Abstract: An imaging system can include of a plurality of pairs of lenslets and a respective plurality of two-dimensional arrays of photonic waveguides arranged in a respective plurality of photonic integrated circuits. Each waveguide can collect light in an airy-disk-size bin to cover a full field of view of the lenslet. Light from each pair of respective waveguides from each pair of lenslets can be demultiplexed into wavelength bins and combined with appropriate phase shifts to enable a measurement of the complex visibility. The complex visibilities from all of the measurements then can be processed to form an image.

Abstract: An unobscured afocal three-mirror telescope can provide a two-axis gimbal architecture that is more compact, more lightweight, and less expensive than traditional coudé path approaches. The telescope can create a real exit pupil and position the exit pupil on a 90-degree fold mirror. Two orthogonal rotational axes can intersect substantially at or about the center of the telescope's exit pupil and on or about the center of the last fold mirror.

Abstract: A multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor (“MIDAS”) science payload system mounted on a spacecraft, including a spacecraft interface ring affixing the MIDAS science payload system to the spacecraft, and a multiple telescope array (“MTA”) further including a mechanical subsystem further including an optical bench, an optical subsystem mounted upon the mechanical subsystem collecting light and merging the light into a passive, actively-sensed or hyperspectral image, and a laser subsystem providing laser illumination for collecting active remote sensing data. The MIDAS science payload system also includes a hexapod in physical communication with and between the spacecraft interface ring and the mechanical subsystem.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a compact and stable fiber optic collimator that takes light from one or more optical fibers and generates one or more beams of collimated light at an increased specified diameter. The collimator is configured for easy assembly and for simple and precise adjustment. In one embodiment, a fiber optic collimator comprises a shuttle plug including a cavity for receiving an optical fiber having an optical fiber tip to emit a light through the shuttle plug. A collimator body has a collimator bore to receive the shuttle plug and constrain the shuttle plug in the collimator bore to be movable in an axial direction along an axis of the collimator bore. A collimating lens is mounted to the collimator body and disposed generally opposite from the optical fiber tip to receive a light beam from the optical fiber tip expanding in size toward the collimating lens.

Abstract: A method for deflecting a fluid supply using a skirt. The skirt comprising a remote and a close portion (with respect to distance from a fluid impinged surface). The skirt is located in close proximity to a surface to be impinged by the fluid. The deflection method is especially suited for use in conjunction with a Joule-Thomson cryostat and can also be used in conjunction with more than one cryostat for cooling of electronic devices. The remote portion of the skirt is disposed around the nozzle or nozzles of the fluid supply so that each fluid supply (or nozzle) extends through a hole in the remote portion of the skirt. The interior surface of the close portion of the skirt extends closer to the fluid impinged surface than each nozzle. The method efficiently wets the impinged surface with a fluid providing a measure of control over the outward velocity of the fluid as it progresses along the fluid impinged surface.

Abstract: A skirt for deflecting a fluid supply comprises a remote and a close portion (with respect to distance from a fluid impinged surface). The skirt is located in close proximity to a surface to be impinged by the fluid. The skirt is especially suited for use in conjunction with a Joule-Thomson cryostat and can also be used in conjunction with more than one cryostat for cooling of electronic devices. The remote portion of the skirt is disposed around the nozzle or nozzles of the fluid supply so that each fluid supply (or nozzle) extends through a hole in the remote portion of the skirt. The interior surface of the close portion of the skirt extends closer to the fluid impinged surface than each nozzle. The skirt efficiently wets the impinged surface with a fluid providing a measure of control over the outward velocity of the fluid as it progresses along the fluid impinged surface.

Abstract: An optical phased array system is disclosed that uses three methods of phased array retargeting: optical retargeting, element slew, and rigid body array slew. These work together in hierarchical fashion to reduce the retargeting disturbances and enhance system performance by shortening retargeting timelines. The optical train configuration given here is an embodiment for the approach to use the rotation of each array element (e.g. telescopes) in the phased array to provide most of the large optical path length shift required for phasing during a phased array look angle shift by individual telescope slew (i.e. venetian blind steering). The optical train configuration discussed here provides about 97% of the optical path length compensation required for a slew to .+-.20 degrees from the array normal. This greatly reduces the amplitude required of the piston control mirror if an equal optical path length is to be maintained from object to sensor.

Abstract: An optical radiant energy source capable of far infrared spectrum operation and on-off energy modulation without interruption of the radiation sources operating temperature characteristics. Provisions for radiant energy dissipation as part of the modulation, for achieving uniform output beam dispersion over a specified area, and for airframe mounting of the disclosed apparatus are also included.