Abstract: A sensor system employs a thermo-electrically cooled surface enhanced Raman (SERS) structure that is positioned in a sample chamber. Gas or vapor that may contain an analyte of interest is introduced into the sample chamber so that the analyte may come into contact with the SERS structure. The SERS structure may be cooled to facilitate condensation of selected analytes onto the SERS structure. When in contact with each other, the analyte and SERS structure may be optically stimulated by an optical excitation signal to produce a unique spectral response that may be detected by a spectroanalysis system. The spectral response then may be correlated to a specific analyte, i.e., identified.

Abstract: A distributed biohazard surveillance system including a plurality of robust miniaturized remote monitoring stations for the detection, localized analysis and reporting of a broad range of biohazards. The remote monitoring station may be adapted to identify many different biological particles and is not limited to particular predetermined biohazard profiles. It is centrally and dynamically reconfigurable and can be adapted to operate unattended in a remote location. The distributed system may be used to locate and report unsuspected sources of biohazards and to monitor the localized effects in real-time cooperation with a centralized data processing facility.

Abstract: A distributed biohazard surveillance system including a plurality of robust miniaturized remote monitoring stations for the detection, localized analysis and reporting of a broad range of biohazards. The remote monitoring station may be adapted to identify many different biological particles and is not limited to particular predetermined biohazard profiles. It is centrally and dynamically reconfigurable and can be adapted to operate unattended in a remote location. The distributed system may be used to locate and report unsuspected sources of biohazards and to monitor the localized effects in real-time cooperation with a centralized data processing facility.

Abstract: A multi-antenna garment comprising a first and second antenna incorporated into an electrically nonconductive garment, with tubular composites to improve gain and mitigate radiation hazard. The first antenna includes first and second RF elements attached to a first garment so that a gap exists between them, where the RF elements each form a band when the garment is worn by a wearer. The second antenna includes third, fourth, fifth, and sixth RF elements attached to a second garment worn over the first garment. RF feeds are electrically connected to the first, third, and fifth RF elements. Ground feeds are electrically connected to the second, fourth, and sixth RF elements. Insulating material disposed over gaps between the first and second, the third and fourth, and the fifth and sixth RF elements and in pockets in the regions of the RF feeds limits the wearer's exposure to electromagnetic field to acceptable levels.

Abstract: An image lidar includes a laser for generating light beam pulses in a line scan to illuminate an area surrounding a target. A controller selects pulse width and pulse rate of the light beam pulses emitted by the laser. A photomultiplier tube detects energy from the light beam pulses scattered by the target and generates a series of pixels defined by the light beam pulses and the line scan. A display generates an image from the pixels that is representative of the target.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a) a sapphire substrate; b) a single crystal silicon structure disposed on the sapphire substrate to create a silicon-on-sapphire structure; c) a plurality of liquid crystal capacitors disposed on the silicon-on-sapphire structure; d) integrated self-aligned circuitry formed from the crystal silicon structure, where the circuitry modulates the liquid crystal capacitors in response to an input control signal; and e) a receiver disposed on the silicon-on-sapphire structure for receiving electromagnetic radiation and generating the input control signal responsive to the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a) a sapphire substrate having a first crystal lattice structure; b) a single crystal silicon structure having a thickness no greater than about 100 nanometers affixed to the sapphire substrate to create a silicon-on-sapphire structure, and a second crystal lattice structure oriented by the first crystal lattice structure; c) an array of liquid crystal capacitors formed on the silicon-on-sapphire structure; and d) integrated self-aligned circuitry formed from the silicon layer which is operably coupled to modulate the liquid crystal capacitors. The liquid crystals capacitors may include nematic or ferroelectric liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A micro-power generator, comprises an electrically insulating substrate; a semiconductor layer affixed to the substrate; electrodes affixed to the semiconductor layer for collecting electrical charges emitted by a radioisotope source; a radio-isotope source interposed between the electrodes; and electrical circuitry operably coupled to the electrodes for transforming the electrical charges into a controlled output.

Abstract: A sensor for performing surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy comprises: a) a sensor body having a throughbore; an optical energy source for generating an optical excitation signal; b) a surface enhanced Raman scattering structure that is mounted to the sensor body through which the optical excitation signal is directed for irradiating an analyte, whereupon the analyte generates primary Raman emissions in response to being irradiated by the optical excitation signal, and wherein the surface enhanced Raman scattering structure generates secondary Raman emissions when irradiated by the optical excitation signal; c) an optical detector for generating an output signal that represents the spectral characteristics of the primary and secondary Raman emissions in response to receiving the primary and second Raman emissions; and d) a processor for substantially filtering the secondary Raman emission from the primary Raman emissions and for generating an output signal representing the analyte.

Abstract: The present invention has applications in the field of color displays, including computer monitors, video games, television, and other applications that may require a variety of light wavelengths. In one aspect of the invention, a light generator can generate light having selected proportions of red, green, and blue wavelengths from a single source of blue light. In a specific embodiment, the light generator includes a blue laser for generating a first beam of blue light. In another aspect of the invention, beamsplitters are used to split the beam of blue light into separate beams to generate light having a single color in each beam. In one such embodiment, upconversion lasers are used to generate each of the single colors.

