Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Asymmetry In Mie Scattering By A Homogeneous Sphere, Samuel Hanna

Honors Program Theses

Azimuthal asymmetry is present in the Mie scattering pattern of light scattered by a homogeneous sphere within a uniform medium. This asymmetry is predicted by Mie theory, which describes such scattering mathematically using solutions to Maxwell's equations. This thesis shows that the asymmetry in Mie scattering patterns is related to the polarization of the light incident on the scatterer. This relationship is reflected in the mathematics of Mie theory. Furthermore, this thesis demonstrates empirically that the polarization of the incident light is related to the asymmetry in Mie scattering patterns. Mie scattering by single polystyrene beads was recorded using an …

Evolution Of Electron Properties After Nanosecond Repetitively Pulsed Discharges In Air Measured By Thomson Scattering, Chase S. Murray

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This work was an investigation of nanosecond repetitively pulsed discharges in air by measuring the evolution of electron density and electron temperature between pulses using Thomson scattering of laser light. Bursts of repetitive pulses within several microseconds after the initial pulse were found to exhibit a coupling effect and create an even higher electron density than the initial pulse. The wide range of temperatures and densities of the electrons existing between pulses allow an opportunity to explore both the collective and non-collective regimes of Thomson scattering. By measuring electron density and temperature at a variety of times, an accurate description …

Light Scattering In Diffraction Limit Infrared Imaging, Ghazal Azarfar

Theses and Dissertations

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy is a noninvasive technique for chemical imaging of micrometer size samples. Employing an infrared microscope, an infrared source and FTIR spectrometer coupled to a microscope with an array of detectors (128 x 128 detectors), enables collecting combined spectral and spatial information simultaneously. Wavelength dependent images are collected, that reveal biochemical signatures of disease pathology and cell cycle. Single cell biochemistry can be evaluated with this technique, since the wavelength of light is comparable to the size of the objects of interest, which leads to additional spectral and spatial effects disturb biological signatures and can confound …

Scattering In Infrared Microspectroscopy, Alex James Schofield

Theses and Dissertations

Mid-infrared absorbance spectra obtained from spatially inhomogeneous and finite samples often contain scattering effects that undermine the Beer-Lambert law assumption. Such spectra contain generally non-linear contributions from the scattering material’s complex refractive index, which may result in derivative-like bands with shifted peak positions. It is first shown using Mie theory for spherical scatterers, that these band distortions may be interpreted and accurately modeled by Fano theory when the imaginary part of its complex dielectric function is small and Lorentzian in nature—as is the case for many biological media. By fitting Fano line shapes to isolated absorbance bands, recovery of the …

Searching For Supermassive Binary Black Holes And Their Gravitational Waves, Karishma Bansal

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The recent discovery of gravitational waves (GWs) by the LIGO collaboration has opened a new observing window on the universe, but it is limited to the GWs in the frequency range of 10-1000 Hz. The main motivation of this thesis is to consider the possibility of detecting low frequency (nHz) GWs. In the pursuit of these waves, we need to understand their source of origin and build a detector with the required sensitivity. Low-frequency waves are expected as a result of coalescing binary supermassive black holes (SMBBHs). We hope to detect these waves in the near future using pulsar timing …

Application Of X-Ray Grating Interferometry To Polymer/Flame Retardant Blends In Additive Manufacturing, Omoefe Joy Kio

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

X-ray grating interferometry is a nondestructive tool for visualizing the internal structures of samples. Image contrast can be generated from the absorption of X-rays, the change in phase of the beam and small-angle X-ray scattering (dark-field). The attenuation and differential phase data obtained complement each other to give the internal composition of a material and large-scale structural information. The dark-field signal reveals sub-pixel structural detail usually invisible to the attenuation and phase probe, with the potential to highlight size distribution detail in a fashion faster than conventional small-angle scattering techniques. This work applies X-ray grating interferometry to the study of …

Quantum And Classical Transport Of 2d Electrons In The Presence Of Long And Short Range Disorder, Jesse Kanter

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This work focuses on the study of electron transport of 2-D electron gas systems in relation to both fundamental properties of the systems such as disorder and scattering mechanisms, as well as unique magnetoresistance (MR) effects. A large portion of the discussion is built around the use of an in plane magnetic field to vary the ratio between the Zeeman energy between electrons of different spins and the Landau level spacing, creating a tool to control the quantization of the density of states (DOS).

