Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Electromagnetics and Photonics Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Air Force Institute of Technology

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type

Articles 121 - 150 of 190

Full-Text Articles in Electromagnetics and Photonics

Direction Finding With Mutually Orthogonal Antennas, David F. Chick Mar 2011

Direction Finding With Mutually Orthogonal Antennas, David F. Chick

Theses and Dissertations

Estimating the direction-of-arrival of incident electromagnetic plane waves (a.k.a. direction finding or DF) has typically been accomplished in the past using arrays of spatially separated antennas. The spatial separation produces a delay in each antenna's measured voltage due to the finite propagation time as the wave strikes each antenna in succession. In this thesis, we approach the problem differently by using three antennas that have been oriented in orthogonal directions but are co-located at the origin of a coordinate system. Being co-located, this mutually orthogonal arrangement of antennas cannot detect the propagation phase delay and must rely solely on the …

Go to article

Evaluation Of The Single Keybit Template Attack, Eric W. Garcia Mar 2011

Evaluation Of The Single Keybit Template Attack, Eric W. Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Side Channel leakage is a serious threat to secure devices. Cryptographic information extraction is possible after examining any one of the various side channels, including electromagnetic. This work contributes a new method to achieve such a purpose. The Single Keybit Template Attack (SKTA) is introduced as a means to extract encryption keys from embedded processors and other integrated circuit devices performing DES encryptions by passively monitoring and exploiting unintentional RF emissions. Key extraction is accomplished by creating two templates for each bit value of the key based on instantaneous amplitude responses as a device executes DES operations. The resultant templates …

Go to article

Improving Range Estimation Of A 3d Flash Ladar Via Blind Deconvolution, Jason R. Mcmahon Sep 2010

Improving Range Estimation Of A 3d Flash Ladar Via Blind Deconvolution, Jason R. Mcmahon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research effort is to improve and characterize range estimation in a three-dimensional FLASH LAser Detection And Ranging (3D FLASH LADAR) by investigating spatial dimension blurring effects. The myriad of emerging applications for 3D FLASH LADAR both as primary and supplemental sensor necessitate superior performance including accurate range estimates. Along with range information, this sensor also provides an imaging or laser vision capability. Consequently, accurate range estimates would also greatly aid in image quality of a target or remote scene under interrogation. Unlike previous efforts, this research accounts for pixel coupling by defining the range image mathematical …

Go to article

The Electronic Structure And Secondary Pyroelectric Properties Of Lithium Tetraborate, Volodymyr T. Adamiv, Yaroslav V. Burak, David J. Wooten, John W. Mcclory, James C. Petrosky, Ihor Ketsman, Ya B. Losovyj, Peter A. Dowben, Jie Xiao Sep 2010

The Electronic Structure And Secondary Pyroelectric Properties Of Lithium Tetraborate, Volodymyr T. Adamiv, Yaroslav V. Burak, David J. Wooten, John W. Mcclory, James C. Petrosky, Ihor Ketsman, Ya B. Losovyj, Peter A. Dowben, Jie Xiao

Faculty Publications

We review the pyroelectric properties and electronic structure of Li2B4O7(110) and Li2B4O7(100) surfaces. There is evidence for a pyroelectric current along the [110] direction of stoichiometric Li2B4O7 so that the pyroelectric coefficient is nonzero but roughly 103 smaller than along the [001] direction of spontaneous polarization. Abrupt decreases in the pyroelectric coefficient along the [110] direction can be correlated with anomalies in the elastic stiffness contributing to the concept that the pyroelectric coefficient is not simply a vector but has qualities of …

Go to article

Application Of The Three Short Calibration Technique In A Low Frequency Focus Beam System, William E. Gunn Jr. Mar 2010

Application Of The Three Short Calibration Technique In A Low Frequency Focus Beam System, William E. Gunn Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Electromagnetic material characterization is the process of determining the constitutive parameters of matter. In simple media, these parameters are permittivity and permeability. Characterization of these values is often accomplished through the use of waveguides, transmission lines, coaxial cables, and resonant cavities. Free space measurements systems are employed since they are non destructive (i.e., no sample machining is required) and broadband. Traditionally, time domain gating is utilized to mitigate systematic errors. However, an artifact of this calibration technique is band edge corruption due to data windowing. The goal of this research is to develop and apply a Three Short Calibration Technique …

