Abstract: A method for compensating thermal optical effects in the beam path of an arrangement containing optical components uses, for the purpose of optical compensation in the beam path, optical elements which have different material properties in cooperation. For the purpose of compensation, heating by means of radiation absorption, radial thermal conduction for generating a power-dependent temperature distribution, and/or thermal dispersion for generating a thermal lens are distributed over the different elements.

Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for operating an incoherently beam combined (IBC) laser. The IBC laser may comprise an integrated set of emitters or a set of discrete emitters. Each emitter is associated with a high-pass, low-pass, or bandpass optical filter. The emitters and filters are disposed in an ordered arrangement thereby defining a common optical path. Near the end of the common optical path, a focusing lens may be utilized to focus the output beams from each of the emitters into a fiber. A partially reflective component may be embedded in the fiber to provide feedback to each of the emitters. By selecting the optical characteristics of the filters, light originating from a specific emitter is fed back to the same emitter and to no other emitter. Accordingly, multiple external laser cavities are created on the same optical path.

Abstract: A laser diode collimating system comprises a collimating lens for receiving a laser beam from a laser diode LD. First and second orthogonally arranged cylindrical lenses are provided through which the laser beam passes. The cylindrical lenses are positioned so as to have a substantially common focal plane and operate substantially independently on the divergence and/or convergence of the laser beam in its fast axis and slow axis directions respectively. A convex lens, through which the beam passes, has a focus lying in the said common focal plane.

Abstract: A high power diode laser system utilizes an external cavity to narrow the spectral width of a high power multimode diode laser to change the output power normally produced by the diode from a broad spectrum to a very narrow spectrum. The power output of the laser system is concentrated over a narrow spectral range which falls within the useable range for particular applications, such as optical pumping of noble gas samples for magnetic resonance imaging. The output of the diode is received by a collimating element which directs the light on a beam path to a diffraction grating which is oriented at an angle to the incident beam. A portion of the beam may be directed from the diffraction grating to provide useable output light, and a portion of the light incident on the grating is directed back to be focused on the diode to provide feedback to cause the diode to preferentially lase at the wavelength of the light that is fed back.

Abstract: A Fabry-Perot laser and a micro-actuator are utilized to provide continuous tuning over a range of wavelengths.

Abstract: Heretofore, if the beam size of the resonance mode is made small in a long resonator length, there arises a problem that the operation of the laser resonator becomes easy to be unstable and hence the adjustment thereof becomes difficult. A laser resonance includes: a laser material; a telescope for magnifying a laser beam which has been made incident from the laser material and for reducing a laser beam which has been made incident from the side opposite thereto; a flat reflecting mirror for reflecting the laser beam which has been made incident from said telescope; a telescope for magnifying the laser beam which has been reflected by the flat reflecting mirror to be reduced by the telescope and to be amplified by the laser material to be made incident thereto; and a flat reflecting mirror for reflecting the laser beam which has been made incident from the telescope.

Abstract: A tunable laser comprising a laser source for providing light with a wavelength along an optical path. A diffractive element is positioned in the optical path and spaced from the laser source for redirecting the light received from the laser source. A reflective element is positioned in the optical path and spaced from the diffractive element for receiving the light redirected by the diffractive element and for further redirecting the light back along the optical path to the reflective element. The diffractive element receives the light further redirected by the reflective element and returns the light along the optical path to the laser source. The optical path created by the laser source, the diffractive element and the reflective element causes the light to lase at the wavelength. At least one microactuator is coupled to one of the diffractive element and the reflective element for moving such element to select the wavelength of the light.

Abstract: Normal incidence stack architecture coupled with the development of diode array pumping enables the power/energy per disk to be increased, a reduction in beam distortions by orders of magnitude, a beam propagation no longer restricted to only one direction of polarization, and the laser becomes so much more amendable to robust packaging.

Abstract: A laser array and method of making same has precision fiducial marks that aid in the alignment of the laser array. The invention requires forming additional optical features adjacent to the laser array that is used to write fiducial marks on an opposite surface in the medium containing the laser array. Fiducial marks are formed when high intensity collimated beams of light are directed through the optical features onto a treated portion of the transparent medium. Fiducial accuracies of 1 micron are possible by using this approach.

