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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Articles 3031 - 3060 of 3078

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

A Low-Cost Part-Task Flight Training System: An Application Of A Head Mounted Display, David A. Dahn Dec 1990

A Low-Cost Part-Task Flight Training System: An Application Of A Head Mounted Display, David A. Dahn

Theses and Dissertations

To investigate the feasibility of using head-mounted display(HMD) and Computer Image Generators(CIG) in a low cost part-task trainer, we created a prototype system. Our approach was to build a virtual world interface using a HMD to an existing flight simulator application. This allowed a CIG with only one graphics channel to drive the display. To investigate which class of computing platform was suitable for use as the CIG, a cooperative thesis effort was launched to host the simulator on a mini-computer and micro-computer platform. The appropriate CIG could then be determined through demonstration and comparison between the systems. A software …

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An Empirical Evaluation Of Analytical Models For Parallel Relational Database Queries, Mark C. Denham Dec 1990

An Empirical Evaluation Of Analytical Models For Parallel Relational Database Queries, Mark C. Denham

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents the design and implementation of three parallel join algorithms to be used in the verification of analytical models developed by Kearns. Kearns developed a set of analytical models for a variety of relational database queries. These models serve as tools for the design of parallel relational database system. Each of Kearns' models is classified as either single step or multiple step. The single step models reflect queries that require only one operation while the multiple step models reflect queries that require multiple operations. Three parallel join algorithms were implemented based upon Kearns' models. Two are based upon …

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An Empirical Study Of Combining Communicating Processes In A Parallel Discrete Event Simulation, Ann K. Lee Dec 1990

An Empirical Study Of Combining Communicating Processes In A Parallel Discrete Event Simulation, Ann K. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

The primary goal of distributed discrete event simulations is to achieve speedup in simulation execution time by distributing the processing of the simulation over multiple processors. When partitioned for distribution in this fashion, simulations are typically partitioned such that there are more processes than processors. This thesis reviews existing methods for distributed discrete event simulations, and proposes general guidelines for efficient partitioning for a given communications topology based on empirical evidence. A performance analysis is conducted for two approaches to partitioning the system. The first method chosen is a mapping of multiple processes to a processor and the second approach …

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Determining Concurrency In Object-Oriented Design Of Real-Time Embedded Systems Using Ada, Kenneth D. Baum Dec 1990

Determining Concurrency In Object-Oriented Design Of Real-Time Embedded Systems Using Ada, Kenneth D. Baum

Theses and Dissertations

One of the characteristics of real-time systems is concurrency. Designers of real-time systems have traditionally determined system concurrency at implementation time using the facilities of a cyclic executive. With the advent of programming language constructs for specifying concurrency, determining concurrency at design time has become a possibility. Several design methods, all of which are extensions of either Structured Design or Jackson System Development, provide heuristics to help the designer make concurrency decisions. The object-oriented approach, however, has no corresponding heuristics to aid designers of real-time systems. The purpose of this thesis was to develop heuristics to help designers make concurrency …

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Access And Operator Methods For The Triton Nested Relational Database System, Tina M. Harvey Dec 1990

Access And Operator Methods For The Triton Nested Relational Database System, Tina M. Harvey

Theses and Dissertations

Unique database requirements in the realm of non-standard applications (such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided software engineering(CASE), and office information systems (OIS) have driven the development of new data models and database systems based on these new models. In particular, the goal of these new database systems is to exploit the advantages of complex data models that are more efficient (in terms of time and space) than their relationship counterparts. This research effort describes the relational design and implementation of the Triton nested relational database system, a prototype system based on the nested relational data model. Triton is intended to …

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Automatic Determination Of Recommended Test Combinations For Ada Compilers, James S. Marr Dec 1990

Automatic Determination Of Recommended Test Combinations For Ada Compilers, James S. Marr

Theses and Dissertations

Ada compilers are validated using the Ada Compiler Validation Capability (ACVC) test suit, containing over 4000 individual test programs. Each test program focuses, to the extent possible, on a single language feature. Despite the advantages of this atomic testing methodology, it is often the unexpected interactions between language features that result in compilation problems. This research investigated techniques to automatically identify recommended combinations of Ada language features for compiler testing. A prototype program was developed to analyze the Ada language grammar specification and generate a list of recommended of features to be tested. The output from this program will be …

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The Development Of A Graphical Notation For The Formal Specification Of Software, Gene A. Place Dec 1990

The Development Of A Graphical Notation For The Formal Specification Of Software, Gene A. Place

