Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to enhancing electrical discharge. A hollow conical electrode may be provided to discharge electrical energy in a directed manner. The conical electrode has two openings: a larger entrance opening; and a smaller exit opening. These openings are configured to allow radiated energy to pass therethrough and form a preferential path of electrical conduction. The larger entrance opening has a surface with a radius of curvature that is larger than that of the second smaller exit opening. The smaller exit opening directs electrical energy to the path because of stronger electric fields. In one embodiment, a protruding electrode element is configured with the smaller exit opening to further enhance electrical discharge by focusing electric fields in the vicinity of the protruding electrode.

Abstract: One system described herein provides electrical energy by means of a Tesla coil that generates a strong electric field in the vicinity of an electrical target. An energy booster provides additional electrical energy to increase the probability of disabling and/or disrupting the electrical target. For example, an electrode may be configured with the Tesla coil to from the electric field of the electrical target. The electric field may cause a breakdown in the air about the Tesla coil that allows electric current to conduct to the electrical target. The Tesla coil may repetitively burst the electric field such that pulses of electric current are conducted to the electrical target.

Abstract: The systems and methods presented herein provide for readily configurable high voltage electrical energy generation. For example, a high voltage electrical energy generation system may include an AC power supply configured with an inductor to transfer AC electrical energy. In this regard, the system may also include a first receptor stage that includes an inductor for inductively coupling to the inductor of the AC power supply to receive the AC electrical energy. Similarly, a second receptor stage may inductively couple to the inductor of the AC power supply as well as to the inductor of the first receptor stage to receive the AC electrical energy, with each receptor being configured as a stackable plate. Each receptor stage may include a rectifier that converts the AC electrical energy to DC electrical energy. The rectifiers may be coupled together via a DC to DC connection provide a DC bias.

Abstract: One system described herein provides electrical energy by means of a Tesla coil that generates a strong electric field in the vicinity of an electrical target. An energy booster provides additional electrical energy to increase the probability of disabling and/or disrupting the electrical target. For example, an electrode may be configured with the Tesla coil to form the electric field of the electrical target. The electric field may cause a breakdown in the air about the Tesla coil that allows electric current to conduct to the electrical target. The Tesla coil may repetitively burst the electric field such that pulses of electric current are conducted to the electrical target.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein that provide for ignition of explosive devices through electric and/or electromagnetic discharge. In one embodiment, an electrostatic discharge is directionally propagated through air to conduct electric current to the explosive device. The electric current may ignite the explosive device via heat, via triggering of ignition circuitry, via induced electric current conduction to the explosive material therein and/or via direct electric conduction to the explosive material therein. Alternatively, or in addition to, electromagnetic energy may be directionally propagated to the device through a waveguide. Such electromagnetic energy may be in the microwave region and may heat and/or induce electric current in the explosive device. In either instance, the directionally propagated energy may be time varying.

Abstract: A laser amplifier system is presented including a pump regenerative amplifier. The amplifier generally has a cavity defined by a pair of end cavity mirrors between which an amplified pump pulse oscillates. The amplifier also includes an interaction cell with a tunable gain medium amplifies laser pulses (e.g., Raman gain). The interaction cell may be positioned within the pump amplifier cavity and an input pulse may be injected into the cavity of the amplifier to transit through the tunable gain medium of the interaction cell. A pump pulse transfers energy via interaction with the input pulse (e.g., Raman interaction) as the pulses counter-propagate through the gain medium of the interaction cell. Amplification of output laser pulses, however, is generally achieved according to the wavelength of the pump laser pulses thereby providing a wavelength dependent, or “tunable”, means for amplifying laser pulses.

