A communication device for a vehicle which can transmit information in the form of light signals to other road users, wherein the communication device has at least one light source from which light emerges when operating the communication device, and controllable light influencer which selectively deflect or reflect or shade at least a portion of the light emanating from the at least one light source such that the at least one portion of the light exits the communication device as a light signal, or wherein the communication device comprises an array of light sources that can selectively generate light that at least partially emerges as a light signal from the communication device.

Disclosed systems and methods for the remote detection of atmospheric gas may include (1) receiving, at a collector, thermal infrared energy from at least one atmospheric column, (2) receiving, at optical subsystems, the thermal infrared energy over optical paths, (3) focusing the thermal infrared energy onto diffraction gratings that disperse the thermal infrared energy at a wavelength within a mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) spectral region and a wavelength within a long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectral region, (4) receiving, at detectors, the thermal infrared energy dispersed from the diffraction gratings within the MWIR spectral region and the LWIR spectral region, (5) determining spectral component data associated with the thermal infrared energy in the MWIR spectral region and the LWIR spectral region, (6) sending the spectral component data to a computing device, and (7) identifying an atmospheric gas based on the spectral component data.

An optical system includes a first optical element including a first reflecting region having a convex shape toward an enlargement side, a second optical element having a reduction-side surface having a convex shape toward the enlargement side, and a third optical element having an enlargement-side surface having a convex shape toward the enlargement side, wherein the reduction-side surface of the second optical element or the enlargement-side surface of the third optical element includes a second reflecting region, wherein the third optical element includes a refracting region having positive power, and wherein light from the enlargement side proceeds to a reduction side sequentially through a refracting region of the first optical element, the second reflecting region, the first reflecting region, a refracting region of the second optical element, and the refracting region of the third optical element.

An optical system includes a first optical element including a refractive surface convex to an enlargement side, a second optical element including a catadioptric surface convex to the enlargement side, a third optical element including a reflective surface of a concave shape with respect to light incident thereon, and a fourth optical element that is a refractive element having positive power, wherein light from the enlargement side travels to a reduction side via the refractive surface, a reflective region of the catadioptric surface, the refractive surface, the reflective surface, the refractive surface, a refractive region of the catadioptric surface, and the fourth optical element in succession, and wherein a medium between the refractive surface and the reflective surface has a refractive index lower than that of the first optical element.

A bidirectional optical power monitor is disclosed that is used as an in-line monitor along a section of bidirectional optical fiber. The optical power monitor includes a bidirectional assembly of a lensing arrangement with a partially reflective element coupled to an output of the lensing arrangement. The reflective element directs small portions of optical signals propagating in each direction into separate ones of a pair of photodiodes (allowing for simultaneous measurement of power propagating in both directions along an optical fiber). The reflective element directs the majority of the optical signals through the lensing arrangement a second time and thereafter coupled into the proper section of optical fiber such that a continuity of signal propagation direction is maintained.

A catadioptric optical system operates in a wide spectral range. In an embodiment, the catadioptric optical system includes a first reflective surface positioned and configured to reflect radiation; a second reflective surface positioned and configured to reflect radiation reflected from the first reflective surface as a collimated beam, the second reflective surface having an aperture to allow transmission of radiation through the second reflective surface; and a channel structure extending from the aperture toward the first reflective surface and having an outlet, between the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface, to supply radiation to the first reflective surface.

Disclosed systems and methods for the remote detection of atmospheric gas may include (1) receiving, at a collector, thermal infrared energy from at least one atmospheric column, (2) receiving, at optical subsystems, the thermal infrared energy over optical paths, (3) focusing the thermal infrared energy onto diffraction gratings that disperse the thermal infrared energy at a wavelength within a mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) spectral region and a wavelength within a long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectral region, (4) receiving, at detectors, the thermal infrared energy dispersed from the diffraction gratings within the MWIR spectral region and the LWIR spectral region, (5) determining spectral component data associated with the thermal infrared energy in the MWIR spectral region and the LWIR spectral region, (6) sending the spectral component data to a computing device, and (7) identifying an atmospheric gas based on the spectral component data.

An optical system for light distribution. The optical system includes at least a reflective surface, at least two refracting surfaces, at least one inner lens and an outer lens. The optical system provides high efficiency collection and distribution of light.

Focus assemblies for laser radar are situated to receive a measurement beam that is focused at or in the focus assemblies. In some examples, focus assemblies include a corner cube and a return reflector, and the measurement beam is focused on, at, or within the corner cube or return reflector. A polarizing beam splitter and a quarter wave plate can be situated so that an input measurement beam and an output measurement beam can be separated.

Apparatus can include an input aperture configured to provide an input beam, primary optics configured to collimate the input beam, a grism situated to receive the collimated input beam and to produce a wavelength dispersed beam, and secondary optics configured to receive and direct the wavelength dispersed beam to a detector. Primary optics can include a primary reflector including an off-axis parabolic mirror, wherein the off-axis parabolic mirror is configured to produce the collimated input beam. Secondary optics can include a first secondary reflector and a second secondary reflector, wherein the first secondary reflector is situated to receive and reflect the wavelength dispersed beam to the second secondary reflector and the second secondary reflector is situated to receive and direct the wavelength dispersed beam to the detector.