Abstract:
Apparatus, systems, and methods associated with remote phase and amplitude spectroscopy in frequency, time, and position with correlated frequency combs are applicable in a variety of applications. Multiple beams can be generated from a single laser source, where, in the frequency domain, the multiple beams are frequency combs with equal repetition rates and shifted in frequency from each other. One or more of the multiple beams can be directed to interact with a sample with another one of the multiple beams used as a reference beam. The interaction can include transmission of one of the multiple beams as a signal beam through the sample, reflection of one of the multiple beams as a signal beam from the sample, or backscattering from the sample. Results from the interaction can be analyzed.
Abstract:
Apparatus, systems, and methods having a frequency comb of large spacing can be used in a variety of applications. In various embodiments, a frequency comb is generated from a slave laser by injecting an optical output from a drive laser into the slave laser. One or more parameters of the drive laser and/or the slave laser can be adjusted such that a frequency comb can be generated at a multiple of the repetition rate of the drive laser. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
Abstract:
A scatterometer utilizes the dead zone resulting from lockup caused by scatter from a sample located in the optical path of a ring laser at a location where counter-rotating pulses cross. The frequency of one pulse relative to the other is varied across the lockup dead zone.
Abstract:
A method of irradiating a collection of particles by ultrashort pulses of light with isotopic selectivity having application in various methods of isotope separation (two step photoionization, photochemical separation or radiation pressure). In particular there is disclosed a method and apparatus for the efficient acceleration and collection of particles by means of radiation pressure, exemplified by separating a preselected isotope species from a gaseous mixture of isotopes. The gaseous mixture is irradiated with ultrashort, repetitious pulses of coherent light, each pulse having an intensity, frequency and duration selected to create momentum changes in the preselected gaseous isotope whereby to spatially isolate the isotope. Preferably, irradiation is carried out in the cavity of a mode-locked laser into which the gaseous mixture is injected. The pulses traverse and reflect back through the cavity so that the selected isotope is initially excited by a pulse, then restitutes its energy to the reflected pulse by stimulated emission. Means are provided for collecting the spatially isolated isotope.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for providing a drive laser beam to a communication unit responsive to the drive laser beam provide the communication unit the ability to provide femtosecond communication. In an embodiment, the communication unit may be configured as an emitter to provide an optical signal for multiplexing into a transmission medium. In an embodiment, the communication unit includes an a time lens in a configuration that provides separation of optical channel signals from a received optical signal and time expansion of each optical channel signal.
Abstract:
A laser communication system includes a first laser to generate a laser signal with femtosecond pulses. A first grating spectrally disperses the femtosecond pulses of the laser signal. A modulator converts the femtosecond pulses of the laser signal into coded words. A second grating spectrally recombines the coded words of the laser signal. A first telescope launches the laser signal. A second telescope receives the laser signal. A second laser generates a set of reference pulses. A non-linear crystal combines the set of reference pulses and the laser signal so as to create an output signal only when the laser signal and the reference pulses temporally coincide. A detector records the output.
Abstract:
An improvement for a ring laser gyro employs insertion of a wavefront conjugating coupling element inside a laser cavity to reduce the lock-in threshold and to reduce the imbalance between the amplitudes of the opposite direction traveling waves (ODTW) in homogeneously broadened rotating ring lasers.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an arrangement for analyzing or reconstructing incoming pulses of electromagnetic energy in which there is detected (a) the spectral amplitude of at least one pulse and (b) the phase shifts of portions of the pulse with respect to a non-phase shifted portion, and applying an inverse Fourier transform to the detected energy thereby producing the temporal profile of the pulse.
Abstract:
In various embodiments, systems and methods can be structured to provide efficient active bidirectional mode-locked lasers, which can be used as intracavity phase interferometer (IPI) sensors. Stable bidirectional mode-locking can be achieved by a combination of a passive mechanism, a passively driven active mechanism, and a beat note detection system. Such systems can be used in guidance, navigation, and control systems, where attitude control of a vehicle relies on accurate measurements of its position and motion. In various embodiments, a detection system can be based on an all fiber intracavity phase interferometer (IPI) active laser capable of delivering accurate simultaneous measurements of all three degrees of rotation and position in a single, compact, cost effective unit. A variation of the same system can include a linear cavity laser for accurate measurements of acceleration without the use of any inertial masses. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
Abstract:
A Scanning Phase Intracavity Nanoscope as a measurement system can be realized with a reference laser cavity and a sample laser cavity superimposed upon each other to operatively propagate two laser beams. The sample laser cavity is operatively formed by the sample to be measured. A measurement of the sample is based on differences in the reference laser cavity and the sample laser cavity determined from difference in the two laser beams.