Abstract: Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a computer control system and an environmental light source that is controlled by the computer control system such that an amount of light provided by the environmental light source is adjusted by the computer control so that ocular parameters of an examinee are within a targeted range. Further, the system includes an irradiation system that provides multiple angle and axial eccentricity illuminations and selective wavelength irradiation based upon instructions received from the computer control system, wherein the computer control system instructs the irradiation system to provide different irradiation characteristics for different screening procedures. Also, the system includes an image detection system that captures ocular images of the examinee, wherein the computer control system analyzes captured images and provides results of in-situ analysis.

Abstract: Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a computer control system and an environmental light source that is controlled by the computer control system such that an amount of light provided by the environmental light source is adjusted by the computer control so that ocular parameters of an examinee are within a targeted range. Further, the system includes an irradiation system that provides multiple angle and axial eccentricity illuminations and selective wavelength irradiation based upon instructions received from the computer control system, wherein the computer control system instructs the irradiation system to provide different irradiation characteristics for different screening procedures. Also, the system includes an image detection system that captures ocular images of the examinee, wherein the computer control system analyzes captured images and provides results of in-situ analysis.

Abstract: Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a computer control system and an environmental light source that is controlled by the computer control system such that an amount of light provided by the environmental light source is adjusted by the computer control so that ocular parameters of an examinee are within a targeted range. Further, the system includes an irradiation system that provides multiple angle and axial eccentricity illuminations and selective wavelength irradiation based upon instructions received from the computer control system, wherein the computer control system instructs the irradiation system to provide different irradiation characteristics for different screening procedures. Also, the system includes an image detection system that captures ocular images of the examinee, wherein the computer control system analyzes captured images and provides results of in-situ analysis. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a computer control system and an environmental light source that is controlled by the computer control system such that an amount of light provided by the environmental light source is adjusted by the computer control so that ocular parameters of an examinee are within a targeted range. Further, the system includes an irradiation system that provides multiple angle and axial eccentricity illuminations and selective wavelength irradiation based upon instructions received from the computer control system, wherein the computer control system instructs the irradiation system to provide different irradiation characteristics for different screening procedures. Also, the system includes an image detection system that captures ocular images of the examinee, wherein the computer control system analyzes captured images and provides results of in-situ analysis. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a computer control system and an environmental light source that is controlled by the computer control system such that an amount of light provided by the environmental light source is adjusted by the computer control so that ocular parameters of an examinee are within a targeted range. Further, the system includes an irradiation system that provides multiple angle and axial eccentricity illuminations and selective wavelength irradiation based upon instructions received from the computer control system, wherein the computer control system instructs the irradiation system to provide different irradiation characteristics for different screening procedures. Also, the system includes an image detection system that captures ocular images of the examinee, wherein the computer control system analyzes captured images and provides results of in-situ analysis. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for igniting an air/fuel spray (26) comprised of fuel droplets. The apparatus includes a coherent optical source (12) for introducing at least one pulse of coherent radiation into the air/fuel spray. The pulse generates free electrons and initiates a development of a plasma within the air/fuel spray. The coherent source maintains the pulse of coherent radiation and pumps the developing plasma to higher energies. The pulse is terminated at a time after the plasma has reached a predetermined energy and before ignition of the air/fuel spray. The non-linear ignition system of the invention employs a gas/vapor interface region at a fuel droplet surface and an electric field that extends from and exists outside of a fuel droplet. Free electrons are accelerated to higher energies by the electric field surrounding the fuel droplet. The accelerated electrons initiate a breakdown near adjacent fuel droplets and the liberation of further free electrons.

