Abstract: A continuous wave laser based on the electronic I*(2P½)?I(2P 3/2) transition of atomic iodine at 1.315 microns from the NCl(a1?)+I(2P 3/2) energy transfer reaction using a transverse flow device having gas flow from an upstream subsonic combustor section through a converging-diverging supersonic slit nozzle to a downstream supersonic section and an intersecting optical resonator. Laser operation is achieved through the transformation of the gas phase chemical reagents, D2 (deuterium), F2 (fluorine), NF3 (nitrogen trifluoride), DCl (deuterium chloride) HI (hydrogen iodide) in the subsonic section and HN3 (hydrogen azide) in the supersonic section.

Abstract: A tape-spring shaped, articulating member used in deployable structures having a resilient, compliant hinge region and rigid non-hinge regions, thereby enabling a smaller fold radius and greater packaging efficiency. The increased compliance in the hinge region may be obtained by using a more compliant material in the hinge region or reducing the cross-sectional area in the hinge region. The hinge region may be reinforced with integrated shape memory alloy features serving as folding mandrels, to enhance structural stiffness and strength performance of the hinge, and to exhibit authority over the rate and sequencing of strain release when deployed.

Abstract: An in-fiber optical isolator for high-power operation using two kinds of fiber, not including the active fiber where laser gain occurs. A hi-birefringence passive fiber with a tilted Bragg grating is connected to the active fiber at one end with the connection region stripped and potted to remove pump and s-polarized signals. The other end of the hi-bi fiber is fusion spliced to a low-birefringence fiber and oriented so that the birefringent axes are parallel. The low-bi fiber then passes straight through a gap in a linear magnetic array calculated to cause a 45 degree Faraday rotation. The far end of the low-bi fiber is connected to another hi-birefringence passive fiber with a tilted Bragg grating but with the birefringent axes of the hi-bi rotated by 45 degrees with respect to those of the low-bi fiber. Backward light transmitted by the second Bragg grating will then be removed by the first Bragg grating.

Abstract: A method for producing center-tapped and non-center-tapped full wave bridge rectifiers suitable for low-voltage high-current operation by simultaneously winding a plurality of identical secondary coil sections around a primary coil using on a prearranged secondary foil conductor and insulation ensemble and equivalent circuit connections.

Abstract: The approximate radius of curvature of the spherical phase front at the aperture of a transmitting microwave antenna is controlled by an inner section of the aperture attached to the outer section of the aperture by a small number of programmable transducers, thereby controlling the near field shape and power distribution of the transmitted beam.

Abstract: The maximum peak power density of an aperture antenna that occurs in the near field region relative to the average power density concentration at other ranges within the entire near field is increased by lowering the aspect ratio of the aperture antenna, whereby the transmitter power can be increased and the operating range and performance of the system improved for applications that operate in the near field.

Abstract: A safety welding cart structure having a metal box for holding pressurized gas cylinders, a firewall separating the cylinders, individual clamping devices to secure the cylinders, and shelves extending from the back of the box forming a cart set upon a four-wheeled base, which includes two positive-locking swivel casters. The regulators are contained within a ventilated cabinet and the hoses are wound about a reel.

Abstract: A high-power relativistic magnetron wherein the cathode geometry is shaped to form a DC electric field that has a non-negligible azimuthal component causing preferential selection of the pi mode at startup (suppression of mode competition), a significant increase in radiated power output and time integrated efficiency when compared to standard relativistic magnetron cathode designs.

Abstract: A launch vehicle payload fairing incorporating hollow cavities filled with an aerated fluid for the reduction of acoustic noise during launch. The fairing may also include a fluid ejection system for subsequent weight reduction.

Abstract: A coherent laser beam combining system wherein the output of a single master oscillator is split into a plurality of signals, the signals are electronically modulated at unique frequencies. One signal is designated a reference signal while the remaining signals are passed through phase adjusters. All signals are optically amplified, aligned and passed through a beam splitter to split off a small sample that is imaged onto a photodetector. The photodetector output is fed to a signal processor that produces phase error signals that drive the phase adjusters resulting in a high-powered optically coherent output signal.

