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Articles 1 - 30 of 178
Full-Text Articles in Physics
Fitting Solar Panel Brdf Parameters To Out-Of-Plane Empirical Data, Michael R. Gross
Fitting Solar Panel Brdf Parameters To Out-Of-Plane Empirical Data, Michael R. Gross
Theses and Dissertations
The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) describes material reflectance by describing how incident irradiance reflects into all possible scatter angles as a function of incident angle. However, a solar panel has unique features that are not featured in any of these previously known models. A previous project at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) created a novel microfacet-like BRDF to model a solar panel with a prominent diffractive feature present which had not been previously modeled. This BRDF was coded into MATLAB for modeling purposes and C++ to test its speed with a MEX function call. A previous thesis …
Optimizing Optical Switching Of Non-Linear Optimizing Optical Switching Of Non-Linear Hyperbolic Metamaterials, James A. Ethridge
Optimizing Optical Switching Of Non-Linear Optimizing Optical Switching Of Non-Linear Hyperbolic Metamaterials, James A. Ethridge
Theses and Dissertations
Modern optical materials are engineered to be used as optical devices in specific applications, such as optical computing. For optical computing, efficient forms of a particular device, the optical switch, still have not been successfully demonstrated. This problem is addressed in this research through the use of designed optical metamaterials, specifically, hyperbolic metamaterials, which offer the possibility of large non-linear properties with a low switching intensity. One-dimensional layered hyperbolic metamaterials composed of alternating layers of metal and dielectric were used here, with ITO as the metal and SiO2 as the dielectric. The non-linear behavior of the ITO/SiO2 layered …
Methods For Focal Plane Array Resolution Estimation Using Random Laser Speckle In Non-Paraxial Geometries, Phillip J. Plummer
Methods For Focal Plane Array Resolution Estimation Using Random Laser Speckle In Non-Paraxial Geometries, Phillip J. Plummer
Theses and Dissertations
The infrared (IR) imaging community has a need for direct IR detector evaluation due to the continued demand for small pixel pitch detectors, the emergence of strained-layer-super-lattice devices, and the associated lateral carrier diffusion issues. Conventional laser speckle-based modulation transfer function (MTF) estimation is dependent on Fresnel propagation and a wide-sense-stationary input random process, limiting the use of this approach for lambda (wavelength)-scale IR devices. This dissertation develops two alternative methodologies for speckle-based resolution evaluation of IR focal plane arrays (FPAs). Both techniques are formulated using Rayleigh-Sommerfield electric field propagation, making them valid in the non-paraxial geometries dictated for resolution …
Directionally Sensitive Gamma Imaging Using Rotating Scatter Masks And Inexpensive, Scintillation Detectors, Christopher S. Charles
Directionally Sensitive Gamma Imaging Using Rotating Scatter Masks And Inexpensive, Scintillation Detectors, Christopher S. Charles
Theses and Dissertations
This work demonstrates the first instantiation of the FitzGerald Rotating Scatter Mask (RSM) as a proof-of-concept for two-dimensional source direction determination using a single, inexpensive, non-cooled scintillator, as well as an alternate mask design for comparison. A large RSM was additively manufactured from low-Z, acrylic like material, and rotated around the ubiquitous standard 3" x 3" NaI(Tl) or NaI(Tl)/CsI(Tl) phoswich detector, set internally to the mask. Smaller versions of the FitzGerald and alternate RSM designs were 3D printed for testing and used in conjunction with a LaBr detector to characterize the RSM system with a size and weight reduction applied. …
Formulation And Characterization Of Fast-Curing Plastic Scintillators With High-Z Loading, Theodore W. Stephens
Formulation And Characterization Of Fast-Curing Plastic Scintillators With High-Z Loading, Theodore W. Stephens
Theses and Dissertations
