Abstract: An alignment system for multiple objects, such as gain generator modules for a distributed laser resonator. The present invention allows for banks or rows of objects, such as gain generator modules, to be maintained in alignment with one another under closed loop control. In particular, one module of every bank or row is designated as the reference or master module, for example, at one end of the bank. Each of the remaining modules or objects are designated as slave modules and carried by a positioning module. The positioning modules are used to control the x and y movements of the slave modules relative to the master or reference module under closed loop. An iris or target with an aperture is mounted on each of the slave modules. A laser source mounted on the master or reference module is dithered relative to the targets in the x and y directions. An optical system, for example, simple telescope at the base of each target images the laser onto a detector.

Abstract: A resonant absorption cell filled with a gas, selected in accordance with the wavelength of the laser radiation of interest, such as DF. The gas within the cell is maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure. The energy state of the gas within the cell is raised by either external resistance heating or optical pumping. In an increased energy state, gas molecules resonate with the incoming laser radiation causing the molecules to absorb incident photons before the gas molecules have a chance to re-radiate the captured photons, collisions with other gas molecules within the cell transfer the excitation energy into heat in order to filter out laser radiation but past all other wavelengths.

Abstract: A non-imaging laser-based tracking system (38) for tracking the position of a targeted moving object (20). The tracking system (38) includes two lasers: a reference laser (26) and a slave laser (30). Each laser is a weapon, and when locked on a target, single laser effectiveness may be doubled without a thermal blooming performance loss associated with a single laser operating at twice the power. The slave laser (30) beam is dithered relative to the reference laser (26) beam in a direction along the longitudinal axis (22) of the target (20). The system includes an optical receiver (34) for repetitively scanning the irradiance profile reflected by the target (20). Since the slave laser (30) beam is dithered relative to the reference laser (26) beam, both laser beams will jitter and drift together providing a gain factor of two in average irradiance on the moving target (20).

Abstract: An imaging self-referencing target tracker (10) for a laser weapon (12). The weapon generates a first beam of radiation (14) that engages a target (16) to form a beam hit spot (20) thereon. In a first embodiment, a target illuminator (22) (variant 1) illuminates the target with a second beam of radiation (23a). An optics subsystem (30) receives and separately images the first and second beams (23b, 24) of radiation. In a second embodiment, a blocking filter (40) is implemented rather than an illumination laser to pass only radiation at the target wavelength, thereby ensuring that the first and second beams of radiation are separately imaged. A controller (32) is programmed to steer the first and second beams of radiation to the desired target aim point (18) in response to information from the imaged first and second beams of radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high resolution positioner that may be used to measure the lateral displacement between one object, such as a beam compactor, relative to another object, such as a rear cone, which are separated over a moderate distance. The positioner includes a relatively small laser mounted on one of the objects, such as the beam compactor, which is dithered in orthogonal directions creating a Lissajous pattern. The Lissajous pattern is detected by a pinhole detector on a separate object, such as a rear cone. With such a system, displacement of one object, such as a rear cone bench, relative to another object, such as a beam compactor bench, can be relatively accurately determined and used to develop an error signal providing closed loop alignment of the two objects relative to each other.

Abstract: A hyperspectral detection and seeking system for use in air-to-air, air-to-ground and ground-to-air missiles. The hyperspectral detection and seeking system includes a hyperspectral imaging system and a tracking system. Hyperspectral signatures for targets of interest may be either observed directly prior to launch or preloaded into the detection and seeking system. A tracking system provides for tracking of a target matching the preloaded or hyperspectral signature observed prior to launch. The hyperspectral detection and seeking system thus provides relatively higher precision for detecting and seeking targets with hyperspectral signatures. Since such hyperspectral signatures are formed from literally hundreds of spectra, the system is virtually immune to countermeasure since any countermeasures would effectively have to match its own hyperspectral signature over a relatively wide spectral range.

Abstract: A chemical sensor for detecting a chemical species in a gas comprises a detector element including a porous organic semiconductor comprised of a material on which the chemical species in the gas is adsorbed. The chemical sensor further comprises a power source for producing a bias voltage and a depletion region in the detector element. The chemical species percolates through the organic semiconductor and into the depletion region under the bias voltage, causing a change in the capacitance of the detector element. A light source irradiates the gas with light before entering the detector element. The light changes the chemical properties of the chemical species and enhances the adsorption selectivity of the organic semiconductor. The chemical sensor can determine both the presence and concentration of the chemical species in the gas based on the change in capacitance in the detector element. The chemical sensor can be provided in a portable unit suitable for field testing applications.