This tool is first used to isolate Quantum Positive Magnetoresistance (QPMR), which grants insight to the …

Simulation Of Black Hole Inner Accretion Disk-Corona And Optimization Of The Hard X-Ray Polarimeter, X-Calibur, Banafsheh Beheshtipour

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mass accreting stellar mass and supermassive black holes are strong sources of X-rays. The X- ray observations enable studies of the process of black hole accretion and give us information about the spacetime background. In the framework of my thesis work, I have continued the development of a general-relativistic ray-tracing code enabling the simulation of the Comptonization of photons in the hot accretion disk corona. I use the code to investigate the impact of various approximation schemes for modeling the Comptonization finding that a fully relativistic treatment is needed for accurate predictions in the soft and hard X- ray regimes …

Pulse Height Spectra Analysis Of A Neutron Energy Tuning Assembly, Jason R. Stickney

Theses and Dissertations

An energy tuning assembly (ETA) was previously designed and built for the purpose of irradiating samples with a combination of a thermonuclear and a prompt fission neutron spectrum. Initial research was performed to characterize the performance of the ETA at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 88-Inch Cyclotron using 33 MeV deuteron breakup on tantalum as the neutron source. This research analyzes detector responses collected from three EJ-309 detectors used to characterize the ETA generated neutron field. A signal processing chain was developed to reduce the full waveform data into a pulse height spectrum. The primary goal was to develop a …

Effects Of Interface Scattering And Carrier Localization On Conductance Of Cu-Based Superlattices, Jiyoon Jessica Kim

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Ultra-thin films and multilayer structures are widely used in modern technologies such as semiconductor logic and memory devices. As film thickness decreases to a few nanometers or smaller, classical transport theories are no longer valid. In this study, we investigate transport properties of superlattices with layer thickness reduced to ~1 nm. The superlattices are made of alternating layers of Cu and a transition metal (Ru, Mo, and Co). The layers are deposited by physical vapor deposition and resistance changes during superlattice growth are measured. The observed resistance evolution reveals the effects of carrier scattering and localization at the interfaces.

Conducting Polyelectrolyte Complexes: Assembly, Structure, And Transport, Michael A. Leaf

Doctoral Dissertations

Decades of progress have yielded a tremendous variety of organic electronics, with great strides in the development of photovoltaics, thermoelectrics and other flexible devices. Ubiquitous in these research areas are films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT: PSS), a complex of oppositely-charged polyelectrolytes initially suspended in water before film formation. This material has high electronic conductivity and good water processability. Pristine film conductivity is somewhat low, but is dramatically enhanced through simple treatments like ionic liquid addition or shear. Can this enhancement be understood so that further optimization might render PEDOT: PSS commercially viable? PEDOT: PSS is a complicated material, with …

Studying The Reaction 34ar(Alpha,P)37k And Its Impact On Xrb Nucleosynthesis And Observables, Amber C. Lauer

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Type I X-Ray bursts (XRB’s) are a site of nucleosynthesis for some proton-rich elements up to A=100. These stellar explosions occur on the surface of a neutron star in a Low- Mass X-ray Binary accreting H- and He-rich material. During accretion nuclear burning occurs through stable processes such as the hot CNO (HCNO) cycles, but at some critical accretion condition the the HCNO cycles are bypassed through a breakout reaction. This triggers the thermonuclear runaway of the XRB. During the burst, nucleosynthesis on certain proton-rich nuclei, called (α, p) waiting points, can stall which could stall the energy generation and …

