Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to acquiring aligned geographic coordinates of a vertical position. In one aspect, a vertical navigation system includes a light source to generate a source beam; a beam splitter to generate a first and a second source references derived from the source beam; a hollow retroreflector to produce a first and a second vertical references derived from the first and the second source references; an attitude sensor to capture a plurality of reference stars and to measure a first set of angles for the first vertical reference and a second set of angles for the second vertical reference, the first set of angles and the second set of angles are relative to the plurality of reference stars; and a processor to produce the aligned geographical coordinates using the first set of angles, the second set of angles, a gravity vector measurement and a time signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to acquiring aligned geographic coordinates of a vertical position. In one aspect, a vertical navigation system includes a light source to generate a source beam; a beam splitter to generate a first and a second source references derived from the source beam; a hollow retroreflector to produce a first and a second vertical references derived from the first and the second source references; an attitude sensor to capture a plurality of reference stars and to measure a first set of angles for the first vertical reference and a second set of angles for the second vertical reference, the first set of angles and the second set of angles are relative to the plurality of reference stars; and a processor to produce the aligned geographical coordinates using the first set of angles, the second set of angles, a gravity vector measurement and a time signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to acquiring aligned geographic coordinates of a vertical position. In one aspect, a vertical navigation system includes a light source to generate a source beam; a beam splitter to generate a first and a second source references derived from the source beam; a hollow retroreflector to produce a first and a second vertical references derived from the first and the second source references; an attitude sensor to capture a plurality of reference stars and to measure a first set of angles for the first vertical reference and a second set of angles for the second vertical reference, the first set of angles and the second set of angles are relative to the plurality of reference stars; and a processor to produce the aligned geographical coordinates using the first set of angles, the second set of angles, a gravity vector measurement and a time signal.

Abstract: A beam director includes first and second refractive elements, a reflective surface, and a platform. The reflective surface and the second refractive element are mechanically and optically coupled, and the first refractive element is optically coupled to the second refractive element through the reflective surface. The platform is configured to rotate the reflective surface and the second refractive surface about the optical axis of the first refractive element while maintaining the optical couplings.

Abstract: A flash detection and laser response system includes a flash sensor configured to capture a plurality of sensor images, an image analyzer configured to identify at least a first image including a first flash event and to compute from the first image a direction of the flash event relative to the flash sensor, a laser, and a steering mechanism coupled to the laser and configured to steer disabling light from the laser in the direction of the flash event.

Abstract: A laser beam control system includes an output aperture through which a laser beam is directed toward a target. A laser beam return is also received through the output aperture, with the laser beam return including scatter from the laser beam. A deformable mirror is adapted to control the outgoing laser beam, and a sensor is adapted to detect the wavefront of the laser beam return. An optics controller is operationally coupled to the deformable mirror and is adapted to adjust the deformable mirror in response to the wavefront of the laser beam return.

Abstract: A deformable mirror includes a plurality of block segments and at least one actuator. The block segments are arranged in an array, with adjacent block segments being coupled together by an elastomer and the top surface of the array being reflective. The at least one actuator is coupled to at least one of the block segments at the bottom surface of the array and is adapted to adjust in piston.

Abstract: An interferometric tracking device is disclosed. A first grating is optically coupled to a second grading such that the second grating is rotationally offset from the first grating. Imaging optics are adapted to image light passing through the first and second gratings onto a focal plane array. A plurality of wedge plates are optically disposed between the imaging optics and the second grating, such that the wedge plates generate a plurality of spots on the FPA when light from a point source is incident upon the first grating.

Abstract: An Earth horizon sensor that images the vicinity of the Earth horizon or limb to locate the non-thermal airglow emissions and calculates the orientation of the horizon plane or alternately the vector pointing towards the center of the Earth based on the location of the said airglow emissions. The orientation of the horizon plane in turn can be used to calculate the pitch and roll of the platform upon which the Earth horizon sensor is mounted. Yaw angle can be calculated with an additional celestial reference located in the same image or made available from another source. The orientation of the horizon plane can also be used to calculate the latitude and longitude of Earth coordinates, provided that three axis inertial attitude and time are also available. The Earth horizon sensor can be adapted to operate in space upon spacecraft in Earth orbit or in the atmosphere upon aircraft flying at altitudes of 10K ft or more.

