An electro-optic modulator (EOM) for altering an optical path length of an optical field is described. The EOM comprises first and second Brewster-angle cut nonlinear crystals having a first and second optical axis. The optical axes are orientated relative to each other such that when an optical field propagates through the nonlinear crystals it experiences no overall deviation. The nonlinear crystals are also arranged to be opposite handed relative to the optical field. The EOM has the advantage that its optical losses are lower when compared with those EOMs known in the art. In addition, the EOM can be inserted into, or removed from, an optical system without any deviation being imparted onto the optical field. This reduces the levels of skill and effort required on the part of an operator. The described method and apparatus for mounting the nonlinear crystals also suppresses problematic piezo-electric resonances within the nonlinear crystals.

An electro-optic modulator (EOM) for altering an optical path length of an optical field is described. The EOM comprises first and second Brewster-angle cut nonlinear crystals having a first and second optical axis. The optical axes are orientated relative to each other such that when an optical field propagates through the nonlinear crystals it experiences no overall deviation. The nonlinear crystals are also arranged to be opposite handed relative to the optical field. The EOM has the advantage that its optical losses are lower when compared with those EOMs known in the art. In addition, the EOM can be inserted into, or removed from, an optical system without any deviation being imparted onto the optical field. This reduces the levels of skill and effort required on the part of an operator. The described method and apparatus for mounting the nonlinear crystals also suppresses problematic piezo-electric resonances within the nonlinear crystals.

In this patent, we teach methods to generate coherent X-ray and UUV rays beams for X ray and UUV microscopes using intense femtosecond pulses resulting the Ultra-Supercontinuum (USC) and Higher Harmonic Generation (HHG) from χ3 and χ.sup.5 media produce from electronic and molecular Kerr effect. The response of n.sub.2 (χ3) and n.sub.4 (χ5) at the optical frequency from instantaneously response of carrier phase of envelope results in odd HHG and spectral broadening about each harmonic on the anti-Stokes side of the pump pulse at wo typically in the visible, NIR, and MIR. From the slower molecular Kerr response on femtosecond to picosecond from orientation and molecular motion on n.sub.2 and n.sub.4 which follow the envelope of optical field of the laser gives rise to extreme broadening without HHG. The resulting spectra extend on the Stokes side towards the IR, RF to DC covering most of the electromagnetic spectrum. These HHG and Super broadening covering UUV to X rays and possibly to gamma ray regime for microscopes.

In this patent, we teach methods to generate coherent X-ray and UUV rays beams for X ray and UUV microscopes using intense femtosecond pulses resulting the Ultra-Supercontinuum (USC) and Higher Harmonic Generation (HHG) from χ3 and χ.sup.5 media produce from electronic and molecular Kerr effect. The response of n.sub.2 (χ3) and n.sub.4 (χ5) at the optical frequency from instantaneously response of carrier phase of envelope results in odd HHG and spectral broadening about each harmonic on the anti-Stokes side of the pump pulse at wo typically in the visible, NIR, and MIR. From the slower molecular Kerr response on femtosecond to picosecond from orientation and molecular motion on n.sub.2 and n.sub.4 which follow the envelope of optical field of the laser gives rise to extreme broadening without HHG. The resulting spectra extend on the Stokes side towards the IR, RF to DC covering most of the electromagnetic spectrum. These HHG and Super broadening covering UUV to X rays and possibly to gamma ray regime for microscopes.

A laser assembly is provided that includes a laser resonator that emits a first light having a first pulse width, and a trigger assembly electrically coupled to the laser resonator to actuate the laser resonator. The laser assembly also includes a sensor configured to detect the first light as the light emits from the laser resonator, and one or more processors coupled to the trigger assembly. The one or more processors are configured to obtain a first time delay interval from when the trigger assembly is actuated to when the sensor detects the first light, and actuate the laser resonator to emit a second light having a second pulse width based on the time delay interval determined.

A laser assembly is provided that includes a laser resonator that emits a first light having a first pulse width, and a trigger assembly electrically coupled to the laser resonator to actuate the laser resonator. The laser assembly also includes a sensor configured to detect the first light as the light emits from the laser resonator, and one or more processors coupled to the trigger assembly. The one or more processors are configured to obtain a first time delay interval from when the trigger assembly is actuated to when the sensor detects the first light, and actuate the laser resonator to emit a second light having a second pulse width based on the time delay interval determined.

Methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for delivery of pulsed treatment radiation by employing a pump radiation source generating picosecond pulses at a first wavelength, and a frequency-shifting resonator having a losing medium and resonant cavity configured to receive the picosecond pulses from the pump source at the first wavelength and to emit radiation at a second wavelength in response thereto, wherein the resonant cavity of the frequency-shifting resonator has a round trip time shorter than the duration of the picosecond pulses generated by the pump radiation source. Methods, systems and apparatus are also disclosed for providing beam uniformity and a sub-harmonic resonator.

Example embodiments relate to lasers that include loop resonators. One example laser includes a loop resonator forming a closed loop light path. The loop resonator includes an optical gain medium configured to lase. The loop resonator is configured to, during lasing, present a pair of modes: a mode of light propagating in a clockwise direction in the closed loop light path of the loop resonator (termed CW mode) and a mode of light propagating in a counter-clockwise direction in the closed loop light path of the loop resonator (termed CCW mode). The laser also includes a first light output configured to output laser light from the laser. Additionally, the laser includes an optical power modulating unit. The optical power modulation unit is configured to modulate an optical power of the CW mode of the loop resonator and an optical power of the CCW mode of the loop resonator.

A WDM seed beam source for a fiber laser amplifier system that includes a number of master oscillators that generate seed beams at different wavelengths and a spectral multiplexer that multiplexes all of the seed beams onto a single fiber. An EOM modulates the combined seed beams on the single fiber and a spectral demultiplexer then separates the modulated seed beams into their constituent wavelengths on separate fibers before the seed beams are amplified and spectrally combined. The fiber laser amplifier system includes a separate fiber amplifier that amplifies the separated seed beams, an emitter array that directs the amplified beams into free space, beam collimating optics that focuses the uncombined beams, and an SBC grating responsive to the collimated uncombined beams that spatially combines the collimated uncombined beams.

A WDM seed beam source for a fiber laser amplifier system that includes a number of master oscillators that generate seed beams at different wavelengths and a spectral multiplexer that multiplexes all of the seed beams onto a single fiber. An EOM modulates the combined seed beams on the single fiber and a spectral demultiplexer then separates the modulated seed beams into their constituent wavelengths on separate fibers before the seed beams are amplified and spectrally combined. The fiber laser amplifier system includes a separate fiber amplifier that amplifies the separated seed beams, an emitter array that directs the amplified beams into free space, beam collimating optics that focuses the uncombined beams, and an SBC grating responsive to the collimated uncombined beams that spatially combines the collimated uncombined beams.