Abstract: A diffractive optic reflex sight (DORS) is provided for aiming devices in which a virtual image, such as a reticle, is produced and appears in the distance of a user's view when looking through the reflex sight. A light source illuminates a diffractive optical element (DOE) that includes a modulation pattern that generates a patterned illuminations corresponding with the virtual image. A reflective image combiner then reflects the patterned illumination so that the virtual image appears in the distance of the viewer's view. The DORS optical design system is mechanically and optically stable for precision aiming across a range of environmental conditions and in different use scenarios or applications including use in rapidly changing temperatures, varying light conditions, and a wide range of user proficiencies. The DORS optical design system is a readily manufacturable aiming and sighting device for a wide range of applications from handguns to astronomical telescopes.

Abstract: A diffractive optic reflex sight (DORS) is provided for aiming devices in which a virtual image, such as a reticle, is produced and appears in the distance of a user's view when looking through the reflex sight. A light source illuminates a diffractive optical element (DOE) that includes a modulation pattern that generates a patterned illuminations corresponding with the virtual image. A reflective image combiner then reflects the patterned illumination so that the virtual image appears in the distance of the viewer's view. The DORS optical design system is mechanically and optically stable for precision aiming across a range of environmental conditions and in different use scenarios or applications including use in rapidly changing temperatures, varying light conditions, and a wide range of user proficiencies. The DORS optical design system is a readily manufacturable aiming and sighting device for a wide range of applications from handguns to astronomical telescopes.

Abstract: An extended field-of-view near-to-eye display system provides for AR/MR image viewing over about a 180° FOV. The display system may include a multiplicity of display panels per eye of a user and may include both high- and low-resolution display capabilities. The high-resolution displays may be positioned in front of the user's eyes in their primary visual field while the low-resolution displays may be positioned so as to be seen by the user's peripheral vision. The low-resolution displays provide cueing information to the user out to the limit of visual perception (for each eye), placing encoded light and movement in the periphery of the user's vision for enhanced situational awareness.

Abstract: A diffractive optic reflex sight (DORS) is provided for aiming devices in which a virtual image, such as a reticle, is produced and appears in the distance of a user's view when looking through the reflex sight. A light source illuminates a diffractive optical element (DOE) that includes a modulation pattern that generates a patterned illuminations corresponding with the virtual image. A reflective image combiner then reflects the patterned illumination so that the virtual image appears in the distance of the viewer's view. The DORS optical design system is mechanically and optically stable for precision aiming across a range of environmental conditions and in different use scenarios or applications including use in rapidly changing temperatures, varying light conditions, and a wide range of user proficiencies. The DORS optical design system is a readily manufacturable aiming and sighting device for a wide range of applications from handguns to astronomical telescopes.

Abstract: A sight or aiming device is provided that can be attached to a firearm or other device with minimal visual and weight impacts and includes a light source, a pattern producing element, and an imageguide optical combiner. The user may have access to mechanical adjustments to “zero” the sight to the barrel of the instrument and to correct an aim point for windage and elevation. The orientation and construction of the sight facilitates use with a holster. The sight has an on-axis (or in-line) optical design, and thus the illumination of a reticle by the light source and its path entering the on-axis imageguide holographic combiner is approximately parallel to the boresight of the instrument that the sight is attached to.

Abstract: An optical system for displaying light from a scene includes an active optical component that includes a first plurality of light directing apertures, an optical detector, a processor, a display, and a second plurality of light directing apertures. The first plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical input to the optical detector. The optical detector is positioned to receive the optical input and convert the optical input to an electrical signal corresponding to intensity and location data. The processor is connected to receive the data from the optical detector and process the data for the display. The second plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical output from the display.

Abstract: An optical system for displaying light from a scene includes an active optical component that includes a first plurality of light directing apertures, an optical detector, a processor, a display, and a second plurality of light directing apertures. The first plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical input to the optical detector. The optical detector is positioned to receive the optical input and convert the optical input to an electrical signal corresponding to intensity and location data. The processor is connected to receive the data from the optical detector and process the data for the display. The second plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical output from the display.

Abstract: Light-based deciphering and transmission of information from one remote party to another in line-of-sight is disclosed. The system speeds the pace of light-based transmissions, the decoding of transmissions, and improves the accuracy of reception of the transmissions. In certain embodiments, the system sends both visual and infrared light to send different types of information to the recipient or to send information under different conditions. Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein demonstrate three exemplary systems (mechanical, LCD, and LED) that are suitable for combination with the other components of the system as disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the system is configured to focus on the correct light (when there are other lights in view) sending the code (e.g., Morse code or On-Off Keying) and track it.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-tone amplitude photomask includes providing a mask substrate. The method includes providing a stepped pattern in at least one layer of material on a surface of the mask substrate. The stepped pattern includes at least two steps and at least three levels. Each level of the stepped pattern provides a different intensity of light when a light source shines light on the stepped pattern.

