Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the density of an electron beam as it is emitted from a cathode, comprised of connecting a source of pulsed input power to the input end of a nonlinear transmission line and connecting the output end directly to the cathode of an electron beam diode by a direct electrical connection.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for assessing a resolution of an optical sensor. An image is obtained from the optical sensor. A target area is selected from the image. The selected area is subjected to a thresholding process to generate a binary image. Pixels at a center of the binary image are tagged. The remaining pixels of the binary image are looped through, where pixels that are not already tagged, are touching a tagged pixel, and are of the same color of previously tagged pixels are tagged. A plurality of distances associated with each corner of the binary image is calculated from the corner to the nearest tagged pixel in a row or column of pixels. At least two shortest distances of the calculated plurality of distances are selected to determine an orientation of an object defined by the tagged pixels in the generated binary image.

Abstract: A plasma torch module combining arc and microwave discharges is disclosed. One embodiment serves to enhance the size and enthalpy of the plasma torch and has a very large operational range of the airflow rate, from subsonic to supersonic flow speed. Increase of airflow in the torch operation can increase not only the size of the torch plasma and the cycle energy of the arc discharge but also the lifetime of the torch module and the torch can operate stably with very low airflow.

Abstract: Ammonium carbamate-based methods and systems for management of thermal loads, particularly low-quality, high-flux thermal loads. The increase in temperature in heat sensitive devices is mitigated by the endothermic decomposition of ammonium carbamate into carbon dioxide and ammonia gases. This process has an energy density an order of magnitude greater than conventional thermal management materials and is particularly useful for temperatures between 20° C. and 100° C. Systems incorporating ammonium carbamate may be controlled by regulating the fluid flow, overhead pressure, temperature, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing alkali uranium fluorophosphate crystals. The method includes combining a uranium-based feedstock with a mineralizer solution. The mineralizer solution includes an alkali nutrient, a phosphate, and a fluoride. The feedstock and mineralizer solution are pressurized and a thermal gradient applied thereto such that a first portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution is heated to a temperature that is greater than a temperature of a second portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution. Uranium nutrient enters the mineralizer solution from the feedstock in the first portion and uranium nutrient precipitates to spontaneously form crystals in the second portion.

Abstract: A high bandwidth, low signal error, compact waveguide includes a conductive body including a waveguide input portion and a plurality of waveguide output portions disposed coplanar with the input waveguide portion. The waveguide further includes a common junction joining the input waveguide portion and the plurality of output waveguide portions. A septum is disposed proximate the common junction collinear with a centerline of the input waveguide portion. The waveguide further includes a plurality of iris elements disposed proximate the common junction transverse to the centerline of the input waveguide portion. The septum and the plurality of iris elements changes an impedance of the common junction to match the impedance across the entire waveguide bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for guiding a store, represented by a dynamic system having transitory nonlinear characteristics, between release from a platform and an activation of a mission autopilot along an optimal path. A nominal reference trajectory is determined that optimizes a desired performance index for the dynamic system using optimal control theory. A feedback control system is implemented that optimizes an original performance index to second order in a presence of disturbances along the optimal path using neighboring optimal control. The feedback control system converges to a linear time invariant regulator approaching the desired operating condition along the optimal path. Finally, control of the store is transitioned to the mission autopilot.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal coupler isolator is provided including a first waveguide. The first waveguide includes a magnetic cladding cover layer magnetized transversely to a propagation direction of the first waveguide. A second waveguide is positioned adjacent to the first waveguide and separated by a gap. The second waveguide includes a non-magnetic cladding cover layer with a refractive index that matches a refractive index of the magnetic cladding cover layer of the first waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of presenting air traffic data to an air traffic controller are provided. Air traffic data including a two dimensional spatial location and altitude for a plurality of aircraft is received. A disparity value is determined based on the altitude for each aircraft of the plurality of aircraft. Left and right eye images are generated of the plurality of aircraft where at least one of the left and right eye images is based on the determined disparity value. The left and right eye images are simultaneously displayed to the air traffic controller on a display. The simultaneously displayed images provide an apparent three-dimensional separation of each of the aircraft of the plurality of aircraft on the display.

Abstract: A photon entanglement router comprises a modified birefringent spectral filter followed by a polarization beam splitter (PBS). Frequency degenerate or non-degenerate entangled photons, generated by a collinear laser source and incident on one input port of the photon entanglement router, are comprised of congruent photons and/or incongruent photons. The invention adds a plurality of additional filter stacks at each output port such that they invert the action of the first birefringent stack at the input port. Intermediate output photons from the invention is input to two ports of an additional PBS where they are spatially projected according to their frequencies and polarizations. Two congruent photons of an entangled photon pair exit as an entangled pair in one direction, while two incongruent photons exit as an entangled pair in the orthogonal direction. If one photon is congruent and the other photon incongruent, the photons remain entangled but are spectrally divided into orthogonal directions.

Abstract: A new 3D stencil mask guides deposition of a shaped structure, typically an electromagnetic device component, onto a non-planar surface. The 3D stencil mask includes islands and bridges from prior art two-dimensional lettering stencils, but raises the islands and stencils above the side of the 3D stencil mask facing a non-planar surface, forming undercuts, so that material particles, such as from vacuum metal deposition, will form connected shapes. The 3D stencil mask is also configures so that the dimensions of the resulting electromagnetic structures are altered from a simple projected image of a structure designed for a planar surface so that the electromagnetic properties of the deposited structure are more nearly the same as those of a corresponding structure on a planar surface.

