Abstract: A random laser system includes Critical Solution Temperature (CST) material, either a Lower CST (LCST) or an Upper CST (UCST) material, in combination with an optical gain medium, such as a laser dye. A laser-like emission is observed in response to optical pumping only when the CST material is in a scattering state. The random laser is suitable for being microencapsulated, and can be used for, as examples, remote temperature sending applications as well as for visual display applications.

Abstract: A method for generating a long effective pulse duration output beam of laser radiation using a flashlamp-excited dye laser is described. A spaced series of excitation pulses is electronically generated using a pulse forming module. The series of excitation pulses are provided to a flashlamp-excited dye laser, which generates an output beam of laser radiation. The output beam is comprised of a series of spaced micropulses of laser radiation which, in combination, provide a long effective pulse duration.

Abstract: An organic semiconductor laser device is composed of a positive electrode layer, an electron hole-transporting layer, a light-emitting layer containing an organic dye and having an open end, an electron-transporting layer, and a negative electrode layer in order. The electron hole-transporting layer and the electron-transporting layer satisfy the conditions of 1<n1/n2 and 1<n1/n3 (n1 is a refractive index of the light-emitting layer determined at a wavelength of the light emitted in the light-emitting layer, n2 is that of the electron hole-transporting layer, and n3 is that of the electron-transporting layer) and further satisfy the conditions; 0.

Abstract: A random laser system includes Critical Solution Temperature (CST) material, either a Lower CST (LCST) or an Upper CST (UCST) material, in combination with an optical gain medium, such as a laser dye. A laser-like emission is observed in response to optical pumping only when the CST material is in a scattering state. The random laser is suitable for being microencapsulated, and can be used for, as examples, remote temperature sending applications as well as for visual display applications.

Abstract: A laser includes an optical cavity. A diode laser pumping device is located within the optical cavity. An aprotic lasing liquid containing neodymium rare earth ions fills the optical cavity. A circulation system that provides a closed loop for circulating the aprotic lasing liquid into and out of the optical cavity includes a pump and a heat exchanger.

Abstract: In a dye laser system, a porous bed filter is loaded with dye prior to operation of the system. With repeated firings, the dye solution is filtered by the porous bed filter to remove by-products of the laser process. Solute concentration is monitored and dye and additives removed by the filter are replenished by a metering pump. Precise temperature control assures consistent filtering of dye by the filter for more consistent color and energy output. To control the metering pump, the differential output of a two-channel absorption detector is digitized. The digitized signal is loaded into a counter which drives the metering pump. The useful lifetime of the dye solution is enhanced by incorporating pH buffers in the solution.

Abstract: The invention provides an indicator dye nanoporous photochemical sensor composite glass film, comprising a multiplicity of polyacrylate chains intertwined with a multiplicity of cross-linked networks of silica and doped with an indicator dye, wherein the film is formed with a plurality of nanopores sized in the range between 20 and 200 angstrom for the entry of analytes to be detected thereby.

Abstract: A method of laser processing or laser modification of materials. The combination of ultrafast laser pulses and high-repetition rate (>100 kHz) bursts (or continuous operation) defines a new and unexpected regime for material processing. The high repetition rate controls thermal and/or other relaxation processes evolving between each ultrafast laser pulse that ‘prepares’ the sample surface or bulk to alter the interaction with subsequent ultrafast laser pulses and thereby improve or optimize the process, or enable a new process, that are not available at lower repetition rate. The addition of this laser-controlled thermal component, and/or the general control of relaxation processes, overcomes several current limitations of ultrafast laser processing at lower repetition rates (<100 kHz), providing means to further harness the many attributes of ultrafast lasers for general material processing and material modification applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting a pump laser beam having a first wavelength to an output beam of a second wavelength. The wavelength conversion device includes a solid medium impregnated with dye laser which is rotated at a speed which is slow enough to allow the dye material to lase and fast enough to reduce thermally induced optical aberrations and triplet state absorption. The medium and method provide a variety of output laser wavelengths suitable for treating diseases of the eye. In the preferred embodiment, the medium has the dimensions of a standard compact disk.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is described for a compact solid state dye laser that includes a solid state laser gain element for generating laser pump energy, a passive Q-switch for generating high intensity bursts of laser pump energy, a frequency doubler for generating dye laser pump energy, and a solid state laser dye element for generating optical energy output.

