Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photocathode includes positioning the photocathode on a support such that an etch surface of the photocathode faces away from the support. The method includes inserting an end of the support containing the photocathode into a cap. The cap comprises a passage operable to direct an etch compound to the etch surface of the photocathode. The method also includes aligning the etch surface of the photocathode with the passage of the cap using the support. The method also includes inserting a plunger through a passage in the support to contact a surface of the photocathode opposite the etch surface of the photocathode. The method further includes securing the photocathode against the cap using the plunger to confine the etch compound to the etch surface of the photocathode.

Abstract: A system for detecting radiation is disclosed. The system comprises sensors (102 and 104) operable to sense input radiation and generate sets of sensor data that yield a unique wavelength for the radiation. a processing module (108) receives the sets of sensor data and determines the wavelength for the radiation from the sets of sensor data. A four-step method for detecting radiation is also disclosed. Step one provides for selecting sensors (102 and 104) that detect input radiation and generate two or more sets of sensor data that yield a unique wavelength for the radiation. Step two calls for sensing input radiation using sensors (102 and 104) to generate sets of sensor data. Step three provides for computing a wavelength from the sets of sensor data using a processing module (108). The last step calls for displaying the wavelength using a display (136).

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, a compliant section and a support section. The support section is formed such that when the compliant section is inserted into a hole in a PC board, the elongated section remains straight within a wide range of manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A silicon carbide filter includes a filter body and has a cavity formed therein. A microwave RF energy source is coupled to the cavity. A lossy media is disposed in the cavity for absorbing microwave energy. A reflective screen is spaced a predetermined distance from the input screen to define an input lossy volume and to define an output lossy volume between the reflective screen and the output screen. The input lossy volume includes a central less lossy section and an outer more lossy section, wherein in the outlet lossy volume the lossy media is less lossy than in the input lossy volume.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flow rate selector having a high flow position and a low flow position. The flow rate selector has a flow selector knob having a web. The web has a flat surface. At least two seals are mounted on the flat surface of the web. A retaining piece has two orifices of differing cross-sectional areas. The flow selector knob is rotatable relative to the retaining piece such that at least one seal can be aligned with either of the orifices to prevent fluid flow there through while allowing fluid flow through the other orifice. Cover 656 has conical outside diameter that seals against chamber in 654. This protects chamber 720 from foreign particles.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for processing signals with frequencies fL and fR from a multioscillator ring laser gyro, the method being repeated at regular time intervals. The difference f&Dgr;&thgr;, of fL and fR is a measure of the angular rotation rate of the ring laser gyro and the sum fF of fL and fR divided by 2 is the Faraday bias frequency. The first step of the method comprises determining two or more of the values MLP, MRP, MFP, and M&Dgr;&thgr;P of a set of functions ML(fL), MR(fR), MF(fF), and M&Dgr;&thgr;(f&Dgr;&thgr;). The second step comprises storing two or more processed values MLS, MRS, MFS, and M&Dgr;&thgr;S of the functions ML(fL), MR(fR), MF(fF), and M&Dgr;&thgr;(f&Dgr;&thgr;) if the corresponding values of MLP, MRP, MFP, and M&Dgr;&thgr;P are valid. A processed value is derived from the value for the present time interval and zero or more processed values for prior time intervals.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a cost effective flat rotor for a pancake type slip ring. A flat copper coil sheet is stamped into a corrugated shape having concentric V-ring grooves. The corrugated stamped copper foil sheet is bonded using a bonding agent to a dielectric layer. Multiple concentric V-grooves are formed by separating the grooves, for example, by machining the grooves at an apex thereof in order to form separate electrical circuits. A corresponding plurality of holes extend through each concentric ring and through the dielectric layer from the first side through the second side. A conductive material is placed in each of the plurality of holes to electrically connect each concentric ring to the second side.

Abstract: Sunlight can damage a conventional touch screen display and cause the display to be quite difficult to read. Furthermore, conventional touch screen displays are easily damaged, and, once damaged, the entire touch screen is replaced. To address these concerns, a touch panel includes anti-reflective coatings on the surfaces of the top plate and the base plate that are open to the air. These coatings substantially reduce reflections and make the touch screen easier to read in direct sunlight. In particular, the anti-reflective coating used on the upper surface of the base plate is dielectric in nature to reduce reflectivity even further. This dielectric coating includes openings to an underlying conductive layer so that an electrical contact is made when a user deflects the top plate into the base plate. Also, the top plate may be detachably coupled to the base plate, advantageously by double stick adhesive tape, so that only the top plate is replaced when damaged.

Abstract: A potting compound for use in the fabrication of fiber optic gyro sensor coils utilizes a silver-filled silicone base to reduce gyro sensitivity to changes in heat rate and thereby improve gyro performance during warm-up and periods of thermal cycling.

