Abstract: In order to prevent observed long-term energy decay of power amplifiers and correspondingly increase the lifespan of CO2 lasers employing them, a hydrogen-doped mixing gas is supplied from an external pipeline during operation or periodic maintenance in order to effectively remove solid contaminants that build-up over time on a surface of a catalyst disposed within the power amplifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat-dissipation a structure having a first and second surface. The first surface defines a heat absorbing surface having a plurality of cavities and a heat absorbing coating applied to the first surface and within the cavities. Additionally, a set of etchings can be provided on the first surface to increase absorption. The cavities can be pyramidal, hexagonal, or conical shapes, for example.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a COIL based defense system which stays at an altitude of higher than 17 km. The defense system is comprised of a high-altitude airship which carries a COIL in which gases flow along the optical axis with several exit ports. Since the COIL can operate without a vacuum pump, it can be lightweighted.

Abstract: A laser gas estimation device includes a laser oscillator including a ventilator which circulates a laser gas, a discharge tube, a ventilator power unit which supplies power to the ventilator, and a discharge tube power unit which supplies power to the discharge tube, a detection unit which detects gas pressure of the laser gas, ventilator voltage applied to the ventilator, ventilator current supplied to the ventilator, discharge tube voltage applied to the discharge tube, and discharge tube current supplied to the discharge tube, and a composition ratio estimation unit which estimates the composition ratio of the laser gas based on a detected value detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides an oxygen laser oscillator which can obtain a direct lasing from a singlet oxygen molecule (O2(1?g)). The oxygen laser oscillator (100) according to the embodiment includes: a singlet oxygen generator (130) having a rotating disc (104); and a laser cavity (102) positioned immediately above the singlet oxygen generator (130) and directly connected to the singlet oxygen generator (130). In the oxygen laser oscillator according to the embodiment, a separation wall (112) may be placed between the singlet oxygen generator (130) and the laser cavity (102).

Abstract: A device for transformation of concentrated solar energy including a photovoltaic cell and laser device, which includes a first reflecting mirror adapted for entry of a beam of solar rays and a second reflecting mirror adapted for an outlet of a laser beam, with the first reflecting mirror reflective on an outlet wavelength of the laser beam and transparent to a totality of a solar spectrum and the second reflecting mirror partially reflective on the wavelength of the laser beam, reflective in an interval of the solar spectrum which is absorbed and transparent in other wavelengths different to these, and at the outlet of the laser beam. The device includes a nucleus doped with substances for total or partial absorption of the solar spectrum and coatings.

Abstract: Efficient laser diode excited Thulium (Tm) doped solid state systems, directly matched to a combination band pump transition of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), have matured to the point that utilization of such in combination with CO2 admits effectively a laser diode pumped CO2 laser. The laser diode excited Tm solid state pump permits Continuous Wave (CW) or pulsed energy application. Appropriate optical pumping admits catalyzer free near indefinite gas lifetime courtesy of the absence of significant discharge driven dissociation and contamination. As a direct consequence of the preceding arbitrary multi isotopologue CO2, symmetric and asymmetric, gas mixes may be utilized without significant degradation or departure from initial mix specifications. This would admit, at raised pressure, a system continuously tunable from approximately 9 ?m to approximately 11.5 ?m, or sub picosecond amplification.

Abstract: A laser system having an acoustic stimulator and amplifier section adjacent to the acoustic stimulator is disclosed. The stimulator is configured to apply acoustic energy to the amplifier section whereby luminescent output is produced in the amplifier section. This luminescent output may be concentrated to form a high intensity light output.

Abstract: A method of using a discriminant analysis and Kalman filter cascade to improve the accuracy of point of origin solutions. Tracking information about a potential target is utilized by an initial discrimination function to classify the target as a projectile. Using that information, the output of a first Kalman filter is fed into an additional discrimination function to further classify the type or sub-class of the projectile. A second Kalman filter can employ type-specific information to obtain a point of origin solution with increased efficiency and accuracy.

Abstract: An energy converter reacts hydrocarbons and air on a catalyst configuration to produce a population inversion. A photovoltaic system may extract the radiating energy, and a laser system may extract a significant fraction of the reaction energy in the form of coherent radiation. The flooding of the catalyst adsorption sites with fuel and the choice of catalyst predisposes the adsorbing oxygen molecules to create mono-atomic oxygen hot-atoms, which deposit the considerable energy of oxygen adsorption directly into a reaction channel of adjacent, adsorbed and simple fuel radicals, thereby producing simple, energetic product molecules, concentrating the energy in one or a few modes, and strongly favoring inverted populations. A solid state method to stimulate precursor chemisorbed specie dissociation accelerates the reaction rates, providing a method to greatly intensify pulsed power output, increase efficiency, and to facilitate nano-scale and micro-scale thermal energy heat rejection processes.

