Abstract: The present invention provides a method for performing high dynamic range low inter-pixel spatial and wavelength crosstalk optical image detection in a camera comprising an Optical Array Device (OAD), a point Photo Detector (PD) and a Photo Detector Array (PDA) sensor. The method comprises imaging incident light from an object onto an image plane of the Optical Array Device (OAD) to form an incident image map; selecting by the OAD and the Point Photo Detector and by the OAD and the Photo Detector Array a plurality of pixels on the incident image map for time-frequency coding; time-frequency coding the selected pixels by the OAD; detecting by the point PD the optical irradiance values of the time-frequency coded pixels output from the OAD; and performing signal processing on the detected optical irradiance values to determine the light intensity of each of the selected pixels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for performing high dynamic range low inter-pixel spatial and wavelength crosstalk optical image detection in a camera comprising an Optical Array Device (OAD), a point Photo Detector (PD) and a Photo Detector Array (PDA) sensor. The method comprises imaging incident light from an object onto an image plane of the Optical Array Device (OAD) to form an incident image map; selecting by the OAD and the Point Photo Detector and by the OAD and the Photo Detector Array a plurality of pixels on the incident image map for time-frequency coding; time-frequency coding the selected pixels by the OAD; detecting by the point PD the optical irradiance values of the time-frequency coded pixels output from the OAD; and performing signal processing on the detected optical irradiance values to determine the light intensity of each of the selected pixels.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a compressive optical display and imager using optical scanning and selection and three-dimensional beamforming optics. Standard pixel data can generate a compressed image data set having custom pixel sizes, locations, and intensities. A 3-D beamformer optic adjusts its focus to produce the largest focused beam spot on the display screen corresponding to an image zone compressed pixel. Using scan mirror angular controls, display image space is painted using minimal numbers of laser beam spots whose sizes depend on the compressed sensed image. The imager includes movable reflecting optics to reflect an optical image and controllable imaging optics to pass the reflected optical image toward a digital micromirror that reflects +/?? optical beams into +/? ? optical beam paths. A controller controls reflecting optics and agile front end imaging optics to receive an electronic image signal corresponding to detected +/?? optical beams.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a differential compressed sensor to form a smart optical imager that uses both active (laser) and passive (ambient light) to sample the direct image information within a three-dimensional spatial frame. The lens-based distance sensor is produces smart sampling of target by adjusting the size of the laser beam spot on the target sampling grid to produce a boundary outline by a light flooding. This target dependent direct sampling of the target results in direct compressed sensing. A passive light acquisition pin-hole sampling optical sensor design is proposed that produces the pixel-basis Laplacian to determine the compressed sensed pixels in the incident image.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems of an optical sensor for spatially smart 3-D object measurements using variable focal length lenses to target both specular and diffuse objects by matching transverse dimensions of the sampling optical beam to the transverse size of the flat target for given axial target distance for instantaneous spatial mapping of flat target, zone. The sensor allows volumetric data compressed remote sensing of object transverse dimensions including cross-sectional size, motion transverse displacement, inter-objects transverse gap distance, 3-D animation data acquisition, laser-based 3-D machining, and 3-D inspection and testing. An embodiment provides a 2-D optical display using 2-D laser scanning and 3-D beamforming optics engaged with sensor optics to measure distance of display screen from the laser source and scanning optics by adjusting its focus to produce the smallest focused beam spot on the display screen.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus and devices for a variable fiber optic delay line that includes an electro-optic modulator for receiving and modulating an input signal, a switchless discrete long time delay module for injecting a long time delay into the modulated signal to produce a long delayed signal, and a switchless analog variable short delay module injecting a variable short time delay into the long delayed signal for a delayed output signal having a delay approximately equal to the long plus the short time delay. The module may also include non-dispersive single mode fibers for transmission between components and a circulator coupled for routing the input signal to the discrete long time delay module and routing the first delayed output signal to the analog variable short delay module. The VFODL can be used for Radio Frequency, digital electrical signals requiring time delay and amplitude processing or optical signal processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a hybrid optical device for high dynamic range high resolution remote sensing of object distance, object motion displacement, object three dimensional structure, object spatial profile, and measurement of liquid levels, and different matter interface positions. The device uses a hybrid digital-analog controlled variable focal length lens system to target both specular and diffuse objects. The spatial processing methods and systems can include time-frequency processing optical distance measurement methods to enable a robust hybrid-technique sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for realizing high resolution three-dimensional (3-D) optical imaging using diffraction limited low resolution optical signals. Using axial shift-based signal processing via computer based computation algorithm, three sets of high resolution optical data are determined along the axial (or light beam propagation) direction using low resolution axial data. The three sets of low resolution data are generated by illuminating the 3-D object under observation along its three independent and orthogonal look directions (i.e., x, y, and z) or by physically rotating the object by 90 degrees and also flipping the object by 90 degrees. The three sets of high resolution axial data is combined using a unique mathematical function to interpolate a 3-D image of the test object that is of much higher resolution than the diffraction limited direct measurement 3-D resolution. Confocal microscopy or optical coherence tomography (OCT) are example methods to obtain the axial scan data sets.

