Abstract: A high speed multiplexed digital correlator device for correlating serial data against reference data. The device includes a plurality of digital correlators configured to operate in parallel with their operations overlapping in time. The serial data is divided between the plurality of correlators by multiplexing means. The outputs of the plurality of correlators are summed to produce an overall correlation output signal. Due to the multiplexed configuration, the individual correlators operate at a much lower rate than the data rate of the serial data to be correlated. Also disclosed are synchronized mutliplexed correlators including multiple multiplexed correlators for correlating serial data differing in phase relationship with the reference data against which it is to be correlated.

Abstract: A passive device for reducing polarization fading in interferometers with significantly degrading the signal-to-noise ratio. In one embodiment, light from an interferometer output is passed through a lens to a polarization mask. The polarization mask comprises at least three distinct polarizers which pass distinct states of polarization. After passing through the polarizers each independently polarized signal is detected, demodulated and passed to a means for signal extraction.

Abstract: A fiber optic gyroscope comprising a Sagnac interferometer including a (3.times.3) optical directional coupler. The gyroscope is driven with an essentially unpolarized broadband spatially coherent light beam supplied by a super-luminescent diode source. A significant reduction in baseband noise occurs due to the use of the essentially unpolarized light beam.

Abstract: Polymerizable lipids are used to encapsulate therapeutic agents and ferronetic particles into lipid vesicles. The vesicles are polymerized, injected into the body upstream of a targeted capillary bed, allowed to flow within the bloodstream to the targeted site, and held there by an externally applied magnetic field. The magnetic field is oscillated at sufficient periodicity to destabilize or disrupt the vesicle membrane thus effecting a controlled release of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An optical device for obtaining a 3-dimensional signature or a plurality of 2-dimensional signatures for a given sample in order to detect predetermined chemical agents. The device comprises a light channel with a first sensing optical fiber with a coating thereon which changes its absorptive and refractive properties in the presence of a predetermined chemical agent, and a second light channel with a reference optical fiber isolated from the sample. A scanning monochromator is utilized to apply light beams to the sensing and reference fibers, and an optical detector is used to cross-correlate the outputs from the sensing and reference fibers. A variable optical delay line is disposed in one of the fiber channels in order to scan from 0.degree. to 360.degree. in phase shift for each light frequency. A 2-dimensional cross-correlation is obtained for this scan at this frequency. The scanning monochromator is set to run through a series of light frequencies in a given bandwidth.

Abstract: A sector-scan period computer comprising a pulse-width discriminator and a ulse-interval filter to allow only pulses falling into a predetermined width range and with a given time interval between them to pass. These pulses are fed to an integrator which provides an integrated signal for each group (burst) of pulses, the bursts being periodic. The integrated signals are divided by two and a pulse is produced for each signal that remains. Extraneous non-periodic signals are filtered out by a period filter and the time between successive pulses is counted by a BCD counter. The counter output is stored in a memory and displayed by a decimal number display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely activating and analyzing fiber optic ed and conformal sensor arrays using fiber optic transmission and reception with multiplexed input and output signals using optical wavelength division, electronic frequency division, or both.

Abstract: A free electron laser for emitting coherent radiation. The laser includes a wiggler magnet for producing a spatially periodic magnetic field in a drift region into which relativistic electrons are injected in a predetermined direction. An axial magnet is provided which generates an axial magnetic field parallel to the above predetermined direction. The axial field is tapered in field strength within a uniform wiggler region, wherein the wiggler field is of uniform and constant magnitude, such that the tapered field acts to oppose the change in axial electron velocity resulting from the free electron laser interaction as electrons travel through the drift region. The tapered axial field acts to enhance power output and efficiency.

Abstract: An extended laser sensor including a laser with an opticla gain lasing medium optically coupled to an optical resonant cavity including reference and sensor arms. Optical path length variations in the sensor arm induced by an incident physical field modulate the operating parameters of the laser. The field is sensed by monitoring these modulated operating parameters.

Abstract: A method for producing high technology ceramics with minimal porosity comsing the steps of filling a can with a constituent powder of a ceramic, creating a vacuum in the can and maintaining the vacuum throughout the entire process; outgassing the powder in the can by placing a furnace around the area of the can that encloses the powder and heating the furnace to at least 100.degree. C.; removing the furnace after a minimum of five minutes of heating; cold rolling the can in a rolling system; igniting the powder so a localized propagation reaction front is created; and hot rolling the can in the rolling system so the propagation reaction front is maintained between the rolls of the rolling system.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber composite material comprised of boron nitride coated cera fibers embedded in a ceramic matrix. The boron nitride coating limits both physical bonding and chemical reaction between the fibers and matrix to improve both strength and toughness of the composite material.

Abstract: A Schottky diode and method of making same in which a n+ doped layer, an n oped layer and an undoped layer of a semi-insulating material selected from the group consisting of gallium arsenide, aluminum gallium arsenide and indium phosphide is grown consecutively on a semi-insulating substrate made of the same material. A mesa with acute angled sides is etched on the undoped layer to such a depth that the n doped layer is exposed. A Schottky and ohmic contact are then deposited on opposite sides of the mesa. The exposed n layer is then bombarded with protons at normal incidence.

