Abstract: A laser diode bar mounting structure includes a dielectric substrate with an overlying conductor, and diode bar spaces through the conductor layer to support laser diode bars within them. The bar spaces are configured with parallel upper sidewalls and flared out or expanded bottoms to dissipate capillary action of solder under the diode bars.

Abstract: Neodymium-doped yttrium calcium oxyborate (Nd:YCOB) is the single active gain element for a solid-state laser device capable of achieving both lasing and self-frequency doubling optical effects. A pumping source for optically pumping Nd:YCOB can generate a laser light output of approximately 400 mW at approximately 1060 nm wavelength and a self-frequency doubled output of approximately 60 mW at approximately 530 nm wavelength. Thus, a laser device can be designed that is compact, less expensive and a high-powered source of visible, green laser light.

Abstract: A high power, diode pumped laser has a Nd:YVO4 gain media. Scaling to higher powers is achieved with the use of a low doped gain media, increasing the length of the gain media as well as increasing the pump volume. Passive cooling is extended to output powers of 10 W or greater .

Abstract: A semiconductor laser structure for use having a laser substructure so constructed and arranged to have an active region in close proximity to the top surface region and separated therefrom by a separation region, the separation region having a lower refractive index than the top surface region and the active region.

Abstract: A solid-state laser includes a high-absorption coefficient solid-state gain medium such as Nd:YVO.sub.4 that is side pumped with a semiconductor laser diode array. The resonant cavity of the solid-state laser is positioned so that the TEM.sub.00 mode is spaced from the face of the laser through which the laser is pumped by a distance sufficient to reduce diffraction losses but sufficiently near to allow coupling of pump light into the gain mode. The gain medium, the doping level of the gain medium, and the operating temperature of the pump laser are selected to efficiently couple pump light into the gain mode. The pump laser is positioned to side pump the gain medium without collimating or focusing optics between the pump laser and the face of the gain medium. A gap between the pump laser and the gain medium is empirically selected to match the angular extent of the pump laser output light to the height of the gain mode at the position of the gain mode fixed to optimize coupling and diffraction losses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to generate a Raman-shifted output from a pump laser source. Multiple embodiments all provide a manner of producing an off-resonant, continuous wave, Raman laser by using a pump laser source having a low power. This is accomplished by using a Raman medium within a cavity having a high finesse.

Abstract: A high pulse rate pulse power source for supplying controlled high energy electrical pulses at rates of 2000 Hz or greater. The source includes a pulse generating circuit including a charging capacitor, a solid state switch and a current limiting inductor. Pulses generated in the pulse generating circuit are compressed in at least two pulse compression circuits and a step-up pulse transformer increases peak voltage to at least 12,000 volts. A very fast regulated power supply is provided for charging the charging capacitor in less than 400 microseconds and a pulse control system including a programmed processor controls the charging of the charging capacitor to an accuracy of less than about one percent at a rate of at least 2000 charges per second.

Abstract: A laser to produce pulses of light having predetermined spectral shapes, comprising a waveguide, an optical pump source, a gain medium to produce seed radiation, and a modulator and an array of Bragg gratings to modify the properties of the seed radiation. Once generated by the gain medium, the seed radiation propagates in the waveguide where it is first pulsed by the modulator. The resulting pulses are then selectively reflected by the Bragg gratings, which separates different spectral components of the reflected beam. This reflected beam then travels back to the modulator, which is timed to let only the desired spectral components go through. In this manner the laser is self-seeded and allows spectrum and wavelength selection from pulse to pulse.

Abstract: A method is provided to control the lasing wavelength of a laser material without changing or adjusting the mechanical components of a laser device. The rate at which the laser material is pumped with the pumping energy is controlled so that lasing occurs at one or more lasing wavelengths based on the rate. The lasing wavelengths are determined by transition lifetimes and/or energy transfer rates.

Abstract: A high-powered optical pump includes at least two sub-pumps. Each sub-pump generates light at different wavelengths. The outputs of the sub-pumps are coupled to a remote pump fiber. The resulting light transmitted on the remote pump fiber results in a lower Raman gain and Raman noise spectral peak than that generated by existing single wavelength high-powered optical pumps at the same power level. Therefore, increased power can be transmitted on the remote pump fiber in contrast to a single wavelength pump. Additionally, the total gain spectrum available for the amplification of signals is increased.

