the other by a distinct, external laser oscillator. If the light from the external oscillator is modulated, that modulation will be transferred onto the light generated by the optical mixing. Using sum frequency generation, light for sodium excitation, such as for a guide star, can be generated with the optimal modulation of spectral and temporal properties. If the pulse repetition frequency is chosen to be at or near the magnetic (Larmor) resonance of the sodium, then the amount of scattered light due to sodium excitation is enhanced, and the magnetic field at the location of the sodium atoms can be measured.

Abstract: Pulsed, coherent light is generated by optical mixing which takes place inside the resonator of a pulsed laser oscillator. One of the beams to be mixed is generated by the pulsed laser, and the other by a distinct, external laser oscillator. If the light from the external oscillator is modulated, that modulation will be transferred onto the light generated by the optical mixing. This enables modulated light at an expanded range of wavelengths. Using sum frequency generation, light for sodium excitation, such as for a guide star, can be generated with the optimal modulation of spectral and temporal properties. If the type of optical mixing is difference frequency generation, optical parametric amplifiers with improved efficiency and beam quality are enabled.