Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the surface contour of an aspheric optical surface 36. This is accomplished by splitting a single coherent beam of light into two individual beams with one beam tilted with respect to the other. The degree of tilt is adjusted until a single interference fringe is observed. This single fringe is then directed onto the aspheric surface 36 under test by means of a focusing lens 30. By the use of a beam spliter 24 the reflected fringe is then directed onto a multi-element optical detector 40 . The shape of the fringe reflected onto the detector 40 corresponds to the shape of the aspheric surface 36. A phase modulating mirror 26 is then moved to increase or decrease the path length of one of the two interfering beams of light. This results in sweeping the fringe across the entire aspheric surface 36 so that the entire aspheric surface 36 can be measured. The result is an easy to perform measurement of the aspheric surface 36 which is close to diffraction limited.

Abstract: Layers (12, 14) of a multilayer flexible cable (10) are directed about a bend (22), so that the layers are configured into inner (12) and outer (14) layers. Differently configured spacers (20, 72, 74, 76) are placed between the respective layers at the bend for guiding the outer layer in a path (24) which follows the bend and for guiding the inner layer or layers in a path (26) or paths which is or are generally reversely directed from that of the outer layer.

Abstract: A retainer (10) mechanically and thermally couples an electronic cardboard (12) to a heatsink (14) between first and second continuous surfaces (30, 38) of walls (26, 28) on a base (22). Clamping is effected by moving a pair of wedges (54) and (56) and their slanted surfaces (58, 60) against corresponding slated surfaces (42, 44) of a clamping block (36). The clamping block has an oblique surface (40) which cooperates with a surface (32) on wall (28) to move the block and its surface (38) toward surface (30), thus clamping the card at both surfaces in tight mechanical and thermal contact.

Abstract: A shaker table (10) includes a table base (12) mounted upon isolating supports (32) and vibrated by vibrators (34, 36). The vibration is conveyed through and damped in a flexure member (16) comprising pairs (26, 28) of honeycomb layers (18, 20, 22, 24) joined and bonded together by sheets (42) utilizing beads of elastomeric adhesive which space the honeycomb layers apart. A segmented top plate (14) is secured to the topmost honeycomb layer and is divided into a plurality of sections or segments (68-82) for separate resonances. In this way, highly damped vibrational resonances of table top plate (14) are obtained.

Abstract: A non-relayed optical system is used off-axis in both aperture and field angle relative to an optical axis (32), and employs three reflective lens elements (34, 36, 38). The system is useful for viewing radiation from a distant object, the radiation allowed to enter the system through an opening in a real and accessible entrance pupil (44) that is disposed in front of a concave primary mirror (34). Because the entrance pupil of the system is real and not virtual, the aperture stop of the system is coincident with the entrance pupil, resulting in a significant reduction in beam wander about the front of the optical system. The real entrance pupil of the system also allows the system to be utilized for applications where it is required that the system view distant objects by means of a small viewing port, window or object space scan mirror.

Abstract: An optical sensor system (10), including a two degree of freedom gyro (32) and a beam expander (38) having a predetermined magnification level, is rigidly secured internally to a housing (20). Also mounted within the housing is a prime sensor beam expander (14, 16), having a magnification level equal to that of the gyro beam expander, and a prime sensor detector (30) which form a primary sensor optical path. A steering mirror (24) is interposed between the gyro and prime sensor beam expander. An autocollimator (50), including an angle detector (56), is secured internally to the housing and projects a light beam off one surface (25) of the steering mirror onto the gyro rotor (34), the position of the stabilized reflected light beam being adjusted with respect to a null point on the autocollimator sensor thus to control the steering mirror and, accordingly, to stabilize the primary optical path with respect to the target being detected.

Abstract: In a system for imaging radiation of a subject (14), particularly infrared radiation, the radiation scanned past a set of detectors (12), each of which produces an output signal amplified by an individual amplifying channel. Each amplifying channel includes a forward amplifier (38) and a feedback amplifier (50), the latter driving a diode (46) to limit excursion of a detector signal to an amplitude which is sufficiently small to avoid saturation of the forward amplifier. The forward amplifier (38) is AC coupled between a detector (12) and an output display (18), the limiting action of the diode (46) preventing the buildup of excessive charge on the coupling capacitors (40, 42), thereby to permit a viewing of fine detail superposed on coarse detail of the subject being viewed. A low-pass filter (48) in the feedback branch provides a delayed response to the limiting action which permits the passage of high-frequency detail to be imaged on the display (18).

