Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for a free-space communication optical terminal comprising an optical telescope (or telescopes) for bidirectional communication and navigation, a pointing and tracking system for transmission and reception of narrow optical beams, and a modem.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for a free-space communication optical terminal comprising an optical telescope (or telescopes) for bidirectional communication and navigation, a pointing and tracking system for transmission and reception of narrow optical beams, and a modem.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coherent optical transistor device including: first and second coherent optical laser beams from a laser source; wherein the first beam has a relatively higher power/energy than the second beam of at least 2:1; and a permanent sub-wavelength structure in a unitary section into which the first and second beams enter, which permanently modifies a refractive index in both transverse and longitudinal directions; wherein every transverse spatial grating Fourier component in the sub-wavelength structure is phase-shifted by 90 degrees (pi/2) from each of corresponding Fourier components of a spatial interference of the first and second optical beams; and a refractive index profile in the unitary structure in the longitudinal direction is permanently modified, leading to a complete transfer of energy from the first to the second optical beam, resulting in a gain mechanism that results in an amplified signal beam and an inverted signal beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates an apparatus and method for measuring range-resolved atmospheric sodium temperature profiles using a space-based Lidar instrument, including a diode-pumped Q-switched self-Raman c-cut Nd:YVO4 laser with intra-cavity frequency doubling that could produce multi-watt 589 nm wavelength output. The c-cut Nd:YVO4 laser has a fundamental wavelength that is tunable from 1063-1067 nm. A continuous wave narrow linewidth diode laser is used as an injection seeder to provide single-frequency grating tunable output around 1066 nm. The injection-seeded self-Raman shifted Nd:VO4 laser is tuned across the sodium vapor D2 line at 589 nm. In one embodiment, a space-qualified frequency-doubled 9 Watt at 532 nm wavelength Nd:YVO4 laser, is utilized with a tandem interference filter temperature-stabilized fused-silica-etalon receiver and high-bandwidth photon-counting detectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates an apparatus and method for measuring range-resolved atmospheric sodium temperature profiles using a space-based Lidar instrument, including a diode-pumped Q-switched self-Raman c-cut Nd:YVO4 laser with intra-cavity frequency doubling that could produce multi-watt 589 nm wavelength output. The c-cut Nd:YVO4 laser has a fundamental wavelength that is tunable from 1063-1067 nm. A continuous wave narrow linewidth diode laser is used as an injection seeder to provide single-frequency grating tunable output around 1066 nm. The injection-seeded self-Raman shifted Nd:VO4 laser is tuned across the sodium vapor D2 line at 589 nm. In one embodiment, a space-qualified frequency-doubled 9 Watt at 532 nm wavelength Nd:YVO4 laser, is utilized with a tandem interference filter temperature-stabilized fused-silica-etalon receiver and high-bandwidth photon-counting detectors.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices may provide an optical scheme that achieves simultaneous wavelength channels and maintains the resolution and luminosity of an etalon. Various embodiments may provide a method to optically recirculate the light reflected from the etalon back through the same etalon at new angles. Various embodiments create an etalon spectrometer based on angular dispersion without moving parts and without losing the light that is not initially transmitted. Various embodiments may provide a spectrally-resolved receiver and/or transmitter. Various embodiments may provide a system including a retro-reflector, a detector or transmitter array, and an etalon disposed between the retro-reflector and the detector or transmitter array, wherein the retro-reflector is configured to redirect light reflected by the etalon back to the etalon at a different angle of incidence than an original angle of incidence on the etalon of the light reflected by the etalon.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices may provide an optical scheme that achieves simultaneous wavelength channels and maintains the resolution and luminosity of an etalon. Various embodiments may provide a method to optically recirculate the light reflected from the etalon back through the same etalon at new angles. Various embodiments create an etalon spectrometer based on angular dispersion without moving parts and without losing the light that is not initially transmitted. Various embodiments may provide a spectrally-resolved receiver and/or transmitter. Various embodiments may provide a system including a retro-reflector, a detector or transmitter array, and an etalon disposed between the retro-reflector and the detector or transmitter array, wherein the retro-reflector is configured to redirect light reflected by the etalon back to the etalon at a different angle of incidence than an original angle of incidence on the etalon of the light reflected by the etalon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for imaging a target area. Light is emitted from a device and separated into individual rays of light. These rays are then directed to a target area where they are reflected and returned to a receiving device. The time of flight for the individual rays of light is calculated to determine the range and shape of objects in the target area.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for imaging a target area. Light is emitted from a device and separated into individual rays of light. These rays are then directed to a target area where they are reflected and returned to a receiving device. The time of flight for the individual rays of light is calculated to determine the range and shape of objects in the target area.

Abstract: Fiber Bragg grating coupled light sources can achieve tunable single-frequency (single axial and lateral spatial mode) operation by correcting for a quadratic phase variation in the lateral dimension using an aperture stop. The output of a quasi-monochromatic light source such as a Fabry Perot laser diode is astigmatic. As a consequence of the astigmatism, coupling geometries that accommodate the transverse numerical aperture of the laser are defocused in the lateral dimension, even for apsherical optics. The mismatch produces the quadratic phase variation in the feedback along the lateral axis at the facet of the laser that excites lateral modes of higher order than the TM00. Because the instability entails excitation of higher order lateral submodes, single frequency operation also is accomplished by using fiber Bragg gratings whose bandwidth is narrower than the submode spacing. This technique is particularly pertinent to the use of lensed fiber gratings in lieu of discrete coupling optics.