High-brightness wavelength-beam-combined diode laser stacks using a volume Bragg grating (VBG)
Using VBG-stabilized wavelength beam combining of 3-bar diode laser stack, we demonstrate 89.5 W CW with beam quality M2 ~ 26 in the slow-axis and M2~21 in the fast-axis. The beam combining efficiency is 75%.
Spectral beam combining of a broad-stripe diode laser array in an external cavity
The outputs from an 11-element, linear diode laser array with broad stripes have been beam combined into a single beam with a beam quality of ∼20× diffraction limited in the plane of the junction. This beam combining was achieved by use of a common external cavity containing a grating, which simultaneously forces each array element to operate at a different, but controlled, wavelength and forces the beams from all the elements to overlap and propagate in the same direction. The power in the combined beam was 50% of the output from the bare laser array.
Gifted Children With Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's Syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social comnmniunication and by repetitive patterns of behaviors or interests. It is observed in some ifted children. The author proposes that gifted children with Asperger's Syndromie mnay not be identified because their unusual behaviors may be wrongly attributed to either their giftedness or to a learning disability. The article discusses ways in which Asperger's Syndrome might be missed in gifted children and proposes guidelines for differentiating characteristics of giftedness fromn characteristics of Asperger's Syndrone.