Improving The Sensitivity Of A Pulsar Timing Array: Correcting For Interstellar Scattering Delays, Jacob E. Turner

Honors Papers

The NANOGrav collaboration aims to detect low frequency gravitational waves by measuring the arrival times of radio signals from pulsars. A confirmation of such a gravitational wave signal requires timing tens of pulsars with a precision of better than 100 nanoseconds for around 10 – 25 years. A crucial component of the success of pulsar timing relies on understanding how the interstellar medium affects timing accuracy. Current pulsar timing models account only for the large-scale dispersion delays from the ISM. As a result, the relatively small-scale propagation effects caused by scattering are partially absorbed into the dispersion delay component of …

Image-Based Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function Of Human Skin In The Visible And Near Infrared, Jeffrey R. Bintz

Theses and Dissertations

Human detection is an important first step in locating and tracking people in many missions including SAR and ISR operations. Recent detection systems utilize hyperspectral and multispectral technology to increase the acquired spectral content in imagery and subsequently better identify targets. This research demonstrates human detection through a multispectral skin detection system to exploit the unique optical properties of human skin. At wavelengths in the VIS and NIR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, an individual can be identified by their unique skin parameters. Current detection methods base the skin pixel selection criteria on a diffuse skin reflectance model; however, it …

Substrate Effects And Dielectric Integration In 2d Electronics, Bhim Prasad Chamlagain

Wayne State University Dissertations

The ultra-thin body of monolayer (and few-layer) two dimensional (2D) semiconducting materials such as transitional metal dichalconiges (TMDs), black phosphorous (BP) has demonstrated tremendous beneficial physical, transport, and optical properties for a wide range of applications. Because of their ultrathin bodies, the properties of 2D materials are highly sensitive to environmental effects. Particularly, the performance of 2D semiconductor electronic devices is strongly dependent on the substrate/dielectric properties, extrinsic impurities and absorbates. In this work, we systematically studied the transport properties of mechanically exfoliated few layer TMD field-effect transistors (FETs) consistently fabricated on various substrates including SiO2,Parylene –C, Al2O3, SiO2 modified …

Experimental And Theoretical Basis For A Closed-Form Spectral Brdf Model, Samuel D. Butler

Theses and Dissertations

The microfacet class of BRDF models is frequently used to calculate optical scatter from realistic surfaces using geometric optics, but has the disadvantage of not being able to consider wavelength dependence. This dissertation works toward development of a closed-form approximation to the BRDF that is suitable for hyperspectral remote sensing by presenting measured BRDF data of 12 different materials at four different incident angles and up to seven different wavelengths between 3.39 and 10.6 micrometer. The data was intended to be fit to various microfacet BRDF models to determine an appropriate form of the wavelength scaling. However, when fitting the …

Quantum Mechanics With A Quartic Dispersion Law, Joanna Ruhl

Graduate Masters Theses

Creation of three-dimensional matter waves, the three-dimensional analog of one-dimensional solitons, has been a goal of experimental physics for some time. A recent proposal has suggested that changing the dispersion law from quadratic to quartic for ultra cold atoms in a shaken lattice should allow for the creation of these objects. In this thesis, we develop the theoretical basis for quantum mechanics with a quartic dispersion law. The probability current functional is constructed from the corresponding time-dependent Schrödinger equation, and used to derive the junction conditions that connect the derivatives of the wavefunction on one side of a potential discontinuity …

Accuracy Of Theory For Calculating Electron Impact Ionization Of Molecules, Hari Chaluvadi

Doctoral Dissertations

The study of electron impact single ionization of atoms and molecules has provided valuable information about fundamental collisions. The most detailed information is obtained from triple differential cross sections (TDCS) in which the energy and momentum of all three final state particles are determined. These cross sections are much more difficult for theory since the detailed kinematics of the experiment become important. There are many theoretical approximations for ionization of molecules. One of the successful methods is the molecular 3-body distorted wave (M3DW) approximation. One of the strengths of the DW approximation is that it can be applied for any …

