Abstract: A Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) wavefront sensor including a sensor element having an array of photodiodes and a passivation layer covering the sensor element. The sensor further includes a binary lens formed in the passivation layer and arranged to focus incident light onto the sensor element.

Abstract: Reference frame detection using sensor metadata, including: storing a plurality of first frames each corresponding to first metadata, wherein the first metadata for each first frame of the plurality of first frames is based on first sensor data from one or more sensors; generating a second frame corresponding to second metadata based on the one or more sensors; identifying, based on the first metadata of the plurality of first frames and the second metadata, a reference frame of the plurality of first frames; and encoding the second frame based on the reference frame.

Abstract: A device, system, and method related to operator guided inspection is disclosed. A portable inspection device (“PID”) is comprised of a housing, display, camera, light array, gyro, location sensor, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a processor, and a computer-executable instruction set stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A system includes a target illumination laser (TIL) configured to illuminate an airborne target with a TIL beam. The system also includes a beacon illuminator (BIL) configured to transmit a spot of illumination to an expected location on the target, wherein the spot of illumination is more focused than the TIL beam. The system also includes a camera configured to receive an image of the spot reflected off the target. The system also includes a controller configured to determine an actual location of the spot on the target based on the received image. The controller is also configured to estimate a spot motion by correlating the actual location of the spot on the target with the expected location on the target. The controller is also configured to predict uplink jitter of a high energy laser (HEL) beam generated by a HEL based on the BIL spot motion, the uplink jitter caused by atmospheric optical turbulence.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may include a device, system and method for providing a low cost device that can measure refractive errors very accurately via attachment to a smart phone. A disclosed device may use ambient light or a light source in simulating the cross cylinder procedure that optometrists use by utilizing the inverse Shack-Hartman technique. Using an optical device, in conjunction with a smart phone, the user first changes the angle of the axis until he/she sees a cross pattern (the vertical and horizontal lines are equally spaced). The user adjusts the display, using motorized controls on the on the optical device, to make the lines come together and overlap, which corresponds to bringing the view into sharp focus, thus determining the appropriate optical prescription for the user.

Abstract: An adaptive optical apparatus includes a first deformable mirror that includes a reflecting surface reflecting light propagated through an atmosphere, and a drive unit having a plurality of drive elements and changing an uneven shape of the reflecting surface, a second deformable mirror that includes a reflecting surface reflecting the light from the first deformable mirror and a drive unit having a plurality of drive elements and changing an uneven shape of the reflecting surface, a detector that detects light intensity of the light from the first deformable mirror and the second deformable mirror, and a controller that controls the drive unit of each of the first deformable mirror and the second deformable mirror. The controller is configured to execute a first update operation of controlling the drive unit of one deformable mirror based on a detected value by the detector.

Abstract: There is provided in a first form, a detector. The detector includes a photosensitive detector element; and a reflecting surface disposed about and proximal to the photosensitive detector element, wherein the reflecting surface is configured to reflect radiation impinging on the reflecting surface onto the photosensitive detector element; and wherein the reflecting surface is further configured to determine a field of regard greater than a predetermined field of view.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for a free-space communication optical terminal comprising an optical telescope (or telescopes) for bidirectional communication and navigation, a pointing and tracking system for transmission and reception of narrow optical beams, and a modem.

Abstract: Provided are an improved holographic reconstruction apparatus and method.

Abstract: A head-up display for a vehicle having a window. The head-up display comprises a picture generating unit and a projection engine. The picture generating unit is arranged to output pictures. Each picture comprises a first picture component and a second picture component. The projection engine is arranged to receive the pictures output by the picture generating unit and project the pictures onto the window of the vehicle in order to form a first virtual image of the first picture component at a first virtual image distance and a second virtual image of the second picture component at a second virtual image distance. Light of the first picture component is polarised in a first polarisation direction and light of the second picture component is polarised in a second polarisation direction perpendicular to the first polarisation direction.

Abstract: An optical detection system for detecting data on the optical mutual coherence function of input field. The system comprising an encoder having similar unit cells, and an array of sensor cells located at a distance downstream of said unit cells with respect to a general direction of propagation of input light. The array defines a plurality of sub-array unit cells, each sub-array corresponding to a unit cell of the encoder, and each sub-array comprising a predetermined number M of sensor elements. The encoder applies predetermined modulation to input light collected by the system, such that each unit cell of said encoder directs a portion of the collected input light incident thereon onto sub-array unit cell corresponding therewith and one or more neighboring sub-array unit cells within a predetermined proximity region. The number M is determined in accordance with a predetermined number of sub-arrays unit cells within the proximity region.

