Method of coupling a laser signal to an optical carrier

A laser signal coupling apparatus comprising:

• an optical carrier configured to transmit a laser signal from a laser source to an application;
• an optical coupling device including at least one focussing lens and configured to couple said laser signal to said optical carrier;
• a power-density control device configured to control a power of the laser signal such that a power density at a focal point is below a damage threshold of the optical carrier;
• and
• a position-setting device configured to translate at least one of the focusing lens and an entrance of the optical carrier along an optical axis between the focusing lens and the entrance to the optical carrier, and configured to set a distance between the focusing lens and said entrance to the optical carrier such that said entrance is at a position beyond a focal point of the focusing lens where the laser signal is divergent-coupled to the optical carrier.

An atmospheric pressure matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) system comprising:

• an optical carrier configured to transmit a laser signal from a laser source to a sample position;
• a focussing lens configured to couple said laser signal to said optical carrier;
• a power-density control device configured to control a power of the laser source to a power density level below a damage threshold of the optical carrier;
• a position-setting device configured to translate at least one of the focusing lens and an entrance of the optical carrier along an optical axis between the focusing lens and an entrance to the optical carrier, and configured to set a distance between the focusing lens and the entrance to the optical carrier such that said entrance is at a position beyond a focal point of the focusing lens where the laser signal is divergent-coupled to the optical carrier,
• wherein said power-density control device adjusts the power of the laser source to a level for desorption ionization of matrix constituents at the sample position without exceeding the damage threshold of the optical carrier.

An atmospheric pressure liquid assisted desorption and ionization (AP/LADI) system comprising:

• an optical carrier configured to transmit a laser signal from a laser source to a sample position;
• a focussing lens configured to couple said laser signal to said optical carrier;
• a power-density control device configured to control a power of the laser source to a power density level below a damage threshold of the optical carrier;
• a position-setting device configured to translate at least one of the focusing lens and an entrance of the optical carrier along an optical axis between the focusing lens and an entrance to the optical carrier, and configured to set a distance between the focusing lens and the entrance to the optical carrier such that said entrance is at a position beyond a focal point of the focusing lens where the laser signal is divergent-coupled to the optical carrier,
• wherein said power-density control device adjusts the power of the laser source to a level for desorption ionization of liquid constituents at the sample position without exceeding the damage threshold of the optical carrier.

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system comprising:

• an optical carrier configured to transmit a laser signal from a laser source at a broadcast point;
• a focussing lens configured to couple said laser signal to said optical carrier;
• a power-density control device configured to control a power of the laser source to a power density level below a damage threshold of the optical carrier;
• a position-setting device configured to translate at least one of the focusing lens and an entrance of the optical carrier along an optical axis between the focusing lens and an entrance to the optical carrier, and configured to set a distance between the focusing lens and the entrance to the optical carrier such that said entrance is at a position beyond a focal point of the focusing lens where the laser signal is divergent-coupled to the optical carrier,
• wherein said power-density control device adjusts the power of the laser source to a level for light detection and ranging at the broadcast point without exceeding the damage threshold of the optical carrier.

A method for controlling a power density of a laser, comprising:

• focussing a laser beam of said laser by a focussing lens placed on an optical path of the laser;
• inserting an aperture having a diameter approximate in size to a diffraction limited focal spot size for said laser signal between the focussing lens and a focal point of the focussing lens;
• and
• translating the aperture along the optical path.