Go to article

Changes To Electrical Conductivity In Irradiated Carbon-Nickel Nanocomposites, David F. Coy Mar 2010

Changes To Electrical Conductivity In Irradiated Carbon-Nickel Nanocomposites, David F. Coy

Theses and Dissertations

Pre and post irradiation resistivity and XAFS measurements have been conducted to examine the effects of 0.5 MeV electron irradiations on nickel-carbon composites. Results showed a decrease in surface resistivity in all sample types of 14-30% following irradiation with a total electron exposure of 4 x 10-16 cm-2. Results also showed a corresponding decrease in NiO content for the irradiated samples as compared to measurements of non-irradiated samples. Surface resistivity measurement capabilities were established and measurement techniques refined to produce repeatable results of sufficient precision to discern changes in resistivity for an exposure of 2 x 10 …

Go to article

Heat And Current Propagation In Buffered Superconducting And Hyper-Conducting Wire, Jesse L. Lynn Dec 2009

Heat And Current Propagation In Buffered Superconducting And Hyper-Conducting Wire, Jesse L. Lynn

Theses and Dissertations

This research models and analyzes the distribution of heat and current in a buffered superconducting or hyper-conducting wire that shows potential for use in different capacities in multiple Air Force systems including the Active Denial System. The thesis includes a brief background of the reaction-diffusion system of partial differential equations provided by AFRL/RZPG and development of the numerical scheme. It then explores solutions to the model. These solutions indicate some of the various heat-related failures that may be observed in such a wire. The nature of the solutions observed depends on the characteristics of the wire, operating temperature and efficiency …

Go to article

Nondestructive Electromagnetic Material Characterization Using A Dual Waveguide Probe: A Full Wave Solution, Milo W. Hyde Iv, James W. Stewart, Michael J. Havrilla, William P. Baker, Edward Rothwell, Dennis P. Nyquist Jun 2009

Nondestructive Electromagnetic Material Characterization Using A Dual Waveguide Probe: A Full Wave Solution, Milo W. Hyde Iv, James W. Stewart, Michael J. Havrilla, William P. Baker, Edward Rothwell, Dennis P. Nyquist

Faculty Publications

A nondestructive technique for determining the complex permittivity and permeability of a perfect electric conductor backed magnetic shielding material using a dual waveguide probe is presented. The dual waveguide probe allows for the simultaneous collection of reflection and transmission coefficients which distinguishes it from single probe methods common in the literature. Theoretical development of these coefficients, which is accomplished through a coupled magnetic field integral equations formulation using Love's equivalence principle and solved via the method of moments (MOM), is discussed. Evaluation of the resulting MOM impedance matrix elements is performed using complex plane integration leading to enhanced computational efficiency …

Go to article

Suite Of Standards For Electromagnetic Material Characterization Using Mode Matching Theory, Brian J. Witthoeft Mar 2009

Suite Of Standards For Electromagnetic Material Characterization Using Mode Matching Theory, Brian J. Witthoeft

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to determine if an acceptable standard can be developed to access the accuracy and precision of measurements taken using waveguide systems. Tiny changes in material fabrication, processing, and environment can cause problems with accuracy and precision in measurement. There is a great deal of research on uncertainty analysis in the literature. A large portion of the effort will be to determine the levels of uncertainty caused by each of the dimensions of the waveguide insert and to develop a suitable standard capable of verifying system performance. The Mode-Matching Technique will be used to extract …

Go to article

Advanced Radiometry For High Discrimination Explosive Fireball Discrimination, Steven E. Slagle Mar 2009

Advanced Radiometry For High Discrimination Explosive Fireball Discrimination, Steven E. Slagle

