Ralph F Wuerker

US Patent:

40500357, Sep 20, 1977

Filed:

Feb 13, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/657794

Inventors:

Ralph F. Wuerker - Palos Verdes Estates CA
Lee O. Heflinger - Torrance CA

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

H01S 3081

US Classification:

331 945C

Abstract:

A laser of the type which generates linearly polarized light and including optical means for self-alignment. Among such polarized lasers are, for example, solid state lasers and particularly ruby lasers, as well as various gas lasers employing Brewster windows. The problem is solved by utilizing a corner reflector in the laser cavity which generates two parallel laser beams. In order to achieve effective laser operation the polarization determining aspect of the laser, that is the crystal axis or Brewster windows, must be so oriented with respect to the corner reflector that the laser beam in passing through the laser is so reflected by the corner reflector that the light will return through the laserable material with the same directon of polarization as that of the original laser beam generated by the laser.

US Patent:

42085829, Jun 17, 1980

Filed:

Dec 5, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/858329

Inventors:

Donald Arnush - Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Kenneth R. MacKenzie - Pacific Palisades CA
Ralph F. Wuerker - Palos Verdes Estates CA

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

B01D 5944
H01J 3934

US Classification:

250291

Abstract:

Isotope separation apparatus consisting of a plurality of cells disposed adjacent to each other in an evacuated container. A common magnetic field is established extending through all of the cells. A source of energetic electrons at one end of the container generates electrons which pass through the cells along the magnetic field lines. Each cell includes an array of collector plates arranged in parallel or in tandem within a common magnetic field. Sets of collector plates are disposed adjacent to each other in each cell. Means are provided for differentially energizing ions of a desired isotope by applying energy at the cyclotron resonant frequency of the desired isotope. As a result, the energized desired ions are preferentially collected by the collector plates.

US Patent:

40436748, Aug 23, 1977

Filed:

Oct 2, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/511334

Inventors:

James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Fletcher
Ralph F. Wuerker - Palos Verdes Estates CA
Lee O. Heflinger - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G02B 2700

US Classification:

350162SF

Abstract:

A spatial filtered Q-switched laser system is disclosed having means to prevent ionization of air in close proximity to the aperture of the spatial filter. A compound lens system having an astigmatic focus is disposed between the laser and the spatial filter for defocusing the light beam emanating from the laser in the vicinity of the aperture of the spatial filter to an intensity below that which produces ionization of air. The preferred construction of the compound lens system as viewed from the laser comprises a cylindrical lens and a pair of positive lenses.

US Patent:

39703908, Jul 20, 1976

Filed:

Nov 4, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/520600

Inventors:

Lee O. Heflinger - Torrance CA
Ralph F. Wuerker - Palos Verdes Estates CA

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

G01B 9025
H01S 310
G02B 2700

US Classification:

356109

Abstract:

A multifrequency laser oscillator which generates coherent light of two closely adjacent optical frequencies in rapid succession for recording contour holograms by the double exposure technique. The two light frequencies are selected by an optical intercavity frequency selector which is rotatable to a first position to select one frequency and to a second position to select the other frequency. The described laser oscillators have a ruby lasing medium and lase at the R. sub. 1 and R. sub. 2 transitions of the ruby resonant fluorescence.

US Patent:

39344614, Jan 27, 1976

Filed:

Sep 16, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/506642

Inventors:

Lee O. Heflinger - Torrance CA
Ralph F. Wuerker - Palos Verdes Estates CA
Robert E. Brooks - Redondo Beach CA

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

G01B 1116
G01B 902

US Classification:

73 713

Abstract:

Apparatus and method wherein a photographic plate is doubly exposed by pulsed laser illumination to record successive instants in the history of an object under consideration. The doubly exposed plate is then developed and the photograph or hologram is used to reproduce the object in full three-dimensional detail including subtle changes in the object in the form of interference fringes where the hologram is illuminated with continuous laser illumination.

US Patent:

58868003, Mar 23, 1999

Filed:

Apr 15, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/047863

Inventors:

Robert Aprahamian - Hermosa Beach CA
George L. Clark - Manhattan Beach CA
Lee O. Heflinger - Torrance CA
Jesper Munch - BelAir, AU
Ralph Frederick Wuerker - Westlake Village CA

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

G02B 532
G02B 2608

US Classification:

359 16

Abstract:

A technique for correcting wavefront aberrations introduced by large primary optical elements in portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The aberrations of the primary element are first transferred to a beacon beam and this aberrated beam is interfered with a reference beam in a holographic medium. These beams are then turned off and a beam from a distant object, containing the same aberrations, is allowed to diffract from the hologram. The diffracted beam from the hologram contains the image of the distant object with aberrations removed. Use of this technique permits the construction of large optical elements inexpensively, since surface tolerances of the elements can be substantially relaxed.