Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing an obscurant and imaging a target are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of imaging a target includes characterizing at least one obscurant present in an environment, and determining, based on the at least one characterized obscurant, one or more of the following: one or more wavelengths corresponding to the at least one obscurant, a polarization state corresponding to the at least one obscurant, and a sensor exposure time corresponding to the at least one obscurant. The method further includes adjusting one or more parameters of an imagining system based at least in part on a characterization of the at least one obscurant.

Abstract: Magnetically isolated feedback circuits and regulated power supplies are disclosed. In some embodiments, a magnetically isolated feedback circuit includes an isolated gate drive circuit and a forward converter circuit. The isolated gate drive circuit is operable to receive a plurality of pulses, wherein the isolated gate drive circuit produces a plurality of isolated bi-polar pulses from the plurality of pulses. The forward converter circuit is electrically coupled to the isolated gate drive circuit and is operable to be electrically coupled to a load. The plurality of isolated bi-polar pulses causes the forward converter circuit to sample a voltage at the load as a sampled voltage. The forward converter circuit is operable to provide the sampled voltage to a feedback input of a pulse width modulator.

Abstract: Magnetically isolated feedback circuits and regulated power supplies are disclosed. In some embodiments, a magnetically isolated feedback circuit includes an isolated gate drive circuit and a forward converter circuit. The isolated gate drive circuit is operable to receive a plurality of pulses, wherein the isolated gate drive circuit produces a plurality of isolated bi-polar pulses from the plurality of pulses. The forward converter circuit is electrically coupled to the isolated gate drive circuit and is operable to be electrically coupled to a load. The plurality of isolated bi-polar pulses causes the forward converter circuit to sample a voltage at the load as a sampled voltage. The forward converter circuit is operable to provide the sampled voltage to a feedback input of a pulse width modulator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to infrared detector devices incorporating a tunneling structure. In one embodiment, an infrared detector device includes a first contact layer, an absorber layer adjacent to the first contact layer, and a tunneling structure including a barrier layer adjacent to the absorber layer and a second contact layer adjacent to the barrier layer. The barrier layer has a tailored valence band offset such that a valence band offset of the barrier layer at the interface between the absorber layer and the barrier layer is substantially aligned with the valence band offset of the absorber layer, and the valence band offset of the barrier layer at the interface between the barrier layer and the second contact layer is above a conduction band offset of the second contact layer.

Abstract: Satellite onboard imaging systems having a look-down view and a toroidal view of the Earth are disclosed. In one embodiment, a satellite onboard imaging systems include an infrared sensing system and a controller. The infrared sensing system includes a first imager configured to have a first field of view that observes a look-down view of the Earth from a satellite and a second imager configured to have a second field of view that observes a toroidal view of the Earth centered at the satellite. The controller is coupled to the first imager and the second imager and operable to process image data from the first imager and the second imager. The controller is further operable to output indications of thermal energy of an identical, or different objects based on the first thermal image signal, the second thermal image signal, or both.

Abstract: Self-centering electromagnetic transducers, such as linear motors and generators, are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic transducer includes an outer yoke made of a ferromagnetic material, and a coil assembly including a plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire, wherein the coil assembly is substantially surrounded by the outer yoke. The electromagnetic transducer further includes a magnet, and an inner yoke made of ferromagnetic material. The magnet is disposed within the outer yoke such that the coil assembly surrounds the magnet. The inner yoke is disposed within the magnet, and the magnet is free to translate. The electromagnetic transducer further includes at least one high-reluctance zone positioned within the outer yoke and/or the inner yoke. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic transducer includes one or more actuators that vary a width of one or more high-reluctance zones to change a spring rate of the electromagnetic transducer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to infrared detector devices incorporating a tunneling structure. In one embodiment, an infrared detector device includes a first contact layer, an absorber layer adjacent to the first contact layer, and a tunneling structure including a barrier layer adjacent to the absorber layer and a second contact layer adjacent to the barrier layer. The barrier layer has a tailored valence band offset such that a valence band offset of the barrier layer at the interface between the absorber layer and the barrier layer is substantially aligned with the valence band offset of the absorber layer, and the valence band offset of the barrier layer at the interface between the barrier layer and the second contact layer is above a conduction band offset of the second contact layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to infrared detector devices incorporating a tunneling structure. In one embodiment, an infrared detector device includes a first contact layer, an absorber layer adjacent to the first contact layer, and a tunneling structure including a barrier layer adjacent to the absorber layer and a second contact layer adjacent to the barrier layer. The barrier layer has a tailored valence band offset such that a valence band offset of the barrier layer at the interface between the absorber layer and the barrier layer is substantially aligned with the valence band offset of the absorber layer, and the valence band offset of the barrier layer at the interface between the barrier layer and the second contact layer is above a conduction band offset of the second contact layer.

Abstract: Focal plane arrays and infrared detector device having a transparent common ground structure and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a front-side illuminated infrared detector device includes a contact layer and a detector structure adjacent to the contact layer. The detector structure is capable of absorbing radiation. The front-side illuminated infrared detector device further includes a common ground structure adjacent the detector structure, wherein the common ground structure is transmissive to radiation having a wavelength is a predetermined spectral band, and the common ground structure has a bandgap that is wider than a bandgap of the detector structure. The front-side illuminated infrared detector device further includes an optical layer adjacent the common ground structure.

Abstract: Focal plane arrays and infrared detector device having a transparent common ground structure and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a front-side illuminated infrared detector device includes a contact layer and a detector structure adjacent to the contact layer. The detector structure is capable of absorbing radiation. The front-side illuminated infrared detector device further includes a common ground structure adjacent the detector structure, wherein the common ground structure is transmissive to radiation having a wavelength is a predetermined spectral band, and the common ground structure has a bandgap that is wider than a bandgap of the detector structure. The front-side illuminated infrared detector device further includes an optical layer adjacent the common ground structure.