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Introduction
The Electro-Optics Core Technology Center (CTC) is an industry leader in high-reliability,
high-performance, electro-optic devices supporting today's military, government,
and commercial customers.
The Electro-Optics CTC was the first Core Technology Center
recognized by Harris. Since its inception, the creative work at the Electro-Optics
CTC has resulted in the award of more than 44 electro-optics related patents, including
some of the very first acousto-optics patents ever granted.
Today, the Electro-Optics
CTC is a core team comprised of over 70 scientists, engineers, technicians, and
specialists, holding advanced degrees in optics, physics, and engineering disciplines.
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Optical Ray-Trace Design
for High-Performance Lens
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Numerical Element Construct
for Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
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Corresponding Optical
Base-Plate Design
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Mission
The mission of the Electro-Optics CTC is to support, enhance, and grow Harris' core
communications business through research and innovations in optics and photonics
technologies.
Technology Disciplines
The Electro-Optics CTC is home to talented individuals with collective experience
and education in: optics, photonics, physics, mechanical engineering, electrical
engineering, eoftware engineering, controls, and testing.
Technology Thrust
Over the last 30 years, the CTC has produced a wide range of devices including:
- Q-switches
- Cavity dumpers
- Mode lockers
- Acousto-optic modulators
- Beam deflectors
- Wave guides
- Wave lockers
- Optical spectrum analyzers
- WDM transponders
- Integrated fiberoptic components
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Highly-specialized devices for military and government applications
Currently, the EO CTC is performing research and development in the following areas:
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Variety of EO Products, including Miniature Optics, shown in relation to a dime
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- High-end lens design
- Gradient Index (GRIN) lens design
- Holographic and Diffractive Optical Elements (DOE)
- Multi-degree-of-freedom miniature positioners/actuators
- Fiberoptic devices and technologies
- EDFA (fiber) technologies
- High resolution scanning and recording systems
- Reconfigurable WDM test beds
- Ti-diffusion and APE lithium niobate waveguides
- Free space optics
- Real-time extremely sensitive receivers
- RF-channelized receiver technology
- Wideband EO modulators
- Optical signal processing
- Acousto-optic technology
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Bragg cells
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Academia and Industry Relations
The Electro-Optics CTC supports close ties with the University of Central Florida's
CREOL, Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers, and FPCE, the Florida
Photonics Core Technology Center. In addition, members of the EO CTC sit on several
industry committees, including OIF and the ITU.
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Facilities and Resources
The CTC's advanced research and development facilities are housed within a 22,000
square foot building on the Palm Bay campus. The CTC building includes 10 optics
laboratories, 3 electronic laboratories, and over 4,000 square feet of optical component
fabrication shops which allow for grinding, polishing, optical surface metrology,
vacuum-deposition, reactive-ion milling and bonding, and high-precision, specialty
machining. State-of-the-art optical communications and electronic equipment provide
the CTC team with the most advanced equipment in the industry.
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One of the Fiber-Optic Test Beds in the EO CTC
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Design and Analysis Tools
The EO CTC multidiscipline team works with industry leading design tools, including:
BeamProp, CodeV, BeamView, ZeMax, Virtual Photonics Suite, MatLab and MathCad, as
well as a wide variety of tools for designing, building, and testing custom mechanical
components and device electronics.
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Electro-Optic Design, Simulation, and Analysis
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Fiber Analysis
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8-Channel Mode Locker
Design and Actual
Device
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Conclusion
The Electro-Optics CTC provides high-performance, cutting-edge, precise, and reliable
electro-optic components to commercial, government, and military customers. Our
range of extraordinary, high-performance solutions are made possible through the
combined talents of scientists, engineers, and specialists working closely together
through the analysis, design, construction, and testing of our products. Our goal
is to continue to provide assured communications™ for current and future
electro-optic applications.
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