Abstract: A laser-based tracking system for tracking the position of a targeted moving object. The tracking system includes two lasers: a reference laser and a slave laser. Each laser is a weapon, and when locked on a target, single laser effectiveness may be doubled without a thermal blooming performance loss associated with a single laser operating at twice the power. The slave laser beam is dithered relative to the reference laser beam in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the target. The system includes an optical receiver for repetitively scanning the irradiance profile reflected by the target. Since the slave laser beam is dithered relative to the reference laser beam, both laser beams will jitter and drift together providing a gain factor of two in average irradiance on the moving target.

Abstract: The device and method of the invention provide a neutralizing compound that reacts with acid gases generated in laser exhaust to yield an insoluble non-toxic powder.

Abstract: A non-imaging laser-based tracking system for tracking the position of a targeted moving object. The tracking system includes two lasers: a reference laser and a slave laser. Each laser is a weapon, and when locked on a target, single laser effectiveness may be doubled without a thermal blooming performance loss associated with a single laser operating at twice the power. The slave laser beam is dithered relative to the reference laser beam in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the target. The system includes an optical receiver for repetitively scanning the irradiance profile reflected by the target. Since the slave laser beam is dithered relative to the reference laser beam, both laser beams will jitter and drift together providing a gain factor of two in average irradiance on the moving target.

Abstract: An imaging self-referencing target tracker (10) for a laser weapon (12). The weapon generates a first beam of radiation (14) that engages a target (16) to form a beam hit spot (20) thereon. In a first embodiment, a target illuminator (22) (variant 1) illuminates the target with a second beam of radiation (23a). An optics subsystem (30) receives and separately images the first and second beams (23b, 24) of radiation. In a second embodiment, a blocking filter (40) is implemented rather than an illumination laser to pass only radiation at the target wavelength, thereby ensuring that the first and second beams of radiation are separately imaged. A controller (32) is programmed to steer the first and second beams of radiation to the desired target aim point (18) in response to information from the imaged first and second beams of radiation.

Abstract: A intermediate range/short range laser defense system (10) for use against chemical and biological submunitions (36). The system includes a source (12) of a high power laser beam (14) which is directed by a beam steering device (16). The beam steering device (16) is controlled by a processor (20) which generates control signals (22) for orienting the beam steering device (16) to the control the laser beam (18). The processor (20) operates in a LACROSST mode which enables detection of the submunitions (36). The processor (20) receives tracking information from a detector (26) and tracker (24). The processor directs the laser beam (18) towards a centroid (40) of a dispersion pattern or cloud (38). The laser beam (18) is then directed in an outward, spiral path (42) from centroid (40). When the laser beam (18) encounters a submunition (36), the laser beam locks onto the submunition (36) in order to heat the submunition (36), thereby denaturing or destroying the submunition (36).

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser tracking system including a laser generator for generating a beam of laser energy, a beam steerer for steering the beam of laser energy such that it moves in a search pattern, and a receiving device that receives laser energy reflected from a targeted object and that causes the beam steerer to vary the search pattern in response to the reflected laser energy. A tracking method associated with the laser tracking system includes the steps of generating a beam of laser energy, steering the beam of energy in a search pattern, detecting a hit spot formed from laser energy being reflected from a targeted object, diminishing the size of the search pattern in response to the detection of the hit spot, and focusing the diminished search pattern on a feature of the targeted object corresponding to the hit spot. The laser tracking system and associated method presented provide a number of advantages over conventional tracking systems.

Abstract: A non-imaging laser-based tracking system for tracking the position of a targeted moving object. The tracking system includes two lasers: a reference laser and a slave laser. Each laser is a weapon, and when locked on a target, single laser effectiveness may be doubled without a thermal blooming performance loss associated with a single laser operating at twice the power. The slave laser beam is dithered relative to the reference laser beam in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the target. The system includes an optical receiver for repetitively scanning the irradiance profile reflected by the target. Since the slave laser beam is dithered relative to the reference laser beam, both laser beams will jitter and drift together providing a gain factor of two in average irradiance on the moving target.

