Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) photonic equalizer may include a first electro-optic (E/O) modulator configured to modulate an optical carrier based upon an RF input signal, a stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) medium coupled to the first E/O modulator, and a second E/O modulator configured to modulate the optical carrier based upon an equalizing function waveform. An optical circulator may be coupled to the SBS medium and the second E/O modulator, and a photodetector may be coupled to the optical circulator.

Abstract: A communication system may include an RF source configured to generate a swept frequency RF signal, and a photonic local unit coupled to the RF source and configured to generate a modulated optical carrier signal based upon the swept frequency RF signal. The photonic local unit may have adjustable equalization levels. The communication system may include a photonic remote unit configured to generate a demodulated swept frequency RF signal from the modulated optical carrier signal from the photonic local unit, and an optical fiber path connecting the photonic local unit and the photonic remote unit. The communication system may include feedback circuitry cooperating with the optical fiber path to set the adjustable equalization levels of the photonic local unit based upon the demodulated swept frequency RF signal at the photonic remote unit.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) photonic equalizer may include a first electro-optic (E/O) modulator configured to modulate an optical carrier based upon an RF input signal, a stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) medium coupled to the first E/O modulator, and a second E/O modulator configured to modulate the optical carrier based upon an equalizing function waveform. An optical circulator may be coupled to the SBS medium and the second E/O modulator, and a photodetector may be coupled to the optical circulator.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) photonic spectrometer may include a laser and a receiver branch including an optical modulator optically coupled to the laser and configured to modulate laser light based upon a radio frequency (RF) input signal, and an optical bandpass filter optically coupled to the optical modulator. The spectrometer may further include optical comb branches optically coupled to the laser and each including a frequency comb generator coupled to a respective RF reference signal, with the RF reference signals having different frequencies associated therewith. Furthermore, an output stage may be configured to determine a frequency of the RF input signal based upon outputs of the receiver branch and the optical comb branches.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) photonic spectrometer may include a laser and a receiver branch including an optical modulator optically coupled to the laser and configured to modulate laser light based upon a radio frequency (RF) input signal, and an optical bandpass filter optically coupled to the optical modulator. The spectrometer may further include optical comb branches optically coupled to the laser and each including a frequency comb generator coupled to a respective RF reference signal, with the RF reference signals having different frequencies associated therewith. Furthermore, an output stage may be configured to determine a frequency of the RF input signal based upon outputs of the receiver branch and the optical comb branches.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a contaminant in a gaseous space. The method includes: generating a broadband optical waveform; shaping the optical waveform to match an expected waveform for a known contaminant; and transmitting the shaped optical waveform towards an unknown contaminant. Upon receiving a reflected optical waveform from the unknown contaminant, determining whether the unknown contaminant correlates to the known contaminant based on the reflected waveform.

Abstract: A pixel array arrangement is provided for a soft x-ray source. The arrangement includes: a window-frame structure having a plurality of channels passing therethrough, where each channel forms a pixel for the x-ray source; a cathode disposed on one side of each channel in the window-frame structure and operable to emit electrons into the channel; and an anode disposed in each cavity on an opposing side of the channel from the cathode and operable to emit x-ray radiation when electrons from the cathode impinge thereon, where the anode is configured to emit x-ray radiation at a diffused angle such that the x-ray radiation from a given pixel overlaps with x-ray radiation from adjacent pixels.

Abstract: A method is provided for decontaminating biological pathogens in a contaminated environment. The method includes: tailoring x-ray radiation to match the absorption characteristics of a contaminated environment; generating x-ray radiation having a diffused radiation angle in accordance with the absorption characteristics of the contaminated environment; and directing the x-ray radiation towards the contaminated environment.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a contaminant in a gaseous space. The method includes: generating a broadband optical waveform; shaping the optical waveform to match an expected waveform for a known contaminant; and transmitting the shaped optical waveform towards an unknown contaminant. Upon receiving a reflected optical waveform from the unknown contaminant, determining whether the unknown contaminant correlates to the known contaminant based on the reflected waveform.

Abstract: A method is provided for decontaminating biological pathogens in a contaminated environment. The method includes: tailoring x-ray radiation to match the absorption characteristics of a contaminated environment; generating x-ray radiation having a diffused radiation angle in accordance with the absorption characteristics of the contaminated environment; and directing the x-ray radiation towards the contaminated environment.