Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying laser energy having desired pulse characteristics, including a sufficiently short duration and/or a sufficiently high energy for the photomechanical treatment of skin pigmentations and pigmented lesions, both naturally-occurring (e.g., birthmarks), as well as artificial (e.g., tattoos). The laser energy may be generated with an apparatus having a resonator with the capability of switching between a modelocked pulse operating mode and an amplification operating mode. The operating modes are carried out through the application of a time-dependent bias voltage, having waveforms as described herein, to an electro-optical device (e.g., a Pockels cell) positioned along the optical axis of the resonator.

Abstract: A microchip, Q-switched, cavity-dumped laser is end-pumped by VCSEL or a laser diode and comprises an electro-optic Q-switch mechanism actively controlled by photoconductive switches. The fast response time of the system and its small dimension produce short pulses (ten pico-second range), with high energy (uJ range). The microchip structure may be built using planar, wafer-like components such that a high-density array of lasers may be manufactured without tight alignment tolerances, providing efficient power or energy scaling.

Abstract: A laser-emitting device may be coupled to an electro-optically controlled wavelength actuator. An electro-optically controlled wavelength actuator may be a holographic wavelength actuator or a liquid crystal wavelength actuator. The electro-optically controlled wavelength actuator may function as a tunable diffraction grating for external cavity lasers.

Abstract: Various electro-optical modulator module designs are presented, which can provide for uniform, symmetric, and efficient heat removal for mode-locking, Q-switching, and/or cavity dumping operations. Heat can be uniformly extracted from an EO crystal without imposing undue stress, thereby preventing birefringence and laser beam degradation. A liquid-cooling approach can be used for high-duty operations, such as mode-locking operations. Efficient heat removal can prevent thermal run-away from electrical heating of the crystal due to the large drop in the electrical resistance of CdTe with increasing temperature when operated above 50° C. RF or video arcing and subsequent damage to the EO crystal can be prevented by surrounding the crystal with a low dielectric constant material that lowers the capacitance coupling to ground, while still maintaining good thermal cooling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for linewidth broadening applied to a laser that emits a light having an output frequency ? and an emission linewidth ?E. The apparatus is equipped with an electro-optic modulator for intercepting the light and a noise generator for driving the electro-optic modulator with a radio-frequency (RF) noise signal spanning a frequency range selected to broaden the emission linewidth ?E of the light passing through the electro-optic modulator to a broadened linewidth ?B. The noise spectrum of the noise signal exhibits a continuous frequency range and can be flat or sloping. The range extends from low frequency ?L set below the emission linewidth ?E of the light to a high frequency ?H set above the emission linewidth ?E of the light. The electro-optic modulator can be selected from among many suitable devices including optical crystals. Further broadening can be achieved by employing one or more secondary EOMs operating in resonant or non-resonant modes.

Abstract: Driver for Pockels cells and using this Pockels cell within laser systems The driver i.e. the electrical control of the Pockels cell is modified from the standardly known H-configuration using the switches S1, S2A; S1A, S2 A by adding at least one more switch (S2B; S1B; S2B). This switch can either replace the usually used recharging resistors (R2) or can be placed to these in parallel. It is also possible to use an arrangement using 4 switches (S1A, S2A, S1B, S2B) and no recharging resistors at all. Using such a driver with a Pockels cell pulses can be selected in laser systems more efficiently. Pulse sequences with well defined widths and spacing can be produced for certain application.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrooptic device and an electronic apparatus, in which the electrical characteristics of many thin-film switching elements formed in a substrate to support an electrooptic material can be accurately inspected. The invention also provides a method for making the electrooptic device. In a TFT array substrate of a liquid crystal device, an inspection TFT is formed in one of dummy pixels disposed at the periphery of a pixel region. A pixel electrode connected to a drain region of the TFT functions as a first inspection pad. In an adjacent dummy pixel, the pixel electrode electrically connected to an extended portion of a data line functions as a second inspection pad. In another adjacent dummy pixel, the pixel electrode electrically connected to an extended portion of a scan line via a junction electrode functions as a third inspection pad.

