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Theses and Dissertations

2011

Air Force Institute of Technology

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Full-Text Articles in Physics

Characterization And Discrimination Of Large Caliber Gun Blast And Flash Signatures, Bryan J. Steward Dec 2011

Characterization And Discrimination Of Large Caliber Gun Blast And Flash Signatures, Bryan J. Steward

Theses and Dissertations

Two hundred and one firings of three 152 mm howitzer munitions were observed to characterize firing signatures of a large caliber gun. Muzzle blast expansion was observed with high-speed (1600 Hz) optical imagery. The trajectory of the blast front was well approximated by a modified point-blast model described by constant rate of energy deposition. Visible and near-infrared (450 - 850 nm) spectra of secondary combustion were acquired at 0.75 nm spectral resolution and depict strong contaminant emissions including Li, Na, K, Cu, and Ca. The O2 (X-b) absorption band is evident in the blue wing of the potassium D lines …


Electroluminescence Studies On Longwavelength Indium Arsenide Quantum Dot Microcavities Grown On Gallium Arsenide, John C. Ramsey Dec 2011

Electroluminescence Studies On Longwavelength Indium Arsenide Quantum Dot Microcavities Grown On Gallium Arsenide, John C. Ramsey

Theses and Dissertations

A comprehensive study of the electroluminescence of four GaAs/AlGaAs microcavity devices with InAs/GaInAs quantum dot active regions emitting near 1.3 µm was conducted. The four molecular beam epitaxial grown samples with AlAs oxide aperture confinement layers were fabricated, characterized, and optically modeled. Optical power transmission of the samples was modeled using Matlab and compared with measured transmission data. Resonant cavity light emitting diodes (RCLEDs) and three vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) samples were fabricated and electro-optically characterized over a range of injection currents and temperatures. Devices achieved continuous wave room temperature lasing at 1.28 µm with an output power …


Kinetics Of The Electrical Discharge Pumped Oxygen-Iodine Laser, Matthew A. Lange Dec 2011

Kinetics Of The Electrical Discharge Pumped Oxygen-Iodine Laser, Matthew A. Lange

Theses and Dissertations

A systematic study of microwave discharges at 2.45 GHz has been performed through the pressure range of sustainable electric discharges in pure oxygen flows of 2 to 10 Torr. A corresponding study of 13.56 MHz has also been performed at pressures of 2, 4, and 7 Torr. Optical emissions from O2(a 1Δ), O2(b 1Σ), and O-atoms have been measured from the center of a μ-wave discharge. Discharge residence times from 0.1 to 5 ms have been reported. The O2(b 1Σ) emissions, with a spectral resolution of 0.01 nm, have been used to measure the temperature of the gas, which typically …


Background-Oriented Schlieren Pattern Optimization, Jeffery E. Hartberger Dec 2011

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.


Modeling Self-Referencing Interferometers With Extended Beacons And Strong Turbulence, Daniel J. Wheeler Sep 2011

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 …


The Effects Of Rare Earth Doping On Gallium Nitride Thin Films, Stephen R. Mchale Sep 2011

The Effects Of Rare Earth Doping On Gallium Nitride Thin Films, Stephen R. Mchale

Theses and Dissertations

The thermal neutron capture cross section of the rare earth (RE) metal isotope Gd-157 is the largest of all known natural elements, which distinguishes the material as a logical candidate for neutron detection. To address an incomplete understanding of rare earth doped Gallium Nitride (GaN) materials, investigations of the surface electronic structure and interface properties of GaN thin films doped with rare earths (Yb, Er, Gd) were undertaken. Lattice ion occupation, bonding, rare earth 4f occupation, and gold Schottky barrier formation were examined using synchrotron photoemission spectroscopy. Measured Debye temperatures indicate substitutional occupation of Ga sites by RE ions. The …


Integrated Approach To Free Space Optical Communications In Strong Turbulence, Jason A. Tellez Sep 2011

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 …


Source Normalization Constants For Ground Distributed Fallout Fields, Justin M. Smith Sep 2011

