Honeywell International Inc.

Honeywell G.m.b.h.

University of Minnesota

Randy J Ramberg

Carol M Ford

Steven C Albers

Dean Eivind Johnson

Klein L Johnson

Theodore J Podgorski

Charles T Sullivan

Anand Gopinath

Allan T Hurst

Theodore W Broberg

Thomas M Crook

Carl David Anderson

Mark J Jenson

Lance Vrieze

Theodore Broberg

A multilayer mirror comprises a reflector section including a plurality of alternating layers of a high index material and a low index material, and a filter section over the reflector section. The filter section comprises a first filter layer including a low index material on a layer of high index material of the reflector section; a second filter layer on the first filter layer, the second filter layer comprising a high index material that is different than the high index material in the reflector section; and a third filter layer on the second filter layer, the third filter layer comprising a low index material. Each filter layer has an optical thickness greater than or equal to the optical thickness of each layer of the alternating layers. The filter section substantially blocks ultraviolet (UV) energy, thereby preventing UV energy from substantially impinging on the high index material of the reflector section.

Ultraviolet filter for ring laser gyroscope mirrors

Systems and methods for embodiments having an extra thick ultraviolet durability coating are described herein. For example, a system may include a laser block assembly. The system may also include a cavity in the laser block assembly. Further, the system may include a plurality of multilayer mirrors in the cavity. In certain embodiments, at least one multilayer mirror of the plurality of multilayer mirrors may include a plurality of alternating layers of a first optical material having a high index of refraction and a second optical material having a first low index of refraction. Additionally, the at least one multilayer mirror may include a multilayer durability coating disposed on the plurality of alternating layers.

Extra thick ultraviolet durability coating

An optical device, such as an interference mirror of the type which can be incorporated into ring laser gyros. One embodiment is an interference mirror having at least one layer formed from a matrix of material consisting of ZrOand about 2-15 weight percent of AlO.

Photochromic resistant materials for optical devices in plasma environments

Methods and systems are provided for depositing a magnetic film using one or more long throw magnetrons, and in some embodiments, an ion assist source and/or ion beam source. The long throw magnetrons are used to deposit particles at low energy and low pressure, which can be useful when, for example, depositing interfacial layers or the like. An ion assist source can be added to increase the energy of the particles provided by the long throw magnetrons, and/or modify or clean the layers on the surface of the substrate. An ion beam source can also be added to deposit layers at a higher energies and lower pressures to, for example, provide layers with increased crystallinity. By using a long throw magnetron, an ion assist source and/or an ion beam source, magnetic films can be advantageously provided.

Methods and apparatus for depositing magnetic films

A method for fabricating a magneto-optic modulator, such as for use with a solid state ring resonator gyroscope. The method includes inducing a magnetic field at a substrate holder as a layer of magnetic material is being deposited on a substrate. The magnetic field helps to optimally orient the deposited magnetic material layer to improve the characteristics of the magneto-optic modulator. In addition to inducing a magnetic field, a low energy ion beam may be applied to optimize orientation. The method can be used to fabricate a magneto-optic modulator on a substrate containing a partially fabricated ring resonator without destroying previously fabricated components.

Method for fabricating a magneto-optic modulator

An electroluminescent substance suitably comprising a conducting material such as a conducting oxide and at least one light-emitting dopant is disclosed. Preferred embodiments of the electroluminescent substance include rare earth dopants present within the conducting oxide such that the dopant materials generate light when electrically stimulated. Common dopant materials include erbium, ytterbium, praseodymium and other rare earth elements. The electroluminescent material is suitable for use, for example, in an electronic display or as a light source for many applications including Sagnac rotation sensors such as fiber optic gyroscopes.

Electroluminescent material comprising a doped conducting oxide

A waveguide optical amplifier include a substrate and a guiding or active layer. The substrate has a substrate surface and a substrate index of refraction. The guiding layer is of Zirconium dioxide (ZrO.sub.2) and/or Alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) and is carried on a cladding layer over the substrate surface. The guiding layer has a guiding layer index of refraction which is higher than the cladding index of refraction. The Zirconium dioxide guiding layer is doped with rare earth materials.

Waveguide optical amplifier

A mirror for a ring laser gyro includes alternating optical quarterwave regions of SiO.sub.2 and ZrO.sub.2, and of admixtures of these. The alternating regions have thicknesses suitable for reflecting a laser beam in a ring laser gyro. A final coating of ZrO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2, and of admixtures of these, is constructed so as to be made substantially of ZrO.sub.2 at a bottom portion and so as to have gradually increasing SiO.sub.2 content so that the top surface comprises substantially pure SiO.sub.2 material.

Overcoat method and apparatus for ZRO.sub.2 mirror stacks

Deposition sources deposit material onto mirrors used in ring laser gyros. The mirrors are placed in a rotating apparatus called a planet which rotates above the deposition sources which emit the material upwards. This operation will result alternating, multiple layers of the differing materials deposited onto the mirror. A barrier placed between the deposition sources prevents material from being deposited at high angles which increases the efficiency and ideal operability of the mirrors in the ring laser gyro.

Deposition barrier

An optical waveguide is formed by depositing multiple layers of thin films using the process of ion beam sputter deposition. The waveguide is made up of alternating layers of a first material and a second material wherein the two materials have differing indices of refraction and low optical loss. These materials are deposited upon a thermally stable substrate creating a multilayer stack which functions as a waveguide. The multilayer waveguide has ultra low propagation losses and good mode discrimination, thus being very efficient for use in single mode applications. The waveguide is easily adaptable to batch processing which reduces costs and increases the performance of the waveguide.

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Roseville, MN, United States of America

Randy J Ramberg