Abstract: In a system and method, the emitted beams of multiple diode bar array assemblies are combined to achieve an increase in the resulting power density in the combined output beam, while addressing the need for heat distribution in each of the individual assemblies. The present invention enables the combination of output planes of illumination, to form a single, merged beam of area Ag having intensity IM˜M*Istack and brightness BM˜M*Bstack, where Istack and Bstack refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the output plane of illumination of a single stacked array, and where IM and BM refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the combined output plane of illumination of M stacked arrays. In this manner, the present invention is useful in applications where there is a need for high-intensity, high-brightness light energy.

Abstract: A technique for processing an electronic apparatus (e.g., manufacturing an assembled circuit board, treating an assembled circuit board, etc.) involves applying encasement material to an area of the circuit board assembly while leaving at least a portion of the circuit board assembly exposed. The technique further involves causing the applied encasement material to harden (e.g., heating the encasement material in a curing oven, applying radiation, providing a chemical catalyst, etc.). Application and hardening of the encasement material may take place shortly after circuit board assembly (e.g., by automated equipment at a manufacturing facility in order to treat newly assembled boards) or at some later time in the field (e.g., by a technician servicing a legacy board).

Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator includes a source of coherent energetic pump optical signals and an optical resonator cavity which includes a set of optical parametric amplifying (OPA) crystals and a set of optical elements such as mirrors disposed along an optical path. The optical elements are configured (1) to direct an oscillation optical signal generated by the OPA crystals along the optical path, (2) to provide input coupling of the energetic pump optical signals such that each energetic pump optical signal travels through only one of the OPA crystals to result in a corresponding depleted pump optical signal, and (3) to provide output coupling of the depleted pump optical signals to prevent each depleted pump optical signal from traveling through more than one of the OPA crystals. Resonator cavities have multiple-leg configurations, including “L” and “U” shapes, and either linear (or standing-wave) or ring architectures.

Abstract: In a system and method, the emitted beams of multiple diode bar array assemblies are combined to achieve an increase in the resulting power density in the combined output beam, while addressing the need for heat distribution in each of the individual assemblies. The present invention enables the combination of output planes of illumination, to form a single, merged beam of area Ag having intensity IM˜M*Istack and brightness BM˜M*Bstack, where Istack and Bstack refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the output plane of illumination of a single stacked array, and where IM and BM refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the combined output plane of illumination of M stacked arrays. In this manner, the present invention is useful in applications where there is a need for high-intensity, high-brightness light energy.

Abstract: In a sensor-fuzed munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator mode of operation. In the laser designator mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether laser designator energy is detected as being present on the target. This additional mode of operation is preferably achieved using the existing laser receiver of the rangefinder hardware, with minimal additional hardware and software systems for detecting and processing the additional laser designator signal energy. In this manner, collateral damage and false-target firings are decreased to near-zero probability.

Abstract: A zig-zag laser has the ability to generate a high power beam while effectively removing heat without degrading the beam quality. The laser has a series of gaps interposed between the thin slabs, the gain medium, and between the thin slabs and the quartz windows to receive coolant and cool the cell assembly. The coolant flows transversely relative to the path of the laser and the flow of the coolant is in the opposite direction on each side of the thin slab to minimize the temperature gradient. The gaps in conjunction with the inner channel portions in the secondary manifold flow the coolant through the cell assembly in a laminar manner therein not degrading the laser beam quality. A transparent quartz/quartz interface between the secondary manifold and the cell assembly allow the fluorescence to move away from the cell assembly and minimizes heat in the cell assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the controllable deployment of a samara wing from a spinning housing by use of an active deployment system. The active deployment system operates to deploy the samara wing as a function of time, for example a step function, or a monotonic function. The samara wing may be attached to a base, which may include a releasable portion. The active deployment system may include an electronic control unit and release means. Suitable release means include, but are not limited to pin actuators, explosively actuated cutters, and the like. Suitable electronic control units include programmable electronic sequencers and the like.

