Abstract: A localized laser-based interceptor for kites balloons and UAVs comprises a laser and a large aperture optical beam delivery system with adjustable focal distance and spot size. The spot-size is adjusted for optimal damage performance on plastic targets, as a function of the distance from the target, its velocity across the laser beam spot and where the extent of the danger zone for personnel and equipment is limited by the fast expansion of the illuminating laser beams. The optical design ensures diverging beam to minimize the hazardous range of the system.

Abstract: A localized laser-based interceptor for kites balloons and UAVs comprises a laser and a large aperture optical beam delivery system with adjustable focal distance and spot size. The spot-size is adjusted for optimal damage performance on plastic targets, as a function of the distance from the target, its velocity across the laser beam spot and where the extent of the danger zone for personnel and equipment is limited by the fast expansion of the illuminating laser beams. The optical design ensures diverging beam to minimize the hazardous range of the system.

Abstract: An Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogation system and method adapted for: transmitting RF broadcast signal to be received by complementary transponder(s) of the IFF system being within the interrogation range and thereby arm the complementary transponders for sensing laser beam illumination; receiving an RF response signal from the complementary transponder(s); operating a laser activation interface module, which is configured for interfacing an external laser transmitter, to determine activation of transmission of an interrogating laser beam by the external laser transmitted; and receiving and processing RF signals to identify therein RF response signal(s), which are transmitted by the complementary IFF transponder(s) in response to detection of the trans mitted laser beam.

Abstract: A detection arrangement and method for directing the sensitivity of an optical knife-edge detection system to its optimal operating point. This is referred to as an increase in the detection dynamic range of the system with advantageous applications for detecting motion of a surface such as for Atomic Force Microscopy as well as detecting acoustic vibrations on unstable surfaces. A pair of parallel reflecting surfaces, such as an optical slab waveguide, serve to reflect the sensing beam back onto the knife-edge detector once it is shifted off its sensing range. Allowing multiple reflections, the sensing beam is maintained on the knife-edge detector even at large angular offsets from the optimal operating point of the basic knife-edge detector. Use of a modified arrangement, with two knife-edge detectors at quadrature ensures near-optimal sensitivity at a detection dynamic range up to forty-fold larger than that of the basic knife-edge system.

Abstract: An Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogation system and method adapted for: transmitting RF broadcast signal to be received by complementary transponder(s) of the IFF system being within the interrogation range and thereby arm the complementary transponders for sensing laser beam illumination; receiving an RF response signal from the complementary transponder(s); operating a laser activation interface module, which is configured for interfacing an external laser transmitter, to determine activation of transmission of an interrogating laser beam by the external laser transmitted; and receiving and processing RF signals to identify therein RF response signal(s), which are transmitted by the complementary IFF transponder(s) in response to detection of the trans mitted laser beam.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for producing a wave-beam having substantially constant lateral extent over a desired range of distances, and interrogation and response system and methods utilizing the same. The method for producing a wave-beam having substantially constant lateral extent includes generating a plurality of at least partially incoherent constituent wave-beams having different divergences and directing the plurality constituent wave-beams to propagate along substantially parallel propagation axes such that the constituent wave-beams at least partially overlap and superpose to form a combined wave-beam. The divergences and intensities of the constituent wave-beams are selected such that the combined wave-beam has a desired substantially constant extent over a desired range of distances along said propagation axes.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle device has disposable and reusable portions. The disposable portion includes a hypodermic needle having a tubular bore, at least one optical imaging waveguide extending along the needle so that a distal end of the optical imaging waveguide is proximate the tip of the needle, and a first coupler for securing the optical imaging waveguide within the needle at the proximal end thereof. A second coupler remote from the first coupler removably secures a proximal end of the optical imaging waveguide to the reusable portion. The reusable portion includes a mating coupler to removably connect to the second coupler and a respective viewing device so that a user can view the image transmitted by the optical imaging waveguide from its distal end to its proximal end. The second coupler contains a lens for imaging an enlarging the image transmitted from the distal end of the optical imaging waveguide.

Abstract: A detection arrangement and method for directing the sensitivity of an optical knife-edge detection system to its optimal operating point. This is referred to as an increase in the detection dynamic range of the system with advantageous applications for detecting motion of a surface such as for Atomic Force Microscopy as well as detecting acoustic vibrations on unstable surfaces. A pair of parallel reflecting surfaces, such as an optical slab waveguide, serve to reflect the sensing beam back onto the knife-edge detector once it is shifted off its sensing range. Allowing multiple reflections, the sensing beam is maintained on the knife-edge detector even at large angular offsets from the optimal operating point of the basic knife-edge detector. Use of a modified arrangement, with two knife-edge detectors at quadrature ensures near-optimal sensitivity at a detection dynamic range up to forty-fold larger than that of the basic knife-edge system.