Abstract: A remote temperature sensing system includes a light source selectively producing light at two different wavelengths and a sensor device having an optical path length that varies as a function of temperature. The sensor receives light emitted by the light source and redirects the light along the optical path length. The system also includes a detector receiving redirected light from the sensor device and generating respective signals indicative of respective intensities of received redirected light corresponding to respective wavelengths of light emitted by the light source. The system also includes a processor processing the signals generated by the detector to calculate a temperature of the device.

Abstract: An agile optical sensor based on spectrally agile heterodyne optical interferometric confocal microscopy implemented via an ultra-stable in-line acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) based interferometer using double anisotropic acousto-optic Bragg diffraction. One embodiment uses a tunable laser as the light source while other embodiments use a broadband source or a fixed wavelength laser as the source. One embodiment uses anisotropic diffractions in an AOTF to generate two near-collinear orthogonal linear polarization and slightly displaced beams that both pass via a test sample to deliver highly sensitive sample birefringence or material optical retardation measurements. A spherical lens is used to form focused spots for high resolution spatial sampling of the test object. The laser and AOTF tuning allows birefringence measurements taken at different wavelengths, one at a time.

Abstract: An agile optical sensor based on scanning optical interferometry is proposed. The preferred embodiment uses a retroreflective sensing design while another embodiment uses a transmissive sensing design. The basic invention uses wavelength tuning to enable an optical scanning beam and a wavelength dispersive element like a grating to act as a beam splitter and beam combiner to create the two beams required for interferometry. A compact and environmentally robust version of the sensor is an all-fiber in-line low noise delivery design using a fiber circulator, optical fiber, and fiber lens connected to a Grating-optic and reflective sensor chip.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a basic multi-technology application of cascaded beam-formers. A dual MEMS-EO technology platform method involving a two axis deflection micro-mirror cascaded with a three dimensional electro-optical beam-former such as a multi pixel liquid crystal device forms a powerful reflective control site for an incident beam, thereby inherently providing a robust beam control with both coarse and fine beam control capabilities in three dimensions. The electrically controlled two axis micro-mirror is excellent in providing the large angular beam deflections, while the liquid crystal device provides excellent small-beam deflections. This leads to a mechanically robust beam control module. A multipixel MEMS mirror device option coupled with the EO device can also provide simultaneous multi-beam generation capability. Furthermore, use of macro-pixels for both the MEMS and EO devices provides resistance to single pixel dependent catastrophic failure for the overall module.

Abstract: High speed low cost billion point optical scanner using a binary optical polarization sensitive cascaded architecture network having binary switchable optical plates for scanning in one dimension(x-direction), two dimensions(x and y directions) and three dimensions(x, y and z directions). The scanner has a fast microsecond beam switching speed and low control power and realizes high space bandwidth products of up to one billion points using minimum control signals and hardware. The binary switching optical plates are modules for the x, y, and z directions. For each of the directions, each module contains an active polarization switches and passive beam steering devices. The switches can be high speed flat panel thin film polarization switches such as ferroelectric liquid crystal devices or multiple quantum well binary polarization rotation devices or nematic liquid crystal(NLC) polarization rotator devices.

