Abstract: An apparatus is provided for resiliently mounting a photomultiplier tube. The tube is sequentially tapped to move a debris particle therein. The tube is initially inclined for moving the particle to a staging site. The tube may then be re-oriented horizontally for moving the debris particle from the staging site to a target site for subsequent laser blasting thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing blend segregation in a mixture comprises a light transmissive window disposed within a feed connection between a hopper and an extruder for example, a light source for emitting a light beam, and a light sensor to perform spectrum analysis of any incident light supplied thereto. An illumination assembly has a first end optically coupled to the light source and a second end optically coupled to the light transmissive window to illuminate a portion of the internal path provided by the feed connection. At least one detection assembly is provided, having a first end disposed adjacent to the light transmissive window so as to detect the reflection from any illuminated polymer blend passing therethrough. The light sensor collects the diffuse reflecting light from the polymer blend and transforms the diffuse reflecting light into tri-color signals, reflection curves or the like, for comparison with other diffuse reflecting light so as to determine if a particular blend is segregating.

Abstract: An optical element surface monitoring system includes an optical beam shaper and an optical sensor. The optical beam shaper directs an input beam of light from a laser source onto a surface portion of an optical element. The optical sensor receives a reflected beam of light from the optical element, derived from the input beam of light. The power of the reflected beam of light is monitored for an unexpected dropoff as an indicator of damage to the surface portion.

Abstract: A method of hygroscopic optical material fabrication comprising the steps of cutting a hygroscopic optical material to generate an optical substrate of appropriate dimensions and polishing the hygroscopic optical material for appropriate surface figure or surface quality. The cutting and polishing of the hygroscopic optical material is completed while the hygroscopic optical material is isolated from aqueous contamination so as to maintain or increase the damage threshold of the hygroscopic optical material.

Abstract: An exemplary method for welding a circular disk coaxially atop a tubular body comprises the steps of rotating the body and disk thereon, drawing a vacuum inside the body for vacuum holding the disk thereon, and welding the disk along a rim thereof to the body to sealingly join the disk thereto.

Abstract: A fresnel reflection termination system includes a laser source, a folding mirror to reflect a laser beam, a focusing lens to focus the laser beam on the folding mirror, and a laser beam dump. The laser beam dump has an outer absorption surface for absorbing fresnel reflections, an inner termination area for capturing fresnel reflections, and a cooling mechanism within the inner termination area for dissipating heat generated by the captured fresnel reflections. The system terminates fresnel reflections to prevent costly damage to the environment or hardware surrounding the system.

Abstract: A welding fixture includes a stationary tubular outer manifold having an outer flow passage extending radially therethrough for drawing vacuum, and a tubular spindle extending coaxially therethrough. The spindle includes a mandrel at one end over which the bore of a tubular body is positioned. A sleeve at the opposite end of the spindle is used for rotating the spindle. An inner manifold adjoins the sleeve and is disposed inside the outer manifold, and has an inner flow passage extending radially therethrough and disposed in flow communication with the outer passage for drawing vacuum inside the spindle and in turn inside the body for retaining a disk thereon. An annular flange adjoins the mandrel and the inner manifold, and has a seat facing the mandrel for receiving the body at a complementary counterbore, and also includes a bearing land disposed in contact with the outer manifold for rotation thereon.