Abstract: A coherent laser beam combining system wherein the output of a single master oscillator is split into a plurality of signals, the signals are electronically modulated at unique frequencies. One signal is designated a reference signal while the remaining signals are passed through phase adjusters. All signals are optically amplified, aligned and passed through a beam splitter to split off a small sample that is imaged onto a photodetector. The photodetector output is fed to a signal processor that produces phase error signals that drive the phase adjusters resulting in a high-powered optically coherent output signal.

Abstract: Single transverse mode fiber amplifier and laser operation is obtained with a multi-mode signal core surrounded by cladding containing irregular microstructuring that causes loss in all of the core modes except the fundamental while maintaining robust guiding of the fundamental mode resulting in higher fiber laser power capacity.

Abstract: A modified photonic crystal fiber yielding a higher peak power for a given maximum intensity. The multi-mode signal core has a depressed index of refraction that pushes the mode distribution to the core edges while a pattern of larger air holes is used to flatten the mode distribution. The core is further surrounded by tuned cladding elements defined by a pattern of smaller air holes that cause loss in all of the core modes except the fundamental while maintaining robust guiding of the fundamental mode.

Abstract: A coherent laser beam combining system wherein the output of a single master oscillator is split into a plurality of N signals, and the N signals are electronically modulated at unique frequencies. There is no reference signal and all of the signals are passed through phase adjusters. All N signals are optically amplified, aligned and passed through a beam splitter to split off a small sample that is imaged onto a photodetector. The photodetector output is fed to a signal processor that separates the N signals and produces N phase error signals that drive the N phase adjusters resulting in a high-powered optically coherent output signal.

Abstract: A trenching tool attachable to the bucket of a front-end loader that is pushed through the soil parallel to the surface having an inclined plate to guide the soil into the bucket.

Abstract: A method for solving a wide variety of linear partial differential equations by exploiting the normally undesirable parasitic resistances present in flexible digital switching components. The terminal relationships of these field programmable interconnect devices can be manipulated under program control to directly mimic the nodal relationships defined in finite difference method models of a partial difference equation problem. Adding analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converters (“ADCs/DACs”) to automate the solution process can extend the method of analog equation solving. It is also possible to segment larger problems using this approach, feeding sections into the device and injecting/capturing voltages as appropriate to produce an overall solution that will eventually converge after a number of presentation/solution sub-cycles.

Abstract: A lightweight self-contained vibro-acoustic device is disclosed for dissipating low frequency vibration and acoustic energy within the payload fairing of launch vehicles. The device can be mounted on the interior surfaces of a fairing and adaptively tuned to match targeted structural and acoustic dynamics using electronic feedback loops.

Abstract: An optical quality, freestanding, compliant membrane mirror is cast with a concave parabolic shape, and includes a substrate and a reflective stress coating. The stress coating is in compression and applies a tensile shear stress to the substrate that opposes and offsets the intrinsic stress in the substrate that would otherwise decrease the concavity. The stress coating generates a force to restore the membrane mirror to its cast concave parabolic shape when an external force deforms the mirror.

Abstract: A multiplexing device using N-stages of double-coated planar glass mirrors or coated mirror pairs to coherently combine the output of 2N narrow-bandwidth, diffraction-limited, polarized, and phase-locked optical beams to produce a single diffraction-limited beam with a power close to 2N times that of a single beam. A multiplexer system is also disclosed to control the relative phases of the 2N beams used in conjunction with the multiplexing device.

Abstract: A method for maximum power transmission through a turbulent medium using the minimum size telescope aperture. Two telescopes are both equipped with an adaptive optical system to correct the aberrations observed on the received beam, at the same time pre-compensating an outgoing laser beam for the effects of atmospheric turbulence. By iterating back and forth between the planes of the two telescopes, maximum power is transmitted between the two telescopes.