Source Normalization Constants For Ground Distributed Fallout Fields, Justin M. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Five assumptions regarding a first order model developed to calculate dose rate at a detector above a fallout field are analyzed. The omission of scattering is relaxed by the method of successive scatters resulting in a build up factor of 1.1. The use of a single average photon energy to represent a fallout distribution is analyzed using the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Isotope Generator (ORIGEN) Fallout Analysis Tool. An average photon energy of 0.81MeV is calculated and shown to be an accurate approximation of the fallout field energy distribution. A Gaussian distribution is used to calculate the minimal impact of …


Effect Of Storm Enhanced Densities On Geo-Location Accuracy Over Conus, Lindon H. Steadman Sep 2011

Effect Of Storm Enhanced Densities On Geo-Location Accuracy Over Conus, Lindon H. Steadman

Theses and Dissertations

Storm enhanced densities (SEDs) are ionospheric plasma enhancements that disrupt radio communications in the near-Earth space environment, degrading the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other key technologies. Accurate GPS/total electron content (TEC) correction maps produced by ionosphere models can mitigate degradations from SEDs. An artificial SED was created and ingested via slant TEC measurements into the Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements Gauss-Markov Kalman Filter Model to determine how many ground GPS receivers are needed to produce reliable GPS/TEC correction maps over the continental United States during geomagnetic storming. It was found that 110 well-positioned GPS receivers produced the best overall …


Non-Adiabatic Atomic Transitions: Computational Cross Section Calculations Of Alkali Metal-Noble Gas Collisions, Charlton D. Lewis Ii Sep 2011

Non-Adiabatic Atomic Transitions: Computational Cross Section Calculations Of Alkali Metal-Noble Gas Collisions, Charlton D. Lewis Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers operate by exciting a gaseous cell of alkali metal to its P3/2 excited energy state. A noble gas, present in the cell, collisionally de-excites the alkali metal to its P1/2 state. The alkali atoms then relax to their S1/2 ground state by emitting photons. The non-radiative de-excitation due to inert gas atoms represents an interesting juncture for DPALs operation. This process must be faster than the radiative relaxation back to the S1/2 state for lasing to occur. The rate of non-radiative de-excitation is related to the collisional cross section and the cross …


Distributed Spacing Stochastic Feature Selection And Its Application To Textile Classification, Jeffrey D. Clark Sep 2011

Distributed Spacing Stochastic Feature Selection And Its Application To Textile Classification, Jeffrey D. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Many situations require the need to quickly and accurately locate dismounted individuals in a variety of environments. In conjunction with other dismount detection techniques, being able to detect and classify clothing (textiles) provides a more comprehensive and complete dismount characterization capability. Because textile classification depends on distinguishing between different material types, hyperspectral data, which consists of several hundred spectral channels sampled from a continuous electromagnetic spectrum, is used as a data source. However, a hyperspectral image generates vast amounts of information and can be computationally intractable to analyze. A primary means to reduce the computational complexity is to use feature …


Optical Flow-Based Odometry For Underground Tunnel Exploration, Terra Kier Jun 2011

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 …


Context Aided Tracking With Adaptive Hyperspectral Imagery, Andrew C. Rice Jun 2011

Context Aided Tracking With Adaptive Hyperspectral Imagery, Andrew C. Rice

Theses and Dissertations

A methodology for the context-aided tracking of ground vehicles in remote airborne imagery is developed in which a background model is inferred from hyperspectral imagery. The materials comprising the background of a scene are remotely identified and lead to this model. Two model formation processes are developed: a manual method, and method that exploits an emerging adaptive, multiple-object-spectrometer instrument. A semi-automated background modeling approach is shown to arrive at a reasonable background model with minimal operator intervention. A novel, adaptive, and autonomous approach uses a new type of adaptive hyperspectral sensor, and converges to a 66% correct background model in …


Estimating Anthropometric Marker Locations From 3-D Ladar Point Clouds, Matthew J. Maier Jun 2011

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.


