Abstract: A plurality of identical dielectric channel optical wave guides is fabricd in a single crystal substrate of linear electro-optic material and a source of linearly polarized light is arranged to transmit its light energy along each of the optical waveguides. Electrodes are disposed contiguous to the optical waveguides for impressing electric fields thereacross. An input signal potential is applied to the electrodes to produce electric fields of intensity relative to each of the waveguides such that causes phase shift and resultant change of polarization which can be detected as representative of a binary "one" or binary "zero" for each of the channel optical waveguides. The resultant binary output is the multiple bit analog-to-digital conversion of the analog potential having amplitude V impressed upon the converter.

Abstract: An electro-mechanically actuated light switch is provided for transferring ight energy into or out of a fiber optic light transmission path. Liquid material contained within the switch provides a continuity between two fiber optic terminals in the fiber optic light transmission path. The liquid material is chosen to have an index of refraction higher than the material which contains it, so that substantially total internal reflection is sustained along the optical axis of the fiber optic light transmission path. A transparent member is movably mounted in a port in the switch and resiliently supported for extension into the liquid material. An electromagnetic-solenoid arrangement is adapted to extend an angularly disposed reflective end of the transparent member into the liquid material for redirecting light energy which it intercepts.

Abstract: A common substrate supports a plurality of waveguides numbering one more n the number of bits in the binary addends to be summed. Linearly polarized light is transmitted along each of the waveguides and a plurality of electrodes connectable to an electrical potential representative of a binary bit. The electrodes have discrete lengths contiguous to the waveguides for causing .pi.-radian phase retardation of light propagation upon application of the electrical potential. A polarization separator receives the output of each waveguide and produces signals commensurate with orthogonally polarized components. Photo detectors responsive to the signals representing each of the components produce commensurate electrical output signals which are, in turn, amplified and compared in an analog comparator for producing a binary output signal representative of the relative amplitudes of each pair of signals representing the orthogonally polarized components in each of the waveguides.

Abstract: A high intensity source produces light energy output principally in the 3A to 4300A spectral region. An envelope of material substantially transparent to light energy within the desired spectral region is sealed to contain xenon gas in an amount sufficient to produce at least one atmosphere of pressure in its unheated state and also mercury in an amount sufficient to develop a vapor pressure of not less than one atmosphere when the envelope is heated to an operative temperature. Electrically conductive electrodes communicate with the interior of the sealed envelope forming a gap therebetween which becomes a conductive arc upon connection of external terminals of the electrodes to a source of pulsed electrical power. The sealed envelope and its contents are maintained at an operative temperature of the order of not less than approximately 500.degree. C, ensuring the vapor pressures required to produce the high intensity output within the desired spectral region.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable connector is comprised of two ferrules, a collar member, and a connection sleeve. First and second ferrules each have an internal bore to receive the end of fiber optic cable bundles together with a suitable bonding material for securing the fiber optic cable bundles. The terminal ends of the fiber optic cable bundles are ground and polished substantially optically flat. A first ferrule has external threads on a portion at its terminal end. The collar member is internally threaded and dimensioned to engage over the external threads of the first ferrule, and has a cylindrical portion coaxially extending beyond the terminal end of the first ferrule effectively forming a cylindrical recess. A second ferrule has a cylindrical embossment dimensioned to be received within the coaxially extending portion of the collar member for aligning the two fiber optic cable bundles.

Abstract: A miniature optical lens for coupling is fabricated from selected high rective index semiconductor material of uniform thickness. Refractive index gradients are generated in the semiconductor material through changes in composition developed under controlled conditions producing a desired focal length for determinable wavelengths of light energy emitted from a light source to which the miniature optical lens is coupled. The miniature optical lens thus fabricated is especially efficient for coupling light energy from light emitting diodes and junction lasers as well as in semiconductor micro-optics within the visible and the infrared wavelengths as well because the index of refraction of the lens material may be closely matched to the index of refraction of the light source, minimizing light energy transfer losses.

Abstract: A material is selected which is capable of propagating light energy and is lso highly absorptive of light energy within a determinable wavelength region. A laser beam which includes such wavelength region in its output energy is focused on the surface of the selected material in a sufficent concentration to cause partial evaporation of its surface and relative linear movement is given effect between the laser beam focal point and the selected material in a focal plane of the laser beam. The rate of such relative linear movement is controlled to produce grooves in the surface of the selector material by absorption of laser energy, thereby defining optical waveguide guiding paths immediately beneath the grooves due to localized change of index of refraction.

Abstract: A patient weighing system for automatically providing a visual display of stantaneous patient weight includes a bed assembly for receiving the patient which is supported by weight responsive means producing analog signals as a function of instantaneous total weight. The analog signals are converted to commensurate digital signals. A first storage register stores the digital signal representative of the weight of the bed assembly without the patient. A second storage register stores the digital signals representative of the total weight of the bed assembly including the patient. A difference digital signal is developed which is representative of the difference between the digital signals stored in the first and second storage registers, providing a net or remainder digital signal which is a function of patient weight.

Abstract: An electro-optical system for performing matrix-vector multiplication includes a mask having a plurality of elements of substantially equal resolution area disposed in a matrix of M rows and N columns, each element containing recorded discrete information as defined by its degree of opacity which is representative of a predetermined mathematical value in a known matrix. A light source is positioned to illuminate the mask and has its intensity modulated as a function of the sequential values in a N X 1, vector. A multiple photo-responsive array including M elements disposed in a column is positioned to receive the light energy transmitted by the illuminated mask and generates signals at each element commensurate with the instantaneous photo energy received at its position.