Theses and Dissertations

The high explosive fireball phenomenological model for the mid wave infrared spectrum, developed by AFIT, performs classification from spectral signatures was modified to use radiometric intensities. Five bands were sequentially fit to derive the five physical fit parameters describing the fireball's temperature, size, soot absorption coefficient within 16% and emissions from the H2O and CO2 concentrations within 333% of the spectral model. This was improved by changing the model's band sizes, center, and fitting methods where all five fit parameters were matched to within 17% of spectral model. This demonstrated that a combination of radiometric intensities could …

Go to article

Analysis And Application Of The Bi-Directional Scatter Distribution Function Of Photonic Crystals, Robert B. Lamott Mar 2009

Analysis And Application Of The Bi-Directional Scatter Distribution Function Of Photonic Crystals, Robert B. Lamott

Theses and Dissertations

Photonic crystals (PCs) are periodic structures built from materials with different refractive indices repeated at sub-wavelength intervals, which results in unusual optical characteristics, including narrowband laser protection, and zero reflectance and high absorption anomalies. Most of the research into the optical properties of PCs has concentrated only on the small range of wavelengths and angles where these effects occur. To better understand where all light leaving a PC is scattered, a Complete Angle Scatter Instrument was used to analyze the scatter from three Guided Mode Resonance Filters designed for laser protection. In the plane of incidence, measurements of the scatter …

Go to article

Retroreflector For Photonic Doppler Velocimetry, Thomas J. Lagoski Mar 2009

Retroreflector For Photonic Doppler Velocimetry, Thomas J. Lagoski

Theses and Dissertations

In order to meet the goals of the Department of Defense (DoD) for smaller and more accurate weapons, the Munitions Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RW) has numerous projects investigating the miniaturization of weapons and munition fuze components. One of these efforts is to characterize the performance of small detonators. The velocity of the flyer, the key component needed to initiate a detonation sequence, can be measured using a photonic Doppler velocimeter (PDV). The purpose of this research was to develop a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device that would act as an optimal retroreflective surface for the PDV. Two …

Go to article

The Effect Of Radiation On The Electrical Properties Of Aluminum Gallium Nitride/Gallium Nitride Heterostructures, John W. Mcclory Jun 2008

The Effect Of Radiation On The Electrical Properties Of Aluminum Gallium Nitride/Gallium Nitride Heterostructures, John W. Mcclory

Theses and Dissertations

AlGaN/GaN Heterojunction Field Effect Transistors (HFETs) were irradiated at low temperature and the temperature dependent changes to drain current, gate current, capacitance, and transconductance were measured. The results were compared to the charge control model of the drain current and trap-assisted tunneling model of the gate current to determine the source of the radiation-induced changes. AlGaN/GaN HFETs demonstrated threshold voltage shifts and drain current changes after irradiation. After electron and neutron irradiation applied at ~80 K, measurement of the drain current at this temperature showed an increase that saturated after 1013 electrons/cm2 or 1010 neutrons/cm2 due …

Go to article

Microfluidic Power Generation, Aaron J. Sprecher Mar 2008

Microfluidic Power Generation, Aaron J. Sprecher

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis includes the detailed mathematical calculations used to determine the feasibility of harnessing electrical energy from the blood flow through human capillaries. The designs are inspired by human physiology and well established electromagnetic energy harvesting techniques and the fabrication methods have been proposed for the various components of the device. The fabrication and the design of these components have also been extensively analyzed using calculations based on the governing principles of microfluidics, kinetics, and electromagnetics. The analysis has confirmed that this design can produce sufficient energy to power a MEMS device using non-standard materials and fabrication methods. The designs …

Go to article

Construction And Testing Of Broadband High Impedance Ground Planes (Higps) For Surface Mount Antennas, Bora Cakiroglu Mar 2008

Construction And Testing Of Broadband High Impedance Ground Planes (Higps) For Surface Mount Antennas, Bora Cakiroglu

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to design and build appropriate broadband high impedance ground planes for surface mount antennas. Broadband, low-profile antennas, such as spirals, log-periodics, and bow-ties, suffer substantially in gain and bandwidth performance when they are brought close to a conducting surface. Thus, when standard broadband antenna designs are conformally placed on vehicle bodies, they can no longer achieve the high data rates required by modern communication. A simple remedy for this has been to place an absorber lined cavity behind the antenna to preserve some bandwidth, at the expense of reduced gain. However, recently introduced high …

