Abstract: A steerable antenna comprising an array of T-shaped slots. The location of the slots is moved to define an array of ring- or spiral-patterned phase constant regions. Distortions or contractions of the pattern occur by repositioning some or all of the slots forming the array. The antenna also comprises an intermediate insulating layer and a lower plate. The insulating layer is formed by a deformable dielectric medium. Deformation of the dielectric medium allows the beam angle to be altered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making an achromatic lens. The invention provides a method for making a lens that makes use of the differences in the index of refraction of ZnSe and ZnS in the mm-wave and IR wavebands to minimize the differences in focal position between the two wavebands. A lens train thus made can be used in conjunction with a dual-band focal plane array to simultaneously focus two wavebands on a common focal plane and thus provide for simultaneous imaging in both wavebands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making an achromatic lens. The invention provides a method for making a lens that makes use of the differences in the index of refraction of ZnSe and ZnS in the mm-wave and IR wavebands to minimize the differences in focal position between the two wavebands. A lens train thus made can be used in conjunction with a dual-band focal plane array to simultaneously focus two wavebands on a common focal plane and thus provide for simultaneous imaging in both wavebands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for designing an achromatic lens and a lens according to the design. The invention provides a lens that makes use of the differences in the index of refraction of ZnSe and ZnS in the mm-wave and IR wavebands to minimize the differences in focal position between the two wavebands. This lens train can be used in conjunction with a dual-band focal plane array to simultaneously focus two wavebands on a common focal plane and thus provide for simultaneous imaging in both wavebands.

Abstract: Dual band millimeter-wave and infrared anti-reflecting coatings are presented, which enhance the passage of millimeter-wave and infrared radiation into a substrate material. A substrate is coated with a quarter-wave coating of an infrared anti-reflecting material followed by a quarter-wave coating of a millimeter-wave anti-reflecting material followed by a second quarter-wave coating of an infrared anti-reflecting material. The second infrared anti-reflecting coating enables incident infrared radiation to pass into the millimeter-wave anti-reflecting material, while minimizing reflection. The first infrared anti-reflecting coating enables incident infrared radiation from the millimeter-wave anti-reflecting material to pass into the substrate material, while minimizing reflection. The millimeter-wave anti-reflecting coating enables incident millimeter-wave radiation to pass into the substrate material, while minimizing reflection.

Abstract: Apparatus for a micro-electro-mechanical switch that provides single pole, double throw switching action. The switch comprises a single RF input line and two RF output lines. The switch additionally comprises two armatures, each mechanically connected to a substrate at one end and having a conducting transmission line at the other end with a suspended biasing electrode located on top of or within a structural layer of the armature. Each conducting transmission line has conducting dimples that protrude beyond the bottom of the armature carrying the conducting transmission line. Closure of an armature causes the dimples of the corresponding conducting transmission line to mechanically and electrically engage the RF input line and the corresponding RF output line, thus directing RF energy from the RF input line to the selected RF output line.

Abstract: Apparatus for a micro-electro-mechanical switch that provides single pole, double throw switching action. The switch comprises a single RF input line and two RF output lines. The switch additionally comprises two armatures, each mechanically connected to a substrate at one end and having a conducting transmission line at the other end with a suspended biasing electrode located on top of or within a structural layer of the armature. Each conducting transmission line has conducting dimples that protrude beyond the bottom of the armature carrying the conducting transmission line. Closure of an armature causes the dimples of the corresponding conducting transmission line to mechanically and electrically engage the RF input line and the corresponding RF output line, thus directing RF energy from the RF input line to the selected RF output line.

Abstract: The system (10) includes a first mechanism (12) for receiving electromagnetic energy of a first wavelength from the scene (28) and providing electromagnetic energy of a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength. A second mechanism (14) measures variations of the electromagnetic energy of the second wavelength over a predetermined area. The system is a millimeter wave imaging system (10). The first mechanism (12) includes a lens (12) having an index of refraction substantially greater than 1. The lens (12) is opaque to infrared electromagnetic energy and made of alumina, plastic, or other material having a relatively high index of refraction. The second mechanism (24) includes and array of bolometers (24) positioned parallel to an output aperture (24) of the lens and within a distance of the output aperture (24) that is much smaller than the second wavelength.

Abstract: A radiation sensor. The inventive sensor has a two-level detector structure formed on a substrate in which a thermal detector element is suspended over the substrate as a microbridge structure. A receiver of electromagnetic radiation is provided on the same side of the substrate in a manner that efficiently couples the radiation field to the thermal detector element. The thermal detector element has a sandwich structure including a heater metal layer, a dielectric layer, and a thin film thermo-resistive material. The thermal detector element is suspended out of physical contact with the receiver. In one embodiment, the receiver is an antenna having a crossed bowtie configuration that efficiently couples the radiation field to the detector element. The inventive radiation sensors are especially useful for mm-wave and microwave sensing applications. The sensor can be used individually or in linear or two-dimensional arrays thereof.

