Abstract: An ionic fluid detection system for absorbent articles has a radiofrequency receiver operable to receive a first radiofrequency signal, a radiofrequency emitter connected to the receiver and operable to emit a second radiofrequency signal, the emitter being responsive to the receiver to emit a second radiofrequency signal when the receiver receives the first radiofrequency signal, the responsiveness of the emitter being enabled when the sensor is in a first wetness condition selected from the group of conditions including “wet” and “dry” and being disabled when in the other wetness condition. The second radiofrequency signal may have a different frequency and wavelength than the first radiofrequency signal. The radiofrequency receiver may be electrically connected to the radiofrequency emitter by a diode to form a resonant antennae pair. There may be a ground plane and a nonconductive, ionic fluid wicking material connected to the ground plane and the receiver and/or the emitter.

Abstract: A device includes a transmitter for transmitting a first optical signal towards a target, which incorporates an optical parametric oscillator. A receiver is capable of receiving a second optical signal from said target. The second optical signal is the reflected signal from the first signal. The receiver means comprises an optical parametric amplifier. A wavelength matching device matches the wavelengths produced by the optical parametric oscillator with that received from the optical parametric amplifier. The optical parametric amplifier is typically joined with a laser to form an optical parametric amplifier laser, while the optical parametric oscillator is joined with a laser to form an optical parametric oscillator laser.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for controlling a combustion process, the output of an optical parametric oscillator/laser (OPOL) is directed into the combustion chambers of an internal-combustion engine to initiate combustion of an air/fuel mixture. A control unit controls the output of the OPOL to emit a wavelength of radiation within a region of absorption of the molecules of the air/fuel mixture in order to induce those molecules into a state of excitation to ignite the mixture. The exact wavelength of the OPOL is selected based on the type of fuel and the compression ratio of the engine. A cylinder-firing-control (CFC) unit is responsive to signals transmitted by the control unit to direct the output of the OPOL to selected cylinders of the engine. And a sensor is mounted on the engine for transmitting signals to the control unit indicative of the rotational position of the engine, and the control unit controls the firing of the OPOL based on these signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method photochemically converts a first hydrocarbon into at least one other hydrocarbon, such as the conversion of methane to ethane and other higher hydrocarbons. The first hydrocarbon is injected through a high-temperature nozzle into a first reaction chamber surrounded by a first array of optical parametric oscillator/lasers (OPOLs). The secondary radiation of the OPOLs is directed into the first reaction chamber and dissociates the first hydrocarbon into the at least one other hydrocarbon. For the conversion of methane to ethane, the secondary radiation of the OPOLs is preferably within the region of approximately 3.0 microns. In a recirculating stage, residual first hydrocarbon released from the first reaction chamber is circulated through a second reaction chamber surrounded by a second array of optical parametric oscillator/lasers (OPOLs) to further dissociate the residual second hydrocarbon into the at least one other hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An optical medium, which may be nonlinear, is provided with a matrix of conductors ("select lines") parallel to a face (planar surface) of the optical medium. The select lines are preferably superconductive, and are arranged in a two offset planar, preferably orthogonal sets. Adjacent pairs of select lines in both sets of select lines define discrete volumes, or "cells" within the optical medium. Light directed through the cells is refracted at angles determined by the quiescent optical properties of the optical medium, and may be "steered" to different angles by current passing through the select lines.

Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator/laser system includes an optical pump source for generating pump radiation and an embedded dual optical resonator containing an optical parametric oscillator/laser crystal. The embedded dual optical resonator includes a laser resonator and an optical parametric oscillator resonator. The OPOL crystal is an optical parametric oscillator material doped with ions that exhibit lasing transitions. The pump radiation stimulates generation of laser radiation. When the laser radiation reaches the parametric threshold, optical parametric radiation is generated. In one embodiment, the laser resonator and the OPOL resonator are each defined by spaced-apart mirrors. In another embodiment, the OPOL system includes an OPOL rod having end caps at each end. Each end cap includes surfaces for internally reflecting the laser radiation and the parametric optical radiation in a closed loop path so that the OPOL rod and the end caps define an optical resonator.

Abstract: A DIAL LIDAR system, and methods of operating same are disclosed. A plurality, such as six, distinct coherent beams are combined into a single transmitted beam. Atmospheric targets, such as light hydrocarbons cause a portion of the transmitted beam to be reflected as a return. In one transmitting configuration, six pulsed beams are fully time-multiplexed, and are combined through selective polarization. In another transmitting configuration, six pulsed beams are fully time-multiplexed, and are combined through selective orientation of beam paths, in connection with a rotating beam displacer. In yet another transmitting configuration, six beams are wavelength-multiplexed, and are combined through differential refraction. In one receiving configuration, time-multiplexed beams are received using a single detector. In another receiving configuration, wavelength-multiplexed beams are received using multiple detectors.

Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator/laser system includes an optical pump source for generating pump radiation and an embedded dual optical resonator containing an optical parametric oscillator/laser crystal. The embedded dual optical resonator includes a laser resonator and an optical parametric oscillator resonator. The OPOL crystal is an optical parametric oscillator material doped with ions that exhibit lasing transitions. The pump radiation stimulates generation of laser radiation. When the laser radiation reaches the parametric threshold, optical parametric radiation is generated. In one embodiment, the laser resonator and the OPOL resonator are each defined by spaced-apart mirrors. In another embodiment, the OPOL system includes an OPOL rod having end caps at each end. Each end cap includes surfaces for internally reflecting the laser radiation and the parametric optical radiation in a closed loop path so that the OPOL rod and the end caps define an optical resonator.

Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator includes a pump laser for producing a pump beam, an optical resonator, an OPO crystal disposed within the optical resonator aligned with and responsive to the pump beam to produce a parametrically generated output, and a device external to the optical resonator for line narrowing the parametrically generated output. In one embodiment of the invention, the device is a grating and in another embodiment of the invention the device is an acousto-optic cell.

Abstract: A DIAL LIDAR system, and methods of operating same are disclosed. A plurality, such as six, distinct coherent beams are combined into a single transmitted beam. Atmospheric targets such as light hydrocarbons cause a portion of the transmitted beam to be reflected as a return. In one transmitting configuration, six pulsed beams are fully time-multiplexed, and are combined through selective polarization. In another transmitting configuration, six pulsed beams are fully time-multiplexed, and are combined through selective orientation of beam paths, in connection with a rotating beam displacer. In yet another transmitting configuration, six beams are wavelength-multiplexed, and are combined through differential refraction. In one receiving configuration, time-multiplexed beams are received using a single detector. In another receiving configuration, wavelength-multiplexed beams are received using multiple detectors.

Abstract: A stacked OPO is disclosed wherein two or more optically nonlinear media, such as crystals, are coaxilly disposed in a single resonator. Incident radiation is coupled into the resonator, and causes parametric oscillations of the two crystals. The two crystals are independently tuned, such as by angular orientation, to produce distinct components of secondary radiation. A first one of the crystals is disposed nearer to the source of incident radiation, and a second one of the crystals is disposed nearer to the output coupler of the resonator. This causes the first crystal to experience a greater effective gain. Furthermore, the secondary radiation from the first crystal will tend to dominate and "seed" the secondary radiation from the second crystal, when their bandwidths are narrowly separated.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use on an aircraft for detecting clear air turbulence (CAT) and/or wake vortex (WV). In one embodiment of the invention, a beam of light from a continuous wave UV laser scans an area on the aircraft's flight path. A photodetector monitors optical radiation backscattered from the area, providing an intensity-controlling signal for a CRT display. Clear air turbulence is indicated by non-uniformities on the display. In another embodiment of the invention, a pair of beams of light from a pair nitrogen gas pulse UV lasers are arranged to converge at a region in front of the aircraft. The backscattered radiation from the region is monitored for turbulent areas by a receiver which includes a photodetector and which is connected to an oscilloscope where the return pulse amplitude is analyzed. Velocity determinations of the air parcel monitored are made by causing the two beams to scan either horizontally or vertically.

Abstract: A clear air turbulence detector includes an ultraviolet laser for generating a coherent beam which scans an area on an aircraft's flight path. A photodetector monitors optical radiation backscattered from the area, providing an intensity-controlling electrical signal for a CRT display. Updrafts contain greater-than-normal amounts of ultraviolet-absorbing water vapor and result in a blank spot on the display while downdrafts contain less-than-normal amounts of water vapor and result in a bright spot on the display.

Abstract: To locate potentially hydrocarbon-bearing subsurface formations, tiltmeters measure the time of arrival and the apparent direction of a lunar/solar induced earth tide at an array of points on the earth's surface. The measurements are combined to determine the shape of the tidal wave in a region of interest. The shape is indicative of subsurface viscosity in the region. Subsurface formations having an abnormally low viscosity are considered potentially hydrocarbon bearing.

Abstract: To locate potentially hydrocarbon-bearing subsurface formations, tiltmeters measure the time of arrival and the apparent direction of a lunar-induced earth tide at an array of points on the earth's surface. The measurements are combined to determine the shape of the tidal wave in a region of interest. The shape is indicative of subsurface viscosity in the region. Subsurface formations having an abnormally low viscosity are considered potentially hydrocarbon bearing.