Abstract: An improved nozzle and iodine injector system for use in a COIL are disclosed. The improved nozzle is a two-dimensional, minimum length nozzle with a curved sonic line. The iodine injection system utilizes a series of slender struts for iodine injection into the oxygen stream through a series of small orifices that are located along the base of each strut. The struts are located within the nozzle such that the need for a diluent gas for the iodine is reduced. The use of the nozzle and iodine injection system, particularly when combined with the SOG disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/453,148, have the potential for yielding a highly efficient, high power, optically superior COIL device that is compact, scalable, can operate in space, and has good pressure recovery potential.

Abstract: A two phase reactor includes a source of liquid reactant and a source of gas reactant. A chamber has an inlet coupled to the source of gas reactant and a flat jet nozzle coupled to the source of the liquid reactant.

Abstract: An improved resonator and optical cavity is adapted for use with a chemical laser that has a nozzle upstream of the resonator that emits a gain medium in a flow direction, and a pressure-recovery system downstream of the resonator. The optical resonator comprises first and second optical elements that are spaced apart from one another along an optical axis. Each of the optical elements has a selected geometry and a selected optical transmissivity to permit transmissive outcoupling of a beam of laser radiation from the resonator, the outcoupled beam being transmitted about the optical axis. The transmissivity and geometry of each optical element is selected to define an unstable region between the optical elements and around the optical axis, and a stable region in a region surrounding the unstable region and spaced apart from the optical axis.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed to a dual-chamber combustion laser assembly having lighter weight (per unit flow area), a more compact, flexible configuration for packaging in spacecraft, aircraft, or ground mobile vehicles, higher mass efficiency from lower heat loss and proven power extraction efficiency of linear lasers, superior output beam quality by incremental compensation of gain medium optical path disturbances and by reduction in time-dependent variations in structural and gain medium characteristics, lower cost and shorter fabrication time for modular dual flow laser and linear optics, more efficient pressure recovery with side-wall isolation nozzles and compact diffuser configurations, and increased small signal gains for more efficient extraction of overtone power.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods enabling high fidelity quantum communication over long communication channels even in the presence of significant loss in the channels. The invention involves laser manipulation of quantum correlated atomic ensembles using linear optic components (110, 120), optical sources of low intensity pulses (10), interferers in the form of beam splitters (150), and single-photon detectors (180, 190) requiring only moderate efficiencies. The invention provides fault-tolerant entanglement generation and connection using a sequence of steps that each provide built-in entanglement purification and that are each resilient to realistic noise levels. The invention relies upon collective rather single particle excitations in atomic ensembles and results in communication efficiency scaling polynomially with the total length of the communication channel.

Abstract: A method for producing singlet delta oxygen may include forming a molecular beam of oxygen clusters from oxygen from an oxygen source. The method may also include optically pumping the molecular beam of oxygen clusters to produce singlet delta oxygen.

Abstract: A pressure-recovery device for a supersonic, continuous wave gas laser is capable of recovering the pressure of the supersonic fluid in an efficient manner and in a relatively light and compact assembly. The supersonic diffuser has a substantially rectangular inlet and top and bottom walls that extend from the inlet in the direction of the flow of gas. The top and bottom walls are separated by a height (l1) at the inlet and are connected by two side walls. The side walls are separated by a width (h) at the inlet, wherein the ratio of height to width ranges at the inlet from about 0.001 to about 1. A compression region is formed by the top wall, bottom wall and side walls, wherein said top and bottom walls either are or are not symmetric about a central longitudinal axis of the compression region.

Abstract: A continuous wave laser based on the electronic I*(2P½)?I(2P 3/2) transition of atomic iodine at 1.315 microns from the NCl(a1?)+I(2P 3/2) energy transfer reaction using a transverse flow device having gas flow from an upstream subsonic combustor section through a converging-diverging supersonic slit nozzle to a downstream supersonic section and an intersecting optical resonator. Laser operation is achieved through the transformation of the gas phase chemical reagents, D2 (deuterium), F2 (fluorine), NF3 (nitrogen trifluoride), DCl (deuterium chloride) HI (hydrogen iodide) in the subsonic section and HN3 (hydrogen azide) in the supersonic section.

