Senior Scientist Daniel Platus Gains

Patent for Thermal Testing Method

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (3/2/98) -- Daniel Platus, senior scientist in the Mechanics and Propulsion Department, has been awarded a U.S. patent for inventing a method of thermally testing high-velocity sapphire flight windows without degrading optical surface properties. The invention employs a laser to simulate loading stresses experienced in flight from heat.

Sapphire windows are used in high-speed missiles, missile interceptors, seekers, rockets and atmospheric reentry vehicles to track incoming targets.