Abstract: A method of monitoring gases using electronic conductivity changes in ordd organic semiconductor films comprising an insulated substrate fabricated to an interdigital microelectrode and coated with a vapor sensitive semiconductor film. Variations in current flow caused by vapors interacting with the film are indicative of the vapor type.

Abstract: An optical frequency division multiplex system including a transmitter, a receiver, and a transmission path connecting the transmitter to the receiver. In the transmitter a master laser is operated to produce a central peak at an optical frequency f.sub.o with side peaks separated by an amount .DELTA.f running to both sides of the central peak. The master laser output goes through an optical isolator to an optical coupler where it is split up into N+1 beams. Each optical output from the coupler is then positioned to be coupled into N slave lasers. Each slave laser is tuned to approximately coincide with one of the side peaks thus producing a single output frequency of (f.sub.o .+-.n.DELTA.f) from each slave laser diode. Electrical modulating signals for each of N information channels are applied separately to modulate the phase of each of the slave laser outputs. The outputs of the slave lasers are then recombined in a N.times.

Abstract: A 3 or more - dimensional optical processor for simultaneously processing ree or more parameters from a coherent emitter via an acoustic Bragg cell. For a 3-D processor, two separate antenna arrays (azimuth and elevation) are connected to excite two sets of acoustic transducer arrays on one edge of the Bragg cell. Multiplexing is achieved by the appropriate choice of the transducer array apertures. One transducer array set may have a narrow aperture to produce one wide first grating lobe pattern or a fraction thereof in a given focal plane (nonredundant imaging). The other transducer array set may have a wider transducer array aperture to produce a plurality of smaller second grating lobes within the first grating lobe pattern in the focal plane (redundant imaging). One coordinate axis of the focal plane represents the frequency of the emitter.

Abstract: An AIRBOC chaff deployment apparatus comprising a canister with a wind flap ttached externally to the canister and connected to a drogue chute that is housed inside the canister. The drogue chute is situated atop a main chute that is atop a release mechanism, which is atop a fuze and that is atop a chaft payload, all of which is housed inside the canister. When the AIRBOC is dropped from a plane, the wind flap extends, pulling out the drogue chute. The drogue chute in turn activates the release mechanism which frees the drogue chute to pull out the main chute to which the drogue chute is connected. The deployment of the main chute causes a force greater than 40 lbs to be applied to the release mechanism, resulting in the chaff payload being released from the canister and the fuze being activated, consequently detonating the released chaff payload.

Abstract: A Bragg cell RF spectrum analyzer of the type having a laser input wherein the laser input is coupled to the Bragg cell analyzer by a signal-mode optical fiber for the purpose of improving the spatial quality of the laser, thus limiting side lobes of the input laser beam; and allowing the laser input to be remote from the Bragg cell.

Abstract: A method for estimating the high frequency radar cross-section of the sea surface. A Doppler spectrum of the sea surface is obtained by correlating returns from high frequency radar signals. Approach and recede Bragg spectral lines and a zero Doppler frequency continuum level are identified in the Doppler spectrum. The amplitude ratio .rho. between the Bragg spectral lines and an amplitude ratio .zeta..sub.M between the maximum amplitude Bragg spectral line and the zero Doppler frequency continuum are measured from the Doppler spectrum. The radar cross-section is then determined from the ratios .rho. and .zeta..sub.M. In a further method embodiment, the estimated radar cross-section is used to estimate the radar cross-sections of targets appearing in the Doppler spectrum.

Abstract: A microwave frequency divider circuit. The frequency divider comprises a nonlinear amplifier including input and output ports for amplifying signals applied to the input port. The amplifier exhibits a nonlinear transconductance characteristic between its input and output ports. The amplifier input port is adaptable to receive a first signal having a frequency f.sub.l. The frequency divider further includes a feedback network coupled between the amplifier output and input ports to couple a second signal having a frequency f.sub.o appearing at the amplifier output port back to the input port. The first and second signals combine at the amplifier input port to modulate the nonlinear transconductance of the amplifier such that said first and second signals are mixed together and amplified. The circuit regeneratively oscillates such that the frequency f.sub.o equals a frequency f.sub.l /2. The frequency f.sub.l of the first signal is thus divided by the circuit.

Abstract: A device for converting the kinetic energy of an intense relativistic electron beam (IREB) into trains of multi-gigawatt AC electrical pulses comprising a foilless diode for generating an IREB and injecting the IREB into one end of a drift tube. The device further includes a modulating circuit for modulating the IREB current while in the drift tube to obtain longitudinally spaced bunches of electrons, and a coaxial transmission line with the end of its center conductor disposed across the other end of the drift tube in the path of the IREB. A gap is disposed between the end of the drift tube and the end of the center conductor. The modulated IREB induces a voltage in the coaxial transmission line. This voltage appears across the gap to slow down the electrons and to convert the kinetic energy of the IREB into electrical energy that propagates along the coaxial transmission line.