Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Statistical Photocalibration Of Photodetectors For Radiometry Without Calibrated Light Sources, Nicholas J. Yielding, Stephen C. Cain, Michael D. Seal

Faculty Publications

Calibration of CCD arrays for identifying bad pixels and achieving nonuniformity correction is commonly accomplished using dark frames. This kind of calibration technique does not achieve radiometric calibration of the array since only the relative response of the detectors is computed. For this, a second calibration is sometimes utilized by looking at sources with known radiances. This process can be used to calibrate photodetectors as long as a calibration source is available and is well-characterized. A previous attempt at creating a procedure for calibrating a photodetector using the underlying Poisson nature of the photodetection required calculations of the skewness of …

Metastable Ar(1s5) Density Dependence On Pressure And Argon-Helium Mixture In A High Pressure Radio Frequency Dielectric Barrier Discharge, Daniel J. Emmons, David E. Weeks, Ben Eshel, Glen P. Perram

Faculty Publications

Simulations of an α-mode radio frequency dielectric barrier discharge are performed for varying mixtures of argon and helium at pressures ranging from 200 to 500 Torr using both zero and one-dimensional models. Metastable densities are analyzed as a function of argon-helium mixture and pressure to determine the optimal conditions, maximizing metastable density for use in an optically pumped rare gas laser. Argon fractions corresponding to the peak metastable densities are found to be pressure dependent, shifting from approximately 15% Ar in He at 200 Torr to 10% at 500 Torr. A decrease in metastable density is observed as pressure …

Effects Of Edge Inclination Angles On Whispering-Gallery Modes In Printable Wedge Microdisk Lasers, Cong Chen, Lei Wan, Hengky Chandrahalim

Faculty Publications

The ink-jet technique was developed to print the wedge polymer microdisk lasers. The characterization of these lasers was implemented using a free-space optics measurement setup. It was found that disks of larger edge inclination angles have a larger free spectral range (FSR) and a lower resonance wavelength difference between the fundamental transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) whispering-gallery modes (WGMs). This behavior was also confirmed with simulations based on the modified Oxborrow’s model with perfectly matched layers (PMLs), which was adopted to accurately calculate the eigenfrequencies, electric field distributions, and quality parameters of modes in the axisymmetric microdisk resonators. …

Semiconductor Color-Center Structure And Excitation Spectra: Equation-Of-Motion Coupled-Cluster Description Of Vacancy And Transition-Metal Defect Photoluminescence, Jesse J. Lutz, Xiaofeng F. Duan, Larry W. Burggraf

Faculty Publications

Valence excitation spectra are computed for deep-center silicon-vacancy defects in 3C, 4H, and 6H silicon carbide (SiC), and comparisons are made with literature photoluminescence measurements. Optimizations of nuclear geometries surrounding the defect centers are performed within a Gaussian basis-set framework using many-body perturbation theory or density functional theory (DFT) methods, with computational expenses minimized by a QM/MM technique called SIMOMM. Vertical excitation energies are subsequently obtained by applying excitation-energy, electron-attached, and ionized equation-of-motion coupled-cluster (EOMCC) methods, where appropriate, as well as time-dependent (TD) DFT, to small models including only a few atoms adjacent to the defect center. We consider the …

Measuring Leak Rates From Abandoned Natural Gas Wells In Western Pennsylvania, John Bradshaw, Jeremy M. Slagley, Nicole Iannacchione, Matthew Lees

Faculty Publications

The proliferation of unconventional natural gas drilling has brought considerable recent attention to the possible impacts that this new technology may have on greenhouse gas emissions. In Pennsylvania, estimates of these possible impacts are very difficult to accurately assess in large part due to the highly uncertain contribution from legacy abandoned and orphaned gas (AOG) wells. This paper outlines our work in establishing a methodology for measuring the methane leak rate from AOG wells in Western Pennsylvania. The theory and methodology of an enclosure method for measuring the methane mass leak rate from one AOG natural gas well is described. …

Wavelet Anova Bisection Method For Identifying Simulation Model Bias, Andrew D. Atkinson, Raymond R. Hill, Joseph J. Pignatiello Jr., G. Geoffrey Vining, Edward D. White, Eric Chicken