Abstract: An optical frequency mixing module is described that comprises a nonlinear medium for frequency mixing the photons of one or more input optical fields to generate an output optical field; a nonlinear medium tuner for automatically phase matching the nonlinear medium to the one or more input optical fields to select the wavelength of the output optical field generated by the nonlinear medium; and a first direction correcting optic. The position of the first direction correcting optic relative to the nonlinear medium is dependent upon the selected wavelength of the output optical field and therefore ensures that the position and angle of propagation of this field remains constant and independent of its wavelength of. The optical frequency mixing modules therefore provides a means for automatically selecting the wavelength of the output field with no deviation being imparted onto the position or angle of propagation of the output field.

Abstract: An apparatus for a directed-energy weapon comprises an assessment system arranged to, during an assessment phase, perform an assessment of a target environment, wherein the target environment comprises a target, and the assessment comprises receiving data relating to a map of at least a portion of a target environment; and a controller arranged to, during an engaging phase, control the directed-energy weapon to direct energy towards the target environment conditionally upon the data.

Abstract: An adaptive optical apparatus includes a first deformable mirror that includes a reflecting surface reflecting light having propagated through an atmosphere, and a drive having a plurality of drive elements and changing an uneven shape of the reflecting surface. There is also a second deformable mirror that includes a reflecting surface reflecting the light from the first deformable mirror and a drive unit having a plurality of drive elements and changing an uneven shape of the reflecting surface. There is also an optical path splitting unit that splits the light from the second deformable mirror into a first optical path and a second optical path, a first sub-deformable mirror in the first optical path that includes a reflecting surface and a drive unit that correspond to the reflecting surface and the drive unit of the first deformable mirror, and a second sub-deformable mirror.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor for capturing a subject image, a focus detection unit configured to, based on an image signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the subject image while performing a scan operation that causes a focus lens to move along an optical axis, calculate a focus evaluation value and detect a position of the focus lens at which the focus evaluation value is a maximum, and a calculation unit configured to, in a case where the imaging optical system includes a reflective optical system, calculate, based on information on the reflective optical system and information on an image forming position for each of a plurality of different spatial frequencies, a correction value for correcting a focus detection result of the focus detection unit.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor includes a mask and a sensor utilized to capture a diffraction pattern generated by light incident to the mask. A reference image is captured in response to a plane wavefront incident on the mask, and another measurement image is captured in response to a distorted wavefront incident on the mask. The distorted wavefront is reconstructed based on differences between the reference image and the measurement image.

Abstract: Various embodiments for image denoising using a convolutional neural network (CCN) are described. A system may include at least one computing device and program instructions stored in memory and executable in the at least one computing device that, when executed, direct the at least one computing device to implement a genetic algorithm (GA) routine that identifies and optimizes a plurality of hyperparameters for use in denoising an image using the convolutional neural network. An image may be denoised using the convolutional neural network, where the image is denoised using the hyperparameters identified and optimized in the genetic algorithm routine.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the quality of the measurement of an optical wavefront, said measurement being obtained by means of a wavefront analyzer by direct measurement, the method comprising: the acquisition (10) of an optoelectronic signal for the measurement of the wavefront by means of a wavefront sensor, said sensor comprising a two-dimensional detector; the determination (11) on the basis of said optoelectronic signal of at least one parameter characteristic of a parasitic component of the optoelectronic signal; the evaluation (12) of a quality factor of the measurement of the wavefront as a function of said at least one parameter characteristic of the parasitic component of the signal; the display (13) to a user of a level of quality of the measurement as a function of said quality factor.

