Physics Commons^™

System Design Analysis Of A Lightweight Laser Satellite Terminal, Brian C. Page

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the technological feasibility of a man- portable satellite laser communications system. Areas of interest were an end- to-end system analysis on the communications link evaluation of atmospheric effects and evaluation of semi-conductor lasers as the laser source. A literature search revealed that satellite laser communication research is primarily directed at inter-satellite links. There have been some proposed systems for space-to-ground laser communications systems, but they all utilize large fixed ground stations. The focus of this research effort is directed at a small man-portable ground station capitalizing on recent advances in semiconductor laser devices. Baseline satellite communication systems …

Spectroscopic And Vibrational Energy Transfer Studies In Molecular Bromine, Courtney D. Holmberg

Theses and Dissertations

Vibrational transfer and electronic quenching in the lower vibrational levels (v' < 3) of the B³π(0_u⁺) state of ⁷⁹Br₂ were investigated using spectrally resolved, temporally resolved laser induced fluorescence techniques. Spectrally resolved emissions from collisionally populated Br₂(B) vibrational levels were observed for Br₂ and rare gas collision partners. Vibrational transfer was efficient in the non-predissociative vibrational levels and was adequately described by the Montroll-Shuler model for harmonic oscillators. A single fundamental rate coefficient for vibrational transfer from v' = 1 to v' = 0, k_v(1,0), characterizes vibrational relaxation. For Br₂, the …

Optical Wavelet Transform For Fingerprint Identification, Robert P. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI has recently sanctioned a wavelet fingerprint image compression algorithm developed for reducing storage requirements of digitized fingerprints. This research implements an optical wavelet transform of a fingerprint image, as the first step in an optical fingerprint identification process. Wavelet filters are created from computer generated holograms of biorthogonal wavelets, the same wavelets implemented in the FBI algorithm. Using a detour phase holographic technique, a complex binary filter mask is created with both symmetry and linear phase. The wavelet transform is implemented with continuous shift using an optical correlation between binarized fingerprints written on a …

Hyperspectral Analysis Of Space Objects: Signal To Noise Evaluation, Daniel Hrovat

Theses and Dissertations

Hyperspectral analysis of space objects is being considered as a means of enhancing Space Object Identification. SOI capabilities. This study develops a mathematical simulation based on fundamental radiometry principles to evaluate the feasibility of hyperspectral analysis of space objects. The study uses Signal to Noise Ratio SNR as the basis for the feasibility evaluation, and addresses the question Is there enough target signal in narrow wavelength bandwidths to conduct hyperspectral measurements of space objects The analysis characterizes the target signal and noise sources using fundamental radiometry, and develops a flexible radiometry model which calculates the target signal count rate, and …

Color Image Segmentation, Kimberley A. Mccrae

Theses and Dissertations

The most difficult stage of automated target recognition ATR is segmentation. Current AFIT segmentation problems include faces and tactical targets previous efforts to segment these objects have used intensity and motion cues. This thesis develops a color preprocessing scheme to be used with the other segmentation techniques. A neural network is trained to identify the color of a desired object, eliminating all but that color from the scene. Gabor correlations and 2D wavelet transformations will be performed on stationary images and 3D wavelet transforms on multispectral data will incorporate color and motion detection into the machine visual system. The thesis …

Objective Image Quality Metrics: Applications For Partially Compensated Images Of Space Objects, David J. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Digital image reconstruction tasks currently require human intervention for a subjective evaluation of image quality. A method for unsupervised measurement of digital image quality is desired. This research investigated various parameters metrics that can be automatically extracted from a digital image and tested how well they correlated with image quality. Specifically, images of orbiting satellites captured by a partially compensated adaptive optics telescope were dealt with. Two different types of quantities were investigated 1) Fourier spectral parameters, based on the spatial- frequency sensitivities of the HVS; and 2) Histogram shape parameters i.e image statistical moments giving quantitative insight into the …

Sensitivity Improvement Of A 1-Μm Ladar System Incorporating An Active Optical Fiber Preamplifier, Michael S. Salisbury, Paul F. Mcmanamon, Bradley D. Duncan

Electro-Optics and Photonics Faculty Publications

In an effort to increase the SNR of a continuous wave, 1-μm all solid state ladar system, a rare-earth-doped optical fiber amplifier is investigated as a preamplifier for ladar return signals. The experimental system is detailed and a theoretical analysis of the fiber amplifier's effect on both heterodyne and direct detection schemes is provided. Beginning with the optical powers incident on the detector, the signal and noises are analyzed, through the detector electronics, to predict the SNR. The SNR is then plotted as a function of the return signal power, and a SNR threshold is defined to determine a minimum …

Proposal For A Dod Combined Battlefield Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Initiative, George H. Baker Iii

Department of Integrated Science and Technology - Faculty Scholarship

The presentation emphasizes the growing importance of electromagnetic survivability and compatibility. Operation Desert Storm demonstrated the clear military advantage provided by sophisticated electronic weapon and communication systems. In addition, the offensive tactic of taking out the enemy's eyes and ears during the air war paid off, giving our military decisive air superiority. The lessons for the future are clear. High-tech electronics now so dominates the battlefield that the outcome of future conflicts could well be decided by electronics attrition rather than human casualties. Our Desert Storm experience thus accentuates the importance of guaranteeing that our electronic systems will not be …

Electronic Simulation Of The Temporal Characteristics Of Photon Memory Echoes And Some Related Applications, Yuwen Kuo, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The characteristics of nonlinear photon memory echoes are investigated by means of SPICE simulations using equivalent resonator ensembles. By developing implicit nonlinear circuit models in the memory echo domain, the triple product formalism of electronic holography, involving correlation and convolution, is tested for the storage and recall of arbitrary signals and/or data bit streams in both time-inverted and nontime-inverted modes. Furthermore, a few specific optical data processing applications are also simulated in which the mixed binary multiplication of two or more binary bit streams is achieved.