Abstract: A method for making an artificial hair sensor, comprising the steps of: (a) depositing an electrode at each end of a microcapillary having an inside surface; (b) coating a structural fiber with alumina; (c) placing the alumina coated structural fiber inside the microcapillary, wherein part of the alumina coated structural fiber is in a spaced annular relationship with the microcapillary inside surface and part of the fiber extends outside the microcapillary; (d) placing the microcapillary and alumina coated structural fiber inside a heated furnace chamber; and, (e) injecting a vaporized catalyst into the heated furnace chamber. The vaporized catalyst may be a solution of ferrocene in xylene. The microcapillary may be made of glass.

Abstract: A pipe crawler for crawling inside a pipe having an inside wall includes a front leg assembly that has front legs and feet. It also includes a rear leg assembly that has rear legs and feet. The rear leg assembly is disposed at a distance from the front leg assembly. A midsection operably couples the front leg assembly to the rear leg assembly and is configured to extend and contract the distance between the front leg assembly and the rear leg assembly. A plurality of lever arms are pivotably coupled between the front legs and their corresponding assemblies. The lever arms, in response to a force applied in an orientation traveling from the front of the pipe crawler to the rear of the pipe crawler, are configured to redirect a portion of the force into a normal force between the feet and the pipe inside wall.

Abstract: A surface can be coated with a liquid repellent coating. Materials for making the liquid repellent coating (e.g., a fingerprint resistant coating) can be selected on the basis of surface energy considerations, such as a receding surface energy. The materials can include a polymer and a liquid repelling material, for example, poly(ethyl methacrylate) and a fluorinated silsesquioxane such as fluorodecyl POSS.

Abstract: A desired Nth-order Stokes output and zeroth-order Stokes pump input are seeded into a rare-earth doped amplifier where the power of the zeroth-order Stokes signal is amplified prior to both signals entering a Raman amplifier comprised of N?1 Raman resonators, each uniquely tuned to one of the N?1 Stokes orders, in various configurations to include one or more nested and/or in-series Raman resonators. The zeroth-order Stokes signal is converted to the Nth?1-order Stokes wavelength in steps and the power level of the Nth-order Stokes wavelength is amplified as the two signals propagate through the Raman resonators. Each Raman resonator includes a photosensitive Raman fiber located between a pair of Bragg gratings. The linewidths of the Stokes orders can be controlled by offsetting the reflectivity bandwidths of each pair of Bragg gratings respectively located in the Raman resonators.

Abstract: Bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers and a method of synthesizing the monomers are provided. The bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers, in combination with amine reactive monomers, form polymers, such as polyimides and copolyimides, having photomechanical and thermomechanical properties.

Abstract: A layered OP material is provided that comprises an OPGaAs template, and a layer of GaP on the OPGaAs template. The OPGaAs template comprises a patterned layer of GaAs having alternating features of inverted crystallographic polarity of GaAs. The patterned layer of GaAs comprises a first feature comprising a first crystallographic polarity form of GaAs having a first dimension, and a second feature comprising a second crystallographic polarity form of GaAs having a second dimension. The layer of GaP on the patterned layer of GaAs comprises alternating regions of inverted crystallographic polarity that generally correspond to their underlying first and second features of the patterned layer of GaAs. Additionally, each of the alternating regions of inverted crystallographic polarity of GaP are present at about 100 micron thickness or more. A method of forming the OPGaP is also provided.

Abstract: A new apparatus and method for determining trajectories for hypersonic glide vehicles significantly reduces integrated, or total, heat load, with little reduction in time to distance and maximum range. The new approach identifies a trajectory having large phugoid oscillations and plotting a glide trajectory along the peaks of the phugoid oscillations. The glide trajectory is determined by calculating a first altitude that results in a maximum lift to drag ratio trajectory having damped or small phugoid oscillations, then calculating a different altitude that results in larger phugoid oscillations, and higher phugoid peaks, and finally plotting a trajectory from the first altitude that follows the peaks of the higher phugoid oscillation trajectory. The thus calculated trajectory can be input into a glide vehicle guidance system for controlling the trajectory of the glide vehicle from a point where it reaches the first altitude.

Abstract: A variable bypass turbofan engine includes a bypass fan having a plurality of bypass fan blades mated to a first low pressure shaft segment. A second low pressure shaft segment includes a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine mated thereto. The engine also includes a clutch coupled between the first low pressure shaft segment and the second low pressure shaft segment and is configured to selectively couple and decouple the first low pressure shaft segment from the second low pressure shaft segment. A brake is configured to selectively halt or oppose rotation of the first low pressure shaft segment or the bypass fan.

Abstract: A photo-ignition torch is provided including a light source configured to generate at least one of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light. A photo-ignitable sub-micron particle mix is contained in capsule configured to receive the at least one of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light generated by the light source or alternatively the photo-ignitable sub-micron particle mix is in direct contact with the light source. The exposure of the photo-ignitable sub-micron particle mix to the at least one of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light initiates a photo-ignition process causing a release of burning byproducts of the photo-ignition process.