Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for Laser Detection and Ranging (Lidar). One Lidar system includes a laser operable to generate laser light. The system also includes a transmitter operable to rotate at a first rate, and to transmit the laser light along a first path from the Lidar system to a target. The system also includes a receiver operable to rotate at the first rate, and to receive at least a portion of the laser light along a second path from the target. The first and second paths are different. The system also includes a processor operable to calculate a range and an angle to the target using an angular displacement between the second path and the receiver that arises from the first rate of rotation for the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for improved range response in lidar systems. In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a laser, and a detector. First optics direct light from the laser on a beam path along a first optical axis of the first optics. Second optics image the light from the beam path onto a second plane that is substantially normal to the first plane. The second optics have a second optical axis that differs from the first optical axis. The first and the second optical axes lie in a same first plane. A first line in the first plane intersects a second line in the second plane at an acute angle. The first line is perpendicular to the first optical axis. A spatial filter configured in or near the second plane filters the light from the second optics onto the detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for Laser Detection and Ranging (Lidar). One Lidar system includes a laser operable to generate laser light. The system also includes a transmitter operable to rotate at a first rate, and to transmit the laser light along a first path from the Lidar system to a target. The system also includes a receiver operable to rotate at the first rate, and to receive at least a portion of the laser light along a second path from the target. The first and second paths are different. The system also includes a processor operable to calculate a range and an angle to the target using an angular displacement between the second path and the receiver that arises from the first rate of rotation for the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for improved range response in lidar systems. In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a laser, and a detector. First optics direct light from the laser on a beam path along a first optical axis of the first optics. Second optics image the light from the beam path onto a second plane that is substantially normal to the first plane. The second optics have a second optical axis that differs from the first optical axis. The first and the second optical axes lie in a same first plane. A first line in the first plane intersects a second line in the second plane at an acute angle. The first line is perpendicular to the first optical axis. A spatial filter configured in or near the second plane filters the light from the second optics onto the detector.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for improved range response in lidar systems. In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a laser, and a detector. First optics direct light from the laser on a beam path along a first optical axis of the first optics. Second optics image the light from the beam path onto a second plane that is substantially normal to the first plane. The second optics have a second optical axis that differs from the first optical axis. The first and the second optical axes lie in a same first plane. A first line in the first plane intersects a second line in the second plane at an acute angle. The first line is perpendicular to the first optical axis. A spatial filter configured in or near the second plane filters the light from the second optics onto the detector.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for improved range response in lidar systems. In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a laser, and a detector. First optics direct light from the laser on a beam path along a first optical axis of the first optics. Second optics image the light from the beam path onto a second plane that is substantially normal to the first plane. The second optics have a second optical axis that differs from the first optical axis. The first and the second optical axes lie in a same first plane. A first line in the first plane intersects a second line in the second plane at an acute angle. The first line is perpendicular to the first optical axis. A spatial filter configured in or near the second plane filters the light from the second optics onto the detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for optical surveillance using modulated lasers, or other forms of light, and optical detection. In one embodiment, an optical surveillance system includes a light source, such as a laser or light emitting diode, and a signal generator operable to modulate the light source. The system also includes a detector operable to detect the modulated light source and a processor communicatively coupled to the detector to distinguish the modulated light source from other detected light based on the modulating waveform of the modulated light source. The processor is also operable to determine a presence of an object between the laser and the detector based on an obscuration of the laser pulses on the detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for laser detection and ranging in more than one medium. In one embodiment, a laser is operable to generate and fire laser pulses into a liquid, such as water. The laser pulses form broadband super continuum emissions and/or harmonics in the liquid that propagate optical energy past a surface of the liquid. A detector is operable to receive the optical energy from the liquid, which is then processed to determine a range parameter of the liquid. That is, a processor may determine the depth of the water or an object beneath the surface of the water by measuring the travel times of optical energy reflected from the surface of the liquid and optical energy returned from beneath the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: The various laser architectures described herein provide increased gain of optical energy as well as compensation of optical phase distortions in a thin disk gain medium. An optical amplifier presented herein provides for scalable high energy extraction and gains based on a number of passes of the signal beam through a gain medium. Multiple, spatially separate, optical paths may also be passed through the same gain region to provide gain clearing by splitting off a small percentage of an output pulse and sending it back through the amplifier along a slightly different path. By clearing out the residual gain, uniform signal amplitudes can be obtained.

Abstract: A laser amplifier system is presented including a pump regenerative amplifier. The amplifier generally has a cavity defined by a pair of end cavity mirrors between which an amplified pump pulse oscillates. The amplifier also includes an interaction cell with a tunable gain medium amplifies laser pulses (e.g., Raman gain). The interaction cell may be positioned within the pump amplifier cavity and an input pulse may be injected into the cavity of the amplifier to transit through the tunable gain medium of the interaction cell. A pump pulse transfers energy via interaction with the input pulse (e.g., Raman interaction) as the pulses counter-propagate through the gain medium of the interaction cell. Amplification of output laser pulses, however, is generally achieved according to the wavelength of the pump laser pulses thereby providing a wavelength dependent, or “tunable”, means for amplifying laser pulses.