Background And Source Term Identification In Active Neutron Interrogation Methods, David A. Anthony Mar 2011

Background And Source Term Identification In Active Neutron Interrogation Methods, David A. Anthony

Theses and Dissertations

The detection and tracking of special nuclear material (SNM) is vitally important in order to know where these materials are and prevent them from being used in a harmful manner. Active neutron interrogation is a sought after method for this since the resulting high energy gamma rays produced by inelastic scattering and neutron capture reactions can pass through denser shielding than natural decay gammas, and their energy spectra are unique to each isotope. Using Monte Carlo N Particle (MCNP) simulations, this research investigated the characterization of gamma ray sources created by active neutron interrogation. Ring detector and mesh tallies within …


Ray Next Event Estimator Transport Of Primary And Secondary Gamma Rays, Whitman T. Dailey Mar 2011

Ray Next Event Estimator Transport Of Primary And Secondary Gamma Rays, Whitman T. Dailey

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the application of the ray next event estimation Monte Carlo method to the transport of primary and secondary gamma rays. The problem of interest was estimation of the free field flux at a distant point in a vacuum from a point source in the atmosphere. An existing Fortran code for neutron transport, Ray Next-Event Estimator v4.0, was adapted to perform photon transport computations including coherent scattering, incoherent scattering, photoelectric absorption, and pair production interactions. Production and transport of secondary gamma rays produced in bremsstrahlung, neutron inelastic scatter, and neutron absorption interactions was also implemented. A new version …


Radial Distribution Of Absorption In A Cesium Heat Pipe With Axial Laser Heating, Charles D. Fox Mar 2011

Radial Distribution Of Absorption In A Cesium Heat Pipe With Axial Laser Heating, Charles D. Fox

Theses and Dissertations

Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers (DPAL) have been scaled to greater than 100 W and exhibit slope efficiencies exceeding 80%, offering application for tactical laser weapons. The hybrid DPAL system combines efficient diode pumping with the good beam quality and thermal characteristics of gas lasers. Thermal effects on alkali concentration have been observed to degrade performance, while low speed flowing systems are in development. However, spatial gradients in temperature and concentrations have not previously been observed. In the present work, a 0.8 W/cm2 pump laser at the D1 frequency heats the medium in a T=50-100 °C cesium heat pipe …


Development Of An Interference Lithography Capability Using A Helium Cadmium Ultraviolet Multimode Laser For The Fabrication Of Sub-Micron-Structured Optical Materials, Stanley D. Crozier Mar 2011

Development Of An Interference Lithography Capability Using A Helium Cadmium Ultraviolet Multimode Laser For The Fabrication Of Sub-Micron-Structured Optical Materials, Stanley D. Crozier

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this work is to develop unique holograms on a semiconductor-metal thin films to characterize as potential metamaterials. This is achievable by developing a fabrication recipe to include exposure methods, exposure dosages, and material development. This study developed an interference lithography capability at AFIT for the first time with period resolution below 230nm. It also identified initial acceptable photoresist materials and exposure dosages, and a path to follow to optimize this process. The potential impact of this is to make IL a standard in optical meta-material fabrication, which decreases manufacturing time and allows for less error in production. …


Effect Of Coudé Pupil Rotation On Sodium Laser Beacon Perspective Elongation, Russell J. Mcguigan Mar 2011

Effect Of Coudé Pupil Rotation On Sodium Laser Beacon Perspective Elongation, Russell J. Mcguigan

Theses and Dissertations

This research models a sodium laser guide star and its measurement by a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. By predicting the extent of beacon elongation and Coude rotation, reference images are produced for each subaperture throughout an engagement scenario. These reference sources are then used to continuously recalibrate the system as it changes orientation. This model measures the effect of perspective elongation and Coude on SHWFS measurements to quantitatively determine the extent of degradation that occurs.


Sensitivity Analysis Of Empirical Parameters In The Ionosphere-Plasmasphere Model, Janelle V. Jenniges Mar 2011

Sensitivity Analysis Of Empirical Parameters In The Ionosphere-Plasmasphere Model, Janelle V. Jenniges

Theses and Dissertations

A sensitivity analysis of empirical parameters used in physics-based models was completed in this study to determine their effect on electron densities and total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere. The model used was the Ionosphere-Plasmasphere Model (IPM) developed by Utah State University. The empirical parameters studied include the O+/O collision frequency, zonal wind, secondary electron production, nighttime ExB drifts, and tidal structure. The sensitivity analysis was completed by comparing a default run of the IPM to a run with the parameter adjusted for three geophysical cases. Many of the comparisons resulted in nonlinear changes to the model …


