Abstract: An infrared (IR) detector device comprised of a solid state, radiation ha and high resolution monolithic IR focal plane array for imaging applications. The monolithic IR focal plane array has a heterostructure injection scheme that prevents charge coupled device (CCD) "well filling" by using a heterojunction barrier between the absorber, or detector layer, and the transfer layer. Injection of signal charge into a CCD multiplexer is controlled by establishing a punch through condition between the absorber layer and the CCD channel. The detector layer and the CCD multiplexer are on different planes of the focal plane array.

Abstract: An automatic responsivity compensator for correcting video output signals om a CCD multiplexer in a cryogenic dewar in IR imaging systems wherein the CCD multiplexer must operate with fixed gain inputs from a plurality of linear detector channels. The automatic responsivity compensator is comprised of a signal reference that is normalized with what the output voltage should be when looking at a fixed temperature source in the field of view of the detectors and which further provides a voltage reference for automatic gain adjustment for each detector channel to normalize and equalize the responsivity of the detectors. The automatic responsivity compensator may be either a feedback system as a direct gain control means of a controllable gain amplifier or may be a feedback system operating on the output from a constant gain amplifier wherein either feedback system equalizes the responsivity of the detectors.

Abstract: A technique for DC restoration in AC coupled display systems which includes istogramming, more specifically calculation of histogram values, of the difference in gray levels between two adjacent picture lines on a picture element by picture element (PIXEL-by-PIXEL) basis. The gray level obtaining the maximum number of occurrences is considered the mode of the histogram values. This mode used as an addition factor to every PIXEL of one of the lines, to add a predominating background level or DC component thereto, which is used to create the difference of gray levels between the next two adjacent picture lines. This addition sequence is carried on throughout the entire image frame.

Abstract: A high strength and serrated edge extended leakage path ceramic tube wall r high voltage tube device, such as a proximity focused image intensifier, and method of making same. The ceramic may be comprised of a ceramic particle slurry made of high density alumina in a glass binder wherein the slurry is ultrasonically compacted against ultrasmooth mold walls in the uncured state. The mold may be formed by using a highly polished preshaped, positive, made of a metal such as brass, and then removing the positive. The mold may be further processed by electrodepositing a metal, such as nickel or nickel alloys, onto the positive to produce an ultrasmooth surface. The mold may be made of a vinyl polymer type thermoplastic. The inside of the mold takes up the smooth surface characteristics of the positive that is, in turn, transferred to the uncured ceramic when sufficiently pressed and compacted by the ultrasonically compacting step. The uncured ceramic is then pre-baked at about 350.degree. C.

Abstract: Minature video-type display comprised of an otherwise normal microchannel ate (MCP) image intensifier wafer tube which uses, instead of the normal input faceplate having a uniform photocathode, a video-driven one-dimensional electroluminescent array on the output surface thereof and an orthogonal one-dimensional photocathode array mounted on the inner surface thereof. The fiber optic faceplate contains vacuum feed-throughs for the cathode array elements.

Abstract: A unitube that is used in intensified charge transfer devices (ICTDs) hav a semiconductor charge transfer device in proximity focus with the photocathode. The unitube is comprised of a tube base section having a centrally raised portion where the charge transfer device (CTD) is internally mounted directly thereon and of an external open space for the mounting of a thermoelectric (TE) cooler for cooling the semiconductor CTD.The CTD has a grounded metal shield overlapping its outer portion to avoid high voltage break down in the area between the high voltage photocathode and the CTD. The base may be brazed to one end of the image intensifier tube wall by a Kovar ring. The faceplate may be attached to the other end of the image intensifier by a blunt or knife edge type indium seal.

Abstract: A flip-header for mounting a charge transfer device, such as CCD, CTD, seonductor diode arrays and the like, thereon to a ceramic tube base of an image intensifier tube and variations of the basic tube configurations to accommodate proximity focus of the photocathode and the charge transfer device. The flip-header with the charge transfer devices mounted thereon are separately prebaked at a lower temperature than the other portions of the tube assembly, namely the tube base, tube body, and the faceplate. The flip-header is then set inside the tube.

Abstract: An orthogonal active-passive array pair matrix display comprised of two oogonal one-dimensional array displays. The output from an active display, which is formed of parallel individually controlled light emitting lines, is seen through a passive display, which is formed of parallel individually controlled light controlling lines. The passive light controlling lines are orthogonal to the active light emitting lines.

