Abstract:
A diffractive optical element (DOE), including a substrate formed of a substantially transparent material having a substrate index of refraction. The substrate includes a first transmission face that is substantially planar and a second transmission face that is substantially parallel to the first transmission face. The second transmission face includes an array of non-rectangular pixels that form a complete tiling over the functional area of this face. For each of the non-rectangular pixels of the array, the phase shift of light transmitted through the substrate between the transmission faces is approximately equal to one of a set of predetermined phase shifts.
Abstract:
A slab laser amplifier with parasitic oscillation suppression has a plurality of angled pump faces related to one another in order to decrease likelihood of parasitic oscillations, with internal beam incidence angles at total internal reflection that alleviate need for reflective coatings. No polished surfaces of gain material comprising the amplifier are parallel to one another. A beam path within the gain material is such that all incident angles of the beam path upon the two main faces and the common end face are greater than a critical angle required for total internal reflection, thereby alleviating need for reflective coatings. Based on an index of refraction of the gain material, and based on a diameter of the laser beam, dimensions of the gain material are selected to maximize beam overlap in a pumped volume of the gain material.
Abstract:
A diffractive optical element (DOE), including a substrate formed of a substantially transparent material having a substrate index of refraction. The substrate includes a first transmission face that is substantially planar and a second transmission face that is substantially parallel to the first transmission face. The second transmission face includes an array of non-rectangular pixels that form a complete tiling over the functional area of this face. For each of the non-rectangular pixels of the array, the phase shift of light transmitted through the substrate between the transmission faces is approximately equal to one of a set of predetermined phase shifts.
Abstract:
A slab laser amplifier with parasitic oscillation suppression has a plurality of angled pump faces related to one another in order to decrease likelihood of parasitic oscillations, with internal beam incidence angles at total internal reflection that alleviate need for reflective coatings. No polished surfaces of gain material comprising the amplifier are parallel to one another. A beam path within the gain material is such that all incident angles of the beam path upon the two main faces and the common end face are greater than a critical angle required for total internal reflection, thereby alleviating need for reflective coatings. Based on an index of refraction of the gain material, and based on a diameter of the laser beam, dimensions of the gain material are selected to maximize beam overlap in a pumped volume of the gain material.
Abstract:
A thumb-mountable support is disclosed for use on a support hand of a musician while playing an instrument of the violin-family. The thumb-mountable support includes a thumb ring and a saddle. The thumb ring is configured to at least partially surround the thumb of the support hand to facilitate securement of the thumb-mountable support to the thumb of the support hand. The saddle extends from the thumb ring and includes a lower surface configured to engage a generally V-shaped region formed between a thumb and body of the support hand, and also includes an upper surface configured to support a rear portion of a neck of the instrument.