Abstract: In a laser system which produces radiation which is highly absorbed by water, the pump voltage supplied to the laser rod is slowly increased between the lasing threshold voltage and the full operational voltage of the pump. As a result, the output energy and circulating energy of the system slowly increase, such that any water on the intracavity coatings is vaporized slowly, rather than explosively. The laser system and method of using same thus reduce or prevent damage to the intracavity coatings used within the laser cavity.

Abstract: Stable operation of an ultra-compact modelocked fiber laser generating short optical pulses generally without use of any non-fiber, intra-cavity polarization-manipulating elements is obtained by employing a saturable absorber coupled to one end of a highly-birefringent fiber serving as the laser cavity. Once the laser is modelocked in one of the polarization axes of the highly-birefringent fiber, the degeneracy of the polarization axis is eliminated and cw oscillation along the other polarization axis is also prevented. Without a polarization-dependent loss in the cavity, the modelocked polarization axis is indeterminate, i.e., modelocking can occur on either of the polarization axes. However, the introduction of only a small polarization dependent loss is sufficient to ensure the reliable start-up of modelocking on only the low-loss axis.

Abstract: A solid state laser, comprising (a) a resonator, (b) at least one laser diode array for side pumping said resonator, and (c) at least one fan-out-covering optical system, between said resonator and said at least one laser diode array, does not suffer from thermal problems and provides a high quality beam. The solid state laser may be air cooled.

Abstract: A fiber laser system including multiple fiber lasers fabricated to emit at respective different wavelengths when optically pumped by radiation at a pump wavelength. A pump laser emits the pump radiation and pumps one or more of the fiber lasers. The outputs of the fiber lasers are recombined onto a transmission fiber, preferably for use in a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) telecommunication system. In one set of embodiments, an optical switch switches the pump radiation to only one of the fiber lasers. A second switch controlled in correspondence to the first switch or a passive combiner, preferably a wavelength-division multiplexer, directs the output of the lasing fiber to an optical output path. In another embodiment, the one pump laser simultaneously pumps all the fiber lasers. One or more pump laser may be placed in parallel, and their outputs are combined. The parallel pump lasers may either be individually activated for redundancy or simultaneously operated for higher power.

Abstract: In a laser-diode-pumped solid state laser, a solid laser crystal is pumped by a pumping laser beam emitted from a laser diode and a harmonic of light emitted from the pumped solid laser crystal is caused to make laser oscillation by a resonator structure containing therein a nonlinear optical crystal. The electric current to be poured into the laser diode is controlled so that the pumping laser beam emitted from the laser diode is kept at an output level at which the pumping laser beam cannot cause the harmonic of light emitted from the solid laser crystal to make laser oscillation though pumping the solid laser crystal.

Abstract: A high power pumping apparatus for optical fiber amplification includes: a pumping portion for generating pumping light of a predetermined wavelength band, the wavelength of which is determined by the wavelength of the pumping light fed back from a subsegment portion; a wavelength division multiplexer for multiplexing the pumping light generated by the pumping portion, for dividing the signal light incident from a subsegment portion according to wavelengths, and for outputting the signal light to the pumping portion; and a broad-band reflecting portion for reflecting some of the output light multiplexed by the wavelength division multiplexer, for outputting the reflected light to the wavelength division multiplexer, and for outputting the remaining light as pumping light for light amplification. In the high power pumping apparatus according to the present invention, the same pumping diodes can be used without a wavelength selecting diode.

Abstract: Laser systems, and optical elements for laser systems, are disclosed for providing a pumped laser light with improved output efficiency while having simple construction and simple alignment adjustment. A pump light flux from a diode pumping laser irradiates and thus pumps a solid-state laser crystal. The irradiation by the pump light flux is coaxial with an output laser beam produced by the laser crystal. The pump light flux is conducted by an optical element, preferably frustoconical in shape with an entrance face larger than an exit face, that functions as a light funnel. The entrance face is disposed proximal to the pumping laser 11, and the exit face is disposed proximally to the laser crystal 14. A portion of the pump light flux entering the entrance face passes through the optical element without being reflected by a side surface of the optical element. The remaining pump light flux reflects at least once by the side surface during passage through the optical element.

