Abstract: A segmented, rigid-rod aromatic polyimide mixed with a UV curable acrylate photopolymer material comprises an alignment layer for aligning nematic polymeric liquid crystal compensator films. The material may also provide an out-of-plane retardation. The segmented, rigid-rod aromatic polyimide-based UV curable acrylate alignment layer, when applied in appropriate thickness, functions as a negative uniaxial C-plate compensator and causes alignment of the nematic liquid crystal molecules. The combination of the retardation provided by the alignment layer and the compensator film deposited on it provides a significant improvement in the contrast and color stability of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) at large viewing angles.

Abstract: An anisotropic cross-linked PVA alignment layer for aligning nematic polymeric liquid crystal compensator films, which also provides an out-of-plane retardation. The cross-linked PVA alignment layer, when applied in sufficient thickness functions as both a negative uniaxial C-plate and causes alignment of the nematic liquid crystal molecules. The combination of the retardation provided by the alignment layer and the compensator film deposited on it provides a significant improvement in the contrast and color stability of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) at large viewing angles in which they are used.

Abstract: A spectral imager includes an elongate light propagation medium that receives light at one end, has graded average spectral absorption properties in the elongate direction, and spectral detectors distributed in the elongate direction. The spectral absorption properties of the medium can be graded in both elongate and transverse directions. Both linear and two-dimensional arrays can be formed, enabling simultaneous hyperspectral detection.

Abstract: An improved raster magnet driver for a linear particle beam is based on an H-bridge technique. Four branches of power HEXFETs form a two-by-two switch. Switching the HEXFETs in a predetermined order and at the right frequency produces a triangular current waveform. An H-bridge controller controls switching sequence and timing. The magnetic field of the coil follows the shape of the waveform and thus steers the beam using a triangular rather than a sinusoidal waveform. The system produces a raster pattern having a highly uniform raster density distribution, eliminates target heating from non-uniform raster density distributions, and produces higher levels of beam current.

Abstract: A tunable Fabry-Perot filter that is less sensitive to angle of incidence is formed by replacing the cavity (air gap) with a partitioned cavity that has an effective refractive index greater than one. The partitioned cavity includes a pair of partitioned cavity dielectric layers formed on the reflectors on either side of the variable air gap. Each of the dielectric layers has an optical thickness that is less than one fourth the shortest wavelength in the tuning range of the filter. The resulting three-layer partitioned cavity has an effective optical thickness substantially equal to an integral multiple (m) of one half the transmitted wavelength within the tuning range of the filter.