Abstract: An ultra-broadband antenna incorporated into an electrically nonconductive garment, with radiation absorber material to mitigate radiation hazard. The antenna includes first and second RF elements attached to the garment so that a gap exists between them, where the RF elements each form a band when the garment is worn by a wearer. RF and ground feeds are electrically connected to the first and second RF elements, respectively. A shorting strap electrically connected between the first and second RF elements on the anterior side of the garment generally opposite the feeds helps match the antenna impedance to an external signal source. Radiation absorber material disposed over the gap between the first and second RF elements and in a pocket in the region of the RF feed limits the wearer's exposure to electromagnetic field to acceptable levels.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatic gain control system that is implemented by digital hardware. The digital hardware determines the range of a set of digital data values, and then examines each digital data value in a sequence. An index counter increments a sample count index i each time a new digital data value is examined and determines the absolute value of the ith digital data value. The digital hardware also counts both the number j of digital data values that exceed a high percentage value of the range, and the number k of digital data values that are less than a low percentage value of the range as the digital hardware runs through the sequence. If the digital hardware determines that a digital data value is greater than the high percentage value, the ratio j/i exceeds a first threshold value, and the gain level is not set to the lowest gain level, then the gain is decreased.

Abstract: A laser includes a first optically reflective element; a second optically reflective element opposed to and aligned with the first optically reflective element to define a laser cavity having an optical axis; an optical pump source for injecting optical pump energy into the laser cavity along the optical axis; a solid-state dye gain element having a thin host in which a dye is dissolved that is interposed between said first and second optically reflective elements along the optical axis for transforming the optical pump energy into a resonant optical signal; and a cooling element in thermal contact with the solid-state dye gain element for absorbing heat energy from the solid-state dye gain element to control the temperature of the solid-state dye gain element.

Abstract: An optical modulating device capable of use as a light valve, display, or optical filter, which uses variation in incident angle to exploit color-selective absorption at a metal-dielectric interface by surface plasmons. The device includes a dielectric layer, at least one metallic layer through which electromagnetic radiation may be transmitted or reflected, and incident and exit layers which are both optically transmissive. A beam steering mechanism controls the incident angle of the electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment, an external beam steering mechanism is used to set the incident light angle onto the filter. In another embodiment, the filter is formed as an integral part of, for example, a cantilever. The incident light angle is then controlled by the angle of the filter cantilever.

Abstract: An apparatus and process makes it possible to quickly and accurately determine an equivalent for the radar cross section and range delay of a signal provided by a radar target simulator system. This calibration process considers the gain and delays associated with a radar target generator, the receive and transmit antennas associated with the generator, and the receive and transmit cables going to and from the generator to the receive and transmit antennas, respectively. Accurately determining gain and delay through the radar target simulator system permits the simulator to provide a well-calibrated radar cross section and range for radars it is testing and calibrating.

Abstract: A slotted cylinder transducer assembly, which has an outer cylindrical shell having a gap. A cylindrical actuator is disposed adjacent and inside the shell and has a gap which corresponds in position to the gap in the shell. The cylindrical actuator has a number of ceramic elements and electrodes alternately disposed circumferentially in the cylindrical actuator. Each of the ceramic elements are shaped in the form of a rectangular prism and have a rectangular cross-section. Each of the electrodes are shaped in the form of a trapezoidal prism and have a trapezoidal cross-section. The rectangular cross-section of the ceramic elements interposed together with the trapezoidal cross-section of the electrodes provides for the cylindrical shape of the actuator. The slotted cylinder transducer assembly may optionally include a seal boot, made preferably from a non-corrosive material for protecting from water or other material ingress.

Abstract: The present invention has applications in high-bandwidth communications systems and other applications that utilize modulated optical energy. In one aspect of the invention, a short cavity diode-pumped laser generates optical energy that may be modulated over a wide range of frequencies. In one embodiment, the short cavity diode-pumped laser may be modulated at rates up to 15 GHz. The short cavity diode-pumped laser may include a laser diode modulator and a laser coupled to the laser diode modulator having a cavity lifetime of less than about 100 picoseconds.

Abstract: An aspect of an electromagnetic energy wave is altered by disposing in its propagation path a material that changes optical properties in response to an acceleration force.

Abstract: A method for detecting chemical contamination in subsurface environments. The method is implemented using a video imaging system incorporated into a probe than be pushed into soil to collect in situ images. The method is particularly useful for identifying non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) contaminants. Immiscible globules of NAPLs can be detected in the in situ images based on differences in shape and/or color with respect to the soil background. Alternatively, indicator dyes that partition the NAPLs can be released from the sensor probe so that the NAPLs are rendered more easy to detect due to changes in color or a specific fluorescence emission.

Abstract: A dynamic range extender for optical transmitters comprises a bipolar distortion compensator for increasing drive signal gain as the absolute level of an input signal increases beyond a selected input voltage threshold, a signal coupler for dividing the input signal into complementary signals, a unipolar distortion compensator for increasing drive signal gain of each complementary signal beyond a selected forward current threshold, a signal clipper for pre-clipping each complementary signal below a selected clipping threshold, and complementary driver outputs to drive each of a pair of laser diodes in a complementary push-pull arrangement. The pre-clipping prevents the laser diodes from being driven below their threshold current level, and the distortion compensation suppresses second and third order harmonic distortion when the complementary signals generated by the laser diodes are combined by differential photodiodes.