Abstract: Wavelength diversity coupled with fiber-based time delay, optical energy delivery, and ultrasonic energy sensing, are proposed to form a novel, rapidly tunable (e.g., 1 Khz-100 Mhz) and wide instantaneous bandwidth (e.g., >50% bandwidth at center carrier), ultrasonic probe system for therapy, diagnostics, and non-invasive surgery, particularly for intracavity operation with a typical 100 channel/transducer element count. This ultrasonic system architecture is a multi-wavelength optical delay line module using two high speed (i.e., <10 microseconds wavelength switching time), bulk acousto-optic tunable filters, that provide collinear, high power, multi-wavelength optical input and output beams. This wavelength selection module also provides high optical throughput (e.g., 90% efficiency) and excellent (e.g., -30 db) optical blockage of the unwanted leakage (undiffracted) light, preventing noise propagation when such modules are cascaded to provide many variable signal time delays.

Abstract: Compact, high performance, scanning heterodyne optical interferometers for interferometric phase-based measurement and a host of other applications are introduced. An in-line, almost common-path optical interferometer design offers robustness to externally induced phase noise via mechanical vibrations, thermal effects, and other environmental effects. Several instrument designs are disclosed for both transmissive and reflective interferometry. These interferometers use acousto-optic devices or Bragg cells to implement rapid (e.g., <50 .mu.s/scan spot) optical scanning of a test medium. Although the read optical beam scans a given test region, the double Bragg diffraction optical design of the instrument makes the final interfering output beams stationary on the two high speed photo-detectors used for radio frequency signal generation via heterodyne detection.

Abstract: A three-terminal liquid crystal (LC) lens cell includes a center-biased symmetrical quadratic electrode network that has a center electrode electrically coupled to a bias voltage source, and a first and a second network electrode circuit. The respective bias voltage terminus of each network electrode circuit is coupled to the bias voltage source, and the respective control voltage terminus of each network electrode circuit is electrically coupled to a selectively variable lens focus control power supply. Each network electrode circuit further includes respective pluralities of network electrodes electrically coupled together in series and quadratic gradient network biasing resistors respectively electrically coupled therebetween to provide a symmetric quadratic voltage pattern.

Abstract: A programmable liquid crystal optical wavefront device selectively exhibits characteristics either as a lens or as a beam deflector; the device includes a liquid crystal (LC) control apparatus that is disposed in an LC cell to selectively deflect light beams passing through the LC cell. The LC control apparatus includes a bias electrode network and a bias control circuit electrically coupled to the bias electrode network to provide the appropriate bias voltages across the bias electrodes to determine the operation of the device in the lens mode and in the beam deflector mode. The bias control circuit includes a lens bias resistor circuit, a beam deflector bias resistor circuit, each of which comprise a plurality of respective resistor stages, and a lens/beam deflector switch circuit that selectively couples the resistor circuits to the bias electrode network to cause the device to operate in the lens mode or in the beam deflector mode.

Abstract: A fast-speed optical switching unit includes a polarization rotation unit having plurality of liquid crystal cells disposed on a common substrate and optically coupled together in series so as to impart a selected linear polarization orientation to an incident light beam. The polarization rotation unit is optically coupled to beam-directing optics such that, dependent on the polarization orientation of the light beam passing from the polarization unit, the light beam is directed onto a predetermined path. The multiple liquid crystal cells driven by a selected control voltage so as to operate in the fast speed regime, thus collectively effecting a faster change in polarization orientation of a light beam passing therethrough than is obtainable with a single liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: A spatial synchronization method for an optical communications system includes the step of transmitting from a transmit aperture a pyramidal synchronizing profile so as to sequentially spatially register a user identification speckle pattern at a receive aperture. The iterative patterns in the pyramidal synchronizing profile detected by the receive array are processed and correlated with a library of respective user pyramidal synchronizing profiles so as to match and register the speckle pattern for a particular user. Registration of the user speckle pattern provides an offset value representing the spatial relation of a reference point of the user's pattern to a corresponding reference point of the receive aperture, which offset information is applied to a receive pattern processor so that the receive aperture is aligned with the transmitted speckle patterns.

Abstract: An optical beamsteering system for providing a plurality of respectively time-delayed optical signals to control a phased array of transducer elements or the like includes an optical signal processing system having a plurality of optical time delay units optically coupled together in a cascade. In each optical time delay unit includes a respective multiple-pass optical delay path apparatus in which respective optical signals passing through the delay path apparatus pass along either a direct path or a delay path dependent upon the polarization orientation of the light. The delay path apparatus includes optical components disposed such that optical signals passing along the delay path pass through a given fiber delay line twice before passing from the multiple-pass optical time delay unit so as to cancel out any uncommanded polarization shifts resulting from passage of the optical signal through the fiber.