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Articles 31 - 60 of 184
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Modeling A Space-Based Quantum Link, Alexander W. Duchane
Modeling A Space-Based Quantum Link, Alexander W. Duchane
Theses and Dissertations
Quantum sources and single photon detectors have improved, allowing quantum algorithms for communication, encryption, computing, and sensing to transition from theory and small-scale laboratory experiments to field experiments. One such quantum algorithm, Quantum Key Distribution, uses optical pulses to generate shared random bit strings between two locations. These shared bit strings can be turned into encryption keys to be used as a one-time-pad or integrated with symmetric encryption techniques such as the Advanced Encryption Standard. This method of key generation and encryption is resistant to future advances in quantum computing which significantly degrade the effectiveness of current asymmetric key sharing …
Laser Heating Of Graphite And Pulsed Laser Ablation Of Titanium And Aluminum, William A. Bauer
Laser Heating Of Graphite And Pulsed Laser Ablation Of Titanium And Aluminum, William A. Bauer
Theses and Dissertations
Tactical missions for laser weapons include a wide variety of targets, increasing the demands on the laser lethality community. New approaches to reducing the dimensionality of laser and materials interactions are necessary to increase predictive capability. Self-contained systematic experimental study was conducted on continuous wave and pulsed laser interaction with graphite, Al, and Ti. The spectroscopy and plume dynamics from the heating and ablation of these materials was examined to characterize laser weapons effects, develop graphite response for thermal protection systems, and provide optical diagnostics for materials processing. Furthermore, analysis of ablated plume velocity distributions shows application of conventional Maxwell-Boltzmann …
Using Principal Component Analysis To Improve Fallout Characterization, Derek W. Haws
Using Principal Component Analysis To Improve Fallout Characterization, Derek W. Haws
Theses and Dissertations
Previous research conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has shown a correlation between actinide location and elemental composition in fallout from historic weapons testing. Fifty spherical fallout samples were collected from near ground zero of a surface burst weapons test. The samples were mounted in an aluminum puck then ground and polished to a hemisphere exposing the central plane. Physical morphologies of the samples ranged from clear to opaque with inclusions, voids, and/or uniform characteristics. Spectroscopy data were collected using optical microscopes and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with radioactivity recorded through …
Cavity Perturbation Technique Of 10 Ghz Cylindrical Resonator For Modeling Rf/Ir Sensor Radomes/Windows, Marvin-Ray Arida
Cavity Perturbation Technique Of 10 Ghz Cylindrical Resonator For Modeling Rf/Ir Sensor Radomes/Windows, Marvin-Ray Arida
Theses and Dissertations
The dielectric properties of candidate materials for radomes or sensor windows on hypersonic vehicles, which can reach temperatures above 1,500° Celsius when traveling greater than Mach 5, are required. Although there has been recent scientific interest in the temperature dependence of the dielectric constant, little is known for temperatures near 1,500° Celsius and above. Current research utilizes large laboratory-sized furnaces to achieve these temperatures. This also requires large sample sizes, which are expensive; such expense is greatly multiplied when sweeping through hundreds of materials for research and development. In an effort to reduce these costs, this thesis modeled a 7.0 …
The Fresnel Zone Light Field Spectral Imager, Francis D. Hallada
The Fresnel Zone Light Field Spectral Imager, Francis D. Hallada
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis provides a computational model and the first experimental demonstration of a Fresnel zone light field spectral imaging (FZLFSI) system. This type of system couples an axial dispersion binary diffractive optic with light field (plenoptic) camera designs providing a snapshot spectral imaging capability. A computational model of the system was developed based on wave optics methods using Fresnel propagation. It was validated experimentally and provides excellent demonstration of system capabilities. The experimentally demonstrated system was able to synthetically refocus monochromatic images across greater than a 100nm bandwidth. Furthermore, the demonstrated system was modeled to have a full range of …
Optical Theory Improvements To Space Domain Awareness, Tyler J. Hardy
Optical Theory Improvements To Space Domain Awareness, Tyler J. Hardy
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation focuses on increasing the ability to detect space objects and increase Space Domain Awareness (SDA) with space surveillance sensors through image processing and optical theory. SDA observations are collected through ground-based radar and optical systems as well as space based assets. This research focuses on a ground-based optical telescope system, the Space Surveillance Telescope (SST). By increasing the number of detectable Resident Space Objects (RSOs) through image processing, SDA capabilities can be expanded. This is accomplished through addressing two main degrading factors present in typical SDA sensors; spatial undersampling in the collected data and noise models and assumptions …
Laminar Flame Combustion Diagnostics Using Imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy, Michael R. Rhoby
Laminar Flame Combustion Diagnostics Using Imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy, Michael R. Rhoby
