US Government as Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Duke University

Bob D Guenther

David Brady

Richard Leon Hartman

Don A Gregory

Michael E Gehm

Scott Thomas McCain

An optical spectrometer and/or a method of optical spectroscopy is described herein. One exemplary spectrometer includes a planar spectral filter, a dispersion system, and a detector array having at least two dimensions. The planar spectral filter filters incident light to generate a plurality of wavelength dependent spatial patterns. The dispersion system disperses the spatial patterns along at least one dimension in a wavelength dependent fashion onto the detector array. As a result, spatial patterns corresponding to different wavelengths are centered at different locations on the detector array. The dispersed spatial patterns superimpose at the detector array in an offset but overlapping relationship, creating an asymmetric image that facilitates the spectral analysis of a wide range of light sources, including diffuse or spectrally complex light sources.

Optical spectroscopy utilizing planar spectral filters

The spatial light modulator utilizes a modified liquid crystal television for modulating a laser beam so as to produce a transformed hologram image on a film plate which is identical with the video information being fed into the liquid crystal TV. Once a image film has been produced the film is developed and placed back in the system so that the system will now act as a comparator and tracking device. With the reference beam blocked and a new video input fed into the liquid crystal TV the system now will have an output only when the scene on the TV is identical to the scene recorded on the film. Indicator means give a signal output from this comparison that is identical.

Modified liquid crystal television as a spatial light modulator

A missile having a sensor in the nose thereof. The nose is in the shape of transparent ogive window which has an index of refraction that assumes different values at different positions on the window whereas the window appears to the sensor as if it were a hemispherical window.

Growing community of inventors

Cary, NC, United States of America

Bob D Guenther