Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing the surface of a lithium niobate substrate (10) having titanium optical waveguides (12) for a subsequent deposition of a coating material such as electrodes. This cleaning or etching step prior to the deposit of desired coating materials is accomplished without deterioration of the transmission capacities of the optical waveguides (12). The substrate cleaning step of the present invention comprises the introduction of a predetermined amount of oxygen (16) at a controlled rate to provide a predetermined atmospheric environment surrounding the lithium niobate substrate (10). The subsequent etching of the substrate surface to a predetermined depth, for example, by argon ion bombardment, provides minimal damage to the optical waveguides while still producing an excellently cleaned surface preparatory for receiving subsequent layer depositions such as the electrodes.

Abstract: An optical data processing system employing a programmable optical data processor for processing an optical data beam comprising a plurality of zero, one and two-dimensional modulators for spatially modulating the optical data beam, the modulators being interconnected such that lenses are not necessary to accomplish the focusless transfer of the optical data beam between the modulators. The plurality of modulators are controlled so as to permit the programmable processing of the optical data beam. The optical data processor realized is physically solid and compact and is readily capable of performing a wide variety of optical computations.

Abstract: An imaging spectrometer device is disclosed useful for providing a dispersed image of the earth's surface (useful in botanical, geographical, geological, and hydrological scientific studies) from a flying platform. In accordance with this invention, a spectrometer device is provided which can be attached to an existing optical telescope. The spectrometer provides a planar focal plane image which can be processed in a number of manners, for example, by using an array of photosensitive elements. In accordance with the principal feature of this invention, the spectrometer includes an optical system wherein light rays are directed through prisms as they pass through the two symmetrical "legs" of the spectrometer. The spectrometer employs a reflecting concave mirror and prism assemblies having parallel entrance and exit surfaces. In accordance with a first embodiment, a single prism assembly is employed whereas the second described embodiment uses a pair of generally identical prism assemblies.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is established near the surface of a body of bulk, optically transparent, crystalline material (12) by depositing and bonding a thin layer of material (16) that undergoes an irreversible structural transition under annealing such as silicon nitride or silicon oxide on a surface of the bulk crystalline material (12). The assembly is then heated to change the state of the thin layer and produce stress on the order of 10.sup.10 to 10.sup.11 dynes per square centimeter or more. Open guideways or breaks (22, 24) are then formed in the thin layer (16), thereby establishing optical stress waveguides (32, 34) in the bulk crystalline material (12), just under the open guideways. The bulk crystalline material is then employed for modulation, detection or in other interactive processes with respect to optical signals applied to the waveguide.

Abstract: A visible-to-infrared image converter system (10) utilizes a source of infrared light (15), a polarizing beam splitter (19) for separating the infrared light into two polarized beams having their polarity at ninety degrees to one another, and first and second image converters (12, 13) positioned at right angles to one another, each to receive one of the two polarized beams. A source of identical visible information (21) furnishes information to each of the image converters (12, 13) which modulate the infrared beams and reflect them for recombination by the polarizing beam splitter (19).

Abstract: A phase conjugate resonator (PCR) (2) employing a phase conjugate mirror (PCM) (4) provides high resolution spatial detection of individual locations in a two-dimensional optical array which exceed or fall below a threshold level. The optical intensity profile under investigation is imposed onto an input erase beam (18) to the PCM (4). The erase beam (18) is directed parallel to the PCR axis (16), thereby preventing walkoff. The PCR (2) oscillates at those locations where the erase beam's optical intensity is below a threshold level. The spatially modulated optical output may be read out with multiple detectors or an imaging system, or the cumulative area output of the PCR can be read out with a single detector (28) to characterize the intensity profile relative to the threshold.

Abstract: A phase conjugate resonator (PCR) employing at least one phase conjugate mirror (PCM) provides high resolution spatial detection of individual locations in a two-dimensional optical array which exceed or fall below a threshold level. In one embodiment the optical intensity profile under investigation is imposed either onto one or both of the pump beams of a degenerate four-wave mixing PCM. In another embodiment a pair of PCMs are used as the two mirrors forming the PCR, with the pump beams for one PCM modulated and the pump beams for the other PCM serving as a threshold reference. In either case, the spatially modulated optical output may be read out with multiple detectors or an imaging system, or the cumulative area output of the PCR can be read out with a single detector to characterize the intensity profile relative to the threshold.

Abstract: A method of forming a tapered optical waveguide within a substrate (2). An appropriate substrate (2) is coated with a layer of barrier material (4) such as silicon dioxide which provides a relatively tight matrix relative to the open matrix of the substrate (2). The barrier material (4) is deposited on the substrate with a sloping variable thickness that is inversely related to the desired depth of the waveguide taper. The barrier material (4) can be deposited through a vacuum deposition technique and subsequently subjected to ion-milling to provide the desired taper. An appropriate source of metal ions (6), such as silver, capable of being transferred, such as by diffusion into the substrate (2) for increasing the refractive index and thereby defining a waveguide, is then transmitted to and through the barrier material (4).

