Abstract: Described herein are isolated ring cavities that have refractive and heat-generating components physically separated and mechanically held by flexure mounts that are adapted to function in combination with the physically separated structure to moderate the thermal expansion effects of the heat generated by the refractive and other heat-generating elements (e.g., gain element) of the optical cavity. The flexure mounts may be configured as thinned portions of connective elements, reducing the effects of thermal expansion of the baseplate and allowing a thermal isolation from the baseplate. Multiple flexure mounts may be arranged to minimize further the effects of thermal expansion of the baseplate.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for improving visibility in a scene. In one embodiment, a system includes a first camera device operable to capture images of a scene at a first band of wavelengths, and a second camera device operable to capture images of the scene at a second band of wavelengths. The first and second bands are different. The system also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the first and second camera devices, the processor being operable to detect an object in the scene based on a first of the images from the first camera device and based on a first of the images from the second camera device that was captured at substantially a same time as the first image from the first camera device, to estimate an obscurant in the scene based on the first images, and to estimate a visibility parameter of the scene based on the object and the estimated obscurant.

Abstract: A Lidar system herein includes a transmitter operable to rotate at a first rate, and to transmit laser light along a first path from the Lidar system to a target, and a receiver operable to rotate with the transmitter, and to receive at least a portion of the laser light along a second different path from the target. The system includes an event-camera having a plurality of pixels being triggerable by photon flux changes. A processor calculates a range and an angle to the target using an angular displacement between the second path and the receiver that arises from the first rate of rotation for the transmitter and the receiver and, in part, from event data of at least one of the pixels based on a direction of the first path at a time of a photon flux change and a pixel coordinate of the at least one pixel.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for developing and maintaining pulses that are produced from compact resonant cavities using one or more Q-switches and maintaining the output parameters of these pulses created during repetitive pulsed operation. The deterministic control of the evolution of a Q-switched laser pulse is complicated due to dynamic laser cavity feedback effects and unpredictable environmental inputs. Laser pulse shape control in a compact laser cavity (e.g., length/speed of light<˜1 ns) is especially difficult because closed loop control becomes impossible due to causality. Because various issues cause laser output of these compact resonator cavities to drift over time, described herein are further methods for automatically maintaining those output parameters.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods of manufacture and operation for a compact laser to achieve high-intensity output pulses. These compact laser resonators and methods rely upon separate and distinct functions of the laser resonator to be operated in balance such that the functions, while deleterious when separate are supportive of laser generation and growth when combined within a small volume laser resonator as described herein. The combined elements of the described laser resonator include a delicate balance that allows the laser to operate between plane-parallel operation and unstable operation. This operation mode further allows distinct methods of construction and operation that allow the compact laser to be reliably assembled and tested during assembly. Therefore, despite requiring a delicate balance of disparate elements, the described laser resonator results in a compact robust laser.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for developing and maintaining pulses that are produced from compact resonant cavities using one or more Q-switches and maintaining the output parameters of these pulses created during repetitive pulsed operation. The deterministic control of the evolution of a Q-switched laser pulse is complicated due to dynamic laser cavity feedback effects and unpredictable environmental inputs. Laser pulse shape control in a compact laser cavity (e.g., length/speed of light <˜1 ns) is especially difficult because closed loop control becomes impossible due to causality. Because various issues cause laser output of these compact resonator cavities to drift over time, described herein are further methods for automatically maintaining those output parameters.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated ring cavities that have refractive and heat-generating components physically separated and mechanically held by flexure mounts that are adapted to function in combination with the physically separated structure to moderate the thermal expansion effects of the heat generated by the refractive and other heat-generating elements (e.g., gain element) of the optical cavity. The flexure mounts may be configured as thinned portions of connective elements, reducing the effects of thermal expansion of the baseplate and allowing a thermal isolation from the baseplate. Multiple flexure mounts may be arranged to minimize further the effects of thermal expansion of the baseplate.

