Abstract: A diffractive optical element is interposed between the exit beams from a ring laser gyro readout and the photodetectors for detecting such beams. The diffractive optical element permits the use of photodetectors much reduced in size in order to minimize gyro performance degradation due to radiation.

Abstract: A method of multiple replication of a diffractive optical glass surface relief profiles into other glass-type substrates. For example, a malleable but hardenable layer formed on a glass substrate is embossed with a stamper having a reverse image of the optical glass surface relief profile, to result in a high quality copy of the original diffractive glass surface relief profile. The embossed layer is hardened and separated from the stamper. The hardened layer having the embossed surface relief profile is, for instance, etched down such that the surface relief profile is etched in to the surface of the glass substrate. The result of this method is a readily producible and very durable glass or like-material accurate replica, having high fidelity and being capable of providing high quality images, of another diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A head mounted display having an image source, an optical relay system and a combiner for producing an image from the image source to the eye of a pilot in which the optical system includes at least one diffractive surface to compensate for aberrations and distortions in the display.

Abstract: An uncooled IR array, in conjunction with an array of binary optical microlenses, having a large effective fill factor.

Abstract: A ultra-compact optical readout device utilizing a binary optical element that provides a wide separation between diffraction efficiency peaks of different polarization modes so that sending and returning light can take distinct paths at the light source and detector, respectively, and also take the same paths at other regions of the device, enabling the simultaneous emission and detection of light for reading information from optical media. The specially designed contour of the binary optical diffracting element also provides the device with focussing capabilities without the need for a cylindrical lens at the detector or light source.

Abstract: The invention provides a relatively low cost, high resolution precision target acquisition and tracking system capable of operation on nonspinning ballistic munition projectiles, or the like. The system includes an imaging IR sensor head which is preferably gimbal mounted and utilizes an ambient temperature operating, densely packed, two dimensional focal plane array of electromagnetic radiation infrared sensitive (IR) sensors. The array is adapted to operate in a staring mode and a small amount of thermal stabilization is provided. Signal processing electronics are included with stabilizing self-calibrating non-uniformity compensation processing capabilities. This is combined with a high speed, high resolution real-time image processing system to extract target features and which operates with a discriminating, tracking and control system which identifies, targets and initiates tracking to impact on a selected target.

Abstract: A hybrid filter having an inherently planar interference stack adhered to a nonplanar diffractive grating. The filter can have a planarization layer between the stack and grating. The hybrid filter has a spectral light transmittance value that is at least equal to or greater than the transmittance value of the least transmissive filter component. The filter also has a spectral bandwidth that is narrower than the spectral bandwidth of either filter component.