Spin And Orbital Moments And Magnetic Order In Fe3o4 Nanoparticle Assemblies, Yanping Cai

Theses and Dissertations

Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles of 5 to 11 nm in size were prepared by organic methods. Particle size was analyzed by both X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. Zero Field Cooling (ZFC) / Field Cooling (FC) and magnetization loop measurements were recorded by VSM, and they confirmed superparamagnetic behavior in the sample. The blocking temperature is found to be in the range of 30 K ~ 170 K. It has a dependence on the particle size. ZFC / FC curves also indicate the presence of magnetic coupling between particles. X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) measurements of these nanoparticles …

The Investigation Of The Molecular Mechanism Of Rhodopsin Activation By Small Angle Neutron Scattering And Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Techniques, Kurt William Van Delinder

Wayne State University Theses

Rhodopsin is a visual pigment found within the rod photoreceptor cells of the retina. It is a visual protein found within human beings and commonly shared amongst other vertebrate species. The major pigment protein is responsible for converting photons into chemical signals, which stimulates biological processes in the nervous system, and this allows the ability to then sense light [4]. The process of how rhodopsin is activated is believed to be understood with the introduction of a time ordered sequence of intermediate states. However, there are still major gaps and inconsistencies regarding the large-scale conformational changes that follow photoactivation. The …

A More General Diffusion Model For Lightning Radiative Transfer, Elliott Paul Saint-Pierre

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A more general diffusion model for lightning radiative transfer is presented. The development is based on the work published by Koshak et al (J. Geo. Phys. Res., vol. 99, (D7), 14361-371, (1994). In this thesis, the diffusion coefficient is allowed to vary as a function of the radial component of the cloud and cylindrical geometry is used. Different approximations in the analysis of the resulting radial equation are provided. The method of Frobenius permits the obtention of a complete solution. Possibilities and means for further development of this research are included.

Backscatter And Attenuation Properties Of Mammalian Brain Tissues, Pushpani Vihara Wijekularatne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a comcategory of brain injuries, which contributes to a substantial number of deaths and permanent disability all over the world. Ultrasound technology plays a major role in tissue characterization due to its low cost and portability that could be used to bridge a wide gap in the TBI diagnostic process. This research addresses the ultrasonic properties of mammalian brain tissues focusing on backscatter and attenuation. Orientation dependence and spatial averaging of data were analyzed using the same method resulting from insertion of tissue sample between a transducer and a reference reflector. Apparent Backscatter Transfer Function …

Random Transformations Of Optical Fields And Applications, Thomas Kohlgraf-Owens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The interaction of optical waves with material systems often results in complex, seemingly random fields. Because the fluctuations of such fields are typically difficult to analyze, they are regarded as noise to be suppressed. Nevertheless, in many cases the fluctuations of the field result from a linear and deterministic, albeit complicated, interaction between the optical field and the scattering system. As a result, linear systems theory (LST) can be used to frame the scattering problem and highlight situations in which useful information can be extracted from the fluctuations of the scattered field. Three fundamental problems can be posed in LST …

Image Degradation Due To Surface Scattering In The Presence Of Aberrations, Narak Choi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the scattering phenomena by well-polished optical mirror surfaces. Specifically, predicting image degradation by surface scatter from rough mirror surfaces for a two-mirror telescope operating at extremely short wavelengths (9nm~30nm) is performed. To evaluate image quality, surface scatter is predicted from the surface metrology data and the point spread function in the presence of both surface scatter and aberrations is calculated. For predicting the scattering intensity distribution, both numerical and analytic methods are considered. Among the numerous analytic methods, the small perturbation method (classical Rayleigh-Rice surface scatter theory), the Kirchhoff approximation method (classical BeckmanKirchhoff surface scatter theory), …

Photoemission By Large Electron Wave Packets Emitted Out The Side Of A Relativistic Laser Focus, Eric Flint Cunningham