Abstract: A laser illuminating apparatus that illuminates a linear or strip-shaped area (S) of sheet material (B) with high radiant power contains a diode laser (2) whose output is followed by two mutually orthogonally oriented rod lenses (4, 6) whose focal length is small in comparison to their distance. Between the two rod lenses (4, 6) a laser light beam fan (L2) is formed. Said fan is focused by the second rod lens (6) on a narrow linear area (S). Behind said area the laser beams diverge at a large angle (?) so that the power density decreases accordingly rapidly. If the light falls on the retina of an observer's eye, the laser light is not focused pointwise but only linearly, which excludes injury to the eye due to the accordingly low power density.

Abstract: A laser light source is equipped with a semiconductor light-emitting device, a first wavelength selector, and a second wavelength selector. The first and second wavelength selectors are used to select the wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting device, and constitute an external resonator. The semiconductor light-emitting device is provided with a stripe, which is formed oblique to the cleaved end facets of the light-emitting device that do not constitute the external resonator. The end facets of the semiconductor light-emitting device are provided with coatings, which become antireflective coatings with respect to the selected wavelength.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser chip has a semiconductor laser element and a beam shaper integrated into the semiconductor laser chip and serving for shaping a laser beam emitted by the semiconductor laser element.

Abstract: Light from a first excitation light source is incident on one facet of a first optical fiber. A core is doped with a first rare earth substance. A resonant section induces light resonance in the core to generate resonant light, thereby providing selected light at the other facet of the first optical fiber. An optical multi/demultiplexer reflects the light of the selected wavelength in a direction different from that of the first optical fiber. A second excitation light source supplies light to the resonant section of the first optical fiber via the optical multi/demultiplexer and the other facet of the first optical fiber. A second optical fiber guides the light of the selected wavelength from the optical multi/demultiplexer to an exterior.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus to be used with an excimer laser as a light source includes an optical system disposed along a path of excimer laser light, a chamber for accommodating the optical system therein and having an inside space being able to be replaced by a predetermined gas, a gas circulation mechanism having a gas circulation path for connecting a gas discharging port for discharging a gas from the chamber and a gas supplying port for supplying a gas into the chamber, and a switching device for selectively using plural purifiers disposed in the gas circulation path.

Abstract: A light source device has a semiconductor laser for emitting an elliptical divergent beam having a light intensity distribution in an elliptical form; and a beam shaping element for converting an elliptical divergent beam from said semiconductor laser into an approximately circular divergent beam having a light intensity distribution in an approximately circular form; wherein the beam shaping element has a first surface formed of a cylindrical surface and a second surface formed of an anamorphic surface, in order from said semiconductor laser side, and satisfies the predetermined conditional expressions.

Abstract: An ultra-broadband, variable and multiple wavelength, waveform shaping apparatus is disclosed that excels with the ability to yield light pulses shaped in waveform, variable and multiple in wavelength over an ultra-broad bandwidth, the pulses being as short as in the order of pico-seconds or less, or even in the order of femto-seconds.

Abstract: A laser apparatus wherein all optical components are mounted on a unitary, rigid base. Natural frequency modes of the apparatus are above about 2 kHz. Tuning elements in the apparatus may have natural frequencies greater than about 10 kHz.

Abstract: Modern optoelectronic components have very tight coupling tolerances. Small misalignments of a strong lens that occur during the alignment and bonding process seriously degrade optical coupling. A weak lens is actively mounted using a flexure to correct misalignments of the strong lens. Since the weak lens does not exert as much steering force on a beam for a similar movement as the strong lens, misalignments that may occur during weak lens positioning and bonding do not appreciably degrade coupling.

