A laser device includes an excitation light source, a resonator which receives excitation light from the excitation light source and generates laser light, an absorption cell to which the laser light is emitted, a light converter which converts the laser light passing through the absorption cell to a light output signal, a third order differential lock-in amplifier which generates a third order differential signal of the light output signal, and a controller. When a predetermined waveform of the third order differential signal is detected, the controller includes a return controller that determines a return direction of a resonator length based on the predetermined waveform and a resonator length controller that changes the resonator length to the return direction.

A laser device includes an excitation light source, a resonator which receives excitation light from the excitation light source and generates laser light, an absorption cell to which the laser light is emitted, a light converter which converts the laser light passing through the absorption cell to a light output signal, a third order differential lock-in amplifier which generates a third order differential signal of the light output signal, and a controller. When a predetermined waveform of the third order differential signal is detected, the controller includes a return controller that determines a return direction of a resonator length based on the predetermined waveform and a resonator length controller that changes the resonator length to the return direction.

In various embodiments, emitter modules include a laser source and (a) a refractive optic, (b) an output coupler, or (c) both a refractive optic and an output coupler. Either or both of these may be situated on mounts that facilitate two-axis rotation. The mount may be, for example, a conventional, rotatively adjustable tip/tilt mount or gimbal arrangement. In the case of the refractive optic, either the optic itself or the beam path may be adjusted; that is, the optic may be on a tip/tilt mount or the optic may be replaced with two or more mirrors each on tip/tilt mount.

A method and apparatus for characterizing an optical element. The optical element is part of a laser and is mounted on a translation stage to scan the optical element transverse to an intracavity laser beam. A performance characteristic of the laser is recorded as a function of position of the optical element.

A method and apparatus for characterizing an optical element. The optical element is part of a laser and is mounted on a translation stage to scan the optical element transverse to an intracavity laser beam. A performance characteristic of the laser is recorded as a function of position of the optical element.

A laser unit may include a laser chamber including a pair of discharge electrodes that are opposed to each other in a first direction with an electrode gap interposed in between and are configured to provide a discharge width in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, smaller than the electrode gap; and an optical resonator including a first optical member and a second optical member that are opposed to each other in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction with the discharge electrodes interposed in between, and configured to amplify laser light generated between the discharge electrodes and output amplified laser light, the optical resonator satisfying the following expression to configure a stable resonator in the second direction:
0<G1.Math.G2<1 where G1 is a G parameter of the first optical member, and G2 is a G parameter of the second optical member.

A laser unit may include a laser chamber including a pair of discharge electrodes that are opposed to each other in a first direction with an electrode gap interposed in between and are configured to provide a discharge width in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, smaller than the electrode gap; and an optical resonator including a first optical member and a second optical member that are opposed to each other in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction with the discharge electrodes interposed in between, and configured to amplify laser light generated between the discharge electrodes and output amplified laser light, the optical resonator satisfying the following expression to configure a stable resonator in the second direction:
0<G1.Math.G2<1 where G1 is a G parameter of the first optical member, and G2 is a G parameter of the second optical member.

A resonator is provided that includes opposing mirrors arranged substantially parallel to each other and separated to confine reflections for gain. A gain medium is between the opposing mirrors. A pump pumps the gain medium. At least one microrefractive element, or tens, hundreds, thousands, millions or more, stabilizes the resonator. The refractive element is disposed between the opposing mirrors and is configured to support a laser beam at a position of the refractive element. A method for producing laser light directs pump light onto one or a plurality of microrefractive elements. Reflections from the one or a plurality of microrefractive elements are confined in a resonator volume. Gain is provided in the resonator volume. Laser energy is emitted from the resonator volume.

A resonator is provided that includes opposing mirrors arranged substantially parallel to each other and separated to confine reflections for gain. A gain medium is between the opposing mirrors. A pump pumps the gain medium. At least one microrefractive element, or tens, hundreds, thousands, millions or more, stabilizes the resonator. The refractive element is disposed between the opposing mirrors and is configured to support a laser beam at a position of the refractive element. A method for producing laser light directs pump light onto one or a plurality of microrefractive elements. Reflections from the one or a plurality of microrefractive elements are confined in a resonator volume. Gain is provided in the resonator volume. Laser energy is emitted from the resonator volume.

The present disclosure provides an optical sub-system for a passive, mode-locked laser optical system. The optical sub-system may include a graphene-based saturable absorber and an optical device configured to control dispersion properties of the laser optical system. The graphene-based saturable absorber may be supported by the optical device.