Go to article

A Nondestructive Technique For Determining Complex Permittivity And Permeability Of Magnetic Sheet Materials Using Two Flanged Rectangular Waveguides, Milo W. Hyde Iv, Michael J. Havrilla Nov 2007

A Nondestructive Technique For Determining Complex Permittivity And Permeability Of Magnetic Sheet Materials Using Two Flanged Rectangular Waveguides, Milo W. Hyde Iv, Michael J. Havrilla

Faculty Publications

In this paper, a nondestructive technique for determining the complex permittivity and permeability of magnetic sheet materials using two flanged rectangular waveguides is presented. The technique extends existing single probe methods by its ability to simultaneously measure reflection and transmission coefficients imperative for extracting both permittivity and permeability over all frequencies. Using Love’s Equivalence Principle, a system of coupled magnetic field integral equations (MFIEs) is formed. Evaluation of one of the two resulting spectral domain integrals via complex plane integration is discussed. The system, solved via the Method of Moments (MoM),yields theoretical values for the reflection and transmission coefficients. These …

Go to article

Bipolar Cascade Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers For Rf Photonic Link Applications, William J. Siskaninetz Sep 2007

Bipolar Cascade Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers For Rf Photonic Link Applications, William J. Siskaninetz

Theses and Dissertations

The development and demonstration of bipolar cascade vertical cavity surface emitting lasers is presented. The systematic approach to designing, fabricating, and characterizing the critical tunnel junction, incorporating the tunnel junction into an edge emitting bipolar cascade laser, and finally the transition to a VCSEL structure is detailed. A novel approach prior to growing and characterizing BC VCSELs was to investigate bipolar cascade light emitting diodes which incorporate the microcavity designs and disentangles the VCSEL cavity effects from the microcavity. The best performing p-doped oxide aperture microcavity design was then used as the microcavity for 1-, 2-, and 3-stage BC …

Go to article

Thermally Activated, Variable Blazed Grating For Coherent Beam Steering, Matthew T. Johnson Mar 2007

Thermally Activated, Variable Blazed Grating For Coherent Beam Steering, Matthew T. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The ability to perform non-mechanical optical beam steering is of critical importance in laser communication and remote sensing; it is as vital as a phased-array antenna is for RADAR. Directed energy transmission and direction-selective reception increase performance and produce tactical advantage in DoD applications. However, specific geometric features of non-mechanical beam steering devices must be designed in proportion to the wavelength of the monochromatic light to be steered. Also, the ability to handle higher energies by reducing the energy per unit requires large areas of uniform properties on the micrometer scale. These challenges have been addressed in the past using …

Go to article

Material Characterization Improvement In High Temperature Rectangle Waveguide Measurements, Eric A. Buschelman Mar 2007

Material Characterization Improvement In High Temperature Rectangle Waveguide Measurements, Eric A. Buschelman

Theses and Dissertations

This research presents a method by which electromagnetic characterization of materials in a partially filled waveguide can be accurately performed. Higher order modes are excited by the geometry, which are not accounted for in most algorithms. A correction must consider the power transmitted by higher-order modes. Modal solutions, using reference plane independence, for a single top air gap between the material sample and the waveguide wall, are also presented. Characterization is performed on samples of acrylic and rubberized magnetic radar absorbing material. Calculation of the complex permittivity and permeability of shielding material, within 10% of the true value, was achieved …

Go to article

Sub-Surface Navigation Using Very-Low Frequency Electromagnetic Waves, Alan L. Harner Mar 2007

Sub-Surface Navigation Using Very-Low Frequency Electromagnetic Waves, Alan L. Harner

Theses and Dissertations

This research proposes two schemes utilizing very-low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic waves to navigate underground. The first scheme consists of using above-ground beacon transmitters to broadcast VLF signals to an underground mobile receiver which uses methods such as triangulation and trilateration to obtain a position solution. The second scheme consists of using above-ground reference receivers along with an underground mobile receiver to form time-difference- of-arrival measurements of incoming VLF signals of opportunity, such as lightning strike emissions, to calculate a position solution. The objective of this thesis is to develop positioning algorithms and use simulations as a tool to characterize the …