Development of novel fast-curing plastic scintillators is highly advantageous due to their potential to be manufactured via 3D printing. Several formulations were developed that exhibit enhanced photon sensitivity, producing modest but discernible photopeaks at an incident gamma energy of 122 keV. The photon sensitivity is achieved via bismuth high-Z loading; however, this practice typically results in diminished light yields. Subsequent formulations, which varied the photoinitiator concentration and curing time, demonstrated successful curing with sufficient plastic hardness, reduced purple discoloration, reduced heat buildup during curing, and resulted in less cracking during the curing process, all of which were correlated with lower …
Characterization Of Infrared Metasurface Optics With An Optical Scatterometer, Matthew R. Miller
Characterization Of Infrared Metasurface Optics With An Optical Scatterometer, Matthew R. Miller
Theses and Dissertations
An optical scatterometer is used to characterize the infrared scatter of a dielectric metasurface cylindrical lens and two variants of that design. The design uses dielectric nanopillars to create the parabolic phase delay required for lensing; the variants change the length of the nanopillars from the design length of 4 microns to 0.9 and 5.2 microns. Scatter measurements were made at the design wavelength of 4 microns, and at 3.39 and 5 microns. These measurements showed wide-angle scatter greater than that measured for a conventional refractive optic, and that these metasurfaces perform their optical function best at the design wavelength …
Analysis Of Space To Ground Ladar Performance With Non-Traditional Optics, Prayant P.S. Hanjra
Analysis Of Space To Ground Ladar Performance With Non-Traditional Optics, Prayant P.S. Hanjra
Theses and Dissertations
Two major obstacles to space-based LADAR systems are low power returns from targets and limitations on size and weight for transporting large optics into orbit. Signals incur significant losses during roundtrip propagation through the atmosphere and from diffuse scattering off of targets. Models, such as the Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) simulator and High Energy Laser End to End Operational Simulation (HELEEOS) can predict these losses due to the atmosphere and optical components for a variety of atmospheric and environmental conditions across the globe. A transmissometer is used to validate these models. These losses are used to determine …
Improved Out-Of-Plane Brdf Measurement And Modeling, Todd V. Small
Improved Out-Of-Plane Brdf Measurement And Modeling, Todd V. Small
Theses and Dissertations
The bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) describes the directional (spatial) nature of light’s reflectance from a material surface. When incident light of a particular wavelength strikes a material surface from a particular direction, portions of that incident light will be reflected into various directions in various amounts, depending on the material’s surface characteristics. Historically, the vast majority of BRDF measurement and modeling research has focused on reflection within the plane-of incidence (in-plane) and dealt primarily with simplified isotropic BRDFs. Remote sensing applications, such as satellite light curve analysis, typically rely on closed-form microfacet models for efficiency. There are many factors, …
Optical Study Of 2-D Detonation Wave Stability, Eulaine T. Grodner
Optical Study Of 2-D Detonation Wave Stability, Eulaine T. Grodner
Theses and Dissertations
Fundamental optical detonation study of detonations constricted to a 2-d plane propagation, and detonations propagating around a curve. All images were processed using modern image processing techniques. The optical techniques used were shadowgraph, Schlieren, and chemiluminescence. In the 2-Dstraight channels, it was determined wave stability was a factor of cell size. It was also determined the detonation wave thickness (area between the combustion and shockwave) was a factor of how much heat available for the detonation. For the detonations propagating around a curve, it was determined the three main classifications of wave stability were stable, unstable, and detonation wave restart. …
Neuromorphic Vision Sensors For Space-Based Applications, Jessica L. Horn
Neuromorphic Vision Sensors For Space-Based Applications, Jessica L. Horn
Theses and Dissertations
