Raytheon Company

Joseph J Ichkhan

Alexander A Betin

Michael Ushinsky

Scott R Foes

N Peter Davis

David Alan Rockwell

Maurice J Halmos

Joseph C Marron

David N Sitter, Jr

Tim P Johnson

David A Vasquez

Gamze Erten

Justin S Grayer

Derek M Hendry

John Schroeder

Jr David N Sitter

A method and a system for optimizing the alignment of an optical system, such as a telescope, using a multi-degree-of freedom (DOF) actuator/hexapod and star field images. The method iteratively adjusts the hexapod in all DOFs using the damped least squares (DLS) optimization algorithm and dynamically changes the size of pixel windows to measure ensquared energy (ES) as a closed loop feedback.

Image quality calibration for multi-degree-of freedom actuator

An apparatus includes a non-linear optical crystal configured to perform harmonic wavelength conversion. The apparatus also includes first and second heaters contacting opposite sides of the optical crystal, where the first and second heaters are configured to heat the optical crystal. The apparatus further includes first and second backing plates configured to hold the first and second heaters in contact with the optical crystal. The apparatus also includes an internal mount defining a space configured to receive at least a portion of the optical crystal. In addition, the apparatus includes an external cover around at least a portion of the internal mount.

Ultra-stable dual-mode operation optical crystal assembly for harmonic conversion

An apparatus includes a wavefront sensor configured to receive coherent flood illumination that is reflected from a remote object and to estimate wavefront errors associated with the coherent flood illumination. The apparatus also includes a beam director optically coupled to the wavefront sensor and having a telescope and an auto-alignment system. The auto-alignment system is configured to adjust at least one first optical device in order to alter a line-of-sight of the wavefront sensor. The wavefront errors estimated by the wavefront sensor include a wavefront error resulting from the adjustment of the at least one first optical device. The beam director could further include at least one second optical device configured to correct for the wavefront errors. The at least one second optical device could include at least one deformable mirror.

High-performance beam director for high-power laser systems or other systems

A method of improving optical characteristics of an optical window operating in a flow of fluid and having first and second panes of optically transmissive material&#x2014;each having an edge adjacent to, parallel with, and at least partially coextensive with each other&#x2014;is described herein. The method includes inserting a thermally conductive blade between two adjacent edges of the first and second panes of optically transmissive material; and lifting an adverse flow stagnation zone forward of the optical window by protruding the thermally conductive blade into the flow of fluid from an outer surface of the panes of the optical window.

Optical window system with aero-optical conductive blades

A solid-state lasing device includes a micro-chip oscillator (MCO) affixed to a first tube, and a volume Bragg grating (VBG) plate affixed to a second tube. The second tube is configured to be telescopically coupled to the first tube with a slip fit such that the VBG plate is concentrically aligned with and is positioned at a specified distance from the MCO.

Miniaturized solid-state lasing device, system and method

A system and method for cooling an optical fiber includes a flexible heat sink member, a heat pipe evaporator, and a thermal storage medium. The flexible heat sink member is in thermal contact with the optical fiber. The heat pipe evaporator is configured to dissipate heat from the optical fiber. The thermal storage medium is in thermal contact with the flexible heat sink member and the heat pipe evaporator. The flexible heat sink member is configured to compensate for any mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion between material of the optical fiber and material of the flexible heat sink member so as to provide radial compliance and to maintain direct thermal contact between the optical fiber and the flexible heat sink member.

Method and apparatus for cooling a fiber laser or amplifier

A thermal nonlinear cell and method. The cell includes a substantially planar nonlinear medium and a mechanism for removing thermal energy from the medium in a direction substantially orthogonal to said medium. In one embodiment, the mechanism for removing thermal energy is a thermally conductive window mounted adjacent to the medium. Preferably, the mechanism includes plural thermally conductive windows between which the nonlinear medium is disposed. In the best mode, the windows are sapphire and the nonlinear medium is a fluid. The windows and the medium are transmissive with respect to first and second beams that interfere with each other and create an interference pattern in the cell. The interference pattern is sampled by a sampling hologram created within the multiple layers of the medium. The interference pattern is used via a sampling hologram to create a phase conjugate of a signal beam. The windows move thermal energy from the medium in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the medium. This energy is then removed by heat sinks disposed at the ends of the stack of windows. In an alternative embodiment, the mechanism for removing thermal energy includes first and second mirrors mounted adjacent to the medium in a substantially parallel face-to-face relation. Preferably, the mirrors are heat exchangers such as slot-jet impingement coolers. In this embodiment, a transparent window is disposed between the mirrors and the nonlinear medium is disposed between the mirrors and the window. The mirrors are adapted to reflect first and second beams into the medium where they interfere to provide the interference pattern needed to create a phase conjugate beam.

Growing community of inventors

Redondo Beach, CA, United States of America

Joseph J Ichkhan