Abstract:
An optical sensor (600) for detecting the movement of an object relative to the position of the optical sensor (600),using self-mixing interference,is described. The optical sensor (600) comprises a laser (100), a detector (200) and a filter device (500). The filter device (500) suppresses measurement signals generated by means of the detector (200) whenmovements of the object ata velocity below a defined threshold value cause the measurement signals. The optical sensor (600) may be used in a switch in order to enable selective switching depending on the velocity of the movement of the object.
Abstract:
A security system is described,comprising a sensor module (15) which accommodates a laser sensor(10)working with self-mixing interference. The laser sensor(10)generates measurement data which are related to the velocity of an object such as the body of a human being and,optionally,the distance between the laser sensor (10) and the object. Dependent on the measurement data assembled by the laser sensor (10)and supplied to a control circuit(30)such as an airbag computer, the airbag computer activate security means such as an airbag(35)in order to prevent injuries of the human body. Furthermore, a method of driving such a security system is described.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a switchable dual wavelength solid state laser with a solid state gain medium (1) which is selected to emit optical radiation at a first wavelength with a first polarization and of at least a second wavelength with a second polarization different from said first polarization when optically or electrically pumped. A polarizing device (7) is arranged within the laser cavity, said polarizing device (7) being adjustable at least between said first and said second polarization. The two end mirrors (2, 3) of the laser cavity are designed to allow lasing of the solid state laser at the first wavelength when the polarizing device (7) is adjusted to the first polarization, and to allow lasing of the solid state laser at the second wavelength when the polarizing device (7) is adjusted to the second polarization. The proposed solid state laser allows an easy switching between two emission wavelengths. The polarizing device (7) is for example realized by a combination of a Pockels cell (8) and a polarizer (9). End mirrors (2, 3) suppress unwanted wavelengths and a beam clump (10) absorbs the radiation not fed-back in the resonator.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a laser sensor for self-mixing interferometry. The laser sensor comprises at least one semiconductor laser light source emitting laser radiation and at least one photodetector (6) monitoring the laser radiation of the laser light source. The laser light source is a VECSEL having a gain medium (3) arranged in a layer structure (15) on a front side of a first end mirror (4), said first end mirror (4) forming an external cavity with an external second end mirror (5). The proposed laser sensor provides an increased detection range and can be manufactured in a low-cost production process.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp which comprises at least a burner (2) having a symmetrical discharge chamber (21), where at least the outer contour of the burner (2) has an elliptical shape in the region of the discharge chamber (21), two electrodes (41, 42) extending into the discharge chamber (21) and arranged in mutual opposition on the major axis of symmetry of the discharge chamber (21), and a multilayer interference filter (3) arranged on the outer contour of the burner (2) in the region of the discharge chamber (21), wherein the interference filter (3) mainly reflects light from at least one wavelength range of the UV light into the space between the two electrodes (41, 42).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a semiconductor diode laser used to pump a waveguide and their use as light source. A waveguide laser (15) according to the present invention producing visible wavelength radiation from IR wavelength radiation comprising: a) at least one semiconductor diode laser or diode laser bar (8) producing IR wavelength radiation; b) at least one upconversion layer (13a, 13b, 13c) having a thickness of at least 1 µm thicker than the thickness of the emitting layer in the semiconductor diode laser that converts the IR wavelength radiation into visible wavelengths by an upconversion process of photon absorption energy transfer followed by emission; c) at least one optical resonator which recirculates the visible wavelength radiation and/or at least one optical resonator which recirculates the IR wavelength radiation; whereby - the laser diode or laser diode bar and the upconversion layer(s) are arranged on the same substrate or each on a separate substrate (12, 14); - the laser diode or laser diode bar and the upconversion layer(s) are adjacent arranged, whereby a gap between the adjacent arranged diode laser bar and the upconversion layer(s) is formed; or - the laser diode or laser diode bar and the upconversion layer(s) are contacting arranged in this order; and whereby the waveguide laser has a beam quality M2 of = 2 and = 1000.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp, which emits light at least in a defined wavelength range with a defined emission spectrum, having at least one burner (2), which comprises a discharge chamber (21), wherein at least the outer contour of the burner (2) has an elliptical shape in the area of the discharge chamber (21), two electrodes (41, 42) extending into the discharge chamber (21) which are arranged opposite one another and on the longest axis of symmetry of the discharge chamber (21), and a multilayer interference filter (3), which is arranged at least on th outer contour of the burner (2) in the area of the discharge chamber (21), wherein at least a portion of the light from the defined wavelength range may pass through the interference filter (3) and another portion of the light from the defined wavelength range may be reflected into the space between the two electrodes (41, 42).