Abstract: A system and method for directional sound sensing directs an optical sensing beam to an object of interest having a rough surface that vibrates acoustically. The light is reflected thereby and scattered as a speckle pattern that includes multiple speckles having a random distribution of phase offsets. A detector array having multiple detector elements receives and detects the speckle pattern and produces signals that are linearly proportional to phase modulation of the speckles. A summer receives signals from at least two of the detector elements that are offset at different phases and sums the received signals to generate a non-vanishing signal representative of an acoustic signal.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for producing a wave-beam having substantially constant lateral extent over a desired range of distances, and interrogation and response system and methods utilizing the same. The method for producing a wave-beam having substantially constant lateral extent includes generating a plurality of at least partially incoherent constituent wave-beams having different divergences and directing the plurality constituent wave-beams to propagate along substantially parallel propagation axes such that the constituent wave-beams at least partially overlap and superpose to form a combined wave-beam. The divergences and intensities of the constituent wave-beams are selected such that the combined wave-beam has a desired substantially constant extent over a desired range of distances along said propagation axes.

Abstract: There is provided a binocular device, including a rigid mechanical body supporting two image sources (2, 4), one for each eye (6, 8) and two lensing devices (12, 14), one for each eye, the lensing devices having a first surface adjacent to the image sources and an opposite, second surface, each of the lensing devices projecting an image (16, 18) of one image source onto an infinite focal plane, and electronic means permitting modification of an image generated to an eye for adjusting the binocular alignment of the images. A method for aligning a binocular device is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a personal navigation system, including a head-mounted orientation sensor, a coordinate position sensor, a head-mounted display, and a processor receiving an input from the head-mounted orientation sensor and an input from the coordinate position sensor and providing a visually sensible output for displaying on the head-mounted display.

Abstract: There is provided a personal navigation system, including a head-mounted orientation sensor, a coordinate position sensor, a head-mounted display, and a processor receiving an input from the head-mounted orientation sensor and an input from the coordinate position sensor and providing a visually sensible output for displaying on the head-mounted display.

Abstract: There is provided a personal navigation system, including a head-mounted orientation sensor, a coordinate position sensor, a head-mounted display, and a processor receiving an input from the head-mounted orientation sensor and an input from the coordinate position sensor and providing a visually sensible output for displaying on the head-mounted display.

Abstract: An acoustic generator, comprising: a source of electro-magnetic radiation; a waveguide coupled to said source; and at least one absorbing region defined in said waveguide, said region being selectively absorbing for portions of said radiation meeting at least one certain criterion and having significantly different absorbing characteristics for radiation not meeting said criterion, both of said radiation portions being suitable for conveyance through said waveguide, wherein said absorbing region converts said radiation into an ultrasonic acoustic field. Optionally, said region comprises a volumetric absorber. Alternatively or additionally, said region comprises a plurality of regions.

Abstract: An optical pin-point microphone has a light source for directing a sensing beam to an object of interest so as to be reflected thereby as a reflected signal beam, a detector having multiple detector elements for receiving the reflected signal beam, and a summer for receiving signals from at least two of the detector elements and detecting, rectifying, amplifying and summing the received signals to generate a non-vanishing signal representative of an acoustic signal.

Abstract: There is provided a binocular device, including a rigid mechanical body supporting two image sources (2, 4), one for each eye (6, 8) and two lensing devices (12, 14), one for each eye, the lensing devices having a first surface adjacent to the image sources and an opposite, second surface, each of the lensing devices projecting an image (16, 18) of one image source onto an infinite focal plane, and electronic means permitting modification of an image generated to an eye for adjusting the binocular alignment of the images. A method for aligning a binocular device is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a personal navigation system, including a head-mounted orientation sensor, a coordinate position sensor, a head-mounted display, and a processor receiving an input from the head-mounted orientation sensor and an input from the coordinate position sensor and providing a visually sensible output for displaying on the head-mounted display.

Abstract: An acoustic generator, comprising: a source of electro-magnetic radiation; a waveguide coupled to said source; and at least one absorbing region defined in said waveguide, said region being selectively absorbing for portions of said radiation meeting at least one certain criterion and having significantly different absorbing characteristics for radiation not meeting said criterion, both of said radiation portions being suitable for conveyance through said waveguide, wherein said absorbing region converts said radiation into an ultrasonic acoustic field. Optionally, said region comprises a volumetric absorber. Alternatively or additionally, said region comprises a plurality of regions.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed which focuses a polychromatic source to an extended focal pencil. The implementation makes use of two holographic optical elements (HOEs) fabricated and aligned to form a deliberate longitudinal color dispersion, but to alleviate lateral chromatic effects. Consequently, the HOE doublet focuses different wavelengths of the source to different locations along the optical axis. The strong intensity of the focused wavelengths dominate at each location, so that the overall beam has a near-diffraction-limited 1/e.sup.2 spot size and suffers only relatively weak background illumination. An alternative optical system using bulk lenses and several possible applications for the device are also described.