Photonics/​Optics

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Heteroepitaxy with Large Lattice Mismatch

A process for the growth of single-crystal (epitaxial) multilayer films has been developed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division. This process is predicated on the preparation of a...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Methods of Manufacturing Fiber Optic Components

The methods described are used with existing fiber optic technologies, and are based on several patents and on disclosures now before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The patents are No....

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Fiber Laser Amplifiers with Broad Applications

The Boeing Company has developed fiber-laser-amplifier technology representing the latest in diode-laser-pumped systems, providing high output power, high brightness, tunability,...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Semimonolithic Cavities for Optical Frequency Conversion

Semimonolithic resonant structures external to lasers have been proposed for use in optical frequency-conversion applications - for example, doubling the frequencies of laser beams....

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Micromachined Interferometric Optoelectronic Display Devices

Devices containing planar arrays of micromachined, electrostatically adjustable Fabry-Perot interferometers are undergoing development. These devices could be designed, for...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Active Fiber Optic Microelectromechanical Systems Aligner

As currently practiced, packaging of individual optoelectronic components accounts for 40-50 percent of product cost. The development of higher-volume, lower-cost optoelectronic...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Enhancements to Fiber Optic Bragg Grating Sensors and Demodulation Systems

The Boeing Company has developed and patented certain enhancements to commercially available Bragg grating sensors and demodulation systems. These patents (Nos....

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Variable-Wavelength Micromachined Fabry-Perot Interferometers

The figure schematically shows a micromachined Fabry-Perot interferometer that, when fully developed, would be part of a two-dimensional array of such interferometers in a...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Room-Temperature External-Cavity Diode Lasers at 2.0 µm

External-cavity diode lasers (ECDLs) have been commercially available for several years. Since their introduction, they have found applications ranging from telecommunications to...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Making Single-Crystal Fibers in a Laser-Heated Floating Zone

Figure 1 shows an apparatus for growing a single-crystal fiber by solidification from a floating zone of laser-heated molten material on the tip of a feed rod. The apparatus can...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Microburst Automatic Detection (MAD™)

The portable, easily expandable Microburst Automatic Detection (MAD) system can dramatically improve aviation safety. Mimicking the reasoning of a human observer on the lookout for weather hazards,...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Autostereoscopic Displays for Scientific Visualization

Many types of scientific images and data are complex and are easier to interpret when observed in three dimensions. This is especially true for information presented visually in the form...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Line-Focus Photovoltaic Module With Solid Secondary Optics

The figure illustrates aspects of a lightweight, relatively inexpensive solar photovoltaic module suitable for use on Earth or in outer space in conjunction with at least a...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Endoscopic Shearography Inspection

An imaging method to detect flaws in composite pressure vessels used in the aerospace industry has been developed. Solid-rocket-motor casings and fuel or oxidizer tanks for liquid rocket motors can now be...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Thermal-Desorption X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Thermal-desorption x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (TDXPS) is a technique in which the thermal aspect of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is combined with non-angle-resolved x-ray...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Optical Processing Furnace

NREL scientists have developed an optical processing furnace that combines photonic effects of light with heat to selectively induce reactions at far lower temperatures than they would be if caused by heat alone....

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Transmitting Data Signals via Fiber-Optic Power Lines

Data signals can be transmitted via the same optical fibers that are used to transmit power from base stations to remote stations containing sensors and associated circuitry. [A prototype...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Multicolor Transceiver for Optoelectronic Communication

A great increase in the effectiveness of fiber optic systems is possible with a device that allows for simultaneous two-way signalling of multiple data streams on a single optical...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Multimode Optical Fiber as Imaging Probe

A proposed electro-optical image-processing system would enable remote viewing of an object through a multimode optical fiber, as though the fiber were a conventional image-transmitting optic like a...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

A High-Repetition-Rate Optical Communications Source

High-speed communications, medical applications, and semiconductor processing would all benefit from a laser that can produce stable, high-repetition-rate pulses at 1.55 micrometers. One...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Transmitting Power to Sensor Circuitry via Modulated Light

Modulated (as opposed to steady) light can be used in the optical transmission of power to remotely located sensor circuitry in a system like that described in the preceding...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

General-Purpose Optically Powered Sensor and Control System

The figure schematically illustrates a prototype general-purpose, microprocessor-based sensor and control system in which power, data, and control signals are transmitted via...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Measuring Flow Using Spectrally Resolved Rayleigh Scattering

An experimental study has been conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of using spectrally resolved Rayleigh scattering to nonintrusively measure the instantaneous properties of...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Pulse Shepherding in Nonlinear Fiber Optics

Pulse shepherding is a nonlinear signal-propagation phenomenon that can occur when several pulses of light at different wavelengths are launched simultaneously or nearly simultaneously along the...