Abstract: A laser beam delivery system for supplying a laser beam to a computer generated hologram which shapes and divides the supplied laser beam into a plurality of pseudo flat top laser beams. The plurality of pseudo flat top laser beams are then passed through collimated optics which alter the beams so that the beams are conveyed along the optical axis in a parallel manner. The plurality of collimated laser beams then passes through a converging mechanism which facilitates converging of the plurality of separated collimated laser beams through a clear aperture of a mirror of a first repeat positioning device so that all of the light is received by the repeat positioning device and appropriately reflected thereby to a second mirror of a second repeat positioning device and then to a rear surface of an F-Theta lens. The F-Theta lens focuses the plurality of separated collimated laser beams at the object to be processed.

Abstract: An optical element holding and extraction device is provided. The device includes an optical element, an optical element holder having a tubular gripping portion and a tubular extraction portion connected at one end to the tubular gripping portion, and a retainer that is slideably carried on the tubular extraction portion. The diameter of the tubular extraction portion is less than the tubular gripping portion. In addition, the tubular gripping portion grips the peripheral edge of the optical clement. The device may be used in a variety of gas lasers, including excimer lasers.

Abstract: A multilayer film includes alternately laminated, a first film with a refractive index of n1 and a second film with a refractive index of n2, the multilayer film having the first film in contact with an end face of a semiconductor laser element. The first film and the second film satisfy relations expressed by the formulas n1<(nc)1/2 and n2>(nc)1/2. The reflectivity characteristic of the multilayer film has a 1 maximum at a wavelength &lgr;1 in a wavelength region and minimums at wavelengths &lgr;2 and &lgr;3 on a shorter-wavelength side and a longer-wavelength side of the wavelength &lgr;1, respectively.

Abstract: A deflector deflects laser light emitted from a laser light emitting device. A lens driver moves an objective lens for conversing the laser light deflected by the deflector onto an optical recording disk in a focusing direction and a tracking direction thereof. A frame member supports the laser light emitting device, the deflector and the lens driver. The deflector is positioned such that the center of an intensity distribution of the laser light is aligned with an optical axis of the objective lens.

Abstract: A light frequency locker (10) able to accept a light beam (14) generated by a controllable light source (12) into a light diverter (16) and impart to it a transverse displacement characteristic which can be detected in a light detection unit (20) connected to a processor (22). The processor (22) then controls the light source (12). Optionally, a light diverger (18) may be provided to enhance angular resolution. The light diverter (16) and the light diverger (18) may either transmit or reflect the light. The light diverter (16) may particularly include a diffraction grating (116, 156), Fabry-Perot interferometer (216), multiple slit plate (316), or an acousto-optical unit (416).

Abstract: An optoelectric module includes a cylindrical ferrule defining an optical axis and having a first end constructed to receive an optical fiber aligned along the optical axis. A TO-can is positioned within the ferrule and has a first end with an optical element therein for conducting light therethrough. A base is affixed to the second end of the TO-can and to the second end of the ferrule. A laser is mounted within the TO-can so that light generated by the laser is directed through the optical element along the optical axis. A laser driver is mounted on the base and electrically connected to the laser. External connections to the laser driver are completed by either electrical traces on a surface of the base, vias through the base, or flexible leads mounted on the base.

Abstract: A laser beam pointing and positioning system includes first and second rotatable diffraction gratings. Each grating deviates a laser beam by a predetermined angle of deviation. The relative rotational position of the gratings is controlled to change the beam steering angle and direction of a laser beam. A maximum beam steering angle of twice the angle of deviation may be achieved in any direction. The diffraction gratings may be etched on transmissive substrates of optical glass, sapphire, silicon (Si), Zinc Selenide (ZnSe), Zinc Sulfide (ZnS), or Germanium (Ge). The substrates may be positioned within rotary elements coupled respectively to electromechanical positional control elements to rotate the gratings.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit including: at least one photonic component being suitable for operation with a plurality of photons and including an operational material having a bandgap energy close to the energy of the photons; and, at least one photonic component being suitable for operation with the plurality of photons, including an operational material having a bandgap energy substantially higher than the photons and being adjacent to the at least one photonic component including an operational material having a bandgap energy close to the energy of the photons. The at least one photonic component including an operational material having a bandgap energy substantially higher than the photons includes at least one amorphous silicon based alloy material.

