Abstract: An optical system including a first lens element having an optical center, a second lens element having an optical center spaced apart from the first lens element and oriented such that a beam passing through the optical center of said first lens element will also pass straight the optical center of the second lens element, the beam defining an optical path; and at least one planar, optical slab configured to be movable between at least two positions, a first position wherein at least a portion of a planar surface of the optical slab is disposed between the first and second lens elements such that a beam transmitted therethrough also passes through the planar, optical slab and a second position wherein the planar, optical slab is fully outside of the optical path created by the first and second lens elements.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, architectures, and methods for modulating the focal spot and/or divergence of a laser beam comprising the use of a collimated light source, a lens assembly disposed within an optical path corresponding to light emanating from the collimated light source wherein the lens assembly comprises two pairs of cross cylinder lenses having equal and opposite focal powers oriented with their neutral axes positioned orthogonally to each other; and a focusing objective lens assembly disposed within the optical path following the lens assembly, wherein each of the two pairs of cross cylinder lenses are configured for rotation about an axis defined by the point at which light from the collimated light source impinges on each of them.

Abstract: An optical system including a first lens element having an optical center, a second lens element having an optical center spaced apart from the first lens element and oriented such that a beam passing through the optical center of said first lens element will also pass straight the optical center of the second lens element, the beam defining an optical path; and at least one planar, optical slab configured to be movable between at least two positions, a first position wherein at least a portion of a planar surface of the optical slab is disposed between the first and second lens elements such that a beam transmitted therethrough also passes through the planar, optical slab and a second position wherein the planar, optical slab is fully outside of the optical path created by the first and second lens elements.

Abstract: A high efficiency optical beam dump having at least two glass plates configured to define an optical path configured to reflect a beam incident the optical path from plate to plate, wherein the plates include anti-reflective coatings and high reflective coatings and wherein the high-efficiency optical beam dump is capable of very high levels of attenuation through repetitive absorption and reflection of an optical beam.

Abstract: A zoom lens having unpowered optical elements changeably inserted between conventional powered optical zoom elements enables ultra-fast and mechanically stable stepped changes in zoom state.

Abstract: A zoom lens having unpowered optical elements changeably inserted between conventional powered optical zoom elements enables ultra-fast and mechanically stable stepped changes in zoom state.

Abstract: A fiber optic rotary joint includes a first fiber optic cable operably coupled to one of a stator and a rotor and a second fiber optic cable operably coupled to the other of the stator and the rotor. The stator and the rotor define a free space optical path between the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic cable. The rotor is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel and collinear with an optical axis of at least one end of the fiber optic rotary joint. A first beam conditioning mechanism is configured to condition a light beam emitted from the first fiber optic cable and a second beam conditioning mechanism is configured to focus the conditioned light beam into the second fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An optical beam trap having at least two plates with anti-reflective coatings on an interior surface capable of very high levels of attenuation through repetitive absorption and reflection of an optical beam.

Abstract: An optical system with ultra-narrow optical band-pass comprising an objective lens group, and a relay group, having a collimating system, the relay group being in optical communication with the objective lens group.

Abstract: An extended field heterodyne detection apparatus comprises a local signal oscillator, a micro-lens array set in optical relation to the local signal oscillator to multiplex a beam from the local signal oscillator, a local oscillator injection lens in the optical path of the local oscillator and the micro-lens array, a semi-reflective beam splitter at the telecentric stop of the local oscillator injection lens to reflect the beam of the local oscillator in parallel to a signal beam passing through the semi-reflective beam splitter, an objective lens, with a stop, located at the semi-reflective beam splitter, and a focal plane array, situated to receive the source beam. The extended field heterodyne detection apparatus solves the problem of creating a local oscillator beam that is mode-matched for an incoming signal beam, for the eventual process of mixing both the signal beam and the local oscillator using a conventional, square-law detector.

Abstract: An optical system with ultra-narrow optical band-pass comprising an objective lens group, and a relay group, having a collimating system, the relay group being in optical communication with the objective lens group.

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: An extended field heterodyne detection apparatus comprises a local signal oscillator, a micro-lens array set in optical relation to the local signal oscillator to multiplex a beam from the local signal oscillator, a local oscillator injection lens in the optical path of the local oscillator and the micro-lens array, a semi-reflective beam splitter at the telecentric stop of the local oscillator injection lens to reflect the beam of the local oscillator in parallel to a signal beam passing through the semi-reflective beam splitter, an objective lens, with a stop, located at the semi-reflective beam splitter, and a focal plane array, situated to receive the source beam. The extended field heterodyne detection apparatus solves the problem of creating a local oscillator beam that is mode-matched for an incoming signal beam, for the eventual process of mixing both the signal beam and the local oscillator using a conventional, square-law detector.

Abstract: An optical lens system for focusing light on a focal plane for detection by a detector device. The optical lens system comprises a series of optical materials including first and last optical materials with a plurality of other optical materials located therebetween. A housing accommodates the series of optical materials, and each of the optical materials is spaced a desired distance from one another. An external entrance pupil supplies infrared light to the series of optical materials of the optical lens system, and the entrance pupil is located in front of the first optical material. A Dewar window and a filter are located between the last optical material and the focal plane. The optical materials are selected and arranged to focus simultaneously both mid-wave infrared light and long-wave infrared light on the focal plane over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning a wide band beam is presented. An apparatus includes a pair of prism triplets. Each prism triplet includes a first wedge prism, a second wedge prism and a third wedge prism all formed with different optical materials. In operation, a beam passing through the wide band team scanning apparatus first passes through the first, second and third wedge prisms of the first prism triplet. The beam then passes through the wedge prisms of the second prism triplet in a mirrored order (the third, then second, then first wedge prisms) than that of the first prism triplet. This apparatus with two prism triplets allows wide band light transmitted through it to emerge with its plurality of different wavelengths of light travelling in the same direction to equalize net dispersive effects each of different wavelengths.

Abstract: An optical lens system for focusing light on a focal plane for detection by a detector device. The optical lens system comprises a series of optical materials including first and last optical materials with a plurality of other optical materials located therebetween. A housing accommodates the series of optical materials, and each of the optical materials is spaced a desired distance from one another. An external entrance pupil supplies infrared light to the series of optical materials of the optical lens system, and the entrance pupil is located in front of the first optical material. A Dewar window and a filter are located between the last optical material and the focal plane. The optical materials are selected and arranged to focus simultaneously both mid-wave infrared light and long-wave infrared light on the focal plane over a wide temperature range.

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 system and method for scanning a wide band beam is presented. An apparatus includes a pair of prism triplets. Each prism triplet includes a first wedge prism, a second wedge prism and a third wedge prism all formed with different optical materials. In operation, a beam passing through the wide band team scanning apparatus first passes through the first, second and third wedge prisms of the first prism triplet. The beam then passes through the wedge prisms of the second prism triplet in a mirrored order (the third, then second, then first wedge prisms) than that of the first prism triplet. This apparatus with two prism triplets allows wide band light transmitted through it to emerge with its plurality of different wavelengths of light travelling in the same direction to equalize net dispersive effects each of different wavelengths.