Abstract: The invention relates to an optical scattering element suitable for dispersing or scattering light transmitted by optical device by Mie scattering. The optical scattering element comprises a phase-separated or porous borosilicate glass having dispersed phase particles with a particle size of 200 to 500 nanometers or pores with a size of 200 to 500 nanometers, at a number density of 108 to 1012 mm?3. The optical scattering element can be prepared by subjecting a borosilicate glass to a controlled heat treatment to induce phase separation, and then optionally leaching out one of the phases with an acid leach. The optical scattering element can be, for example, attached to an end of an optical fiber or bundle of optical fibers. The invention also relates to a method of dispersing or scattering light by transmitting the light through the optical scattering element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Nd-doped, aluminate-based or silicate-based, laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is longer than 1059.7 nm, an emission cross section (?em) of ?1.5×10?20 cm2, and/or an emission bandwidth (??eff) of ?28 nm, while maintaining properties that render the glass suitable for commercial use, such as low glass transition temperature Tg and low nonlinear index, n2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Nd-doped, aluminate-based or silicate-based, laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is longer than 1059.7 nm, an emission cross section (?em) of ?1.5×10?20 cm2, and/or an emission bandwidth (??eff) of ?28 nm, while maintaining properties that render the glass suitable for commercial use, such as low glass transition temperature Tg and low nonlinear index, n2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Nd-doped (and/or Yb-doped and/or Er-doped) phosphate laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is shorter than 1054 nm. Cerium oxide (CeO2) is incorporated into a phosphate glass host system, preferably in replacement of lanthanum oxide, to shift the peak emission wavelength to a wavelength shorter than 1054 nm. The invention further relates to a laser system using mixed-glass arrangement and phase compensation, wherein one of the glasses of the mixed glass system is an Nd-doped (and/or Yb-doped and/or Er-doped) phosphate laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is shorter than 1054 nm, and a method of generating a laser beam pulse using such a laser system.

Abstract: The transparent window is suitable for use in applications that require a host of very demanding performance criteria. In the window, a transparent polymer is chemically bonded to an adhesive at an interface between the two, which enables the window to resist delamination. The window also has a polymer or plastic strike face with a coating that enables it to endure rigorous field conditions and still pass critical rock strike tests. The window also has a bulk layer with at least one layer of a glass, glass-ceramic, or transparent ceramic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lightweight transparent armor laminate comprising layers of borosilicate glass, layers of transparent glass-ceramics and a polymer spall layer of polycarbonate and/or polymethyl methacrylate. The layers are bound by polyurethane and/or polyvinylbutyral interlayer films.

Abstract: A transparent armor system includes a hard face fabricated from a substantially transparent glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material and a backing covering a rear surface of the hard face opposite an anticipated incoming projectile. The backing has a refractive index substantially matching that of the hard face such as to allow substantial transparency of the transparent armor system. The hard face serves to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the transparent armor system, while the backing serves to retain any pieces of the hard face fractured during ballistic impact. In certain embodiments, a plurality of hard faces are held in parallel and spaced apart arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed are the use of phosphate-based glasses as a solid state laser gain medium, in particular, the invention relates to broadening the emission bandwidth of rare earth ions used as lasing ions in a phosphate-based glass composition, where the broadening of the emission bandwidth is believed to be achieved by the hybridization of the glass network.

Abstract: The invention relates to aluminophosphate-based glasses suitable for use as a solid laser medium, which further contains SiO2 and B2O3. The laser glasses possess desirable figure of merit values for FOMTM and FOMlaser, as described herein.

Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of optical components simultaneously includes providing a plate structure with first and second opposed plate faces and a plurality of the optical components retained within a sacrificial matrix material. Each optical component includes first and second component faces coinciding with, respectively, the first and second plate faces The matrix and optical-component materials are selected such that the former is soluble in a solvent in which the latter is relatively insoluble. A portion of the matrix material is dissolved is order to recess the matrix relative to at least the first component faces. With a remainder of the matrix retaining the components in their initial spatial relationships, a single, continuous substrate is adhered to a plurality of the first component faces protruding relative to the matrix. The remainder of the matrix material is then dissolved such that the substrate to which the first component faces are adhered retains the optical components.

