Abstract: A two-part fiber optic collimator has a precision adjuster for controlling the position of a spring-biased lens carrier with respect to the collimator's body. An interchangeable fiber optic connector adaptor is attached to the collimator body for accurately positioning the end of a fiber optic cable in the collimator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the desalination of seawater or brackish water for the purpose of obtaining potable water. Systems may include a combination of electrodialysis and electrodeionization modules. The system configuration and process controls may achieve low energy consumption and stable operation.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing a laser system. In one specific example embodiment, the system includes a thulium-doped fiber laser coupled by silica glass fiber to a remote optical converter (ROC) including a Ho:YAG laser and, optionally, an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) utilizing in germanium phosphide (ZnGeP2; ZGP) or orientation-patterned gallium arsenide (OPGaAs). The fiber laser may emit a low-peak-power, continuous wave pump signal that pumps the Ho:YAG laser, which in turn emits a higher-peak-power, pulsed signal. When included, the OPO can be used to convert the resultant, pulsed signal to a longer wavelength (e.g., about 2-5 ?m, or greater). In some cases, distributed architecture and reduced weight/bulk may be realized while eliminating the need to actively cool the ROC for operation, for example, over a broad temperature range (e.g., ?55-125° C.). Also, methods of preparing high-peak-power, pulsed signals using such systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A two-part fiber optic collimator has a precision adjuster for controlling the position of a spring-biased lens carrier with respect to the collimator's body. An interchangeable fiber optic connector adaptor is attached to the collimator body for accurately positioning the end of a fiber optic cable in the collimator.

Abstract: A fiber optic laser for use in high stress environments is provided. The fiber optic laser comprises a hollow spool structure housing a fiber in a spiral groove in an interior surface of said hollow spool structure, wherein the fiber is mechanically supported along an entirety of its length within the hollow spool structure. Fluid channels are formed within the hollow spool structure, wherein a quantity of coolant is movable through the fluid channels to provide high-precision thermal management of the fiber.

Abstract: A system and method for passing a fiber cable through a fiber connector is presented. A fiber connector includes an outer body and a series of flutes inside the outer body. The outer body forms an interior chamber that has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening allows a coolant to flow into the first opening and the first and second openings allow the fiber cable to pass through the first opening and the second opening and through the fiber connector. A series of flutes are attached to an inner surface of the outer body and extend into the interior chamber. The flutes are spaced apart from each other and extend from the inner surface toward the fiber cable but do not touch the fiber cable when no liquid is flowing in the fiber connector.

Abstract: An athermal locking mechanism apparatus for large optic mounts is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one locking nut, at least one flexurized spring collet attached to a rigid base structure, a pivot shaft engaged with an optical yolk on a rotational axis of symmetry and a plurality of threads that joins the locking nuts with the flexurized spring collet The threads provide an increased level of a radial clamping force onto the pivot shaft. The interference generated between the locking nut and the spring collet causes all flexures to squeeze down onto the shaft, applying a purely symmetric radial force during the locking process. This eliminates any induced rotational torque and prevents the optical element from moving during the locking process after being properly aligned.

