USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Rudy Padilla

Stephen Douglas Russell

Randy L Shimabukuro

Michael Garrett Lovern

David Alan Bultman

A system and method for non-contact measurement of remaining spooled material. The system comprises at least one optical signal source configured to illuminate spooled material with an optical beam having an optical beam width that illuminates the material remaining in the spool. The optical beam width and spacing are such that spooled material is illuminated by each optical signal source. The system includes drive circuitry configured to drive the at least one optical signal source using pulses. The system further includes at least one optical signal receiver configured to receive light reflected from each of said light pulses. The system still further includes a processor configured to: establish a number and drive strength of the pulses; and cause measurements to be performed of the remaining spooled material.

Non-contact measurement of material remaining in expendable spools

A method of fabricating an optical modulator on a silicon substrate, comprising: forming a silicon nitride layer on the silicon substrate; forming a first polycrystalline silicon layer (PSL) on the silicon nitride layer; patterning the first PSL; forming a first silicon dioxide layer (SDL) on the first patterned PSL; patterning the first SDL; forming a second PSL on the first patterned SDL; patterning the second PSL; forming a second SDL on the second patterned PSL; patterning the second SDL; forming a third PSL on the second patterned SDL; patterning the third PSL; forming a metal layer on the third patterned PSL; patterning the metal layer; removing the first and second SDLs to effect release of first and second side reflectors; forming an active layer on the metal layer; and patterning the active layer or stack to form a base reflector and associated conductive traces for biasing.

Method of fabricating an optical modulator

An optical modulator used for optically modulating electromagnetic energy. The optical modulator comprises a substrate and three substantially planar reflectors arranged substantially mutually orthogonal to each other. The planar reflectors comprise a base reflector disposed substantially in the plane of the substrate and first and second side reflectors operably coupled to the base reflector. The optical modulator further comprises a pair of electrically conductive traces operably connected to the base reflector, an electrically conductive pad operably connected to each of the conductive traces, at least one material layer deposited on the base reflector by which its reflection properties may be altered or modulated with an applied voltage, and a biasing source operably coupled to said conductive pads for providing a modulated voltage to the base reflector.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Rudy Padilla