Abstract: Spectral analyzer and direction indicator systems (10,20,30,40,50) are disclosed and include optical elements (11,17,27b,33b,35b,39b) for providing optical information which depend on incidence direction and spectral content, and further includes optical elements (23,27a,33a,35a,39a) for providing non-diffracted optical information which depend on incidence direction. The respective optical information as detected by detector arrays (15,21,25,31,37) are utilized together to provide information for specifically identifying spectral content and incidence direction of collimated or nearly collimated radiation.

Abstract: A spectral analyzer and direction indicator and direction indicator (10,20) is disclosed and includes reflection gratings (13,15,25,27,37,39), associated optical systems (17,19,29,33,41,45) and associated detectors (21,23,31,35,43,47,30). The reflection gratings (13,15,25,27,37,39) are arranged to provided angles of diffraction which are utilized to determine spectral content and incidence direction of collimated or essentially collimated incident radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-axis optical inertial reference system wherein the rotor (12) of a gyro (10) is utilized as a stable reference. A surface (19) of the rotor is made reflective. Sighting on the reference is provided through a window (18) in the gyro case, (16) to access rotor reflective surface (19) the gyro case being hard mounted to a moving surface in the coarse gimbal of the system, since the gyro rotor has a finite angle of travel with respect to the case. A stabilized inertial platform (gyro rotor (12)) is achieved without the need of intermediate servoed gimbals. The gyro torquers are used to precess the rotor's spin axis to provide a means for slewing the spin axis and, hence, the optical system's line-of-sight (60) to the desired direction of the optical system. Specific embodiments for obtaining the required reference beam are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved laser rod cooling system in which a laser rod (18) is cooled by conducting the heat generated thereby to a flexible, cushioning gel (21) which surrounds and contacts the rod along its length and secures the rod within a fully enclosing support (22). The support is thermally conductive and transparent to the pumping energy from a flashlamp (12). The gel material absorbs differential thermal expansion between the rod and its support to avoid any stresses otherwise exerted on the rod, while the complete surrounding of the rod by the support minimizes thermal gradients within the rod. Thus, a light beam with minimal optical distortion is generated by the laser rod.

Abstract: A die (40) for extrusion of optical grade fibers has its hard insert (42) placed under compression within a sleeve (44). Sleeve (44) is provided with a tapered interior surface (50) which matches the tapered exterior surface (48) of the insert (42). A metal lubricating layer (60) is provided between the tapered surfaces. The insert is pressed in to obtain compressive prestressing thereof, and the lubricating metal diffuses at the tapered surfaces to lock the insert in the sleeve.

Abstract: The axial position of the fiber is controlled in three grinding or polishing stages. The fiber (72) is first ground flush with the guide (120) in which it is housed. The fiber end and face of the guide are then ground flat and square. The fiber is thereafter polished to its optical quality and required length. The tool for accomplishing these steps includes a retainer (74) which holds the fiber optic ferrule (70) and its optical fiber (72) therein at a tool surface (16). This tool surface is protected by a guard (18) from being too rapidly ground away while the fiber and fiber/guide combination are ground flush with the surface. The surface and its retailed guide and fiber are then moved to an unprotected position (FIG. 3) so that the surface and the fiber within its ferrule may be polished on a suitable polishing wheel or similar device.

Abstract: A one-piece socket contact (20) for removable emplacement within a cavity (56) of a receptacle connector (10) comprises a pair of tuning-fork shaped tapered tines (34), an upstanding support (40) and a common connection there amongst to form therefrom a generally parallel cantilevered tripartite tine-support structure. A hood (48) is provided with a bevelled, oval-shaped opening (50) which overlies the tines to compensate for mismatch between an engaging pin contact with the socket contact. Compensation is afforded either by the elongated major axis of the oval-shaped opening or by the ability of the hood to deflect along the opening's minor axis. The contact is retained by engagement between a retention tab (54) and an opening (70). An anti-flotation engagement occurs between spurs (30) and a cavity wall.