University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Dirk Richter

Scott M Spuler

William A Cooper

Mike Spowart

A method for correcting an ambient pressure measurement, a method for calculating a temperature, and an apparatus for affecting the same for an aircraft measuring system are provided. The methods include the steps of receiving an airspeed measurement from a laser sensor, receiving a total pressure measurement, and calculating an ambient pressure correction. A corrected ambient pressure or a calculated temperature may be calculated. The apparatus includes a laser sensor configured to provide an airspeed measurement, an aircraft instrument configured to provide a total pressure measurement, and a processing system.

Calibration of aircraft instruments using a laser sensor

An optical multi-pass cell () including a sample cavity () is provided. The cell () also includes first and second end mirrors () positioned within the housing (). The mirrors () are configured to reflect a beam of light directed at one of the first or second end mirrors () off-axis from the optical axis () one or more times between the end mirrors () through the sample cavity () at a first distance from the optical axis () to create a first beam pattern (). The cell () also includes one or more relay minors () positioned to intercept reflect the beam of light such that at least a second beam pattern () is created between the end mirrors () at a distance from the optical axis () different from the first distance of the first beam pattern ().

Optical multi-pass cell

A method, element and system are provide for efficiently, accurately and without significant contribution of noise, splitting a beam of radiation or combining beams of radiation. In one embodiment of the invention, a beamsplitter front surface partially reflects incident radiation and refracts the rest of the radiation. The refracted radiation is completely reflected at a back surface of the beamsplitter and is completely refracted producing a parallel beam without creating any stray radiation or optical noise. This is accomplished using a p-polarized input beam and a Brewster angle geometry.

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

Dirk Richter