Abstract: A color capability flat panel display comprised of the combination of two mi-independent linear displays. One of the displays is an active light emitting linear display and the other display is a passive light modulating linear display wherein both of the linear displays are orthogonally aligned on opposite sides of an optically thin dielectric spacer. The active display may be an electroluminescent panel comprised of opaque linear electrodes on the back side and a common transparent electrode that is contiguous with the dielectric spacer on the front side. A plurality of vertical color electroluminescent phosphor stripes are sandwiched between the horizontal electrodes and the transparent electrode. The passive display is comprised of electronic birefringent electro-optical material having linear interdigital surface electrodes thereon sandwiched between two orthogonal dichroic polarizers.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) borescope device and a method of its use in the boresight lignment of small caliber weapons. The borescope device has a tapered or expandable mandrel for fitting into the muzzle end of a weapon and a housing containing an IR phosphor covered reticle on one side of a light transparent substrate for converting an IR aiming light beam from an IR aiming light mounted on the weapon into a visible spot of light. The housing also contains a collimating optic means for collecting the IR aiming light beam. The IR aiming light beam is aligned on the IR phosphor covered reticle by adjustment of the azimuth and elevation adjustments on the IR aiming light.

Abstract: A scatter shield and weapon aiming light arrangement wherein the scatter eld is attached to an output end of an aiming light for narrowing the output light beam therefrom. The scatter shield is comprised of a cluster of thin walled, adjacent geometrically shaped tubular sections that are contained in a rigid outer shell and whose internal walls are finished with a flat black, nonreflective coating. The length-to-diameter ratio of the tubular sections of various scatter shields may be chosen to reduce light scatter from the light beam from over a wide angle of about 180.degree. down to only a few degrees.

Abstract: The invention comprises the closer positioning of a conventional telescopic ens, i.e., afocal lens, to a conventional optical scanner in such a combination as to minimize the required scanner mirror size and weight thereby improving scan efficiency, while also reducing physical size and thus the power requirement for driving the scanner mirror. The exit pupil of the telescopic lens is moved to a position close to the center of scanner wheel so that the incoming ray bundle follows the facets of the scanner mirror as it moves through a detector means field-of-view.

Abstract: An improved solid state pyroelectric imaging system having readout of the cture elements of the pyroelectric disc in a plurality of parallel readout channels. Each picture element of a given line is sequentially connected through photoconductive switches to an amplifier and a display device.

Abstract: A solid state pyroelectric detector readout device comprised of a two dimensional pyroelectric detector array which is interfaced with an array of solid state readout charge coupled devices (CCDs). The interfaced portion is comprised of current regulating means for eliminating the scene background flux and for maximizing the dynamic range of said device.

Abstract: A silicon-on-sapphire, or silicon-on-spinel (SOS), epitaxial detector and readout structure and method of preparation. The present structure comprises silicon devices formed on sapphire, or spinel, substrates in which delineated silicon detectors, and electrically and optically isolated charge-coupled devices (CCDs), are used for signal readout from the detectors. The structure may be placed at the focal plane of an imaging infrared (IR) system for signal readout therefrom.

Abstract: A thermoelectric voltage generator utilizing heat from a vehicle exhaust to rovide a differential temperature through a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprised of serially connected alternate N- and P-type semiconductors having alternate electrical contacts between adjacent elements at a hot side and at a cold side to produce electrical energy in accordance with the Seebeck effect and in which the electrical energy is applied to an external device by way of connections at opposite ends of said plurality of thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: A silicon-on-sapphire, or silicon-on-spinel (SOS), epitaxial detector and readout structure and method of preparation. The present structure comprises silicon devices formed on sapphire, or spinel, substrates in which delineated silicon detectors, and electrically and optically isolated charge-coupled devices (CCDs), are used for signal readout from the detectors. The structure may be placed at the focal plane of an imaging infrared (IR) system for signal readout therefrom.

Abstract: A means for expanding the dynamic range of a forward looking infrared (FL video processing system by inserting an automatic low frequency gain limiting and first post amplifier circuit means at the output of the preamplifiers in each video channel to provide variable pedestal limiting of the low frequency components of the video signal. The automatic low frequency gain limiting and first post amplifier circuit means compresses the pedestal of signals derived from smoke, dust, or fire to arbitrary small levels to preserve sufficient dynamic range for enhancing the high frequency detail signal riding on the pedestals at a display.

Abstract: A split cycle cooler having two free moving in-line regenerator-displacers, ne within the other in which the one functions to produce a precooled volume for the other, wherein both are controlled by two pneumatic pistons operating against two pneumatic spring volumes. The device provides refrigeration of small heat loads to cryogenic temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus that uses waste heat from an internal combustion engine to de a heat engine which provides a mechanical output therefrom to drive automotive accessories. A Stirling engine is used as the heat engine.