Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for an improved boresighting apparatus and related method for boresighting a light source to an imaging sensor, and for an improved material to be used in a target object in such a boresighting apparatus. For example, an apparatus for use in boresighting may include a catadioptric element and a target object, where the catadioptric element is configured to focus a laser beam from the light source and also to collimate light emitted from the target object at a different wavelength than the laser beam to be detected by the imaging sensor for indicating the location of the focused laser beam. The target object may, for example, comprises a fluorescent optical material doped with one or more optically active ions to absorb light having the wavelength of the laser beam and emit light in one or more wavebands detectable by the imaging sensors.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for an improved boresighting apparatus and related method for boresighting a light source to an imaging sensor, and for an improved material to be used in a target object in such a boresighting apparatus. For example, an apparatus for use in boresighting may include a catadioptric element and a target object, where the catadioptric element is configured to focus a laser beam from the light source and also to collimate light emitted from the target object at a different wavelength than the laser beam to be detected by the imaging sensor for indicating the location of the focused laser beam. The target object may, for example, comprises a fluorescent optical material doped with one or more optically active ions to absorb light having the wavelength of the laser beam and emit light in one or more wavebands detectable by the imaging sensors.

Abstract: Techniques for spatial spectral holography include a doped crystal comprising Thulium doped into a host crystal of Yttrium Lutetium Aluminum Garnet wherein a concentration of Thulium atoms is less than 3 atomic percent. Techniques further include an apparatus with a source for optical electromagnetic radiation and a cryocooler configured to maintain an operating temperature in a range from about 3 Kelvin to about 6 Kelvin. The cryocooler includes a first optical window. The apparatus also includes a doped crystal comprising Thulium doped into a host crystal of Yttrium Lutetium Aluminum Garnet disposed inside the cryocooler in a position to be illuminated by incident optical electromagnetic radiation derived from the source. The apparatus also includes a detector configured to detect optical electromagnetic radiation emitted from the doped crystal. Techniques include a method for using at least one of the above doped crystals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide monoblock lasers that may provide improved performance and/or reduce manufacturing costs. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a monoblock laser includes a gain block to generate the light at the first wavelength and a Q switch to receive and polarize the light from the gain block and provide pulsed light that is polarized and at the first wavelength, with the monoblock laser configured in an internal OPO configuration. The monoblock laser may include a film between the gain block and a common substrate and/or include various techniques for aligning various optical elements within the monoblock laser.

Abstract: Inorganic crystals having one or more species of dopant ions which are photo-reactive are used as visible and or infrared light optical limiters to protect against laser radiation exposure while permitting passage of the visible and or infrared light spectrum at least until exposed to high energy laser radiation. The dopant ions are selected from ions of transition metals. The exposure of these ions within the transparent crystalline matrix either photo-ionize or are elevated to an excited state and thereby absorb or otherwise attenuate the passage of the laser beam radiation sufficiently to protect human eyes or photo-sensitive equipment. The crystals may be fabricated into such items as lenses for use in eyeglasses or on shields of flight helmets to protect the eyes of aircraft pilots.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the interaction of a resonant material having generalized crystal symmetry with a beam or beams of radiation. The invention includes determining a special direction relative to the axes of crystal symmetry of the material and polarizing the interaction radiation beam along this direction. The polarized radiation beam is propagated through the material perpendicular to this special direction. The method and system are used in any application which involves the coherent interaction of optical radiation beams or fields with resonant ion-doped or molecular crystals of various types. Coherent interaction of optical radiation beams or fields with resonant ion-doped or molecular crystals of various types includes the phenomena of optical coherent transients, spectral hole burning, and spatial-spectral holography (also called time and space domain holography) and provides the basis for optical-electronic devices. Such applications include computer and communications networks.

Abstract: Inorganic crystals having one or more species of dopant ions which are photo-reactive are used as visible and or infrared light optical limiters to protect against laser radiation exposure while permitting passage of the visible and or infrared light spectrum at least until exposed to high energy laser radiation. The dopant ions are selected from ions of transition metals. The exposure of these ions within the transparent crystalline matrix either photo-ionize or are elevated to an excited state and thereby absorb or otherwise attenuate the passage of the laser beam radiation sufficiently to protect human eyes or photo-sensitive equipment. The crystals may be fabricated into such items as lenses for use in eyeglasses or on shields of flight helmets to protect the eyes of aircraft pilots.

Abstract: Inorganic crystals having one or more species of dopant ions which are photo-reactive are used as visible and or infrared light optical limiters to protect against laser radiation exposure while permitting passage of the visible and or infrared light spectrum at least until exposed to high energy laser radiation. The dopant ions are selected from ions of transition metals. The exposure of these ions within the transparent crystalline matrix either photo-ionize or are elevated to an excited state and thereby absorb or otherwise attenuate the passage of the laser beam radiation sufficiently to protect human eyes or photo-sensitive equipment. The crystals may be fabricated into such items as lenses for use in eyeglasses or on shields of flight helmets to protect the eyes of aircraft pilots.