A Comparison In The Accuracy Of Mapping Nuclear Fallout Patterns Using Hpac, Hysplit, Delfic Fpt And An Afit Fortran95 Fallout Deposition Code, April D. Miller Mar 2011

A Comparison In The Accuracy Of Mapping Nuclear Fallout Patterns Using Hpac, Hysplit, Delfic Fpt And An Afit Fortran95 Fallout Deposition Code, April D. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Four nuclear fallout mapping tools are studied to determine which tool predicts the most accurate fallout dose-rate contours with low computation time and resources. The four programs consist of the FORTRAN95 based Fallout Deposition Code (FDC), the Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability's (HPAC) Nuclear Weapon (NWPN), the Defense Land Fallout Interpretative Code (DELFIC) Fallout Planning Tool (FPT) and the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) Model. The models were compared to the Defense Nuclear Agency's (DNA) DNA 1251-1-EX, Compilation of Local Fallout Data from Test Detonations 1945-1962 Extracted from DASA 1251, using Warner and Platt's Measure of Effectiveness (MOE) method. …


Shack-Hartmann And Interferometric Hybrid Wavefront Sensor, Troy R. Ellis Mar 2011

Shack-Hartmann And Interferometric Hybrid Wavefront Sensor, Troy R. Ellis

Theses and Dissertations

This document reports results of wave-optics simulations used to test the performance of a hybrid wavefront sensor designed to combine the self-referencing interferometer and Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors in an optimal way. Optimal hybrid-wavefront sensor design required a thorough analysis of the noise characteristics of each wavefront sensor to produce noise models that assist in the design of an optimal phase-estimation algorithm. Feasible architectures and algorithms for combining wavefront sensors were chosen, and the noise models of the individual wavefront sensors were combined to form a model for the noise-induced error of the resulting hybrid sensor. The hybrid wavefront sensor and …


Combined Effects Of Radio Frequency And Electron Radiation On Cmos Inverters, Kristofer R. Dahl Mar 2011

Combined Effects Of Radio Frequency And Electron Radiation On Cmos Inverters, Kristofer R. Dahl

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the measurement methodology, and the results of, the combined effects of electron and radio frequency irradiation (500kHz) on a CMOS Hex Inverter, CD4069UB. There have been many studies in recent years on the effects of electron radiation and electromagnetic interference on integrated circuits, however the combined effects have not been measured. A major obstacle for in-situ electron irradiation experiments is the over current hazard that exists to measurement equipment that comes from taking real-time, in-situ measurements. To overcome this, a test circuit was designed and built to allow for real-time in-situ measurement of the output voltage, current …


Radiation Effects On The Electrical Properties Of Hafnium Oxide Based Mos Capacitors, Jesse C. Foster Mar 2011

Radiation Effects On The Electrical Properties Of Hafnium Oxide Based Mos Capacitors, Jesse C. Foster

Theses and Dissertations

Hafnium oxide-based MOS capacitors were investigated to determine electrical property response to radiation environments. In situ capacitance versus voltage measurements were analyzed to identify voltage shifting as a result of changes to trapped charge with increasing dose of gamma, neutron, and ion radiation. In situ measurements required investigation and optimization of capacitor fabrication to include dicing, cleaning, metalization, packaging, and wire bonding. A top metal contact of 200 angstroms of titanium followed by 2800 angstroms of gold allowed for repeatable wire bonding and proper electrical response. Gamma and ion irradiations of atomic layer deposited hafnium oxide on silicon devices both …


Characterization Of The Neutron Spectrum At The Indiana University Nrep Neutron Source, Matthew R. Halstead Mar 2011

Characterization Of The Neutron Spectrum At The Indiana University Nrep Neutron Source, Matthew R. Halstead

