Abstract: A method for reducing noise in a multi-aperture imaging system is provided. Each sub-collector of the system, at least one of which has an adjustable optical path length, collects a portion of a wavefront. The adjustable optical path length is varied to each of a set of predetermined lengths to generate interference patterns. Each interference pattern is recorded at an image plane of the system to generate a recorded interference pattern made up of pixels. Pixel intensity data sets are generated, each of which includes a pixel intensity level from a corresponding one of the pixels from each recorded interference pattern. Each pixel intensity data set is Fourier transformed, and in each Fourier transformed data set, spatial frequencies having power values above a predetermined level are identified.

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: A method of restoring low spatial frequency spectral information to an image using a Fizeau Fourier transform spectrometer (“FFTS”) system is provided. Portions of a wavefront collected by the FFTS are interfered. The interference patterns are Fourier transformed to generate spectral images. A region of the image is identified, for which spectral information is predetermined. Object estimates are generated, each of which corresponds to a spectral image. Each object estimate is iteratively adjusted applying a system spectral optical transfer function (“SOTF”) to it and modifying it until a match is made with the corresponding spectral image. Each adjusted object estimate is then iteratively restored by applying a system optical transfer function (“OTF”) to it and then applying a DC bias to it until a match is made between the identified region in the sum of the object estimates and the identified region of a measured panchromatic object image.

Abstract: A Fourier Transform Spectrometer (“FTS”) system includes a Fizeau FTS having a plurality of sub-collecting elements, adjacent ones of which are separated by a gap distance, and at least one of which has an adjustable optical path. The FTS system further includes a Michelson FTS having an adjustable optical path. The FTS system further includes one or more processors configured to select spectral data collected by the Fizeau FTS corresponding to spatial frequencies for which the Fizeau FTS has a modulation transfer function (“MTF”) value above a first threshold level, to select spectral data collected by the Michelson FTS corresponding to spatial frequencies for which the Michelson FTS has a MTF value above a second threshold level, and to combine the selected spectral data from the Fizeau FTS with the selected spectral data from the Michelson FTS.

Abstract: Detecting the presence of a target material in a scene by using a multi-aperture interferometer system having a plurality of apertures at least one of which has an adjustable optical path length, by adjusting the aperture(s) to obtain a predetermined optical path length difference among the apertures, the predetermined optical path length difference being based on a source laser wavelength and a target material wavelength, illuminating the scene with the source laser, capturing a spectral data set corresponding to an interference pattern generated in the multi-aperture interferometer system for an illuminated point source in the scene, the spectral data set containing spatially distributed spectral data, and determining whether the target material is present at the illuminated point source based on a presence of spectral data in at least one side lobe of the spectral data set.

Abstract: A spectrometer that implements the functionality of a Fizeau interferometer, the spectrometer including a collection device that is configured to collect a wavefront, a deformable mirror disposed at an image plane of the collection device, the deformable mirror having a plurality of sections, at least one of which is deformed to form interference patterns on the wavefront at the image plane, and a Fourier transformation module configured to derive spectral information from the interference patterns.

Abstract: A method for reducing a piston between a plurality of optical-collection devices configured to operate as a single optical device, such that the optical-collection devices are configured to capture select portions of a wavefront. The method includes pistoning an adjustable-optical path of at least one of the optical-collection devices through a plurality of steps; collecting a set of focused images and a set of defocused images for each step; Fourier transforming the first and second sets of images to generate respective first and second sets of spectral information for the wavefronts; deriving a set of wavefront errors based on the first and second sets of spectral information using a phase diversity algorithm; and deriving a piston value for the piston from the wavefront errors using a multi-color interferometry algorithm.

Abstract: A spectrometer configured to extract spectral information from a wavefront. The spectrometer includes a first collection device that includes an adjustable-optical path and configured to collect a first portion of a wavefront; a second collection device configured to collect a second portion of the wavefront; combiner optics configured to interfere the first and second portions of the wavefront at an image plane of the first and second collector devices to form interference patterns at the image plane; and a Fourier transformation module configured to derive spectral information from the interference patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a nuller that is used to significantly reduce or eliminate a monochromatic radiation signal within a polychromatic object field. In one embodiment, a method of nulling a coherent light from a light beam having the coherent light and an incoherent light comprises collimating the light beam having the coherent light and the incoherent light, and destructively interfering the coherent light to null the coherent light with no destructive interference of the incoherent light so as to project the incoherent light without the coherent light.

Abstract: A spectrometer configured to extract spectral information from a wavefront. The spectrometer includes a first collection device that includes an adjustable-optical path and configured to collect a first portion of a wavefront; a second collection device configured to collect a second portion of the wavefront; combiner optics configured to interfere the first and second portions of the wavefront at an image plane of the first and second collector devices to form interference patterns at the image plane; and a Fourier transformation module configured to derive spectral information from the interference patterns.

Abstract: A highly energy efficient lighting system for fluorescent lamps is provided comprising a blocking oscillator having a dimmer for reducing power consumption. In one embodiment a built in power supply transformer and a battery charger provides for AC operation, portability, and emergency lighting situations. The fluorescent lamp is excited in an energy efficient manner by a high frequency blocking oscillator circuit and the dimmer permits reduction of light output reducing power drain even further thereby enabling longer battery operation, reduced size, and reduced operation costs. Also the dimming feature is important in establishing a proper mood simulating candlelight, etc.