Theses and Dissertations

The program tranformations lifecycle model, proposed by Balzer in 1984, may hold the key to dramatic leap in software engineer productivity necessitated by the tremendous growth in the world's demand for software. This leap in productivity is made possible by the program transformation lifecycle's reliance on formal specifications rather than programs as the primary vehicle for the creation and maintenance of software systems. Because formal specifications are concerned only with system behaviors and not implementation details, formal specifications tend to present critical system characteristics much more concisely than programs. The major disadvantage of using formal specifications in a software development …

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Real-Time Flight Simulation And The Head-Mounted Display - An Inexpensive Approach To Military Pilot Training, Philip A. Platt Dec 1990

Real-Time Flight Simulation And The Head-Mounted Display - An Inexpensive Approach To Military Pilot Training, Philip A. Platt

Theses and Dissertations

The integration of the low-cost head-mounted display (HMD), an inexpensive graphics workstation-based flight simulator, and a communications network was investigated to determine if the prototype of an inexpensive multi- aircraft Virtual Flight Simulator could be built. Previous research efforts have coupled HMD technology and flight simulation; however, the cost of these systems has been high. This thesis effort emphasized the use of joystick devices to emulate pilot control, the implementation of a fully enclosed virtual flight simulator, and the utilization of low-cost NTSC-based television technology to produce a prototype. The virtual flight simulator also contained a basic set of instruments …

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Mapping An Object-Oriented Requirements Analysis To A Design Architecture That Supports Design And Component Reuse, Kelly L. Spicer Dec 1990

Mapping An Object-Oriented Requirements Analysis To A Design Architecture That Supports Design And Component Reuse, Kelly L. Spicer

Theses and Dissertations

Design reuse has more potential for increasing the productivity of software development and maintenance than do traditional approaches to software reuse that emphasize reuse of smaller components. Current software development methods do not promote design reuse. The literature contains limited documented research on the subject, but enough that some design reuse principles can be gleaned. Among these principles are that reusable designs should be applicable within some domain of application, have a consistent structure, provide a method for instantiating the design, avoid object nesting, and promote reuse of smaller components as well. A design mapping method from an object-oriented requirements …

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Computer Generated Holography As A Three-Dimensional Display Medium, Bryant L. Stuart Dec 1990

Computer Generated Holography As A Three-Dimensional Display Medium, Bryant L. Stuart

Theses and Dissertations

A process was developed to produce three dimensional images using computer generated holography (CGH). This process consisted of a series of steps that began with a geometric description of an object and concluded with a three dimensional holographic image being computed from a synthetic wavefront. The objects used in this series of steps (or CGH pipeline) were described geometrically as a collection of three dimensional points. The modular nature of the CGH pipeline provided a flexible platform from which to evaluate various object geometries, interference calculations algorithms, and interference pattern recording and reduction techniques. This system was implemented with general …

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An Ada-Based Framework For An Idef0 Case Tool Using The X Window System, Jay-Evan J. Tevis Ii Dec 1990

An Ada-Based Framework For An Idef0 Case Tool Using The X Window System, Jay-Evan J. Tevis Ii

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents the design strategy, implementation methodology, testing, and evaluation used in developing an Ada-based framework for SAtool II using the X Window System. SAtool II is an IDEF0 graphical project editor and data dictionary editor. An Ada-Based Framework for an IDEF0 Case Tool Using the X Window System is the ICAM Definition Method Zero graphical notation language adopted by the U.S. Air Force to produce a function model of a manufacturing system or environment (23:1-1). The Air Force Institute of Technology is conducting on-going research in the use of IDEF0 in the requirements analysis phase …

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A Hypermedia Implementation For Reusable Software Component Representation, Gary G. Worrall Dec 1990

A Hypermedia Implementation For Reusable Software Component Representation, Gary G. Worrall

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated software component representation methods. Hypermedia was chosen as the implementation method to represent a collection of reusable software components. The hypermedia implementation organizes knowledge about the component collection into a web of small information chunks called frames. The set of software components was represented using a hybrid classification scheme composed of enumerated and faceted parts. The enumerated part enables the user to progress along a path in a taxonomic tree, narrowing the scope of eligible components. Each leaf node in this tree denotes a class of components, members of which are distinguished by their time and space …

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A Remote Visual Interface Tool For Simulation Control And Display, William J. Derouchey Dec 1990

A Remote Visual Interface Tool For Simulation Control And Display, William J. Derouchey

