Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein that provide for ignition of explosive devices through electric and/or electromagnetic discharge. In one embodiment, an electrostatic discharge is directionally propagated through air to conduct electric current to the explosive device. The electric current may ignite the explosive device via heat, via triggering of ignition circuitry, via induced electric current conduction to the explosive material therein and/or via direct electric conduction to the explosive material therein. Alternatively, or in addition to, electromagnetic energy may be directionally propagated to the device through a waveguide. Such electromagnetic energy may be in the microwave region and may heat and/or induce electric current in the explosive device. In either instance, the directionally propagated energy may be time varying.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein that provide for ignition of explosive devices through electric and/or electromagnetic discharge. In one embodiment, an electrostatic discharge is directionally propagated through air to conduct electric current to the explosive device. The electric current may ignite the explosive device via heat, via triggering of ignition circuitry, via induced electric current conduction to the explosive material therein and/or via direct electric conduction to the explosive material therein. Alternatively, or in addition to, electromagnetic energy may be directionally propagated to the device through a waveguide. Such electromagnetic energy may be in the microwave region and may heat and/or induce electric current in the explosive device. In either instance, the directionally propagated energy may be time varying.

Abstract: The systems and methods herein provide for tuning an optical characteristic of a gain medium for a laser system. For example, a system may include a thermal tuner that dynamically controls the temperature of the gain medium to compensate for thermal mechanical distortions of the gain medium caused by laser energy in the gain medium. In doing so, the tuner may dynamically adjust a coolant temperature and/or a coolant flow rate proximate to the gain medium. Accordingly, heat is dynamically removed from the gain medium so as to adjust for optical distortions in the gain medium. Such a dynamic heat removal may provide a laser system designer with the ability to generate laser energy with controllable predetermined optical wavefronts (e.g., a flat optical wavefront).