Theses and Dissertations

There are at least two common models for calculating the photoemission of accelerated electrons. The 'extended-charge-distribution' method uses the quantum probability current (multiplied by the electron charge) as a source current for Maxwell's equations. The 'point-like-emitter' method treats the electron like a point particle instead of like a diffuse body of charge. Our goal is to differentiate between these two viewpoints empirically. To do this, we consider a large electron wave packet in a high-intensity laser field, in which case the two viewpoints predict measurable photoemission rates that differ by orders of magnitude. Under the treatment of the 'extended-charge-distribution' model, …

Supersymmetric Origins Of The Properties Of Sech-Pulses And Sine-Gordon Solitons, Andrew Phillip Koller

Graduate Masters Theses

In this thesis, we show that the members of a class of reflectionless Hamiltonians, namely, Akulin's Hamiltonians, are connected via a supersymmetric (SUSY) chain. While the reflectionless property in question (vanishing reflection coefficients at all values of the spectral parameter, e.g. energy) has been mentioned in the literature for over two decades, the enabling algebraic mechanism was previously unknown. We show that the supersymmetric connection of the Akulin's Hamiltonians to a potential-free Hamiltonian is the origin of this property. As the first application for our findings, we show that the SUSY decomposition of Akulin's Hamiltonians explains a well-known effect in …

Integration Of A Worldwide Atmospheric Based Model With A Live Virtual Constructive Simulation Environment, David B. Simmons

Theses and Dissertations

Yearly DoD spends millions of dollars on Modeling and Simulation tools in order to accomplish two fundamental tasks: make better decisions and develop better skills. Simulators that are based on realistic models enable the USAF to properly train, educate, and employ military forces. LEEDR is an atmospheric model based on worldwide historic weather data that is able to predict the extinction, absorption, and scattering of radiation across a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Through this study LEEDR models the propagation of 1.0642 micron laser radiation at worldwide locations and through various environmental conditions. This modeled laser transmission output, based …

Scattering Matrix Elements For The Nonadiabatic Collision B (2PJₐ) + H2 (1Σ+G, Ν, Ј) ↔ B (2PJ’ₐ) + H2 (1Σ+G, Ν’, J’)., Luke A. Barger

Theses and Dissertations

Scattering matrix elements are calculated for the nonadiabatic inelastic collision B (²P_jₐ) + H₂ (¹Σ⁺_g, ν, ј) ↔ B (²P_j’ₐ) + H₂ (¹Σ⁺_g, ν’, j’). This calculation utilizes the effective potential energy surfaces for this collision generated by Garvin along with a correction to the asymptotic H₂ potential. Wavepackets are propagated on these surfaces using a split-operator propagator. This propagation yields correlation functions between reactant and product Møller states which are used to calculate the scattering …

Probing Random Media With Singular Waves, Chaim Schwartz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years a resurgence of interest in wave singularities (of which optical vortices are a prominent example), light angular momentum and the relations between them has occurred. Many applications in various areas of linear and non-linear optics have been based on studying effects related to angular momentum and optical vortices. This dissertation examines the use of such wave singularities for studying the light propagation in highly inhomogeneous media and the relationship to angular momentum transfer. Angular momentum carried by light can be, in many cases, divided in two terms. The first one relates to the polarization of light and …

Monte Carlo Simulation Of Hole Transport And Terahertz Amplification In Multilayer Delta Doped Semiconductor Structures, Maxim Dolguikh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Monte Carlo method for the simulation of hole dynamics in degenerate valence subbands of cubic semiconductors is developed. All possible intra- and inter-subband scattering rates are theoretically calculated for Ge, Si, and GaAs. A far-infrared laser concept based on intersubband transitions of holes in p-type periodically delta-doped semiconductor films is studied using numerical Monte-Carlo simulation of hot hole dynamics. The considered device consists of monocrystalline pure Ge layers periodically interleaved with delta-doped layers and operates with vertical or in-plane hole transport in the presence of a perpendicular in-plane magnetic field. Inversion population on intersubband transitions arises due to light hole …