Abstract: An electrode is provided that is adapted to both pierce a barrier and providing an over-air discharge of electrical energy. In this regard, an over air discharge of electrical energy may be provided to an opposing side of a barrier. In one arrangement, the electrode includes a tapered point, which may be a hardened material, to facilitate piercing a barrier. In a further arrangement, the electrode incorporates an insulative shaft. In this arrangement, the insulative shaft electrically isolates a conductor of the electrode from a conductive barrier. Accordingly, the electrode may be utilized to pierce metallic enclosures and provide an electrical discharge for the purpose of altering the operation of electronic device within such enclosures.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for the controlled formation of plasma filaments. For example, a system that radiates energy through a gas includes a laser that generates a laser pulse, and an optical element with which the laser propagates the laser pulse to control placement of an optical filament within a beam cross-section of the laser pulse. The optical filament may thereby generate a plasma filament, which may propagate energy. In this regard, an energy source may provide energy such that the plasma filament directs propagation of the energy for delivery to an application. The energy may be electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, optical energy, or a combination thereof. Generally, the optical element may impart at least one phase singularity within the laser pulse. Alternatively or additionally, the optical element may include at least one optical inhomogeneity.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein generally provide for the controlled voltage of bipolar electrical energy through the selected operation of power stages. In one embodiment, a system that provides electrical energy includes a power supply and at least two power stages coupled to the power supply. The power stages are operable to selectively output electrical energy. By selecting the number of power stages which are turned on at a given time the total voltage of the electrical energy is controlled at that time. The system may further include one or more controllers coupled to the power stages to control selection of the power stages and thereby vary the output voltage.

Abstract: One or more disc-shaped angular shear plates each include a region thereon having a thickness that varies with a nonlinear function. For the case of two such shear plates, they are positioned in a facing relationship and rotated relative to each other. Light passing through the variable thickness regions in the angular plates is refracted. By properly timing the relative rotation of the plates and by the use of an appropriate polynomial function for the thickness of the shear plate, light passing therethrough can be focused at variable positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein generally provide for the controlled voltage of electrical energy through the selected operation of power stages. In one embodiment, a system that provides electrical energy includes a power supply and at least two power stages coupled to the power supply. The power stages are operable to selectively output electrical energy. By selecting the number of power stages which are turned on at a given time the total voltage of the electrical energy is controlled at that time. The use of air core magnetic flux coupling provides a unique, easily insulated method to provide power to the voltage stages at different potentials relative to each other. The system may further include one or more controllers coupled to the power stages to control selection of the power stages and thereby vary the output voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for the control of electrical energy discharge from an electrode. In this regard, a sensor detects electrical energy discharged from the electrode and generates an electronic signal representative of a detected electrical energy discharge. Such a sensor may detect an electric field and/or light from the electrical energy discharge. The sensor may generate the electronic signal therefrom for subsequent processing. Accordingly, the system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor to determine a spurious discharge of the electrical energy discharge from the electrode. The controller processes the electronic signal to control at least one characteristic (e.g., voltage) of the electrical energy provided to the electrode. The controller may change a voltage of the electrical energy to the electrode in response to determining a spurious discharge of the electrical energy discharged from the electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein generally provide for the controlled voltage of electrical energy through the selected operation of power stages. Generally, a system that provides electrical energy includes a power supply and up to 20 power stages coupled to the power supply such that the system may output up to 72 kV in 3.6 kV increments. By selecting the number of power stages which are turned on at a given time the total voltage of the electrical energy is controlled at that time. The use of air core magnetic flux coupling provides a unique, easily insulated method to provide power to the voltage stages at different potentials relative to each other. The system may further include one or more controllers coupled to the power stages to control selection of the power stages and thereby vary the output voltage.

Abstract: A device for generating a shockwave for initiating detonation of a main explosive charge and a method for producing same are provided. A device according to the instant invention is capable of producing a more planar wave front than is possible according to the prior art. Also, the wave front generated by such a generator flattens out in less time than in the prior art, and therefore the weight and axial length of a warhead equipped with a generator according to the instant invention may be substantially reduced without a corresponding reduction of the detonator's explosive yield.