Abstract: The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for the command detonation of a projectile. Using dual laser and/or radio frequency detectors on the tail and on the nose of a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, or lateral offset from the projectile to the target.

Abstract: The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for the command detonation of a projectile. Using dual laser and/or radio frequency detectors on the tail and on the nose of a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, or lateral offset from the projectile to the target.

Abstract: The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for a time-delayed command detonation of a projectile. Using dual laser and/or radio frequency detectors on the tail and on the nose of a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, and/or lateral offset from the projectile to the target. A time to detonation clock is used to determine when a projectile transitions from an exterior to an interior of a structure such that the projectile can more accurately detonate within a fixed structure.

Abstract: The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for a time-delayed command detonation of a projectile. Using dual laser and/or radio frequency detectors on the tail and on the nose of a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, and/or lateral offset from the projectile to the target. A time to detonation clock is used to determine when a projectile transitions from an exterior to an interior of a structure such that the projectile can more accurately detonate within a fixed structure.

Abstract: The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for the command detonation of a projectile. Using dual laser and/or radio frequency detectors on the tail and on the nose of a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, or lateral offset from the projectile to the target.

Abstract: The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for the command detonation of a projectile. Using dual laser and/or radio frequency detectors on the tail and on the nose of a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, or lateral offset from the projectile to the target.

Abstract: The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for the command detonation of a projectile warhead. Using dual laser detectors on the tail and on the nose of a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, or lateral offset from the projectile to the target. The method for controlling a projectile warhead uses a large area PIN detector and an ogive window. If the PIN detector is large enough to capture the second laser signal, the window is no longer an optical element, only a window thereby drastically reducing the cost of the system. In some cases the detector on the nose of the projectile comprises several PIN diodes placed around the projectile as a distributed aperture. Distributed apertures may also be created by placing the PIN diodes on the wing roots or body of the projectile.

Abstract: A moving object command link system includes a transmitter which outputs a EM beam and a steering mechanism which directs the beam toward one or more objects, at least one of which is moving. The system may include a variable attenuator which modulates the average output power of the beam, and/or a divergence controller to maintain a desired beam size. The beam may be polarized, and the system may include a polarization modulator which changes the beam's polarization in accordance with a predetermined sequence and schedule. The system may include a 1×2 switch to selectively provide the beam to one of first and second outputs. A tiltable dichroic beam splitter may be used to couple beams received from first and second objects to track cameras having respective boresights that are offset with respect to each other.

Abstract: A laser target board apparatus is provided for detecting spatial and temporal intensity distribution of high energy laser beams. The laser target board apparatus may include a panel having a plurality of openings and a plurality of optical rods placed therein. The laser target board apparatus may further have an optic fiber array positioned substantially parallel to and behind the panel and separated from the panel by a predetermined distance. At least one lens is configured to receive photons emitted from a second end of each optic fiber unit of the optic fiber array, and at least one camera is configured to detect the photons. A processor is configured to analyze temporal and spatial distribution of intensity of the received high energy laser beam based on data generated by the at least one camera.

Abstract: A moving object command link system includes a transmitter which outputs a EM beam and a steering mechanism which directs the beam toward one or more objects, at least one of which is moving. The system may include a variable attenuator which modulates the average output power of the beam, and/or a divergence controller to maintain a desired beam size. The beam may be polarized, and the system may include a polarization modulator which changes the beam's polarization in accordance with a predetermined sequence and schedule. The system may include a 1×2 switch to selectively provide the beam to one of first and second outputs. A tiltable dichroic beam splitter may be used to couple beams received from first and second objects to track cameras having respective boresights that are offset with respect to each other.

Abstract: A laser target board apparatus is provided for detecting spatial and temporal intensity distribution of high energy laser beams. The laser target board apparatus may include a panel having a plurality of openings and a plurality of optical rods placed therein. The laser target board apparatus may further have an optic fiber array positioned substantially parallel to and behind the panel and separated from the panel by a predetermined distance. At least one lens is configured to receive photons emitted from a second end of each optic fiber unit of the optic fiber array, and at least one camera is configured to detect the photons. A processor is configured to analyze temporal and spatial distribution of intensity of the received high energy laser beam based on data generated by the at least one camera.

Abstract: An improved alignment device and method of use thereof that provides a simple, inexpensive and accurate leveling device that can be used by non-technical people to align a rifle scope to the bore of the rifle and set the vertical crosshair or turret axis plumb to the Earth. The device and method allows the rifle scope to be quickly, conveniently and accurately aligned such that the vertical reticle axis or elevation turret axis is projected through the center of the rifle bore. The device and method can be used to level or plumb a flat surface on the scope by first locating an edge of the device parallel to a flat surface on the rifle scope. The device has a low center of gravity that allows the device to stand inverted, resting on a flat horizontal surface.

