Abstract: A strain-balanced photodetector is provided for detecting infrared light at an extended cutoff wavelength in the range of 4.5 ?m or more. An InAsSb absorber layer has an Sb content is grown in a lattice-mismatched condition to a GaSb substrate, and a plurality of GaAs strain-compensating layers are interspersed within the absorber layer to balance the strain of the absorber layer due to the lattice mismatch. The strain-compensation layers allow the absorber to achieve a thickness exhibiting sufficient absorption efficiency while extending the cutoff wavelength beyond that possible in a lattice-matched state. Additionally, the strain-compensation layers are sufficiently thin to be substantially quantum-mechanically transparent such that they do not substantially affect the transmission efficiency of the absorber. The photodetector is preferably formed as a majority carrier filter photodetector exhibiting minimal dark current, and may be provided individually or in a focal plane array.

Abstract: A system and method of recovering encoded information contained in a device by storing and retrieving at least part of the necessary decoding data by setting and measuring the physical characteristics of the device. Storage and recovery options include, but are not limited to, measurement of electronic or optical characteristics of electrically or optically conductive portions of the device using a range of measurement techniques that include, but are not limited to, time-domain reflectometry.

Abstract: A technique for generating three-dimensional information using radio frequency modulated X-rays includes both a method and an apparatus. In a first aspect, the method includes modulating an X-ray signal with first and second radio frequencies; transmitting the modulated X-ray signal; receiving backscatter; and processing the received backscatter to range a target in the field of view. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is capable of: modulating an X-ray signal with first and second radio frequencies and transmitting the modulated X-ray signal into a field of view. The receiver is capable of receiving backscatter from the transmitted X-ray signal. Other aspects include variations on these. For example, some aspects are computer implemented, such as a software implemented method, a program storage medium encoded with instruction to perform such a method, and a computing apparatus performed to program such a method.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents, in various aspects and embodiments, a 3D X-ray microscopy imaging technique. Some aspects are directed to various embodiments of an apparatus for use in such a technique, such as an X-ray microscopy imaging system. Other aspects are directed to various embodiments of a method for use in such a technique, like a method for generating an X-ray image that has a grayscale response proportional to range. Some, though not all, aspects of the technique are computer-implemented, and so include encoded program storage media, programmed computing apparatuses, and computer-implemented methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents, in various aspects and embodiments, a 3D X-ray reflection microscopy imaging technique. Some aspects are directed to various embodiments of an apparatus for use in such a technique, such as an X-ray reflection microscopy imaging system. Other aspects are directed to various embodiments of a method for use in such a technique, like a method for generating an X-ray image that has a grayscale response proportional to range. Some, though not all, aspects of the technique are computer-implemented, and so include encoded program storage media, programmed computing apparatuses, and computer-implemented methods.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technique pertains to in-line explosive trains, and, more particularly, to a dynamic switch for use in an in-line explosive train. In a first aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a method for use in arming an in-line explosive train comprising: arming two S&A circuits independently of one another; transitioning each arming circuit to a dynamic control start state to initiate a pair of state machines, each state machine associate with a respective one of the S&A circuits; transitioning through the states of the state machine to turn a switch on and off. In a second aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a dynamic safety switch for use in an in-line explosive train comprising: a pair of S&A circuits; a pair of state machines entering a predetermined cycle upon indication to arm from both the S&A circuits and cooperatively transitioning through the cycle; and a switch controlled by the cooperative transition of the state machines.

Abstract: The invention, in its various aspects and embodiments, comprises a variety methods and apparatuses. The methods variously determine the delay (or phase shift) in each element of a phased array to simultaneously form, steer and/or combine a set of beam shapes. The apparatuses include apparatuses that implement the methods as well as apparatuses that employ such methods. The invention also includes a beam controlled by such methods.

Abstract: A service architected logistics solution generates a user interface to a computing system unique for a given user among a multiplicity of users. The interface includes a plurality of services and access to data sources automatically determined from the user's identity. In various aspects, the technique includes not only the interface, but also a computer-implemented method, a program storage medium encoded with instruction that perform such a method when executed, and a computing apparatus programmed to perform such a method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding a vehicle to intercept a target is described. The method iteratively estimates a time-to-go until target intercept and modifies an acceleration command based upon the revised time-to-go estimate. The time-to-go estimate depends upon the position, the velocity, and the actual or real time acceleration of both the vehicle and the target. By more accurately estimating the time-to-go, the method is especially useful for applications employing a warhead designed to detonate in close proximity to the target. The method may also be used in vehicle accident avoidance and vehicle guidance applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in generating and imparting a low frequency, directed energy wavefield are disclosed. In a first aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a low frequency directional array, comprising: a plurality of array elements capable of generating a low frequency, directed energy wavefront; and a canceling element capable of actively canceling a spurious lobe of the wavefront. In a second aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a method, comprising: imparting a low frequency, directed wavefront; and actively canceling a spurious lobe of the wavefront.

