Sensors
Displaying technologies 1 - 8 of 55 in totalRemote passive sensing of a vibration signature using modulated light US8488123
AFRL has developed an optical detector that senses the intensity of scattered light reflected by a surface coupled to a vibration source. If the vibration source is operating, the coupled surface vibrates at the same frequency. The vibration signature of the vibration source, if present, is discerned from a graphical display of the foregoing function.
Air Force Research Laboratory- Directed Energy Directorate (RD)
Kirtland AFB, NM
Liquid Crystal Based Detection of Nucleic Acid Hybridization at the Fluid Interface
This technology describes methods for detecting hybridization of nucleic acids using liquid crystals (LC) and cationic surfactant monolayers without the need for molecular labels and/or complex diagnostic equipment. Orientation of LC molecules is extraordinarily sensitive to physical and chemical properties of a bounding interface and the long range order inherent in LC phases serves to amplify surface-induced ordering for macroscopic differences; thus the bulk re-orientation of LCs as the reaction (DNA hybridization) proceeds generates an optical signal that can be used to detect the hybridization. This response, and the technology, is apparently independent of sequence and thus should be applicable to any target nucleic acid. While the system has not been optimized, University of Colorado researchers have demonstrated that the technology can differentiate a one base pair mismatch in a 16mer target at a sensitivity of 50 fmol. While this sensitivity cannot currently compete with that using standard fluorescence scanning, expensive equipment is not needed and thus would permit the adaptation for use in home, point-of-care, or field-based assays. As can be seen below, LCs can detect exactly where DNA hybrids are located (a), as confirmed by fluorescence microscopy (b).
University of Colorado at Boulder
Variable radius multi-lamp illumination system
AFRL has developed electric lamps that are mounted by lamp arms to lamp pulleys that are, in turn, mounted to a rigid frame. A motor-driven belt synchronously rotates the lamps via frictional contact with the lamp pulleys to position the lamps to optimally illuminate a target surface.
Air Force Research Laboratory- Directed Energy Directorate (RD)
Kirtland AFB, NM
Seeded Raman amplifier in linear configuration for laser applications in the 1100-1500 nm spectral range
AFRL has developed a Raman amplifier having a novel design enabling high Raman conversion efficiencies and output powers in addition to linewidths, which can be controllable by a seed source. In this technology, a rare-earth-doped Raman amplifier can be spliced directly onto a Raman resonator system. To increase the efficiency of the system, a highly reflective Bragg grating centered at the pump wavelength can be included downstream from the Raman fiber to enable reflection of any unused pump light back through the Raman fiber. This offset can be accomplished in various ways to include temperature, bending, stretching, etc.
Air Force Research Laboratory- Directed Energy Directorate (RD)
Kirtland AFB, NM
Method and apparatus for simulating a photon-counting detector array as used in a communication link
AFRL has developed t he Air Force Photon-Counting Communication Simulator, Static ("AFPCS") is a tool and method that allows the user to set conditions for a communications link, set characteristic values of a photon-counting detector array, simulate the resulting link, observe a summary analysis of the simulated detector and link activity, and extract a record of the detector activity (e.g. each photon counted), making it available for further analysis.
Air Force Research Laboratory- Directed Energy Directorate (RD)
Kirtland AFB, NM
Detection of rocket body through an active firing plume
AFRL has developed an apparatus and a method for intercepting a rocket body during boost phase. The unmodulated photon energy detected by a sensor, signature of the rocket body, may be utilized by a fire control system for tracking, targeting and aiming munitions at the firing rocket body.
Air Force Research Laboratory- Directed Energy Directorate (RD)
Kirtland AFB, NM
Generating narrow linewidth 1178 NM laser output using a seeded raman amplifier
AFRL has developed a broad line width, zeroth Stokes order 1069 nm pump and a narrow line width second Stokes order 1178 nm seed propagate through a wavelength division multiplexer and then through a rare-earth-doped amplifier.
Air Force Research Laboratory- Directed Energy Directorate (RD)
Kirtland AFB, NM
Sensor assemblies using redundant two-dimensional detector arrays
AFRL has developed a sensor assembly that replaces a single focal plane array detector with two focal plane array detectors orientated with respect to each other such that a power splitter divides an incoming light source equally between each detector.
Air Force Research Laboratory- Directed Energy Directorate (RD)
Kirtland AFB, NM
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