Abstract: An optical pulse extender includes a delay loop formed by a plurality of mirrors and a graded reflectivity beamsplitter. The mirrors and the beamsplitter are configured and aligned such that a pulse to be broadened makes a predetermined number of round trips in the delay loop and is incident on a different zone of the beamsplitter after each round trip. The different zones of the beamsplitter have different reflection values and different transmission values. These values are selected such that the pulse extender delivers a plurality of temporally and spatially separated replica pulses each thereof having about the same energy. The delivered replica pulses together provide an extended pulse having a longer duration than the input pulse. The replica pulses may be passed through a beam homogenizer to spatially homogenize the temporal characteristics of the extended pulse.

Abstract: An optical pulse extender includes a delay loop formed by a plurality of mirrors and a graded reflectivity beamsplitter. The mirrors and the beamsplitter are configured and aligned such that a pulse to be broadened makes a predetermined number of round trips in the delay loop and is incident on a different zone of the beamsplitter after each round trip. The different zones of the beamsplitter have different reflection values and different transmission values. These values are selected such that the pulse extender delivers a plurality of temporally and spatially separated replica pulses each thereof having about the same energy. The delivered replica pulses together provide an extended pulse having a longer duration than the input pulse. The replica pulses may be passed through a beam homogenizer to spatially homogenize the temporal characteristics of the extended pulse.

Abstract: Infrared laser light generated by a solid state diode pumped transform-limited Ti:Sapphire laser is converted to UV wavelengths using third and fourth harmonic generation systems. The resulting output is tunable between approximately 187 and 333 nm. The combined solid state Ti:Sapphire laser and harmonic generation system includes feedback mechanisms for improved power and wavelength stability. The system can operate at pulse repetition rates of several thousand Hertz.

Abstract: Infrared laser light generated by a solid state diode pumped transform-limited Ti:Sapphire laser is converted to UV wavelengths using third and fourth harmonic generation systems. The resulting output is tunable between approximately 187 and 333 nm. The combined solid state Ti:Sapphire laser and harmonic generation system includes feedback mechanisms for improved power and wavelength stability. The system can operate at pulse repetition rates of several thousand Hertz.

Abstract: System and method for laser micro-machining of crystalline and polycrystalline materials such as silicon that produces smooth surfaces. The invention is applied to integrated circuit applications including probing or modification of circuit components, electrical connections through silicon substrates, establishing ground plains within integrated circuits, and connections between circuits developed on opposing sides of a single substrate. Methods involve the use of femtosecond light pulses of short wavelength and circular polarization. A specific fluence region is used to obtain machined surfaces with smoothness to within one micron.

Abstract: An efficient, powerful and reliable system for amplifying optical pulses. Seed-pulses are generated by a seed-pulse source and are transmitted to an optical amplifier for amplification. The power for the amplification is provided by a Q-switched, diode-pumped, extracavity frequency-doubled pump laser.

Abstract: An efficient, powerful and reliable system for amplifying optical pulses. Seed-pulses are generated by a seed-pulse source and are transmitted to an optical amplifier for amplification. The power for the amplification is provided by a Q-switched, diode-pumped, intracavity-doubled pump laser.

Abstract: An efficient, powerful and reliable system for amplifying optical pulses. Seed-pulses are generated by a seed-pulse source and are transmitted to an optical amplifier for amplification. The power for the amplification is provided by a Q-switched, diode-pumped, intracavity-doubled pump laser.

Abstract: An efficient, powerful and reliable system for amplifying optical pulses. Seed-pulses are generated by a seed-pulse source and are transmitted to an optical amplifier for amplification. The power for the amplification is provided by a Q-switched, diode-pumped, intracavity-doubled pump laser.