Abstract: An EUV light source includes a chamber that defines a plasma confinement region. A magnetic core is positioned around the chamber and is configured to generate a plasma in the plasma generation region so that the plasma converges in the plasma confinement region. A power delivery section is positioned around the magnetic core. A power supply includes a charging circuit, a pre-ionization circuit, and a solid state switching circuit having an output coupled to the magnetic core. The power supply is configured to isolate the charging circuit from the power delivery section and to generate a pre-ionization pulse through inductive coupling that causes ionization of gas in the plasma generation region. The solid state switching circuit is configured to discharge a capacitance through inductive coupling to form a plasma in the plasma generation region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating light includes a chamber having a high voltage region, a low voltage region, and a plasma generation region that defines a plasma confinement region. A magnetic core is positioned around the chamber and is configured to generate a plasma in the plasma confinement region. A switched power supply includes a DC power supply and a switched resonant charging circuit that together generate a plurality of voltage pulses at the output causing a plurality of current pulses to be applied to the power delivery section around the magnetic core so that at least one plasma loop is established around the magnetic core that confines plasma in the plasma confinement region, thereby forming a magnetically confined Z-pinch plasma. Light generated by the Z-pinch plasma propagates out of a port in the light source.

Abstract: An electrodeless laser-driven light source includes a laser that generates a CW sustaining light. A pump laser generates pump light. A Q-switched laser crystal receives the pump light generated by the pump laser and generates pulsed laser light at an output in response to the generated pump light. A first optical element projects the pulsed laser light along a first axis to a breakdown region in a gas-filled bulb comprising an ionizing gas. A second optical element projects the CW sustaining light along a second axis to a CW plasma region in the gas-filled bulb comprising the ionizing gas. A detector detects plasma light generated by a CW plasma and generates a detection signal at an output. A controller generates control signals that control the pump light to the Q-switched laser crystal so as to extinguish the pulsed laser light within a time delay after the detection signal exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating light includes a chamber having a high voltage region, a low voltage region, and a plasma generation region that defines a plasma confinement region. A magnetic core is positioned around the chamber and is configured to generate a plasma in the plasma confinement region. A switched power supply includes a DC power supply and a switched resonant charging circuit that together generate a plurality of voltage pulses at the output causing a plurality of current pulses to be applied to the power delivery section around the magnetic core so that at least one plasma loop is established around the magnetic core that confines plasma in the plasma confinement region, thereby forming a magnetically confined Z-pinch plasma. Light generated by the Z-pinch plasma propagates out of a port in the light source.

Abstract: An electrodeless laser-driven light source includes a laser that generates a CW sustaining light. A pump laser generates pump light. A Q-switched laser crystal receives the pump light generated by the pump laser and generates pulsed laser light at an output in response to the generated pump light. A first optical element projects the pulsed laser light along a first axis to a breakdown region in a gas-filled bulb comprising an ionizing gas. A second optical element projects the CW sustaining light along a second axis to a CW plasma region in the gas-filled bulb comprising the ionizing gas. A detector detects plasma light generated by a CW plasma and generates a detection signal at an output. A controller generates control signals that control the pump light to the Q-switched laser crystal so as to extinguish the pulsed laser light within a time delay after the detection signal exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a precision variable-focus telescope that includes a telescope housing containing an optical system; a gap pad including a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the gap pad is attached to the telescope housing; a heat spreader including a first side and a second side, wherein the heat spreader is contiguous with the telescope housing and wherein the second side of the heat spreader is attached to the second side of the gap pad; a temperature-sensing device connected to the first side of the heat spreader; and an electric-film heater including a first side and a second side, wherein the second side of the electric-film heater is attached to the first side of the heat spreader.

