Abstract: A method and system for high Z substance revealing using muon detection technique is presented. Natural muon coordinate and incidence angle are measured above and below the interrogated volume. The data on muons trajectory change caused by the presence of high Z material and the muons time of flight between the upper and lower muon detectors are used for the decision making on the presence of a nuclear substance inside the volume. The system is adapted for performing measurements on moving objects such as moving trucks.

Abstract: A non-line of sight (NLOS) communications system and method are provided that implement orthogonal frequency, division multiplexing. A data generator produces a digital data stream, which is converted into M parallel frequency sub-carrier digital data streams (where M is an integer), each sub-carrier is encoded with data and an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform operation is applied, and an output signal is converted to an analog signal, which is imposed onto an optical beam generated by a light source. The beam is transmitted skywards at an elevation angle above the horizon in at least one direction. The beam is scattered due to Mie and Raleigh effects, forming a scattered waveform. At least a part of the scattered waveform is received by a receiver outputting an electrical signal, which enters a DSP unit. The DSP unit digitizes the electrical signal, performs Fourier transformation and recovers data from M sub-carrier signals.

Abstract: A system and method is proposed for chemicals detection such as explosives and others, which are based on sensing of trace gases associated with the chemical. This sensing includes detection of spectrum and relative concentration of the trace gases followed by the chemical identification based on these data. The sensing is based on photothermal interferometry method modified by implementation of coherent optical detection. This modification essentially improves the device performance by increasing its sensitivity and selectivity. Improved characteristics of the device allow remote sensing of the interrogated chemicals at a distance up to 1000 meters, which is crucial for explosives detection. The coherent optical detection is performed by a coherent receiver based on 90-degrees optical hybrid.

Abstract: A non-line of sight (NLOS) communications system and method are provided. An ensemble of photodetectors is used to collect the light, scattered in the sky being illuminated by initial pulsed laser beam carrying information. Each detector collects scattered light from one area in free space along the initial light propagation line. The same bit of information is detected multiple times on multiple detectors during the pulse transmission along its propagation path. Signals received by multiple detectors are synchronized and processed in a digital signal processing unit. Improved system sensitivity and reliability is achieved by multiple registration of the same bit of information. Special selection of the areas in free space ensures detection of a single bit of information during the time equal to a bit period.

Abstract: The invention provides, according to its various embodiments, a method for secure communication that involves encoding and transmitting an optical communications signal that is encoded based on a multi-dimensional encoding technique. The multi-dimensional encoding technique includes multiple security layers and varies multiple physical characteristics of a communications signal. The multi-dimensional encoding technique may include at least one or more of encoding a phase of an optical communications signal, encoding a polarization of an optical communications signal, and encoding a frequency of an optical communications signal, or any combination thereof. According to embodiments of the invention, the encoding and/or any decoding of the optical communications signal may be carried out using one or more of an optical phase shift coding, a polarization multiplexing, and a multi-wavelength control. Multi-dimensional encoding and decoding keys are provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to producing optical pulses for use on a transmission link. A light source is configured to produce an optical signal. A pulse generator is coupled to the light source. The pulse generator is configured to receive, for a first channel, the optical signal and a clock signal. The pulse generator is also configured to modify the optical signal based on the clock signal to produce an optical pulse having a predetermined pulse shape. The clock signal is associated with the predetermined pulse shape.

Abstract: An optical device is provided with first and second inputs. A first coupler coupled is coupled to the first input and produces at least a first and second output. A second coupler is coupled to the second input and produces at least a first and second output. A third coupler is coupled to the first output of the first coupler and to the first output of the second coupler. A fourth coupler is coupled to the second output of the first coupler and to the second output of the second coupler. First and second crossing waveguides are provided with an angle selected to minimize crosstalk and losses between the first and second cross waveguides. The first crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the first coupler with an input of the fourth coupler. The second crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the second coupler with an input of the third coupler. A first phase shifter is coupled to the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of optical communications that utilize coherent detection technique and optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing for phase encoded data transmission. In particular the invention addresses a device and method for digital polarization compensation of optical signals with up to 100 Gb/s transmission rate received via an optical link. The polarization compensation operates in two modes: acquisition mode and tracking mode. The polarization recovery is performed at the receiver side using the received digital signal conversion into frequency domain and separate reconstruction of the polarization state in each spectral component.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to producing optical pulses for use on a transmission link. A light source is configured to produce an optical signal. A pulse generator is coupled to the light source. The pulse generator is configured to receive, for a first channel, the optical signal and a clock signal. The pulse generator is also configured to modify the optical signal based on the clock signal to produce an optical pulse having a predetermined pulse shape. The clock signal is associated with the predetermined pulse shape. The predetermined pulse shape being based on a transmission characteristic of the transmission link.

Abstract: An optical device is provided with first and second inputs. A first coupler coupled is coupled to the first input and produces at least a first and second output. A second coupler is coupled to the second input and produces at least a first and second output. A third coupler is coupled to the first output of the first coupler and to the first output of the second coupler. A fourth coupler is coupled to the second output of the first coupler and to the second output of the second coupler. First and second crossing waveguides are provided with an angle selected to minimize crosstalk and losses between the first and second cross waveguides. The first crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the first coupler with an input of the fourth coupler. The second crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the second coupler with an input of the third coupler. A first phase shifter is coupled to the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: An optical transceiver is provided for optical communications with additive noise compensation. The system and method are disclosed for the additive noise cancellation, which is typically a vibration noise, caused by moving platform, where the transceiver is located. The transceiver comprises an additive noise sensor and a digital signal processing (DSP) unit which implements variable step size technique to adjust the filter weight in the least square estimate of the noise signal. In the preferred embodiment the digital signal processing is applied both at the transmission and the receiving side. The optical device is packed for ground-satellite and inter-satellite communications applications with resistance to high-energy X-rays, gamma rays and cosmic rays. The optical device sustains its operation characteristics under launch load.