Abstract: A method of operating a laser to obtain an output pulse having a single wavelength, comprises inducing an intracavity loss into a laser resonator having an amount that prevents oscillation during a time that energy from the pump source is being stored in the gain medium. Gain is built up in the gain medium with energy from the pump source until formation of a single-frequency relaxation oscillation pulse in the resonator. Upon detection of the onset of the relaxation oscillation pulse, the intracavity loss is reduced, such as by Q-switching, so that the built-up gain stored in the gain medium is output from the resonator in the form of an output pulse at a single frequency. An electronically controllable output coupler is controlled to affect output pulse characteristics. The laser acts a master oscillator in a master oscillator power amplifier configuration. The laser is used for laser peening.

Abstract: A mode locked pulsed laser is constructed to shorten pulse duration by a solid state saturable absorber, such as a glass doped with a quantum-dot material such as PbS. The saturable absorber, used as a passive mode locker, is preferably used in combination with an active mode locker. Once the pulses are at about the saturation level of the absorber, a Q control module maintains the pulse energy at a roughly constant level while the pulse is shortened. When the pulses are sufficiently short, the mode lockers and Q control module are switched out of the cavity, and then the short pulses are amplified. When the pulses reach sufficient energy, the light is switched out of the cavity by a cavity dumper. The cavity dumper, switches, Q control module and active mode locker may use electro-optic crystals to rotate the polarization of the beam.

Abstract: This invention is a kind of electrooptic Q-switch element made of a single crystal and belongs to the application of crystal in electrooptic technology field. The invention consists of electrooptic Q-switch which is made of La3Ga5SiO14 or Nd:La3Ga5SiO14 or the other related crystal materials such as La3Ga5-xAlxSiO14, Sr3Ga2Ge4SiO14, Na2CaGe6O14, Ca3Ga2Ge4O14, La3Ga5.5Nb0.5O14 and La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14 with the common shape or a specific shape containing Brewster angle as shown in figure. This kind of electrooptic Q-switch can be used in YAG laser and other laser. It overcomes the shortages of the commercial Q-switches, such as the high, un-adjustable, low stable half-wave voltage and great half-wave voltage variation with temperature. The advantage of this kind of electrooptic Q-switch is its low, adjustable, high stable half-wave voltage.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength laser device includes at least two of a blue laser diode, a red laser diode, and an infrared laser diode, which are arranged in the same direction on the same base. One laser light emission point is arranged behind another in increasing order of wavelengths of the laser diodes.

Abstract: All optical clock recovery includes a transmitter for generating an optical timing signal. The transmitter includes a semiconductor laser for the production of a dynamically synchronizable timing signal, the laser having an external resonator for feedback of the timing signal to the laser, the feedback having a delay time greater than a relaxation oscillation time for the laser, and the laser outputting an optical timing signal having a characteristic dynamic. The transmitter supplies the optical timing signal to a receiver configured to receive the timing signal and to synchronize to the laser on receipt of the timing signal, such that the receiver outputs a recovered timing signal having the characteristic dynamic.

Abstract: An apparatus and method generating an optical pulse of picosecond class (having a high duty ratio), which accurately and stably operates at an arbitrary repetition frequency, has a high OSNR, and is not restricted by an RF modulation frequency, are provided. New modulation spectrum components are generated by performing phase modulation for light output from a single wavelength laser light source with an optical phase modulator. The phases of the modulation spectrum components are aligned by a phase adjuster, so that a pulse wave in a time domain is generated.

Abstract: When a piezoelectric element 3 applies an external force to a plastic photonic crystal, the photonic crystal deforms, and accordingly, the photonic band gap easily changes. When the photonic band gap changes, transmission of light with a specific wavelength is limited. Therefore, light with a desired wavelength is outputted from the photonic crystal 2 upon sufficient tuning, and extracted to the outside through an output window 6. In the present invention, a plastic photonic crystal 2 which can achieve sufficient wavelength tuning although it is small is used, and elements are unitized, so that the entire wavelength tunable light source unit is downsized.