This research examines the viability of event-based vision (neuromorphic) sensors for future use on satellites. Outputting single pixel events only when a change in intensity is detected, event-based vision sensors offer a potential low power, low latency, high temporal resolution, and high dynamic range solution as compared to traditional CCD or CMOS camera technology. The commercial off-the-shelf DVS240C sensor, is analyzed to determine if operability is affected by launch conditions and the low Earth space environment through vacuum, thermal vacuum, and vibration tests. No appreciable changes in sensor operation was observed throughout testing. Additionally, the sensor was able to detect …
A Comparative Evaluation Of The Fast Optical Pulse Response Of Event-Based Cameras, Tyler J. Brewer
A Comparative Evaluation Of The Fast Optical Pulse Response Of Event-Based Cameras, Tyler J. Brewer
Theses and Dissertations
Event cameras use biologically inspired readout circuit architecture to offer a faster and more efficient method of imaging than traditional frame-based detectors. The asynchronous event reporting circuit timestamps events to 1 microsecond resolution, but latency increases when many pixels are stimulated simultaneously. To characterize this variability, the DAVIS240, DAVIS346, DVXPlorer, and Prophesee Gen3M VGA-CD 1.1 cameras were exposed to single step-function flashes with amplitudes from 9.3-771cd/m2, stimulating from 0.0042-100 of pixels. The Median Absolute Deviation of pixel response times ranged between 0 and 6086µs, increasing with the percent of pixels stimulated (PSP). The number of events generated per …
Dynamic Holography In Resonant Nonlinear Media: Theory And Application, Jonathan E. Slagle
Dynamic Holography In Resonant Nonlinear Media: Theory And Application, Jonathan E. Slagle
Theses and Dissertations
Two beam coupling (TBC) is a coherent interaction in which energy is transferred from one laser beam to another and has promising applications in real-time holography and coherent beam combing. We have recently shown efficient degenerate frequency TBC for counter-propagation geometries in isotropic two-photon absorbing media pumped with a nanosecond pulsed laser. When an interference pattern is generated in this media, single and two photon absorption initiates a population redistribution resulting in a holographic grating with the same modulation period and phase initially. However, due to temporal convolution of self- and cross-phase modulation, the grating will begin to shift in …
Examination Of A Lenseless Setup For Reflective Inverse Diffusion Of Light, John Nguyen
Examination Of A Lenseless Setup For Reflective Inverse Diffusion Of Light, John Nguyen
Theses and Dissertations
Reflective inverse diffusion uses spatial light modulators to shape an incident wavefront so that when the wavefront interacts with some diffuse scattering sample, the reflected light will constructively interfere at a single focus. This thesisexamines the efficacy of using a lensless setup against a focal plane setup in achieving reflective inverse diffusion while simultaneously beamsteering. The lensless setup outperformed its counterpart by being able to focus more energy in a region, but failed to achieve the same beamsteering capabilities as the focal plane system. Understanding the flaws behind the lensless setup will be instrumental in creating a setup that can …
One-Dimensional Multi-Frame Blind Deconvolution Using Astronomical Data For Spatially Separable Objects, Marc R. Brown
One-Dimensional Multi-Frame Blind Deconvolution Using Astronomical Data For Spatially Separable Objects, Marc R. Brown
Theses and Dissertations
Blind deconvolution is used to complete missions to detect adversary assets in space and to defend the nation's assets. A new algorithm was developed to perform blind deconvolution for objects that are spatially separable using multiple frames of data. This new one-dimensional approach uses the expectation-maximization algorithm to blindly deconvolve spatially separable objects. This object separation reduces the size of the object matrix from an NxN matrix to two singular vectors of length N. With limited knowledge of the object and point spread function the one-dimensional algorithm successfully deconvolved the objects in both simulated and laboratory data.