Abstract: Apparatus for igniting an air/fuel spray (26) comprised of fuel droplets. The apparatus includes a coherent optical source (12) for introducing at least one pulse of coherent radiation into the air/fuel spray. The pulse generates free electrons and initiates a development of a plasma within the air/fuel spray. The coherent source maintains the pulse of coherent radiation and pumps the developing plasma to higher energies. The pulse is terminated at a time after the plasma has reached a predetermined energy and before ignition of the air/fuel spray. The non-linear ignition system of the invention employs a gas/vapor interface region at a fuel droplet surface and an electric field that extends from and exists outside of a fuel droplet. Free electrons are accelerated to higher energies by the electric field surrounding the fuel droplet. The accelerated electrons initiate a breakdown near adjacent fuel droplets and the liberation of further free electrons.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for igniting an air/fuel spray (26) comprised of fuel droplets. The apparatus includes a coherent optical source (12) for introducing at least one pulse of coherent radiation into the air/fuel spray. The pulse generates free electrons and initiates a development of a plasma within the air/fuel spray. The coherent source maintains the pulse of coherent radiation and pumps the developing plasma to higher energies. The pulse is terminated at a time after the plasma has reached a predetermined energy and before ignition of the air/fuel spray. The non-linear ignition system of the invention employs a gas/vapor interface region at a fuel droplet surface and an electric field that extends from and exists outside of a fuel droplet. Free electrons are accelerated to higher energies by the electric field surrounding the fuel droplet. The accelerated electrons initiate a breakdown near adjacent fuel droplets and the liberation of further free electrons.

Abstract: Method for igniting an air/fuel spray (26) comprised of fuel droplets including a coherent optical source (12) for introducing at least one pulse of coherent radiation into the air/fuel spray. The pulse generates free electrons and initiates a development of a plasma within the air/fuel spray. The coherent source maintains the pulse of coherent radiation and pumps the developing plasma to higher energies. The pulse is terminated at a time after the plasma has reached a predetermined energy and before ignition of the air/fuel spray. The non-linear ignition system of the invention employs a gas/vapor interface region at a fuel droplet surface and an electric field that extends from and exists outside of a fuel droplet. Free electrons are accelerated to higher energies by the electric field surrounding the fuel droplet. The accelerated electrons initiate a breakdown near adjacent fuel droplets and the liberation of further free electrons.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for igniting an air/fuel spray (26) comprised of fuel droplets. The apparatus includes a coherent optical source (12) for introducing at least one pulse of coherent radiation into the air/fuel spray. The pulse generates free electrons and initiates a development of a plasma within the air/fuel spray. The coherent source maintains the pulse of coherent radiation and pumps the developing plasma to higher energies. The pulse is terminated at a time after the plasma has reached a predetermined energy and before ignition of the air/fuel spray. The non-linear ignition system of the invention employs a gas/vapor interface region at a fuel droplet surface and an electric field that extends from and exists outside of a fuel droplet. Free electrons are accelerated to higher energies by the electric field surrounding the fuel droplet. The accelerated electrons initiate a breakdown near adjacent fuel droplets and the liberation of further free electrons.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for igniting an air/fuel spray (26) comprised of fuel droplets. The apparatus includes a coherent optical source (12) for introducing at least one pulse of coherent radiation into the air/fuel spray. The pulse generates free electrons and initiates a development of a plasma within the air/fuel spray. The coherent source maintains the pulse of coherent radiation and pumps the developing plasma to higher energies. The pulse is terminated at a time after the plasma has reached a predetermined energy and before ignition of the air/fuel spray. The non-linear ignition system of the invention employs a gas/vapor interface region at a fuel droplet surface and an electric field that extends from and exists outside of a fuel droplet. Free electrons are accelerated to higher energies by the electric field surrounding the fuel droplet. The accelerated electrons initiate a breakdown near adjacent fuel droplets and the liberation of further free electrons.

Abstract: A photon ignition system for igniting the air/fuel spray within a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine is comprised of a photon source 20, a photon transmission means 22 and a focussing means 24. The source 20 has an output wavelength characteristic suitable for being absorbed by the hydrocarbon fuel droplets within the fuel spray. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the source 20 comprises an ultraviolet flashlamp having spectral characteristics which are selected to be strongly absorbed by hydrocarbon fuel. In another embodiment of the invention the source 20 comprises a laser, such an excimer laser, having an output pulse with wavelengths within the strong absorption range of hydrocarbon fuel. The photon output of the source 20 is focussed within an optimum region of the fuel spray for igniting one or more droplets therein due to the absorption and subsequent heating of the droplets of the focussed photon output.