USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Michael A Richardson

David C Stoudt

Gair D Brown

Gary A Burcham

A photoconductive switching device is disclosed that has an enhanced speed of response so that its closed (low) and open (high) resistive states are obtained in response to optical illumination in the less than nanosecond regime. The enhanced speed of response is achieved by neutron irradiation of a material preferably comprising GaAs:Si:Cu. An application of the improved photoconductive switching devices is disclosed which allows the realization of a high-power, frequency-agile RF source topology.

Bistable photoconductive switches particularly suited for

A photoconductive switching device is disclosed that has an enhanced speed f response so that its closed (low) and open (high) resistive states are obtained in response to optical illumination in the less than nanosecond regime. The enhanced speed of response is achieved by neutron irradiation of a material preferably comprising GaAs:Si:Cu. An application of the improved photoconductive switching devices is disclosed which allows the realization of a high-power, frequency-agile RF source topology.

A disengagable adapter for mechanically coupling optical fibers is provid The disengagable adapter separates into two complementary receptacle parts. Each receptacle part receives through a bore a single optical-fiber located within an optical-fiber connector plug. Each receptacle part attaches to and securely holds a different connector plug. The receptacle parts mate with each other in a complementary fashion and thereby connect the two optical fiber connector plugs together. These connector plugs accordingly align the two optical fibers located within the plugs. The optical fibers can be separated either by demating the complementary parts or by disconnecting one side of the adapter from its connector plug. Mounting the complementary parts to a plate facilitates multiple, simultaneous connections.

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Fredericksburg, VA, United States of America

Michael A Richardson