TOPIC:  New Optical Elements for LASERS makes it's Debut

Dateline: Melbourne, Florida

            The field of optics has a new component to work with; Elk Industries® , LLC has announced the release of its Patented Optical Elements for LASERS - A 4-sided Pyramid made of optical material.

            This new optical element is said to have more uses than any other optical element, with the possible exception of "The Lens".  It represents a major breakthrough in "time-compression" and optical designs for several reasons.  Probably the most notable quality is that it can replace so many other (different) optical elements with a single device (optical component). ... And that is only the beginning, because it also can perform numerous tasks that no other optical device can perform, and these tasks can often be carried out simultaneously.

            For instance, one common use is as a "O° Reflector", Reflecting LASER (or other Optical) Beams or Rays back directly towards the Source, when the Beam is directed through the Base towards the Apex of the Pyramid.

            Another, is a use wherein a Beam is directed through one of the Triangular Faces of the Pyramid, towards the Base.  It then, is Reflected outward through the Opposite Face of the Pyramid. And this task can be accomplished at the same time as it is Being Used to Perform any of it's Other Uses!

            Yet Another use, is when it is used as a Prism, to "Break-Up" a Spectrum of Light into is (component) Colours, such as is done with a Diffraction Girating (in a different orientation), or (ordinary) Prism.  Plus, the Patent teaches “coating” of (basically) all different types, for Beam Splitting, Reflection, or Anti-Reflection.

            However, one of the Primary Objectives of this invention was to Eliminate the need for coatings, because the R-K Manufacturing Company (which is now a Division of Elk Industries®) was quite concerned about LASER Damage Thresholds (being too Low) for Optics in the Laboratory.  Many Expensive and difficult to obtain High Energy LASER mirrors were Damaged or Destroyed because of the lack of having Optical Elements for LASERS (this INVENTION), before these Pyramids (Products) were made (successfully) and put into Practice. The way that these Optical Elements are able to withstand so much Power, and/or Energy relates to their properties of exhibiting Total Internal Reflection (TIR) at certain angles, thus eliminating the LASER damage problems associated with coatings. However, if coatings are desired, they also fall under the Patent, and can be applied to (any of) the desired surfaces of the Optical Elements for LASERS.

        Even other uses of this Patented geometry of Optical Elements For LASERS have been Developed by INVENTOR Robin Elkins, et al, at ELK INDUSTRIES® . This is where the Pyramid is made of an Optical LASER Material (itself), such as Nd:YAG, and can be optically Pumped with Radiant Flux from an appropriate LASER Diode, or Flashlamp, or Arclamp. In this Application, more useable output is obtained (slope efficiency) as a Result, per unit of "Input" Pump radiation.  It is more efficient than other types of LASER Geometries, and therefore, requires Less LASER Material to Extract greater amounts of LASER Power and Energy. The Improvement is commonly as high as one (whole) Order of Magnitude, when compared to other Geometries, such as Disks, Slabs, or Rods, yet allows for adequate cooling, if the LASER is property designed.

            The U.S. Patent, 5,825,802, "Optical elements for LASERS" was the subject of intense, elaborate, and thorough examination and opposition during the Patent prosecution.  It took over 7 Years for Elkins to finally obtain this Patent, the most recent of his 6 Issued U.S. Patents.  Elkins is most well known as the "Father of Voicemail" and Pioneer of "Sound on The Internet", for his INVENTION of the First Patented Digital Audio Recording System.  The "Audio Storage and Distribution System" (Patent 4,124,773) was the Subject of Licensing Agreements with Companies including IBM, ATT, Microsoft, Sony, SIEMENS, Ericsson, DEC, Wang Laboratories, Northern Telecom, America Online, and many others.

            "This Achievement Marks a Major Milestone in the Advancement of Optics and LASER Systems," says Elkins. "More uses are discovered as time moves forward", He adds. "Just the concept that one Optical Element can perform so many tasks in an optical system or laboratory represents a huge savings in cost, labour, and materials".

            The Optical Elements are currently in Production, and are typically made of either BK-7 or Fused Silica or Fused Quartz (Optical Glasses).  A Typical "Basic Optical Element™" is made with a 1 inch x 1 inch (Square) Base, or 10 mm x 10 mm Base, but can be made to smaller or larger sizes. The "Roof Angle" is 90° (degrees).

            The Nd:YAG crystals are commonly made with 4 mm x 4 mm square base, and "Roof Angle" of 90° (degrees). 

Delivery is from stock to 4 weeks, typically.  Contact LASEROB@aol.com For Pricing or Questions related to these Products and Invention.