Higher order products, optical pattern recognition, and other possible applications are also discussed. It …

Low‐Cost Technique For Preparing N‐Sb2S3/P‐Si Heterojunction Solar Cells, O. Savadogo, K. C. Mandal

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Photopolarimeter Based On Planar Grating Diffraction, R. M.A. Azzam, K. A. Giardina

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

A division-of-amplitude photopolarimeter (DOAP) is described that employs a diffraction grating in the conventional spectrometer orientation with the grating grooves normal to the plane of incidence. Four coplanar diffracted orders are used for polarimetric analysis to determine all four Stokes parameters of incident light simultaneously and virtually instantaneously (with the speed being determined solely by the photodetectors and their associated electronics); a fifth order is used for alignment by autocollimation or by use of a position-sensing quadrant detector. To sensitize the instrument for the +45° and -45° azimuths of incident linearly polarized light and for the handedness of incident circular …

Electrostatic Positioning Of Droplets In Turbulent Flows (Lstm 375/Te/93), Nihad E. Daidzic, Adrian Melling

Aviation Department Publications

Report LSTM 375/TE/93, Lehrstuhl fuer Stroemungsmechanik Universitaet Erlangen-Nuernberg Cauerstr. 4, 8520 Erlangen Germany.

Temporal Development Of Electric Field Structures In Photoconductive Gaas Switches, K. H. Schoenbach, J. S. Kenney, F.E. Peterkin, R. J. Allen

Bioelectrics Publications

The temporal development of the electric field distribution in semi‐insulating GaAs photoconductive switches operated in the linear and lock‐on mode has been studied. The field structure was obtained by recording a change in the absorption pattern of the switch due to the Franz–Keldysh effect at a wavelength near the band edge of GaAs. In the linear mode, a high field layer develops at the cathode contact after laser activation. With increasing applied voltage, domainlike structures become visible in the anode region and the switch transits into the lock‐on state, a permanent filamentary electrical discharge. Calibration measurements show the field intensity …

A Magnetic Suspension System With A Large Angular Range, Colin P. Britcher, Mehran Ghofrani

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

In order to explore and develop technology required for the magnetic suspension of objects over large ranges of orientation, a small-scale laboratory system, the large-angle magnetic suspension test fixture (LAMSTF) has been constructed at NASA Langley Research Center. This apparatus falls into the category of large-gap, actively stabilized magnetic levitation systems. The hardware comprises five conventional electromagnets in a circular arrangement, each driven from a separate bipolar power amplifier. Electromagnet currents are commanded by a digital control system, implemented on a microcomputer, which in turn derives the position and attitude of the suspended element from an infrared optical system. The …

Direct Measurements Of The Transport Of Nonequilibrium Electrons In Gold Films With Different Crystal Structures, T. Juhasz, H. E. Elsayed-Ali, G. O. Smith, C. Suárez, W. E. Bron

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The transport of femtosecond-laser-excited nonequilibrium electrons across polycrystalline and single-crystalline gold films has been investigated through time-of-flight measurements. The thicknesses of the films range from 25 to 400 nm. Ballistic electrons as well as electrons interacting with other electrons and/or with the lattice have been observed. The ballistic component dominates the transport in the thinner films, whereas the interactive transport mechanism is dominant at the upper end of the thickness range. A slower effective velocity of the interactive component is observed in the polycrystalline samples, and is assumed to arise from the presence of grain boundaries. The reflection coefficient of …

Paschen's Law For A Hollow Cathode Discharge, H. Eichhorn, K. H. Schoenbach, T. Tessnow

Bioelectrics Publications

An expression for the breakdown voltage of a one‐dimensional hollow cathode discharge has been derived. The breakdown condition which corresponds to Paschen’s law contains, in addition to the first Townsend coefficient, and the secondary electron emission coefficient two parameters which characterize the reflecting action of the electric field and the lifetime of the electrons in the discharge. The breakdown voltage for a hollow cathode discharge in helium was calculated and compared to that of a glow discharge operating under similar conditions.

The Effects Of Granularity On The Microwave Surface Impedance Of High Kappa Superconductors, Stephen Keith Remillard

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The microwave surface impedance of granular high temperature superconductors is an important figure of merit for technological applications. Because the behavior of the granular materials deviates significantly from that of the ideal defect free superconductors, the loss mechanisms are not fully understood. This dissertation seeks to quantify the contribution of granularity to centimeter wave and millimeter wave losses. By understanding these losses, the superconductive coupling between neighboring grains can also be understood.;The weakly coupled grain model is used as a phenomenological description of the microwave surface impedance. The granular superconducting surface is modelled as an effective resistively shunted Josephson junction. …

Sliding Mode Control Of The Systems With Uncertain Direction Of Control Vector, Sergey V. Drakunov

Sergey V. Drakunov

No abstract provided.