Abstract: A narrow band ultraviolet laser device which can restrict a change in temperature gradient at light transmitting sections and maintain laser light at a high grade. To this end, the ultraviolet laser device includes light shielding elements (37A to 37C) having light transmitting sections (47A to 47C) each constituted by an opening for transmitting laser light (11), and light shielding sections (49A to 49C) that surround the light transmitting sections (47A to 47C), remove an undesired laser light (11A) from an optical path and shape the laser light (11) into a predetermined form, wherein heating means (45) for heating the light transmitting sections (47A to 47C) are provided in the vicinity of the light shielding elements (37A to 37C).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser-plumbing leveler with adjustable height of the horizontal line, which comprises a laser emitting device, a laser line (plane) projecting optical system, and a laser line (plane) rotating and/or moving unit, wherein the laser line (plane) projecting optical system comprises a horizontal laser unit, a vertical laser unit and/or inclined laser unit and so forth. The laser-plumbing leveler according to the invention can be used in building decoration or the like for positioning at different height in horizontal, vertical and inclined directions, and has the advantages of easy use, reliable leveling, simple construction and low price.

Abstract: Illumination unit for an apparatus, particularly for the implementation of diaphanoscopic examinations at a human, animal or botanical examination subject, has a monolithic semiconductor laser diode bar with driveable laser diodes that emit radiation as well as at least one optical arrangement for collimating and/or focusing the emitted laser radiation. The laser diode bar and the optical arrangement are mounted at a common carrier, and the laser diode bar is connected to pin-like terminal elements at the carrier for diode drive, that are in turn connected or connectable to terminals provided at a carrier plate accepting the carrier. A radiation-transparent covering that encapsulates the carrier.

Abstract: In a solid-state laser in which a gain crystal is polished to have the Brewster angle or a solid-state laser comprising a dichroic concave mirror to which light enters at an incidence angle which is not zero, astigmatism generally occurs in pumping light. By tilting a focusing lens for pumping light with respect to the optical axis of the pumping light, the astigmatism is compensated. The tilting angle is determined in such a manner that synthetic focusing points in the sagittal and tangential planes, of a series optical system of a focusing lens, a dichroic concave lens, and a gain crystal are calculated and the focusing points almost coincide with focusing points in a cavity mode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a base, a semiconductor laser configured to be supported by the base, and a collimate lens configured to have a portion opposed to a light-outgoing region of the semiconductor laser and a portion to be adhered to the base. A notch a notch is formed at the base, and held between a portion to which the collimate lens is adhered and a portion which supports the semiconductor laser, of the base.

Abstract: An optical membrane device and method for making such a device are described. This membrane is notable in that it comprises an optically curved surface. In some embodiments, this curved optical surface is optically concave and coated, for example, with a highly reflecting (HR) coating to create a curved mirror. In other embodiments, the optical surface is optically convex and coated with, preferably, an antireflective (AR) coating to function as a refractive or diffractive lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to an High Repetition Rate UV Excimer Laser which includes a source of a laser beam and one or more windows which include magnesium fluoride. Another aspect of the invention relates to an excimer laser which includes a source of a laser beam, one or more windows which include magnesium fluoride and a source for annealing the one or more windows. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a predetermined narrow width laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for conditioning the output signals of an array of surface-emitting lasers with an array of edge-receiving optical devices. Both the array of surface-emitting lasers and the array of edge-receiving optical devices are mounted on an optical bench substrate. The array of edge-receiving optical devices may also be monolithically fabricated on the optical bench substrate. The array of surface-emitting lasers and the array of edge-receiving optical devices are aligned by alignment features and slots, which are fabricated on the optical bench substrate so as to optically couple the array of surface-emitting lasers to the array of edge-receiving optical devices.

