Abstract: A self-referencing microdoppler ladar receiver is provided for detecting the vibration of a target based upon an analysis of backscattered signals without a local reference derived from the transmitter. The self-referencing microdoppler ladar receiver includes a frequency shifter for receiving a backscattered signal from the target and for controllably shifting the frequency of the backscattered signal. The self-referencing microdoppler ladar receiver also includes an interferometer, such as a Mach Zender interferometer, for directing portions of the frequency shifted signals along first and second paths of unequal length and for combining the portions of the frequency shifted signals to produce first and second output signals. The self-referencing microdoppler ladar receiver also includes a signal processor for providing a feedback signal to control the frequency shifter based upon differences in the respective power levels of the first and second output signals.

Abstract: The collimation apparatus includes a plurality of optical fibers for providing respective primary optical signals. The collimation apparatus also includes a plurality of collimating lenses. Each collimating lens collimates the primary optical signals provided by a respective optical fiber. The collimation apparatus further includes a common reflector for reflecting the collimated optical signals back to the respective collimating lens. These reflections produce a return optical signal from each collimated optical signal. The collimation apparatus also includes at least one detector for receiving the return optical signals and a plurality of actuators for iteratively positioning the optical fibers based on the magnitude of the detected signals.

Abstract: A fiber optic receiving antenna is provided that permits the reception of an incident electric field without re-radiating any portion of the incident power. The fiber optic receiving antenna includes a master oscillator for generating a reference signal and a fiber optic interferometer having first and second arms formed of respective optical fibers for receiving the reference signal. The respective electrooptic activity of the optical fibers that form the first and second arms differ such that the signals propagating along the first and second optical fibers will be modulated differently in response to an incident electric field. The fiber optic interferometer also includes a coupler for combining the signals that have propagated along the first and second arms and been differently modulated by the incident electric field.

Abstract: An incoherent fiber optic laser system is provided which provides a high quality output beam which is readily scalable and which can be focused to a target location located relatively near or relatively far without requiring sophisticated optical elements. The incoherent fiber optic laser system includes a plurality of single mode laser sources, such as a plurality of fiber optic amplifiers, for providing single mode laser signals. The laser sources, such as the fiber optic amplifiers, operate incoherently with respect to one another such that the resulting laser signals are also incoherent. The incoherent fiber optic laser system also generally includes a plurality of single mode optical fibers for routing the incoherent laser signals as desired. In addition, the incoherent fiber optic laser system can include a plurality of lenses for collimating the incoherent laser signals provided by respective ones of the single mode optical fibers.

Abstract: The multi-channel fiber amplification system and associated method includes a fiber amplifier which solves problems with power poaching by simultaneously amplifying a pair of optical signals in a similar manner even if the fiber amplifier is saturated. The fiber amplifier, has greater absorption than emission for wavelengths immediately less than a reference wavelength and greater emission than absorption for wavelengths immediately greater than the reference wavelength. The multi-channel fiber amplification system also includes a pump source having a Stokes band which includes at least some wavelengths greater than the reference wavelength of the fiber amplifier. The multi-channel fiber amplification system further includes first and second signal sources for providing first and second signals, respectively, having first and second wavelengths, respectively.