Abstract: An instrument for determining the second and/or third-order components of the gravity tensor includes a group of six accelerometers arranged at an equal radius from a spin axis and positioned at 60 degree intervals about the spin axis with the sensing axis of each accelerometer aligned tangentially to the circle subscribed by the accelerometers as they rotate about the spin axis. A gyro-stabilized platform maintains the accelerometer arrangement at a preferred alignment relative to the local gravity vector. As the accelerometers orbit about the spin axis, each accelerometer outputs a sinusoidal signal that is offset by 60 degrees from its immediately adjacent leading and trailing accelerometers with the outputs thereof processed to provide the second-order component and the third-order tensor component.

Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments, incident electromagnetic radiation is received through a subwavelength aperture in a lens, the subwavelength aperture being defined by a substrate encased in a dielectric medium.

Abstract: The invention, in its various aspects and embodiments, comprises a method and apparatus for an optical filament launch. In one aspect, the present invention generates a plurality of plasma filaments defining a radio frequency propagation path. In a second aspect, the present invention generates a pulsed plasma filament RF transmission line.

Abstract: A dual-process system for the automatic generation of railway route-solution candidates and their concomitant movement authorities includes a central authority server that accepts dispatcher-provided start and end point data and time information and executes two different independent routing processes to provide two independently determined route-solution candidates. The two solutions are compared for consistency and, when consistent, the route with the minimum authority grants is selected as the solution for use by the locomotive or train.

Abstract: An array of two or more tunable electro-optical reflecting elements where the phase response of one or more elements may be adjusted by a variety of approaches including, but not limited to: a liquid crystal superstrate, schottky contact(s), ultra-violet radiation pulses, and illumination of photoconductive substrates. Methods and apparatus for direct and/or adaptive control of phase response via the above approaches are also discussed.

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes a laser capable of generating a laser signal; structure for conditioning the laser signal; and structure for varying the beamwidth of the laser signal as it is scanned into the field of view.

Abstract: An enclosure or containment system for expansion cards includes first and second sub-enclosures that interengage to form an enclosure assembly that substantially surrounds the major surface areas of the expansion card while providing support along some of the edges thereof to provide a protected volume that physically protects and shields the electronic and electrical components on the expansion card while providing enhanced heat transfer therefrom.

Abstract: A message formatting system includes a rules execution engine that coacts with an expandable goal-oriented rules production set to process one or more characters of an input message to output a message formatted in accordance with one or more production rules of the set of production rules. The production rule set contains a plurality of production rules each having a criteria triggerable by one more or characters of the input message to cause execution of that so-triggered rule by the rules execution engine to alter the format of the input message in accordance with an action function or the action functions of the so-triggered rule wherein each production rule includes a first side having a condition or criteria that can be selectively triggered by one or more one or more characters of the input message and a corresponding second side having one or more executable format-altering action functions.

Abstract: System and method to partition the interior of a vehicle's main crew compartment with retractable or removable walls to form a containment or isolation area at a door or hatch and to form a cab toxic free area elsewhere inside the vehicle's main crew compartment. The containment area is physically cordoned and substantially sealed off from the rest of the vehicle's main crew compartment. Independent HVAC systems controlling the pressure environment of the main crew compartment and the containment area assures that the main crew compartment is maintained at a pressure greater than the containment area as well as the outside environment, thereby isolating the main crew compartment from possible contaminated environments. The containment area's independent HVAC system is equipped with a decontamination/sterilization/filtration system to allow the purification of the air prior to removal or retraction of the removable or retractable partition.

Abstract: Sub-ordinate and host maritime vessels are connected to each other by a tow loop trailed by the host vessel through a capture frame which engages the sub-ordinate vessel. The capture frame acts to engage the sub-ordinate vessel in the transitional coordinate space shared jointly between the sub-ordinate and host vessels, which vessels can be either or both surface-going, submersible, and/or non-surface vessels. The capture frame possess features which allow it to disengage from the host vessel while remaining semi-related and recoverable by a linkage of one or more tensioned lines to the host vessel during the time that its tow loop is connected to the sub-ordinate vessel.