Abstract: A method of generating light with a laser-driven light source includes generating a CW sustaining light and propagating the CW sustaining light to a gas filled bulb comprising an ionizing gas. A pump light is generated. A Q-switched laser crystal is irradiated with the generated pump light, thereby generating pulsed laser light. The pulsed laser light is propagated to the gas filled bulb comprising the ionizing gas so as to generate a CW plasma that emits light. The light generated by the CW plasma in the gas filled bulb is detected. The pump light is controlled so as to extinguish the pulsed laser light after the light generated by the CW plasma is detected.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light source with direct feed gas injection includes a chamber comprising a plasma confinement region and defining an aperture adjacent to the plasma confinement region that passes light generated by the plasma. A magnetic core is positioned around the plasma confinement region and is configured to generate a plurality of plasma current loops that converges in the plasma confinement region during operation. A feed gas injector is coupled to a gas port in the chamber and has an output that is positioned proximate to a boundary of the plasma confinement region so that the feed gas injector provides a feed gas to the plasma confinement region that creates a differential pressure in the plasma confinement region. A high voltage region is coupled to the plasma confinement region. An exhaust port is configured to be coupled to a pump that controls a pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating light includes a chamber having a high voltage region, a low voltage region, and a plasma generation region that defines a plasma confinement region. A magnetic core is positioned around the chamber and is configured to generate a plasma in the plasma confinement region. A switched power supply includes a DC power supply and a switched resonant charging circuit that together generate a plurality of voltage pulses at the output causing a plurality of current pulses to be applied to the power delivery section around the magnetic core so that at least one plasma loop is established around the magnetic core that confines plasma in the plasma confinement region, thereby forming a magnetically confined Z-pinch plasma. Light generated by the Z-pinch plasma propagates out of a port in the light source.

Abstract: An electrodeless laser-driven light source includes a laser that generates a CW sustaining light. A pump laser generates pump light. A Q-switched laser crystal receives the pump light generated by the pump laser and generates pulsed laser light at an output in response to the generated pump light. A first optical element projects the pulsed laser light along a first axis to a breakdown region in a gas-filled bulb comprising an ionizing gas. A second optical element projects the CW sustaining light along a second axis to a CW plasma region in the gas-filled bulb comprising the ionizing gas. A detector detects plasma light generated by a CW plasma and generates a detection signal at an output. A controller generates control signals that control the pump light to the Q-switched laser crystal so as to extinguish the pulsed laser light within a time delay after the detection signal exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for generating nitric oxide (NO). In some embodiments, systems comprise a microwave generator configured to produce microwave energy of varying pulse duration, pulse frequency, and power level and a microwave cavity configured to utilize microwave energy to generate a plasma ball within a flow of reactant gas containing nitrogen and oxygen flowing through the microwave cavity to produce a product gas containing NO. At least one stub can be positioned in the microwave cavity and is configured to focus the microwave energy at a location at which the plasma ball is formed. A controller in electrical communication with the microwave generator can be configured to control the microwave generator to initiate and maintain the plasma ball so the plasma ball is suspended in the flow of reactant gas and does not contact a surface of the at least one stub and the microwave cavity.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a precision variable-focus telescope that includes a telescope housing containing an optical system; a gap pad including a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the gap pad is attached to the telescope housing; a heat spreader including a first side and a second side, wherein the heat spreader is contiguous with the telescope housing and wherein the second side of the heat spreader is attached to the second side of the gap pad; a temperature-sensing device connected to the first side of the heat spreader; and an electric-film heater including a first side and a second side, wherein the second side of the electric-film heater is attached to the first side of the heat spreader.

Abstract: A counter measure system is provided having a unitary infrared transparent dome including a look angle greater than 180. The dome has two hemispherical regions, with a second region having a truncated bottom end defining an opening to a central cavity inside which electro-optical elements are disposed. The electro-optical elements can view outward through the dome at the look angle. The second region on the dome has a complementary curvature as the first region by continuing a similar radius beyond a transverse horizontal axis or equator. The dome is mounted to a base, which also may be referred to as a bezel. The base defines a rabbet extending circumferentially about the base imaginary center defining an aperture. The base and the dome are formed from different materials but have equivalent coefficients of thermal expansion. In one embodiment the dome if formed from sapphire and the base is titanium.

Abstract: A counter measure system is provided having a unitary infrared transparent dome including a look angle greater than 180. The dome has two hemispherical regions, with a second region having a truncated bottom end defining an opening to a central cavity inside which electro-optical elements are disposed. The electro-optical elements can view outward through the dome at the look angle. The second region on the dome has a complementary curvature as the first region by continuing a similar radius beyond a transverse horizontal axis or equator. The dome is mounted to a base, which also may be referred to as a bezel. The base defines a rabbet extending circumferentially about the base imaginary center defining an aperture. The base and the dome are formed from different materials but have equivalent coefficients of thermal expansion. In one embodiment the dome if formed from sapphire and the base is titanium.

Abstract: An infrared countermeasure system comprises a transparent infrared camera dome with an anti-icing surface coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.

Abstract: An infrared countermeasure system comprises a transparent infrared camera dome with an anti-icing surface coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.