Abstract: An accelerometer of the type in which a disk is mounted upon a vertical post. The accelerometer may be employed as a hydrophone, for example, including a watertight case, and forming a neutrally buoyant structure or may be suitable for hull-mounting. The disk comprises a planar honeycombed structure. A solid, dense ring-like peripheral mass is fixed to the central honeycombed structure to form a composite apparatus. The honeycombed central structure contributes enhanced stiffness without a corresponding increase in weight when compared with disks of solid fabrication while the peripheral concentration of mass increases radius of gyration sufficiently to offset gain dimunition due to increased stiffness so that an increase in figure of merit is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for detecting photons and generating a representation of an image. A photocathode receives photons from the image. The photocathode discharges electrons in response to the received photons. A microchannel plate is located no more than about 125 microns from the photocathode. The microchannel plate has an unfilmed input face and an output face. The microchannel plate receives the electrons from the photocathode and produces secondary emission electrons which are emitted from the output face. A screen receives the secondary electrons and displays a representation of the image.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an enhanced vision device having an image intensifier tube (16) with an input end (17a) and an output end (17b) with an IR phosphor (19) deposited on the input end (17a) of the image intensifier tube (16). The IR phosphor (19) produces photons in response to light of wavelengths that would be undetectable by the image intensifier tube (16).

Abstract: A method is provided in which an epoxy-based soldering flux is used to solder a flip-chip IC device to a metallic bond site on a substrate material. The soldering flux is composed of a thermosetting epoxy resin and a cross-linking agent with inherent flux activity. When heated the cross-linking agent cleans the metal oxides from the metal surfaces on the chip and then reacts with the epoxy resin to form a thermosetting epoxy residue. The flux residue left on the board after soldering does not inhibit the flow of an underfill encapsulant. The underfill binds to the thermosetting residue of the flux which increases adhesion strength preventing delamination of the chip during thermal cycling.

Abstract: A system for measuring changes in an environmental parameter, such as velocity or pressure, includes an optical signal source for providing a coherent light signal, and an interferometer having a first and second optical legs of unequal optical path lengths. The signal is split into first and second beams that are respectively directed into the first and second optical legs of the interferometer. A fixed mirror reflects the first beam received at the end of the first optical leg. An optical pick-off includes a movable mirror, positioned to reflect the second beam received from the end of the second optical leg. The movable mirror is movable in response to changes in the-value of the parameter to be measured. An optical coupler combines the first and second beams after they have been reflected back into their respective optical legs, producing an interference signal, which is detected by an optical detector.

Abstract: A system and method for generating signals representing infrared radiation include the capability to provide a reference scene and an actual scene to a plurality of infrared detector elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, the detector elements being biased so that they produce a signal even when no infrared radiation is impinging thereon. The system and method further include the capability to receive a first signal representing the reference scene from one of the detector elements, receive a second signal representing the actual scene from the detector element, and remove the bias signal from the second signal. The system and method also include the capability to attenuate the remaining second signal, integrate the attenuated signal, and sample the integrated signal.

Abstract: A gyroscope having a rotor mounted onto a rotating shaft wherein the rotor has a circular flange extending from and perpendicular to one surface thereof. A suspension member having a flexible flange is affixed concentric with the rotating shaft and the rotor. A hysteresis synchronous electric drive motor is used for spinning the combined shaft with rotor. A light source is disposed on a stationary plate for emitting light perpendicular to a surface of the circular flange of the rotor. A light sensor is also disposed on the stationary plate and on a side of the circular flange opposite of the light source for producing an electrical signal as a function of the amount of light received. The light source and the light sensor are positioned such that only a portion of the light from the source strikes the sensor when the gyro is in a quiescent rotating state.

Abstract: A micromachined silicon tuned accelerometer gyro is formed out of silicon wafers, by micromachining. The top and bottom cover which include driver, forcer, tuning and guard ring elements mounted therein are micromachined in arrays on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers. The center (driver and sensing) element between the top and bottom is micromachined in an array of four inch diameter silicon wafers. The driver and sensing structure is a tuned pendulum attached by flexure joints to a vibrating structure which is in then suspended by a parallelogram dither suspension. The pendulum is tuned by adjusting the magnitude of a d.c. signal to match the natural frequency of the pendulum to the natural frequency of the vibrating structure. The dither suspension flexures of the vibrating structure is uniquely defined and easily machined but yet provides a dither suspension that restrains the vibrating structure within its vibrating plane with no harmonic distortion.

Abstract: A system and method for gathering image data are disclosed. A first sensor (120) receives light directly from an aperture (114) and generates a first data set in response to the received light. A first reflective surface (130) receives light from the aperture (114) and reflects the received light. A second reflective surface (132) receives light reflected from the first reflective surface (130) and reflects the received light. A second sensor (134) receives light reflected from the second reflective surface (132) and generates a second data set in response to the received light. The second sensor (134) is substantially coaxial with the first sensor (120).

Abstract: A bi-stable micro-actuator is formed from a first and a second silicon-on-insulator wafer fused together at an electrical contact layer. A cover with a V-groove defines an optical axis. A collimated optical signal source in the V-groove couples an optical signal to an optical port in the V-groove. A mirror surface on a transfer member blocks or reflects the optical signal. The transfer member has a point of support at the first and second end. The mirror blocks or reflects the optical axis. An expandable structure applies a compressive force between the first and second point of support of the transfer member along a compressive axis to hold the transfer member in a bowed first state or a bowed second state. A control signal applied to a heating element in the expandable structure reduces the compressive force, switching the transfer member to a second state.

