Abstract: A photoacoustic photon meter includes: a photoacoustic generative array including carbon nanotubes disposed in a photoacoustic generating pattern, such that the carbon nanotubes: receive photons comprising optical energy, and produce thermal energy from the optical energy; and a superstratum including a thermally expandable elastomer on which the photoacoustic generative array is fixedly disposed in position on the superstratum to spatially conserve the photoacoustic generating pattern, and such that the superstratum: is optically transparent to the photons; receives the thermal energy from the photoacoustic generative array; expands and contracts in response to receipt of the thermal energy; and produces photoacoustic pressure waves in response to the expansion and contraction, the photoacoustic pressure waves including a photoacoustic intensity and photoacoustic frequency that are based upon an amount of optical pressure applied to the carbon nanotubes by the photons, a spatial photon fluence of the photons

Abstract: A photoacoustic photon meter includes: a photoacoustic generative array including carbon nanotubes disposed in a photoacoustic generating pattern, such that the carbon nanotubes: receive photons comprising optical energy, and produce thermal energy from the optical energy; and a superstratum including a thermally expandable elastomer on which the photoacoustic generative array is fixedly disposed in position on the superstratum to spatially conserve the photoacoustic generating pattern, and such that the superstratum: is optically transparent to the photons; receives the thermal energy from the photoacoustic generative array; expands and contracts in response to receipt of the thermal energy; and produces photoacoustic pressure waves in response to the expansion and contraction, the photoacoustic pressure waves including a photoacoustic intensity and photoacoustic frequency that are based upon an amount of optical pressure applied to the carbon nanotubes by the photons, a spatial photon fluence of the photons

Abstract: A pyroelectric detector with significantly reduced microphonic noise sensitivity that includes a pyroelectric detector element constructed from a z-cut LiNbO3 or LiTaO3 electret. Selective domain reversal is accomplished in the electret by applying an electric field. Electrodes are attached to either surface of the electret spanning the domain reversed region and a portion of the original domain region to create areas of equal and opposite sensitivity. The detector is mounted in an electrically grounded container or housing. The detector may also be constructed having multiple detector regions to accommodate resonant acoustic frequencies of the electret, to function as a position sensor, or both. In other words, the position sensor has multiple domain regions that also accommodate acoustic frequencies. The detector may also be constructed having domain reversed regions placed on the electret in a periodic pattern having a geometry and spacing that is related to the acoustic impulse response of the electret.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pyroelectric detector with significantly reduced microphonic noise sensitivity that includes a pyroelectric detector element constructed from a z-cut LiNbO3 or LiTaO3 electret. Selective domain reversal is accomplished in the electret by applying an electric field. Electrodes are attached to either surface of the electret spanning the domain reversed region and a portion of the original domain region to create areas of equal and opposite sensitivity. The detector is mounted in an electrically grounded container or housing. The detector may also be constructed having multiple detector regions to accommodate resonant acoustic frequencies of the electret, to function as a position sensor, or both. In other words, the position sensor has multiple domain regions that also accommodate acoustic frequencies.

Abstract: A pyroelectric detector with significantly reduced microphonic noise sensvity that includes a pyroelectric detector element constructed from a z-cut LiNbO.sub.3 and LiTaO.sub.3 electret. Selective domain reversal is accomplished in the electret by applying an electric field. Electrodes are attached to either surface of the electret spanning the domain reversed region and a portion of the original domain region to create areas of equal and opposite sensitivity. The detector is mounted in an electrically grounded container or housing. The detector may also be constructed having multiple detector regions to accomodate resonant frequencies of the electret or to function as a position sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is a high-precision positioning post having alternag parallel cuts transversing the center-line of the shaft body and which are perpendicular to the major axis of the shaft. The shaft further comprises a bearing rod internal to the shaft which is acted on by a screw. As the screw is turned, the bearing rod forces the end of the shaft to axially translate an object without rotation. This allows an object integral to the shaft or mounted on the shaft to be translated and located along the major axis of the shaft without rotation of the object. In an alternate embodiment the present invention may be used to isolate vibration by inclusion of dampers in the hollow shaft. A third embodiment uses the basic design as a vibration isolation mechanism for buildings.

Abstract: A high-precision positioning post having alternating parallel cuts transving the center-line of the shaft body and which are perpendicular to the major axis of the shaft. The shaft further comprises a bearing rod internal to the shaft which is acted on by a screw. As the screw is turned, the bearing rod forces the end of the shaft to axially translate an object without rotation. This allows an object integral to the shaft or mounted on the shaft to be translated and located along the major axis of the shaft without rotation of the object. In an alternate embodiment the present invention may be used to isolate vibration by inclusion of dampers in the hollow shaft. A third embodiment uses the basic design as a vibration isolation mechanism for buildings.