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the design and development of the Visual Interactive Simulation Interface Tool (VISIT). VISIT was designed to provide the graphical representation and user interface for a simulation that is running on another processor utilizing internet communications. The system provides support for various input devices to control the simulation display and environment. Simulation objects are displayed using either a three-dimensional wireframe representation or a Gouraud shaded representation. Viewer interaction to the simulation is provided by a collection of commands that allow the viewer to initialize, start, stop, abort, and restart the simulations. The viewer also has the ability to …

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Implementation Of The Modified Monte Carlo Technique Using Importance Sampling On The Block Oriented System Simulator, John B. Bennett Dec 1990

Implementation Of The Modified Monte Carlo Technique Using Importance Sampling On The Block Oriented System Simulator, John B. Bennett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to implement the Modified Monte Carlo technique using Importance Sampling on the Block Oriented System Simulator (BOSS). Computer simulation techniques of communications systems were reviewed. Next, conventional Monte Carlo techniques and Modified Monte Carlo techniques using Importance Sampling were reviewed. Models of Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) systems using both Monte Carlo techniques were implemented and simulated. Reasons for the model using Importance Sampling not working correctly are postulated. The Monte Carlo technique is a method of ensuring the an inherently infinite procedure, such as determining system bit error rate (BER), can be determined …

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Design Of A Linear Gaussian Control Law For An Adaptive Optics System, Mark Alan Von Bokern Dec 1990

Design Of A Linear Gaussian Control Law For An Adaptive Optics System, Mark Alan Von Bokern

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis considers the design of a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller for a ground-based adaptive-optics telescopes. The incoming aberrated image is reflected from a 97-element piezoelectric mirror, then measured with a Hartmann-type wavefront sensor. A Kalman filter processes the outputs of the wavefront sensor and obtains estimates of system states. A linear quadratic regulator processes these state estimates and determines an appropriate set of commands for the deformable mirror. Atmospheric distortion is modeled as a set of fourteen Zernike coefficients whose dynamic behavior is produced by excitation of a set of shaping filters by zero-mean Gaussian white noise. The …

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An Evaluation Of An Ada Implementation Of The Rete Algorithm For Embedded Flight Processors, F. Jesse Fanning Dec 1990

An Evaluation Of An Ada Implementation Of The Rete Algorithm For Embedded Flight Processors, F. Jesse Fanning

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to design and develop an expert system shell in Ada, and to evaluate the shell's execution and size performance to determine its suitability for real-time operation on the MIL-STD-1750A embedded flight processor. The expert system shell uses the CLIPS/Ada inference engine, a forward-chaining Ada implementation of Rete. The expert system shell design is presented along with an overview of the target environment--the MIL-STD-1750A VHSIC Avionic Modular Processor (VAMP) running under the Ada Avionics Real-Time Software (AARTS) Operating System. Theoretical and empirical complexity analyses of the inference engine are presented and discussed in view of …

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Computer Model Of An Injection Locked Pulsed Co2 Laser, Allen M. Susie Dec 1990

Computer Model Of An Injection Locked Pulsed Co2 Laser, Allen M. Susie

Theses and Dissertations

With the discovery of the laser there have been continual attempts to increase the 'spectral brightness' of a laser for applications such as signal processing and lidar. To this end techniques using either passive or active cavity elements have been developed to isolate a single longitudinal mode in both continuous and pulsed laser systems. Although passive elements have useful applications in continuous systems their use in pulsed systems is difficult to control. The injection of an external signal has proved very successful.

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A Compact Optical Associative Memory Using Dynamic Holographic Storage Media And Photorefractive Gain And Attenuation Elements, Thomas J. Burns Dec 1990

A Compact Optical Associative Memory Using Dynamic Holographic Storage Media And Photorefractive Gain And Attenuation Elements, Thomas J. Burns

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort implemented a compact optical associative memory architecture consisting of a Fabry-Perot Confocal Resonator (FPCR) optical processing environment, two dynamically reprogrammable Lithium Niobate volume holograms, and Barium Titanate gain and attenuation elements. The reduced physical dimensions of the compact optical processing environment make it more adaptable to military applications than previous associative memory designs. The FPCR employs Mangin mirrors designed to reduce spherical aberrations in off-axis rays. The orientation of the gain element's grating vector angle and the model used to predict the profile of the attenuation element were unique to this research effort. The object stored in …

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A Biologically-Inspired Neural Network Architecture For Image Processing, Laurence E. Lazofson Dec 1990