Abstract: Computer-aided methods for simulating confined nanodevices are disclosed. In example implementations, atomic-scale model of the nanodevices are generated so that dimensions and materials are specified. Then, band structures which comprise wave functions and Eigen energies are calculated using First Principles Methods (FPM). Effective mass modeled which comprise wave functions and Eigen energies are generated. After that, spatial wave functions of the calculated FPM band structures are mapped to the generated effective mass band structures wave functions by considering global behavior. In response to the mapping, generated effective mass models are fitted to calculated FPM energies so that approximate electronic band structures of the confined nanodevices are modeled. Computer programs for carrying out the methods, data media and computer systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coherent imaging system produces coherent flood illumination directed toward a remote object and local oscillator (LO) illumination derived based on a same master oscillator as the flood illumination. A Doppler sensor receives the LO illumination and a return of flood illumination reflected off the object. Doppler shift data from the Doppler sensor, corresponding to a longitudinal velocity of the object relative to the imaging system, is used to produce Doppler-shifted LO illumination received by a low bandwidth, large format focal plane array (FPA), together with the return illumination from the object. Interference between the Doppler-shifted LO illumination and the return illumination facilitates producing an image of the object with the low bandwidth FPA despite the longitudinal velocity. Pixel intensities from the FPA are integrated over a period approaching the maximum interference frequency. The Doppler sensor and FPA may concurrently process return for a high energy laser target spot.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data from an electronic device to an electronic watch, including the following steps: emitting a sequence of light signals with a light source of the electronic device, each signal having a light-intensity level belonging to a set of at least four light-intensity levels, said sequence corresponding to a code of the data to be transmitted; detecting successive light-intensity levels with a phototransistor of the watch, so as to reconstitute the sequence; and decoding the sequence in order to reconstitute the data, the set of at least four intensity levels being divided into a first portion and a second portion, one light signal in two of the sequence having a light-intensity level belonging to the first portion, the other signals having a light-intensity level belonging to the second portion.

Abstract: A system for remotely sensing light from within a monitored environment containing one or more retro-reflective optical elements. The system includes an illuminator including a light source and a reflector unit comprising a deformable mirror arranged to receive light from the light source and to reflect the received light. This outputs illumination light from the illuminator for illuminating the optical element(s) within the monitored environment. A detector is arranged to receive light returned by the one or more retro-reflective optical elements in response to the illumination light. The detector determines a wavefront of the returned light and detects a property of the monitored environment according to the returned light. The reflector unit is arranged to deform the deformable mirror according to the determined wavefront such that light from the light source is reflected by the deformable mirror so deformed to output illumination light with a modified wavefront.

Abstract: An example apparatus for displaying stereo elemental images includes two coupled eyepieces. Each of the two eyepieces also includes a curved screen to display a number of elemental images. Each of the two eyepieces also includes a curved lens array concentrically displaced in front of the curved screen to magnify the elemental images. Each of the number of elemental images is magnified by a different lens in the curved lens array.

Abstract: A near-eye display for operation of an augmented or mixed reality system that integrates the virtual image generated by the near eye display to the real environment taking account of the visual processes of the retina, the visual cortex and the oculomotor system. The near eye display is provided in the form of a transparent optical module attached to and aligned with a pair of eyeglasses providing the refractive correction required by the wearer. The effect of the light field created by the eyeglass optic and the transparent optical module are used as inputs to the software or firmware program that drive the micro-display in the transparent optical module and control the location of the content as well as the fixation point being displayed on the micro-display. The near eye display acts as the master and the wearer's or user's eyes as the slave. Thus, the light emitters of the near eye display cause the eye(s) of the user to move and be positioned.

Abstract: In an aspect, an apparatus for distribution of frequency reference to a receiving end over a transmission medium comprises a first mixer adapted to mix a frequency reference signal having a reference frequency with a local oscillator signal having a local oscillator frequency to provide a forward frequency reference signal, a communication section adapted to transmit the forward frequency reference signal and receive a first backward frequency reference signal, a second mixer adapted to mix the first backward frequency reference signal with the local oscillator signal to provide a second backward frequency reference signal and a phase comparator and control circuit adapted to adjust the local oscillator frequency based on a phase shift of the second backward frequency reference signal so as to compensate for a phase shift of the forward frequency reference signal.

Abstract: A frequency modulated (coherent) laser detection and ranging system includes a read-out integrated circuit formed with a two-dimensional array of detector elements each including a photosensitive region receiving both return light reflected from a target and light from a local oscillator, and local processing circuitry sampling the output of the photosensitive region four times during each sample period clock cycle to obtain quadrature components. A data bus coupled to one or more outputs of each of the detector elements receives the quadrature components from each of the detector elements for each sample period and serializes the received quadrature components. A processor coupled to the data bus receives the serialized quadrature components and determines an amplitude and a phase for at least one interfering frequency corresponding to interference between the return light and the local oscillator light using the quadrature components.