Abstract: A pair of rectifying electrodes (20) are formed on the surface (23) of a semiconductor waveguide device (10) around the waveguide region (18). Rectifying Schottky contacts (22) or p-n junctions (24) can be utilized. A bipolar voltage signal (30) is applied across the rectifying electrodes (20), reducing the voltage and power requirements and producing a bipolar electric field transversely across the waveguide (18). The electrode scheme (20) also provides low microwave loss.

Abstract: A spectral filter for an integrated optic application, such as in an optical demultiplexer (14), is provided and includes a common input waveguide (20) integrally connected to a pair of optical output waveguides (22, 24). The material selected for the output waveguides (22, 24) can be semiconductor material that provides a low index of refraction for a specific wavelength in one output waveguide and a relatively higher index of refraction for the same wavelengths in the other output waveguide, the output waveguide materials being interrelated in that they have a common index of refraction for at least one wavelength across the spectrum of radiation. An incident spectrum of radiation (16) can be split into at least a pair of bandwidths of radiation to provide a spectral filter function.

Abstract: The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a optimized procedure for performing matrix by matrix multiplication in a parallel architecture computer, either digital or optical, that is generally capable of handling two-dimensionally structured image data sets.

Abstract: A blazed corrugated reflector having internal corrugations or vanes, blazed at specified design angles, coherently reflects power at specified wavelengths. The corrugations meet the criteria of effecting retroreflection according to the Bragg conditions for gratings, eliminating higher order modes of reflection, and maximizing retroreflection and minimizing forward scattering according to the blaze condition. Two such reflectors can be configured into a laser resonator by placing them at opposing ends of a matching waveguide. The reflector does not obstruct the passage of an axial electron beam, thereby making it suitable to implement the resonator portion of a free electron laser.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and product of a process in the field of optical directional coupler switches. The application of laser light to the input ports of a coupler switch at a power level approximately twice or greater the operational power level that has been discovered to cause optical damage produces a remedial effect of stabilizing the switching characteristics of the optical coupler switch. The resulting optical coupler switch has improved transmission characteristics when measured by a transfer function over that of an untreated coupler switch.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device (22) is disclosed which employs a wire grid (24) as a polarizer, a mirror and an electric field electrode. A twisted nematic liquid crystal display device is described which employs the wire grid (24) in place of the rear electrode (15), polarizer (19) and mirror (20) to provide a display which is less complicated and has better contrast and resolution than that of prior art displays.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a division of a dividend intensity array by a divisor intensity array on a pixel-by-pixel basis, to yield a quotient intensity array, wherein optical feedback principles are utilized in conjunction with two spatial radiation modulators, so that analog division is achieved. Specifically, a fraction of the output array of a first spatial radiation modulator is provided as the readout array to a second spatial radiation modulator, whose input is the divisor intensity array. The output array of the second image converter is then added to the dividend array and provided as the input to the first spatial radiation modulator, whereupon the output of the first spatial radiation modulator is the pixel-by-pixel quotient array resulting from division of the dividend array by the divisor array.

Abstract: A visible to infrared dynamic image converter light valve includes two liquid crystal layers disposed on opposite sides of a photoconductive substrate. The two liquid crystal layers spatially modulate an incident infrared beam by polarization rotation. A voltage is applied across the two liquid crystal layers, with the layers being responsive to the applied voltage, to vary the polarization rotation. The photoconductive layer receives and absorbs a visible wavelength image and spatially modulates the voltage across the two liquid crystal layers responsively to image intensity spatially to vary the polarization rotation. A mirror reflects the incident infrared beam back through the first and second layers such that the beam passes through the liquid crystal layers twice and is polarization rotated in proportion to the visible wavelength image. A wire grid polarizer converts the polarization rotation of the infrared beam to output intensity modulation to produce an infrared image.

Abstract: A high density CMOS device structure that is essentially immune to latch-up, and a method of fabricating the structure, is described. This is obtained by providing a well region within and adjacent a surface of a substrate, the well region having a multiple retrograde doping density profile, and by providing source and drain regions within the well and adjacent the surface of the substrate, the source and drain regions having associated therewith a greater than average density of residual defects within said well region, the greater density of residual defects being generally associated with the deepest portions of the source and drain regions and the immediately underlying portions of said well region, respectively.

Abstract: A die (40) for extrusion of optical grade fibers has its hard insert (42) placed under compression within a sleeve (44). Sleeve (44) is provided with a tapered interior surface (50) which matches the tapered exterior surface (48) of the insert (42). A metal lubricating layer (60) is provided between the tapered surfaces. The insert is pressed in to obtain compressive prestressing thereof, and the lubricating metal diffuses at the tapered surfaces to lock the insert in the sleeve.

Abstract: The axial position of the fiber is controlled in three grinding or polishing stages. The fiber (72) is first ground flush with the guide (120) in which it is housed. The fiber end and face of the guide are then ground flat and square. The fiber is thereafter polished to its optical quality and required length. The tool for accomplishing these steps includes a retainer (74) which holds the fiber optic ferrule (70) and its optical fiber (72) therein at a tool surface (16). This tool surface is protected by a guard (18) from being too rapidly ground away while the fiber and fiber/guide combination are ground flush with the surface. The surface and its retailed guide and fiber are then moved to an unprotected position (FIG. 3) so that the surface and the fiber within its ferrule may be polished on a suitable polishing wheel or similar device.