Raytheon Company

Jeffrey P Yanevich

Michael L Brest

Kenneth L McAllister

Michael Ushinsky

Eric J Griffin

Friedrich P Strohkendl

Gregory D Tracy

James E Scroggin

Julio C Dominguez

An apparatus includes a PWG having a core region and a cladding layer. The amplifier is configured to receive pump light. The core region is configured to amplify an input beam using energy from the pump light to generate an amplified output beam. The apparatus also includes a cooling fluid configured to cool the core region. The cooling fluid has a lower refractive index than the core region and the cladding layer in order to support guiding of the input beam and pump light within the amplifier. The amplifier also includes first and second endcaps attached to opposite faces of the core region and cladding layer. The core region, cladding layer, and endcaps collectively form a monolithic fused structure. Each endcap has a major outer surface that is larger in area than a combined area of the faces of the core region and cladding layer to which the endcap is attached.

Laser system with mechanically-robust monolithic fused planar waveguide (PWG) structure

A shutter assembly comprising a first planar member and a second planar member opposed from one another and forming a sleeve having a cavity therebetween, the sleeve having a pair of side rails adjacent the cavity along sides of the sleeve. A first shutter member having a first end is disposed in the cavity and slidingly disposed along one of the side rails, and a second shutter member having a second end is disposed in the cavity and slidingly disposed along the other side rail. The first end is opposed to the second end and is configured to be selectively advanced towards, and retracted from, the second end so as to define an aperture therebetween having a first shape when disposed in a first position, and wherein the aperture has a second larger shape when the first end is disposed in a second position. The first shutter member and the second shutter member maintain a thermal contact with the side rails and the planar members in all positions. The shutter assembly is well suited to be used at a cryogenic temperature and in a high vacuum environment.

Thermal control in variable aperture mechanism for cryogenic environment

A device operable in a ultra-high vacuum and in a cryogenic environment. The device has bi-stable solenoid motors configured to drive a shutter assembly defining an aperture having a first shape when the motors are each disposed in the respective first position, and wherein the aperture has a second shape when the motors are each disposed in the respective second position. Actuators responsive to the motors are thermally isolated from the cryogenic shutter assembly except when the motors position the shutter assembly to change a shape of the aperture. The device is suitable for use in FLIR and other thermally sensitive devices.

Variable aperture mechanism for cryogenic environment, and method

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Bradenton, FL, United States of America

Jeffrey P Yanevich