Abstract: A system and method for patterning of a substrate at sub-micron length scales using interference lithography that includes a substrate; a chuck that promotes substrate motion; at least two EM beams; a beam phase controller, wherein the phase controller modifies phases of the EM beams with respect to each other creating an interference pattern; a displacement sensor that measures the substrate displacement; and a feedback control mechanism configured to monitor and synchronize the substrate motion with the interference pattern using the beam phase controller and the displacement sensor.

Abstract: A camera includes, in part, an optical signal source generating a frequency varying optical signal, a multitude of pixels arranged along rows and columns, an optical focusing element, and an opto-electronic circuit. A portion of the optical signal generated by the optical signal is caused to reflect from a target object and then directed toward the pixels. A multitude of samples of a second portion of the optical signal are combined with the signals received by the pixels to generate a multitude of combined optical signals. The optical signals so combined are converted to electrical signals. Each electrical signal has a frequency defined by a difference between a frequency of the second portion of the optical signal and a frequency of a signal received from a pixel. The frequency differences are used to form an image of the target object.

Abstract: A laser fabrication method and a laser fabrication system. The laser fabrication system includes an ultrafast laser source configured to output a laser beam; and a digital micromirror device (DMD), configured to receive, shape, and scan the laser beam, wherein more than one binary holograms are synthesized to form a scanning hologram applied to the DMD. The shaped laser beam, containing one or multiple focal points, leaving the DMD, are focused to the sample for fast laser fabrication.

Abstract: A bending measurement apparatus includes a first multimode fiber, a wavefront input apparatus, a first wavefront measurement device, and a processor. The wavefront input apparatus inputs a first wavefront to the first multimode fiber as an input wavefront. The first wavefront measurement device measures an output wavefront outputted from the first multimode fiber as a measured wavefront. The processor select correspondence information which corresponds to the measured wavefront. The correspondence information shows a correspondence relationship between the input wavefront and the output wavefront. The processor sets the bending amount corresponding to the selected correspondence information as a current bending amount of the first multimode fiber.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a light-emitting device, an image sensor, and a control circuit. The light-emitting device includes a light source, a first waveguide that propagates light from the light source by means of total reflection, a second waveguide, and a first adjustment element. The control circuit causes the light source to repeatedly emit light pulses. Further, the control circuit causes at least some of the plurality of photo-detection cells to accumulate the signal charge in synchronization with the emission of the light pulses and thereby causes the image sensor to generate every first period of time a frame based on the signal charge thus accumulated. Furthermore, the control circuit causes the first adjustment element to change the direction of the emitted light from the second waveguide every second period of time that is shorter than or equal to half the first period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one processor configured to determine a wavefront phase profile of return illumination reflected from a remote object, where the wavefront phase profile is based on interference between Doppler-shifted local oscillator (LO) illumination and the return illumination. The at least one processor is also configured to calculate a wavefront error based on a comparison between (i) the determined wavefront phase profile of the return illumination and (ii) a desired wavefront phase profile of a high energy laser (HEL) beam. The at least one processor is further configured to control a deformable mirror to at least partially compensate the HEL beam for the calculated wavefront error.

Abstract: A metasurface optical pulse shaper includes a metasurface with superpixels disposed on an entry side of the metasurface and a wire grid polarizer disposed on an exit surface of the metasurface for controlling a phase, amplitude, or polarization of an optical pulse, wherein the metasurface in combination with dispersers provide for optical shaping of the optical pulse. A process for optically changing a pulse shape includes dispersing a primary optical pulse; separating spatially, by frequency, primary frequency waves; changing, by superpixels, a relative phase of the primary frequency waves and producing phase waves that are separated spatially by frequency and phase; and producing a plurality of shaped frequency waves such that, from an individual phase wave, a shaped frequency wave is produced that separated spatially by frequency and phase, such that a superposition of shaped frequency waves produce a shaped optical pulse that has pulse shape that is different than the primary optical pulse.

Abstract: A video measurement system includes an imaging system, a reticle projector for projecting an image of a reticle through the imaging system onto the test object, and a camera for capturing images of the test object together with the reticle image projected onto the test object through the imaging system. A selective reflector reflects the reticle image into the camera from a position along the imaging system in advance of the test object. A mode selector is operable in a first mode for directing the reticle image to the test object and from the test object to the camera and is operable in a second mode for directing the reticle image to the selective reflector and from the selective reflector to the camera.