Abstract: An integrated optic gyro has a multi-level optical coil having a mounting plate, a top substrate, and a bottom substrate, the top substrate being bonded to the mounting plate, the bottom substrate being bonded to the mounting plate. The top substrate has a top waveguide coil. The bottom substrate has a bottom waveguide coil. A coupler has an input port, a first, second and third output port. A first optical fiber couples the top waveguide coil to the bottom waveguide coil. The coils are coupled to have a common rotational sense. A second optical fiber connects the coupler's first output port to the top waveguide coil. A third optical fiber for connects the coupler's second output port to the bottom waveguide coil. A light source couples a light wave into the coupler's first input port. The coupler splits the light wave into substantially equal first and second output waves.

Abstract: A source, system and method for generating amplified stimulated emission is provided. The source includes a pump source for generating a pump light which is provided to a doped element, such as a doped fiber. Based on the pump light, the doped fiber, which may be a erbium doped fiber, generates the amplified stimulated emission. A coupler mechanism provides the pump light to the doped fiber and transmits the amplified stimulated emission from the doped fiber. The coupler mechanism isolates the pump light and the amplified stimulated emission using phase conditions. A system is also provided including a source and a sensor, such as a fiber optic gyroscope. A method for generating the amplified stimulated emission is further provided.

Abstract: A laser apparatus is described having multiple modes of operation using intracavity optical switching within a laser resonator. The laser resonator has a solid state gain medium and one or more optical switches located between a pair of end reflectors. The pump for the gain medium has controlled duration to allow varying the pumping energy and pulse repetition rate. The laser has a Q-switched mode for generating energy from the laser resonator at a fixed level of outcoupling when the laser pump is operated to produce a range of predetermined pulse, rates and durations. The laser also has a cavity dumped mode of operation in which the laser pump is operated to produce a second range of predetermined higher pulse repetition rates and shorter pulse durations so that the pulse energy, rate and duration are selected by first Q-switching with essentially no outcoupling and then rapidly cavity dumping all the optical energy in the resonator.

Abstract: A telemetry harness for a hydrophone array which carries and positions the signal carrying elements of the array for ready assembly and reconfiguration. An elongated fabric incorporates bare optical fibers as well as optical and electrical cables and tension-resistant strength members. The fiber is characterized by markings, fiber slackness and apertures at predetermined locations that assist an assembler in determining where to cut selected bare fibers for splicing. The harness is wrapped around a layer of open cell foam that surrounds the aligned and linked sensors of an array segment with the resultant locations of the various sensors in resultant registration with the appropriate overlying fibers of the harness.

Abstract: A system (100) for gating a sensor (118) includes a detector (120) that detects light and outputs a signal (102) corresponding to the light. A control unit (134) receives the signal (104), adjusts a gating signal (112) in response to the signal (104), and outputs the adjusted gating signal (112) to gate a sensor (118) sensing the light.

Abstract: A suspension for a gyroscopic float assembly in a floating gyroscope system comprises a pair of flexures that each have an outer rim and a plurality of flexure beams extending from the outer rim. A plurality of flexure tabs extend outward from outer perimeter portions of the rims for mounting the flexure assembly to a pair of end caps. A plurality of strain relief passages formed in the rims is arranged to provide relief from thermally induced stresses. A plurality of angular stops formed in inner perimeter portions of the rims is arranged to constrain the flexure against rotation about a selected axis.

Abstract: A first radiator component and a second radiator component of a system serve to transmit information over a plurality of frequencies in a range that comprises one or more octaves less than or equal to thirty megahertz. The first radiator component comprises a major dimension that is less than or equal to nine meters. The second radiator component comprises a major dimension that is less than or equal to nine meters.

Abstract: A Q-switched microlaser is provided that is capable of supporting a zig-zag resonation pattern in response to side pumping of the active gain medium so as to effectively lengthen the microresonator cavity without having to physically lengthen the microresonator cavity. As such, the microlaser can generate pulses having greater pulse widths and correspondingly greater pulse energies and average power levels than the pulses provided by conventional microlasers of a similar size. corresponding fabrication method is also provided according to one embodiment of the present invention that permits a plurality of side pumped Q-switched microlasers to be fabricated in an efficient and repeatable manner.

Abstract: An optical fiber sorter system (10) includes a measurement system (14) operable to determine a measurement characteristic of an optical fiber. The system (10) also includes a guide system (12) operable to direct the optical fiber to a measurement position (54) relative to the measurement system (14). The system also includes a collection system (16) disposed adjacent an outlet (126) of the guide system (12). The collection system (16) includes a plurality of receivers (24) for receiving the optical fibers from the guide system (12). The system further includes a controller (18) operable to automatically position a particular receiver (24) of the collection system (16) adjacent the outlet (126) of the guide system (12) corresponding to the measurement characteristic of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical contact having a compliant section. The electrical contact has a primary section retained within an electrical contact. The electrical contact has a secondary section that includes an elongated section and a compliant section. The compliant section is formed such that when the compliant section is inserted into a hole in a PC board, the compliant section and the elongated section remain straight within a wide range of manufacturing tolerances.