Abstract:
In a semiconductor lasers using quantum well gain medium, a quantum well stack is mounted in an epi-down configuration. The epitaxial side of the device may be directly bonded to an efficient heat transport system so that heat may more easily leave the quantum well stack layers and be disposed at a heatsink. Such a device runs cooler and exhibits reduced loss mechanisms as represented by a laser system loss-line. External cavity systems using this configuration may permit a high degree of tunability, and these systems are particularly improved as the tuning range is extended by lowered cavity losses.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus for mechanically stabilizing tunable lasers by mechanically grounding laser components. Lasers stabilized using mechanical grounding of the laser components exhibit phase synchronous tuning, reduced mode hop and increased wavelength stability across the entire tuning range. Additionally, lasers stabilized using mechanical grounding exhibit improved resistance to thermal and physical shock. The robust compact design of mechanically grounded lasers makes them suitable for a broad range of applications including optical signal generators and optical multimeters.
Abstract:
A filter pad for use in a dewatering container is presented. The filter pad is configured to fit within the interior cavity and substantially line the interior surfaces. Material, which is usually liquids and slurries, is added to the container with the filter in place and gravity is used to filter the sediment, while the water is released through a release nozzle. The solids are retained in the filter pad for later disposal. The filter pad has a portion that can be selectively opened and is configured for placement substantially adjacent the door to permit selective egress of contents of the interior cavity. The filter pad has an open upper end with securing members for cooperating with container hooks to provide safe and easy removal of the filter pad.
Abstract:
A filter pad for use in a dewatering container is presented. The filter pad is configured to fit within the interior cavity and substantially line the interior surfaces. Material, which is usually liquids and slurries, is added to the container with the filter in place and gravity is used to filter the sediment, while the water is released through a release nozzle. The solids are retained in the filter pad for later disposal. The filter pad has a portion that can be selectively opened and is configured for placement substantially adjacent the door to permit selective egress of contents of the interior cavity.
Abstract:
A highly portable, high-powered infrared laser source is produced by intermittent operation of a quantum cascade laser power regulated to a predetermined operating range that permits passive cooling. The regulation process may boost battery voltage allowing the use of a more compact, low-voltage batteries.
Abstract:
A highly portable, high-powered infrared laser source is produced by intermittent operation of a quantum cascade laser power regulated to a predetermined operating range that permits passive cooling. The regulation process may boost battery voltage allowing the use of a more compact, low-voltage batteries.
Abstract:
A highly portable, high-powered infrared laser source is produced by intermittent operation of a quantum cascade laser power regulated to a predetermined operating range that permits passive cooling. The regulation process may boost battery voltage allowing the use of a more compact, low-voltage batteries.
Abstract:
A compact mid-IR laser device utilizes a quantum cascade laser to provide mid-IR frequencies suitable for use in molecular detection by signature absorption spectra. The compact nature of the device is obtained owing to an efficient heat transfer structure, the use of a small diameter aspheric lens and a monolithic assembly structure to hold the optical elements in a fixed position relative to one another. The compact housing size may be approximately 20 cm×20 cm×20 cm or less. Efficient heat transfer is achieved using a thermoelectric cooler TEC combined with a high thermal conductivity heat spreader onto which the quantum cascade laser is thermally coupled. The heat spreader not only serves to dissipate heat and conduct same to the TEC, but also serves as an optical platform to secure the optical elements within the housing in a fixed relationship relative on one another. A small diameter aspheric lens may have a diameter of 10 mm or less and is positioned to provided a collimated beam output from the quantum cascade laser. The housing is hermetically sealed to provide a rugged, light weight portable MIR laser source.
Abstract:
An optical illuminator assembly (10) for locating an object (20) in inclement conditions (22) includes a MIR laser source (12) having a semiconductor laser that directly emits (without frequency conversion) an output beam (16) that is in the MIR range, the output beam (16) being useful for locating the object (20). Additionally, the optical illuminator assembly (10) can include a MIR imager (14) that captures an image (18) of light in the MIR range near the object (20). Further, the MIR imager (14) can include an image display (26) that displays the captured image (18). In a first example, the MIR laser source (12) and the MIR imager (14) are spaced apart, and the image (18) captured by the MIR imager (14) includes the output beam (16) from the MIR laser source (12). With this design, a person (28) operating a vehicle (24) will be able to locate the object 20 in inclement conditions 22. In a second example, the MIR laser source (12) and the MIR imager (14) are positioned in close proximity to each other. In this example, the image (18) captured by the MIR imager (14) includes at least a portion of the object (20) illuminated by the output beam (16) from the MIR laser source (12).
Abstract:
A lens may operate in the mid-IR spectral region and couple highly divergent beams into highly collimated beams. In combination with a light source having a characteristic output beam, the lens may provide highly stable, miniaturized mid-IR sources that deliver optical beams. An advanced mounting system may provide long term sturdy mechanical coupling and alignment to reduce operator maintenance. In addition, devices may also support electrical and thermal subsystems that are delivered via these mounting systems. A mid-IR singlet lens having a numerical aperture greater than about 0.7 and a focal length less than 10 mm may be combined with a quantum well stack semiconductor based light source such that the emission facet of the semiconductor lies in the focus of the lens less than 2 mm away from the lens surface. Together, these systems may provide a package that is highly portable and robust, and easily integrated with external optical systems.