Abstract: A laser is disclosed which includes a gain medium, a switch element, and a pulse controller. In one embodiment laser light of differing polarizations pass along respective paths and a pulsed laser output is generated via an electro-optical element. In another embodiment light of differing polarizations passes in differing directions through a cyclical path. The invention can make use of a prism-shaped polarizer having a polarization selection face and two further faces. Yet further initial pulses can be controlled to reduce energy, for example by progressively increasing the period or amplitude of successive pulses. As a result an efficient and high power laser apparatus is realized.

Abstract: An electro-optic Q-switch for generating sequence of laser pulses was disclosed. The Q-switch comprises a quadratic electro-optic material and is connected with an electronic unit generating a radio frequency wave with positive and negative pulses alternatively.

Abstract: Methods and systems for laser-based processing of materials are disclosed wherein a scalable laser architecture, based on planar waveguide technology, provides for pulsed laser micromachining applications while supporting higher average power applications like laser welding and cutting. Various embodiments relate to improvements in planar waveguide technology which provide for stable operation at high powers with a reduction in spurious outputs and thermal effects. At least one embodiment provides for micromachining with pulsewidths in the range of femtoseconds to nanoseconds. In another embodiment, 100 W or greater average output power operation is provided for with a diode-pumped, planar waveguide architecture.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated component (10) comprises a plurality of sections (21, 22) including a section (21) constituting a laser having a cavity delimited by a partially reflecting reflector and at least one other section (22) adjacent said laser section (21). The partially reflecting reflector (11) is disposed between the laser section (21) and one of the adjacent sections (22) and is a Bragg reflector grating (11) that allows multimode operation of the laser (21).

Abstract: This disclosure discusses techniques for obtaining wavelength selected simultaneously super pulsed Q-switched and cavity dumped laser pulses utilizing high optical damage threshold electro-optic modulators, maintaining a zero DC voltage bias on the CdTe electro-optic modulator (EOM) so as to minimize polarization variations depending on the location of the laser beam propagating through the CdSe EOM crystal, as well as the addition of one or more laser amplifiers in a compact package and the use of simultaneous gain switched, Q-switched and cavity dumped operation of CO2 lasers for generating shorter pulses and higher peak power for the hole drilling, engraving and perforation applications.

Abstract: A fiber-laser-based implementation of a Terahertz source through difference frequency generation (DFG) by nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals is compact, tunable and scalable. A pair of fiber lasers (Q-switched, CW or mode-locked) generate single-frequency outputs at frequencies ?1 and ?2. A fiber beam combiner combines the laser outputs and routes the combined output to a THz generator head where a nonlinear interaction process in the NLO crystal generates THz radiation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a laser cavity with passive triggering by saturable absorbent and with controlled polarization, and to a laser and in particular to a microlaser containing the said cavity and means of pumping this cavity. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing the said microlaser. The laser cavity with controlled polarization comprises a substrate made of Y3Al5O12 (YAG) active laser material that may or may not be doped, on which a monocrystalline layer of saturable absorbent doped YAG material is deposited directly by liquid phase epitaxy or by a similar process, in which the said active laser material has a [100] orientation, and in which the said monocrystalline layer of saturable absorbent material is deposited with the same [100] orientation.

Abstract: A cavity assembly includes a mounting member, an active gain medium, at least one electro-optic component and at least one alignment assembly. The mounting member defines an aperture within which the active gain medium is disposed, and is comprised of a thermally conductive material. The alignment assemblies are disposed relative to the active gain medium, and are configured to receive the electro-optic components such that electro-optic components at least partially align with the active gain medium. The alignment assemblies are rotatably disposed relative to the active gain medium such that relative rotation of the alignment assemblies and the active gain medium alters the alignment of the respective electro-optic components with respect to the active gain medium. The cavity assembly may be mounted within a thermally conductive housing to transfer heat away from the active gain medium.