Theses and Dissertations
Laminar flames are an important tool in combustion diagnostics with a host of pre-existing experimental research methods. Currently, however, no method captures time-resolved scalar profile estimates of temperature, and major species concentrations with a single measurement. This work provides IFTS with the capability to measure time-resolved 3D imaging of scalar values in laminar axisymmetric flames. This will make IFTS a useful tool for understanding combustion phenomenon, validating chemical kinetic models, verifying numerical simulations, and system performance estimate. Two algorithms are presented. The first reconstructs spectra as a function of flame period. Through selectively averaging over an ensemble of measurements, interferograms …
Particle Image Velocimetry And Analysis Methods Using Cleanly Seeded Particles In Supersonic Flow, Paul A. Gulotta
Particle Image Velocimetry And Analysis Methods Using Cleanly Seeded Particles In Supersonic Flow, Paul A. Gulotta
Theses and Dissertations
Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was successfully conducted in the Air Force Research Lab Mach 3/ Mach 6 Facility (M3M6F) for the first time. Particle response experiments evaluating the performance of dry ice particles across an oblique shock wave were conducted using a 15 degree half-wedge in nominal Mach 3 flow. Solid carbon dioxide particles are generated through rapid expansion of liquid carbon dioxide via a small nozzle within a simple shroud tube or a tube containing static mixing elements. Particles are injected directly into the settling chamber of the Mach 3 tunnel. The particle response of carbon dioxide particles is …
Simulation, Design, And Test Of Square, Apodized Photon Sieves For High-Contrast, Exoplanet Imaging, Thomas W.N. Dickinson
Simulation, Design, And Test Of Square, Apodized Photon Sieves For High-Contrast, Exoplanet Imaging, Thomas W.N. Dickinson
Theses and Dissertations
A photon sieve is a lightweight, diffractive optic which is well-suited to be a deployable primary for a space telescope. Point spread functions (PSFs) can be altered by shaping and apodizing an aperture, and a PSF that drops rapidly from the peak is desirable for high-contrast imaging. For this reason, square apodized photon sieves were simulated, designed, and tested for high-contrast performance and use in an exoplanet imaging telescope. These sieves were shown to outperform conventional optics and unapodized sieves for high-contrast imaging in a number of tests. New methods were developed for apodizing sieves, measuring PSFs, and characterizing high-contrast …
Image-Based Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function Of Human Skin In The Visible And Near Infrared, Jeffrey R. Bintz
Image-Based Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function Of Human Skin In The Visible And Near Infrared, Jeffrey R. Bintz
Theses and Dissertations
Human detection is an important first step in locating and tracking people in many missions including SAR and ISR operations. Recent detection systems utilize hyperspectral and multispectral technology to increase the acquired spectral content in imagery and subsequently better identify targets. This research demonstrates human detection through a multispectral skin detection system to exploit the unique optical properties of human skin. At wavelengths in the VIS and NIR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, an individual can be identified by their unique skin parameters. Current detection methods base the skin pixel selection criteria on a diffuse skin reflectance model; however, it …
Experimental And Theoretical Basis For A Closed-Form Spectral Brdf Model, Samuel D. Butler
Experimental And Theoretical Basis For A Closed-Form Spectral Brdf Model, Samuel D. Butler
Theses and Dissertations
The microfacet class of BRDF models is frequently used to calculate optical scatter from realistic surfaces using geometric optics, but has the disadvantage of not being able to consider wavelength dependence. This dissertation works toward development of a closed-form approximation to the BRDF that is suitable for hyperspectral remote sensing by presenting measured BRDF data of 12 different materials at four different incident angles and up to seven different wavelengths between 3.39 and 10.6 micrometer. The data was intended to be fit to various microfacet BRDF models to determine an appropriate form of the wavelength scaling. However, when fitting the …
Photon Sieve Bandwidth Broadening By Reduction Of Chromatic Aberration Effects Using Second-Stage Diffractive Optics, Christopher M. Tulip
Photon Sieve Bandwidth Broadening By Reduction Of Chromatic Aberration Effects Using Second-Stage Diffractive Optics, Christopher M. Tulip
Theses and Dissertations
A photon sieve is a lightweight diffractive optic which can be useful for space-based imaging applications. It is limited by chromatic aberration and a narrow bandwidth. A Fresnel zone plate is used to counteract this effect in a manner similar to that accomplished with a traditional holographic corrector. First, a radiometric analysis established a target for bandwidth improvement. Next, a sieve was designed, fabricated, and characterized. Third, the bandwidth-broadening correction scheme was developed to correct primary chromatic aberration. Finally, a zone plate was designed, fabricated, and tested. Performance of the corrected system was measured over the target bandwidth. The corrected …
Range Finding With A Plenoptic Camera, Robert A. Raynor
Range Finding With A Plenoptic Camera, Robert A. Raynor
Theses and Dissertations