Abstract: A laser bar assembly module having a metal base plate (20) to support a diode or a laser diodes strip (22), this base plate being provided with a groove or area (21) holding the diode or diodes strip in position, a support (24) on which the metal base plate is installed, this support being provided with a flat laser bar bearing surface (26), this flat surface projecting along a direction perpendicular to it beyond the groove or area (21) holding the diode or diodes strip in position.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the generation of a controllable source of single photons generated one at a time using optical pumping of a single molecule at room temperature. A single fluorescent molecule is pumped by a light source so that the molecule is placed in its electronic excited state with high probability. The molecule then de-excites via the emission of a single photon, which can be collected by a means for collecting. The room temperature source of single photons is far more convenient and therefore more widely applicable. A high probability of single-photon emission for each incident pump pulse is provided, a property which is useful for transmission of sensitive data bits by the methods of quantum cryptography.

Abstract: Output for a laser is greatly increased by altering the transmitivity of a superconductor layer which serves as one of the mirrors of the laser cavity. The superconductor layer is switched between a superconductive state, having reflectivity of one, and a non-superconductive state, having a reflectivity of less than one. When the mirror is in its superconducting state, output power is decreased and power in the cavity is increased, and when the mirror is in its non-superconducting state, output power of the laser is increased and power in the cavity decreases.

Abstract: Lasers comprising a substrate and a layer of organic material over the substrate. The organic material includes host and dopant materials that result in the laser emission of a desired color when pumped by optical pump energy. Host materials include CBP and tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum, which when combined with dopant materials such as coumarin-47, coumarin-30, perylene, rhodamine-6G, DCM, DCM2, and pyrromethane-546 result in the efficient lasing of colors such as blue, green and yellow.

Abstract: In a dye laser system, a porous bed filter is loaded with dye prior to operation of the system. With repeated firings, the dye solution is filtered by the porous bed filter to remove by-products of the laser process. Solute concentration is monitored and dye and additives removed by the filter are replenished by a metering pump. Precise temperature control assures consistent filtering of dye by the filter for more consistent color and energy output. To control the metering pump, the differential output of a two-channel absorption detector is digitized. The digitized signal is loaded into a counter which drives the metering pump. The useful lifetime of the dye solution is enhanced by incorporating pH buffers in the solution.

Abstract: A solid state dye laser is adapted for use in a solid state dye laser assembly having a pump adapted to emit light at a first frequency and intensity. The solid state dye laser includes an elongated web of polymeric host material having a gain medium disposed therein, the gain medium being in a substantially solid state and doped with a fluorescent dye adapted to emit light within a predetermined spectral tuning range. The gain medium includes polymeric cholesteric liquid crystal disposed in a planar texture and frozen into a characteristic wavelength. The solid state dye laser, including the gain medium, is adapted for convenient movement relative to the pump.

Abstract: An optically-pumped laser having a small-molecule thin organic film of DCM doped Alq.sub.3. Carrier transport properties of the small-molecule organic materials, combined with a low lasing threshold provide a new generation of diode lasers employing organic thin films. An electrically-pumped variant is also described.

Abstract: A dye laser for generating laser pulses of long duration comprising an optic resonator which comprises an elongated dye cell, which contains light gain medium that can be excited to population inversion, the outputs of the laser pulses from the dye cell being formed of the end surfaces of the cell. There are mirrors placed in optical connection with the outputs of the laser pulses of the dye cell, at least one of the mirrors being partially transmissive for feeding the laser pulse out. Furthermore, means comprising at least one elongated gas discharge lamp are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the dye cell to feed excitation light into the dye cell so that the excitation light sweeps across the cell in the lateral direction of the cell.