Theses and Dissertations

The neutron source at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility produces neutrons via proton bombardment of a natural beryllium (100% 9Be) target. This source has two beam lines: the LENS and the NREP. The energy spectrum of the neutrons produced on the NREP beam line has not yet been characterized. Through simulation using the GEANT and MCNP particle transport codes as well as neutron activation analysis experiments, an attempt was made to characterize the energy spectrum of the neutron production source. First, the neutron production spectrum of beryllium, simulated using GEANT, was compared with literature; there are significant deviations. Next, foils …


Broadband Pumping Effects On The Diode Pumped Alkali Laser, Paul Nathaniel Jones Mar 2011

Broadband Pumping Effects On The Diode Pumped Alkali Laser, Paul Nathaniel Jones

Theses and Dissertations

This research seeks to gain greater insight on the mechanics of The Diode Pumped Alkali Laser through analytic modeling techniques. This work is an extension to a previous model developed by Dr. Gordon Hager, and focuses on the addition of pump-beam bandwidth. Specifically, it seeks to determine the effect that broadband pumping has on laser performance. The model incorporates all the fundamental parameters within the laser system, including alkali concentrations, collision partner concentrations, pump bandwidth, length and temperature of gain medium, transmission, and reflectivity. Baseline operating conditions set Rubidium (Rb) concentrations ranging from 1012 - 1014 atoms/cm3 …


Nuclear Weapon Yield Determination Through Nano Indentation Of Thermally Degraded Automobile Paint, Michael J. Richards Mar 2011

Nuclear Weapon Yield Determination Through Nano Indentation Of Thermally Degraded Automobile Paint, Michael J. Richards

Theses and Dissertations

This work investigated the suitability of automotive clearcoat as a nuclear weapon yield sensor, using the change in elastic modulus as the primary metric. The AFIT Xenon Thermal Simulator (AXTS) was used to simulate a nuclear thermal pulse. The elastic modulus of the clearcoat was measured using a nano indenter. During this research the power density of the AXTS beam was increased from 44.7 to 63.7 W/cm2. The morphological steps through which automobile paint proceeds as it thermally degrades were identified and correlated with temperatures. A computer model was created and used to ensure that the paint’s time-temperature …


Optical And Electrical Characterization Melt-Grown Bulk Ingaas And Inasp, Jean W. Wei Mar 2011

Optical And Electrical Characterization Melt-Grown Bulk Ingaas And Inasp, Jean W. Wei

Theses and Dissertations

A new method to determine semiconductor bandgap energy directly from the easily measured transmission spectra was developed. The method was verified using many binary semiconductors with known properties and utilized to determine the unknown ternary semiconductors were determined at various wavelengths and temperatures. Photoluminescence and Hall-effect measurement were performed to identify various electronic transitions, as well as sample quality. The determination of electrical and optical properties of the material will provide important addition to the database of material properties for future optoelectronic device applications. In the near future, newer materials and their applications need to be developed, and often binary …


Positron Annihilation Ratio Spectroscopy Study Of Electric Fields Applied To Positronium At Material Interfaces, Ariella C. Walker Mar 2011

Positron Annihilation Ratio Spectroscopy Study Of Electric Fields Applied To Positronium At Material Interfaces, Ariella C. Walker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop a new code to analyze the data from AFIT's positron annihilation of radiation spectrometer, PsARS, system. The PsARS was used to analyze positronium formation at the surface of a capillary tube coated with gold. Using energy and geometry filters, the PsARS code determined the ratio of ortho-positronium to para-positronium. An electric field applied across the capillary tube wall forced positrons to move towards the gold surface of the capillary tube and prevent them from dropping into the Ore gap before they reach the surface. Inside the Ore gap, the positrons are more …


Optical Metamaterial Design, Fabrication And Test, Jack P. Lombardi Mar 2011

Optical Metamaterial Design, Fabrication And Test, Jack P. Lombardi

Theses and Dissertations

Metamaterials, materials that make use of naturally occurring materials and designed structures to create materials with special properties not found in nature, are a fascinating new area of research, combining the fields of physics, microfabrication, and material science. This work will focus on the development of metamaterials operating in the visible and infrared which will be constructed and tested for basic optical properties. Possible applications for these materials will not be investigated. The this work will go into the fabrication and test of layered metal-dielectric structures, called layered metamaterials, as these structures hold potential for applications in advanced optical systems. …