Abstract: Ultrashort pulsed laser systems are described. In one example, a pulsed laser system includes a source laser configured to emit a pulsed source laser beam, a splitter configured to split the source laser beam into first and second input laser beams, a first amplifier module configured to amplify the first input laser beam using chirped pulse amplification (CPA) and to produce, at a first output port, a first output laser beam in a first spectral range based on soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS) in the first amplifier module, a second amplifier module configured to amplify the second input laser beam using CPA and to produce an intermediate beam based on SSFS in the second amplifier module, and a mid-infrared fiber configured to receive the intermediate beam and to produce, at a second output port, a second output laser beam in a second spectral range based SSFS in the mid-infrared fiber.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a carbide-derived carbon (CDC) fiber in solid-phase micro extraction. Optically pumping the carbide-derived carbon (CDC) fiber, as compared to using thermal desorption, enhances performance of the system. CDC provides for a broad based sorbent that is insensitive to high humidity. Optical pumping may be done axially or radially on a modified gas chromatography needle. In some cases, staged, or pulsed, optical pumping is used to drive off solvent or other lower boiling compounds first and then the desorption of the remaining analytes is cleaner and the instrumentation is less likely to be overloaded.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a wireless fuze setter interface, comprising an electronics subsystem comprising a plurality of ports and a plurality of output interfaces having a common interface with the plurality of ports on the electronics subsystem. The plurality of output interfaces comprises an electrical energy transfer zone configured to provide electrical energy to the fuze, and a high speed data communications zone configured to transfer fuze setting data to the fuze. The wireless fuze setter interface provides fuze setting capability without the need for rotational or other physical alignment between the fuze and the fuze setter.

Abstract: The system and method for a multi-element, ultra-low SWaP chemical concentrator incorporating Applicant's own open cell foamed adsorbent material which allows high volume sampling (e.g., liters per minute) to achieve low detection limits (ppt) using high-volume, low-pressure air sources (i.e. fans or blowers) rather than pumps. The device delivers the sample directly to an analyzer without the need for a typical intermediate cryogenic trapping step. In one example, a rotary style concentrator comprises four individual foam elements. Each element can be individually heated to desorb analytes.

Abstract: A soft-kill countermeasure system utilizing a confirmation device, which may be radar, to enhance existing countermeasures, and enable new countermeasures to be utilized to combat the ever evolving and increasing sophistication of threats. The threat defeat confirmation may allow for rapid or immediate redirection of the countermeasure system to address additional simultaneous threats. The confirmation device can be mounted on a gimbal head or above a gimbal to take advantage of slewing movement to direct the confirmation signal towards the threat.

Abstract: A transceiver unit includes an enclosure, a first input port, a second input port, a first output port, and a second output port. A radio frequency (RF) pass-through path is within the enclosure between the first input port and the first output port and includes a gain module. The RF pass-through path is configured to receive a first RF signal at the first input port and to transmit a second RF signal at the first output port. The gain module is configured to amplify the first RF signal to produce the second RF signal. The transceiver unit further includes a transceiver path within the enclosure between the second input port and the second output port, the transceiver path including a signal processor.

Abstract: A mid-wave infrared (MWIR) lens assembly that may include a first set of optical elements, wherein each optical element of the first set of optical elements is a positive optical power. MWIR lens assembly may also include a second set of optical elements, wherein each optical element of the second set of optical elements is a negative optical power. MWIR lens assembly may also include that at least one optical element of the first set of optical elements is formed of a first optical glass material, at least another optical element of the first set of optical elements is formed of a second optical glass material, and at least one optical element of the second set of optical elements is formed of a third optical glass material wherein the second optical glass material is different than the first optical glass material and the third optical glass material.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder. A system implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes an antenna array configured to operate in an omnidirectional mode and a steered directional mode. The system also includes a receiver configured to receive signals provided through the antenna array while operating in the omnidirectional mode and a detector configured to detect an IFF interrogation message in the received signals. The system further includes an angle of arrival (AOA) estimator configured to operate the antenna array in the steered directional mode to estimate an AOA of the IFF interrogation message. The system further includes a transmitter configured to operate the antenna array in the steered directional mode to transmit an IFF response message in the estimated AOA direction. The transmit power of the IFF response message may be based on, for example, the steering gain of the antenna array.

Abstract: The system and method of retractable solar arrays for underwater vehicles. In some cases, the retractable solar arrays for underwater vehicles contain anti-biofouling mechanisms. The retractable solar arrays may extend in a linear or a fan-like manner. In some cases, the solar array may be wrapped around the outside of the underwater vehicle or within a cylindrical housing. In some cases the solar array is a single flexible member with a series of connected panels.

Abstract: A method of making GaP window slabs having largest dimensions of greater than 4 inches and GaAs IR window slabs having largest dimensions of greater than 8 inches, includes slicing and dicing at least one smaller GaAs or GaP single crystal boule, which can be a commercial boule, to form a plurality of rectangular slabs. The slabs are ground to have precisely perpendicular edges, which are polished to be ultra-flat and ultra-smooth, for example to a flatness of at least ?/10, and a roughness Ra of less than 10 nanometers. The slab edges are then aligned and fused via optical-contacting/bonding to create a large GaAs or GaP slab having negligible bond interface losses. A conductive, doped GaAs or GaP layer can be applied to the window for EMI shielding in a subsequent vacuum deposition step, followed by applying anti-reflection (AR) coatings to one or both of the slab faces.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing a likelihood of detection of an imaging system by another imaging system are provided. For example, a mechanism may be used to interrupt an optical path between pulse biased thermal sensors and an aperture of the system when the pulsed biased thermal sensors are pulse biased. For example, emissions may be directed to a beam dump. Other techniques may include a mechanism for linearly moving the thermal sensor array or rotating a mirror.