Go to article

Nonlinear Time-Variant Response In An Avalanche Photodiode Array Based Laser Detection And Ranging System, Michael D. Seal Mar 2007

Nonlinear Time-Variant Response In An Avalanche Photodiode Array Based Laser Detection And Ranging System, Michael D. Seal

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort identifies and models the nonlinear time-variant behavior exhibited by an avalanche photodiode (APD) array based Laser Ranging and Detection (LADAR) system. Based on the original Linear Time-Invariant (LTI) model, the evolution of error in the LADAR signal is examined sequentially from the outgoing pulse through signal digitization. This error evolution shows that the LTI model does not contain a mechanism for causing the observed signal deviations or the failure to meet the Cramer-Rao lower bound for range accuracy. A nonlinear time-variant model is developed based on the interactions of the avalanche photodiodes in the array with the …

Go to article

Assessing The Potential For Improved Scramjet Performance Through Application Of Electromagnetic Flow Control, Martin F. Lindsey Mar 2006

Assessing The Potential For Improved Scramjet Performance Through Application Of Electromagnetic Flow Control, Martin F. Lindsey

Theses and Dissertations

Hypersonic flight using scramjet propulsion bridges the gap between turbojets and rockets. Recent efforts focus on magnetogasdynamic (MGD) flow control to mitigate the problems of high thermomechanical loads and low efficiencies associated with scramjets. This research is the first flight-scale, three-dimensional computational analysis of a realistic scramjet to assess how MGD flow control improves scramjet performance. Developing a quasi-one dimensional design tool culminated in the first open source scramjet geometry. This geometry was tested with the Air Force Research Laboratory's electromagnetic computational code. To increase fidelity, an algorithm was developed to incorporate thermochemistry, resulting in the only open-source model of …

Go to article

Investigation Of Frequency-Domain And Time-Domain Free-Space Material Measurements, Kirt J. Cassell Mar 2006

Investigation Of Frequency-Domain And Time-Domain Free-Space Material Measurements, Kirt J. Cassell

Theses and Dissertations

Electromagnetic material characterization is the process of determining the complex permittivity and permeability of a test sample. The primary goal of this thesis is to develop a new two-transmission material measurement method to decrease the error associated with using a reflection measurement. The transmission method uses a sample transmission measurement and an acrylic-backed sample transmission measurement. This technique is first demonstrated in a rectangular waveguide system then extended to frequency-domain and time-domain focus arch free-space systems. The frequency-domain free-space calibration process decreases accuracy at the band edges. The use of a digital oscilloscope with a time-domain reflectometer (TDR) module should …

Go to article

Air Gap Error Compensation For Coaxial Transmission Line Method Of Electromagnetic Material Characterization, Ronald G. Fehlen Mar 2006

Air Gap Error Compensation For Coaxial Transmission Line Method Of Electromagnetic Material Characterization, Ronald G. Fehlen

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzes material characterization measurements from 50 Mhz to 3.05 GHz where an axially symmetric air gap exists between the sample material and the inner or outer conductor. Higher order fields are excited by the air gap and are accounted for through modal analysis methods. A root search minimizes the difference between the calculated scattering parameters from the modal method and the experimentally measured scattering parameters. The root is the permittivity and permeability of the material. This method is tested with a non-magnetic material and a heavily loaded magnetic material. An error analysis based on dimension measurement uncertainty is …

Go to article

Polar Phase Screens: A Comparison With Other Methods Of Random Phase Screen Generation, Rebecca J. Eckert Mar 2006

Polar Phase Screens: A Comparison With Other Methods Of Random Phase Screen Generation, Rebecca J. Eckert

Theses and Dissertations

This research provides the first organized comparison of random phase screen generation methods, including logarithmic polar Fourier series, using structure functions. Random phase screens are essential elements of simulating light propagation through turbulent media. In order to be effective, they must accurately reflect theory and be practical to implement. This research explains and evaluates three methods of generating random phase screens: using a Fourier series upon a polar frequency grid with logarithmic spacing; using the fast Fourier transform, with its Cartesian frequency grid; and using Zernike polynomials. It provides a comparison of the Polar Fourier Series technique with the two …

