Abstract: A data storage device including: a plastic substrate having a plurality of volumes arranged in tracks along a plurality of vertically stacked, laterally extending layers therein; and, a plurality of micro-holograms each contained in a corresponding one of the volumes; herein, the presence or absence of a micro-hologram in each of the volumes is indicative of a corresponding portion of data stored.

Abstract: Method for limiting amount of radiation impinging on a radiation-sensitive detector device by directing radiation toward the detector, permitting the radiation to impinge upon the detector device when the radiation is below a predetermined threshold, and utilizing radiation having wavelengths different from signals of interest to initiate limiting of the radiation impinging upon the detector when the predetermined threshold is exceeded. The optical limiter includes an IR limiting layer pair selected so that energy from visible and near infrared radiation activates the optical limiter. The limiting layer pair may includes a layer closer to the source of radiation of e.g. vanadium dioxide, vanadium sesquioxide, or germanium crystal and a layer further from the source of radiation of e.g. chalcogenide glass, germanium crystal, or sodium chloride crystal.

Abstract: An IR limiting device for a detector that is based on a micro-optomechanical cantilever array is disclosed. In the normal state, each microcantilever device in the array behaves like a mirror that reflects the infrared signal to the detector. The microcantilever device absorbs radiation outside the desired infrared region. When the radiation is stronger than a predetermined threshold, the microcantilever device bends as a result of thermo-mechanical forces, and it reflects the signal away from the detector, thereby limiting the radiation. The advantage of such a system is that each pixel in the detector can be addressed individually, and the limiting is localized.

Abstract: Method for limiting the amount of radiation impinging on a radiation sensitive detector that is responsive to signals of interest having infrared wavelengths of approximately 3 to 14 microns, such as an infrared camera. The method includes: directing a radiation signal through a prism and toward the radiation sensitive detector; permitting the radiation signal to impinge upon the radiation sensitive detector, e.g. upon an infrared focal plane array in the camera, when the radiation is below a predetermined threshold; and directing radiation associated with the radiation signal but having wavelengths different from said signals of interest—e.g., wavelengths in the visible and near-infrared range—on a path external to the prism, in order to initiate the limiting of the radiation impinging upon the radiation sensitive detector when the predetermined threshold is exceeded. Also, a Total Internal Reflection device that includes a prism having a thin film coated on the back surface of said prism.

Abstract: A storage medium can comprise a substrate, a reflective layer disposed on a side of the substrate, and data. The substrate can comprise a thermoplastic and a light-mark formed from at least a portion of light-marking additive mixed with the thermoplastic, wherein an optical property of the light-marking additive at an optical drive read wavelength can change due to being contacted with a mark wavelength. A method for using a storage medium can comprise directing a reading device to detect an inspection area of the storage medium, and wherein the inspection area on an authentic medium has a light-mark in a substrate of the storage medium that forms an optically induced signature. The optically induced signature can be converted to a digital identification signature and the digital identification signature can be verified for authenticity.

Abstract: An all-optical switching array for switching a direction of optical signals is presented. The all-optical switching array includes a first substrate. Furthermore, the all-optical switching array includes a plurality of optical switches disposed on the first substrate, wherein each of the plurality of optical switches comprises a first state and a second state and is configured to change the direction of an optical signal, depending on whether the optical switch is in the first state or the second state. The transition of the switch between the first state and the second state is triggered by an ultra-fast laser beam.

Abstract: In in-situ laser plasma spectroscopy (LPS) apparatus includes an enclosure for housing a laser energy source and associated signal coupling optics. A main fiber is attached to the enclosure at a first end of the main fiber, and attached to a probe at a second end of the main fiber. The main fiber is configured for transmitting input laser energy from the laser energy source to a target and for transmitting laser induced plasma emission signals back from the target. The probe has a single focal lens for directing the input laser energy from the main fiber to the target, and for directing the laser induced plasma emission signals from the target to the main fiber.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring laser shock peening of a work piece. A line spectrum is obtained from radiation emitted by a plasma produced by a laser shock peening process. The shape of the line spectrum about its emission peak is compared to a defined line shape to verify proper operation of the laser shock peening process. The line shape may be a Lorentzian line shape corresponding to a desired line shape. The line shape may a Gaussian line shape corresponding to an undesired line shape. The system can also detect the failure mode that occurs when the opaque layer is broken through by detecting the plasma spectral component produced by the work piece material, along with the plasma produced by the opaque layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for authenticating that an article is an authenticatable article. The method uses an optical tester, the optical tester comprising an electromagnetic radiation source and a detector. The authenticatable article comprises a heat responsive compound having a temperature dependent optical interaction with the electromagnetic radiation source in the presence of a heat stimulus to produce a heat induced electromagnetic radiation signature.

Abstract: In in-situ laser plasma spectroscopy (LPS) apparatus includes an enclosure for housing a laser energy source and associated signal coupling optics. A main fiber is attached to the enclosure at a first end of the main fiber, and attached to a probe at a second end of the main fiber. The main fiber is configured for transmitting input laser energy from the laser energy source to a target and for transmitting laser induced plasma emission signals back from the target. The probe has a single focal lens for directing the input laser energy from the main fiber to the target, and for directing the laser induced plasma emission signals from the target to the main fiber.

Abstract: A portable Laser Plasma Spectroscopy (LPS) system and process is provided for performing in situ, near-real time, remote elemental analysis and identification of deposits or other foreign material found on surfaces of machine parts, such as turbine compressor blades or the like, wherein identification of the elemental constituents of a particular deposit is obtained without incurring significant ablative damage to the machine part substrate material underlying the deposit.

Abstract: An LED light device comprising an LED for generating a light beam, and a reflector that concentrates the light beam to have bright illumination, uniform light field, and sharp edge contrast. The LED light device may be used in an x-ray collimator to facilitate positioning a patient and an x-ray machine relative to each other so that an x-ray beam is directed along a defined axis and onto a specified target zone on the patient. The collimator comprises at least one high energy LED array for generating a light beam and directing the light beam along the defined axis, wherein the light beam expands outward from the LED array at a beam cone angle, and an optical concentrator having a reflective surface, wherein the light beam is emitted from the LED array at a beam cone angle defined by the reflective surface of the optical concentrator.

Abstract: A portable Laser Plasma Spectroscopy (LPS) system and process is provided for performing in situ, near-real time, remote elemental analysis and identification of deposits or other foreign material found on surfaces of machine parts, such as turbine compressor blades or the like, wherein identification of the elemental constituents of a particular deposit is obtained without incurring significant ablative damage to the machine part substrate material underlying the deposit.