Abstract: A system and methods for the quasi-remote compression and focusing of a moderate-intensity laser pulse to form a much higher intensity beam that can be directed at a target and used as a probe beam or used in a probe beam converter to generate other forms of electromagnetic radiation or energetic particles. A system for the quasi-remote propagation of high-intensity laser beams in accordance with the present invention comprises a main platform on which a first, “seed” laser pulse is generated, stretched, and amplified, and a remote platform, located at a distance from the main platform, which is configured to receive the amplified and stretched pulse and convert it into the high-intensity laser beam. The high-intensity laser beam in turn can then be converted into one or more probe beams directed at a target object.

Abstract: A system and methods for the quasi-remote compression and focusing of a moderate-intensity laser pulse to form a much higher intensity beam that can be directed at a target and used as a probe beam or used in a probe beam converter to generate other forms of electromagnetic radiation or energetic particles. A system for the quasi-remote propagation of high-intensity laser beams in accordance with the present invention comprises a main platform on which a first, “seed” laser pulse is generated, stretched, and amplified, and a remote platform, located at a distance from the main platform, which is configured to receive the amplified and stretched pulse and convert it into the high-intensity laser beam. The high-intensity laser beam in turn can then be converted into one or more probe beams directed at a target object.

Abstract: A long-range active thermal imaging system includes an electromagnetic radiation source in the range of from about 10 GHz to about 500 GHz; a beam controller for receiving and retransmitting the electromagnetic radiation in a desired direction toward and onto a surface of a target, thereby heating the target and producing an infrared radiation emission from the target surface; and an infrared imager, e.g. an infrared camera coupled to a processor and display, for receiving the target's infrared radiation emission and generating a thermal image of the target. The radiation source may be selected such that the radiation penetrates into the target to provide a thermal signature, e.g. from subsurface features or objects. The thermal signature exhibits rapid changes that can be monitored in real time. This may allow surface or subsurface details or objects to be detected that would not otherwise be apparent.

Abstract: A method used to detect and identify biological substances suspended in air in the form of aerosols or clouds including generating a remote infrared light beam directed toward the atmospheric contamination, producing an ultraviolet light beam from the infrared light beam by compression via the air through which the IR beam travels, and producing fluorescence of the atmospheric contamination, when the generated ultraviolet light contacts the atmospheric contamination. The fluorescent signals are then processed in order to identify the nature of the atmospheric contamination.

Abstract: A system for detecting atmospheric contamination, the system comprising a laser operable to generate an infrared light beam comprising a longitudinal component and a transverse component the laser remote from the atmospheric contamination, and a processor operable to process a flouresence resulting from contact between the atmospheric contamination and an ultraviolet light being generated from the longitudinal and transverse components of the infrared light of the laser, wherein the processor determines the identity of the fluorescence by comparing the fluorescence to known fluorescence.

Abstract: A method used to detect and identify biological substances suspended in air in the form of aerosols or clouds including generating a remote infrared light beam directed toward the atmospheric contamination, producing an ultraviolet light beam from the infrared light beam by compression via the air through which the IR beam travels, and producing fluorescence of the atmospheric contamination, when the generated ultraviolet light contacts the atmospheric contamination. The fluorescent signals are then processed in order to identify the nature of the atmospheric contamination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting a positive ion beam to a distant target. An ion channel is created as a path to the target, and the beam injected into the channel at a mildly-relativistic beam velocity. Because the beam is mildly-relativistic, the electric field caused by its positive charge propagates well in advance of the beam, attracting free electrons in the plasma channel and pulling them into the beam along its axis of propagation. The current which is initiated by this precursor electron flow, is sustained during the duration of the beam, and is then a combination of the beam current and additional current carried by the electrons within the channel. As a result, a magnetic flux circulates annularly about the beam of a sufficient magnitude to pinch the beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding a layer of coating or cladding material onto a substrate with minimal bulk heating of the substrate. A pulsed electron beam generator is used to produce high energy electrons at the beginning of the pulse and a larger number of lower energy electrons at the end of the pulse. A thin sacrificial or ablative layer of an easily-vaporized material such as tin is placed on top the coating. The high energy electrons penetrate through the ablative and coating layers and heat the coating-substrate interface. The ablative layer is then heated by the low energy electrons to a much higher temperature, causing it to vaporize. The ablation process generates a force on the coating layer which drives it into the substrate.