Abstract: A system and method for passing a fiber cable through a fiber connector is presented. A fiber connector includes an outer body and a series of flutes inside the outer body. The outer body forms an interior chamber that has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening allows a coolant to flow into the first opening and the first and second openings allow the fiber cable to pass through the first opening and the second opening and through the fiber connector. A series of flutes are attached to an inner surface of the outer body and extend into the interior chamber. The flutes are spaced apart from each other and extend from the inner surface toward the fiber cable but do not touch the fiber cable when no liquid is flowing in the fiber connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the desalination of seawater or brackish water for the purpose of obtaining potable water. Systems may include a combination of electrodialysis and electrodeionization modules. The system configuration and process controls may achieve low energy consumption and stable operation.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing a laser system. In one specific example embodiment, the system includes a thulium-doped fiber laser coupled by silica glass fiber to a remote optical converter (ROC) including a Ho:YAG laser and, optionally, an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) utilizing in germanium phosphide (ZnGeP2, ZGP) or orientation-patterned gallium arsenide (OPGaAs). The fiber laser may emit a low-peak-power, continuous wave pump signal that pumps the Ho:YAG laser, which in turn emits a higher-peak-power, pulsed signal. When included, the OPO can be used to convert the resultant, pulsed signal to a longer wavelength (e.g., about 2-5 ?m, or greater). In some cases, distributed architecture and reduced weight/bulk may be realized while eliminating the need to actively cool the ROC for operation, for example, over a broad temperature range (e.g., ?55-125° C.). Also, methods of preparing high-peak-power, pulsed signals using such systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser beam splitting and shaping is disclosed wherein two beam splitters are used to split one input laser beam into four beams in a generally rectangular pattern. Half-wave plates are used to adjust the power of the input laser beam between the four laser beams. A variable power optical telescope comprising negative and positive lens pairs for the four laser beams is used to adjust the divergence of the four beams, and pointing control prism wedges are used to point or steer the four beams to be parallel to each other and to adjust their relative spacing to create a flat top profile.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing a laser system. In one specific example embodiment, the system includes a thulium-doped fiber laser coupled by silica glass fiber to a remote optical converter (ROC) including a Ho:YAG laser and, optionally, an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) utilizing zinc germanium phosphide (ZnGeP2; ZGP) or orientation-patterned gallium arsenide (OPGaAs). The fiber laser may emit a low-peak-power, continuous wave pump signal that pumps the Ho:YAG laser, which in turn emits a higher-peak-power, pulsed signal. When included, the OPO can be used to convert the resultant, pulsed signal to a longer wavelength (e.g., about 2-5 ?m, or greater). In some cases, distributed architecture and reduced weight/bulk may be realized while eliminating the need to actively cool the ROC for operation, for example, over a broad temperature range (e.g., ?55-125° C.). Also, methods of preparing high-peak-power, pulsed signals using such systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A small, portable, and inexpensive potentiostat circuit that is suitable for wide-spread electrochemical analysis is disclosed. The potentiostat may be fabricated as a stand-alone electrical component or it may be fabricated in conjunction with a Programmable System-on-Chip (SoC) to facilitate on-the-fly calibration and configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the desalination of seawater or brackish water for the purpose of obtaining potable water. Systems may include a combination of electrodialysis and electrodeionization modules. The system configuration and process controls may achieve low energy consumption and stable operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser beam splitting and shaping is disclosed wherein two beam splitters are used to split one input laser beam into four beams in a generally rectangular pattern. Half-wave plates are used to adjust the power of the input laser beam between v four laser beams. A variable power optical telescope comprising negative and positive lens pairs for the four laser beams is used to adjust the divergence of the four beams, and pointing control prism wedges are used to point or steer the four beams to he parallel to each other and to adjust their relative spacing to create a flat top profile.

Abstract: A small, portable, and inexpensive potentiostat circuit that is suitable for wide-spread electrochemical analysis is disclosed. The potentiostat may be fabricated as a stand-alone electrical component or it may be fabricated in conjunction with a Programmable System-on-Chip (SoC) to facilitate on-the-fly calibration and configuration.

Abstract: A spatial transmit diversity method includes transmitting data at a selected rate from a first antenna and awaiting an acknowledgement indicating successful receipt by the receiving terminal of the data transmitted at the selected rate from the first antenna. The data are then transmitted at the selected rate from a second antenna upon failure to receive an acknowledgement of successful receipt by the receiving terminal of the data transmitted at the selected rate from the first antenna within a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A thermal microphotonic sensor is fabricated on a silicon substrate by etching an opening and a trench into the substrate, and then filling in the opening and trench with silicon oxide which can be deposited or formed by thermally oxidizing a portion of the silicon substrate surrounding the opening and trench. The silicon oxide forms a support post for an optical resonator which is subsequently formed from a layer of silicon nitride, and also forms a base for an optical waveguide formed from the silicon nitride layer. Part of the silicon substrate can be selectively etched away to elevate the waveguide and resonator. The thermal microphotonic sensor, which is useful to detect infrared radiation via a change in the evanescent coupling of light between the waveguide and resonator, can be formed as a single device or as an array.

Abstract: Installed in an IGAR gateway is intelligence for determining the capabilities of an endpoint. Many older generation secure phones are not IP capable and are thus not directly capable of operating in a VOIP environment. The intelligence allows backwards compatibility of IGAR to legacy phones by recognizing that the endpoint is not IP capable and forcing the secure connection to be routed over PSTN. IGAR could also be included between independent instances of a communications manager (CM). Currently IGAR is supported on only a single CM controlling PSTN gateways, and not between independent CMs. This embodiment recognizes that incoming PSTN call based on a DN and once answered, in-band digits are passed from the originating PBX to the destination PBX in order to route the call within the answering PBX.

Abstract: A thermal microphotonic sensor is disclosed for detecting infrared radiation using heat generated by the infrared radiation to shift the resonant frequency of an optical resonator (e.g. a ring resonator) to which the heat is coupled. The shift in the resonant frequency can be determined from light in an optical waveguide which is evanescently coupled to the optical resonator. An infrared absorber can be provided on the optical waveguide either as a coating or as a plate to aid in absorption of the infrared radiation. In some cases, a vertical resonant cavity can be formed about the infrared absorber to further increase the absorption of the infrared radiation. The sensor can be formed as a single device, or as an array for imaging the infrared radiation.