Abstract: A method of controlling the thermal optical path difference (OPD) in a lasing medium in a solid state laser during pumping of a lasing medium 10 including a pair of side faces 12 for receiving radiation during pumping and a pair of edge faces 16, comprises the steps of determining a temperature difference, .DELTA.T.sub.min, between the side faces and the edge faces that corresponds with approximately a minimum, OPD.sub.min, in the OPD, and maintaining about .DELTA.T.sub.min during pumping of the lasing medium, such that the OPD is maintained at approximately OPD.sub.min. The temperature difference is maintained by controlling heat transfer at the edge faces of the lasing medium. The temperature difference between the edge faces and the side faces can be actively controlled such that the method can be automated.

Abstract: A fiber Bragg grating DFB-DBR interactive laser is provided by an optical fiber section which is doped with at least one gain-inducing material. At each end of the section there is a fiber Bragg grating which operates as part of a fiber DBR laser. Between these two gratings there is a third fiber Bragg grating which has a 90.degree. phase shift region. The third fiber Bragg grating effectively operates as part of a fiber DFB laser. Each of the fiber Bragg gratings has a narrow reflective linewidth centered about the same wavelength so that the optical fiber section operates as a fiber Bragg grating DFB-DBR interactive laser upon sufficient pumping energy. The resulting fiber Bragg grating DFB-DBR interactive laser can be appropriately connected to pumping laser sources and WDM couplers to create fiber laser sources which are particularly adaptable to fiberoptic networks, particularly WDM and DWDM networks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving the thermal performance of a slab laser pump cavity is provided. Absorbing regions placed on either side of an active lasing region through which the active region is pumped provides uniform heat dissipation across the width of the slab thereby providing one-dimensional heat flow perpendicular to the broad surfaces of the lasing medium and maintaining uniform lensing and birefringence. Foreshortened cold plates in thermal communication with the active lasing region also provide improved thermal performance by providing uniform one-dimensional heat flow perpendicular to the broad surfaces of the lasing slab. In addition, a compliant thermal interface of variable thickness is provided to also improve the distribution of heat flow. Further, cooling channels located within the cold plates are located to achieve uniform one-dimensional heat flow.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus providing electromagnetic radiation including: a first non-linear optical crystal for converting input radiation from a laser into intermediate radiation; a second non-linear optical crystal for converting the intermediate radiation into output radiation; and a plurality of optics forming an optical cavity that encloses the first and second non-linear optical crystals, substantially confines and resonates the intermediate radiation, and has a cavity length matching the cavity length of the laser to within less than the coherence length of the input radiation. The apparatus can be used to convert the output from a multimode, diode-pumped, solid-state laser into high power ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A laser or laser amplifier apparatus has a diode pump source producing a polarized pump beam. A laser head includes a gain medium that produces an output beam. One or more optical fibers are coupled to the diode pump source and deliver the pump beam to the laser head. A depolarization device is coupled to the diode pump source, laser head or optical fiber and produces an depolarized pump beam. By depolarizing the output beam, movement, including rotation, of the pump source does not comprise the output beam produced from the laser head.

Abstract: A solid state saturable absorber (SSSA) is formed from a slab of solid state material, such as Cr.sup.4+ : YAG. Optical distortion caused by the absorption process can be minimized by confining absorption to portions of the solid state slab which can be cooled efficiently. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the use of the SSSA in accordance with the present invention allows the repetition rate, pulse width, and energy level of the laser output pulses to be controlled by way of optical pump sources, such as a diode array. The solid state slab material allows for zig-zag propagation and thus, averaging of the thermal gradients caused by absorption, optical pumping and cooling which results in relatively low thermal lensing with virtually no birefringence and therefore allows for passive Q-switching applications in relatively high brightness laser systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser beam emitting apparatus using a semiconductor laser or the like and a method of driving a laser light source. An object of the present invention is particularly to provide a laser beam emitting apparatus capable of controlling a laser output with efficiency and a method of driving a laser light source. The laser beam emitting apparatus comprises an optical resonator, the laser light source and pulse driving means. The optical resonator comprises at least a laser crystal and an output mirror. The laser light source pumps the optical resonator and the pulse driving means drives the laser light source. The pulse driving means can change the period and the duty ratio or the like of a drive pulse or pumping pulse so as to control a laser output produced from the laser beam emitting apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing pulse-to-pulse energy and peak power variation in various types of pulsed lasers, and in Q-switched lasers in particular. The system of invention has a laser cavity with a lasing medium pumped by a pumping device for delivering to the medium a pumping energy E.sub.pump. The system further includes a detection device and circuitry for determining the pulse magnitudes M.sub.i of laser pulses i, such as peak pulse amplitudes A.sub.i, pulse energies E.sub.i, pulse widths W.sub.i or other pulse metrics. According to the method of invention, a feedback mechanism which is in communication with the pumping device ensures pulse-to-pulse stability by increasing the pumping energy E.sub.pump when pulse magnitude M.sub.i of laser pulse i exceeds a mean pulse magnitude [M] and decreasing the pumping energy E.sub.pump when M.sub.i is less than [M]. Alternatively, the feedback mechanism is in communication with the switching device which controls that variable loss factor of the Q-switch.