Faculty Publications

High-resolution computer models can simulate complex systems and processes in order to evaluate a solution quickly and inexpensively. Many simulation models produce dynamic functional output, such as a set of time-series data generated during a process. These computer models require verification and validation (V&V) to assess the correctness of these simulations. In particular, the model validation effort evaluates if the model is an appropriate representation of the real-world system that it is meant to simulate. However, when assessing a model capable of generating functional output, it is useful to learn more than simply whether the model is valid or invalid. …

Unmasking Cost Growth Behavior: A Longitudinal Study, Cory N. D'Amico, Edward D. White, Jonathan D. Ritschel, Scott R. Kozlak

Faculty Publications

This article examines how cost growth factors (CGF) change over a program’s acquisition life cycle for 36 Department of Defense aircraft programs. Starting from Milestone B, the authors examine CGFs at five gateways: Critical Design Review, First Flight (FF), the end of Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E), Initial Operational Capability, and Full Operational Capability. Each CGF is assigned a color rating based upon the program’s cost growth: Green (low), Amber (moderate), or Red (high). Significant findings include dependencies among similar CGF color ratings and cost growth occurring primarily between FF and the end of DT&E during a program’s life cycle.

Understanding And Developing Estimates Based On Practical Foundation Methods For Alaska's Discontinuous Permafrost Region, Paul P. Dennison

Theses and Dissertations

This research uses a quantitative analysis to develop a family of curves and a calculator for potential foundation thresholds in the discontinuous permafrost region of Alaska. The United States Pacific Command (PACAF) is bolstering the region by advocating for the F-35, KC-46, and the newly proposed long-range bomber to be stationed in Alaska. These next generation aircrafts and warfighters will need new facilities and beddown plans to efficiently and effectively carry out their mission. The biggest obstacle in the region is permafrost; this unique polar phenomenon is found throughout the northern half of Alaska. Fairbanks in particular has multiple military …

Power-Law Schell-Model Sources, Milo W. Hyde Iv

Faculty Publications

A new type of Schell-model source is developed that has a spectral degree of coherence, or spatial power spectrum, which is described by a power-law function. These power-law sources generally produce cusped, or peaked far-zone spectral density patterns making them potentially useful in directed energy applications. The spectral degrees of coherence, spatial power spectra, and spatial coherence radii for power-law sources are derived and discussed. Two power-law sources are then synthesized in the laboratory using a liquid crystal spatial light modulator. The experimental spectral densities are compared to the corresponding theoretical predictions to serve as a proof of concept.

Transferable Multiparty Computation, Michael R. Clark, Kenneth M. Hopkinson

AFIT Patents

A method and apparatus are provided for secure multiparty computation. A set of first parties is selected from a plurality of first parties for computation. Inputs for computation associated with each party in the set of first parties are divided into shares to be sent to other parties in the set of first parties. The computation on the shares is performed by the set of first parties using multiparty computation functions. In response to a trigger event, shares of the set of first parties are transferred to a set of second parties selected from a plurality of second parties. The …

Single-Reference Coupled Cluster Theory For Multi-Reference Problems, Johannes T. Margraf, Ajith Perera, Jesse J. Lutz, Rodney J. Bartlett

Faculty Publications

Coupled cluster (CC) theory is widely accepted as the most accurate and generally applicable approach in quantum chemistry. CC calculations are usually performed with single Slater-determinant references, e.g., canonical Hartree-Fock (HF) wavefunctions, though any single determinant can be used. This is an attractive feature because typical CC calculations are straightforward to apply, as there is no potentially ambiguous user input required. On the other hand, there can be concern that CC approximations give unreliable results when the reference determinant provides a poor description of the system of interest, i.e., when the HF or any other single determinant ground state has …

Use Of A Novel Infrared Wavelength-Tunable Laser Mueller-Matrix Polarimetric Scatterometer To Measure Nanostructured Optical Materials, Jason C. Vap, Stephen E. Nauyoks, Michael R. Benson, Michael A. Marciniak

Faculty Publications

Nanostructured optical materials, for example, metamaterials, have unique spectral, directional, and polarimetric properties. Samples designed and fabricated for infrared (IR) wavelengths have been characterized using broadband instruments to measure specular polarimetric transmittance or reflectance as in ellipsometry or integrated hemisphere transmittance or reflectance. We have developed a wavelength-tunable IR Mueller-matrix (Mm) polarimetric scatterometer which uses tunable external-cavity quantum-cascade lasers (EC-QCLs) to tune onto and off of the narrowband spectral resonances of nanostructured optical materials and performed full polarimeteric and directional evaluation to more fully characterize their behavior. Using a series of EC-QCLs, the instrument is tunable over 4.37-6.54 μm wavelengths …

Biologically Inspired Network (Bionet) Authentication Using Logical And Pathological Rf-Dna Credential Pairs, Tyrone A.L. Lewis Sr.

