# US H1,354 H · Optical data transducer

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- Number: US H1,354 H
- Document ID: USH1354H
- Status: Granted
- Kind: H
- Application number: 07/772,199
- Filed: 1991-10-07
- Granted: 1994-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 1991-10-07
- Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
- Inventors: Otto R. Martinez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/USH1354H

## Abstract

An optical data transducer system is described which comprises a cryogenic dewar for containing an infrared focal plane array at low temperature and an optical spatial light modulator, collimated laser beam and associated optical train and detector for efficient extraction of information from the array.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cryogenic data transducer system, comprising:
(a) a cryogenic dewar having optical window means therein for admitting an optical signal and a probe beam;
(b) an infrared focal plane array disposed within said dewar near said optical window means for receiving an optical signal from external of said dewar;
(c) a spatial light modulator disposed within said dewar near said optical window means, said spatial light modulator being operatively connected to said infrared focal plane array;
(d) a source of a collimated laser beam source and optical means for directing a probe beam from said source onto said spatial light modulator through said optical window means and directing a reflected beam external of said dewar from said spatial light modulator; and
(e) detection means for detecting and analyzing said reflected beam.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a cryogen within said dewar for maintaining the temperature of said infrared focal plane array below about -200.degree.C.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 wherein said cryogen is selected from the group consisting of liquid argon, liquid nitrogen and liquid helium.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said spatial light modulator comprises a deformable mirror array operatively connected to said infrared focal plane array and responsive thereto.

### Claim 5

In a cryogenic data transducer system including a cryogenic dewar and an infrared sensor array disposed within the dewar for receiving an optical signal external of the dewar, an improvement comprising:
(a) optical window means on said dewar for admitting a probe beam;
(b) a spatial light modulator disposed within said dewar near said optical window means, said spatial light modulator being operatively connected to and responsive to said infrared sensor array;
(c) a source of a collimated laser beam source and optical means for directing a probe beam from said source onto said spatial light modulator through said optical window means and directing a reflected beam external of said dewar from said spatial light modulator; and
(d) detection means for detecting and analyzing said reflected beam.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The improvement of claim 5 further comprising a cryogen within said dewar for maintaining the temperature of said infrared focal plane array below about -200.degree. C.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The improvement of claim 6 wherein said cryogen is selected from the group consisting of liquid argon, liquid nitrogen and liquid helium.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The improvement of claim 5 wherein said spatial light modulator comprises a deformable mirror array operatively connected to said infrared focal plane array and responsive thereto.