Abstract: A method for producing singlet delta oxygen may include forming a molecular beam of oxygen clusters from oxygen from an oxygen source. The method may also include optically pumping the molecular beam of oxygen clusters to produce singlet delta oxygen.

Abstract: A two phase reactor includes a source of liquid reactant and a source of gas reactant. A chamber has an inlet coupled to the source of gas reactant and a flat jet nozzle coupled to the source of the liquid reactant.

Abstract: An improved singlet delta oxygen generator (SOG) and method of its use are disclosed. The improved SOG is compact and scalable, capable of operating in a zero-gravity or low gravity environment, requires no gaseous diluent or buffer gas, and is capable of operating at pressures as high as one atmosphere. The improved SOG also efficiently utilizes the reactants and produces a O2(1?) stream that is largely free of chlorine and water vapor contamination and therefore does not require a BHP regeneration system or a water vapor trap. When used as part of a COIL system, the SOG may be part of a plenum that directly feeds the laser's nozzle. The close proximity of the SOG to the laser cavity allows operation of the SOG at higher pressures without significant depletion of available O2(1?) through collisional deactivation.

Abstract: A two phase reactor includes a source of liquid reactant and a source of gas reactant. A chamber has an inlet coupled to the source of gas reactant and a flat jet nozzle coupled to the source of the liquid reactant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas/liquid separation on an array of jets or streams of liquid is provided. Layers of substantially spherical aggregates of meshed material are provided to “quiet” high-velocity liquid flow with entrained gas to provide a uniform flow at moderate or low velocity from which the gas has been substantially separated from the liquid.

Abstract: An improved singlet delta oxygen generator (SOG) and method of its use are disclosed. The improved SOG is compact and scalable, capable of operating in a zero-gravity or low gravity environment, requires no gaseous diluent or buffer gas, and is capable of operating at pressures as high as one atmosphere. The improved SOG also efficiently utilizes the reactants and produces a O2(1?) stream that is largely free of chlorine and water vapor contamination and therefore does not require a BHP regeneration system or a water vapor trap. When used as part of a COIL system, the SOG may be part of a plenum that directly feeds the laser's nozzle. The close proximity of the SOG to the laser cavity allows operation of the SOG at higher pressures without significant depletion of available O2(1?) through collisional deactivation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for high fidelity quantum communication over long communication channels even in the presence of significant loss in the channels are disclosed. The invention employs laser manipulation of quantum correlated atomic ensembles using linear optic components, optical sources of low intensity pulses, beam splitters, and single-photon detectors requiring only moderate efficiencies. The invention provides fault-tolerant entanglement generation and connection, using a sequence of steps that each provide built-in entanglement purification and that are each resilient to the realistic noise. The invention relies upon collective excitation in atomic ensembles rather than single particle excitations in atomic ensembles so that communication efficiency scales polynomially with the total length of a communication channel.

Abstract: An improved resonator and optical cavity is adapted for use with a chemical laser that has a nozzle upstream of the resonator that emits a gain medium in a flow direction, and a pressure-recovery system downstream of the resonator. The optical resonator comprises first and second optical elements that are spaced apart from one another along an optical axis. Each of the optical elements has a selected geometry and a selected optical transmissivity to permit transmissive outcoupling of a beam of laser radiation from the resonator, the outcoupled beam being transmitted about the optical axis. The transmissivity and geometry of each optical element is selected to define an unstable region between the optical elements and around the optical axis, and a stable region in a region surrounding the unstable region and spaced apart from the optical axis.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention an oxygen iodine laser includes a gas mixing section. Ground state oxygen and a carrier gas are introduced into the first gas mixing section, sometimes separately. The laser includes a discharge region to generate at least said excited oxygen from the flow of the first gas mixing section. A sensitizer gas having a lower ionization threshold than ground state oxygen is also introduced into the first gas mixing section, such that electrons are more easily produced in the electrical generator. The laser system includes introducing a source of iodine into the excited singlet delta oxygen flow to generate a laser-active gas. In another embodiment a conditioner is placed into the gas mixing section to help mix the flow and/or introduce one or more of the aforementioned gases.