Theses and Dissertations

The command and control (C2) of shared space resources are vulnerable to logical credential forgery and impersonation attacks among standardized and interoperable wireless radio frequency (RF) networks. Threats could come from trusted operators (insiders) or from external sources (outsiders). An attacker may gain unauthorized network access and illegally cross into C2 boundaries when conventional network authentication fails. This research proposes an integrated trust management system that uses both application-layer and physical-layer trust markers to authenticate users and their communication sources. In essence, the results from physical-layer RF-DNA fingerprinting techniques are used to improve application-level trust schemes based on command patterns, …

Three-Dimensional Imaging Of Cold Atoms In A Magneto-Optical Trap With A Light Field Microscope, Gordon E. Lott

Theses and Dissertations

Imaging of trapped atoms in three dimensions utilizing a light field microscope is demonstrated in this work. Such a system is of interest in the development of atom interferometer accelerometers in dynamic systems where strictly defined focal planes may be impractical. A light field microscope was constructed utilizing a Lytro® Development Kit micro-lens array and sensor. It was used to image fluorescing rubidium atoms in a magneto-optical trap. The three-dimensional (3D) volume of the atoms is reconstructed using a modeled point spread function (PSF), taking into consideration the low magnification (1.25) of the system which changed typical assumptions in the …

A Tree Locality-Sensitive Hash For Secure Software Testing, Camdon J. Cady

Theses and Dissertations

Bugs in software that make it through testing can cost tens of millions of dollars each year, and in some cases can even result in the loss of human life. In order to eliminate bugs, developers may use symbolic execution to search through possible program states looking for anomalous states. Most of the computational effort to search through these states is spent solving path constraints in order to determine the feasibility of entering each state. State merging can make this search more efficient by combining program states, allowing multiple execution paths to be analyzed at the same time. However, a …

A Stochastic Model Of Plausibility In Live-Virtual-Constructive Environments, Jeremy Robert Millar

Theses and Dissertations

Distributed live-virtual-constructive simulation promises a number of benefits for the test and evaluation community, including reduced costs, access to simulations of limited availability assets, the ability to conduct large-scale multi-service test events, and recapitalization of existing simulation investments. However, geographically distributed systems are subject to fundamental state consistency limitations that make assessing the data quality of live-virtual-constructive experiments difficult. This research presents a data quality model based on the notion of plausible interaction outcomes. This model explicitly accounts for the lack of absolute state consistency in distributed real-time systems and offers system designers a means of estimating data quality and …

Special Features Of The Air-To-Space Neutron Transport Problem, Whitman T. Dailey

Theses and Dissertations

Special features of the air-to-space neutron transport problem are identified, characterized, and quantified to provide information on features that should be included in Monte Carlo simulations to obtain accurate predictions. Currently available codes and tools for Monte Carlo neutron transport calculations do not provide an adequate (in accuracy nor precision nor efficiency) framework for practical transport calculations in the context of the air-to-space neutron transport problem. A new Fortran code, High Altitude Transport to Space for Neutrons (HATS-n), is developed and tested to perform high fidelity Monte Carlo neutron transport calculations for this class of problems. Special features of the …

Laser Heating Of Graphite And Pulsed Laser Ablation Of Titanium And Aluminum, William A. Bauer

Theses and Dissertations

Tactical missions for laser weapons include a wide variety of targets, increasing the demands on the laser lethality community. New approaches to reducing the dimensionality of laser and materials interactions are necessary to increase predictive capability. Self-contained systematic experimental study was conducted on continuous wave and pulsed laser interaction with graphite, Al, and Ti. The spectroscopy and plume dynamics from the heating and ablation of these materials was examined to characterize laser weapons effects, develop graphite response for thermal protection systems, and provide optical diagnostics for materials processing. Furthermore, analysis of ablated plume velocity distributions shows application of conventional Maxwell-Boltzmann …