Abstract: Apparatus providing ultrasonic control of a fluid medium to provide selective motion and cavitation comprising a transducer and an associated chamber providing a controllable acoustic travelling wave therein. The chamber includes an inlet, an outlet and a tapered passage through which the liquid medium flows and/or cavitation is induced and/or controlled. Embodiments of the present invention provide the production of light by controlled sonoluminescence and the generation of electrical energy by the flow of a medium through a magnetic field.

Abstract: A laser pump cavity apparatus with integral concentrator provides improved thermal lensing control, cooling and fracture strength. The concentrator is formed around a doped solid-state laser medium by diffusion bonding, using a material different than the doped laser medium and with a substantially lower index of refraction, higher thermal conductivity and higher stress fracture strength than the doped laser crystal. The concentrator has a top cladding layer with a cylindrical focusing surface and a bottom cladding layer with a cylindrical focusing surface and may have edge cladding layers. Cold plates, each of which also has one cylindrical surface, are placed in thermal contact with the cylindrical surfaces of the top and bottom cladding layers. The cylindrical surfaces preferably have hyperbolic or quasi-hyperbolic shape. The laser pump cavity apparatus is preferably pumped with several laser diode arrays in directions transverse to a laser beam axis.

Abstract: A laser crystal (25) having a relatively short optical length functions as a seed laser (1) and simultaneously establishes the wide separation between longitudinal modes. Pulsed operation causes multiple longitudinal modes to co-exist before competition acts to extinguish modes. The seed laser (1) is isolated from the relatively higher peak power output beam (4). Further, the injection seeded slave resonator (6) optical cavity length is adjusted by mechanical, electromechanical and/or electro-optical component(s) to harmonize the slave resonator optical cavity to the seed laser (1) optical cavity. A number of widely separated longitudinal modes are simultaneously output as a pulsed, high optical quality beam having a broad frequency range, short temporal coherence, and stable simultaneous operation of the several modes.

Abstract: A Q-switched laser system, in particular for laser lithotripsy, has a laser-active medium (2.1) in a resonator, an optical pumping arrangement (2.3) and a passive Q-switch (3.2). A resonator extension (1.2) having an optical waveguide is associated to the laser-active medium (2.1) in order to increase the laser pulse length.

Abstract: In a two laser media, Nd:phosphate glass and Nd:YLF are combined into a single laser. Generally, one broad band inhomogeneously broadened material and one narrow band homogeneously broadened material, with the two materials having overlapping center wavelengths are suitable.) The phase coherence property of Nd:YLF facilitates the initial formation of a coherent pulse. The broadband property of Nd:phosphate glass supports the generation of ultrashort laser pulse. Thus, this mode-locked hybrid Nd laser generates ultrashort coherent pulses more easily and reliably.

Abstract: An axially optically pumped laser 11 is penetrated coaxially by a target beam .lambda..sub.2. This penetration of the pumped laser occurs via light conductor 2 by means of laser diode 31. The pumped laser 11 can be an erbium--YAG laser. For this purpose, the dispersion, diffraction and reflection of an incoupling optic 12, of laser 11 and a focusing device 13 are suitably matched to each other in order that the pump light .lambda..sub.3, work beam .lambda..sub.1 and target beam .lambda..sub.2 are suitably guided and are suitable for small diameters. The laser arrangement is suitable as a medical device for ears, nose and throat and eyes and can be utilized with an endoscope.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving improved performance in a solid state laser is provided. A flanged, at least partially undoped end-cap is attached to at least one end of a laserable medium. Preferably flanged, undoped end-caps are attached to both ends of the laserable medium. Due to the low scatter requirements for the interface between the end-caps and the laser rod, a non-adhesive method of bonding is utilized such as optical contacting combined with a subsequent heat treatment of the optically contacted composite. The non-bonded end surfaces of the flanged end-caps are coated with laser cavity coatings appropriate for the lasing wavelength of the laser rod. A cooling jacket, sealably coupled to the flanged end-caps, surrounds the entire length of the laserable medium. Radiation from a pump source is focussed by a lens duct and passed through at least one flanged end-cap into the laser rod.

