Abstract: A lens collimator according to the present invention includes a plurality of lens elements bonded together. The lens elements, preferably three, each include spherical surfaces and are generally concentrically disposed relative to each other. The lens elements are arranged to produce an increased quantity of reflections and refractions within a lens optical path. The reflections and refractions reduce aberrations and control signal intercept angles relative to an image plane, thereby enabling the lens to match the performance of an optical signal carrier utilized with the lens. The lens element arrangement basically serves to provide an optical path with a quantity of reflections similar to that achieved with a lens having a greater quantity of elements or surfaces. The reflections and refractions enable the lens to cancel out or remove undesired characteristics (e.g., aberrations, etc.) from the resulting optical signals.

Abstract: A Q-switched laser resonator is constructed in the form of an integral, one-piece assembly, thus eliminating the requirement for an optical bench to support the individual components. The integral assembly is constructed by bonding a surface of the Q-switch device to an end of the laser rod, the bonding being accomplished with a layer of transparent adhesive. Similarly, the optical coupler is bonded to the opposite surface of the Q-switch device with a layer of adhesive. The resulting laser resonator assembly is optically aligned prior to the setting of the adhesive layers such that the alignment is permanently maintained after the adhesive sets.

Abstract: A simple and compact testing device is disclosed for enabling the boresight alignment of a laser designator to be quickly and readily checked. The device includes a tubular housing having a closed end and an open end adapted to be attached to the designator. A target disk and a converging meniscus lens provided with a reflective coating on its surface facing the target disk are snugly disposed within the housing adjacent to its closed and open ends, respectively, with a tubular spacer member interposed between and abutting the target disk and the lens. A portion of the laser light emitted from the designator is directed by the lens toward the target disk such that after a predetermined number of reflections from the target disk and the coating on the lens this laser light is focused to a small area on the target disk. The target disk emits visible light which travels back into the designator to provide an indication of the location of the spot of impingement of the laser light on the target disk.

Abstract: A thick lens or prism with at least one spherical shaped surface is utilized in conjunction with a glass fiber delay line to create a sensitivity, boresight and range accuracy test unit for a laser rangefinder, which test unit may be built into the laser rangefinder. This test unit performs laser rangefinder sensitivity and boresight tests in a small volume with relatively simple components having a minimum of weight making its incorporation into most laser rangefinders very practical.

Abstract: A fiber optic device to produce either single or multiple delayed light pulses from a single input light pulse for testing of a range determining unit such as a laser range finder. The optical range tester includes a coil of an optical waveguide such as a single optical fiber, input and output focusing lenses and a multiple tapping unit for extracting or sampling light energy from the fiber at a number of predetermined points along the coil to provide different time delays. All of the sampled output beams are combined optically so that they leave the device on a common optical axis so as to be sensed by an optical detector in the laser receiver. The optical range tester in accordance with the invention, may be utilized either as a portable unit or as a built-in test unit. The range tester may provide a minimum range return, a nominal return and a range resolution return and may include extinction filters to allow a determination of effective transmitter to receiver gain.