The plenoptic camera enables simultaneous collection of imagery and depth information by sampling the 4D light field. The light field is distinguished from data sets collected by stereoscopic systems because it contains images obtained by an N by N grid of apertures, rather than just the two apertures of the stereoscopic system. By adjusting parameters of the camera construction, it is possible to alter the number of these `subaperture images,' often at the cost of spatial resolution within each. This research examines a variety of methods of estimating depth by determining correspondences between subaperture images. A major finding is that …
Direct Emissivity Measurements Of Painted Metals For Improved Temperature Estimation During Laser Damage Testing, Sean M. Baumann
Direct Emissivity Measurements Of Painted Metals For Improved Temperature Estimation During Laser Damage Testing, Sean M. Baumann
Theses and Dissertations
A database of spectral, temperature dependent emissivities was created for a range of painted aluminum laser damage testing targets with the purpose of improving accuracy in temperature estimates on front and back target surfaces during laser damage tests. Previous temperature estimations were made by fitting an assumed graybody radiance curve to the radiance measured from the back surface via a Telops imaging Fourier transform spectrometer. In this work, spectral emissivity measurements were made using an SOC-100 hemispherical directional reflectometer and Nicolet Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Of particular interest was a high temperature matte black enamel paint used to coat the …
Model Uncertainty And Test Of A Segmented Mirror Telescope, Luke C. Dras
Model Uncertainty And Test Of A Segmented Mirror Telescope, Luke C. Dras
Theses and Dissertations
The future of large aperture telescopes relies heavily on the development of segmented array designs. Today's monolithic mirror technology has reached a barrier, particularly for space-based telescopes. These large diameter, dense mirrors allow stable high-resolution imaging but are incompatible with optimized space launch. Segmented mirror telescopes are designed to balance lightweight with compact stowage. The structure necessary to support the flexible mirror array often combines isogrid geometry and complex actuation hardware. High-fidelity finite element models are commonly used to economically predict how the optics will perform under different environmental conditions. The research detailed herein integrates superelement partitioning and complexity simplifying …
An Inverse Kinematic Approach Using Groebner Basis Theory Applied To Gait Cycle Analysis, Anum Barki
An Inverse Kinematic Approach Using Groebner Basis Theory Applied To Gait Cycle Analysis, Anum Barki
Theses and Dissertations
Kinematics of the human body was researched for the purposes of this study. The force protection issues of today was the motivation to research pattern recognition in the human gait cycle to identify individuals carrying a concealed load on their body. The goal of this research was to identify gait signatures of human subjects and distinguish between subjects carrying a concealed load to subjects without load. Thus, this research was focused on studying the human gait cycle as well as methods used in identifying gait signatures. The main focus herein is concerned with the movement of the lower extremities, in …
Cross Hallway Detection And Indoor Localization Using Flash Laser Detection And Ranging, Istvan M. Prileszky
Cross Hallway Detection And Indoor Localization Using Flash Laser Detection And Ranging, Istvan M. Prileszky
Theses and Dissertations
A flash LADAR is investigated as a source of navigation information to support cross-hallway detection and relative localization. To accomplish this, a dynamic, flexible simulation was developed that simulated the LADAR and the noise of a LADAR system. Using simulated LADAR data, algorithms were developed that were shown to be effective at detecting cross hallways in simulated ideal environments and in simulated environments with noise. Relative position was determined in the same situations. A SwissRanger SR4000 flash LADAR was then used to collect real data and to verify algorithm performance in real environments. Hallway detection was shown to be possible …
Implementation Of Branch-Point-Tolerant Wavefront Reconstructor For Strong Turbulence Compensation, Michael J. Steinbock
Implementation Of Branch-Point-Tolerant Wavefront Reconstructor For Strong Turbulence Compensation, Michael J. Steinbock
Theses and Dissertations
Branch points arise in optical transmissions due to strong atmospheric turbulence, long propagation paths, or a combination of both. Unfortunately, these conditions are very often present in desired operational scenarios for laser weapon systems, optical communication, and covert imaging, which suffer greatly when traditional adaptive optics systems either cannot sense branch points or implement non-optimal methods for sensing and correcting branch points. Previous research by Pellizzari presented a thorough analysis of various novel branch point tolerant reconstructors in the absence of noise. In this research a realistic model of the Air Force Institute of Technology's adaptive optics system is developed …
Application Of An Imaging Fourier-Transform Spectrometer For The Means Of Combustion Diagnostics, Michael R. Rhoby
Application Of An Imaging Fourier-Transform Spectrometer For The Means Of Combustion Diagnostics, Michael R. Rhoby
Theses and Dissertations
