摘要:
A flexible rejection filter removes coherent radiation from an incoming beam of light. The filter includes a beamsplitter for dividing the transmitted portion into first and second beams. A photorefractive crystal in the paths of the first and second beams couples coherent radiation from the first beam to the second beam. A focal plane detector follows the crystal in the path of the first beam for sensing the incoherent radiation in the first beam, while a beam dump follows the crystal in the path of the second beam for absorbing the coherent radiation of the second beam. Other filter configurations can utilize contradirectional energy coupling or resonator structures in conjunction with photorefractive media.
摘要:
Laser energy is combined using dynamic beam splitters that can automatically accommodate changes in the laser cavity mode structure. Nonlinear optical methods and real time holography are employed to achieve phase locking among multiple lasers. A single laser output beam can be produced from a multitude of laser cavities which collectively contribute to the output power. No outside monitoring and servo mechanisms are required, since nonlinear optical processes automatically perform the functions of both monitoring and control. A coupled laser system includes two or more lasers, each laser having a resonant cavity, a laser gain medium in the resonant cavity, and a nonlinear optical element. Each nonlinear optical element is positioned in its respective resonant cavity to diffract laser energy from the cavity to a coupling beam by means of four-wave mixing (phase conjugation). Each cavity is coupled to another resonant cavity within the system by the coupling beams such that nonlinear optical interactions phase lock the outputs of all the lasers.
摘要:
A coupled laser system includes a plurality of substantially parallel beams of coherent radiation with an output beam of coherent radiation at an oblique angle with respect to the plurality of beams. A photorefractive element is positioned to receive the plurality of beams and the output beams, the beams being frequency locked to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the plurality of beams to the output beam by means of two-wave mixing. A lens may be used for focussing the parallel beams in the photorefractive element, while a plurality of mirrors may be supplied for adjusting the orientation of the output beam within the photorefractive element. Another coupled laser system includes a plurality of lasers, each laser providing a beam of coherent radiation, an optical resonant cavity, and a photorefractive element positioned within the resonant cavity, the beam being frequency locked to within the photorefractive bandwidth of the photorefractive element such that laser energy is diffracted from the coherent beams to a coupling beam in the resonant cavity by means of two-wave mixing. The resonant cavity is defined by a unidirectional ring resonator, with a partially reflecting mirror, a first substantially 100% reflecting mirror, and a second substantially 100% reflecting mirror.
摘要:
A relative position sensor is suitable for inertial navigation situations in which deviations from a predetermined position schedule are detected. A standing wave is established between a pair of opposed phase conjugate reflectors in a resonating cavity, and relative movement between the standing wave and the cavity is sensed. Since the standing wave continues to travel at its initial velocity regardless of deviations from that velocity by the resonator, deviations in the position of the resonator relative to its projected position based on the initial velocity can be measured. In a preferred embodiment, four-wave mixers are used as the phase conjugate reflectors, the phase conjugate medium within the mixers is made coextensive with the wave propagation medium between the mixers, and relative movement is sensed by monitoring the intensity of the standing wave at at least one location which is fixed relative to the resonator.
摘要:
A liquid crystal display includes a polarizer layer, an analyzer layer, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the polarizer layer and the analyzer layer, a first electrode proximate to a first major surface of the liquid crystal layer, and a second electrode proximate to a second major surface of the liquid crystal layer. The first and second electrodes are adapted to apply a voltage across the liquid crystal layer when the electrodes are connected to a source of electrical potential. A multilayer thin film compensator is disposed between the polarizer layer and the analyzer layer, the multilayer compensator including a first plurality of layers, each having a first refractive index and a first thickness, alternating with a second plurality of layers, each having a second refractive index and a second thickness. The values of the first and second refractive indices and thicknesses are such that the phase retardation of the multilayer is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to the phase retardation of the liquid crystal layer in its homeotropically aligned state over a predetermined range of viewing angles.
摘要:
A nonlinear optical receiver includes a source of coherent light of frequency .omega. for illuminating a spatial region. The portion of the source light which is reflected from objects within the spatial region constitutes a signal beam. A reference beam of coherent light of frequency .omega. is also provided. A photorefractive element receives the signal and reference beams and amplifies the signal beam by two-wave mixing.The receiver may include a first polarizer, having a first polarization direction, placed between a cubic photorefractive element and the signal and reference beams, and a second polarizer, having a second polarization direction perpendicular to the first polarization direction, placed so that the amplified signal beam must pass therethrough. A frequency shifting element, such as a Bragg cell modulator, is used to change the frequency of the reference beam. pa A first laser may provide both the source of coherent light and the reference beam of coherent light, or a first laser may provide the source of coherent light while a second laser provides the reference beam of coherent light. The photorefractive element may be a cubic photorefractive crystal or a nonlinear optic material. A two dimensional focal plane array may be added for detecting the amplified signal beam.
摘要:
An apparatus for steering a coherent input beam of electromagnetic energy includes an optically nonlinear medium for positioning in the path of the input beam. A source of acoustic energy generates acoustic waves in the nonlinear medium with a predetermined frequency and direction. The frequency and direction of the acoustic waves are selected to diffract a portion of the input beam as an output beam at a predetermined angle with respect to the input beam, interference between the input beam and the output beam initially causing an electrostrictive grating to form in the medium, with the grating subsequently causing additional energy to be transferred from the input beam to the output beam by stimulated Brillouin scattering.
摘要:
A laser beam steering apparatus includes a beam steering cell with an adjustable shape, with the cell having opposing Fabry-Perot filters, and a steering mechanism coupled to the cell to adjust its shape so that the direction of a laser beam emitted from the cell is changed in response to a change in the cell shape.
摘要:
Provided is a prosthesis system for indirectly coupling a prosthesis to the skeletal structure of a person. The system includes a plurality of individual magnets and magnet sets attached to a prosthetic socket of a prosthetic device. The magnets may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. A second plurality of magnets is embedded within a residual limb of a person, mounted to or within a sub-dermal strut. In operation, the magnetic fields generated by the magnets of the prosthetic socket, which may be dynamic magnetic fields, interact with the magnetic fields generated by the magnets anchored beneath the skin of the person, to hold the prosthetic device in position during use. A power supply provides current to any electromagnets, and a controller alters any required magnetic fields based on input received from both load and position sensors in the sub-dermal strut.
摘要:
An optical power converting apparatus is provided that may be used with remote sensors. A plurality of remote sensors may be coupled to a backbone optical fiber with each sensor having an optical power converter that receives an optical signal from a head end of that fiber. The optical power converters may store electrical energy derived from that optical signal and use that energy to power the remote sensors. The head end's optical signal may also include a clock signal, and each remote sensor may be set to sense a measurable parameter after a given number of clock cycles have been counted. In a further example, each of the optical sensors may be synchronized before counting these clock signals via a synchronization signal from the optical power converter. The remote sensors may individually and separately uplink their sensed data to the head end on the optical fiber. The apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle health management system, for example.