Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to infrared optical lightguides or fibers formed with molten halide material (e.g., silver halide), which can provide low loss broadband transmission of wavelengths from approximately 0.5 microns to approximately 25 microns, and methods for forming such lightguides or other optical devices based on solidifying halide melts. In some embodiments, surfaces of a retaining element may be passivated (e.g., using a silver ion exchange process) before the molten halide material is deposited into the retaining element. In some embodiments, the molten halide material may be solidified in a microgravity environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a single aperture laser range finder (SALRF). In an implementation, the single aperture laser range finder includes a beam extender including an aperture and an input aperture lens. A matching lens collimates light emitted from an emitter element associated with a single aperture optical circulator and received by the beam extender, respectively. A single aperture optical circulator has an emitter channel associated with the emitter element and a detector channel associated with a detector element. The emitter channel and the detector channel merge together at an input/output aperture. A light gating mechanism is configured to permit received light to enter the detector channel and to prevent the received light from entering the emitter channel. The SALRF has an electronics end cap.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for material processing in a low gravity environment, and an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. The system established the control of both the temperature and the temperature gradients to compensate for the effects of microgravity environment. The control of the neck-down region during the fiber draw in microgravity through the controlled temperature distribution in the work volume delivers steady-state process for microgravity manufacturing.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for material processing in a low gravity environment, and an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. In at least one embodiment, a glass part (e.g., a preform, optical fiber, optical waveguide, etc.) is produced by printing one or more glass materials using nozzles fed by heated apparatuses (e.g., syringes or crucibles).

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for material processing in a low gravity environment, and an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. In some embodiments, the system may include a radiation-based heating element, such as a laser, to heat portions of a work volume of the system to process materials in the work volume. The system may control temperature and the temperature gradients to compensate for effects of a microgravity environment on the material during processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a single aperture laser range finder (SALRF). In an implementation, the single aperture laser range finder includes a beam extender including an aperture and an input aperture lens. A matching lens collimates light emitted from an emitter element associated with a single aperture optical circulator and received by the beam extender, respectively. A single aperture optical circulator has an emitter channel associated with the emitter element and a detector channel associated with a detector element. The emitter channel and the detector channel merge together at an input/output aperture. A light gating mechanism is configured to permit received light to enter the detector channel and to prevent the received light from entering the emitter channel. The SALRF has an electronics end cap.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a single aperture laser range finder (SALRF). In an implementation, the single aperture laser range finder includes a beam extender including an aperture and an input aperture lens. A matching lens collimates light emitted from an emitter element associated with a single aperture optical circulator and received by the beam extender, respectively. A single aperture optical circulator has an emitter channel associated with the emitter element and a detector channel associated with a detector element. The emitter channel and the detector channel merge together at an input/output aperture. A light gating mechanism is configured to permit received light to enter the detector channel and to prevent the received light from entering the emitter channel. The SALRF has an electronics end cap.

Abstract: A portable weather station, including an lower body portion; an upper body portion disposed on the lower body portion in a spaced apart relationship thereby forming an open channel between the upper body portion and the lower body portion; and a plurality of weather condition sensors wherein a first set of one or more of the plurality of weather condition sensors is mounted on the upper body portion of the portable weather station and a second set of one or more of the plurality of weather condition sensors is mounted on the lower body portion of the portable weather station.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments include an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. The optical fiber can be used in airframe applications for missile defense, oil-field applications for down-well laser applications, optical communications, and other applications. The optical fiber can include a fluoride composition, such ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN), and can be characterized by an insertion loss in a range from 13 dB/1000 km to 120 dB/1000 km. The optical fiber can deliver optical energy with low insertion loss at the desired power and wavelength for the various applications.