Abstract: An electro-optic device for use with a laser beam. A crystal has a first face and a second face. Means are provided for applying a voltage across the crystal to obtain a net phase retardation on the polarization of the laser beam when the laser beam is passed through the crystal. In one embodiment the crystal is composed of a compound having the chemical formula ReAe40(BO3)3 where: RE consists of one or more of the following elements La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and two other elements Y and Sc; and where Ae is from the list of Ca, Sr, or Ba.

Abstract: A fluid flow concept is applied in an optical apparatus to define a high gain stand-off, fast electro-optical q-switch which is highly impervious to high average power optical loads.

Abstract: A virtual coherent signal controlled laser oscillator for use in optical phase locked coherent receivers. The present invention employs a fixed laser oscillator in combination with a signal controlled microwave oscillator. A single sideband mixer processes the signals output by the laser oscillator and microwave oscillator to generate a single controlled optical frequency signal.

Abstract: A laser includes a gain medium located in a laser resonator. The gain medium generates plane polarized radiation plane polarized in a first polarization orientation. An electro-optical switch is located in the resonator. When the switch is activated the polarization plane of the laser radiation is rotated to a second orientation after making a forward and a reverse pass through the optical switch. When the switch is deactivated, the polarization orientation of the forward and reverse transmitted laser radiation remains about the same. A polarization selective device is located in the resonator between the electro-optical switch and the gain medium. The polarization selective device is arranged to permit circulation in the resonator of laser radiation in the first polarization orientation, and to restrict circulation of laser radiation in the second polarization orientation. The Gain medium is energized and the switch activated to allow energy to build in the gain medium.

Abstract: A device for attenuating thermal lensing in an optical resonator is disclosed. The device includes a laser rod having an optical axis, a first high-reflectivity element disposed within a path of the optical axis, an outcoupling element disposed within a path of the optical axis, a second high-reflectivity element disposed within a path of the optical axis, and a potential source coupled to the second high-reflectivity element. Application of a first potential from the potential source onto the second high-reflectivity element causes the second high-reflectivity element to be substantially reflective, and application of a second potential from the potential source onto the second high-reflectivity element causes the second high reflectivity element to be substantially transmissive, to preserve a TEM00 beam quality within the optical resonator under varying thermal conditions.

Abstract: A method of integrating a chip with a topside active optical chip is described. The topside active optical chip has at least one optical laser device, having an active side including an optically active region, a laser cavity having a height, an optically inactive region, a bonding side opposite the active side, and a device thickness. The method involves bonding the optical chip to the electronic chip; applying a substrate to the active side, the substrate having a substrate thickness over the active region in the range of between a first amount and a second amount, and applying an anti-reflection without a special patterning or distinguishing between the at least one optical laser device and any other device. A hybrid electro-optical chip is also described as having an electronic chip; and a topside active optical chip. The hybrid electro-optical chip having been created by one of the methods herein. A module is also described.

Abstract: A directly modulatable laser comprising an active medium inside a laser cavity formed by a resonator mirror and an out-coupling mirror, and a pump light source exciting the active medium. It is characterized in that the active medium generates radiation of two wavelengths (&lgr;1 and &lgr;2) and the resonator mirror is constructed as a controllable reflector by which the reflectivity is controllable for each of the two wavelengths (&lgr;1 and &lgr;2) and the controllable reflector is connected with a control unit, wherein the reflection factor is controlled in such a way that the inversion density of the electrons which is generated in the active medium is constant and the light output of one of the wavelengths ((&lgr;1) is controllable between a minimum value and a maximum value according to an applied control signal, wherein the control of the two wavelengths ((&lgr;1 and &lgr;2) is carried out in push-pull.

