The penlight-sized device uses a sensor head connected through an optical fiber to a laser, photodetector, and signal processor. The laser transmits light to the sensor head. A Pockels effect transducer changes laser light polarization when exposed to an electric field. A retroreflective coating returns laser light back through the transducer, increasing sensitivity measurement. A polarizing beamsplitter separates the laser light into two beams sent by the optical fiber to the detector.
Voltage indicated by the electric field is determined by the signal processor data analysis.
Sensors, November 1998. The device incorporates a three-button lock powered by a lithium ion battery mounted into the gun handle. The lock is operated by the operator's thumb so that if the correct code is entered, the gun becomes operational. Lockout of the mechanism electronics occurs with multiple entries of the wrong code. If the gun is dropped or reholstered with the grip safety released, the gun is automatically relocked.