Abstract: A high efficiency, narrow spectral linewidth lasing pixel device that implements a low-voltage spatially patterned variable loss element placed inside an optically pumped high-gain laser cavity is disclosed. The output properties of this system make it useful for digital projection displays.

Abstract: Hybrid inorganic light emitting device/luminescent polymer light-emitting sources for efficient and cost effective white lighting and for full-color applications and their manufacture are disclosed. The hybrid light sources include an inorganic light-emitting source such as a p-n junction diode-containing device capable of emitting a first emitted output of light and a photoluminescent polymer element positioned in the first emitted output of light, the polymer being selected to be capable of being pumped by a first portion of the first emitted output of light and when so pumped of emitting a second emitted output of light which is emitted from the device with that portion of the first emitted output remaining beyond the first portion.

Abstract: A method of coating an optical recording layer on a transparent grooved substrate is disclosed. The recording layer is coated from a mixture of a primary and a secondary solvent. The solvent mixture provides a wide range of conformalities for optical recording layers.

Abstract: A method for exposing light sensitive material to provide exposure patches representing the material sensitivity and which minimizes the effects of intermittency of the light sensitive material, including providing a source of laser light by producing a laser light beam by a continuous wave pump laser which produces a first beam of light and a continuous wave dye laser responsive to the beam of light to produce a second beam of light having gaussian intensity distributions in two orthogonal directions; shaping the second light beam so as to produce a substantially square wave intensity distribution in one direction, while the other direction has a gaussian distribution; and scanning the shaped second light beam through a target of different uniform densities and onto light sensitive material so as to produce a series of exposure patches in one scan of different densities but with the density in each exposure patch being uniform, whereby the effect of intermittency in the light sensitive material is minimized.

Abstract: Solid state lasers based upon conjugated polymers are disclosed. A conjugated polymer useful in the practice of this invention is a conjugated polymer which has a ground state and an excited state and which, in the form of a nondiluted thin film, meets the criteria of;i. having a strong absorption in the ground state with an absorption coefficient of at least about 10.sup.4 cm.sup.-1 and an absorption depth not greater than about 1 .mu.m,ii. having an efficient luminescence emission from the excited state; this emission being shifted to lower energy relative to the ground state absorption, andiii. providing stimulated emission which is not overwhelmed by photoinduced absorption, such that the thin film exhibits gain narrowing and amplified spontaneous emission. These conjugated polymers have gain lengths in the micron or even sub-micron regime and therefore exhibit laser action with low pumping threshold as thin solid films with thicknesses in the micron or even sub-micron regime.

Abstract: Dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dyes possessing a covalently attached basic amine moiety are described that have utility for staining acidic organelles. Samples comprising isolated acidic organelles, or a cell or cells containing acidic organelles, are stained by preparing an aqueous labeling solution of the dye and incubating the sample in the labeling solution for a time sufficient to produce fluorescent labeled acidic organelles.

Abstract: Microlaser cavity and externally controlled, passive switching, pulses solid microlaser including a saturable absorber 46 and a device (60, 62) for introducing a beam 56 into the microlaser cavity initiating or starting saturation of the saturable absorber.

Abstract: A microlaser cavity to a microlaser incorporating an active solid medium (38) and means (44) for switching the cavity, whilst also having, within said cavity, at least one element (46) of an optically nonlinear material, making it possible to multiply the basic frequency of the laser cavity by a factor n (n.gtoreq.2).