Abstract: An intracavity frequency converted, Q-switched laser and method for operating such laser to obtain high output power in secondary pulses at a converted frequency. The secondary pulses are generated by a intracavity frequency conversion element from primary pulses at the fundamental wavelength. In accordance with the invention, after the primary and secondary pulses are generated the Q-switch is turned back on before the gain is fully depleted in the generation of the primary pulse. In particular, the Q-switch is turned back on such that a certain amount of energy of the primary pulse is retained in the laser, but late enough so that a majority of the secondary pulse is out-coupled from the laser. The Q-switched laser is well-suited for use at pulse repetition rates larger than 1/&tgr;, where &tgr; is an upper state lifetime (fluorescence lifetime) of the laser. Specifically, the laser can be operated at repetition rates of 10 kHz and higher, e.g.

Abstract: A chirp signal source includes first and second lasers formed on a solid-state chip or substrate. Each of the lasers has a resonator or cavity which incorporates or includes electrooptic material which changes refractive index in response to an electric field. The lasers are pumped, and the resulting laser beams are coupled to a light-to-electric converter which combines the light beams to generate an electrical difference frequency. The change in refractive index allows the lasers to be swept or chin,ed at a much higher rate than thermal or piezoelectrically operated lasers. This structure has the advantages of tending to reduce temperature effects on the difference frequency. It has the further advantage of a high sweep rate, which can be used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. A radar or lidar ranging system according to an aspect of the invention uses multiple solid-state lasers, which are thermally coupled together.

Abstract: In order to set target positions in the case where mobile bodies such as mobile robots transfer in accordance with a manner different from that of the prior art, a method for instructing such target positions of at least one or more of the mobile bodies contained movably in a predetermined environment comprises light beacons being produced by a light beam projecting device in a surface on which the mobile bodies are to be transferred, whereby the target positions towards which the mobile bodies are to be transferred being instructed.

Abstract: Mode-locked fiber lasers with an active feedback control of the frequency chirp and a mechanism for adjusting the dispersion of the output pulses.

Abstract: A Q-switched solid state laser is disclosed comprising a pump radiation source, whose pump radiation is focused through focusing elements in the laser crystal, a resonator formed by reflecting surfaces in which at least one laser crystal, an acousto-optic switch for Q-switching, and, if desired, a freqency-doubling crystal (KTP) are arranged. The acousto-optic Q-switch is connected with an electronic unit generating a high-frequency wave which can be modulated. The Q-switch is controlled by the high-frequency wave in such a way that laser pulses with pulse lengths on the order of magnitude of several microseconds (&mgr;s) and with an energy content on the order of magnitude of several millijoules can be generated by controlling the steepness of the edge of the modulation function of the high-frequency wave.

Abstract: A burst (50) of ultrashort laser pulses (52) is employed to sever a conductive link (22) in a nonthermal manner and offers a wider processing window, eliminates undesirable HAZ effects, and achieves superior severed link quality. The duration of the burst (50) is preferably in the range of 10 ns to 500 ns; and the pulse width of each laser pulse (52) within the burst (50) is generally shorter than 25 ps, preferably shorter than or equal to 10 ps, and most preferably about 10 ps to 100 fs or shorter. The burst (50) can be treated as a single “pulse” by conventional laser positioning systems (62) to perform on-the-fly link removal without stopping whenever the laser system (60) fires a burst (50) of laser pulses (52) at each link (22). Conventional wavelengths or their harmonics can be employed.

Abstract: A laser via drilling system, and a method of use thereof, is provided. The apparatus uses two or more laser systems to achieve processing parameter flexibility. The output beams from the independently controlled laser systems are combined using a beam splitter that combines the beams into single or multiple processing beams. The operational flexibility of the system can be further enhanced through the use of multiple EO modulators and a polarization sensitive beam splitter.