A Biologically-Inspired Neural Network Architecture For Image Processing, Laurence E. Lazofson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis project included a literature survey of biological and artificial neural network research followed by development and testing of high- order and image recognition hierarchical neural network algorithms. Following training, performance testing of second-order and third-order networks yielded maximum accuracies comparable to those achieved by multilayer perceptron classifiers operating on test data sets. Several versions of an image classification algorithm were tested for learning performance using pixel data from forward-looking infrared (FLIR) images of tanks, trucks, target boards, and clutter. Employing the biologically-motivated Lambertization and contrast normalization of pixel windows, correlations with multiple Gabor function wavelets, and a 'phase …

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Model-Based 3-D Recognition System Using Gabor Features And Neural Networks, Phung D. Le Dec 1990

Model-Based 3-D Recognition System Using Gabor Features And Neural Networks, Phung D. Le

Theses and Dissertations

A different approach to pattern recognition was attempted using Gabor features, artificial neural nets, and an image generator. The Gabor features and artificial neural nets are sound biological-based, and the image generator provides complete access to any view of an object. This thesis tested the idea that their integration could form a robust 3-D recognition system. The results of the research showed that the Gabor features together with a neural net were used successfully in classifying objects regardless of their positions, out-of- plane rotations, and to a lesser extent in-plane rotations. The Gabor features were obtained by correlating the image …

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Optical Image Segmentation Using Wavelet Filtering Techniques, Christopher P. Veronin Dec 1990

Optical Image Segmentation Using Wavelet Filtering Techniques, Christopher P. Veronin

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort successfully implemented an automatic, optically based image segmentation scheme for locating potential targets in a cluttered FLIR image. Such a design is critical to achieve real-time segmentation and classification for machine vision applications. The segmentation scheme used in this research was based on texture discrimination and employs orientation specific, bandpass spatial filters as its main component. The orientation specific, bandpass spatial filters designed during this research include symmetrically located circular apertures implemented on heavy, black aluminum foil; cosine and sine Gabor filters implemented with detour-phase computer generated holography photoreduced onto glass slides; and symmetrically located circular apertures …

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Using Error Detection And Correction Coding For A Turbulent Atmospheric Optical Communications Link, Mark A. Cloutier Dec 1990

Using Error Detection And Correction Coding For A Turbulent Atmospheric Optical Communications Link, Mark A. Cloutier

Theses and Dissertations

Probability of bit error (Pb) performance for a turbulent, atmospheric, optical, communications link with convolutional error detection and correction coding was investigated. The codes investigated were all rate 1/2 codes with constraint lengths ranging from 3 to 7. It was assumed that the coded data stream was sufficiently interleaved so that the turbulent channel could be considered memoryless. A theoretical bound on Pb, given by Viterbi for a memoryless channel, was used to plot curves of Pb versus the signal intensity of last transmitter. These curves were plotted for three different levels of atmospheric turbulence and three …

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Nonlinear Interferometry: Optical Image Addition/Subtraction And Novelty Filters, Gordon T. Hengst Dec 1990

Nonlinear Interferometry: Optical Image Addition/Subtraction And Novelty Filters, Gordon T. Hengst

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the performance characteristics of a beam fanning novelty filter and designed a switchable optical image adder/subtractor. The filter spatial resolution, contrast ratio, onset time, and velocity response were measured for both z-cut and 45 deg. cut BaTiO3 crystals in the beam fanning configuration. Experimental results show that the special 45 deg. cut crystal produces the best overall beam fanning novelty filter. In addition, switchable optical image subtraction and addition were demonstrated for the first time using a modified Michelson interferometer configured with a phase-conjugating mirror and an adjustable length leg. The system demonstrated addition and subtraction with …

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An Optically Pumped Molecular Bromine Laser, Jon W. Morrison Dec 1990

An Optically Pumped Molecular Bromine Laser, Jon W. Morrison

Theses and Dissertations

An optically pumped molecular bromine laser was studied to investigate the quenching kinetics state of Br2. This included characterization of the pressure dependence of the laser output power. The approach was to excite molecular bromine in a sealed cell with a Nd:YAG pumped dye laser. Unresolved side fluorescence and amplified stimulated emission (ASE) spectra were recorded. ASE offered the advantage of a simpler optical system with no externally induced wavelength dependencies. Stimulated emission as a signal monitor offered greater resolution than side fluorescence spectra and facilitated spectroscopic assignment.