Abstract: A detection system operating on a scalable Radiation Sensor Unit (RSU) data stream employs a detection module triggering an alarm based on fee dynamic temporal features of gross count. Two spectroscopic buffers, one holding a long-term background and one holding the integrated detection event data are passed on for identification. The detector data incorporates sets of counts measured at channelized gamma energies. Each multi-channel data set is reduced to highly accurate peak locations. The absolute energy of the peaks is determined using innovative techniques and the background peaks and other secondary peaks are eliminated to provide a concise list of corrected source peak locations and intensities. This, together with spectral region analysis results is used with pattern recognition algorithms to identify fee source isotope or combination of isotopes from a standard library.

Abstract: A technique provides a remote adjustment to a portion of an airplane engine. The technique involves attaching a remote adjuster to the portion of the engine at a proximate location to the engine while the engine is not running. The portion is configured to receive a direct manual adjustment from a user while the engine is running and while the user is in direct physical contact with the portion. The technique further involves, after attaching the remote adjuster to the portion of the engine, supplying user input to the remote adjuster at a distal location to the engine to provide a remote adjustment to the portion of the engine through the remote adjuster in place of the direct manual adjustment from the user. The technique further involves, after supplying the user input to the remote adjuster, removing the remote adjuster from the portion of the engine.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to the use of optical gain structures that include alternating layers of gain medium and transparent heat conductors in which the gain medium itself functions as a correction optic. The gain medium changes to an optimum or desired shape because of the thermal changes occurring as the materials of the optical gain structure(s) reach a desired optical output condition. At the desired optical output conditions, the gain medium conforms to a desired shape. The desired shape may be, for example, that of an optical surface of a transparent heat conductor. By designing the initial shape of the gain medium such that the physical contact with the transparent heat conductor is maximized at the desired optical output conditions, conductive heat transfer between the gain medium and heat conductor(s) is maximized at the desired optical output condition.

Abstract: Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) ducts are disclosed for use with various gain media. An ASE duct may be configured and arranged to remove ASE from solid state or liquid gain media and transmit the ASE to an exterior optical medium. The refractive index of an ASE duct is selected as desired based on the refractive index of a gain medium and an exterior optical medium. An ASE duct may include first and second boundary surfaces joined at a vertex having an included angle that allows ASE (light) reflected off on one boundary surface to be incident on the another boundary surface at less than the critical angle and transmitted outside of the ASE duct. Laser systems using ASE ducts and methods of using and manufacturing ASE ducts are disclosed.

Abstract: Determination of the orientation of a unit is based on solar positioning. An actual measurement of the position of the sun is taken and compared to a theoretical determination of the position of the sun. By comparing the actual and theoretical positions, the orientation of the unit is determined in an accurate, reliable, and economical manner.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to the use of optical gain structures that include alternating layers of gain medium and transparent heat conductors in which the gain medium itself functions as a correction optic. The gain medium changes to an optimum or desired shape because of the thermal changes occurring as the materials of the optical gain structure(s) reach a desired optical output condition. At the desired optical output conditions, the gain medium conforms to a desired shape. The desired shape may be, for example, that of an optical surface of a transparent heat conductor. By designing the initial shape of the gain medium such that the physical contact with the transparent heat conductor is maximized at the desired optical output conditions, conductive heat transfer between the gain medium and heat conductor(s) is maximized at the desired optical output condition.

Abstract: A gimbal for a gimbaled mirror optical sensor system includes a mirror support rotatable about a first axis along which an optical sensor suite lies, the first axis being spaced apart from a desired pivot point of a variable line of sight, which may be for example a fixed-size window in the outer wall of an aircraft. The gimbal further includes two generally planar mirrors supported by and rotatable with the mirror support. A first mirror is spaced apart from the optical sensor suite along the first axis and is non-orthogonal to the first axis so as to reflect light from a second axis to the optical sensor suite, wherein the second axis sweeps an arcuate path about the first axis upon rotation of the mirror support. A second mirror lies along the second axis so as to follow the arcuate path upon rotation of the mirror support. The second mirror is pivotable so as to reflect light from the variable line of sight to the first mirror along the second axis.