Abstract: A laser transmission assembly for shearography and related systems utilizing transmissive geometric phase plate pairs in place of Risley prism pairs or movable mirrors therein. Transmissive geometric phase plates provide for a system that is more compact than systems utilizing mirrors or Risley prism pairs while maintaining or improving the adjustability of the system and further offering beamshaping to provide desired illumination patterns.

Abstract: A multi-bit, asynchronous e-fuse macro, the macro comprising: the following inputs: an input output enable, a power on reset, a write address, an input write enable, a ground clamp enable, and a write clock; a plurality of e-fuse bits; a supply voltage configured to allow programming at least one of the e-fuse bits; at least one fuse output; and self-timing and control circuitry configured to perform signaling, wherein each of the inputs is in electrical communication with said e-fuse macro.

Abstract: Techniques to provide compression and/or decompression. A method includes obtaining a first set of control points specifying a first set of compression ratios corresponding to respective first regions of a compression domain, and minimum and maximum uncompressed values within the compression domain. The method can further include scaling the first set of control points based on the minimum and maximum uncompressed values to obtain a scaled set of control points, wherein a first scaled control point is located at the minimum uncompressed value, and a last scaled control point is located at the maximum uncompressed value. The method can further include adjusting at least one scaled control point such that a first slope does not exceed 1. The method can further include compressing or decompressing between the compression domain and a range of compressed values, wherein a respective compression ratio corresponds to a respective slope of the set of slopes.

Abstract: A chaff dispensing system that is provided on an aircraft and includes a container, a dispensing assembly, a controller, and a volume of chaff material. The container has a first end, a second end, and a chamber that extends between the first and second ends, and the second end defines an ejection port. The dispensing assembly is operably engaged to the container. The controller is electrically connected to the dispensing assembly. The volume of chaff material is disposed inside the chamber of the container. The volume of chaff material is dispensed by the dispensing assembly operably through the controller in metered volumes of chaff material. In addition, a first volume of chaff material may be metered at a first time and a second volume chaff material may be metered at a second time in which the second volume of chaff material is different than the first volume of chaff material.

Abstract: A system for enhancing a coupling laser beam to create a larger beam radius thus increasing sensitivity inside the system. The system includes a coupling laser source to emit a coupling laser defining a first power level. The system also includes a resonant optical cavity that is optically aligned with the coupling laser source and the probe laser source. The resonant optical cavity enhances the coupling laser to a second power level that is greater than the first power level inside of the resonant optical cavity. The power increase of the coupling level also increases the sensitivity of the atomic receiver system by increasing the diameter of the coupling laser inside of the resonant optical cavity. The system also includes at least one photodetector positioned outside of and optically aligned with the resonant optical cavity for monitoring a resonance condition of the coupling laser circulating within the resonant optical cavity.

Abstract: A device includes a frame and at least one printed circuit board attached to the frame. The frame includes an integrated aperture antenna array and an antenna feed in electrical communication with the at least one printed circuit board. The integrated aperture antenna array further includes a first conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with a surface of the frame; a second conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with the surface of the frame and adjacent to the first conductive dipole arm; a first feedline in electrical communication with the first conductive dipole arm and the antenna feed; a second feedline in electrical communication with the second conductive dipole arm and the surface of the frame; and a shorting arm in electrical communication with second conductive dipole arm and the frame.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes an antenna feed configured to receive a signal over a wide bandwidth, a ground plane, and an antenna element. The antenna element includes first and second conductive dipole arms each in planar alignment with a surface of the ground plane and adjacent to each other. The antenna assembly further includes a conductive wall (“H-wall”) in electrical communication with the ground plane and having an end adjacent to, and physically separate from, the second conductive dipole arm, where an axial length of the H-wall being orthogonal to the ground plane, and a resistive surface having an attenuation effect on the reflected signal from the ground plane.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes an antenna feed, a ground plane, a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a shorting post that is shared between the first and second antenna elements. The first antenna element includes a first conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with a surface of the ground plane and a second conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with the surface of the ground plane and adjacent to the first conductive dipole arm. The second antenna element includes a third conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with the surface of the ground plane and adjacent to the second conductive dipole arm, and a fourth conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with the surface of the ground plane and adjacent to the third conductive dipole arm. The shorting post is in electrical communication with the ground plane, the second conductive dipole arm and the third conductive dipole arm.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes a balanced antenna feed configured to receive a differential signal and a ground plane. The assembly further includes a first conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with a surface of the ground plane and a second conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with the surface of the ground plane and adjacent to the first conductive dipole arm. The assembly further includes a first feedline in electrical communication with the first conductive dipole arm and the balanced antenna feed and a second feedline in electrical communication with the second conductive dipole arm and the balanced antenna feed. The assembly further includes a conductive wall (“H-wall”) in electrical communication with the ground plane and having an end adjacent to, and physically separate from, the second conductive dipole arm. The H-wall has an axial length orthogonal to the ground plane.