Abstract: A conductive substrate supports an array of multi-channel optical attenuating devices. Each attenuating device includes a membrane with an optically transparent portion And a flexible support for positioning the optically transparent portion of the membrane spaced from the substrate for defining an air gap. The air gap constitutes a cross-shaped gap-chamber having a horizontally and vertically elongated chambers extended from a central intersection area functioning as an optical active area. A voltage bias circuit applies an electrical bias between the conductive substrate and the membrane to adjust and control an air-gap thickness at the optical active area between the conductive substrate and the membrane. Each of the devices can be manufactured on the same silicon wafer using the same process and can be individually controlled to accommodate different wavelength attenuation at each channel. Production costs, and time and efforts required for aligning the array to optical fibers are also reduced.

Abstract: An electro-optic device for use with a laser beam. A crystal has a first face and a second face. Means are provided for applying a voltage across the crystal to obtain a net phase retardation on the polarization of the laser beam when the laser beam is passed through the crystal. In one embodiment the crystal is composed of a compound having the chemical formula ReAe40(BO3)3 where: RE consists of one or more of the following elements La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and two other elements Y and Sc; and where Ae is from the list of Ca, Sr, or Ba.

Abstract: A narrow band molecular fluorine laser system includes an oscillator and an amplifier, wherein the oscillator produces a 157 nm beam having a linewidth less than 1 pm and the amplifier increases the power of the beam above a predetermined amount, such as more than one or several Watts. The oscillator includes a discharge chamber filled with a laser gas including molecular fluorine and a buffer gas, electrodes within the discharge chamber connected to a discharge circuit for energizing the molecular fluorine, and a resonator including the discharge chamber for generating a laser beam having a wavelength around 157 nm. Line-narrowing optics are included intra- and/or extra-resonator for reducing the linewidth of the laser beam to less than 1 pm. The amplifier may be the same or a different discharge chamber, and optical and/or electronic delays may be used for timing pulses from the oscillator to reach the amplifier at a maximum in the discharge current of the amplifier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a projection exposure apparatus which includes an illumination optical system for illuminating a pattern of a reticle with laser light from a continuous emission excimer laser, a projection optical system for projecting the illuminated pattern onto a substrate, and a wavelength stabilization mechanism for maintaining an emission wavelength of the excimer laser constant. The projection optical system is provided by a lens system being made of a substantially single glass material. With this arrangement, the pattern of the reticle can be projected on the substrate very accurately.

Abstract: This semiconductor laser diode module optically couples a laser diode and an optical fiber in which a fiber grating is formed, and a monitor photodiode for an optical output monitor is arranged at the rear of the laser diode. The semiconductor laser diode module improves the optical output characteristics at the optical fiber end versus the current of the monitor diode by setting the reflection center wavelength of the fiber grating to a longer wavelength than the oscillation center wavelength or the gain center wavelength in a laser diode.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser module includes a casing defining a chamber, light-emitting means fixed to the casing in the chamber, and a fiber optic connector installed so as to communicate the chamber of the casing to outside. The light-emitting means is fixed to the casing by means of a heat sink. The light-emitting means includes a semiconductor chip mounted on the heat sink for generating laser light, a current supply means arranged near the semiconductor chip on the heat sink, and a collimator lens supported by the heat sink so as to oppose the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A laser oscillation device, which has an optical fiber where laser ion is doped; an excitation emission element that generates one laser beam including multiple wavelength components by exciting the laser ion in the optical fiber by light emission; a total reflection element that is located at one end of the optical fiber and reflects uniformly laser beam with multiple wavelengths; a separation optical element that is located at another end of the optical fiber and separates laser beam into beams with multiple wavelengths; and a plurality of partial reflection element that reflect separately laser beams with multiple wavelengths separated by the separation optical element.