Abstract: A fast, electro-optically switched zoom lens system operates across a broad spectral and thermal range while correcting for birefringent aberrations by means of a polarizing system that preferably includes polarizing reticles.

Abstract: An electronically adjustable color filter device is provided for filtering light at a wavelength corresponding to a selected color of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Unpolarized light, at the specified wavelength, is polarized using a dichroic, cholesteric polarizer. An adjustable wave plate is optically aligned with the polarizer to convert the polarized light into two separate elements, each element having a different polarization state. A color filter, which may be a dichroic cholesteric film, filters one element of the polarized light while permitting the second element to pass. A plurality of the color filter devices may be positioned sequentially to filter various colors of light, thereby producing light having a desired combination of colors. Polarized light may be filtered, whereby a polarizer is not required. An electronically adjustable color filter system may include multiple filter devices, as well as a color detector and a controller for adjusting the wave plates.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator has a transmissive window with a transparent conductive film forming a ground plane and a direct drive backplane with a plurality of voltage gradient pixels. Each of the voltage gradient pixels has (a) resistive film, (b) resistive metal conductor frame on a boundary of the resistive film, and (c) conductive metal leads between a substrate of the direct drive backplane and the resistive metal frame. Differential voltages applied to the metal frame via the conductive metal leads generate a selective two-dimensional linear voltage gradient across the resistive film. A layer of liquid crystal material is disposed between the transmissive window and the voltage gradient pixels. Liquid crystal material of each voltage gradient pixel is responsive to an electric field generated by the voltage gradient to two-dimensionally alter phase of a wavefront incident thereon.

Abstract: An electro-optomechanical beam steering system has: a first deflector for selectively deflecting an optical beam in a first field of regard centered about a boresight; and a rotation stage having a second deflector, the rotation stage selectively positioning the second deflector in azimuth about the boresight, the second deflector selectively deflecting the optical beam of the first field of regard in a second field of regard along a polar axis defined by the second deflector and the azimuth as positioned by the rotation stage. Methods using the beam steering system are also provided, to steer an optical beam or to acquire a target in a field of regard.

Abstract: A switchable apochromatic polarization rotator is provided. A first fixed waveplate has a first principal axis fixed in a first orientation. A second fixed waveplate has a second principal axis fixed in a second orientation. First and second switchable waveplates have principal axes oriented such that broad spectral range electromagnetic radiation transmitted through all of the waveplates has a first rotated polarization, wherein, in response to one or more control signals applied to the switchable waveplates, the principal axes of the switchable waveplates rotate such that the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through all of the waveplates has a second rotated polarization. The switchable waveplates utilize ferroelectric liquid crystal material, nematic liquid crystal material, or be mechanically rotated to adjust for orientation of their principal axes. Utilizing waveplates as described may be used to tune for a desired spectral range and/or compensate for temperature dependencies.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically coupling a light source with a light-receiving end face of an optical waveguide comprises a lens for focusing a light beam emitted from the light source at a focal point on the light-receiving end face of the optical waveguide. An adaptive coupler, positioned in the optical path, is responsive to a beam steering control signal for steering and aligning the focal point relative to the light-receiving end face of the optical waveguide. In one form, the adaptive coupler comprises a pair of transparent substrates having confronting, parallel inner faces, the inner face of one of the pair of substrates carrying a beam intercepting, optically transparent, constant potential electrode and the inner face of the other of the pair of substrates carrying an electrically resistive, beam intercepting, optically transparent film. A pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical contact with the film apply a linear voltage gradient along the film.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically coupling a light source with a light-receiving end face of an optical waveguide comprises a lens for focusing a light beam emitted from the light source at a focal point on the light-receiving end face of the optical waveguide. An adaptive coupler, positioned in the optical path, is responsive to a beam steering control signal for steering and aligning the focal point relative to the light-receiving end face of the optical waveguide. In one form, the adaptive coupler comprises a pair of transparent substrates having confronting, parallel inner faces, the inner face of one of the pair of substrates carrying a beam intercepting, optically transparent, constant potential electrode and the inner face of the other of the pair of substrates carrying an electrically resistive, beam intercepting, optically transparent film. A pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical contact with the film apply a linear voltage gradient along the film.

Abstract: A monolithic O-plate optical compensator device, in accordance with the invention, comprises a plurality of thin-film compensation layers which are deposited on a single substrate. As used herein, the term “monolithic” is meant to imply that the O-plate and other thin-film compensator layers are formed by depositing (e.g., via solvent casting or vacuum deposition) one layer on top of another layer; with or without the use of surface modification treatments such as adhesion layers, alignment layers, and the like.