Abstract: An enhanced digital light processing-based mask projection stereolithography method and apparatus are disclosed, where the apparatus comprises: a control platform capable of slicing a model of a to-be-prototyped object into layers, converting the layer into a bitmap, and further dividing the layer into a main body area and boundary filling areas; a digital light processing unit that is controlled by the control platform and capable of emitting a first light beam used for the corresponding main body area of the layer of the to-be-prototyped object; and a laser marking unit that is controlled by the control platform and capable of emitting a second light beam used for the corresponding boundary filling areas of the layer of the to-be-prototyped object. The present invention can not only implement high-speed prototyping but also avoid an edge distortion, thereby improving precision of object prototyping.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, the invention is an augmented reality system that utilizes a near eye see-through optical module that comprises a transparent or semi-transparent see-through near eye display that is in optical alignment with a micro-lens array. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the augmented reality system comprises generating a virtual image as perceived by an eye of a wearer of the augmented reality system when looking at an object in space having a location in the real world that forms a real image. When utilizing a certain embodiment of the invention the virtual image changes, by way of example only, one or more of its shape, form, depth, 3D effect, location due to the eye or eyes shifting its (their) fixation position due to changing the location of different lighted pixels of the see-through near eye display(s).

Abstract: The proposed method allows to obtain long range data for the objects that are registered with image disparities of just a few pixels, supplementing conventional multi-view stereo (MVS) methods optimized for larger disparity values. This method uses at least four identical image sensing devices with parallel optical axes and located in the corners of a square providing orthogonal baselines for the imager pairs of the equal length. Image enhancement and processing is based on 2-d complex lapped transform (CLT), this method achieves subpixel disparity resolution with frequency-domain differential rectification avoiding resampling of the rectified images. CLT has efficient FPGA implementations with discrete cosine (DCT) and sine (DST) transforms. FPGA-based tile processor (TP) outputs data for the disparity space image (DSI), textures, data for field calibration and velocity measurements with electronic rolling shutter image sensors.

Abstract: An object is irradiated with a laser light modulated by a reflection type spatial light modulator such that aberration of the laser light converged inside the object becomes a predetermined aberration or less. Therefore, aberration of the laser light generated at a position on which a converging point of the laser light is located is made as small as possible, to enhance the energy density of the laser light at that position, which makes it possible to form a modified region with a high function as a starting point for cutting. In addition, because the reflection type spatial light modulator is used, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the laser light as compared with a transmissive type spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A phase diversity system and method for producing a corrected image and/or for aiming electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A system for illuminating a sample with a spectrally filtered illumination source includes an illumination source configured to generate a beam of illumination having a first set of wavelengths. In addition, the system includes a wavelength filtering sub-system, a sample stage, an illumination sub-system, a detector, and an objective to focus illumination from the surface of one or more samples and focus the collected illumination to the detector. Further, the wavelength filtering sub-system includes one or more first dispersive elements positioned to introduce spatial dispersion into the beam, a spatial filter element, and one or more dispersive elements positioned to remove spatial dispersion from the beam. The spatial filter element is further positioned to pass at least a portion of the beam including a second set of wavelengths, wherein the second set of wavelengths is a subset of the first set of wavelengths.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may include a device, system and method for providing a low cost device that can measure refractive errors very accurately via attachment to a smart phone. A disclosed device may use ambient light or a light source in simulating the cross cylinder procedure that optometrists use by utilizing the inverse Shack-Hartman technique. The optical device may include an array of lenslets and pinholes that will force the user to effectively focus at different depths. Using an optical device, in conjunction with a smart phone, the user first changes the angle of the axis until he/she sees a cross pattern (the vertical and horizontal lines are equally spaced). The user adjusts the display, typically using the controls on the smartphone, to make the lines come together and overlap, which corresponds to bringing the view into sharp focus, thus determining the appropriate optical prescription for the user.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data from an electronic device to an electronic watch is provided, including emitting a first sequence of light signals with a first light source of the device at a light-intensity level among at least four light-intensity levels, the emitted first sequence corresponding to a code of data to be transmitted; emitting a second sequence of light signals at two light-intensity levels corresponding to clock phases, simultaneously to the emitted first sequence, with a second light source of the device; detecting successive light-intensity levels with a first phototransistor of a watch, to reconstitute a sequence of data; detecting a succession of the two light-intensity levels with a second phototransistor of the watch, to reconstitute the clock phases, the first and the second sequences emitted at two distinct wavelengths; and decoding the sequence of data by a sequence of the clock phases to reconstitute the data.

