Abstract: An optically tunable metamaterial unit cell is provided for photonic switching. The cell is optically tunable and includes a dielectric substrate with upper and lower surfaces. The cell further includes arrays of metamaterial elements and a layer of photo-capacitive material. The arrays are disposed the upper surface of the dielectric substrate. The metamaterial is capable of reflecting electromagnetic radiation. The layer of photo-capacitive material overlaps the arrays of metamaterial elements. The photo-capacitive material is optically tunable.

Abstract: A control device is provided for photonic switching. The device includes an optically tunable metamaterial unit cell. This structure includes a dielectric substrate; at least two arrays of metamaterial elements located on the top surface thereof, the metamaterial being capable of reflecting electromagnetic radiation, and a layer of photo-capacitive material overlapping the at least two arrays of metamaterial elements, the photo-capacitance of the photo-capacitive material being optically tunable; and a reflectarray or phased array system containing the unit cell.

Abstract: A material is provided for switching dielectric constant between distinct first and second values responsive to electromagnetic radiation having a specified energy. The material includes a medium transparent to the radiation and a plurality of particulates. Each particulate has a dipole that assumes one of distinct first and second parameters that correspond to the first and second values. The particulates are suspended within the medium. The parameters are either dipole span or charge strength. The dipole of each particulate sets to the first parameter by default and sets to the second parameter in response to the radiation. The particulates can be composed from undoped semi-insulating gallium arsenide. The medium can be polymethylmethacrylate, for example.

Abstract: A material is provided for switching dielectric constant between distinct first and second values responsive to electromagnetic radiation having a specified energy. The material includes a medium transparent to the radiation and a plurality of particulates. Each particulate has a dipole that assumes one of distinct first and second parameters that correspond to the first and second values. The particulates are suspended within the medium. The parameters are either dipole span or charge strength. The dipole of each particulate sets to the first parameter by default and sets to the second parameter in response to the radiation. The particulates can be composed from undoped semi-insulating gallium arsenide. The medium can be polymethylmethacrylate, for example.

Abstract: A photocapacitor device is provided for responding to a photon having at least a specified energy. The photocapacitive device includes a first portion composed of a photocapacitive material; a second portion composed of a non-photocapacitive material; and a depletion region disposed between the first and second portions. The photocapacitive and non-photocapacitive materials respectively have first and second Fermi-energy differences, with the second Fermi-energy difference being higher than the first Fermi-energy difference.

Abstract: A micro designator dart engages a target to allow for designation and tracking of the target by transmitting a radio-frequency identification code. The housing of the micro designator dart is configured to enclose its components and deform upon impact with a target to allow a target-engaging member to physically attach the micro designator dart to the target. Also upon impact with the target, an impact-sensitive triggering mechanism in the micro designator dart activates a power source, causing a transmitter to send a predetermined coded infrared signal to the seeker unit of a precision guided munitions system. The micro designator dart may also include a self-destruct device.

Abstract: A photocapacitor device is provided for responding to a photon having at least a specified energy. The photocapacitive device includes a first portion composed of a photocapacitive material; a second portion composed of a non-photocapacitive material; and a depletion region disposed between the first and second portions. The ph otocapacitive and non-photocapacitive materials respectively have first and second Fermi-energy differences, with the second Fermi-energy difference being higher than the first Fermi-energy difference.

Abstract: A detector is provided for sampling and identifying a material, such as a medium in which the detector is disposed. The detector includes an annular photonic crystal fiber, first and second electrodes, an electrical power supply, an illumination source and an analyzer. The fiber has opposite longitudinal ends, surrounds a center core tube and includes fused capillary tubes. The electrodes are disposed between the fiber's longitudinal ends. The electrical power supply connects between the electrodes. The illumination source emits light into the core tube from one of the opposite ends. The analyzer for compares an emission pattern from light transverse to the fiber against an established pattern, and indicates match in response to correspondence between the patterns. The annular structure has a two-dimensional optical photonic band-gap. The analyzer monitors the emission pattern by optical frequency domain reflectometry or optical time domain reflectometry.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube apparatus, and methods of carbon nanotube modification, include carbon nanotubes having locally modified properties with the positioning of the modifications being controlled. More specifically, the positioning of nanotubes on a substrate with a deposited substance, and partially vaporizing part of the deposited substance etches the nanotubes. The modifications of the carbon nanotubes determine the electrical properties of the apparatus and applications such as a transistor or Shockley diode. Other applications of the above mentioned apparatus include a nanolaboratory that assists in study of merged quantum states between nanosystems and a macroscopic host system.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube apparatus, and methods of carbon nanotube modification, include carbon nanotubes having locally modified properties with the positioning of the modifications being controlled. More specifically, the positioning of nanotubes on a substrate with a deposited substance, and partially vaporizing part of the deposited substance etches the nanotubes. The modifications of the carbon nanotubes determine the electrical properties of the apparatus and applications such as a transistor or Shockley diode. Other applications of the above mentioned apparatus include a nanolaboratory that assists in study of merged quantum states between nanosystems and a macroscopic host system.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube apparatus, and methods of carbon nanotube modification, include carbon nanotubes having locally modified properties with the positioning of the modifications being controlled. More specifically, the positioning of nanotubes on a substrate with a deposited substance, and partially vaporizing part of the deposited substance etches the nanotubes. The modifications of the carbon nanotubes determine the electrical properties of the apparatus and applications such as a transistor or Shockley diode. Other applications of the above mentioned apparatus include a nanolaboratory that assists in study of merged quantum states between nanosystems and a macroscopic host system.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube apparatus, and methods of carbon nanotube modification, include carbon nanotubes having locally modified properties with the positioning of the modifications being controlled. More specifically, the positioning of nanotubes on a substrate with a deposited substance, and partially vaporizing part of the deposited substance etches the nanotubes. The modifications of the carbon nanotubes determine the electrical properties of the apparatus and applications such as a transistor or Shockley diode. Other applications of the above mentioned apparatus include a nanolaboratory that assists in study of merged quantum states between nanosystems and a macroscopic host system.