Abstract: An optically transparent and optically stimulable glass composite includes glass matrix that has both luminescent centers and trapping centers. The trapping centers store trapped charges and, in response to optical stimulation, release the charges resulting in recombination and light emission. In one embodiment, the invention is a glass matrix doped with an alkaline earth sulfide, Sm ions, and an additional dopant such as Eu ions and Ce ions. Alternatively, the dopants may be ZnS and Cu, Pb, or Mn ions. In another embodiment, Cu may be the sole dopant. Several different preparation methods, including diffusion techniques, are described for producing the doped glasses.

Abstract: Radiation is detected using a light transparent thermoluminescent dosimeter that comprises a nanocrystalline phosphor dispersed in a light transparent glassy matrix, such as Vycor glass. The dosimeter is placed in an environment in which radiation is present for a period of time, removed from the environment and then heated to emit light, the intensity of which is indicative of the radiation dose. The method of the invention is useful for detecting and recording the dosage of both UV and ionizing radiation. In one embodiment in which the dosimeter is in the form of a flat plate. Ambient .alpha. or .beta. radiation populates traps and, upon heating of the flat dosimeter, the emitted light is guided to the edges of the dosimeter by total internal reflection, where it is detected and recorded.

Abstract: A thermoluminescent radiation dosimeter system for the remote monitoring of adiation sources. The system includes a radiation-sensitive thermoluminescent dosimeter which utilizes a new, semiconductor-doped glass material disposed at a remote location for storing energy from ionizing radiation when exposed thereto and for releasing the stored energy in the form of thermoluminescence light at a first wavelength when stimulated by exposure to light energy at a predetermined stimulating second wavelength.

Abstract: A luminescent glass includes nanocrystalline semiconductor particles, such as ZnS nanocrystals, and an activator, such as copper, for the particles. The glass is made by depositing the nanocrystalline semiconductor particles and the activator within a porous glass matrix, such as 7930 Vycor.TM. and then thermally activating the glass. The porous glass matrix may be at least partially consolidated or may be allowed to remain porous. The nanometer particle size permits the luminescent glasses of the present invention to be transparent to its luminescent emissions.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a UV signal in the presence of background solar radiation comprises: a first filter system disposed along an optical axis being responsive to a light flux containing background solar radiation and a UV signal for passing UV light wavelengths below a selected UV wavelength and having a very sharp wavelength cutoff to substantially block wavelengths within a first selected wavelength band above the first selected UV wavelength; second and third filter systems serially disposed along the optical axis and tilted off the optical axis with respect to each other are selectively responsive to light from the first filter system for sequentially passing UV light wavelengths below the selected UV wavelength and substantially blocking visible light within the first selected wavelength band; a downconverter transforms the UV signal light from the third filter system to visible light in a second selected wavelength band; a dielectric coating disposed adjacent to the downconverter and between the

Abstract: A broadband thermal optical limiter disposed between a laser oscillator and laser amplifier system for protecting optical components in the laser oscillator from damage due to amplified optical feedback from the laser amplifier system at all near ultraviolet, visible and near infrared wavelengths is disclosed.

Abstract: A broadband thermal optical limiter for protecting a light-sensitive object from intense laser beams at all near ultraviolet, visible and near infrared wavelengths is disclosed. The broadband thermal optical limiter comprises: a sample cell containing a solution of broadband absorber material dissolved in a thermal solvent; and a first optical device for converging an incident laser beam into the sample cell. The sample cell is responsive to a converged incident laser beam below a predetermined intensity level for passing therethrough the converged incident laser beam below the predetermined intensity level. The sample cell is also responsive to a converged incident laser beam at or above a predetermined intensity level for thermally defocusing substantially all of the converged incident laser beam in different directions and passing therethrough only a remaining small portion of the converged incident laser beam at or above the predetermined intensity level.

Abstract: A phase-sensitive ultrasonic modulation method for the detection of strain-sensitive spectral features involves the use of an ultrasonic field with well-defined wavefronts and a light beam of spot size less than the ultrasonic wavelength and of linewidth less than that of the spectral feature. When the light wavelength coincides with the wavelength of the spectral feature, the ultrasonic wave shifts, splits, or broadens the absorption lineshapes of the various centers contributing to the spectral feature thereby changing the amplitude or phase of the light beam or emitted fluorescence in synchrony with the ultrasonic field.

Abstract: A system for protecting ships from attack by an infrared-seeking missile is provided which comprises decoying the missile by deploying an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol merely scatters a modulated light beam. Another embodiment deploys particles that can undergo an exothermic photochemical reaction when initiated by an ultraviolet laser. The laser projects an image of the ship onto the aerosol and at the same time causes the particles to generate sufficient heat to attract the infrared-seeking missile away from the ship. This system presents an infrared-decoy target with a suitable infrared image of appropriate spatial scale to mislead a missile with imaging capability. The spectral content of the decoy's image resembles that of a blackbody 20.degree.-50 .degree. C. above ambient, and has a brightness and spatial extent equal to the largest ships, approximately 10 kw/steradian, in the 3-5 and 8-12 micrometer bands.