Abstract: A technique for optical non-uniformity correction of a focal plane imaging ystem wherein incoming objective scene light rays impinging on each detector in a focal plane array is corrected on a pixel-by-pixel basis by optical correction means from a separate optical source. The optical correction means is comprised of a multiplicative correction means and an additive correction means. The multiplicative correction means is comprised of a responsivity mask positioned on or near the focal plane that provides a multiplicative factor of unity or less to each detector to cause more uniform sensitivity of the detectors. The additive correction means is comprised of the separate optical source that is positioned in a separate optical train and is comprised of an additive optical correction mask aligned with a light source and focusing screen means and image relay that relay the additive optical correction sensitizing illumination onto the focal plane array or the pixel-by-pixel basis.

Abstract: A visible light absorbing and far infrared radiation emitting membrane is closed in an evacuated cell. The membrane consists of a thin insulating film coated with an optical black made from gold alloyed with a small percentage of nickel, copper or palladium. The gold alloy black is deposited in a soft vacuum inert except for a trace of oxygen.

Abstract: A means for training troops to readily identify and successfully engage ey vehicles at night by providing a system simulating the lighting signature patterns of running lights of said enemy vehicles. The simulated running lights may be mounted on a simulated enemy vehicle in the appropriate lighting signature patterns. The simulated enemy vehicle may be a friendly tank or other vehicles, such as jeeps, armored personnel carriers, 3/4-ton vehicles, etc. The simulated running lights may be attached to the friendly vehicle by field expedient tape, wire, screws, etc. and have input power passing through operator dimmer controlled organic dimmer/map light assemblies to adjust the brightness of the running lights in accordance with the brightness of the map light inside the simulated enemy vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microchannel plate-in-wall structure wherein a m portion of a microchannel plate extends through and is permanently sealed to a hollow generally cylindrical glass walled structure which is easily processed into an image intensifier tube, the external terminals of the plate being part of the electrodes deposited thereon.

Abstract: The bracket provides an improved mounting means for conveniently mounting d dismounting an infrared aiming light to a weapon. The bracket has a three point-mounting portion mounted in the weapon handle and a forward and downward angular offset portion extending to an aiming light end of the mounting bracket upon which an infrared aiming light is mounted. The forward and downward angular offset portion conveniently places a dead man switch that is on the front of the infrared aiming light close to the weapon operator's hand so that the operator may simultaneously operate the aiming light while bracing the weapon handle. After zeroing in the beam of the aiming light with the bore of the weapon, the bracket and/or infrared aiming light may be disassembled and reassembled without loss of zero.

Abstract: The day-night sight mounting bracket has a day sight mounted to the weapon andle and specifically has flip out peep-sight and sighting-post on a pivot plate that is connected to a locking bracket that is wedged in the weapon handle. The pivot plate is pivotable on the locking bracket to provide any necessary elevation of the weapon when using the day sight. The locking bracket itself is mounted in the weapon handle by a three point-mounting arrangement that has front and rear pads in a weapon shoe portion of the locking bracket which fit against a foot portion of the weapon handle to form two of the three points. The locking bracket also has a tapered locking pin that fits snugly into a hole in the upper half of the weapon handle by turning a thumb screw that is threadably connected to the locking pin. The locking pin provides the third point of the three point-mounting.

Abstract: An insulating layer on the surface of a slab of photo-responsive semicondor material is treated to produce a pattern of projections or mesas. The treatment includes the steps of producing a mask on the insulating layer using electron-beam lithography, etching holes in the layer through the mask, stripping the mask, and finishing with the usual electrical conductors on the insulating layer. An alternate embodiment etches the surface of the slab to produce a scrabrous surface, then coats with aluminum oxide and electrical conductors.

Abstract: A two chamber vacuum method and apparatus is provided for simultaneously independently preparing image tube components, or the like, with two distinct vacuum environments for separate preparation of the components, and for final assembling of these components in an interconnecting compartment by vacuum sealing.

Abstract: The invention provides a preprocessor using sample-and-hold circuits and lifiers which performs double correlated sampling of the output of a CCD with full efficiency at rates up to those at which these elements can perform individually.

