Abstract: A hypersonic self-guided missile system is described. Particularly, embodiments describe missiles whose trajectories are controlled by an on-board control unit that decrease the effect of damaging heat to sensitive internal components by employing one or more annular windows, internal mirrors, lenses, and/or cameras. Embodiments may have an internal camera oriented substantially toward or away from the nose of the missile.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device and method of use thereof are provided for cooling and powering a laser device. The thermoelectric device comprises a first side, a second side, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements disposed therebetween. The thermoelectric device engages a photodiode array of the laser device, such that when heat is generated by the photodiode array, the thermoelectric device passively cools the photodiode array by receiving the heat and converts the heat generated to electricity to power the laser device.

Abstract: Configurations and compositions for frameworks supporting optics such as lenses are described that provide an invariant structure regardless of temperature swings, thereby maintaining alignment and focus. Frameworks may comprise tiered structures of materials having multiple distinct coefficients of thermal expansion. An optical framework includes a first framework portion coupled to a first lens and a second framework portion coupled to a second lens. The first framework portion and second framework portion comprise materials having a coefficient of thermal expansion such that expansion of the first framework portion in one direction is offset by expansion of the second framework portion in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A hypersonic self-guided missile system is described. Particularly, embodiments describe missiles whose trajectories are controlled by an on-board control unit that decrease the effect of damaging heat to sensitive internal components by employing one or more annular windows, internal mirrors, lenses, and/or cameras. Embodiments may have an internal camera oriented substantially toward or away from the nose of the missile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering energy over a wide field of view is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a beam steering system for directing a first beam from an optical source across an image plane and a WFOV optical system having the image plane, the WFOV optical system mapping the directed first beam incident on the image plane with a second beam extending angularly across the field of view. The method comprises the steps of directing a first beam from a optical source onto an image plane, optically mapping the directed first beam incident on the image plane with a second beam extending angularly across a field of view, and steering the first beam across the image plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering energy over a wide field of view is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a beam steering system for directing a first beam from an optical source across an image plane and a WFOV optical system having the image plane, the WFOV optical system mapping the directed first beam incident on the image plane with a second beam extending angularly across the field of view. The method comprises the steps of directing a first beam from a optical source onto an image plane, optically mapping the directed first beam incident on the image plane with a second beam extending angularly across a field of view, and steering the first beam across the image plane.

Abstract: A free-space laser communication system and method for compensating for the atmospheric effects and target motion of a target that may occur during free-space laser communication between of a pair of the systems. Each system makes use of a plurality of narrow infrared (IR) laser beams, a means for pointing and tracking the laser, an adaptive optics system and a communications transceiver. Optionally turbo coding techniques may be used to encode data transmitted by each of the systems. The laser communication system is less susceptible to adverse weather effects that could otherwise negatively influence the operation of an optical communication system.

Abstract: A hand-held instrument (10) and associated method for providing optical measurements of the contour, range and motion of an object, such as a tympanic membrane of an ear, in real time, and to provide for simultaneous visualization of the object. The instrument (10) includes an illumination source (22) that projects an optical beam (24) through a grating (26) onto a gradient of refractive index lens (32) to project light and dark fringes onto the object at stepped phases determined by the grating position. Light reflected from the object is collected and focused onto an eye piece (18) to be observed by the operator. Simultaneously, reflected light from the object is focused onto a camera (46). The camera (46) generates an electrical signal in proportion to the light intensity received by the camera (46) to generate an image of the object. The image is then transmitted to processing systems to compute phase relationships in the reflected grating image to generate a contour map of the object.

Abstract: An laser radar system employing transmitted random and pseudo random optical pulse trains and signal processing that provides unambiguous range and Doppler velocity data. The system comprises a diode-pumped fiber laser local oscillator and an optical random pulse signal generator comprising a mode-locked fiber laser source for generating and transmitted randomly spaced optical pulses. A heterodyne output pulse monitor processes the local oscillator signals and samples the transmitted optical pulses. A heterodyne receiver detector processes the local oscillator signals and received optical pulses reflected from a target. An acoustic charge transport delay line provides a selectable signal delay for the signal provided by the heterodyne optical pulse monitor, and a mixer mixes signals provided by the heterodyne receiver detector and delay line and provides correlation output signals.

Abstract: An improved transverse gas flow RF pumped waveguide laser has been developed utilizing RF discharge waveguide technology in a mid-infrared laser. A potential application has been identified in a continuous wave gas laser. For the laser, the flowing gas provides efficient cooling so that high output power per unit gain length can be achieved.

Abstract: A transverse gas flow RF pumped waveguide laser has been developed utilizing RF discharge waveguide technology in several infrared lasers. Two potential applications have been identified; the pulsed chemical laser and the CW CO.sub.2 laser. In the chemical laser, the flowing gas device provides rapid gas replenishment to maintain high electrical efficiency at high repetition rates. In the CW CO.sub.2 laser, the flowing gas provides efficient cooling so that high output power per unit gain length can be achieved.