Abstract: The invention provides a system for passive measurement of atmospheric temperature using a passive direction detector for detecting the energy of a narrow wavelength band emanating from a volume of atmospheric gas. The resulting signal can be associated with an effective temperature. The effective temperature can be associated with an effective range. The system generates a temperature map which can determine, at predetermined time intervals, atmospheric temperatures in an azimuth plane associated with a predefined range from the detector. The temperature map can then be used to calculate temperature gradients that in turn can be used to compute the vertical wind vector difference and to determine the presence of clear air turbulence.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for passive measurement of atmospheric temperature using a passive direction detector for detecting the energy of a narrow wavelength band emanating from a volume of atmospheric gas. The resulting signal can be associated with an effective temperature. The effective temperature can be associated with an effective range. The system generates a temperature map which can determine, at predetermined time intervals, atmospheric temperatures in an azimuth plane associated with a predefined range from the detector. The temperature map can then be used to calculate temperature gradients that in turn can be used to compute the vertical wind vector difference and to determine the presence of clear air turbulence.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for passive measurement of atmospheric temperature using a passive direction detector for detecting the energy of a narrow wavelength band emanating from a volume of atmospheric gas. The resulting signal can be associated with an effective temperature. The effective temperature can be associated with an effective range. The system generates a temperature map which can determine, at predetermined time intervals, atmospheric temperatures in an azimuth plane associated with a predefined range from the detector. The temperature map can then be used to calculate temperature gradients that in turn can be used to compute the average Richardson number over an atmospheric layer and other atmospheric conditions to predict the presence of clear air turbulence.

Abstract: A storm shutter for use in high wind severe storms, such as hurricanes and cyclones, that will protect windows, doors, and sliding glass doors on the outside of a building, which can be permanently or temporarily mounted, and which allow for protection in extremely high winds while permitting the transmission of light into the building, while allowing occupants in the building to look out through the storm shutters at all times. The storm shutters can also provide protection from intruders and ultraviolet rays from the sun when in place. Each shutter includes a rigid peripheral frame with a U-shaped channel, a polycarbonate transparent sheet, and an expanded aluminum element mounted snugly in the peripheral frame.

Abstract: An active imaging system for viewing targets with a high degree of range resolution of approximately one foot. The imaging system utilizes a laser pulse which passes through an electro-optical pulse slicer which creates a sharp leading edge and/or a sharp falling edge on the laser pulse. The laser pulse travels to the target under observation, illuminates and reflects off of the target and returns to a camera. A target is viewed only during the time all or a portion of the returning laser pulse overlaps the time the camera shutter gate is open. The imaging system is particularly suited for determining depth information about a target by varying the time relationship when the returning laser pulse is received by the camera.

Abstract: An active night vision system capable of viewing a target over long distances utilizes laser illumination in eye-safe, invisible wavelength regions of about 1.52-1.76 .mu.m or about 2.03 .mu.m-2.34 .mu.m for illuminating a target; and electronically receives, intensifies and displays or stores the reflected image.

Abstract: Apparatus for remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of a column of atmospheric air includes (a) collecting means for receiving the thermal radiation from a column of atmospheric air, and for directing it to intensity sensing means; (b) sensing means with a rotatably mounted interference bandpass filter together with means for rotating the filter for sequentially tuning to and sensing the intensity in said column of atmospheric air of at least two spectral regions in the 4.17 to 4.2 .mu.m region of the CO.sub.2 spectral emission band; and (c) means for detecting temporal changes in the relative intensity of the spectral regions.

Abstract: In a frequency-shifted, low gain pulsed tunable laser, spatial and temporal build-up of regions of high intensity in the fundamental frequency is minimized by generating a frequency-narrowed fundamental wavelength, preferentially frequency shifting high energy portions of the fundamental wavelength, and separating the frequency-shifted portion. The remaining fundamental frequency can safely be coupled into a a fiber optic delivery means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser light beam delivery system for delivering a laser light beam from a source remote from the laser originating the light. The delivery system consists of an optical fiber having a double taper, i.e., a taper portion at each end with the fiber tapering at the input end and at the output end to a diameter substantially greater than the actual diameter of the fiber. This permits high power transmission capabilities in as much as the greater diameter portions distribute the average energy such that no damage to the fiber is presented.

