Abstract: A Light Detecting and Ranging (LIDAR) based system detecting and quantifying ice accretions and shedding on an aircraft. This system can be used to detect ice, operate ice protection systems, and satisfy aircraft icing certification requirements. This system can also be used to determine the shape, thickness, type, and location of the ice accretions.

Abstract: A Light Detecting and Ranging (LIDAR) based system detecting and quantifying ice accretions and shedding on an aircraft. This system can be used to detect ice, operate ice protection systems, and satisfy aircraft icing certification requirements. This system can also be used to determine the shape, thickness, type, and location of the ice accretions.

Abstract: LADAR systems and methods are disclosed. LADAR systems include a LADAR transmitter configured to emit a laser signal from a platform and a LADAR receiver configured to detect the laser signal returning from a target moving relative to the platform. The LADAR receiver includes a dynamic receiver filter with a receiver bandwidth (which may be about equal to the linewidth of the laser signal) and a tunable receiver center wavelength. The LADAR receiver is configured to adjust the receiver center wavelength to a wavelength that is Doppler-shifted due to the target velocity. Methods include transmitting a laser signal from a platform, returning the laser signal from a moving target, adjusting a dynamic receiver filter to a receiver center wavelength that is based upon the center wavelength of the returned laser signal (that includes a Doppler offset due to the relative velocity of the target), and receiving the returned laser signal.

Abstract: LADAR systems and methods are disclosed. LADAR systems include a LADAR transmitter configured to emit a laser signal from a platform and a LADAR receiver configured to detect the laser signal returning from a target moving relative to the platform. The LADAR receiver includes a dynamic receiver filter with a receiver bandwidth (which may be about equal to the linewidth of the laser signal) and a tunable receiver center wavelength. The LADAR receiver is configured to adjust the receiver center wavelength to a wavelength that is Doppler-shifted due to the target velocity. Methods include transmitting a laser signal from a platform, returning the laser signal from a moving target, adjusting a dynamic receiver filter to a receiver center wavelength that is based upon the center wavelength of the returned laser signal (that includes a Doppler offset due to the relative velocity of the target), and receiving the returned laser signal.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for detecting and tracking a target are disclosed. The disclosed method involves receiving, with an infra-red (IR) fine track sensor, a IR signal from the target. The method further involves determining, with at least one processor, an estimate of a direction of the target using the IR signal. Also, the method involves transmitting, with a Laser transmitter, a Laser beam towards the direction of the target. Further, the method involves receiving, with a Laser receiver, the Laser signal after it reflects off the target. In one or more embodiments, the Laser receiver is a photon receiver (e.g., a geiger-mode avalanche photo-diode (Gm-APD) receiver).

Abstract: In one aspect a power amplifier comprises a first plurality of laser disks disposed in a first vertical plane and a second plurality of laser disks disposed in a second vertical plane, opposite the first vertical plane, wherein the plurality of laser disks are disposed in a central horizontal plane, and a first plurality of reflecting mirrors disposed in the first vertical plane and a second plurality of reflecting mirrors disposed in the second vertical plane, wherein a first set of reflecting are disposed in a lower horizontal plane and a second set of reflecting mirrors are disposed in an upper horizontal plane, wherein respective laser disks and reflecting mirrors adjacent along an optical axis are positioned to provide a 1:1 imaging system therebetween. Other aspects may be described.

Abstract: The disclosed method for fiber stabilization of optical path differences involves splitting a laser produced optical beam into a first and second optical beam. Further, the method involves circulating the first optical beam to an adjustable optical telescope, and circulating the second optical beam to a reference optical telescope. Also, the method involves splitting the first circulated beam into the first optical beam and the adjustable optical telescope beam, and splitting the second circulated beam into the second optical beam and the reference optical telescope beam. Additionally, the method involves inputting, into an interferometer, the first and second optical beams; and outputting, from the interferometer, a sinusoidal signal. Also, the method comprises filtering the sinusoidal signal to form a high frequency and low frequency signal. Further, the method involves controlling a translation stage by using the low frequency signal, and controlling a fiber stretcher by using the high frequency signal.