Mult-Spectral Imaging Of Vegetation With A Diffractive Plenoptic Camera, Tristan R. Naranjo
Mult-Spectral Imaging Of Vegetation With A Diffractive Plenoptic Camera, Tristan R. Naranjo
Theses and Dissertations
Snapshot multi-spectral sensors allow for object detection based on its spectrum for remote sensing applications in air or space. By making these types of sensors more compact and lightweight, it allows drones to dwell longer on targets or the reduction of transport costs for satellites. To address this need, I designed and built a diffractive plenoptic camera (DPC) which utilized a Fresnel zone plate and a light field camera in order to detect vegetation via a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). This thesis derives design equations by relating DPC system parameters to its expected performance and evaluates its multi-spectral performance. …
Validation Of Hts Optical Turbulence Profiling Via Sonic Anemometry, Alexander S. Boeckenstedt
Validation Of Hts Optical Turbulence Profiling Via Sonic Anemometry, Alexander S. Boeckenstedt
Theses and Dissertations
Previous turbulence measurements along a near-ground, 500 m, horizontal path using two helium-neon laser beacons and Hartmann Turbulence Sensor (HTS) yielded profiles of C2n by measuring local aberrated wavefront tilts. The HTS C2n estimates were consistent with integrated turbulence values collected along the same path by a BLS900 scintillometer. Further validation of the HTS profiling method is necessary to produce accurate optical turbulence profiles for wavefront correction and to eventually gain an improved understanding of turbulence in the lower atmosphere and its variation as a function of altitude. In order to add confidence to the HTS …
Global Gradient-Based Phase Unwrapping Algorithm For Increased Performance In Wavefront Sensing, Bryan R. Bartelt
Global Gradient-Based Phase Unwrapping Algorithm For Increased Performance In Wavefront Sensing, Bryan R. Bartelt
Theses and Dissertations
As the reliance on satellite data for military and commercial use increases, more effort must be exerted to protect our space-based assets. In order to help increase our space domain awareness (SDA), new approaches to ground-based space surveillance via wavefront sensing must be adopted. Improving phase-unwrapping algorithms in order to assist in phase retrieval methods is one way of increasing the performance in current adaptive optics (AO) systems. This thesis proposes a new phase-unwrapping algorithm that uses a global, gradient-based technique to more rapidly identify and correct for areas of phase wrapping during particular phase retrieval methods. This is beneficial …
Zernike Piston Statistics In Turbulent Multi-Aperture Optical Systems, Joshua J. Garretson
Zernike Piston Statistics In Turbulent Multi-Aperture Optical Systems, Joshua J. Garretson
Theses and Dissertations
There is currently a lack of research into how the atmosphere effects Zernike piston. This Zernike piston is a coefficient related to the average phase delay of a wave. Usually Zernike piston can be ignored over a single aperture because it is merely a delay added to the entire wavefront. For multi-aperture interferometers though piston cannot be ignored. The statistics of Zernike piston could supplement and improve atmospheric monitoring, adaptive optics, stellar interferometers, and fringe tracking. This research will focus on developing a statistical model for Zernike piston introduced by atmospheric turbulence.
Nonlinear Characterizing Of A New Titanium Nitride On Aluminum Oxide Metalens, Michael A. Cumming
Nonlinear Characterizing Of A New Titanium Nitride On Aluminum Oxide Metalens, Michael A. Cumming
Theses and Dissertations
A sample metalens generated from Titanium Nitride deposited onto Aluminum Oxide was designed to focus at 10 microns with a beam centered at 800nm, and when analyzed with high intensity illumination was found to have a focal length of 9.650 ±.003µm at an intensity of 16.93[MW/cm2 ]. Analyzing this change by comparing it to a Fresnel Lens’ physics shows that for this lens, the effective nonlinear index of refraction is certainly greater than the nonlinear index of just Titanium Nitride itself, at −1.6239 × 10−15[m2/W] compared to the materials −1.3 × 10−15[m2 …
Digital Holography Efficiency Experiments For Tactical Applications, Douglas E. Thornton
Digital Holography Efficiency Experiments For Tactical Applications, Douglas E. Thornton
Theses and Dissertations
