Raytheon Company

Other

Stephen H McGanty

David M Filgas

Christopher R Koontz

Makan Mohageg

A system includes a master oscillator configured to generate a first optical beam and a beam controller configured to modify the first optical beam. The system also includes a PWG amplifier configured to receive the modified first optical beam and generate a second optical beam having a higher power than the first optical beam. The second optical beam has a power of at least about ten kilowatts. The PWG amplifier includes a single laser gain medium configured to generate the second optical beam. The system further includes a feedback loop configured to control the master oscillator, PWG amplifier, and beam controller. The feedback loop includes a laser controller. The laser controller may be configured to process wavefront information or power in bucket information associated with the second optical beam to control an adaptive optic or perform a back-propagation algorithm to provide wavefront correction at an output of the PWG amplifier.

High-gain single planar waveguide (PWG) amplifier laser system

A system includes a master oscillator configured to generate a low-power optical beam. The system also includes a planar waveguide (PWG) amplifier having one or more laser diode pump arrays, a planar waveguide, and a light pipe. The one or more laser diode pump arrays are configured to generate pumplight. The planar waveguide is configured to generate a high-power optical beam using the low-power optical beam and the pumplight. The light pipe is configured to substantially homogenize the pumplight and to inject the homogenized pumplight into the planar waveguide. The light pipe is also configured to inject the low-power optical beam into the planar waveguide.

Integrated pumplight homogenizer and signal injector for high-power laser system

This disclosure provides planar waveguides with enhanced support and/or cooling. One or more endcaps could be disposed between coating/cladding layers at one or more ends of a core region, where the core region is doped with at least one active ion species and each endcap is not doped with any active ion species that creates substantial absorption at pump and signal wavelengths. A core region could include at least one crystal or crystalline material, and at least one cladding layer could include at least one glass. Different types of coolers could be disposed on or adjacent to different coating/cladding layers. Side claddings could be disposed on opposite sides of a planar waveguide, where the opposite sides represent longer sides of the waveguide. Endcaps and one or more coolers could be sealed to a housing, and coolant can flow through a substantially linear passageway along a length of the waveguide. One side of a planar waveguide could be uncooled.

Planar waveguides with enhanced support and/or cooling features for high-power laser systems

A system includes a master oscillator configured to generate a low-power optical beam. The system also includes a planar waveguide (PWG) amplifier configured to receive the low-power optical beam and generate a high-power optical beam having a power of at least about ten kilowatts. The PWG amplifier includes a single laser gain medium configured to generate the high-power optical beam. The single laser gain medium can reside within a single amplifier beamline of the system. The master oscillator and the PWG amplifier can be coupled to an optical bench assembly, and the optical bench assembly can include optics configured to route the low-power optical beam to the PWG amplifier and to route the high-power optical beam from the PWG amplifier. The PWG amplifier could include a cartridge that contains the single laser gain medium and a pumphead housing that retains the cartridge.

A system includes a laser system having a master oscillator and a planar waveguide (PWG) amplifier having one or more laser diode pump arrays, a pumphead, input optics, and output optics. The system also includes an optical bench and cooling manifold coupled to the pumphead. The optical bench and cooling manifold is configured to provide coolant to the one or more laser diode pump arrays and the pumphead through the optical bench and cooling manifold. The optical bench and cooling manifold is also configured to partially deform during operation of the laser system. A housing of the pumphead is coupled to the input and output optics to maintain optical alignment of the pumphead with the input and output optics.

Dual-function optical bench and cooling manifold for high-power laser system

A system includes a laser system having a master oscillator and a planar waveguide (PWG) amplifier having one or more laser diode pump arrays, a PWG pumphead, input optics, and output optics. The PWG pumphead is configured to receive a low-power optical beam from the master oscillator and generate a high-power optical beam. The PWG pumphead includes a laser gain medium, a cartridge, and a pumphead housing. The cartridge is configured to receive and retain the laser gain medium, and the cartridge includes one or more cooling channels configured to transport coolant in order to cool the laser gain medium. The pumphead housing is configured to receive and retain the cartridge, where the cartridge is removable from the housing.

High-power planar waveguide (PWG) pumphead with modular components for high-power laser system

An adjustable stretching deviceincludes a stretching surfacethat is raised off of the floor on which the user stands, flexes, and stretches the calf and lowers the leg muscles. The stretching surfacecan be angled along a primary longitudinal angleto produce a more intense stretch. Specifically, the stretching surfacecan be angled up todegrees. Additionally, the user can put a leg up on the center padand stretch the hamstring muscles. The adjustable stretching devicealso includes a padded framework that allows a user to put a leg up on any of the bars at different heights and further stretch the leg muscles. The padding also provides protection for the bar. The stretching surfaceof the adjustable stretching deviceis preferably a dual stretching surfacethat is angled either away from or towards the longitudinal centerline of the dual stretching surfacealong the primary longitudinal angle. This angle can range between 0 and 45 degrees. The angle or wedge can be either integral to the platform or removable and clipped into place at different angles or slowly molded into desired angles. The adjustable stretching devicehas a handrail assembly, which is foldable in nature for storage. The handrail assemblyalso provides leverage for a more intense stretch. The adjustable stretching devicealso includes magnets to provide better circulation for the feet or another desired area.

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Hermosa Beach, CA, United States of America

Stephen H McGanty