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Operating Characteristics Of Xenon Gas Discharges, Michael E. Ruark Dec 1990

Operating Characteristics Of Xenon Gas Discharges, Michael E. Ruark

Theses and Dissertations

The voltage-current and spectral line intensity-current characteristics were measured for four Xenon gas discharges. The four discharge configurations were made up of two tubes, each examined at pressures of 1 and 10 Torr. The first tube was a hot filament tube with a 1 cm radius, and the second a cold cathode type tube of radius .3 cm. Intensity dependence upon current was primarily linear in all cases with some important deviations. The hot filament tube at 10 Torr showed a large decrease in intensity between 4 and 6 mA in the 8409 angstrom line. This is thought to be …

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Energy Transfer In Singlet Oxygen And Bromine Monofluoride, Barrett F. Lowe Dec 1990

Energy Transfer In Singlet Oxygen And Bromine Monofluoride, Barrett F. Lowe

Theses and Dissertations

The interhalogen molecule, bromine monofluoride (BrF), is currently under study as a potential candidate for a visible chemical laser medium. Previous studies have shown a strong emission from BrF(B3π(O+)) in the presence of singlet oxygen. While singlet oxygen will pump BrF(X) to BrF(B), the exact mechanism is not known. Chemiluminescence observed from BrF(B) excited by oxygen in a gas flowtube was used to study the energy transfer mechanism. The objective of this research was fourfold. First, the pumping process was identified as a 3- Body Mechanism. Second, the observed vibrational distribution clearly showed the population of …

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Determination Of The Optical Properties Of Organic Thin Films By Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Mark L. Sward Dec 1990

Determination Of The Optical Properties Of Organic Thin Films By Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Mark L. Sward

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrated the feasibility of determining the optical properties of organic and polymer thin films through the use of Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE). Tan Psi and cos Delta data from 300-800 nanometers (NM) were taken with a Rudolph Research s2000 spectroscopic ellipsometer four samples: indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass; five layer poly-benzyl-L glutamate (PBLG) organic film on ITO coated glass; eight layer PBLG film on ITO coated glass; and a thiophene polymer film on a microscope slide. The data sets were fit to a choice of four computer models based on a paper written by Dwight Berreman in 1972. …

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Fluorescent Lifetime Measurements Of Rare Earth Elements In Gallium Arsenide, Danny J. Topp Dec 1990

Fluorescent Lifetime Measurements Of Rare Earth Elements In Gallium Arsenide, Danny J. Topp

Theses and Dissertations

Lifetime measurements of the excited states of three GaAs semiconductors doped with the rare earth elements Erbium (ER), Praseodymium (Pr) , and Thulium (Tm) has been studied using a pulsed nitrogen laser and germanium detector. The measurements were made with an experimental set up with a system response time of 0.34 micro seconds. A 330 milliwatt nitrogen laser with a wavelength of 3370 angstrums was used to excite transitions of the rare earth elements.

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A Computer Model Of A Co2 Oscillator-Amplifier System, William F. Anderson Dec 1990

A Computer Model Of A Co2 Oscillator-Amplifier System, William F. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

An existing CO2 laser amplifier simulation model developed for use on IBM-compatible personal computers has been improved through the redesign and addition of supplemental procedures from several models. The models and selected procedures which form the basis of the improved model are described. One procedure calculates the pumping rates of CO2 and N2 through calculation of the Boltzmann equation. Another procedure calculates the average vibrational temperatures of C2's vibrational modes. A third procedure replaces the Runge- Kutta integrator used in the original model with a faster, more accurate Adams- Bashforth-Moulton predictor-corrector integrator.

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Analysis Of Space Radiation Effects In Gallium Arsenide And Cadmium Selenide Semiconductor Samples Using Luminescence Spectroscopic Techniques, Brad Lee Shaffer Dec 1990

Analysis Of Space Radiation Effects In Gallium Arsenide And Cadmium Selenide Semiconductor Samples Using Luminescence Spectroscopic Techniques, Brad Lee Shaffer

Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of space radiation effects in gallium arsenide and cadmium selenide semiconductor samples using luminescence spectroscopic techniques. The M0006 semiconductor samples were placed into a 28.5 degree inclination, 480 km altitude, near-circular orbit aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility satellite and exposed to direct space environment for a period of 11 months, and were shielded by 0.313 inches of aluminum for another 58 months. The samples were examined for changes using cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence in various wavelength regions from 0.5 to 1.8 microns. Samples were cooled to approximately 10 degrees Kelvin in a vacuum of 10-8.

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