Digital holography (DH) uses coherent detection and offers direct access to the complex-optical field to sense and correct image aberrations in low signal-to-noise environments, which is critical for tactical applications. The performance of DH is compared to a similar, well studied deep-turbulence wavefront sensor, the self-referencing interferometer (SRI), with known efficiency losses. Wave optics simulations with deep-turbulence conditions and noise were conducted and the results show that DH outperforms the SRI by 10's of dB due to DH's strong reference. Additionally, efficiency experiments were conducted to investigate DH system losses. The experimental results show that the mixing efficiency (37%) is …
The Non-Mechanical Beam Steering Of Light In Reflective Inverse Diffusion, Eric K. Nagamine
The Non-Mechanical Beam Steering Of Light In Reflective Inverse Diffusion, Eric K. Nagamine
Theses and Dissertations
Wavefront shaping is a technique that uses spatial light modulators to conjugate the phase of light incident on a rough surface, such that the light will refocus after reflection. This refocusing effect is called reflective inverse diffusion. There currently are two different approaches used to achieve reflective inverse diffusion: iterative methods and matrix methods. Iterative methods find one phase mask which allows for reflected light to be focused at a single, specific position, with results that are immediately available and continuously improving. Matrix methods calculate the complex matrix which describes the rough surface and allows for reflected light to be …
Designing Liquid Crystal For Optoacoustic Detection, Michael T. Dela Cruz
Designing Liquid Crystal For Optoacoustic Detection, Michael T. Dela Cruz
Theses and Dissertations
This research impacts the development of a cost-saving, on-chip device that can replace a wide range of costly, bulky sensors for commercial and defense applications. In particular, the goals of this work were to design and test a sensor that uses the optical properties of liquid crystal (LC) to detect acoustic waves. This began with developing a method to fine-tune the optical features of the liquid crystal. Statistical analysis of select experimental variables, or factors, lead to ideal settings of those variables when creating the sensor. A two-factor and three-factor experiment were separately conducted and analyzed as a preliminary demonstration …
Scaling Film Cooling Adiabatic Effectiveness With Mass Transfer And Thermal Experimental Techniques, Luke J. Mcnamara
Scaling Film Cooling Adiabatic Effectiveness With Mass Transfer And Thermal Experimental Techniques, Luke J. Mcnamara
Theses and Dissertations
With increasing engine temperatures, it is becoming more important to design effective film cooling schemes. Low temperature, large scale tests are often implemented in the design process to reduce cost and complexity. A nondimensional adiabatic effectiveness can be used as an indication of the performance of a film cooling scheme. However, the coolant flow rate must be properly scaled between the low temperature tests and engine temperatures to accurately predict film cooling effectiveness. This process is complicated by gas property variation with temperature. Tests are commonly conducted using thermal measurement techniques with infrared thermography (IR), but the use of pressure …
Infrared And Electro-Optical Stereo Vision For Automated Aerial Refueling, William E. Dallmann
Infrared And Electro-Optical Stereo Vision For Automated Aerial Refueling, William E. Dallmann
Theses and Dissertations
Currently, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are unsafe to refuel in-flight due to the communication latency between the UAVs ground operator and the UAV. Providing UAVs with an in-flight refueling capability would improve their functionality by extending their flight duration and increasing their flight payload. Our solution to this problem is Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) using stereo vision from stereo electro-optical and infrared cameras on a refueling tanker. To simulate a refueling scenario, we use ground vehicles to simulate a pseudo tanker and pseudo receiver UAV. Imagery of the receiver is collected by the cameras on the tanker and processed by a …
Design And Optimization Of A 3-D Plasmonic Huygens Metasurface For Highly-Efficient Flat Optics, Bryan M. Adomanis
Design And Optimization Of A 3-D Plasmonic Huygens Metasurface For Highly-Efficient Flat Optics, Bryan M. Adomanis
Theses and Dissertations
For miniaturization of future USAF unmanned aerial and space systems to become feasible, accompanying sensor components of these systems must also be reduced in size, weight and power (SWaP). Metasurfaces can act as planar equivalents to bulk optics, and thus possess a high potential to meet these low-SWaP requirements. However, functional efficiencies of plasmonic metasurface architectures have been too low for practical application in the infrared (IR) regime. Huygens-like forward-scattering inclusions may provide a solution to this deficiency, but there is no academic consensus on an optimal plasmonic architecture for obtaining efficient phase control at high frequencies. This dissertation asks …