Abstract: A compact, high repetition rate, extreme ultraviolet/soft x-ray laser and method for generating such radiation are described. Excitation of the gaseous or vaporous lasing medium is achieved by discharging energy stored in a solid-dielectric capacitive device through a capillary channel containing the medium. By reducing the inductance of the discharge apparatus, excitation of the laser medium can be achieved without the use of Marx generators. Neon-like Ar atom laser pulses at 46.9 nm having energies of about 13 ?J are generated at repetition rates up to 12 Hz. Between 2 and 3×104 laser shots can be generated using a single capillary. Such a source of intense, short-wavelength radiation can be used for applications which include surface characterization of materials, high resolution imaging and printing, photochemistry and photophysics, laser ablation, characterization of x-ray optics, and dense plasma diagnostics.

Abstract: A real time in situ system and method for monitoring solutions, such as basic hydrogen peroxide (BHP) and other laser fuel solutions, is provided. Raman spectroscopy is applied to a solution of interest to provide substantially real time and in situ characterization of the solution. In one embodiment, OOH? and H2O2 Raman peaks are monitored in real time and in situ for determination of BHP composition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing molecular oxygen in the excited singlet delta oxygen electronic state for use as an excited species reactant in a chemical laser. Flowtubes defined by permeable membranes are used to mix the gas and liquid phase reactants to generate singlet delta oxygen and also to separate the generated singlet delta oxygen from the liquid phase products and reactants thereby eliminating liquid reactant carryover.

Abstract: A solid generator laser provides device simplicity and fuel regeneration without relying upon highly-corrosive or unstable fuels. The laser system includes a fuel supply system that provides a solid fuel to a laser. The laser processes the fuel products to produce at least a solid waste product and a gaseous waste product. A fuels regeneration system receives the solid and gaseous wastes at a reagent production system to replenish the fuel products in the fuel supply system. Rather than relying upon corrosive fuels such as BHP, then, the laser suitably processes solid peroxide (e.g. Na2O2) and a halide (e.g. hydrogen or deuterium halide) to form a salt, water and singlet delta oxygen that may be used to induce a lasing effect. The processes and structures described herein may be used, for example, with chemical oxygen iodine lasers and the like.

Abstract: A chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL) comprises an oxygen generator and a nozzle for accelerating generated oxygen to a high or supersonic velocity. A laser cavity is coupled to the nozzle, wherein the accelerated fluid, with injected iodine, is employed as a laser gain medium. A Brayton cycle outlet pump employs the accelerated oxygen and iodine as a component of a process fluid in a Brayton cycle to raise the static pressure of the accelerated fluid to ambient conditions. The Brayton cycle pump comprises a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being coupled to the laser cavity to receive and compress accelerated oxygen. A combustor is coupled to the outlet of the compressor to receive compressed oxygen and ignite and combust it A turbine is coupled to the outlet of the combustor to expand the ignited and combusted gas, wherein the turbine powers the compressor. Multiple reheat stages may be used and regeneration and intercooling may also be used.

Abstract: An improved singlet delta oxygen generator (SOG) and method of its use are disclosed. The improved SOG is compact and scalable, capable of operating in a zero-gravity or low gravity environment, requires no gaseous diluent or buffer gas, and is capable of operating at pressures as high as one atmosphere. The improved SOG also efficiently utilizes the reactants and produces a O2(1?) stream that is largely free of chlorine and water vapor contamination and therefore does not require a BHP regeneration system or a water vapor trap. When used as part of a COIL system, the SOG may be part of a plenum that directly feeds the laser's nozzle. The close proximity of the SOG to the laser cavity allows operation of the SOG at higher pressures without significant depletion of available O2(1?) through collisional deactivation.

Abstract: A phase-change heat exchanger is provided for thermally conditioning a fluid. The phase-change heat exchanger includes, but is not limited to, conduits configured to convey the fluid through the phase-change heat exchanger and a foam structure in thermal contact with at least one of the conduits. The foam structure has ligaments interconnected to form a three-dimensional reticulated structure of open cells. A phase-change material is contained within the open cells and the phase-change material is configured to receive thermal energy of the fluid from the ligaments of the foam structure.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed to a dual-chamber combustion laser assembly having lighter weight (per unit flow area), a more compact, flexible configuration for packaging in spacecraft, aircraft, or ground mobile vehicles, higher mass efficiency from lower heat loss and proven power extraction efficiency of linear lasers, superior output beam quality by incremental compensation of gain medium optical path disturbances and by reduction in time-dependent variations in structural and gain medium characteristics, lower cost and shorter fabrication time for modular dual flow laser and linear optics, more efficient pressure recovery with side-wall isolation nozzles and compact diffuser configurations, and increased small signal gains for more efficient extraction of overtone power.