Abstract: A digital display system is provided for visually indicating the amplitude of a received signal. A plurality of reference signals incrementally graduated from a low amplitude to a high amplitude is applied as first inputs to a polarity of comparators and the received signal as applied as the second input. The comparators produce an output of polarity commensurate with the instantaneous difference between its inputs and a plurality of series-connected light emitting means, each connected between the outputs of two adjacent comparators, is responsive to a predetermined electrical potential for generating light energy so that the instantaneous amplitude level of the received signal is visually indicated by the actuation of a single such light emitting means at a time.

Abstract: A modulator and switch for optical energy includes an optical waveguide dning a path for the propagation of optical energy, a source of microwave energy, and at least one strip transmission line disposed in co-directional proximity relative to the optical waveguide and connected to the source of microwave energy. The strip transmission line is designed to have dimensions and dielectric constants for producing a propagation velocity of the microwave energy substantially equal to the propagation velocity of the optical energy in the optical waveguide. A suitable microwave load is connected to the transmission line for completing an electrical circuit with the source of microwave energy.

Abstract: Two light paths are disposed to induce resonant coupling of light energy from one path to the other. Electrodes connected to an electrical source are positioned relative to the two light paths and to develop electric fields which inhibit the resonant coupling from one light path to the other. A photoconductive region is positioned in one of the two light paths or in an additional third light path so that transmission of light energy through the photoconductive material produces a lowered resistance path between the electrodes, substantially diminishing the potential across the electrodes, and causing commensurate dimunition of the electric fields so that resonant coupling is inhibited between the resonantly coupled optical paths. Three light paths may be employed to provide an optical AND gate while two light paths can be arranged to provide an optical OR gate.

Abstract: A system for locating breaks in fiber optic filaments employs light energy ulses which are controlled to be emitted at determinable times and directed along the light path of the fiber optic filaments under test. A pulse detector is positioned to receive any reflected pulse light energy from the fiber optic filaments and an indicator is responsive for indicating the elapsed time between the emission of the pulses and the reception of the reflected pulse light energy, preferably calibrated in terms of distance to establish the location of breaks in the fiber optics line.

Abstract: A radiometer is mounted in a guided missile for detecting electro-magnetic hermal power in the microwave region of the spectrum radiated from an area of suspected targets with circuitry coupled thereto to respond to a predetermined change in level of radiation to generate a warhead fuzing signal.

Abstract: Light energy is coupled between a first optical path including a first chel optical waveguide defined by a selected material diffused into a substrate and a second optical path including a second channel optical waveguide defined by a selected material diffused into the same substrate. The two channel optical waveguides are disposed in substantially non-coupling, co-extensive proximity on the substrate. An area of the same substrate between the two channel optical waveguides is diffused with a material for inducing a determinable degree of coupling between the two optical waveguides but is of insufficient depth of diffusion to support light wave propagation in and of itself in the manner of an optical waveguide. By selectively and controllably varying the amount of diffusion between the channel optical waveguide optimum efficiency of coupling may be achieved therebetween with a desirably high degree of precision through the use of relatively simple and inexpensive fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A electronic system develops a rotating raster scan in synchronism with a tating image enabling a stationary image sensor to generate video signals for producing an erect, non-rotating image at a remote location. Sine and cosine signals are synchronously developed with the rotation of the image as a function of the instantaneous angle of the rotation. The sine and cosine signals are combined with linear vertical and horizontal sawtooth deflection signals and applied to the deflection means of the stationary image sensor to produce an erect, non-rotating video image on the face of a remote cathode ray tube display.

Abstract: A passive frequency-selective optical coupler comprises first and second dielectric waveguides disposed in proximate (preferably parallel) spatial disposition relative to each other. A phase propagation constant at a known frequency is common to guided modes of both dielectric waveguides while the phase propagation constants of the guided modes at all other frequencies are different. The portion of the waveguides which are arranged in proximate spatial disposition extends over a sufficient length for selectively coupling light energy between the two dielectric waveguides at the known frequency only, without coupling a significant amount of light energy at any other frequencies.

Abstract: An improved read-only optical memory system is provided comprising a mask ving a plurality of discrete increments of recorded information defined by variations in opacity and a suitable light source positioned to illuminate the mask so that the mask transmits recorded information in the form of light energy in accordance with the opacity of the illuminated discrete increments. A multiple element photo responsive charge coupled device is positioned to receive the light energy transmitted by the illuminated mask and has its elements arrayed for developing a charge at each element position commensurate with the photo energy transmitted by an optically aligned discrete increment of the mask.

Abstract: A time delay period between a first signal and a delayed second signal is iminated, restoring the original time relationship between the two signals as derived from a common trigger signal which may vary in its repetition rate. Known, uniform time increments are defined by a constant frequency source producing pulses connectable to both a static shift register having a predetermined number of bits, and a counter having its maximum cumulative count set at the sum of the predetermined number of bits in the shift register and the number of uniform time increments in the time delay period between the first and second signals. The common trigger signal is operative to simultaneously connect the source of clocking pulses to actuate both the shift register and the counter. Upon reception the delayed second signal is connected to the input of the shift register and upon reaching the maximum cumulative count of the counter, the clocking pulses are disconnected from both the shift register and the counter.

Abstract: Matrix-vector multiplication is accomplished by continuous wave polarized ght energy transmitted along a plurality of optical waveguides through modulation by a first optical modulator in response to a column vector type input signal and additional modulation by a second optical modulator in response to a row vector type input signal. The resultant modulated light energy outputs are received by a polarization analyzer for transforming modulations in polarization and phase to commensurate amplitude modulations. A photo-responsive storage and integrating means receives the light energy associated with each of the optical waveguides and develops a cumulative signal representative of the matrix-vector multiplication.