Abstract: A highly stable variable wavelength laser light source of simple construction and having excellent productivity is provided. With the variable wavelength laser light source wherein a laser diode is provided with a non-reflection film on the front end face, and a high reflection film on the rear end face, outgoing light from the laser diode is condensed by a lens, branched out by a recombination and branching filter after falling thereon, and sent out to a wavelength selector selecting a light beam of a specific wavelength, which is returned to the laser diode via a recombination and branching filters and the recombination and branching filter and after condensed by the lens so that a laser beam is produced through resonance by the external resonator composed of an optical return path section and the high reflection film, and the laser beam is delivered from an output port via a recombination and branching filter.

Abstract: An exemplary laser apparatus comprises an amplification medium which amplifies a coherent beam passing through the amplification medium, a pump which provides energy to the amplification medium, a tunnel having a first end proximate to the pump and a second end proximate to the amplification medium, wherein the energy provided by the pump passes through the tunnel en route to the amplification medium, and a moveable member for adjusting a spatial distribution of the energy provided to the amplification medium by the pump. The moveable member typically comprises a flat, reflecting strip or flap which redirects a portion of the energy of the pump beam to a peripheral region of the amplification medium. The angular and translational position of the flap is adjustable on line so that the pump distribution can be adjusted while the laser is running to reduce observed optical distortions caused by heating of the amplification medium.

Abstract: A pumped fiber laser including turns of optical fiber defining a wound pack, wherein the optical fiber includes a core, a cladding around the core and a concentric layer of a porous glass matrix material, such as sol-gel, around the cladding. The fiber laser further includes a pumping laser, preferably in the form of a semiconductor laser bar, having lasing regions each being operable to generate light, and a wedge device for directing the light from the lasing regions into the side of the optical fiber at a plurality of different turns thereof, respectively.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier is pumped by a fiber pump laser which has a pair of separate active media within a common resonator. The fiber gain section of the amplifier is also located within the resonator.

Abstract: In a resonating-type solid-state laser oscillator including birefringent a solid-state element containing a laser active medium and providing a plurality of thermal lenses during excitation and reflecting mirrors arranged oppositely to each other on both sides of the solid-state element so that their optical axes are coincident to each other, a prescribed relationship is given among the refractive index and length of the solid-state element, the radii of curvature of the reflection mirrors, the distances between the reflecting mirrors and the solid-state element and the difference between 1/f of the plurality of thermal lenses by owing to birefringence of the solid-state element, so that oscillation areas due to the plurality of thermal lenses are separated from each other.

Abstract: A solid-state laser apparatus comprises a plurality of solid-state materials each having an active solid-state medium and arranged in a row with a predetermined space on an optical axis of light incident thereon. An optical rotation material and an angle adjusting instrument for adjusting an angle between the optical rotation material and the optical axis of incident light are disposed in at least a space selected from among the plural spaces. The laser apparatus further comprises a laser optical system for extracting a laser beam emitted by the plural solid-state materials.

Abstract: A laser includes a laser head and a power supply. At least two resonator mirrors define a resonator cavity. A gain medium is positioned in the resonator cavity. A temperature controller is positioned in the laser head and is coupled to the gain medium. The temperature controller maintains the gain medium at a temperature of 25 degrees C. or greater. A pump source supplies a pump beam to the gain medium and producing an output beam. The power source is coupled to the pump source.

Abstract: Arrangements for high output power laser sources and optical fiber amplifiers are disclosed. In one arrangement, an optical fiber section which is doped with erbium, is coupled with one or two mirror elements, such as fiber Bragg gratings, to form a DBR or DFB fiber laser. The optical fiber section receives energy at one end from a pumping laser and lases at one or more selected wavelengths. This output light, along with energy from the pumping laser, is transmitted through the second end of the optical fiber section to an erbium-doped fiber amplifier, which boosts the laser output even higher. The gain of the optical fiber section may be further increased by co-doping the section with erbium and ytterbium. With co-doped optical fiber sections, high power output fiber optical amplifiers and laser sources, in the form of DBR and DFB fiber lasers, which can accept the pumping energies of a plurality of pumping lasers, can be created with properly selected WDM coupler and WDM coupler/isolator devices.