A passive remote sensing technique for accurately monitoring the combustion efficiency of petrochemical flares is greatly desired. A Phase II DOE-funded SBIR lead by Spectral Sciences, Inc. is underway to develop such a method. This paper presents an overview of the progress of AFIT's contribution. A Telops Hyper-Cam Mid-wave infrared imaging Fourier-transform spectrometer is used to examine a flame produced by a Hencken burner. Ethylene fuel was burned at four different equivalency ratios φ = 0:80; 0:91; 1:0 and 1:25. Presented is qualitative spectrally-resolved visualization of a Hencken burner flame and the spatial distribution of combustion by-products. The flame spectra …
Matrix Determination Of Reflectivity Of Hidden Object Via Indirect Photography, Simon S. Ferrel
Matrix Determination Of Reflectivity Of Hidden Object Via Indirect Photography, Simon S. Ferrel
Theses and Dissertations
Indirect photography is a recently demonstrated technique which expands on the principles of dual photography and allows for the imaging of hidden objects. A camera and light source are collocated with neither having line-of-sight access to the hidden object. Light from the source, a laser, is reflected off a visible non-specular surface onto the hidden object, where it is reflected back to the initial non-specular surface and collected by the camera. This process may be repeated numerous times for various laser spot positions to yield slightly different camera images due to a variation in the illumination of the object. These …
Electrical And Optical Characterization Of Si-Ge-Sn, Merle D. Hamilton
Electrical And Optical Characterization Of Si-Ge-Sn, Merle D. Hamilton
Theses and Dissertations
The electrical characterization of boron-doped p-Si0.08Ge0.90Sn0.02/p-Ge(100) and p-Si0.112Ge0.86Sn0.028/n-Si(100) with various epilayer thicknesses was measured using the Hall effect. The room temperature sheet carrier concentration ranged from 1.21 x 1013 – 1.32 x 1016 cm-2. The room temperature mobilities were measured to be between 166 and 717 cm2/V·s, depending on sample composition. In the low temperature regime, the mobility was mainly affected by ionized impurity scattering. In the high temperature regime, the mobility was mainly affected by …
The Focusing Of Light Scattered From Diffuse Reflectors Using Phase Modulation, Jessica M. Schafer
The Focusing Of Light Scattered From Diffuse Reflectors Using Phase Modulation, Jessica M. Schafer
Theses and Dissertations
“Indirect photography" was recently demonstrated for imaging hidden scene information through the collection and radiometric modeling of light reflecting off of visible reflecting surfaces. The ability to focus the beam that reflects off the visible surface to a tight spot on the hidden object is theorized to simulate a direct line of sight from the light source to the object, reducing the radiometric model to that of the previously demonstrated dual photography. Experiments involving the focusing of light transmitted through highly scattering media have been adapted to the case of reflection. The focusing of a HeNe laser reflected off diffusely …
Fdtd Simulation Of Novel Polarimetric And Directional Refelectance And Transmittance Measurements From Optical Nano- And Micro-Structured Materials, Spencer R. Sellers
Fdtd Simulation Of Novel Polarimetric And Directional Refelectance And Transmittance Measurements From Optical Nano- And Micro-Structured Materials, Spencer R. Sellers
Theses and Dissertations
The basic physics of nano-/micro-structured materials must be categorized through measurements and simulation to fully understand their scatter dependence on polarization and angle on incidence before they can be considered for war fighter applications. The off-normal incidence and polarization dependant scatter for a guided-mode resonance filter (GMRF) and a surface plasmonic polariton (SPP) extraordinary transmission filter is measured. The measurements are compared to finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulations. The GMRF is found to exhibit extraordinary angular scatter at the resonant coupled modes. An approximation is developed to predict the dependence of these modes on wavelength, incident angle and polarization. For …
Characterization Of A Hyperspectral Chromotomographic Imaging Ground System, Chad B. Su'e
Characterization Of A Hyperspectral Chromotomographic Imaging Ground System, Chad B. Su'e
Theses and Dissertations
A field-deployable hyperspectral chromotomographic imager has been developed and tested as a risk-reduction prototype to assist design of a space-based system. The instrument uses a high-speed video camera looking through a rotating direct-vision prism to simultaneously observe the full field of view in all visible wavelength channels. The chromotomographic process multiplexes the spectral and spatial so an advanced reconstruction algorithm is required to separate the spectral channels. A physics-based model of the instrument was developed to assist in future trade-space choices for design of the spaced-based system. Additionally, the model is used for the development and assessment of the filtered …
Background-Oriented Schlieren Pattern Optimization, Jeffery E. Hartberger
Background-Oriented Schlieren Pattern Optimization, Jeffery E. Hartberger
Theses and Dissertations
This paper describes a test series to investigate background patterns used for the Background-Oriented Schlieren field density measurement technique. Several varying background patterns were substituted under similar fluid density conditions to visualize and isolate the effects of patterns in the background images. A qualitative comparison was completed of the flow visualization results of each background pattern to categorize background conditions that improved the flow visualization image. Changes in background patterns revealed significant changes in flow visualization. Pattern contrast, spacing and sizing all played large parts in the quality of the visual density gradient imaging during the test series.