Abstract: A deformable mirror includes a plurality of block segments and at least one actuator. The block segments are arranged in an array, with adjacent block segments being coupled together by an elastomer and the top surface of the array being reflective. The at least one actuator is coupled to at least one of the block segments at the bottom surface of the array and is adapted to adjust in piston.

Abstract: A system for tracking eye movement is disclosed. A first light source, emitting light including a first wavelength, is adapted to illuminate corneal tissue of an eye. The first wavelength is selected such that it is strongly absorbed by corneal tissue. A position sensitive detector is adapted to detect a reflection of light at the first wavelength off the corneal tissue. Signal may be generated in response to the detected reflection which are representative of the position of the reflection, and therefore the position of the corneal tissue, with respect to the position sensitive detector.

Abstract: A birefringent spectral filter comprises a first birefringent stage and a polarizing beam splitter optically coupled to the first birefringent stage. The first birefringent stage is adapted to generate an optical path difference between light propagating along each of two orthogonal axes. This configuration is most advantageous when light incident on the first birefringent stage is polarized at 45° relative to the extraordinary axis of the birefringent material. The first birefringent stage may advantageously include a first and second layers of birefringent material and a half-wave plate disposed therebetween. Preferably, the first and second layers of birefringent material have orthogonally aligned extraordinary axes.

Abstract: An optical alignment apparatus comprising a plurality of subapertures and a plurality of detectors. The subapertures are optically coupled to a reflective surface which formed by a plurality of adjustable reflective segments. Each subaperture falls within one of two subsets. The first subset includes those subapertures that are positioned to receive light reflected from a single reflective segment. The second subset includes those subapertures that are positioned to receive light reflected across the abutting edges of adjacent reflective segments. Each detector is disposed at a focal plane of one of the subapertures and receives light reflected from that subaperture.

Abstract: A wavefront tilt measurement system for measuring the wavefront tilt of light passing through transmitting or receiving optical systems, the optical systems including a primary aperture and internal optical elements defining an optical system focal plane. A light source emits light at the optical system focal plane towards the internal optical elements such that light from the light source emerges from the primary aperture. A plurality of tilt sensors are disposed adjacent to the primary aperture to receive light emerging from the primary aperture. Each tilt sensor includes a sensor focal plane and a plurality of detector elements. Each tilt sensor generates at the focal plane a plurality of overlapping regions of zero and first order images of light emerging from the primary aperture. The measured intensity of light in the overlapping regions is used to determine the wavefront tilt of light emerging from the primary aperture.

Abstract: A dispersive spectrometer comprising a primary lens that images a scene onto a slit through which light from a thin portion of the scene passes to a collimating lens. A grism is optically coupled to the collimating lens. The grism includes a diffractive element and is disposed such that light from the thin portion of the scene has an angle of incidence upon the diffractive element that is greater than one-third of the critical angle at the surface of the grism. The diffractive element disperses light from the thin portion of the scene in a direction that is perpendicular to the major dimension of the thin portion of the scene. A focusing lens is optically coupled to the grism to receive dispersed light from the thin portion of the scene. The focusing lens defines a focal plane onto which light from the thin slice of the scene is imaged.

Abstract: A wavefront tilt measurement system for measuring the wavefront tilt of light passing through transmitting or receiving optical systems, the optical systems including a primary aperture and internal optical elements defining an optical system focal plane. A light source emits light at the optical system focal plane towards the internal optical elements such that light from the light source emerges from the primary aperture. A plurality of tilt sensors are disposed adjacent to the primary aperture to receive light emerging from the primary aperture. Each tilt sensor includes a sensor focal plane and a plurality of detector elements. Each tilt sensor generates at the focal plane a plurality of overlapping regions of zero and first order images of light emerging from the primary aperture. The measured intensity of light in the overlapping regions is used to determine the wavefront tilt of light emerging from the primary aperture.

Abstract: A high speed high resolution spectral sensor is formed by placing a cascade of chained wide field-of-view Mach-Zender interferometers inside a dispersive sensor between the sensor's grating and the focusing lens. Also is disclosed an optical filter with wide field-of-view capabilities. Such a filter is formed by inserting a plurality of gap plates of certain thicknesses and refractive indices. The invention provides formulas for calculation of optimal dimensions for such gap plates.