Abstract: Aligning a stable ring resonator by the use of an inversion mechanism ins the resonator and a pair of anti-symmetric masks. Each mask has opaque and clear parts and the masks are anti-symmetric in that, in use, one mask is positioned so that its opaque and clear parts are anti-symmetric to the opaque and clear parts of the other mask when it is in position. One mask is placed between the radiation source and the beam splitter while the other mask is placed between the beam splitter and the focal plane on which the two beam portions created by the beam splitter focus. One beam portion is directly reflected from the beam splitter and the other portion is transmitted into the resonator and is inverted while following a beam path within the resonator before being outcoupled through the beam splitter in a much weakened state.

Abstract: A power generation system utilizes an electromagnetic tether having a three conductor, coaxial configuration which allows the circuit to be closed internal to two orbiting objects. An outer cylinder of the tether is a conductor which is used to cut or pass through the earth's magnetic field to produce a voltage output. A cylinder within the outer cylinder is made of a metal such as soft iron and is used to shield a central conductor from the earth's magnetic field. The two outer cylinders are insulated from the center conductor except at one of the tethered objects where they are electrically connected. This causes the end of the center conductor to be at the same electrical potential as the tethered object when there is an infinite load. Useful power is produced at the other object, which may be a space ship, when a switch is closed and the potential is between the outer cylinder and the center conductor.

Abstract: In three-dimensional packaging of focal plane signal processing electroni the necessity of routing conductors from the face of the die to the edge of the die in the module for placement of inter-connection pads for interconnection to the next assembly presents the problem of electrical isolation of the conductors from adjacent silicon dies and their underlying silicon substrate. This problem is avoided by the use of a gold ribbon lead that is bonded to the face of each die. The ribbons function as electrically isolated conductive risers upon which inter-connection pads are placed for connection to the next assembly and as precision spacers between stacked dies during module assembly.

Abstract: By incorporating a phase-conjugating process (Stimulated Brillouin Scatteg) with a master oscillator power amplifier laser cavity, a new phase conjugate resonator (PCR) is obtained. The PCR utilizes flashlamp-pumped dye lasers and a resonator cavity that is formed by a 100% mirror on one end and a Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) cell on the other end. The SBS cell functions as one of the mirrors of the resonator and causes the entire system to operate as a phase conjugate resonator. The result is vastly improved (an order of magnitude) beam qualities over conventional resonators for large lamp systems.

Abstract: The solid metal current return in a typical commercial co-axial flashlamp replaced with a light transmissive current return which permits light from either or both surfaces of the flashlamp to be used to pump dye volumes. This enables one flashlamp to pump two dye volumes simultaneously, resulting in a significant increase in the overall efficiency of the co-axial flashlamp-pumped dye laser.

Abstract: An integrated filter and shielded ignition assembly locates all ignitable terials inside of the sealed metallic enclosure. The sealed metallic enclosure is present to prevent electromagnetic radiation interference and thereby enables the enclosure to have only one path where electricity can flow. The filter is considered a low bandpass electric filter. The filter does not interfere with the ordinary electric function of the ignition assembly.

Abstract: Insulating material is used to attach a conducting foil patch to conductive urface of motor case. The patch is a part of an open electrical circuit, along with a power source, timer and connecting wires until impact which causes the patch to collapse and come in contact with the motor surface, thus closing the circuit. When the circuit is closed and voltage is present, the timer records the time of impact and continues to count. A piezo-electric pin attached to motor case and connected to the timer creates voltage pulse upon detonation of motor case and this pulse stops the timer. Thus, accurate measurements of time lapse between impact and detonation can be made.

Abstract: An electro-optic shutter containing liquid crystal material is used to prct optical systems from pulsed laser radiation. The shutter provides the protection by being positioned between the optical system and the pulsed laser radiation and by rapidly alternating between clear and dark states. The alternation occurs in response to the absence or presence of an electric field in the shutter. When the electric field is absent, the shutter becomes clear and admits light and thus visual information whereas presence of the electric field causes the shutter to become dark and prevent the pulsed laser radiation from reaching the optical system. For protection of a binocular system such as the human eyes, in addition to the alternation of clear and dark states of each shutter, the clear-dark cycles of the shutters are staggered to assure that at any given moment at least one optical system is protected.