Analysis Of Ar(1s5) Metastable Populations In High Pressure Argon-Helium Gas Discharges, Daniel J. Emmons Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Simulations of an argon-helium plasma are performed for two high pressure discharge scenarios to find a uniform, large-volume plasma with Ar(1s5) metastable densities on the order of 10¹³ cm^-3 for use as the ground state in an optically pumped rare gas laser. An analysis of a pulsed direct current discharge is performed for a 7% argon in helium mixture at a pressure of 270 Torr using both zero and one-dimensional models. Kinetics of species relevant to the operation of an optically pumped rare gas laser are analyzed throughout the pulse duration to identify key reaction pathways. Simulations are …

Automated Software Testing In The Dod: Current Practices And Opportunities For Improvement, Darryl K. Ahner, James Wisnowski, James R. Simpson

Faculty Publications

The concept of automating the testing of software-intensive systems has been around for decades, but the practice of automating testing is scarce in many industries, especially in the government defense sector. A one-year project initiated by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Scientific Test and Analysis Techniques Center of Excellence (STAT COE) and sponsored by Navy OPNAV N94 set out to:

• study the degree to which the Department of Defense (DoD) has adopted automated software testing (AST);

• share the best software practices used by industry; and

• develop and distribute an AST implementation guide intended for program management and …

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Synthesis Of Non-Uniformly Correlated Partially Coherent Sources Using A Deformable Mirror, Milo W. Hyde Iv, Santasri Bose-Pillai, Ryan A. Wood

Faculty Publications

The near real-time synthesis of a non-uniformly correlated partially coherent source using a low-actuator-count deformable mirror is demonstrated. The statistical optics theory underpinning the synthesis method is reviewed. The experimental results of a non-uniformly correlated source are presented and compared to theoretical predictions. A discussion on how deformable mirror characteristics such as actuator count and pitch affect source generation is also included.

Luminescence In Lithium Borates, Brant E. Kananen

Theses and Dissertations

Spectrometry methods are used to identify and characterize point defects in single crystals of lithium tetraborate (Li₂B₄O₇) and lithium triborate (LiB₃O₅) doped with silver or copper, and explore the role of these point defects in luminescence. New defects are identified in Ag-doped including: lithium vacancy substitutional-silver-ion defect-pairs (hole trap); isolated lithium vacancies (hole trap); isolated oxygen vacancies (electron trap); interstitial-silver-ion substitutional-silver-ion defect pairs (electron trap); isolated interstitial silver ions (electron trap); and interstitial-silver-ion lithium-vacancy defect pairs (electron trap). Defect models are proposed, and adjustments made to defect models known defects. …

Oblique Longwave Infrared Atmospheric Compensation, Daniel S. O'Keefe

Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces two novel oblique longwave infrared atmospheric compensation techniques for hyperspectral imagery, Oblique In-Scene Atmospheric Compensation (OISAC) and Radiance Detrending (RD). Current atmospheric compensation algorithms have been developed for nadir-viewing geometries which assume that every pixel in the scene is affected by the atmosphere in nearly the same manner. However, this assumption is violated in oblique imaging conditions where the transmission and path radiance vary continuously as a function of object-sensor range, negatively impacting current algorithms in their ability to compensate for the atmosphere. The techniques presented here leverage the changing viewing conditions to improve rather than hinder …

A Brief Introduction To Equi-Chordal And Equi-Isoclinic Tight Fusion Frames, Matthew C. Fickus, John Jasper, Dustin G. Mixon, Cody E. Watson

Faculty Publications

Equi-chordal and equi-isoclinic tight fusion frames (ECTFFs and EITFFs) are both types of optimal packings of subspaces in Euclidean spaces. In the special case where these subspaces are one-dimensional, ECTFFs and EITFFs both correspond to types of optimal packings of lines known as equiangular tight frames. In this brief note, we review some of the fundamental ideas and results concerning ECTFFs and EITFFs.

