Abstract: A microfabricated optical gyroscope that utilizes a linear array of micron scale optical ring resonators closely spaced to allow evanescent coupling of electromagnetic fields in adjacent resonators. Within each resonator, the optical Sagnac effect produces a phase difference between clockwise and counterclockwise propagating light that is proportional to the inertial rotation rate perpendicular to the plane of the resonator. The disclosure enhances the overall sensitivity to rotations by varying the strengths of the evanescent coupling between resonators and/or the circumferences of the resonators. The size and coupling strengths control the optical interference between resonators.

Abstract: A three dimensional imaging system is disclosed which includes a three dimensional display (12), three-dimensional calibration equipment (16), and one or more two-dimensional (15) or three dimensional (14) image scanners. The three-dimensional display (12) uses optical pulses (32a-32k) and a non linear optical mixer (18) to display a three-dimensional image (17). The three-dimensional image (17) is generated in voxels of the display volume (28) as the optical mixer (18) sweeps the display volume (28). The three-dimensional calibration equipment (16) uses a hologram projected proximal to a desired object (164) to calibrate optical imaging devices (162a-162c) and to simplify the combination of the images from one or more optical imaging devices (162a-162c) into three-dimensional information. The three-dimensional image scanner (14) employs optical pulses (136, 138) and a non-linear optical mixer (128) to acquire three-dimensional images of a desired object (134).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting images in a first selected bandwidth includes a probe light source to generate a probe beam in a second selected bandwidth, an optical path including input imaging optics to capture an image in the first selected bandwidth and form an image beam and a beam combiner to optically combine the probe beam with the image beam to form a combined beam, and an optical readout quantum well device in the optical path of the combined beam, which simultaneously passes in an optical readout beam an intensity level of at least one wavelength within the probe beam in the second selected bandwidth in proportion to an intensity level of at least one wavelength within the image beam in the first selected bandwidth; and a detector sensitive to light in the second selected bandwidth and not sensitive to light in the first selected bandwidth.

Abstract: In a method of electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a mediating fluid provides electrical contact between the electrodes of an EIT device and the skin of a body part to be examined. The height of the fluid is raised or lowered between impedance measurements, enabling tomographic images of the tissue under examination to be resolved mathematically for subsequent viewing. Tomographic planes are isolated by calculating differences between Cartesian models generated from impedance values measured at the plane of interest and at an adjacent plane.

Abstract: In a method of electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a mediating fluid provides electrical contact between the electrodes of an EIT device and the skin of a body part to be examined. The height of the fluid is raised or lowered between impedance measurements, enabling tomographic images of the tissue under examination to be resolved mathematically for subsequent viewing. Tomographic planes are isolated by calculating differences between Cartesian models generated from impedance values measured at the plane of interest and at an adjacent plane.

Abstract: A mid-infrared (MIR) and/or far-infrared (FIR) to near-infrared (NIR) converter (10) for imaging applications is disclosed. The converter (10) makes use of the properties of Optical Readout Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (ORQWIP) (20), an NIR source (16), and a conventional near infrared detector device (24). In combination, an MIR or FIR light source (12) to be imaged is focused by lenses or mirrors (17) into a beam combiner (18) along with an NIR probe wave generated by the NIR source (16). The lower conduction level electrons (50a-50g) of the OR-QWIP (20) absorb MIR/FIR photons (60) and are excited to an upper conduction level (48) or free electron band (166) of the OR-QWIP (20) corresponding to the MIR/FIR wavelength (60), while valence band electrons (54a-54g) of the ORQWIP (20) absorb NIR photons (52) and are excited to the freed-up lower conduction level (46) corresponding to the NIR wavelength (52).

Abstract: A process for optically transmitting data to a remote receiver includes receiving a stream of input data signals and modulating a mid-IR laser by direct modulation with a waveform whose sequential values are responsive of the data signals of the stream. The direct modulation includes pumping the mid-IR laser to produce high and low optical power levels in response to different ones of the values. The process also includes transmitting output light from the modulated mid-IR laser to the remote receiver via a free space communications channel.