Abstract: A monoblock laser cavity includes a plurality of discrete optical components disposed serially on a substrate and sharing a common optical axis. The optical components include a laser rod of gain material, a Q-switch, an OPO crystal, an output coupler, and a positive lens. The output coupler has a convex input end face and a concave output end face, and acts as the expanding lens element of a beam expander, and the positive lens completes the beam expander to improve the beam quality.

Abstract: A monoblock laser cavity includes a plurality of discrete optical components disposed serially on a substrate and sharing a common optical axis. The optical components include a laser rod of gain material, a Q-switch, an OPO crystal, and an output coupler. The output coupler has at least one convex end face to improve the beam quality.

Abstract: An improved monoblock laser cavity is made by elongating the Optical parametric oscillation (OPO) cavity. This can be accomplished by changing the coatings on the OPO material and Q-switch and by elongating the OPO cavity to approximately 2 to 3 times the OPO crystal length. The increase in the length of the OPO cavity will improve the beam divergence of the laser.

Abstract: A system, called the Laser Aim Scoring System, and method for automatically scoring gunner training sessions for simulated laser-guided missile, target engagements using the laser designator without the need for training or tactical rounds are disclosed. In the disclosed invention, a pop-up target and its surrounds are separately monitored for radiations at the laser designator frequency. “Hit” or “Miss” scoring is based on detection of the laser radiation at the laser designator frequency illuminating the appropriate region around or on the target at the appropriate time with respect to a simulated missile launch signal at the start of the training engagement, in accordance with the engagement profile programmed into the scoring computer prior to the start of training. The laser aim scoring system send a signal to lower the pop-up target in response to a “Hit” score, and if desired by the user, also sends a signal to initiate smoke and flash signals from a Hoffman Kill Simulator interfaced with the system.

Abstract: The laser obstacle avoidance device of the present invention includes an optical head which includes a laser source which produces a laser signal, crossed cylindrical lenses and through which the laser signal is transmitted, a transceiver including a receiving lens through which a reflected laser signal is received by the transceiver, a receiver and a line filter through which the reflected laser signal is filtered, and scanners which receive the reflected laser signal; and control electronics optically connected to the optical head, wherein the control electronics comprise scanner driver electronics, range processor electronics, power converters, and a display all which produce an x-y display of the terrain scanned by the laser signal wherein the X-axis is driven by a scanner position output and the Y-axis by range data. The system was designed to avoid hazards with emphasis simplicity and low cost. The device has been employed in the field to collect data from natural and man-made objects.

Abstract: A multi-function combat laser is described that uses single or multiple laser sources (laser diodes) in a configuration such that when it is coupled with a dichroic substrate the laser sources outputs are coupled to produce a single desired output. The multi-function combat laser consolidates multiple laser functions for the dismounted soldier into a single package with shared power supplies, optics and laser sources.

Abstract: The End Pumped Slab Laser Cavity incorporates all optical components required for a short-pulse laser. These optical components are ‘locked’ into alignment forming an optical laser cavity for diode laser or flash lamp pumping. The optical laser cavity never needs optical alignment after it is fabricated. The cavity is configured for optimal absorbtion for diode laser end-pumping over broad temperature ranges.

Abstract: A one piece laser assembly including a rod of gain medium with one end-face bonded to a broad end-face on a stack of optical wafers that process light differently and mirrors plated on the remaining exposed end-faces of the rod and the stack of wafers.

Abstract: A laser cavity assembly for high power optical range-finders consisting of two rods of lasing material co-axially mounted on a thin substrate of the same or thermally equivalent material, selected end-faces of the rods being bonded to layers or wafers of optical materials chosen from a group consisting of materials used in Q-switches, filters, matching transformers, linear polarizers and reflecting mirrors.

Abstract: A photon pump for a laser with a switch added to prevent capacitor discharge after the laser reaches maximum florescence.

Abstract: A one piece laser assembly including a rod of gain medium with one end-face bonded to a broad end-face on a stack of optical wafers that process light differently and mirrors plated on the remaining exposed end-faces of the rod and the stack of wafers.

Abstract: A laser cavity assembly for high power optical range-finders consisting of two rods of lasing material co-axially mounted on a thin substrate of the same or thermally equivalent material, selected end-faces of the rods being bonded to layers or wafers of optical materials chosen from a group consisting of materials used in Q-switches, filters, matching transformers, linear polarizers and reflecting mirrors.

Abstract: A subassembly for a high powered light pumped, Q-switched and linearly polarized laser with an optical parametric oscillator, the subassembly consisting of two or three rod shaped elements having precisely ground endfaces with selected coatings mounted on a special pallet that at least partially aligns the optical axes of the elements.

Abstract: An optical scheme and system involving a probe laser with simple analog pessing to detect an optical echo. This allows verification that a transmitter has hit a target receiver or will allow synchronized firing with another laser transmitter.

Abstract: The heterodyne detection efficiency of coherent laser radars is maximized coaxially aligning the local oscillator (LO) beam and the received laser beam when combined at the detector by preventing interference between the counterpropagating waves in the lasing rod within the lasing cavity by using optic polarization, magneto-optic polarization, and cavity end partial reflectors.

Abstract: A duo-frame normalization technique and system for use in range gate imag to determine a range coded image by use of two image frames. A transmitter emits a modulated energy pulse which is not gated when received by a single gated imaging camera to obtain an integrated first image frame and gated by the same camera when received as an integrated second image frame. The second integrated frame is divided by the first integrated frame to yield a range coded pixel intensity image. Three gated imagining cameras can also be used that share common imaging optics via filters and beam splitters so as to compensate for phenomenological issues that can vary the signals from one frame to another and lead to degraded range images.

Abstract: A laser interrogator system and technique establishes low-observable idenication friend or foe (IFF) between two distinct positions. An interrogating laser transmits a laser pulse from a first position to a passive retroreflector fiber optic bundle located at a second position. The bundle retransmits a delayed laser retroreflector pulse. A receiver and processor at the first position processes the received retroreflected delayed laser pulse to determine a presence of a predetermined delay such that an IFF determination of the second position is achievable.

Abstract: Lightweight low power IR locater for reflection enhanced targets with .apeq.20 microsecond pulsed IR diode laser and 26 40 microsecond synchronized range-gated image.

Abstract: A near infrared illuminator for enhancing viewing of a target viewed with infrared viewing device when the target falls within a predetermined range. A pulse generator generates a laser pulse in the near infrared with a pulse clock for control of laser brightness and a pulse frequency adjust for control of laser blink rate. The pulse is transmitted along an optical path at a specific brightness and blink rate to a target. A detector within the optical path detects a reflected infrared signal from the target and converts the signal to an electrical signal which is processed by a processor to obtain target range information. A trigger logic controls the pulse clock rate means whereby when the target range falls within a predetermined range the laser pulse rate is increased such that increased illumination of the target is viewable with an infrared viewing device.

Abstract: Circuitry and method to enhance the infrared illumination of nearby obstas detected by lidar, radar and passive IR detectors on low flying high speed aircraft.