Abstract: A Moiré deflectometer includes at least three non-mechanical, transparent, spatial light modulators for demonstrating two sets of patterns on two parallel planes on two of the modulators thereby creating a Moiré fringe pattern and a method for using the same. More particularly, each of the spatial light modulators may be a liquid crystal display, an electrochromic device, a micromirror array, a microlouvre array, an electro-optic device, or a holographic device.

Abstract: A periscopic optical training system for displaying simulation and real images includes a microprocessor for generating at least one simulation image, at least one display for displaying the simulation image, at least one periscopic device each with a viewing window for receiving the simulation and real images, and a controller for controlling the simulation and real images to be received by the periscopic device interchangeably or simultaneously.

Abstract: A wireless atmospheric site-to-site full-duplex (i.e., simultaneous transmit and receive) laser communication system, typically for wideband (high-speed) data, voice, and/or video transmission. The system includes at least one laser communication transceiver each having an electro-optical transmitter that includes a laser source for generating laser light to be transmitted site-to-site and at high speed, an electro-optical receiver that includes a baffle assembly for receiving light directly onto a detector, without an intermediate field stop and re-imaging relay optics to reject off-axis light sources. Wideband data are transmitted and received through the atmosphere by the electro-optical transmitter and the electro-optical receiver. The data to be transmitted through each laser communication transceiver is inputted through a fiber-optic receiver and outputted by a fiber-optic transmitter.

Abstract: A Moiré deflectometer includes at least three non-mechanical, transparent, spatial light modulators for demonstrating two sets of patterns on two parallel planes on two of the modulators thereby creating a moiré fringe pattern and a method for using the same. More particularly, each of the spatial light modulators may be a liquid crystal display, an electrochromic device, a micromirror array, a microlouvre array, an electro-optic device, or a holographic device.

Abstract: A wireless transmission system for transmitting data to a user in a simulation system includes a light source for generating a modulated light beam for transmitting the data, an active pointing mechanism for actively pointing the light source, an optical receiver carried by the user for receiving and demodulating the modulated light beam, and a display or audio source for using the data to provide stimuli to the user. The light source preferably includes a laser device which is intensity-modulated with a wave form appropriate for the audio and video interfaces being used. The active pointing mechanism preferably includes a two-dimensional gimbal which receives tracking information from a tracking detector that tracks the optical receiver, and which uses that tracking information to actively point the light source. User position and head orientation are wirelessly tracked via optical sensors or feedback from user-worn sensor data.

Abstract: An in situ training system for displaying simulation and/or real images includes a microprocessor for generating at least one simulation image, at least one display for displaying said simulation image, at least one periscopic device each with a viewing window for receiving the simulation and/or real images, and a controller for controlling the simulation and real images to be received by said periscopic device interchangeably or simultaneously.

Abstract: A laser communication system for full duplex wideband data transmission includes first and second terminals having dichroic wavelength-multiplexed optical systems wherein transmitted and received light are multiplexed along a path through the same aperture. The optical systems each preferably comprise a cassegrain receiver having primary and secondary mirrors for directing both transmitted and received laser light. Modulated laser light is generated by a high-power laser diode which is actively cooled by a thermoelectric cooler. A window in the housing, through which the modulated laser light travels, includes a transparent resistive coating to which electrical current is applied to control the temperature of the window. The aspheric primary mirror has a highly reflective surface, preferably a single-point diamond-turned mirror surface, formed on an aluminum substrate as a single piece.

Abstract: A polarizing beamsplitter cube, such as for midwave infrared spectral applications, comprises two ZnSe 45° prisms, an adhesion layer and a thin-film polarization coating layer that are deposited onto the hypotenuse of the first prism, a refractive index liquid layer that provides an interface between the prisms that defeats total internal reflection when the prisms are joined together, and a urethane adhesive that permanently seals and encapsulates the liquid. The adhesion layer consists of 100 Å thorium fluoride and 50 Å chromium layers. The polarization coating (PC) comprises alternating layers of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and germanium (Ge) which are deposited by vapor deposition.

Abstract: An optical interface of a holographic memory system electrically selects one of several optical pathways to store or retrieve an image from a holographic memory by activating liquid crystal polarization rotators and novel liquid crystal gratings. In a preferred embodiment a spatial light modulator, a pixelized readout device (i.e., focal-plane array), a series of polarizing optical components, liquid-crystal polarization rotators, liquid-crystal beam-steering devices, and interconnecting and imaging optics are provided. The parallel interconnection accepts a laser-beam input, divides the beam among multiple paths, imparts a data-bearing spatial signature on a signal beam by means of a spatial light modulator, steers a reference beam by means of liquid-crystal beam-steering devices, and directs the appropriate beams into the recording medium.