Abstract: A system that uses a scalable array of individually controllable laser beams that are generated by a fiber array system to process materials into an object. The adaptive control of individual beams may include beam power, focal spot width, centroid position, scanning orientation, amplitude and frequency, piston phase and polarization states of individual beams. Laser beam arrays may be arranged in a two dimensional cluster and configured to provide a pre-defined spatiotemporal laser power density distribution, or may be arranged linearly and configured to provide oscillating focal spots along a wide processing line. These systems may also have a set of material sensors that gather information on a material and environment immediately before, during, and immediately after processing, or a set of thermal management modules that pre-heat and post-heat material to control thermal gradient, or both.

Abstract: A system for LAM that uses a scalable array of individually controllable laser beams that are generated by a fiber array system to process materials into an object using a powder bed, wire feed, or direct deposition. The adaptive control of individual beams may include beam power, focal spot width, centroid position, scanning orientation, amplitude and frequency, piston phase and polarization states of individual beams. These characteristics can be independently adjusted to control LAM characteristics including microstructure, mechanical and surface quality characteristics. The system may also have a set of material sensors that gather information on a material and environment immediately before, during, and immediately after processing. This information can be used to adapt the material processing routine to improve LAM productivity and parts quality. The system also supports a variety of beam shaping methods that improve the quality of produced objects or mitigate processing issues.

Abstract: A method for mitigating image distortions induced by optical wave propagation through a random media (e.g., atmospheric turbulence or volume of water) from a stream of video data provided by a single shortexposure image sensor is described. The method is based on the two following sequential steps: (1) enhancement of the raw video stream and (2) fusion of the enhanced stream using the lucky region fusion (LRF) technique. The first step enhances features of the raw image stream the LRF method success is based on and especially mitigates the effect of low light level, aerosol pollution, dust, haze, and other deteriorating factors. The second step, fusion of the enhanced stream, is realized by sequentially merging image regions with highest quality within a temporal buffer into a single image before sliding the temporal window forward. The process is continuously repeated in order to generate a stream of fused images.

Abstract: Apparatus for correcting a distorted incident wavefront are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a deformable mirror haying a first surface; a plurality of bimorph actuators coupled to an opposing second surface of the deformable mirror to tilt the deformable mirror with respect to a first plane; at least one mount to convert first motions of the plurality of bimorph actuators to tilt the deformable mirror with respect to the first plane; and an assembly disposed between the at least one mount and the second surface of the deformable mirror to decouple the first motions of the plurality of bimorph actuators from second motions in the deformable mirror that deform the first surface, wherein the plurality of bimorph actuators, the at least one mount, and the assembly have a combined footprint that is smaller than a surface area of the first surface of the deformable mirror.

Abstract: A device for the positioning of fiber optic output including a base having a hole disposed at a midpoint thereof, a collar having an opening at a midpoint, a plurality of bimorph actuators, each actuator connected to an outer side surface of the base and located at opposite ends, a plurality of flexible beams, each having a first end connected to the collar and a second end connected to a bimorph actuator, a flexible tube inserted in the hole, where a bottom end of the tube is cantilevered at a bottom of the base and a top end of the tube is inserted in the opening of the collar, and a fiber optic embedded in the flexible tube.

Abstract: A device for the positioning of fiber optic output including a base having a hole disposed at a midpoint thereof, a collar having an opening at a midpoint, a plurality of bimorph actuators, each actuator connected to an outer side surface of the base and located at opposite ends, a plurality of flexible beams, each having a first end connected to the collar and a second end connected to a bimorph actuator, a flexible tube inserted in the hole, where a bottom end of the tube is cantilevered at a bottom of the base and a top end of the tube is inserted in the opening of the collar, and a fiber optic embedded in the flexible tube.

Abstract: A method for mitigating image distortions induced by optical wave propagation through a random media (e.g., atmospheric turbulence or volume of water) from a stream of video data provided by a single shortexposure image sensor is described. The method is based on the two following sequential steps: (1) enhancement of the raw video stream and (2) fusion of the enhanced stream using the lucky region fusion (LRF) technique. The first step enhances features of the raw image stream the LRF method success is based on and especially mitigates the effect of low light level, aerosol pollution, dust, haze, and other deteriorating factors. The second step, fusion of the enhanced stream, is realized by sequentially merging image regions with highest quality within a temporal buffer into a single image before sliding the temporal window forward. The process is continuously repeated in order to generate a stream of fused images.

Abstract: The invention includes a deformable mirror for use in adaptive and active optical systems and in optical technology laser communication directed energy systems. The invention utilizes pockets formed in the back of the mirrors substrate. The pockets house actuators that are bonded to the substrate and may adjustably deform the mirror surface depending on the voltage supplied to the actuators. A plurality of mirrors may be combined to form a scalable array or positioned to overcome issues related to the uncontrollable portions of separate individual mirrors.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for clarifying an optical/digital image of an object to perform a procedure on an object having the steps of applying to the object a light beam formed of incoherent light and reflecting the applied incoherent light beam from the object to provide a reflected light beam and providing electrical signals representative of the reflected light beam. An image quality metric is determined in accordance with the electrical signals and an image is determined in accordance with the image quality metric. The procedure is performed in accordance with the image quality metric.