Abstract: An optical sensor architecture receives an input optical signal from a signal source and outputs a perturbed optical signal from at least one sensor to a receiver. An optical amplifier is positioned along a return fiber at an optical distance at least 10 kilometers from the receiver, with the optical amplifier amplifying the perturbed optical signal propagating to the receiver. If only one optical amplifier is used, the optical distance between the amplifier and the receiver may be between about 10 km and about 80 km, and an optical distance of between about 10 km and about 150 km may separate the sensor and the receiver. If additional optical amplifiers and dedicated pump distribution fibers are used, the optical distances may be correspondingly greater. Alternatively, increasing the number of sensors necessitates a reduction in the optical distance separating the sensors from shore.

Abstract: An infra-red camera apparatus having a primary mirror assembly formed in a first molded plastic housing; and, a secondary mirror assembly formed in a second molded plastic housing and disposed in front of and in optical alignment with the primary mirror assembly for collecting an image. The first and second housings snap together for assembly of the camera. A focal plane array is disposed in optical alignment with the primary and secondary mirrors for receiving an image focused thereon by the secondary mirror. A substrate is added for supporting the focal plane array and system electronics, which are responsive to images formed on the focal plane array.

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. A 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: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a slip ring printed circuit board which includes forming a plurality of concentric spaced electrical contacts on one side of a non-conductive base and forming interconnecting electrical paths on an opposite side of the non-conductive base. The method of manufacturing a slip ring printed circuit board also includes electrically connecting the electrical contacts and the interconnecting electrical paths, depositing copper on the electrical contacts to form electrical rings and etching a groove into each of the electrical rings.

Abstract: A Q-switched microlaser is provided that is capable of supporting a zig-zag resonation pattern in response to 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. A corresponding fabrication method is also provided that permits a plurality of Q-switched microlasers to be fabricated in an efficient and repeatable manner.

Abstract: A microlaser assembly is provided that includes a microresonator, such as a side pumped microresonator having an active gain medium and a passive Q-switch, a pump source for inducing resonation of the microresonator and the generation of laser signals, one or more electro-optic components, such as one or more non-linear crystals, amplifiers, oscillators or active gain mediums, for modifying the laser signals emitted by the microlaser and a beam steering element for aligning the laser signals emitted by the microresonator with the electro-optic components. The beam steering element is preferably controllably adjustable so as to precisely align the laser signals emitted by the microresonator with an electro-optic component. In order to provide more general alignment, the microlaser assembly can also include a mechanical alignment member.

Abstract: A system (300) for gating a sensor (118) includes a detector (120) that detects light and outputs a signal (102) corresponding to the light. A control unit (334) receives the signal (106), and enables and disables a power supply (314) in response to the signal (106) to generate a gated power signal (316). The power supply (314) outputs the gated power signal (316) to a sensor (118) sensing the light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electronics and particularly to field emitters used in M-type microwave devices. The design of a multi-layer field emitter is proposed which has at least one operating film and supporting films, providing mechanical strength and preventing penetration of corrosion materials into the operating film at high operating temperatures. The supporting films could be produced from the same material or material with linear expansion coefficients equal or close to that of the operating film material. Built-in mechanical stress can cause not only deformation but also a break of the film during its exploitation in a wide range of temperatures. In the inventive structure the thermal stresses in the operating film during an emission from its surface are lower due to good thermal contact with supporting films.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a rotation sensor for use in a fiber optic gyroscope including a centrally-located cylindrical hub having an improved slip interface positioned there around. The central hub has a substantially planar mounting flange extending from one of its ends, where the axis of rotation of the central hub is orthogonal to the plane of the mounting flange. A sensor coil comprising a plurality of layers of coaxial turns of optical fiber embedded in a potting material is formed around an outer surface of the interface. The interface allows the potted coil to expand or contract along the axial direction of the central hub due to thermal expansion while maintaining a constant thermal and mechanical connection between the interface and the potted coil. In this manner, the present invention maintains the integrity of the potted coil and its connection to the interface during thermal expansion of the potted coil, thus minimizing temperature-induced Shupe bias errors in the rotation sensor.

Abstract: A novel pressure sensor housing configuration and method of assembly are described. A pressure transducer including a tube for measuring pressure and leads for providing signals indicated of the measured pressure is mounted to a printed circuit board. A housing including elongated mounting portions or legs taller than the pressure sensor transducer and a cavity for receiving the tube is mounted over the pressure transducer to the printed circuit board. The housing is connected to the printed circuit board using the elongated mounting portions. A pneumatic connection to the housing provides a pressure to be measured to the cavity and thence to the pressure transducer tube.