Abstract: A dye laser system and method for operation thereof. The dye laser includes a laser cavity capable of lasing in response to an energy source, a circulation path for pumping a dye solution to the laser cavity, and a regeneration medium containing saturated dye solution at equilibrium with the concentration of the dye solution in the circulation path located in the circulation path so that the dye solution is regenerated by circulation through the regeneration medium. According to another aspect, there is provided a system and method for restoring dye solution degraded by use in dye laser. The system and method include a circulation path for conveying degraded dye solution to a regeneration medium containing a saturated dye solution at equilibrium with the concentration of the dye solution in the circulation path connected to the circulation path so that the dye solution in the circulation path may be regenerated by circulation through the regeneration medium.

Abstract: Electrical conductor comprising a glass fibre (12) with a hollow center within which is a liquid solution (14) containing D.sup.+ or other boson ions. Coherent light from a laser (15) is directed into the solution to render the boson ions coherent, inducing a superconducting state. In another embodiment, the laser is replaced by a microwave source.

Abstract: An optical resonator comprising a substantially annular reflector disposed about and generally facing a central axis and comprising at least one annular reflecting surface, a central rotationally symmetric reflector positioned along said central axis and comprising at least one central reflecting surface, and a rotationally symmetric power extraction cavity located between the annular reflector and the central reflector.

Abstract: A control system for a dye laser is described, in which a pump pumps the dye from a supply vessel into a pressure vessel, in which there is an air pocket for damping vibrations, fluctuations in the pump delivery, etc. The dye passes out of the supply vessel as a jet via a nozzle. At least one sensor measures the dye filling level in the supply vessel and a control switches off the dye laser when the level in the supply vessel does not drop to the correct value after switching on the laser. The control system of the invention prevents the switching on of the laser if the level is too high or low before putting the laser into operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating two distinct laser frequencies in an optical cavity, using a "T" configuration laser cavity and means for intermittently increasing or decreasing the index of refraction n of an associated transmission medium in one arm of the optical cavity to enhance laser action in one arm or the second arm of the cavity.

Abstract: A dye laser comprising a container retaining a dye solution for laser and an energy source for pumping connected to the container, the dye solution containing a pyrazoloazaxanthenoisoquinolinone dye.

Abstract: A dye cell holder adapted for removable engagement with a support in a dye laser arrangement is disclosed. The holder is particularly adapted to hold thin fragile dye cells. The holder comprises means for supporting such fragile cell which contains a dye solution and is to be pumped by a laser beam. The dye cell is retained against the support by a retaining means which is movable relative to the support in a manner to provide access to permit insertion of the dye cell into the holder and to permit removal of the cell from the support means.

Abstract: A dye laser having an improved dye jet nozzle and its method of manufacture is described. The exit aperture of the nozzle is provided by a nozzle end assembly made up of a plurality of blocks of material which are in optical contact with one another. The liquid channel defined by the blocks is provided with optically flat surfaces which minimize interference with uniform liquid flow therethrough. Moreover, edges are provided for the exit aperture defined by the blocks by polishing the same while they are supported, so that the resulting edges have a minimum of imperfections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a means for generating a broadband source of picosecond radiation in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions. In operation, picosecond pulses with wavelength .lambda. are supplied by a laser pump source (10) and injected into the liquid core of a single mode optical fiber (18). A broadband continuum is generated in the liquid core by two mechanisms. Stimulated Raman scattering in the liquid core of the optical fiber shifts the wavelength of the incoming radiation by an amount equal to the energy of the vibrations in the liquid molecules, where with sufficient power, multiple shifts are possible. In addition, the pump radiation and the shifted radiation are broadened by self-phase modulation thereby "filling" the region between the discrete shifted lines. The output radiation from the optical fiber is, therefore, a broadband tunable picosecond pulse source.