Abstract: A laser system (52A) is illustrated having a laser cavity (54) that generates a laser beam (78). An outcoupling resonator box (62) has a reflective mirror (70) therein. A return resonator box (64) has a reflective mirror (72) therein. A first solid window assembly (66) is disposed between the outcoupling resonator box (62) and the laser cavity (54). A second solid window assembly (68) is disposed between the return resonator box (64) and the laser cavity (54) so that the beam (78) is directed through the solid window assemblies (66), (68) during operation of the laser system, thereby isolating the usually caustic environment of laser cavity (54) from that of mirrors (70), (72) that are housed in said resonator boxes (62), (64), without the use of isolation valves and optical tunnels as in traditional arrangements.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining improved performance of chemical laser systems by exercising control over the radiation environments of these devices. Proper control of the AERE is achieved through the control of the wall construction including the choice of materials, placement and contours, the control of the wall temperatures (separately from the gas phase temperature), and the use of optical filters or added radiation sources, to achieve a synergistic optimum performance that demonstrates superior performance characteristics beyond that which could be achieved without the control of the AERE. This control is exercised through the proper application of anti-reflecting coatings for those spectral ranges that need to be mitigated and reflecting coatings for those frequencies that need to be augmented. The determination of these frequencies is made through the application of a novel mathematical model to the kinetic processes of the laser system.

Abstract: A method for collecting, reprocessing, and recycling chemical species used in the operation of a chemical oxygen-iodine laser system, especially a space-based system, is described. The method primarily includes: (1) collecting an amount of spent basic hydrogen peroxide containing aqueous potassium chloride; (2) converting the aqueous potassium chloride into water, molecular hydrogen, molecular chlorine, and aqueous potassium hydroxide; (3) combining the water and molecular hydrogen with an amount of molecular oxygen from the molecular oxygen source to form aqueous hydrogen peroxide; and (4) mixing the aqueous hydrogen peroxide with the aqueous potassium hydroxide to form basic hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: An integrated dual source recycling system and method for a chemical oxygen-iodine laser system is described. The recycling system primarily includes: (1) a first collection system for collecting an amount of spent basic hydrogen peroxide comprised of spent aqueous potassium chloride; and (2) a second collection system for collecting an amount of the spent laser exhaust gas. Several processing systems are also employed to convert the spent aqueous potassium chloride and the spent laser exhaust gas into hydrogen peroxide and potassium hydroxide which are mixed together to form fresh basic hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, the spent laser exhaust gas is recycled back into molecular nitrogen, molecular iodine, molecular oxygen, and molecular chlorine.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed to a dual-chamber combustion laser assembly having lighter weight (per unit flow area), a more compact, flexible configuration for packaging in spacecraft, aircraft, or ground mobile vehicles, higher mass efficiency from lower heat loss and proven power extraction efficiency of linear lasers, superior output beam quality by incremental compensation of gain medium optical path disturbances and by reduction in time-dependent variations in structural and gain medium characteristics, lower cost and shorter fabrication time for modular dual flow laser and linear optics, more efficient pressure recovery with side-wall isolation nozzles and compact diffuser configurations, and increased small signal gains for more efficient extraction of overtone power.

Abstract: An organic laser cavity device, that includes: a first dielectric stack for receiving and transmitting pumped beam light and being reflective to laser light over a predetermined range of wavelengths and having a substantially low threshold for optical excitation; an organic active region for receiving the transmitted pumped beam light and laser light from the first dielectric stack, and emits the laser light; a second dielectric stack for reflecting the transmitted pumped beam light and the laser light from the organic active region back into the organic active region, wherein a combination of the first and second dielectric stacks and the organic active region outputs the laser light; and an external self-contained photon source of the pumped beam light cooperating with the organic laser cavity for optical excitation at the substantially low threshold.

