Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapid and accurate detection of nucleic acid in a single reaction chamber are provided. In one aspect, a patient specimen suspected of comprising a first nucleic acid is used to form a crude lysate which is combined with an infrared absorbing material, a detecting nucleic acid, and at least one reporter molecule in the single reaction chamber and heated by irradiating the reaction mixture with infrared light. Another aspect is directed to an apparatus for detecting a presence or absence of a plurality of different molecules within a reaction container. The apparatus comprises an infrared light source aimed to illuminate contents of the reaction container; an excitation light source positioned to illuminate contents of the reaction container; and a spectrometer positioned to detect emission light emanating from the reaction container.

Abstract: A lidar system can include a solid-state laser to emit pulses of light. The solid-state laser can include a Q-switched laser having a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system can also include a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system can also include a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.

Abstract: A lidar system can include a solid-state laser to emit pulses of light. The solid-state laser can include a Q-switched laser having a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system can also include a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system can also include a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.

Abstract: A lidar system can include a solid-state laser to emit pulses of light. The solid-state laser can include a Q-switched laser having a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system can also include a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system can also include a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a self-Raman laser that includes a Raman-active gain medium and a Q-switch. The self-Raman laser is configured to: produce Q-switched pulses of light at a lasing wavelength of the self-Raman laser; Raman-shift, in the Raman-active gain medium, at least a portion of the Q-switched pulses to produce Raman-shifted pulses of light, where the Raman-shifted pulses have a Raman-shifted wavelength that is longer than the lasing wavelength; and emit at least a portion of the Raman-shifted pulses. The lidar system further includes a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system also includes a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a Q-switched laser configured to emit pulses of light, where the Q-switched laser includes a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system further includes a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system also includes a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a pump laser configured to produce pulses of light at a pump wavelength. The lidar system further includes an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with an OPO medium configured to: receive the pump pulses from the pump laser; convert at least part of the received pump pulses into pulses of light at a signal wavelength and pulses of light at an idler wavelength; and emit at least a portion of the signal pulses. The lidar system also includes a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system also includes a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target.

Abstract: Wave vector division multiplexing (“WVDM”) is a method of free-space multiplexing for optical communications. In WVDM, wave vectors of individual laser beams are manipulated so that each individual laser beam has a unique wave vector. These individual laser beams are multiplexed into an aggregate beam, which is transmitted to a receiver. The receiver separates the individual laser beams on the basis of their unique wave vectors. One area where WVDM is useful is in quantum cryptography. WVDM can also be combined with traditional wavelength division multiplexing (“WDM”) to increase throughput even further.

Abstract: Methods and systems enabling enhanced bit-rate QKD fiber-based key delivery. In one embodiment, a secure communications network of this invention includes a number of communication nodes, each of the communication nodes being connected to a quantum channel. At least one of the communication nodes (a sending node) includes a multiplexing system capable of assembling a succession of substantially single photons in a predetermined order. At least another of the communication nodes (a receiving node) includes a receiving system capable of receiving at least some of the assembled succession of substantially single photons, a demultiplexing system capable of separating the received assembled succession of substantially single photons into a number of separated successions of substantially single photons, and, a number of detector systems, each one of the detector systems being capable of detecting one separated succession of the successions of substantially single photons.

Abstract: Wave vector division multiplexing (“WVDM”) is a method of free-space multiplexing for optical communications. In WVDM, wave vectors of individual laser beams are manipulated so that each individual laser beam has a unique wave vector. These individual laser beams are multiplexed into an aggregate beam, which is transmitted to a receiver. The receiver separates the individual laser beams on the basis of their unique wave vectors. One area where WVDM is useful is in quantum cryptography. WVDM can also be combined with traditional wavelength division multiplexing (“WDM”) to increase throughput even further.

Abstract: Methods and systems enabling enhanced bit-rate QKD fiber-based key delivery. In one embodiment, a secure communications network of this invention includes a number of communication nodes, each of the communication nodes being connected to a quantum channel. At least one of the communication nodes (a sending node) includes a multiplexing system capable of assembling a succession of substantially single photons in a predetermined order. At least another of the communication nodes (a receiving node) includes a receiving system capable of receiving at least some of the assembled succession of substantially single photons, a demultiplexing system capable of separating the received assembled succession of substantially single photons into a number of separated successions of substantially single photons, and, a number of detector systems, each one of the detector systems being capable of detecting one separated succession of the successions of substantially single photons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for variable optical attenuation is disclosed. A variable optical attenuator is provided having a housing. Within the housing, a filter is mounted on a drive shaft of a motor such that the drive shaft passes through a substantially center point of the filter. The filter has a monotonically increasing filter gradient that begins at a lower optical density and gradually increases in optical density in a diametrical pattern. An input optical fiber provides a light signal to be attenuated. The input optical fiber introduces the light signal, which passes through a first collimator, through the filter, through a second collimator, and to an output optical fiber which exits the housing. When activated, the motor rotates the drive shaft to position the filter to a desired attenuation position for attenuating the light signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for variable optical attenuation is disclosed. A variable optical attenuator is provided having a housing. Within the housing, a filter is mounted on a drive shaft of a motor such that the drive shaft passes through a substantially center point of the filter. The filter has a monotonically increasing filter gradient that begins at a lower optical density and gradually increases in optical density in a diametrical pattern. An input optical fiber provides a light signal to be attenuated. The input optical fiber introduces the light signal, which passes through a first collimator, through the filter, through a second collimator, and to an output optical fiber which exits the housing. When activated, the motor rotates the drive shaft to position the filter to a desired attenuation position for attenuating the light signal.