Abstract: Circuitry and method to enhance the infrared illumination of nearby obstas detected by lidar, radar and passive IR detectors on low flying high speed aircraft.

Abstract: An illuminated sign device is disclosed includes a triangular housing with pper and lower surfaces between which is coupled a back surface, a front left surface, and front right surface. A light bulb provides illumination and is positioned within the housing. A mesh and ventilation holes are integral with the upper and lower surfaces respectively for allowing heat transfer from the illumination source by convection to occur through the lower surface, within the housing, and out through the upper surface. A double glass pane within the front left and front right surface allows the sign to be protected on both sides of an at least semi-opaque sign and positions the sign within the front left and front right surfaces such that the sign is at least partially viewable from any approach angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides layered polymeric media to control the spatial and spectral distribution of energy in optical beams, particularly high intensity, broadband, multi-line laser beams. This structure is an improved version of prior art thin-film (vaccum deposited) interference filters and "rugate" structure filters.

Abstract: The invention is related to electronic and more specifically to photo-electronic devices manufactured by means of thin film layering techniques. The invention proposes the use of polymer, copolymer, polyamide and similar organic casting materials, in layers 500 to 10,000 angstroms thick, as protective barriers between layers where the processing of one layer would be adversely affected by or would damage an adjacent previously formed layer.

Abstract: In order to protect a delicate photo-detector from high-intensity optical radiation such as from a laser, a device for limiting power to the detector is interposed between the radiation and detector. This device has two embodiments and is made such that high-intensity radiation is totally reflected. In the absence of high-intensity radiation, total reflection is frustrated, and desired radiation passes to the detector. Both embodiments use two prisms with parallel surfaces skewed to incident radiation and with a slightly absorbant optical material between the surfaces. Desired radiation normally passes through the prisms and the material to the detector. In one embodiment, the material is a liquid which vaporizes in response to high-intensity radiation, and in the other embodiment, the material expands and pushes the prisms apart. In either case, transmission of radiation halts, and the radiation is totally reflected by a prism skewed surface.

Abstract: A technique for fabrication of thin-film bolometric materials for use in -ohm resistance multi-detector devices. A group IB periodic table element is reactively co-sputtered with small amounts of a dopant in a reduced gas atmosphere. The reactive co-sputtering is achieved in an oxygen containing atmosphere, where the dopant has an oxide that is highly temperature dependent with an electrical resistance that varies in accordance with the oxide content of the dopant. A reduced electrical resistance of the resultant doped material is achieved.

Abstract: The invention provides an array of standard infrared aiming lights mounted n an aircraft and used occasionally by pilots wearing infrared goggles to enhance perception of terrain features on low flying missions.

Abstract: A feedback control system utilizing optimal signal acquisition for an auttic real-time sensing system. A sensor generates a continuous train of sensor output signals which are sampled. A histogram is determined from that sample and processed utilizing a digital transinformation technique. A feedback signal is achieved that is used to adjust a control signal of the sensor.

Abstract: A multi-cable storage and retrieval device including a housing, multi-cable pool inside the housing, and lockable handle coupled to the spool which projects out one side of the housing. The multi-cable spool includes a spindle with at least two disks centered on the spindle for separating the various cables.

Abstract: A visor adaptor assembly for use in conjunction with an aviator's helmet pted for supporting a helmet sighting system and night vision enhancement device. A support with vertical slot is adaptable to be mounted on a helmet and further includes a connector partially projecting through the slot with a connector extension coupled to the connector. A visor extension is connected to the connector which is coupled to an aviator's visor and a position adjustment nut is releasably coupled to the connector extension. Manual adjustment of the nut along the vertical slot adjusts the aviator's visor vertically within the support.

Abstract: A battery holder with a housing with common terminals on a closed end and ng elements on an open end to releasably connect a cap to the housing. A support element and electrical connecting elements allow for the adaptive support of different sized batteries.

Abstract: An assembly for adaptably mounting observation equipment where the assembly s mated to an existing hole pattern on a vehicle. The assembly includes an adapter plate with holes for mating and a clamp ring for releasably mounting observation equipment to the plate. The vehicle may be a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle and the observation equipment may include night vision equipment.

Abstract: A multiple output wavelength laser and technique for generating multiple put laser wavelengths from a solid state lasing material. The solid state material must be able to lase at multiple nonoverlapping transitions such that there are no losses due to gain competition or divided output power.

Abstract: An interface adapter assembly for adaptably mounting observation equipment. n adapter plate assembly and shield base assembly adaptably mount the observation equipment to an attached mounting. A shield assembly is provided that is coupled to the shield base assembly which protects what is mounted on the shield base assembly.

Abstract: For an optical sensor having a cylindrical housing and mounted on the houg axis, a mounting plug which carries a detector diode and detector amlifier, threadedly engages the housing, and temporarily engages a removeable adjusting tool.

Abstract: An improved infrared detector element and an improved method for manufacturing same is provided. A commercially available rough art wafer of ferroelectric material is ion milled under conditions which provide an extremely thin element with a near flawless detection surface.

Abstract: An accessory lens for a far-infrared thermal imager which is quickly insted or removed to double the range. The accessory uses two or three element with alternating dielectric constants and combinations of spherical and aspherical surfaces.

Abstract: A stabilized local oscillator frequency for heterodyne laser sensors comped of an acousto-optic crystal which provides a constant frequency offset f.sub.1, to a portion of laser transmitter power at frequency f.sub.0, for injection locking a separate local oscillator connected to a detector which simultaneously mixes f.sub.1 with the return signal f.sub.0 from a target. The detector outputs the difference frequency between f.sub.0 -f.sub.1 which is processed for the desired information. Proper local oscillator tuning is maintained through the use of a piezo-electric translator regulating the axial length of the local oscillator.

Abstract: A laser beam is frequency shifted for use in a laser radar ranging system driving a single optical modulator with multiple drivers to produce several frequency shifted drive frequencies. The shifted beam is transmitted to and from a target via an afocal lens. The return reflected beam, which includes phase shifted information is mixed in a detector with the local oscillator frequency to remove the local oscillator frequency. The electrical output from the detector is filtered by bandpass filters and phase detected in a signal processor to obtain range information.

Abstract: Curved thermal objects emit infrared energy with different ratios of ordiy-to-extraordinary polarizations compared to flat thermal objects. The invention takes advantage of this by taking the sum or difference of or between thermal images for two different polarization images of a scene. The curved objects are enhanced with respect to the remainder of the scene on a viewer.