Abstract: Light-based deciphering and transmission of information from one remote party to another in line-of-sight is disclosed. The system speeds the pace of light-based transmissions, the decoding of transmissions, and improves the accuracy of reception of the transmissions. In certain embodiments, the system sends both visual and infrared light to send different types of information to the recipient or to send information under different conditions. Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein demonstrate three exemplary systems (mechanical, LCD, and LED) that are suitable for combination with the other components of the system as disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the system is configured to focus on the correct light (when there are other lights in view) sending the code (e.g., Morse code or On-Off Keying) and track it.

Abstract: An optical system for displaying light from a scene includes an active optical component that includes a first plurality of light directing apertures, an optical detector, a processor, a display, and a second plurality of light directing apertures. The first plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical input to the optical detector. The optical detector is positioned to receive the optical input and convert the optical input to an electrical signal corresponding to intensity and location data. The processor is connected to receive the data from the optical detector and process the data for the display. The second plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical output from the display.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-tone amplitude photomask includes providing a mask substrate. The method includes providing a stepped pattern in at least one layer of material on a surface of the mask substrate. The stepped pattern includes at least two steps and at least three levels. Each level of the stepped pattern provides a different intensity of light when a light source shines light on the stepped pattern.

Abstract: A method of cleaving off a daughter single crystal substrate from a parent single crystal substrate includes providing a stress-mandrel and the parent a single crystal substrate. The parent single crystal substrate has a major surface and an edge surface that intersects the major surface. The major surface extends along a major surface plane. The stress-mandrel has a stress-mandrel coefficient of thermal expansion that is higher than the parent single crystal coefficient of thermal expansion. The method includes bonding the stress-mandrel to the major surface, and cooling the parent single crystal substrate and the stress-mandrel. The cooling of the parent single crystal substrate bonded to the stress-mandrel provides a thermal stress in the parent single crystal substrate sufficient to cleave the parent single crystal substrate. The cleaving extends substantially along a plane parallel to the plane of the major surface. In one embodiment the cleaved daughter substrate was used to make a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a projectile in flight toward an intended target includes a barrel-launched projectile and a remote receiver. The barrel-launched projectile includes an ordnance portion, an active communications apparatus and an onboard speed control. The active communications apparatus includes an onboard receiver, an electromagnetic wave reception device, and an active transmitter. The electromagnetic wave reception device includes at least one from the group consisting of an antenna and a photo receptor and is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic wave reception device is connected to provide a signal derived from the electromagnetic signal to the onboard receiver to deploy the onboard speed control. The active transmitter is connected and configured for transmitting a signal to the remote receiver during flight and before activation of the speed control.

Abstract: An optical system for displaying light from a scene includes an active optical component that includes a first plurality of light directing apertures, an optical detector, a processor, a display, and a second plurality of light directing apertures. The first plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical input to the optical detector. The optical detector is positioned to receive the optical input and convert the optical input to an electrical signal corresponding to intensity and location data. The processor is connected to receive the data from the optical detector and process the data for the display. The second plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical output from the display.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-tone amplitude photomask includes providing a mask substrate. The method includes providing a stepped pattern in at least one layer of material on a surface of the mask substrate. The stepped pattern includes at least two steps and at least three levels. Each level of the stepped pattern provides a different intensity of light when a light source shines light on the stepped pattern.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-tone amplitude photomask includes providing a mask substrate. The method includes providing a stepped pattern in at least one layer of material on a surface of the mask substrate. The stepped pattern includes at least two steps and at least three levels. Each level of the stepped pattern provides a different intensity of light when a light source shines light on the stepped pattern.

Abstract: An optical system for displaying light from a scene includes an active optical component that includes a first plurality of light directing apertures, an optical detector, a processor, a display, and a second plurality of light directing apertures. The first plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical input to the optical detector. The optical detector is positioned to receive the optical input and convert the optical input to an electrical signal corresponding to intensity and location data. The processor is connected to receive the data from the optical detector and process the data for the display. The second plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical output from the display.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a projectile in flight toward an intended target includes a barrel-launched projectile and a remote receiver. The barrel-launched projectile includes an ordnance portion, an active communications apparatus and an onboard speed control. The active communications apparatus includes an onboard receiver, an electromagnetic wave reception device, and an active transmitter. The electromagnetic wave reception device includes at least one from the group consisting of an antenna and a photo receptor and is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic wave reception device is connected to provide a signal derived from the electromagnetic signal to the onboard receiver to deploy the onboard speed control. The active transmitter is connected and configured for transmitting a signal to the remote receiver during flight and before activation of the speed control.