Abstract: Lidar systems and methods are presented herein. In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a laser operable to propagate ultrashort laser pulses to a target during a plurality of scanning periods. The lidar system also includes a streak tube imaging system operable to collect returns of the ultrashort laser pulses from the target during each scanning period, and to generate a two-dimensional image of the returns during each scanning period. The lidar system also includes a processor operable to generate a representation of the target based on the 2D images from the streak tube imaging system.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated ring cavities that have refractive and heat-generating components physically separated and mechanically held by flexure mounts that are adapted to function in combination with the physically separated structure to moderate the thermal expansion effects of the heat generated by the refractive and other heat-generating elements (e.g., gain element) of the optical cavity. The flexure mounts may be configured as thinned portions of connective elements, reducing the effects of thermal expansion of the baseplate and allowing a thermal isolation from the baseplate. Multiple flexure mounts may be arranged to minimize further the effects of thermal expansion of the baseplate.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for Laser Detection and Ranging (Lidar). One Lidar system includes a laser operable to generate laser light. The system also includes a transmitter operable to rotate at a first rate, and to transmit the laser light along a first path from the Lidar system to a target. The system also includes a receiver operable to rotate at the first rate, and to receive at least a portion of the laser light along a second path from the target. The first and second paths are different. The system also includes a processor operable to calculate a range and an angle to the target using an angular displacement between the second path and the receiver that arises from the first rate of rotation for the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for developing and maintaining pulses that are produced from compact resonant cavities using one or more Q-switches and maintaining the output parameters of these pulses created during repetitive pulsed operation. The deterministic control of the evolution of a Q-switched laser pulse is complicated due to dynamic laser cavity feedback effects and unpredictable environmental inputs. Laser pulse shape control in a compact laser cavity (e.g., length/speed of light <˜1 ns) is especially difficult because closed loop control becomes impossible due to causality. Because various issues cause laser output of these compact resonator cavities to drift over time, described herein are further methods for automatically maintaining those output parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for improved range response in lidar systems. In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a laser, and a detector. First optics direct light from the laser on a beam path along a first optical axis of the first optics. Second optics image the light from the beam path onto a second plane that is substantially normal to the first plane. The second optics have a second optical axis that differs from the first optical axis. The first and the second optical axes lie in a same first plane. A first line in the first plane intersects a second line in the second plane at an acute angle. The first line is perpendicular to the first optical axis. A spatial filter configured in or near the second plane filters the light from the second optics onto the detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for Laser Detection and Ranging (Lidar). In one embodiment, a Lidar system includes a laser operable to propagate continuous wave (CW) laser light and a scanner operable as a transmitter and a receiver for the CW laser light. The Lidar system also includes a detector for determining a range to a target based on displacement of the CW laser light received by the receiver. The displacement of the CW laser light is proportional to an angular velocity of the scanner.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for floating sensors. In one embodiment, a system includes a waterproof housing, an electronics assembly mounted within the waterproof housing, and a wing structure hingeably attached to the waterproof housing and operable to float the system on a water surface. The system also includes a solar panel configured on the wing structure to provide power to the electronics assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for Laser Detection and Ranging (Lidar). One Lidar system includes a laser operable to generate laser light. The system also includes a transmitter operable to rotate at a first rate, and to transmit the laser light along a first path from the Lidar system to a target. The system also includes a receiver operable to rotate at the first rate, and to receive at least a portion of the laser light along a second path from the target. The first and second paths are different. The system also includes a processor operable to calculate a range and an angle to the target using an angular displacement between the second path and the receiver that arises from the first rate of rotation for the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods of manufacture and operation for a compact laser to achieve high-intensity output pulses. These compact laser resonators and methods rely upon separate and distinct functions of the laser resonator to be operated in balance such that the functions, while deleterious when separate are supportive of laser generation and growth when combined within a small volume laser resonator as described herein. The combined elements of the described laser resonator include a delicate balance that allows the laser to operate between plane-parallel operation and unstable operation. This operation mode further allows distinct methods of construction and operation that allow the compact laser to be reliably assembled and tested during assembly. Therefore, despite requiring a delicate balance of disparate elements, the described laser resonator results in a compact robust laser.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for developing and maintaining pulses that are produced from compact resonant cavities using one or more Q-switches and maintaining the output parameters of these pulses created during repetitive pulsed operation. The deterministic control of the evolution of a Q-switched laser pulse is complicated due to dynamic laser cavity feedback effects and unpredictable environmental inputs. Laser pulse shape control in a compact laser cavity (e.g., length/speed of light<˜1 ns) is especially difficult because closed loop control becomes impossible due to causality. Because various issues cause laser output of these compact resonator cavities to drift over time, described herein are further methods for automatically maintaining those output parameters.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated ring cavities that have refractive and heat-generating components physically separated and mechanically held by flexure mounts that are adapted to function in combination with the physically separated structure to moderate the thermal expansion effects of the heat generated by the refractive and other heat-generating elements (e.g., gain element) of the optical cavity. The flexure mounts may be configured as thinned portions of connective elements, reducing the effects of thermal expansion of the baseplate and allowing a thermal isolation from the baseplate. Multiple flexure mounts may be arranged to minimize further the effects of thermal expansion of the baseplate.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods of manufacture and operation for a compact laser to achieve high-intensity output pulses. These compact laser resonators and methods rely upon separate and distinct functions of the laser resonator to be operated in balance such that the functions, while deleterious when separate are supportive of laser generation and growth when combined within a small volume laser resonator as described herein. The combined elements of the described laser resonator include a delicate balance that allows the laser to operate between plane-parallel operation and unstable operation. This operation mode further allows distinct methods of construction and operation that allow the compact laser to be reliably assembled and tested during assembly. Therefore, despite requiring a delicate balance of disparate elements, the described laser resonator results in a compact robust laser.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for Laser Detection and Ranging (Lidar). In one embodiment, a Lidar system includes a laser operable to propagate continuous wave (CW) laser light and a scanner operable as a transmitter and a receiver for the CW laser light. The Lidar system also includes a detector for determining a range to a target based on displacement of the CW laser light received by the receiver. The displacement of the CW laser light is proportional to an angular velocity of the scanner.