Abstract: A method optimizes electromagnetic energy in a system for processing an image of an object in order to perform a procedure on an object. A plurality of light beams formed of incoherent light is applied to an object at a plurality of differing frequencies and reflected from the object to provide a plurality of reflected light beams. A corresponding plurality of electrical signals is provided accordingly and a corresponding plurality of image quality metrics is determined. A corresponding plurality of images is determined in accordance with the plurality of image quality metrics and an image is selected according to a predetermined image criterion to provide a selected image. A frequency is determined according to the selected image and the procedure is performed on an object according to the determined frequency.

Abstract: An adaptive free-space laser communication system and a method of communication between laser communication transceivers of the system. Communication channel condition information communicated via laser beams transmitted between a first laser communication transceiver and a second laser communication transceiver is monitored and the information is shared between the transceivers. A wave-front phase of the laser beams is shaped with wave-front correctors of the first and second laser communication transceivers.

Abstract: Systems for optical wavefront sensing and control based on a phase contrast Fourier domain filtering technique. Optically or electronically controlled phase spatial light modulators (SLM) are used as the Fourier domain filter. A direct adaptive-optic feedback system using the optical wavefront sensing systems. A differential Zernike filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for clarifying an optical/digital image of an object to perform a procedure on an object having the steps of applying to the object a light beam formed of incoherent light and reflecting the applied incoherent light beam from the object to provide a reflected light beam and providing electrical signals representative of the reflected light beam. An image quality metric is determined in accordance with the electrical signals and an image is determined in accordance with the image quality metric. The procedure is performed in accordance with the image quality metric.

Abstract: The invention is a method for performing a procedure on an eye having an iris. An iris biometric image representative of the iris is obtained and the procedure is performed on an eye according to the iris biometric image. First and second iris biometric images can be obtained and the first and second iris biometric images can be compared to provide a biometric comparison result. An eye can be identified according to the biometric comparison result.

Abstract: A method optimizes electromagnetic energy in a system for processing an image of an object in order to perform a procedure on an object. A plurality of light beams formed of incoherent light is applied to an object at a plurality of differing frequencies and reflected from the object to provide a plurality of reflected light beams. A corresponding plurality of electrical signals is provided accordingly and a corresponding plurality of image quality metrics is determined. A corresponding plurality of images is determined in accordance with the plurality of image quality metrics and an image is selected according to a predetermined image criterion to provide a selected image. A frequency is determined according to the selected image and the procedure is performed on an object according to the determined frequency.

Abstract: A method for compensating an optic aberration of an eye comprising the steps of applying to the eye a measuring light beam formed of incoherent light to provide an applied incoherent measuring light beam. An image quality metric is determined in accordance with the applied incoherent measuring light beam and the aberration is compensated in accordance with said image quality metric. A perturbation is applied to the image quality metric to provide a perturbed image quality metric and a determination is made whether a predetermined image quality is obtained in accordance with the perturbed image quality metric. An incoherent source light is transmitted from an incoherent light source to a mirror and redirected from the incoherent light source to the retina of the eye using the mirror in order to provide the applied incoherent measuring light beam.

Abstract: An ocular refractive alteration device is controlled to alter an ocular refractive lens according to an eye of a patient, including applying to the eye a measuring light beam formed of incoherent light to provide an applied incoherent measuring light beam and determining an image quality metric according to the applied incoherent light beam. The ocular refractive lens alteration device is controlled to alter the refractive lens according to the image quality metric. A method is set forth for locating a tumor in-an eye including applying to the eye a measuring light beam formed of incoherent light to provide an applied incoherent measuring light beam and determining a frequency distribution is also set forth the applied incoherent measuring light beam. The tumor is locating according to the frequency distribution.

Abstract: A method for compensating an optic aberration of an eye comprising the steps of applying to the eye a measuring light beam formed of incoherent light to provide an applied incoherent measuring light beam. An image quality metric is determined in accordance with the applied incoherent measuring light beam and the aberration is compensated in accordance with said image quality metric. A perturbation is applied to the image quality metric to provide a perturbed image quality metric and a determination is made whether a predetermined image quality is obtained in accordance with the perturbed image quality metric. An incoherent source light is transmitted from an incoherent light source to a mirror and redirected from the incoherent light source to the retina of the eye using the mirror in order to provide the applied incoherent measuring light beam.

Abstract: An ocular refractive alteration device is controlled to alter an ocular refractive lens according to an eye of a patient, including applying to the eye a measuring light beam formed of incoherent light to provide an applied incoherent measuring light beam and determining an image quality metric according to the applied incoherent light beam. The ocular refractive lens alteration device is controlled to alter the refractive lens according to the image quality metric. A method is set forth for locating a tumor in an eye including applying to the eye a measuring light beam formed of incoherent light to provide an applied incoherent measuring light beam and determining a frequency distribution is also set forth the applied incoherent measuring light beam. The tumor is locating according to the frequency distribution.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for and method of simulating an image in real time under turbulent atmospheric conditions. The present invention is realized by expanding a first laser beam using a microscope-objective and a first lens. The expanded light is then projected onto a first LCLV. Light reflecting from the first LCLV is filtered, focused onto a diaphram, polarized, and directed along a path that is around two meters in length. The light is then split into a first beam and a second beam. The first beam is focused onto an optical fiber bundle which is connected to the first LCLV. One end of the optical fiber bundle is rotated with respect to the other end. The second beam is projected upon a second LCLV. A second laser beam is expanded and projected onto a LCTV. The image is provided to the LCTV. The LCTV image is projected onto, and modulated by the second LCLV.