Abstract: A system is provided for synthetic aperture radar image formation within a distributed network. A radar antenna receives successive echoes of a plurality of pulses of radio waves transmitted in an environment of a target. A processing system defines, from the successive echoes, an array of data elements representing a density of a reflective surface of the target at locations within the environment. The processing system also partitions the array into a plurality of subarrays based on a predefined array partitioning scheme. A respective node of a plurality of nodes receives and applies at least one algorithmic transform to a subarray of the plurality of subarrays, and determines a respective portion of a volume of space occupied by the target based thereon. The respective portion is combinable with other respective portions to determine the volume of space and thereby form an image of the target.

Abstract: An optical low pass filter includes a first birefringent plate, a second birefringent plate, a third birefringent plate, and a fourth birefringent plate. A conditional expression of 1.15<b/a<3 is satisfied, in a case where a separation width of an incident light ray in each of the first birefringent plate and the second birefringent plate is set to be a and a separation width of an incident light ray in each of the third birefringent plate and the fourth birefringent plate is set to be b.

Abstract: The extreme ultraviolet light generating apparatus includes a target supply unit to output a target, a driver laser to output a driver laser beam with which the target is irradiated, a guide laser to output a guide laser beam, a beam combiner to have optical paths of the driver laser beam and the guide laser beam substantially coincide with each other and output these beams, a first optical element including a first actuator to adjust an optical path of the driver laser beam to be incident on the beam combiner, a second optical element including a second actuator to adjust an optical path of the guide laser beam to be incident on the beam combiner, a sensor to detect the guide laser beam outputted from the beam combiner to output detected data, and a controller to receive the detected data, control the second actuator based on the detected data, and control the first actuator based on an amount of controlling of the second actuator.

Abstract: System and method for image turbulence correction includes: receiving a plurality of consecutive image frames; demosaicing previous, current and preceding image frames into a plurality of same size overlapping video tiles; determining a displacement of each of the video tiles; converting the video tiles of the current image frame, the previous image frame, and the plurality of preceding image frames into a frequency domain; iteratively processing the video tiles of the previous image frame, the current image frame and the plurality of preceding image frames for turbulence correction in the frequency domain; converting the turbulence corrected video tiles into a spatial domain, wherein the converted turbulence corrected video tiles form a single video frame tile including turbulence degradation correction; and mosaicing the single video frame tiles including turbulence degradation correction together to generate a full field of view turbulence correct video stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and compact apparatus for laser induced breakdown atomic emission spectroscopy from a targeted sample having a laser generating a laser beam, the laser beam directed to the sample, optical means for manipulating the laser beam in order maximize laser fluency at the target surface of the sample, the laser beam generating ablation and plasma emission from the sample at the target surface, an emission spectrometer having a detector for detecting a plasma plume from the plasma emission.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a wavefront sensor configured to receive coherent flood illumination that is reflected from a remote object and to estimate wavefront errors associated with the coherent flood illumination. The apparatus also includes a beam director optically coupled to the wavefront sensor and having a telescope and an auto-alignment system. The auto-alignment system is configured to adjust at least one first optical device in order to alter a line-of-sight of the wavefront sensor. The wavefront errors estimated by the wavefront sensor include a wavefront error resulting from the adjustment of the at least one first optical device. The beam director could further include at least one second optical device configured to correct for the wavefront errors. The at least one second optical device could include at least one deformable mirror.

Abstract: An image of a target object may be captured by a method in which the target object is illuminated by a pulsed laser beam emitted by an illumination laser, which beam is aimed at the target object in the form of an illumination beam by an illumination optics unit. The illumination beam laser light reflected from the target object may be received by a receiving optics unit and directed to an image capturing device to generate an image of the target object on the image capturing device. The method may also include detecting the angular offset of the image of the target object with respect to a reference axis of the receiving optics unit, and stabilizing the visual axis of the image capturing device detected by imaging of the target object device by a first optical correcting element of the receiving optics unit that compensates for the angular offset.

Abstract: Described is a free space optical (FSO) node capable of communicating with a remote FSO node. The FSO node includes a Tx/Rx subassembly that is capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting light carrying data, detecting the position/orientation of the received light signals, and aligning the Tx/Rx subassembly to account for misalignments with remote node. The Tx/Rx subassembly includes a central fiber for transmitting and receiving the optical signals so that the signal data can be processed. The Tx/Rx subassembly also includes a bundle of fibers that circumscribe the central fiber and receive a portion of received light signals to detect the position/orientation of the received light signals and align the FSO node with a remote FSO node.