Abstract: The various laser architectures described herein provide increased gain of optical energy as well as compensation of optical phase distortions in a thin disk gain medium. An optical amplifier presented herein provides for scalable high energy extraction and gains based on a number of passes of the signal beam through a gain medium. Multiple, spatially separate, optical paths may also be passed through the same gain region to provide gain clearing by splitting off a small percentage of an output pulse and sending it back through the amplifier along a slightly different path. By clearing out the residual gain, uniform signal amplitudes can be obtained.

Abstract: The various laser architectures described herein provide increased gain of optical energy as well as compensation of optical phase distortions in a thin disk gain medium. An optical amplifier presented herein provides for scalable high energy extraction and gains based on a number of passes of the signal beam through a gain medium. Multiple, spatially separate, optical paths may also be passed through the same gain region to provide gain clearing by splitting off a small percentage of an output pulse and sending it back through the amplifier along a slightly different path. By clearing out the residual gain, uniform signal amplitudes can be obtained.

Abstract: Presented herein is a multipass optical amplifier including a thin-disk gain medium, a first reflective element optically coupled to the gain medium, a first parabolic reflector in optical communication with the gain medium and the first reflective element, a second parabolic reflector in optical communication with the first parabolic reflector, and a second reflective element in optical communication with the second parabolic reflector. The amplifier also includes a pump source, a signal beam source, and a chamber having first and second regions configured about the multipass optical amplifier with a port that extracts gas from the chamber. The first region includes the first parabolic reflector, the gain medium, and the first reflective element. The second region of the chamber includes the second reflective element and the second parabolic reflector. An input optic propagates the signal beam through the amplifier to impinge the gain medium multiple times for gain.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein that provide for ignition of explosive devices through electric and/or electromagnetic discharge. In one embodiment, an electrostatic discharge is directionally propagated through air to conduct electric current to the explosive device. The electric current may ignite the explosive device via heat, via triggering of ignition circuitry, via induced electric current conduction to the explosive material therein and/or via direct electric conduction to the explosive material therein. Alternatively, or in addition to, electromagnetic energy may be directionally propagated to the device through a waveguide. Such electromagnetic energy may be in the microwave region and may heat and/or induce electric current in the explosive device. In either instance, the directionally propagated energy may be time varying.

Abstract: The various laser architectures described herein provide increased gain of optical energy as well as compensation of optical phase distortions in a thin disk gain medium. An optical amplifier presented herein provides for scalable high energy extraction and gains based on a number of passes of the signal beam through a gain medium. Multiple, spatially separate, optical paths may also be passed through the same gain region to provide gain clearing by splitting off a small percentage of an output pulse and sending it back through the amplifier along a slightly different path. By clearing out the residual gain, uniform signal amplitudes can be obtained.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to enhancing electrical discharge. A hollow conical electrode may be provided to discharge electrical energy in a directed manner. The conical electrode has two openings: a larger entrance opening; and a smaller exit opening. These openings are configured to allow radiated energy to pass therethrough and form a preferential path of electrical conduction. The larger entrance opening has a surface with a radius of curvature that is larger than that of the second smaller exit opening. The smaller exit opening directs electrical energy to the path because of stronger electric fields. In one embodiment, a protruding electrode element is configured with the smaller exit opening to further enhance electrical discharge by focusing electric fields in the vicinity of the protruding electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to enhancing electrical discharge. A hollow conical electrode may be provided to discharge electrical energy in a directed manner. The conical electrode has two openings: a larger entrance opening; and a smaller exit opening. These openings are configured to allow radiated energy to pass therethrough and form a preferential path of electrical conduction. The larger entrance opening has a surface with a radius of curvature that is larger than that of the second smaller exit opening. The smaller exit opening directs electrical energy to the path because of stronger electric fields. In one embodiment, a protruding electrode element is configured with the smaller exit opening to further enhance electrical discharge by focusing electric fields in the vicinity of the protruding electrode.

Abstract: The various laser architectures described herein provide increased gain of optical energy as well as compensation of optical phase distortions in a thin disk gain medium. An optical amplifier presented herein provides for scalable high energy extraction and gains based on a number of passes of the signal beam through a gain medium. Multiple, spatially separate, optical paths may also be passed through the same gain region to provide gain clearing by splitting off a small percentage of an output pulse and sending it back through the amplifier along a slightly different path. By clearing out the residual gain, uniform signal amplitudes can be obtained.

Abstract: The various laser architectures described herein provide increased gain of optical energy as well as compensation of optical phase distortions in a thin disk gain medium. An optical amplifier presented herein provides for scalable high energy extraction and gains based on a number of passes of the signal beam through a gain medium. Multiple, spatially separate, optical paths may also be passed through the same gain region to provide gain clearing by splitting off a small percentage of an output pulse and sending it back through the amplifier along a slightly different path. By clearing out the residual gain, uniform signal amplitudes can be obtained.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein that provide for ignition of explosive devices through electric and/or electromagnetic discharge. In one embodiment, an electrostatic discharge is directionally propagated through air to conduct electric current to the explosive device. The electric current may ignite the explosive device via heat, via triggering of ignition circuitry, via induced electric current conduction to the explosive material therein and/or via direct electric conduction to the explosive material therein. Alternatively, or in addition to, electromagnetic energy may be directionally propagated to the device through a waveguide. Such electromagnetic energy may be in the microwave region and may heat and/or induce electric current in the explosive device. In either instance, the directionally propagated energy may be time varying.