Abstract: A composite glass film waveguide tunable laser is described, wherein the film is about 10-80 wt. % silica, 20-90 wt. % metal oxide, and 0-90 wt. % polyacrylate, and the film is doped with a tunable organic monomeric laserdye and deposited on a substrate, said film having a higher refractive index than that of said substrate. Processes of preparation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are solid state lasers and laser gain media which include lasing crystals having crystalline lattice incorporating lasable organic dye molecules in regular positions. The monolithic crystals are readily prepared and the organic dye can be varied across a broad range of available materials to vary the emission characteristics of the crystals.

Abstract: In a dye laser system, a porous bed filter is loaded with dye prior to operation of the system. With repeated firings, the dye solution is filtered by the porous bed filter to remove by-products of the laser process. Solute concentration is monitored and dye and additives removed by the filter are replenished by a metering pump. Precise temperature control assures consistent filtering of dye by the filter for more consistent color and energy output. To control the metering pump, the differential output of a two-channel absorption detector is digitized. The digitized signal is loaded into a counter which drives the metering pump. The useful lifetime of the dye solution is enhanced by incorporating pH buffers in the solution.

Abstract: A solid state dye laser incorporating a polyacrylamide gelatin solid host is doped with a laser dye such as rhodamine 6G and pyrromethene 556. The host is aligned within a lasing cavity and is excited to fluorescence by a pumping laser such as a second harmonic Nd:YAG. A container made from pyrex or inorganic oxide glass can be used to encapsulate and protect the gel solid. The solid state dye host exhibits "self healing" after photobleaching due to dye migration within the encapsulated form.

Abstract: A flashlamp-excited dye laser generates a pulsed output beam having a long pulse duration. The laser includes a pulse forming circuit which generates an excitation pulse having an amplitude which generally increases in coordination with the lasing threshold for the flashlamp-excited dye laser. The flashlamp-excited dye laser is driven with the pulse to produce a pulsed output beam of laser radiation of at least 500 microseconds in duration.

Abstract: The principle and some applications of multiphoton pumped upconverted lasers (MU-LASER) in complex molecules like said material is demonstrated. Weak linear absorption and strong multiphoton absorption and upconverted fluorescence of said material in the form of integrated waveguides is responsible for the MU-LASER action of upconverting narrow band infrared wavelength to visible spectrum of bandwidth.about.50 nm and peak at 570 nm. Applications in efficient upconversion of diode laser wavelengths, displays, and two types of surface-emitting MU-LASERs for high definition television (HDTV) are produced.

Abstract: This invention relates to derivatives of dipyrrometheneboron difluoride fluorescent dyes that have an absorption maximum at wavelengths longer than about 525 nm, and are chemically reactive with nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and other biologically derived or synthetic chemical materials to form dye-conjugates. The dye-conjugates generally have the structure: ##STR1## wherein at least one of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7, covalently bonds to a specific binding pair member, and further where at least one of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7 contains a bathochromic moiety that is heteroaryl or alkenyl. The remaining substituents, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl (containing 1-5 carbon atoms), aryl, arylalkyl, or sulfo.

Abstract: A dye laser having a changeable output frequency includes a system for storing, selecting and introducing a dye into a liquid lasing medium. Dyes are contained in individual glass ampules arranged on a wheel stored in the fluid reservoir. A stepper motor rotates the wheel to select an ampule and a striker solenoid breaks the ampule open to release the dye into solution. A scrubber system removes dye from the liquid to allow the dye to be changed.

Abstract: An installation for the formation of a laser beam suitable for isotope separation. According to the present invention, a pumping means of tunable chains are constituted by a plurality of solid matrix lasers, e.g., of the frequency-doubled, switched YAG type, having optical fibers guiding the pumping light to the tunable chain. Such a system finds particular application to isotope separation.