Abstract: Air turbulence (windshear as well as clear air turbulence) in navigable airspace is detected by remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of an air column ahead of an aircraft by repeatedly sensing the intensity of the thermal radiation from the column of atmospheric air in at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 .mu.m region of the CO.sub.2 spectral emission band, and comparing the relative intensity of the spectral peaks over time. Apparatus which includes a tunable Fabry-Perot etalon is provided for the practice of the method.

Abstract: Improvement in a laser having a solid transparent housing with two cavities for respectively holding a laser rod and a pump lamp. The rod is embedded along its total length within the housing; the pump lamp is embedded along its total arc and over a substantial length of each of its electrode regions within the housing. clearance between lamp envelope and housing is held to close tolerances. Optional beam tubes provided at the end of the rod at the housing shield the laser beam from thermal distortion. Flashlamps having a cerium-doped quartz envelope are particularly desirable for pumping this laser.

Abstract: A simple, compact, and rugged laser comprises a solid transparent housing with two cavities. A laser medium is embedded in one cavity and a pump lamp in the other. By choosing for the housing and lamp envelope materials having thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of the laser medium, high power operation is feasible. An optional reflecting coating on the exterior of the housing enhances efficiency. A filter coating on the lamp envelope eliminates unwanted components of lamp radiation.

Abstract: A simple, compact, and rugged laser comprises a solid transparent housing with two cavities. A laser medium is embedded in one cavity and a pump lamp in the other. By choosing for the housing and lamp envelope materials having thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of the laser medium, high power operation is feasible. An optional reflecting coating on the exterior of the housing enhances efficiency. An optional filter coating on the lamp envelope eliminates unwanted components of lamp radiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectroscopic material analysis are provided. Two coherent beams of monochromatic radiation are directed through a sample of material. A tuning mechanism adjusts the frequency difference between the radiation beams to equal substantially the rotational frequency of a preselected constituent of the material. Molecular energy of a preselected constituent of the material is increased, thereby producing a detectable signal in the form of a pressure wave. The signal is received by a detecting mechanism which indicates the magnitude thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectroscopic material analysis are provided. Two coherent beams of monochromatic radiation are directed through a sample of material. A tuning mechanism adjusts the frequency difference between the radiation beams to equal substantially the vibrational frequency of a preselected constituent of the material. Molecular energy of a preselected constituent of the material is increased, thereby producing a detectable signal in the form of a pressure wave. The signal is received by a detecting mechanism which indicates the magnitude thereof.

Abstract: A common-resonator pre-locked laser is formed by a jet stream dye pumped simultaneously by a CW laser and a pulsed laser. Laser pulses with greater than 100 W peak power in a band width of less than about 54 MHz are produced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectroscopic material anaylsis are provided. Two coherent beams 15, 17 of monochromatic radiation are directed through a sample of material. A tuning mechanism 14 adjusts the frequency difference between the radiation beams 15, 17 to equal substantially the vibrational frequency of a preselected constituent of the material. Molecular energy of a preselected constituent of the material is increased, thereby producing a detectable signal 22 in the form of a pressure wave. The signal is received by a detecting mechanism 24 which indicates the magnitude thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectroscopic gas analysis are provided. Two coherent beams of monochromatic radiation are directed through gaseous material. A tuning mechanism adjusts the frequency difference between the radiation beams to equal substantially the rotational frequency of a preselected constituent of the gaseous material. Radiation scattered by the gaseous material is received by a filtering mechanism adapted to transmit selectively an anti-Stokes signal generated coherently during scattering. The signal is received by a detecting mechanism which indicates the intensity thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectroscopic material analysis are provided. Two coherent, continuous beams of monochromatic radiation are directed through a sample of material. A tuning mechanism adjusts the frequency difference between the radiation beams to equal substantially the vibrational frequency of a preselected constituent of the material. Radiation scattered by the material is received by a filtering mechanism adapted to transmit selectively an anti-Stokes signal generated coherently during scattering. The signal is received by a detecting mechanism which indicates the intensity thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the temperature of gaseous materials are provided. Light produced by scattering in a gaseous material and having spectral components periodic in frequency is collected, collimated and transmitted by a light conditioning means to an interferometric means. The interferometric means selectively separates periodic spectra from the light and transmits the spectra in the form of a detectable signal containing first and second branches of the spectra. Means are provided for measuring the intensities of the branches and detecting and recovering the intensity ratio thereof, which is correlated with the temperature of the gaseous material.