Abstract: A method of making transmission mode glass-sealed negative electron affinity (NEA) gallium arsenide (GaAs) photocathodes, utilizing germanium (Ge) as the seed crystal and multilayers of GaAs and gallium aluminum arsenide (GaAlAs) grown by metal alkyl-hydride vapor-phase epitaxy. The GaAs serves as the photoemitting layer and the GaAlAs serves as the passivating layer. The Ge, GaAs,GaAlAs combination is sealed to a glass support substrate which serves as the input window for the device. Finally, the Ge is removed and the GaAs is activated.

Abstract: An improved diode array and method of manufacture is provided by the diffon of cadmium from an indium-cadmium alloy through a silicon diode mask into bulk indium-antimonide to form a planar structure.

Abstract: A microwave detector and microwave image-to-visible image converter is prded for a microwave receiver which employs an array of electroluminescent devices. Circuit means is also provided to bias these devices close to or beyond the point where they become relaxation oscillators in order to further sensitize them to microwaves. Finally, active optical means is provided to increase the visible intensity and/or contrast of the visible image.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooler having multistage telescoping in-line regenerator-dispers in which the regenerator-displacer stages are progressively smaller from a pressure wave input end to the output cold end. Each stage from the input toward the output functions to produce a plurality of precooled expansion volumes for progressively lowering the temperatures at the input environment of each subsequent regenerator-displacer stage to maintain a temperature of about 8.degree. Kelvin at the output end of the cooler. Cooling concepts in which the multistage telescoping in-line regenerator-displacer may be used are the integral cycle, the split cycle, and dual fluidly control motion cycle.

Abstract: A Stirling Cooler with a three stage cold finger. The finger includes a sped displacer in a stepped cylinder. The cylinder is loosely surrounded by an outer shell, with regenerator material in the space between the outer shell and the cylinder. The displacer-cylinder define three swept expansion spaces each communicating with the regenerator space. Clearance seals exist between the displacer and the cylinder because of small diametrical clearance and long axial length with respect to the diametrical clearance.

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 charged-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: A method of target acquisition and lock-on-launch strike capability of self uided explosive canisters, such as imaging missile systems and imaging artillery projectiles, by launching an imaging sensor platform over the battlefield area and transmitting imagery of the battlefield to an image processing computer system and an image receiving on-board microcomputer. The sensor platform may be an artillery television camera fired over the battlefield and parachute deployed, or an airlift sensor platform aboard a helicopter or the like. The image processing computer system is comprised of an automatic target cueing system and CRT display in which the system displays cued targets on the CRT. The method has an important man-in-the-loop, as a crew-chief, who examines the cued targets on the CRT and eliminates false targets, such as a bush or rock, and annotates selected targets to be struck by the explosive canisters.

Abstract: A collinear aiming light image viewer device in a common housing through ch an observer may view both a target scene and a superimposed collinear aiming light beam within the viewer. The aiming light source is positioned in an offset area of the common housing to project a narrow IR beam off a partially reflective mirror along a portion of the optical axis of the image viewer onto a scene wherein the scene and IR beam images are simultaneously viewed through an image intensifier.

Abstract: A low cost, easily assembled simulated thermal target for use as either a aining device or as a target decoy against an enemy. Various simulated thermal targets may be constructed to appear as enemy tactical vehicles when viewed by thermal images.

Abstract: An objective with two lens elements has a first fully-reflective plane mir between the lens elements, and a second such mirror between the objective and a detector. The outermost lens element and the first mirror are carried in a housing rotatable with respect to another housing carrying the other lens elements and the second mirror. The other housing is rotatable about an axis between the second mirror and the detector. The system may thus do elevation scanning by rotating the first housing, and azimuth scanning by rotating the two housings about the mentioned axis. Image stabilization is accomplished by appropriately stabilizing one or both mirrors.

Abstract: A double-yoke balanced compressor for a cryogenic cooler that has only lir motion imparted to balanced piston and cylinder masses. A piston yoke is driven in the linear stroke direction by a piston axially offset crankshaft cam and a cylinder yoke is driven linearly by a cylinder axially offset crankshaft cam that is exactly offset 180.degree. from the other cam. A large circular bushing in the compressor housing covers the entire outer cylinder head during linear operation to prevent blow by and to guide the cylinder linearly. The lower portion of the piston and cylinder connecting rods fit into linear guides that are further comprised of low molecular weight gas filled cavities to provide additional air bearing smoothness to the linear motion of the piston and cylinder.