Abstract: A high contrast imaging system (10) having an adaptive focal plane (52). The system (10) includes receiver optics (32) that receive radiation (30) from both a detected target (16) and a laser beam (14) incident thereon, and a polarizing beam splitter (44) that splits the radiation into a first beam of reflected laser radiation and a second beam of radiation (46). The polarizing beam splitter (44) linearly polarizes the second beam of detected target radiation (46). A beam polarizer (48) circularly polarizes the second beam of detected target radiation (46). An adaptive focal plane or micromirror array (52) reflects the circularly polarized detected target radiation back through the beam polarizer (48) to linearly polarize the reflected, second beam of radiation (46). A detector array (56) detects the reflected, second beam of radiation (62) and outputs a signal to tracker electronics (22) in accordance with the intensity of radiation.

Abstract: A laser tracking system steers a beam of laser energy which is dithered in two directions to scan the surface of a moving object. A laser energy detector detects laser energy reflected from the target. Reflected energy is filtered to distinguish dither frequencies for signals in both directions, which signals are independently analyzed to determine the location of the target in relation to the laser beam. A bias signal is generated which causes the beam of laser energy to be steered toward a surface radius to be steered toward a surface with the sharpest radius of curvature within the trackers' field-of-regard, to the target, to the tracked location on-target, or modified signals steer a portion of the beam to an optimum track location on target while offsetting most of the beam's energy to a second engagement location on target. Also, a track testing system is capable of monitoring a laser beam focused on a missile and determining the effective laser engagement on a spinning target.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a laser weapon target aim point. The method includes the step of selecting an aimpoint (42) on a target (24). The target is then engaged with a laser beam (23). The tracker (36) then receives target scene information, and detects both a target image and a target laser hit spot (40). The tracker (36) then determines the vector distance between the target aimpoint and the target laser hit spot, and drives the vector distance (70) to zero to close the loop between the target aimpoint and the target laser hit spot location. The method and system of the present invention thereby increase the probability of a target kill by enabling the tracking system to maintain a laser lock on the target aimpoint from an initial target engagement to a target kill stage.

Abstract: An image tracker (10) that tracks an object (16) targeted for engagement by a laser weapon (12). The tracker (10) includes receiver optics (31) that receive radiation (30) from both a detected target (16) and a laser beam (14) incident thereon, and a polarizing beam splitter (44) that splits the radiation into a first beam of reflected laser radiation (46) and a second beam of detected target radiation (47). The polarizing beam splitter (44) reflects the first beam of reflected laser radiation (46) in a first direction for imaging purposes and linearly polarizes the second beam of detected target radiation (47). A beam polarizer (60) circularly polarizes the second beam of detected target radiation. A micromirror array (66) reflects the circularly polarized detected target radiation back through the beam polarizer (60) to linearly polarize the second beam of detected target radiation (47).

Abstract: A sensor having an interferometer, and a corresponding method, for use in the sensing of focal shifts in high energy laser beams are provided. The interferometer includes optical elements for generating a reference beam with a known wavefront phase curvature. In a preferred form of the invention, the reference beam is dithered and recombined with a sample beam, to produce a time-varying interference pattern indicative of the focal shift in the high energy laser beam. The interference pattern is focused by a lens onto a detector that produces electrical signals indicative of the detected interference pattern. The electrical signals are synchronously detected to remove the dither-frequency component, integrated, and amplified to generate a focal shift correction signal. The focal shift correction signal is then applied to an axially adjustable lens positioned to effect phase curvature changes in the reference beam wavefront to match those of the sample beam.

Abstract: A laser tracking system steers a beam of laser energy which is dithered in two directions to scan the surface of a moving object. A laser energy detector detects laser energy reflected from the target. Reflected energy is filtered to distinguish dither frequencies for signals in both directions, which signals are independently analyzed to determine the location of the target in relation to the laser beam. A bias signal is generated which causes the beam of laser energy to be steered toward the target, to the tracked location on-target, or modified signals steer a portion of the beam to an optimum track location on target while offsetting most of the beam's energy to a second engagement location on target. The tracking system advantageously locks onto target features such as those having a high compound curvature on the targeted object. For missile defense, this allows for tracking and engagement of vulnerable features which are found on a missile.