Abstract: A single receiving aperture used, for example, in an airborne seeker system collects energy for three discrete energy sensors/receivers including a laser spot tracker, an RF (millimeter wave) transmitter/receiver, and an infrared detector. The RF transmitter/receiver is located at the focus of a primary reflector located on a gimbal assembly. A selectively coated dichroic element is located in the path of the millimeter wave energy which reflects infrared energy from the primary reflector to an optical system which re-images the infrared energy on the infrared detector. The outer edge or rim of the primary reflector is deformed so that the incoming laser energy focuses to a location beyond the RF transmitter/receiver. The laser sensor is positioned adjacent the RF transmitter/receiver at this location in a back-to-back orientation. The laser energy is then detected using a secondary reflector and an optical system which directs the laser energy from the secondary reflector to a laser detector.

Abstract: A ramp, plunge and feed milling cutter having a cylindrical body with cutting ribs protruding beyond the length of the cylindrical body to define a cavity. The integral single-piece construction of the milling cutter permits the fabrication of small diameter plunge milling cutters having sufficient strength in the cutting rib adjacent the cavity to withstand the forces of a machining operation.

Abstract: A cutting tool such as a drill or reamer for machining a bore in a workpiece is provided with at least one chamfered cutting edge on its distal end having an enlarged radial extent. The chamfered edge is defined between a tapered leading end, and an undercut end, and has a radial extent about 2.5% greater than the radial extent of the shaft of the tool. At least 40% of the length of the chamfered edge is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the tool shaft. The tapered and radially enlarged geometry of the chamfered cutting edge advantageously allows the drill or reamer to machine a bore in a workpiece formed from materials having significant spring-back characteristics, such as aluminum, titanium, or nickel alloys without sticking or galling during the machining operation, thereby greatly increasing tool life.

Abstract: A three dimensional mill capable of plunging, ramping, circle interpolating and other milling processes while providing a finished surface not in need of finish grinding. The milling cutter includes cutting inserts of a modified design including flats separating rounded corners of a two radius design. Each insert also includes a rail that is secured to the milling cutter along a longitudinal surface that is radial to the axis of the milling cutter at any cross sectional plane.

Abstract: A coherent energy transfer system is disclosed which utilizes a doublet pulse laser transmitter in combination with a phase conjugate mirror (PCM) assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first pulse of the doublet pulse signal illuminates the target, whereas the return pulse reflected from the target constitutes a weak signal to be processed using phase conjugate methods. The second pulse of the doublet phase signal activates the PCM assembly and constitutes the energy source used to produce an amplified, phase conjugated beam.

Abstract: A radiation pump recovery system for a double pass pump Raman oscillator is described incorporating a polarizer and quarter waveplate positioned in the optical path of the input pump radiation and functions to separate the reflected pump radiation coming back from the Raman oscillator along the input optical path from said input optical path. In an alternate embodiment the recovery system may include an additional quarter waveplate and mirror to permit unpolarized pump radiation to be separated into two polarizations to drive two Raman oscillators and whereby the reflected pump radiation coming back from the Raman oscillators along the respective input optical paths is separated from said respective input optical path and recombined into a single beam. An alternate embodiment utilizes the rejected pump energy in a Raman amplifier to provide optimal conversion efficiency.

Abstract: The beampath of input radiation in alignment with the longitudinal axis of symmetry of a rectangular parallelepiped laser slab is divided and criss-crossed by a Brewster angle input prism member into two criss-crossing beam path portions fed into the slab input end face for criss-crossing multiple-reflection propagation along the slab to its output end face to be reunited into the single longitudinal-axis-aligned beam by a Brewster angle output prism member adjacent to such output face.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator for phase modulating a high power beam of monochromatic electro-magnetic radiation is described where localized phase distortion occurring within the beam due to thermal heating is compensated. The received radiation is passed through two precisely matched electro-optic crystals and an optical compensating element located between the two crystals. One of the crystals has an applied field for modulation purposes. With this arrangement, the thermal birefringent effects induced in the crystals are cancelled out with the output beam polarization properties determined by the input polarization, optical compensating element and applied electric field.