Abstract: A MEMS-based selectable laser output optical device (10) includes a laser source (12) having a laser output 14. A MEMS switch (16) is optically coupled to the laser source (12) for selectively coupling the laser output (14) from the laser source (12) in one of two directions (141) or (142). The MEMS switch (16) has a mirror (160) that is slidable or otherwise movable from a first position (161), where the mirror (160) is laying flat or in another non-obstructing position to provide a non-obstructing linear exit optical path (141). A second position (162) where the mirror (160) is in its upright vertically aligned direction, obstructs the linear optical path to re-direct the optical path in a non-linear direction.

Abstract: In a laser apparatus, when no voltage is applied to optical modulator, a first linearly polarized component of a laser beam which passes through a polarization control mirror causes a laser oscillation in a first laser resonator and a laser beam is output from a second reflecting mirror. When a pulsed voltage is applied to the optical modulator, a second linearly polarized component of the laser beam reflected by the polarization control mirror passes through the optical modulation means and causes a Q-switched laser oscillation in a second laser resonator. In this case, the first linearly polarized component passes through the polarization control mirror and is output from the second reflecting mirror. This technique makes it possible to combine a Q-switched laser apparatus with a non-Q-switched laser apparatus without causing the power of the laser beam to exceed a maximum allowable limit that an electrooptical modulator can handle.

Abstract: Dual-cavity resonators that may be optimized for multiple functions (operating modes). The dual-cavity resonators provide a first set of operating modes that exhibits low repetition rates (5-20 Hz), high energy per pulse, and long, pulse-width, and a second set of operating modes that exhibits high repetition rates (100-2000 Hz), low energy per pulse, and short pulse-width.

Abstract: An electroluminescent solid state device includes an active body member that is formed of a single crystalline metal oxide, such as aluminum oxide, that is doped with a rare earth element, such as erbium and/or terbium and an activator atom such as oxygen and/or fluorine. The metal oxide body member is electron excited by kinetic electrons that are emitted by a cold cathode. The ends of the metal oxide body member are polished to form a Fabry-Perot resonator, thus providing for coherent radiation from the device. As an alternative to the use of a Fabry-Perot cavity, an acoustic wave generator is associated with the metal oxide body member in order to launch acoustic waves into the body member. The frequency of energization of the acoustic wave generator operates to select a radiation wavelength from one or more emission wavelengths that are produced by doping the metal oxide body member with one or more rare earth elements.

Abstract: An optical pulse source includes a gain-switched semiconductor laser diode. Light from a continuous wave source is opitically coupled into the laser cavity. Light output from the laser cavity passes through an electro-optic amplitude modulator. Synchronized modulating signals are applied to the semiconductor diode and to the amplitude modulator. The source outputs short low-jitter low-pedestal optical pulses and is suitable for use, for example, in a broadband optical network operating at thigh bit rates of 100 Gbit/s or more, or in an optical interconnect.

Abstract: A tunable, solid state laser device with both visible and infrared laser emission is developed with a trivalent ytterbium-doped yttrium calcium oxyborate crystal as the host crystal. The Yb:YCOB crystal generates an infrared fundamental light over a wide bandwidth, from approximately 980 nanometers (nm) to approximately 1100 nm. The bandwidth generated by the Yb:YCOB crystal is approximately 100 nm wide and supports the generation of pulsed infrared light or when self-frequency doubled provides a compact, efficient, source of tunable, visible, blue or green laser light in wavelengths of approximately 490 nm to approximately 550 nm.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an optical device which has obliterated, by the use of a nonlinear optical crystal, the need for a complicated adjustment operation of positions as seen in an optical device used for obtaining an output light having a frequency different from an input light. To be specific, Q switching electrodes 12A, 12B, phase adjustment electrodes 9A, 9B and periodic domain inversion part 15 are disposed in desired parts of path 2 in an optical crystal 1 having nonlinear optical character, electro-optical character and laser activity. By the action of an input light P0 supplied from an input side 3, oscillation light P1 is oscillated, harmonic is generated by nonlinear optical character and periodic domain inversion part 15, or output light P2 having a frequency different from that of input light P0 is emitted from output side 4 by optical parametric oscillation.