Abstract: A solid state laser, comprising (a) a resonator, (b) at least one laser diode array for side pumping said resonator, and (c) at least one fan-out-covering optical system, between said resonator and said at least one laser diode array, does not suffer from thermal problems and provides a high quality beam. The solid state laser may be air cooled.

Abstract: A solid-state laser apparatus is composed of a semiconductor laser device 17, a laser medium 13 for generating oscillated light, a non-linear optical device 12 for converting the oscillated light to non-linear light, a laser holder 17a and a base plate 19 for holding the semiconductor laser device 17, and a crystal holder 3 for holding the laser medium 13 and the non-linear optical device 12. The laser holder 17a, base plate 19 and crystal holder 3 are fixed with an adhesive or the like after positional adjustment under light pressure and temporary tightening. A laser diode pumped solid-state laser apparatus is thus obtained which is simplified in assembling and positioning of optical components and can be stably operated regardless of temperature changes.

Abstract: A laser system capable of high speed silicon wafer dicing is disclosed. A laser with high average power, high repetition rate, ultra-short pulsewidth, and excellent beam quality is described. This is achieved by the use of high power diodes used to uniformly pump an improved Nd:YAlO.sub.3 crystal, resulting in a beam with excellent quality. In addition, a beta-barium borate (BBO) crystal, used in conjunction with drift step recovery diodes (DSRDs), forms a high speed optical switch which can be used to cavity dump the laser.

Abstract: A multi-element, uniformly pumped laser includes a plurality of laser medium elements, a pumping means, a highly reflective reflector and an output coupler. The pumping means includes at least one pumping element which simultaneously excites at least two of the laser medium elements. An alternate uniformly pumped ring laser and an alternate uniformly pumped laser amplifier are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-element, folded beam laser includes a plurality of laser medium elements, pumping means, a highly reflective reflector, an output coupler and one or more beam directors for redirecting the beam through the elements and between the reflector and the output coupler. An alternate folded beam ring laser and an alternate folded beam laser amplifier are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating ultraviolet laser radiation according to the present invention includes a laser light source and a frequency conversion device made of a nonlinear optical crystal on which laser light irradiated from the laser light source is made incident and which converts a frequency of the incident laser light to thereby irradiate the ultraviolet radiation. A protective film which prevents oxygen and water content from permeating thereinto is deposited on at least an output end surface, from which ultraviolet radiation is irradiated, of the nonlinear optical crystal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent characteristics of the frequency conversion device from being lowered due to change of a property thereof resulting from increased output power of laser light and to increase a lifetime thereof.

Abstract: A cylindrically shaped gain medium for a laser resonant cavity. The gain medium has an outer cylindrical side surface and two opposing end faces. An annular groove is formed in the side surface. An energy source excites the gain medium to create a laser beam inside the cavity. The laser beam passes longitudinally through the gain medium. The annular groove defines an annular aperture inside the gain medium for the laser beam. The annular aperture has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the side surface and the end faces.

Abstract: A laser with high average power, high repetition rate, ultra-short pulsewidth, and excellent beam quality is described. This is achieved by the use of high power diodes used to uniformly pump an improved Nd:YAlO.sub.3 crystal, resulting in a beam with excellent quality. In addition, a beta-barium borate (BBO) crystal, used in conjunction with drift step recovery diodes (DSRDs), forms a high speed optical switch which can be used to cavity dump the laser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid state laser gain medium 28 comprising: (a) a gain layer 30 having pump regions 32 and first and second contact regions 34 and 36, respectively; (b) a first transparent layer 38 optically connected to the first contact region 34 of the gain layer 30 by diffusion bonding; and (c) a second transparent layer 40 optically connected to the second contact region 36 of the gain layer 30 by diffusion bonding. The transparent layers 38 and 40 are transparent to the lasing wavelength of the gain medium 28.

Abstract: An attenuator/filter is disclosed that is inherently tuned and provides for a stimulated Brillouin scattering effect having a predetermined threshold that fixes the output thereof at a predefined power level. The stimulated Brillouin scattering effect is disclosed as being provided by either a fused silica optical fiber or a fiber-optic ring resonator both of which act as a filter to allow selected frequencies to pass. The SBS threshold is selected to improve the sideband to carrier power ratio which, in turn, determines the modulation depth for the modulated signal.