Abstract: A laser system comprises a laser diode with an active region and reflectors at both ends. An outcoupling aperture is located between the reflectors to couple light out of the device through the surface. The gain region increases in width as it nears the outcoupling aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting an orientation of an optical component mounted within a laser resonator with suppressed hysteresis includes an electromechanical device, a drive element, and a mechano-optical device coupled to the mounted optical component. The drive element is configured to contact and apply a force to the mechano-optical device in such a way as to adjust the orientation of the mechano-optical device, and thereby that of the optical component, to a known orientation within the laser resonator. The optical component is mounted such that stresses applied by the mount to the optical component are homogeneous and substantially thermally-independent.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a microlens having very small focal length. The present invention also provides a non-planar microstructure having a covering layer which is slowly oxidizing of substantially free or oxygen. The present invention also provides methods for forming such microlenses and microstructures. In addition, the present invention provides a VCSEL which includes one or more non-planar microstructures of the present invention.

Abstract: An electro-optical system includes a plurality of electromagnetic gain media having a corresponding plurality of apertures. The apertures are disposed in a predetermined spatial distribution. The system further includes a refracting surface disposed to intercept energy from the plurality of apertures and a partially reflecting surface to direct portions of the intercepted energy back toward the plurality of apertures with the directed energy being distributed about the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: An optical arrangement for direction dependent coupling out of light comprises a first and a second polarization converter each for converting the state of polarization of light received in a predetermined way. A polarization dependent coupling device is adapted for coupling out a portion of the light received, whereby the ratio of the coupled out portion substantially depends on the state of polarization of the light received. The polarization dependent coupling device is arranged between the first and the second polarization converters, and the optical arrangement receives from different sides light beams propagating in different directions. The characteristics of the first and the second polarization converters are adapted such that the polarization dependent coupling device receives light beams propagating with different states of polarization in the different directions.

Abstract: A collimation assembly for use in a laser scanning unit is provided. Methods for aligning collimation and pre-scan assemblies in a laser scanning unit are further provided. Also provided are alignment structures for use in aligning collimation and pre-scan assemblies in a laser scanning unit.

Abstract: A wavelength-tunable semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor substrate; an optical waveguide on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate; a front light reflection area including an SG-DBR mirror with repeating pairs of a diffraction grating portion and a non-diffraction grating portion over plural periods; a rear light reflection area including an SSG-DBR mirror achieved with repeating portions in which the pitch of a diffraction grating pitch regularly varies from one end to the other end; an active region including an active layer between the front light reflection area and the rear light reflection area; and a phase control area between the front light reflection area and the rear light reflection area and including a phase control layer with a refractive index varied by current injection.

Abstract: A multi-beam source unit is disclosed wherein an arranged direction of light emitting points of a multi-beam laser diode relative to a horizontal scanning direction of a scanning optical system can be aligned with a predetermined standard design line.

Abstract: A resonating cavity system of a tunable multi-wavelength semiconductor laser. The system has a laser, a collimating lens, a grating, a slit plate, and adjustable mirrors. The laser has two ends. The first end is coupled to the cavity, and the second end outputs the laser beam. The grating is located in the lasing path between the first end of the semiconductor laser and the plate, and the plate is located before the adjustable mirrors. Each adjustable mirror is aligned to the corresponding slit of the plate. Lasing paths extend from the first end of the laser, through the grating, the lens, a plurality of the slits of the plate, to the adjustable mirrors. Each mirror can be adjusted independently to ensure each beam is reflected accurately back to each resonating path. Thereby, a feature of equal lasing gains of all the resonating paths is guaranteed.

Abstract: A diode pumped solid state laser/OPO system widely tunable in mid infrared spectrum for infrared matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectroscopy is disclosed. Up to a few tens of milli-Joule, short pulse, tunable near infrared laser pulse is generated from an all solid state laser at a high pulse repetition rate up to one kHz. The tunable near-infrared laser pumps a Quasi-Phase Matching (QPM) OPO system to further shift the wavelength to the mid-IR range and to broaden the tuning range to as much as 3 &mgr;m to effectively generate a widely tunable spectral output. The wide range tuning of the infrared output is accomplished by a narrow range tuning of the pump laser. The pump laser output is generated by a diode pumped tunable solid state laser module using either a Yb:YAG crystal or any other efficient tunable laser crystals. The wavelength range (2-5 &mgr;m) covered by the solid state laser system is optimum for MALDI applications.