Abstract: In one aspect a power amplifier comprises a first plurality of laser disks disposed in a first vertical plane and a second plurality of laser disks disposed in a second vertical plane, opposite the first vertical plane, wherein the plurality of laser disks are disposed in a central horizontal plane, and a first plurality of reflecting mirrors disposed in the first vertical plane and a second plurality of reflecting mirrors disposed in the second vertical plane, wherein a first set of reflecting are disposed in a lower horizontal plane and a second set of reflecting mirrors are disposed in an upper horizontal plane, wherein respective laser disks and reflecting mirrors adjacent along an optical axis are positioned to provide a 1:1 imaging system therebetween. Other aspects may be described.

Abstract: A multifunction light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for aircraft or other applications may use autodyne techniques. An autodyne system can use a single laser source and a single detector. The autodyne technique can mix two signal beams to produce a “beat note” at the frequency difference between the beams. Autodyne detection can leverage photon counting to support significantly reduced system complexity. Reduced complexity may provide solutions with significantly reduced power consumption, lighter weight, smaller volume, and lower cost. The multifunction LIDAR system can detect and identify regions of weather hazards such as lightning storms, aircraft wake vortex, clear air turbulence, and wind shear. The multifunction LIDAR system may also be configured to measure aircraft air and ground speed in multiple dimensions as well as aircraft altitude.

Abstract: A multifunction light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for aircraft or other applications may use autodyne techniques. An autodyne system can use a single laser source and a single detector. The autodyne technique can mix two signal beams to produce a “beat note” at the frequency difference between the beams. Autodyne detection can leverage photon counting to support significantly reduced system complexity. Reduced complexity may provide solutions with significantly reduced power consumption, lighter weight, smaller volume, and lower cost. The multifunction LIDAR system can detect and identify regions of weather hazards such as lightning storms, aircraft wake vortex, clear air turbulence, and wind shear. The multifunction LIDAR system may also be configured to measure aircraft air and ground speed in multiple dimensions as well as aircraft altitude.

Abstract: An excimer laser with a laser chamber containing a circulating laser gas containing fluorine and a set of long life electrode structures. At least one of the electrode structures has an erosion pad and a cross section shape designed to provide in conjunction with other chamber structure a gradual increasing flow cross section between the discharge region and the circulating tangential fan blade. In a preferred embodiment, electrode lifetime is increased by annealing the erosion rod after it is are machined. This annealing relieves the surface stress caused by the machining operation and reduces the exposed metallic grain boundary length per unit area on the surface of the electrodes, which provides substantial reduction in erosion caused by fluorine chemical attack. Annealing after machining also reduces the stress throughout the bulk of the electrode material. In preferred embodiments the anode is a copper-aluminum alloy and the cathode is a copper-zinc alloy.

Abstract: An excimer laser with a laser chamber containing a circulating laser gas containing fluorine and a set of long life electrode structures. At least one of the electrode structures has an erosion pad and a cross section shape designed to provide in conjunction with other chamber structure a gradual increasing flow cross section between the discharge region and the circulating tangential fan blade. In a preferred embodiment, electrode lifetime is increased by annealing the erosion rod after it is are machined. This annealing relieves the surface stress caused by the machining operation and reduces the exposed metallic grain boundary length per unit area on the surface of the electrodes, which provides substantial reduction in erosion caused by fluorine chemical attack. Annealing after machining also reduces the stress throughout the bulk of the electrode material. In preferred embodiments the anode is a copper-aluminum alloy and the cathode is a copper-zinc alloy.

Abstract: A gas discharge laser having a laser chamber with two elongated erodable electrode elements, each having an erodable section and an electrode with support configured to minimize discharge region laser gas turbulence and with the electrode elements being configured to permit gradual erosion over more than 8 billion pulses without causing substantial changes in the shape of electrical discharges between the electrode elements. A pulse power system provides electrical pulses of at least 2J at rates of at least 2 KHz. A blower circulates laser gas between the electrodes at speeds of at least 2 m/s and a heat exchanger is provided to remove heat produced by the blower and the discharges.