Abstract: The invention relates to aluminoborosilicate-based glasses suitable for use as a solid laser medium. In particular, these aluminoborosilicate-based laser glasses exhibit broad emission bandwidths of rare earth lasing ions. Although not entirely understood, the broadening of the emission bandwidth is believed to be achieved by the presence of significant amounts of lanthanide ions in the glass matrix. In addition, because of the high values of Young's modulus, fracture toughness and hardness, the rare earth aluminoborosilicate glass system according to the invention is also suitable as transparent armor window material.

Abstract: A transparent armor system includes a hard face fabricated from a substantially transparent glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material and a backing covering a rear surface of the hard face opposite an anticipated incoming projectile. The backing has a refractive index substantially matching that of the hard face such as to allow substantial transparency of the transparent armor system. The hard face serves to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the transparent armor system, while the backing serves to retain any pieces of the hard face fractured during ballistic impact. In certain embodiments, a plurality of hard faces are held in parallel and spaced apart arrangement.

Abstract: An optical component includes at least one light-guiding element with a side surface extending between incident and emission faces between which light that is introduced into the incident face can propagate by internal reflection. Disposed over at least a portion of the side surface of at least one of the at least one light-guiding elements is an extramural absorption material that is configured to selectively absorb “stray light” that enters the incident face of the light-guiding element, but which exists through the side surface instead of the emission face. The absorption material is fabricated, at least in part, from an electro-chromic material exhibiting a translucency that is selectively adjustable in response to changes in at least one of (i) electrical current applied through at least a portion of the absorption material and (ii) an electrical potential difference applied between disparate locations within the absorption material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of bonding a gold surface to a second surface which comprises heating a hybrid organic-inorganic melting gel >50° C., applying the melting gel to either the gold surface or the second surface. The melting gel is heated to above 130° C. until the melting gel has cured sufficiently to bond the surfaces together. The invention also relates to a combination of a gold surface and a second surface that is bonded together with a hybrid organic-inorganic melting gel. In another aspect of the invention the hybrid organic-inorganic melting gel is heated to a workable viscosity and cast into a film, sheet, block or lens. The cast gel is cured or partially cured and then applied between the gold surface and the second surface. Additional uncured melting gel may be applied. The construct is heated to above 130° C. until the melting gel has cured sufficient to bond the surfaces together.

Abstract: A multilayer armor is provided that includes a first rigid layer, a second rigid layer, and an interlayer securing the first and second rigid layers to one another. At least one of the first and second rigid layers can include a plurality of regions with a physical or material property that varies between the regions. The interlayer can have a force-extension ratio of 5,600 psi/in or less. The interlayer can have a physical or material property that varies within the interlayer.

Abstract: A transparent laminate structure is provided that includes a front section, a rear section, and a middle section securing the front and rear sections to one another with a gap therebetween. The front section has a strike face formed of an impact resistant layer and a polymer backing layer bonded to the impact resistant layer by an interlayer. The rear section has a forward face comprising at least one polymer layer. The front and middle sections can form an integral subassembly.

Abstract: A method of calibrating the intensity with which light is emitted through the light-emission face of an optical fiber light line assembly employs (i) a data processing system with computer memory, (ii) a camera communicatively linked to the data processing system, and (iii) a signal-responsive scoring device communicatively linked to the data processing system. Light is introduced into the assembly, an image of the emitting face is captured, and corresponding image data is stored in computer memory. The image data is segmented into plural image-data segments corresponding to physical sub-regions of the imaged face. The image-data segments are algorithmically analyzed to identify the sub-region that emits inputted light with the lowest intensity, and emission-intensity data associated with that sub-region is identified as reference emission data.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic material product. A filler material is provided. The filler material is divided into filler granules collectively having a median diameter approximately 10 microns or less. An amount of carbon is provided. The carbon is divided into carbon particles and the carbon particles are allowed to coat the filler granules. The mixture of carbon-coated filler granules is formed into a selected shape. The formed mixture is placed in a substantial vacuum. The mixture is introduced to a pre-selected amount of silicon and the mixture of carbon-coated filler granules and silicon is heated to a temperature at or above the melting point of the silicon.

Abstract: A transparent laminate structure is provided that includes two transparent layers, a transparent interlayer, and an inorganic barrier layer. The two transparent layers each have an inner face and a side edge. The transparent interlayer is between and laminates the inner faces of the two transparent layers to one another. The transparent interlayer also extends over the side edges of the two transparent layers and laminates the inorganic barrier layer to at least the side edges of the two transparent layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for preparing conductive glass-ceramic membranes and methods of using them in hydrogen or proton separation.