Abstract: A dispenser system provides a means to automatically deploy systems using a controlled dispense approach capable of providing desired operational flexibility. Components such as unattended ground sensors (UGS) are deployed according to a method which includes incorporating the components into an elongated ejection system to form a payload assembly, the ejection system including axially-displaced ejector bays each for holding respective components. Each ejector bay retains the respective components until a respective ejection event upon which the ejector bay ejects the components in a radial direction. The payload assembly includes a stabilizer such as a drogue parachute that substantially prevents the payload assembly from rotating about its elongated axis. A timing sequence for the ejection events is programmed into the ejection system to achieve a desired coverage pattern of the components after deployment.

Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator includes a source of coherent energetic pump optical signals and an optical resonator cavity which includes a set of optical parametric amplifying (OPA) crystals and a set of optical elements such as mirrors disposed along an optical path. The optical elements are configured (1) to direct an oscillation optical signal generated by the OPA crystals along the optical path, (2) to provide input coupling of the energetic pump optical signals such that each energetic pump optical signal travels through only one of the OPA crystals to result in a corresponding depleted pump optical signal, and (3) to provide output coupling of the depleted pump optical signals to prevent each depleted pump optical signal from traveling through more than one of the OPA crystals. Resonator cavities have multiple-leg configurations, including “L” and “U” shapes, and either linear (or standing-wave) or ring architectures.

Abstract: A gimbal for a gimbaled mirror optical sensor system includes a mirror support rotatable about a first axis along which an optical sensor suite lies, the first axis being spaced apart from a desired pivot point of a variable line of sight, which may be for example a fixed-size window in the outer wall of an aircraft. The gimbal further includes two generally planar mirrors supported by and rotatable with the mirror support. A first mirror is spaced apart from the optical sensor suite along the first axis and is non-orthogonal to the first axis so as to reflect light from a second axis to the optical sensor suite, wherein the second axis sweeps an arcuate path about the first axis upon rotation of the mirror support. A second mirror lies along the second axis so as to follow the arcuate path upon rotation of the mirror support. The second mirror is pivotable so as to reflect light from the variable line of sight to the first mirror along the second axis.

Abstract: In a system for controlling the inclination angle and rotation angle of a body, a rotary actuator is coupled to a base. A pivot actuator is coupled to an output shaft of the rotary actuator. The rotary actuator controls the angular position of the pivot actuator. A displacement member is coupled to an output shaft of the pivot actuator. The pivot actuator controls the linear position of the displacement member. A support shaft is pivotably coupled to the displacement member. A spherical bearing includes a socket that is coupled to the base and a ball that is coupled to the support shaft. In this manner, the angular position and linear position of the displacement member is translated to a corresponding rotation angle and inclination angle in the support shaft. This system provides for a continuous range of rotation of the upper body and a continuous range of inclination angles in the upper body relative to the lower base.

Abstract: In a system and method, the emitted beams of multiple diode bar array assemblies are combined to achieve an increase in the resulting power density in the combined output beam, while addressing the need for heat distribution in each of the individual assemblies. The present invention enables the combination of output planes of illumination, to form a single, merged beam of area Ag having intensity IM˜M*Istack and brightness BM˜M*Bstack, where Istack and Bstack refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the output plane of illumination of a single stacked array, and where IM and BM refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the combined output plane of illumination of M stacked arrays. In this manner, the present invention is useful in applications where there is a need for high-intensity, high-brightness light energy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for three-dimensional imaging through turbulence such as produced by the Earth's atmosphere are described. A first light source may direct an output of pulses to a target through atmospheric turbulence. A first image sensor, for example a time of arrival sensor or focal plane, may receive light from the first light source and may be used to record two-dimensional images or image slices of the target. A second light source may also be used. A second image sensor may receive light reflected from the target. An atmospheric point spread function may be derived or calculated by a means for multiframe blind deconvolution from one or more images of the target received at the second image sensor. The point spread function may be used to deblur or improve the resolution of each of the two-dimensional image slices from the first image sensor. The two-dimensional image slices may be combined to form a three-dimensional image of the target.