Abstract: Intersubband semiconductor lasers (ISLs) are of great interest for mid-infrared (2-20 &mgr;m) device applications. These semiconductor devices have a wide range of applications from pollution detection and industrial monitoring to military functions. ISLs have generally encountered several problems which include slow intrawell intersubband relaxation times due to the large momentum transfer and small wave-function overlap of the initial and final electron states in interwell transitions. Overall, the ISL's of the prior art are subject to weak intersubband population inversion. The semiconductor device of the present invention provides optimal intersubband population inversion by providing a double quantum well active region in the semiconductor device. This region allows for small momentum transfer in the intersubband electron-phonon resonance with the substantial wave-function overlap characteristic of the intersubband scattering.

Abstract: A true time delay system for optical control of a phased array antenna includes a first time delay unit having a pair of parallel end walls having mirrored surfaces facing each other in a zigzag pattern, and an intermediate wall which is substantially parallel to the end walls and has mirrored surfaces on both sides which match the end walls. The intermediate wall also has matching openings in the mirrored surfaces to permit light to pass through the intermediate wall. A displacement unit displaces the intermediate wall relative to the end walls to change the distance that a series of input light beams travels, creating a true time delay between each two consecutive light beams in a first dimension. A second time delay unit receives the output of the first time delay unit, provides a time delay between each two consecutive light beams in a second dimension and outputs light beams having a sequence of time delay in both the first and second dimensions.

Abstract: An electrode for a rechargeable lithium-ion battery is formed by mixing stanous oxide (SnO) and lithium nitride (Li3N) in a stoichiometric ratio of 2 moles of Li3N to 3 moles of SnO to form a mixture, milling the mixture to obtain a milled powder, and processing the milled powder in accordance with an electrode-forming technique. The electrode forming technique can be any one of die pressing, spraying, doctor-blading and rolling. Conductive additives, such as carbon and binders (PVDF, cellulose and Teflon), can be introduced during the processing step. Preferably, the method is carried out in a dry, inert atmosphere of argon or helium. As a result of the invention, a smaller, lighter and more efficient lithium-ion battery is produced.

Abstract: A projectile with an Air Pressure Wave Generator, a battery, fuze, safe and arm system, detonator system, and ancillary circuitry. The Air Pressure Wave Generator contains a supersonic or subsonic nozzle, an ogive, and a secondary propellant chamber, which contains a conventional high explosive and is consistent with the “form-fit” of the weapon rifling system, and designed so as to produce the desired Air Pressure Wave impulse on the target. The projectile also has chemical agent(s) and marker(s) inside the secondary propellant chamber, and/or inside the Air Pressure Wave Generator section that is located intermediate between the nozzle and projectile housing. The types and amounts of chemical agent(s) and marker(s) are consistent with the Air Pressure Wave Generator design to entrap the chemical agent(s) and marker(s) in the core or central section of the APW packet.

Abstract: A phase-locked-loop device for generating an output signal of frequency Fo, n phase-lock with an input signal of frequency Fi, where Fo=N(Fi/M). The invention reduces noise and provides optimal-time frequency switching--settling in one cycle of the phase-detector reference signal by applying a signal shaped like a smooth broad hump to the voltage-controlled oscillator upon a frequency change command. It maintains optimal-time switching by keeping the PLL loop-gain constant. The invention reduces noise by eliminating the so called "dead-zone" in the digital phase-detector.

Abstract: A range correction module which is designed to fit onto a spin stabilized ballistic projectile for correcting range error. The range correction module is a self-contained module within the fuze which screws into the forward portion of the projectile. The range correction module is designed such that changes are not required to the existing projectile. During the course correction phase, semi-circular plates will deploy from the module. The plates create a blunt cross-sectional area in front of the projectile, thus creating more drag and effectively slowing the projectile.

Abstract: An armor piercing projectile having a ramjet engine located at the forward nd such that the exhaust nozzles of the ramjet engine are located at or near the center of gravity of the projectile. A warhead is contained in the center portion of the projectile and is either a shaped charge device or a high explosive warhead. A tail boom with stabilizing fins is located at the rear of the projectile. In an alternate embodiment, the ramjet engine is attached by an extension sleeve to the warhead allowing it to telescope after launch and provide increased standoff for better penetration by the shaped charge. Another embodiment allows the ramjet motor to detach prior to impact at the target to better allow the warhead to penetrate. A further embodiment incorporates an armor piercing subprojectile located within the centerbody of the ramjet motor.

Abstract: A shaped charge device having a cylindrical housing, an explosive charge with a cavity at one end, a fuze, booster, a multimaterial vertically layered liner having a hemispherical, semi-hemispherical, arcuate or conical shape with a number of segments of materials, each segment in contact with the explosive charge and the cavity, each segment oriented normal, parallel or oblique to the charge axis. The detonating of the explosive charge causes the liner to form a jet of a plurality of the segments. A method of manufacture is also disclosed wherein the liners made in the vertical manner avoid mixing or interaction between dissimilar materials undergoing the jetting action. Vertically layered liners provide excellent material flow and liner collapse diagnostics.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing acceleration consisting of a number of miniae steel bearing balls as mass elements, a housing for locating and containing the mass elements, a printed circuit board for sensing a discrete number of levels of acceleration, and an array of cantilever beam flexure elements equal in number to that of the mass elements located between the mass elements and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A fluidic amplification device having an input, a fluid supply, a fluid sly nozzle for creating a laminar jet of fluid, an output chamber for receiving the laminar jet, control nozzles to control fluid flow through the amplification device from the fluid supply nozzle to the output chamber, wherein the control nozzle acts directly on the fluid to proportionally control the fluid output, vents disposed between the control nozzle and the output chamber, a DC flow output communicating with the output chamber, and pressure signal output ports communicating with the output chamber. By providing outputs for both DC flow and the pressure signal, the DC flow in the pressure signal output channels of the device is reduced and the problems of interstage flow noise, null off-set, parasitic capacitance and inductance in the input and output channels is also reduced.

Abstract: A silencer and flash suppressor for sabot projectiles, which includes an accumulation chamber having a projectile entrance surrounding and closed by the gun barrel and a projectile exit which is spaced from the projectile entrance by a distance less than the projectile length. The projectile exit is the smallest diameter of an exit cone which is surrounded by an annular portion of the accumulation chamber, which portion may include one or more perforated baffles.

Abstract: A firing pin force transducer for use with firearms is disclosed. Impact of he firing pin on a simulated primer housed in a cartridge facsimile is transduced into an electrical signal by a foil strain gage and fed into a signal conditioner. The amplified signal is recorded by a digital oscilloscope allowing the operator to determine the force and energy expended by the firing pin.