Abstract: An energy converter reacts hydrocarbons and air on a catalyst configuration to produce a population inversion. A photovoltaic system may extract the radiating energy, and a laser system may extract a significant fraction of the reaction energy in the form of coherent radiation. The flooding of the catalyst adsorption sites with fuel and the choice of catalyst predisposes the adsorbing oxygen molecules to create mono-atomic oxygen hot-atoms, which deposit the considerable energy of oxygen adsorption directly into a reaction channel of adjacent, adsorbed and simple fuel radicals, thereby producing simple, energetic product molecules, concentrating the energy in one or a few modes, and strongly favoring inverted populations. A solid state method to stimulate precursor chemisorbed specie dissociation accelerates the reaction rates, providing a method to greatly intensify pulsed power output, increase efficiency, and to facilitate nano-scale and micro-scale thermal energy heat rejection processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing BHP contaminants (alkali hydroxide and H2O2) from a recycled aqueous alkali chloride solution stream before the stream is fed to a chloralkali cell so that the contaminants do not impair the operation of a chloralkali cell. Unwanted alkali hydroxide within the recycled alkali chloride brine solution is reacted with chlorine gas and converted into an alkali chloride, which is useful in the operation of the chloralkali cell, and oxygen gas, which is outgassed from the system. Any H2O2 remaining in the recycled stream after elimination of the alkali hydroxide is reacted with chlorine to form HCl and oxygen gas. The HCl raises the pH of the brine solution, after which the pH may be adjusted by the addition of supplemental alkali hydroxide.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed to a dual-chamber combustion laser assembly having lighter weight (per unit flow area), a more compact, flexible configuration for packaging in spacecraft, aircraft, or ground mobile vehicles, higher mass efficiency from lower heat loss and proven power extraction efficiency of linear lasers, superior output beam quality by incremental compensation of gain medium optical path disturbances and by reduction in time-dependent variations in structural and gain medium characteristics, lower cost and shorter fabrication time for modular dual flow laser and linear optics, more efficient pressure recovery with side-wall isolation nozzles and compact diffuser configurations, and increased small signal gains for more efficient extraction of overtone power.

Abstract: A pulse circuit, a plasma generator, and a excited atomic molecular state generator useful in an electric oxygen iodine laser of the present invention. The invention also comprises a laser wherein a beam passes through a gas expansion throat.

Abstract: A DF or HF chemical laser gain generator fabricated by a platelet technique in which internal passages are more easily formed because the generator is made as a stack of thin platelets that are separately etched and then stacked together. The gain generator is water cooled through passages formed in it during the platelet fabrication process. Water cooling results in lower and more uniform operating temperatures and gas pressures, allowing the use of stronger metals which facilitate the elimination of supporting structures that can degrade laser beam quality. The fabrication method allows for the elimination of gas dynamic and thermally induced density gradients which further degrade laser beam quality.

Abstract: In a laser device and a light signal amplifying device with an optical fiber containing a laser activating substance in the inside for emitting a light beam from the end part in the case the laser activating substance is excited, fixed in a dense state at least partially by an optical medium, a polysilsesquioxane including a repeating unit represented by a general formula RSiO1.5 (wherein R represents an alkyl group, a hydroxyl group, a phenyl group, a vinyl group, a 2-chloroethyl group, a 2-bromoethyl group, a hydrogen, a heavy hydrogen, a fluorine, or an oxygen. However, one having R entirely as an oxygen is excluded. Moreover, R may be different per each repeating unit.) is used as the optical medium.

Abstract: A laser weapon system using a high energy deuterium fluoride (DF) or hydrogen fluoride (HF) laser, for which all necessary reactants and other materials are carried on an easily movable vehicle. Reactant gases are stored mixed with a diluent gas, such as helium, for ease of handling and to provide nearly ideal gas behavior. Cooling water for the laser is also employed in a high pressure steam generator that uses diesel fuel and oxygen to produce heat. Apart from a fluorine generator, the system uses only four storage tanks for reactant gases.

Abstract: A phase-change heat exchanger is provided for thermally conditioning a fluid. The phase-change heat exchanger includes, but is not limited to, conduits configured to convey the fluid through the phase-change heat exchanger and a foam structure in thermal contact with at least one of the conduits. The foam structure has ligaments interconnected to form a three-dimensional reticulated structure of open cells. A phase-change material is contained within the open cells and the phase-change material is configured to receive thermal energy of the fluid from the ligaments of the foam structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing BHP contaminants (alkali hydroxide and H2O2) from a recycled aqueous alkali chloride solution stream before the stream is fed to a chloralkali cell so that the contaminants do not impair the operation of a chloralkali cell. Unwanted alkali hydroxide within the recycled alkali chloride brine solution is reacted with chlorine gas and converted into an alkali chloride, which is useful in the operation of the chloralkali cell, and oxygen gas, which is outgassed from the system. Any H2O2 remaining in the recycled stream after elimination of the alkali hydroxide is reacted with chlorine to form HCl and oxygen gas. The HCl raises the pH of the brine solution, after which the pH may be adjusted by the addition of supplemental alkali hydroxide.