Abstract: A mode controlling device for capturing a highly divergent, multi-mode laser beam received from a high-power broad area laser source and producing a narrow, single-mode laser beam. In one embodiment, the mode controlling device comprises a diffractive device having a nonplanar profile positioned to receive the multi-mode laser beam. The diffractive device comprises a plurality of grooves for receiving the multi-mode laser beam and diffracting light to a reflective medium, thereby creating feedback for producing a narrow, single-mode laser beam with a non-uniform intensity profile. The reflective medium may be positioned at the surface of the diffractive device; alternatively, the reflective medium may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the diffractive device.

Abstract: A solid-state laser having an excitation light source, a lens system for focusing an excitation light produced from the light source, and a laser resonator which is laser-oscillated in response to the focused excitation light. The resonator includes only a gain medium and a solid-state medium having dispersion of a wavelength dependence opposite to that of the gain medium, and surfaces of the gain medium and the solid-state medium, which are respectively at opposite sides of opposing surfaces of the gain medium and the solid-state medium, are reflectively coated and act as mirror surfaces. At least one of the other surfaces of the gain medium and the solid-state medium, which are positioned inside the resonator and are opposite to each other, is polished to a curved surface. The gain medium is excited by the focused excitation light so that the laser oscillation is made in the resonator.

Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator (OPO) having an optical pump, which generates a pump beam at a pump frequency greater than a desired signal frequency, a nonlinear optical medium oriented so that a signal wave at the desired signal frequency and a corresponding idler wave are produced when the pump beam (wave) propagates through the nonlinear optical medium, resulting in beam walk off of the signal and idler waves, and an optical cavity which directs the signal wave to repeatedly pass through the nonlinear optical medium, said optical cavity comprising an equivalently even number of non-planar mirrors that produce image rotation on each pass through the nonlinear optical medium. Utilizing beam walk off where the signal wave and said idler wave have nonparallel Poynting vectors in the nonlinear medium and image rotation, a correlation zone of distance equal to approximately &rgr;Lcrystal is created which, through multiple passes through the nonlinear medium, improves the beam quality of the OPO output.

Abstract: An optoelectronic laser module, in particular for dense wavelength division multiplex systems, is described. The laser module has a laser diode with an active region, an optical resonator containing a highly silvered reflecting surface and a Bragg interference grating which provides frequency-selective feedback, and a housing which accommodates the laser diode and has a holder for coupling an optical conductor. The Bragg interference grating is configured as a fiber Bragg grating in an optical conductor and the optical conductor is connected to the housing via the holder. As a result, it is possible with the use of standard components to provide a laser having an external resonator whose emission wavelength can be set in a simple way by suitable selection of the fiber Bragg grating.

Abstract: Heretofore, if the beam size of the resonance mode is made small in a long resonator length, there arises a problem that the operation of the laser resonator becomes easy to be unstable and hence the adjustment thereof becomes difficult. A laser resonance includes: a laser material; a telescope for magnifying a laser beam which has been made incident from the laser material and for reducing a laser beam which has been made incident from the side opposite thereto; a flat reflecting mirror for reflecting the laser beam which has been made incident from said telescope; a telescope for magnifying the laser beam which has been reflected by the flat reflecting mirror to be reduced by the telescope and to be amplified by the laser material to be made incident thereto; and a flat reflecting mirror for reflecting the laser beam which has been made incident from the telescope.

Abstract: With an optical head, a stimulating ray beam produced by a stimulating ray source is irradiated onto an image carrier supported on a stage, and light emitted by the image carrier is collected and guided toward a photodetector. At least either one of the optical head and the stage is moved with respect to the other and in two-dimensional directions along a plane parallel with the other. The optical head comprises a concave mirror for reflecting the stimulating ray beam, which travels in parallel with the stage, toward the image carrier, and a lens for converging the stimulating ray beam, which has been reflected from the concave mirror, onto the image carrier. The lens and the concave mirror also guide the light, which is emitted by the image carrier, toward the photodetector.