Integrated Approach To Free Space Optical Communications In Strong Turbulence, Jason A. Tellez
Integrated Approach To Free Space Optical Communications In Strong Turbulence, Jason A. Tellez
Theses and Dissertations
The propagation of a free space optical communication signal through atmospheric turbulence experiences random fluctuations in intensity, including signal fades which negatively impact the communications link performance. This research develops an analytical probability density function (PDF) to model the best case scenario of using multiple independent beams to reduce the intensity fluctuations. The PDF was further developed to account for partially correlated beams, such as would be experienced by beams having finite separation. The PDF was validated with results obtained from digital simulations as well as lab experiments. The research showed that as the number of transmitted beams increases the …
Modeling Self-Referencing Interferometers With Extended Beacons And Strong Turbulence, Daniel J. Wheeler
Modeling Self-Referencing Interferometers With Extended Beacons And Strong Turbulence, Daniel J. Wheeler
Theses and Dissertations
The overall purpose of this research was to better understand the performance of a self-referencing interferometer (SRI) when used with extended beacons in strong atmospheric turbulence. It was performed by assuming the extended beacon could be modeled as a Gaussian Schell-model beam, then analyzing the effect of propagating this beam through strong atmospheric turbulence. Since the operation of an SRI requires coupling this light into a single-mode optical fiber, analytic expressions of the mean and normalized variance of the coupling efficiency were derived. An improved noise model for the SRI was then developed that included all potential noise sources such …
Estimating Anthropometric Marker Locations From 3-D Ladar Point Clouds, Matthew J. Maier
Estimating Anthropometric Marker Locations From 3-D Ladar Point Clouds, Matthew J. Maier
Theses and Dissertations
An area of interest for improving the identification portion of the system is in extracting anthropometric markers from a Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) point cloud. Analyzing anthropometrics markers is a common means of studying how a human moves and has been shown to provide good results in determining certain demographic information about the subject. This research examines a marker extraction method utilizing principal component analysis (PCA), self-organizing maps (SOM), alpha hulls, and basic anthropometric knowledge. The performance of the extraction algorithm is tested by performing gender classification with the calculated markers.
Optical Flow-Based Odometry For Underground Tunnel Exploration, Terra Kier
Optical Flow-Based Odometry For Underground Tunnel Exploration, Terra Kier
Theses and Dissertations
As military operations in degraded or GPS-denied environments continue to increase in frequency and importance, there is an increased necessity to be able to determine precision location within these environments. Furthermore, authorities are finding a record number of tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border; therefore, underground tunnel characterization is becoming a high priority for U.S. Homeland Security as well. This thesis investigates the performance of a new image registration technique based on a two camera optical- flow configuration using phase correlation techniques. These techniques differ from other image based navigation methods but present a viable alternative increasing autonomy and answering the …
Polarimetric Enhancements To Electro-Optical Aided Navigation Techniques, Jeremiah D. Johnson
Polarimetric Enhancements To Electro-Optical Aided Navigation Techniques, Jeremiah D. Johnson
Theses and Dissertations
Navigation in indoor and urban environments by small unmanned systems is a topic of interest for the Air Force. The Advanced Navigation Technology Center at the Air Force Institute of Technology is continually looking for novel approaches to navigation in GPS deprived environments. Inertial sensors have been coupled with image aided concepts, such as feature tracking, with good results. However, feature density in areas with large, flat, smooth surfaces tends to be low. Polarimetric sensors have been used for surface reconstruction, surface characterization and outdoor navigation. This thesis combines aspects of some of these algorithms along with a realistic, micro-facet …