Go to article

Determining The Resistivity Of Resistive Sheets Using Transmission Measurements, Milo W. Hyde Iv Mar 2006

Determining The Resistivity Of Resistive Sheets Using Transmission Measurements, Milo W. Hyde Iv

Theses and Dissertations

In September 2005, radar cross section (RCS) measurements were made of resistive sheets, or R-cards, wrapped around a polystyrene foam cylinder to compare with a newly developed theoretical RCS prediction technique. The resistivities of the R-cards were initially measured with a direct current (DC) four-point probe. When the RCS measurements were compared to the theoretical predictions, it became clear that DC resistivity alone is not sufficient to accurately predict the scattering from an R-card. This thesis presents alternating current (AC) methods for determining the resistivity of an R-card. Both freespace and waveguide techniques are presented. Experimental verification of the techniques …

Go to article

Comparison Of Computational Electromagnetic Codes For Prediction Of Low-Frequency Radar Cross Section, Paul C. Lash Mar 2006

Comparison Of Computational Electromagnetic Codes For Prediction Of Low-Frequency Radar Cross Section, Paul C. Lash

Theses and Dissertations

Radar cross section (RCS) prediction of full-scale aircraft is of interest to military planners for a variety of applications. Several computational electromagnetic codes for RCS prediction are available with differing features and capabilities. The goal of this research is to compare the capabilities of three computational electromagnetic codes for use in production of RCS signature assessments at low frequencies in terms of performance, accuracy, and features: Fast Illinois Solver Code (FISC), Code for Analysis of Radiators on Lossy Surfaces (CARLOS-3D), and Science Applications International Corporation Full-wave solver (SAF). The comparison is accomplished through analysis of predicted and measured RCS of …

Go to article

Active Optical Tracking With Spatial Light Modulators, Steven R. Mawhorter Mar 2006

Active Optical Tracking With Spatial Light Modulators, Steven R. Mawhorter

Theses and Dissertations

Two spatial light modulators are utilized for beam splitting, steering and tracking. Both linear and holographic phase screens are used in a demonstration of technology to allow real time tracking to communicate in a one-to-several type scenario. One SLM is used to apply a linear phase modulation to steer multiple beams onto a detector. The spots that are produced represent the targets as they move around the field of view of the central communication node. A Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm will subsequently use the detected spots as the desired pointing locations. Using this as input, the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm yields a phase only …

Go to article

A Study Of Near Field Data Transformed To The Far Field For A Canonical Pec Scatterer, E. Matthew Cady Mar 2006

A Study Of Near Field Data Transformed To The Far Field For A Canonical Pec Scatterer, E. Matthew Cady

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to analyze the error associated with the Image Based Near Field to Far Field Transformation (IB NFFFT) for a canonical perfectly electrically conductive (PEC) scatterer. This research compares two groups of data: far field RCS predicted by the IB NFFFT and far field RCS predicted by X-Patch. The IB NFFFT requires a complete set of calibrated monostatic near field scattering data of the object. A detailed description is given of the configuration of the measurement facilities and procedures that were required to obtain the calibrated near field scattering data, as well as the process …

Go to article

Protein Impregnated Polymer (Pip) Film Infrared Sensor Using Suspended Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Pixels, Tetsuo Kaieda Sep 2005

Protein Impregnated Polymer (Pip) Film Infrared Sensor Using Suspended Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Pixels, Tetsuo Kaieda

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate have developed a novel protein impregnated polymer (PIP) suspension that changes resistivity as a function of absorbed infrared radiation. Due to this property, the PIP is a potential material for use as an uncooled bolometer, or thermal sensor. In this research, a thermally-isolated pixel design, sensor characterization methods, and sensor fabrication and processing steps were developed. To create a microbolometer, the PIP was applied to two prototype micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) surface micro-machined structures. The first is a raised cantilever pixel array that uses residual stress polysilicon and metal film arms to …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last