Abstract: A dye laser comprising a solid styate laser medium and a pumping energy sce, the laser medium comprising a lasing concentration of a water or alcohol soluble organic dye which is incorporated into a hydrolyzed silicon organometallic solution, and forming a gel which is dried to form a transparent silicate glass which is doped with the organic dye.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissociation of gas molecules which absorb light comprising a resonance optical cavity, a nozzle for introducing gas molecules into the resonance optical cavity in contact with the high velocity gas molecules, a focusing lens for focusing the laser beam at the point of contact of the laser beam and the high velocity gas molecules, a 100 percent reflecting mirror for receiving the laser beam after it passes through such molecules, a partially reflecting mirror positioned between the molecules for reflecting a portion of laser beam back into the laser and the remainder of the beam through the gas molecules to the 100 percent reflecting mirror.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical gain device comprising an active layer having a film thickness of 1 .mu.m or less, 10% or more by weight of fluorescent organic molecules such as stilbene dye, and a quantum yield of fluorescence of 0.1 or more, the device being capable of exciting the active layer and also waveguiding and amplifying the light emitted from the fluorescent organic molecules.The aforesaid, optical gain device is capable of improving the threshold of excitation intensity as well as the optical gain.

Abstract: A tunable laser is described in which the gain element is fabricated to produce wavelength dispersion within the laser resonator cavity. Specifically, the laser gain element has Brewster angled entrance and exit faces which allow it to operate as a wavelength dispersive element while simultaneously performing the functions of an optical gain element within a laser cavity. Wavelength tuning is effected by angular rotation of one of the end reflective elements in the cavity. By using suitable dispersive materials for the laser gain element no additional tuning elements are required providing high efficiency, low threshold laser operation for a variety of optical excitation methods. The laser gain element replaces other discrete intracavity laser tuning means required for tunable lasers, including prisms, diffraction gratings, and birefringent filter elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to derivatives of dipyrrometheneboron difluoride fluorescent dyes that have an absorption maximum at wavelengths longer than about 525 nm, and are chemically reactive with nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and other biologically derived or synthetic chemical materials. The dyes generally have the structure: ##STR1## wherein at least one of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7, is a reactive functional group, and at least one of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7 contains a bathochromic moiety. The bathochromic moiety is an unsaturated organic group, preferably heteroaryl or alkenyl. The remaining substituents, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl (containing 1-5 carbon atoms), aryl, arylalkyl, or sulfo. The dyes are used to make novel conjugates with members of specific binding pairs that are ligands or receptors.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer includes an array of light emitting diodes configured for activation in successive Hadamard encodement patterns, a diffraction grating, an optical slit, a detector and electronic controls including a computer. In operation, the diffraction grating disperses and collimates radiation from the array and directs selected spectral components through the slit onto the detector whereupon the computer performs a Hadamard analysis on the detector signals.

Abstract: This invention describes novel 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacenes containing heteroaryl substituents conjugated to the fluorophore and methods for their synthesis. The heteroaryl substituted compounds (heteroaryl dyes) generally have the structure: ##STR1## wherein any or all of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7, but at least one of such substituents, is a heteroaryl group, including 5- or 6-member rings, singly or fused, containing one or more heteroatoms. The new dyes that have spectral properties that are significantly shifted from those of the parent alkyl-substituted dyes, usually accompanied by an increase in photostability and in some cases by an increase in the extinction coefficient relative to the alkyl-substituted dyes. The general method of synthesis includes formation of pyrromethene salt intermediates followed by cyclization with boron trifluoride in the presence of a base to give heteroaryl-substituted dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dyes.