Fresnel Spatial Filtering Of Quasihomogeneous Sources For Wave Optics Simulations, Milo W. Hyde Iv, Santasri Bose-Pillai

Faculty Publications

High-spatial-frequency optical fields or sources are often encountered when simulating directed energy, active imaging, or remote sensing systems and scenarios. These spatially broadband fields are a challenge in wave optics simulations because the sampling required to represent and then propagate these fields without aliasing is often impractical. To address this, two spatial filtering techniques are presented. The first, called Fresnel spatial filtering, finds a spatially band-limited source that, after propagation, produces the exact observation plane field as the broadband source over a user-specified region of interest. The second, called statistical or quasihomogeneous spatial filtering, finds a spatially band-limited source that, …

Anomalydetection: Implementation Of Augmented Network Log Anomaly Detection Procedures, Robert J. Gutierrez, Bradley C. Boehmke, Kenneth W. Bauer, Cade M. Saie, Trevor J. Bihl

Faculty Publications

As the number of cyber-attacks continues to grow on a daily basis, so does the delay in threat detection. For instance, in 2015, the Office of Personnel Management discovered that approximately 21.5 million individual records of Federal employees and contractors had been stolen. On average, the time between an attack and its discovery is more than 200 days. In the case of the OPM breach, the attack had been going on for almost a year. Currently, cyber analysts inspect numerous potential incidents on a daily basis, but have neither the time nor the resources available to perform such a task. …

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study Of Neutral Mg Acceptors In Β-Ga2O3 Crystals, Brant E. Kananen, Larry E. Halliburton, Elizabeth M. Scherrer, K. T. Stevens, G. K. Foundos, K. B. Chang, Nancy C. Giles

Faculty Publications

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is used to directly observe and characterize neutral Mg acceptors (Mg⁰_Ga) in a β-Ga₂O₃ crystal. These acceptors, best considered as small polarons, are produced when the Mg-doped crystal is irradiated at or near 77 K with x rays. During the irradiation, neutral acceptors are formed when holes are trapped at singly ionized Mg acceptors (Mg−Ga). Unintentionally present Fe³⁺ (3d⁵) and Cr³⁺ (3d³) transition-metal ions serve as the corresponding electron traps. The hole is localized in a nonbonding p orbital on a threefold-coordinated oxygen ion …

On-Chip, High-Sensitivity Temperature Sensors Based On Dye-Doped Solid-State Polymer Microring Lasers, Lei Wan, Hengky Chandrahalim, Cong Chen, Qiushu Chen, Ting Mei, Yuji Oki, Naoya Nishimura, Lingjie Jay Guo, Xudong Fan

Faculty Publications

We developed a chip-scale temperature sensor with a high sensitivity of 228.6 pm/°C based on a rhodamine 6G (R6G)-doped SU-8 whispering-gallery mode microring laser. The optical mode was largely distributed in a polymer core layer with a 30 μm height that provided detection sensitivity, and the chemically robust fused-silica microring resonator host platform guaranteed its versatility for investigating different functional polymer materials with different refractive indices. As a proof of concept, a dye-doped hyperbranched polymer (TZ-001) microring laser-based temperature sensor was simultaneously developed on the same host wafer and characterized using a free-space optics measurement setup. Compared to TZ-001, the …

Estimating Index Of Refraction For Specular Reflectors Using Passive Polarimetric Hyperspectral Radiance Measurements, Jacob A. Martin, Kevin C. Gross

Faculty Publications

Results of a method of estimating index of refraction from passive, polarimetric hyperspectral imaging radiance measurements are presented. As off-nadir viewing hyperspectral imaging platforms gain prominence, estimating index of refraction, which is invariant to viewing angle, may prove advantageous to estimating the emissivity, which is not. Results show that index of refraction can be retrieved to within 8% rms error for fused silica and sapphire glass targets, while simultaneously estimating object temperature. The accuracy and self-consistency of this technique for estimating index of refraction are shown to compare favorably to the maximum smoothness temperature–emissivity separation algorithm. Additionally, the results show …

Real-Time Camera Tracking System Using Optical Flow Feature Points, Daniel D. Doyle, Alan L. Jennings, Jonathan T. Black

AFIT Patents

A new apparatus and method for tracking a moving object with a moving camera provides a real-time, narrow field-of-view, high resolution and on target image by combining commanded motion with an optical flow algorithm for deriving motion and classifying background. Commanded motion means that movement of the pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) unit is “commanded” by a computer, instead of being observed by the camera, so that the pan, tilt and zoom parameters are known, as opposed to having to be determined, significantly reducing the computational requirements for tracking a moving object. The present invention provides a single camera pan …