Abstract: A gas discharge laser having a laser chamber with two elongated erodable electrode elements, at least one of said electrode element having a generally blunt blade-shaped portion comprised of a material having high electrical conductivity with a flow shaping dielectric fairing positioned on each of two sides of said blunt blade-shaped portion. A pulse power system provides electrical pulses at rates of at least 1 KHz. A blower circulates laser gas between the electrodes at speeds of at least 10 m/s and a heat exchanger is provided to remove heat produced by the blower and the discharges.

Abstract: A gas discharge laser having a laser chamber with two elongated erodable electrode elements, at least one of said electrode element having a generally blunt blade-shaped portion comprised of a material having high electrical conductivity with a flow shaping dielectric fairing positioned on each of two sides of said blunt blade-shaped portion. A pulse power system provides electrical pulses at rates of at least 1 KHz. A blower circulates laser gas between the electrodes at speeds of at least 10 m/s and a heat exchanger is provided to remove heat produced by the blower and the discharges.

Abstract: Methods and structural changes in gas discharge lasers for minimizing wavelength chirp at high pulse rates. Applicants have identified the major cause of wavelength chirp in high pulse rate gas discharge lithography lasers as pressure waves from a discharge reflecting back to the discharge region coincident with a subsequent discharge. The timing of the arrival of the pressure wave is determined by the temperature of the laser gas through which the wave is traveling. During burst mode operation, the laser gas temperature in prior art lasers changes by several degrees over periods of a few milliseconds. These changing temperatures change the location of the coincident pressure waves from pulse to pulse within the discharge region causing a variation in the pressure of the laser gas which in turn affects the index of refraction of the discharge region causing the laser beam exiting the rear of the laser to slightly change direction.

Abstract: A fiber optic spatial light modulation system which includes a light source which produces source light, an optical fiber bundle which includes a plurality of individual optical fibers, and a spatial light modulator which is interposed between the light source and the optical fiber bundle, and which selectively modulates the amount of the source light coupled into each of the individual optical fibers, wherein the amount of the source light coupled into different ones of the individual optical fibers can be unequal.

Abstract: A system is provided for removing material from a structure having at least one layer of the material formed on a substrate. The system includes a radiant energy source, such as a flashlamp, with an actively cooled reflector for irradiating a target area of a structure with radiant energy, preferably sufficiently intense in at least the visible and ultraviolet, to break or weaken chemical bonds in the material, and an abrasive blaster for impinging the material after irradiation with a cool particle stream, preferably including of CO.sub.2 particles, to remove the irradiated material and cool the substrate. The system may also include light sensors used in a feedback loop to control the removal process by varying the speed at which the radiant energy source is moved along the structure, the repetition rate of the source, the intensity of the source, the pulse width of the source and/or the distance between the source and the structure.

Abstract: An improved system and method are provided for removing material coatings or contaminants such as paints from a structure. The system and method include a radiant energy source, such as a flashlamp, for irradiating the target area of the structure with the radiant energy sufficient to initiate the pyrolysis and/or ablation of the coating or contaminant and a low temperature carbon dioxide stream which is directed at the target area to disperse the material from the structure, clean the exposed surface and cool the underlying substrate. The low temperature carbon dioxide stream is formed from a liquid carbon dioxide from a liquid carbon dioxide source which undergoes phase transition to yield a predetermined amount of low temperature carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide snow. The system and method eliminate the need for a carbon dioxide pelletizer, a carbon dioxide pellet transport hopper, and a compressed carrier gas which are used in related systems.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the capability of a surface of an organic structure to bond with another material includes irradiating a target area of the surface of a structure with pulsed, incoherent optical energy having wavelength components which range from 160-5000 nanometers at an intensity sufficient to photodecompose any adventitious organic substances on the surface and to photodecompose a thin layer of molecular bonds forming the surface of the structure; and exposing the target area of the surface to ionized gas that chemically reacts with the target area of the surface to increase the surface free energy of the surface.