Abstract: A novel dye laser comprises a laser dye solution comprising a conductive polymer having the chemical formula ##STR1## wherein R comprises (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)alkyl, R' is the same or different from R and comprises alkyl, substituted alkyl, benzyl, or substituted benzyl, such as --(CH.sub.2).sub.n CH.sub.3 or CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 (CH.sub.2).sub.n Y, wherein Y is O-alkyl, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl and n is greater than 1 and up to 200, and for structure IV R" is the same or different from R and comprises (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)alkyl, and x is greater than about 20, and a non-aqueous solvent; the solvent being substantially unable to chemically react with the polymer and to absorb and emit light at a wavelength similar to the conductive polymer, and a pumping energy source operably coupled therewith and capable of producing stimulated emmission of the dye solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dye laser comprising a highly porous, consolidated silica sol-gel monolith having incorporated therein at least one laser dye, wherein said dye laser is substantially solvent free. The dye laser is prepared by immersing a highly porous, consolidated silica sol-gel monolith in a solution of at least one laser dye and at least one solvent until the solution enters the pores of the monolith to a significant degree to form an impregnated silica sol-gel monolith, and then drying the impregnated silica sol-gel monolith to vaporize substantially all the solvent present within the pores of the monolith.

Abstract: In an external lasing dye sensor system, a stream of lasing dye free-flows cross an open area inside a chamber. An air sample comprising chemical vapor contaminants is pumped or drawn into the chamber. A laser beam is introduced into the chamber intersecting the lasing dye. A chemical reaction between the contaminants and the lasing dye result in a change in the emission spectra of the lasing dye. The change in emission spectra is detected and thus provides an improved apparatus for detecting low concentrations of chemical vapors in an air sample.

Abstract: Laser apparatus is described in which the optical cavity of a laser oscillator is specially provided with a polarizing device which has on its outer face a partially reflecting coating (such as a thin partially reflecting layer of low-loss dielectric material). The polarizing device serves both as an output coupler for narrow linewidth laser emission from the optical cavity and also as a means for substantially suppressing amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). A multiple-prism Littrow-mounted grating (MPL) dye laser apparatus embodying the invention achieves a laser linewidth of less than about 0.1 GHz (.DELTA..nu.), a ratio of intensity I of the ASE to the intensity I.sub..lambda. of the desired laser emission of about 10.sup.-10, an efficiency of somewhat more than 10%, and a short optical cavity length of less than 10 cm. The apparatus is also more rugged, more stable in frequency with changes in temperature, and less costly than similar previous lasers.

Abstract: A large (high flow rate) dye laser amplifier in which a continuous replened supply of dye is excited by a first light beam, specifically a copper vapor laser beam, in order to amplify the intensity of a second different light beam, specifically a dye beam, passing through the dye is disclosed herein. This amplifier includes a dye cell defining a dye chamber through which a continuous stream of dye is caused to pass at a relatively high flow rate and a specifically designed diffuser assembly for slowing down the flow of dye while, at the same time, assuring that as the dye stream flows through the diffuser assembly it does so in a stable manner.

Abstract: A dye laser amplifier in which a continuously replenished supply of dye is excited with a first light beam in order to amplify the intensity of a second different light beam passing therethrough is disclosed herein. This amplifier includes a cell though which a continuous stream of the dye is caused to pass, and means for directing the first beam into the cell while the second beam is directed into and through the same cell. There is also disclosed herein a specific improvement to this amplifier which resides in the use of a pair of particularly configured windows through which the second beam passes along fixed paths as the second beam enters and exits the dye cell. Each of these windows has a relatively thick main section which is substantially larger in dimensions transverse to its beam path than the cross section of the second beam itself, whereby to add structural integrity to the overall window.

Abstract: A large (high flow rate) dye laser amplifier in which a continuous replenished supply of dye is excited by a first light beam, specifically a copper vapor laser beam, in order to amplify the intensity of a second different light beam, specifically a dye beam, passing through the dye is disclosed herein. This amplifier includes a dye cell defining a dye chamber through which a continuous stream of dye is caused to pass at a flow rate of for example 30 gallons/minute, a specifically designed support vessel for containing the dye cell and a screen device for insuring that the dye stream passes into the dye cell in a substantially turbulent free, stagnation-free manner.

Abstract: An improved dye laser amplifier is disclosed. The efficiency of the dye lr amplifier is increased significantly by increasing the power of a dye beam as it passes from an input window to an output window within the dye chamber, while maintaining the intensity of the dye beam constant.