Abstract: An integrated infrared and millimeter-wave monolithic focal plane sensor array having a substrate upon which an integrated array of infrared sensors and mm-wave sensors are provided at a first planar level on the same side of the substrate, and a planar antenna for receiving incident millimeter-wave radiation located at a second planar level located between the integrated array of sensors and the surface of the substrates for coupling the mm-wave radiation field to the mm-wave sensor. The antenna receiver of electromagnetic radiation, in one embodiment, is an antenna having a crossed bowtie configuration which efficiently couples the radiation field to the mm-wave sensor. The invention also is directed to a method of fabricating such a radiation sensor.

Abstract: In a pollutant destruction apparatus employing one or more corona discharge reactors, an automatic control system controls power generation characteristics for corona discharge reactions according to factors such as the types and the amounts of pollutants in an exhaust gas, maximum allowable emissions, engine operating characteristics, drive control characteristics and intelligent vehicle highway system inputs, to achieve improved treatment of the pollutants.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction reactor employs two or more electrodes to enhance the effective corona discharge treatment volume by distributing a varying electric field pattern over the reactor's interior chamber. Appropriate delay circuitry allows the inner electrodes to be driven out of phase with each other by a sinusoidal voltage waveform, or corona producing voltage pulses to be cyclically supplied to the inner electrodes in sequence, preferably without overlapping the pulses.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction system has two or more corona discharge reactors in series, with each stage optimized for either oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) or reduction of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x). The reactors may be arranged with initial oxidation stages followed by reduction stages. Alternatively, the oxidation and reduction reactors may be arranged in alternate stages, with each oxidation reactor followed by a reduction reactor. The treatment of different pollutants by different reactors is achieved by supplying the different reactors with different power levels.

Abstract: A pollutant destruction apparatus has a corona discharge reactor attached to conductive end plates at the ends of the reactor. The reactor has inner and outer electrodes deposited respectively on the inner and outer surfaces of a hollow dielectric cylinder, the interior of which defines the reactor chamber. The inner electrode is electrically connected to the end plates, which are grounded, while the outer electrode is connected to a high-voltage power supply to establish a corona discharge. The outer electrode is tapered near the ends of the reactor to reduce the possibility of arcing. A hole in each end plate is aligned with the reactor chamber to allow gas flow into and out of the reactor.

Abstract: In a pollutant destruction apparatus with at least one corona discharge reactor, one or more inner electrodes are deposited on the interior dielectric surface of each reactor, preferably by metal vapor deposition, to provide structural support and heat dissipation for the inner electrodes.

Abstract: A pollutant destruction system connects a capacitive corona discharge chamber in a self-resonant circuit with an inductive element. Intermittent energizing signals are furnished from a power supply to induce corona discharges within the chamber, with the resonant circuit responding to the energizing signals by initiating additional corona discharges between energizing signals in a highly energy efficient operation. One or more discharge chambers can be provided in the resonant circuit, with each discharge chamber comprising a dielectric enclosure with a distributed electrode outside and an elongate electrode inside the enclosure. The inner electrode can extend either along the chamber axis, or along the inner chamber wall for better support and heat dissipation.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction system has two or more corona discharge reactors in series, with each stage optimized for either oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) or reduction of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x). The reactors may be arranged with initial oxidation stages followed by reduction stages. Alternatively, the oxidation and reduction reactors may be arranged in alternate stages, with each oxidation reactor followed by a reduction reactor. The treatment of different pollutants by different reactors is achieved by supplying the different reactors with different power levels.

Abstract: In a pollutant destruction apparatus employing one or more corona discharge reactors, an automatic control system controls power generation characteristics for corona discharge reactions according to factors such as the types and the amounts of pollutants in an exhaust gas, maximum allowable emissions, engine operating characteristics, drive control characteristics and intelligent vehicle highway system inputs, to achieve improved treatment of the pollutants.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction reactor employs two or more electrodes to enhance the effective corona discharge treatment volume by distributing a varying electric field pattern over the reactor's interior chamber. Appropriate delay circuitry allows the inner electrodes to be driven out of phase with each other by a sinusoidal voltage waveform, or corona producing voltage pulses to be cyclically supplied to the inner electrodes in sequence, preferably without overlapping the pulses.

Abstract: A pollutant destruction system connects a capacitive corona discharge chamber in a self-resonant circuit with an inductive element. Intermittent energizing signals are furnished from a power supply to induce corona discharges within the chamber, with the resonant circuit responding to the energizing signals by initiating additional corona discharges between energizing signals in a highly energy efficient operation. One or more discharge chambers can be provided in the resonant circuit, with each discharge chamber comprising a dielectric enclosure with a distributed electrode outside and an elongate electrode inside the enclosure. The inner electrode can extend either along the chamber axis, or along the inner chamber wall for better support and heat dissipation.