Reconstruction Of The 3d Temperature And Species Concentration Spatial Distribution Of A Jet Engine Exhaust Plume Using An Infrared Fourier Transform Spectrometer Hyperspectral Imager, Mason D. Paulec
Theses and Dissertations
The measurement of combustion byproducts is useful for determining pollution of any fuel burning application, efficiency of combustion, and determining detectability of aircraft exhausts. Both intrusive and non-intrusive techniques have been utilized to measure these quantities. For the majority of the non-intrusive techniques, the absorption and emission spectra of the gases are utilized for measurements. For this research, the use of the Telops Infrared Fourier Transform Spectrometer (IFTS) Hyperspectral Imager (HSI) was explored within the scope of combustion diagnostic methods, as an option for remote measurements of a jet turbine to determine concentration of species and temperature of the combustion …
Techniques For Improved Space Object Detection Performance From Ground-Based Telescope Systems Using Long And Short Exposure Images, David J. Becker
Techniques For Improved Space Object Detection Performance From Ground-Based Telescope Systems Using Long And Short Exposure Images, David J. Becker
Theses and Dissertations
Space object detection is of great importance in the highly dependent yet competitive and congested space domain. Detection algorithms employed play a crucial role in fulfilling the detection component in the space situational awareness mission to detect, track, characterize and catalog unknown space objects. Many current space detection algorithms use a matched filter or a spatial correlator on long exposure data to make a detection decision at a single pixel point of a spatial image based on the assumption that the data follows a Gaussian distribution. This research focuses on improving current space object detection algorithms and developing new algorithms …
Automating Mobile Device File Format Analysis, Richard A. Dill
Automating Mobile Device File Format Analysis, Richard A. Dill
Theses and Dissertations
Forensic tools assist examiners in extracting evidence from application files from mobile devices. If the file format for the file of interest is known, this process is straightforward, otherwise it requires the examiner to manually reverse engineer the data structures resident in the file. This research presents the Automated Data Structure Slayer (ADSS), which automates the process to reverse engineer unknown file for- mats of Android applications. After statically parsing and preparing an application, ADSS dynamically runs it, injecting hooks at selected methods to uncover the data structures used to store and process data before writing to media. The resultant …
Efficient Phase Retrieval For Off-Axis Point Spread Functions, Salome Esteban Carrasco
Efficient Phase Retrieval For Off-Axis Point Spread Functions, Salome Esteban Carrasco
Theses and Dissertations
A novel pairing of phase retrieval tools allows for efficient estimation of pupil phase in optical systems from images of point spread functions (PSFs). The phase retrieval algorithm uses correlation of modeled phase in the focal plane to decouple aberrations that are difficult to identify in complex PSFs. The use of a phase kernel that departs from the Fresnel approximation for off-axis PSFs is a more accurate representation of wavefront phase in finite conjugate imaging. The combination of the approximation and phase correlation algorithm can be more efficient and accurate than generic algorithms.
Investigation Of Scramjet Flowfield Temperatures At The Boundary Layer With Hyperspectral Imaging, Amy M. Kerst
Investigation Of Scramjet Flowfield Temperatures At The Boundary Layer With Hyperspectral Imaging, Amy M. Kerst
Theses and Dissertations
Within the domain of chemical propulsion, the fields of combustion diagnostics and computational fluid dynamics each have a long history, and both have led to a better understanding of complex phenomena yielding practical improvements in propulsion systems. As more exotic forms of propulsion are developed, the importance of -- and often the challenges with -- both diagnostic and simulation capabilities also increase. In the case of scramjet combustion, these challenges primarily arise from the highly turbulent environment in the combustion cavity, and the high-speed, compressible nature of the flowfield. Efforts are underway to develop computer models of scramjet combustion environments …