Abstract: A multiple wavelength light source generates an output signal having a comb of accurately spaced apart frequencies with variable free spectral range in the C-band of optical fiber communication. The light source employs an electro-optical modulator (EOM) driven by a signal generator which modulates with EOM with multiple modulation frequencies to widen the output spectrum of signal. The EOM has a crystal provided with a waveguide. The waveguide may be doped with a rare-earth metal to impart gain properties to equalize the intensities of the comb. In one preferred embodiment, Er, Yt or other doping elements provide the gain property to waveguides. The crystal is also provided with periodically poled structure, and this may be engineered so as to form domains of unequal widths to improve the efficiency of modulation. The output signal from the light source may be split and presented to a bank of filters to create a multiple signals, each signal having one of the spaced apart frequencies.

Abstract: An optical device is provided with first and second inputs. A first coupler coupled is coupled to the first input and produces at least a first and second output. A second coupler is coupled to the second input and produces at least a first and second output. A third coupler is coupled to the first output of the first coupler and to the first output of the second coupler. A fourth coupler is coupled to the second output of the first coupler and to the second output of the second coupler. First and second crossing waveguides are provided with an angle selected to minimize crosstalk and losses between the first and second cross waveguides. The first crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the first coupler with an input of the fourth coupler. The second crossing waveguide connects one of the first or second outputs from the second coupler with an input of the third coupler. A first phase shifter is coupled to the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: A photo-thermal, interferometric spectroscopy system is disclosed that provides information about a chemical at a remote location. A first light source assembly is included that emits a first beam. The first beam has one or more wavelengths that interact with the chemical and change a refractive index of the chemical. A second light source produces a second beam. The second beam interacts with the chemical resulting in a third beam with a phase change that corresponds with the change of the refractive index of the chemical. A detector system is positioned remote from the chemical to receive at least a portion of the third beam. The detector system provides information on a phase change in the third beam relative to the second beam that is indicative of at least one of, absorption spectrum and concentration of the chemical.

Abstract: An optical device includes, a first Mach-Zehnder modulator that produces a first output, and a second Mach-Zehnder modulator which produces a second output. A splitter couples the first and second Mach-Zehnder modulators. A combiner combines the first and second outputs. A phase shifter is coupled to the first and second Mach-Zehnder modulators. The first Mach-Zehnder modulator, second Mach-Zehnder modulator, splitter, combiner and the phase shifter are each formed as part of a single chip made of electro-optical material. Such two similar optical device integrated together with polarization combiner provide a two-polarization performance.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to producing optical pulses for use on a transmission link. A light source is configured to produce an optical signal. A pulse generator is coupled to the light source. The pulse generator is configured to receive, for a first channel, the optical signal and a clock signal. The pulse generator is also configured to modify the optical signal based on the clock signal to produce an optical pulse having a predetermined pulse shape. The clock signal is associated with the predetermined pulse shape.

Abstract: An optical system provides information about tangential vibration components of a surface at remote location. The optical system includes a light source assembly that emits first and second beams, each having one or more wavelengths and one or two polarizations. The first and second beams are directed to the interrogated surface. A detector system is positioned to detect a third beam formed by at least a portion of the first and second beams being reflected from the interrogated surface. The first, second and third beams having incident and reflection angles relative to the interrogated surface that do not lay in a same plane. The detector system positioned remotely from the interrogated surface, and providing information on a phase change in the third beam relative to the first and second beam. The phase change is indicative of at least one surface vibration vector component of the interrogated surface. The detector system is a 90 degree optical hybrid balanced detector with four photodiodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated device and a method of its fabrication and use. Two parts of the device each having an electronic circuit are aligned adjacent to each other with an accuracy of at least 1 micron. An alignment system includes two parts: a first part integrated with the first electronic circuit of the integrated device on the first substrate and a second part integrated with the second electronic circuit of the integrated device on the second substrate. The second part of alignment system includes at least one photodiode. The maximal value of the photodiode current indicates the best alignment of two parts of the integrated device. In one embodiment the integrated device is a coherent optical detector for high speed optical communications and chemical sensing. In another embodiment the integrated optical device is a coherent optical detector operating in two polarization states of light.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to producing optical pulses for use on a transmission link. A light source is configured to produce an optical signal. A pulse generator is coupled to the light source. The pulse generator is configured to receive, for a first channel, the optical signal and a clock signal. The pulse generator is also configured to modify the optical signal based on the clock signal to produce an optical pulse having a predetermined pulse shape. The clock signal is associated with the predetermined pulse shape.

Abstract: The method and system are disclosed for automatic feedback control of integrated optical quadrature modulator for generation of optical quaternary phase-shift-keyed signal in coherent optical communications. The method comprises the steps of detecting at least a part of an output optical signal from the QPSK modulator, extracting of a particular portion of the output signal in frequency domain, and processing the signal in frequency domain to optimize the transmission of an optical link. The system and method of optical communications in fiber or free space are disclosed that implement the quadrature data modulator with automatic feedback control.