Abstract: A portable weather station, including an lower body portion; an upper body portion disposed on the lower body portion in a spaced apart relationship thereby forming an open channel between the upper body portion and the lower body portion; and a plurality of weather condition sensors wherein a first set of one or more of the plurality of weather condition sensors is mounted on the upper body portion of the portable weather station and a second set of one or more of the plurality of weather condition sensors is mounted on the lower body portion of the portable weather station.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments include an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. The optical fiber can be used in airframe applications for missile defense, oil-field applications for down-well laser applications, optical communications, and other applications. The optical fiber can include a fluoride composition, such ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN), and can be characterized by an insertion loss in a range from 13 dB/1000 km to 120 dB/1000 km. The optical fiber can deliver optical energy with low insertion loss at the desired power and wavelength for the various applications.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments are directed to systems and methods for forming an optical fiber in a low gravity environment, and an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. The system can include a preform holder configured to secure a preform; a heating element secured to a heating element stage and residing adjacent the preform holder; a heating element stage motor configured to move the heating element stage; a tension sensor; a spool; a spool tension motor coupled to the spool and configured to rotate the spool; and a control system communicably coupled to the heating element stage motor and the spool tension motor and configured to control the movement of the heating element stage based on a rotational speed of the spool. The optical fiber can include a fluoride composition, such ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN), and can be characterized by an insertion loss in a range from 13 dB/1000 km to 120 dB/1000 km.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments are directed to systems and methods for forming an optical fiber in a low gravity environment, and an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. The system can include a preform holder configured to secure a preform; a heating element secured to a heating element stage and residing adjacent the preform holder; a heating element stage motor configured to move the heating element stage; a tension sensor; a spool; a spool tension motor coupled to the spool and configured to rotate the spool; and a control system communicably coupled to the heating element stage motor and the spool tension motor and configured to control the movement of the heating element stage based on a rotational speed of the spool. The optical fiber can include a fluoride composition, such ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN), and can be characterized by an insertion loss in a range from 13 dB/1000 km to 120 dB/1000 km.

Abstract: A portable weather station, including an lower body portion; an upper body portion disposed on the lower body portion in a spaced apart relationship thereby forming an open channel between the upper body portion and the lower body portion; and a plurality of weather condition sensors wherein a first set of one or more of the plurality of weather condition sensors is mounted on the upper body portion of the portable weather station and a second set of one or more of the plurality of weather condition sensors is mounted on the lower body portion of the portable weather station.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments are directed to systems and methods for forming an optical fiber in a low gravity environment, and an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. The system can include a preform holder configured to secure a preform; a heating element secured to a heating element stage and residing adjacent the preform holder; a heating element stage motor configured to move the heating element stage; a tension sensor; a spool; a spool tension motor coupled to the spool and configured to rotate the spool; and a control system communicably coupled to the heating element stage motor and the spool tension motor and configured to control the movement of the heating element stage based on a rotational speed of the spool. The optical fiber can include a fluoride composition, such ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN), and can be characterized by an insertion loss in a range from 13 dB/1000 km to 120 dB/1000 km.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a single aperture laser range finder (SALRF). In an implementation, the single aperture laser range finder includes a beam extender including an aperture and an input aperture lens. A matching lens collimates light emitted from an emitter element associated with a single aperture optical circulator and received by the beam extender, respectively. A single aperture optical circulator has an emitter channel associated with the emitter element and a detector channel associated with a detector element. The emitter channel and the detector channel merge together at an input/output aperture. A light gating mechanism is configured to permit received light to enter the detector channel and to prevent the received light from entering the emitter channel. The SALRF has an electronics end cap.

Abstract: A portable weather station, including an lower body portion; an upper body portion disposed on the lower body portion in a spaced apart relationship thereby forming an open channel between the upper body portion and the lower body portion; and a plurality of weather condition sensors wherein a first set of one or more of the plurality of weather condition sensors is mounted on the upper body portion of the portable weather station and a second set of one or more of the plurality of weather condition sensors is mounted on the lower body portion of the portable weather station.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments are directed to systems and methods for forming an optical fiber in a low gravity environment, and an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. The system can include a preform holder configured to secure a preform; a heating element secured to a heating element stage and residing adjacent the preform holder; a heating element stage motor configured to move the heating element stage; a tension sensor; a spool; a spool tension motor coupled to the spool and configured to rotate the spool; and a control system communicably coupled to the heating element stage motor and the spool tension motor and configured to control the movement of the heating element stage based on a rotational speed of the spool. The optical fiber can include a fluoride composition, such ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN), and can be characterized by an insertion loss in a range from 13 dB/1000 km to 120 dB/1000 km.

Abstract: A high power (HP) fiber circulator is configured with a case enclosing a plurality of optical components which are arranged so as to define multiple ports. The fiber circulator further includes a plurality of launching and receiving fiber components each of which has spliced delivery and pigtailed passive fibers selectively coupling a HP input signal into and receiving a HP output signal from respective input and output ports. The passive fibers of each fiber component have respective protective coatings spaced from one another and each covering the cladding of the fibers. A light stripper, extending between the protective coatings, is operative to substantially remove cladding-supported light from one of the passive fibers before it reaches the protective coating of the other passive fiber.

Abstract: A system for recording multiple volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) in a photo thermo-refractive material is configured to implement a method which provides for irradiating the material by a coherent light through a phase mask. The system has a plurality of actuators operative to displace the light source, phase mask and material relative to one another so as to mass produce multiple units of the material each having one or more uniformly configured VBGs.