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Full-Text Articles in Physics

Vibrational Energy Transfer In Bromine Monofluoride, Tim L. Thompson Dec 1991

Vibrational Energy Transfer In Bromine Monofluoride, Tim L. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Bromine monofluoride (BrF), an interhalogen molecule, is a prospective chemical laser candidate. This study continues research begun in characterizing radiative and collisional dynamics in BrF. Vibrational energy transfer of BrF is studied using time resolved laser induced fluorescence (LIF) techniques and observing the spectrally resolved emission. First, vibrational transfer induced by the BrF production mix is determined to follow the Montroll- Shuler model and Landau-Teller scaling with a fundamental rate coefficient of kv(1,0) = (4.0) x 10-12 cm3/(molecules seconds). Also, rate coefficients for the rare gases were found to scale with the reduced mass of the collision …


Collisional Dynamics Of The B3Π(O+) State Of Bromine Of Monofluoride, David W. Melton Aug 1991

Collisional Dynamics Of The B3Π(O+) State Of Bromine Of Monofluoride, David W. Melton

Theses and Dissertations

When Bromine is combined with flourine atoms and discharged oxygen in a flow tube is produced in a highly non thermal distribution peaking at v'=3. The emission was linearly dependent on the concentration. The observed dependence of the BrF(B) emission on Bromine and atomic oxygen is inconsistent with a steady state prediction of a sequential excitation mechanism, where BrF(X) is excited by successive collisions with singlet oxygen. The experimental data are consistent with a three body mechanism involving Br and F atoms. Electronic quenching of BrF(B) by a number of collision partners (Br2, CO2, O2 …


Quenching And Rotational Energy Transfer In Molecular Bromine: Br2(B), Dean A. Massman May 1991

Quenching And Rotational Energy Transfer In Molecular Bromine: Br2(B), Dean A. Massman

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the rotational energy transfer processes of optically excited bromine molecules in the presence of several collision partners. Resolved laser induced fluorescence spectra of collisionally populated rotational states were analyzed by means of Stern Volmer analysis. Total rotational removal rate coefficients and state-to-state rotational removal rate coefficients for the v'=11,J'=35 level of Br2(B) were obtained for collisions with Br2(X), He, Ar and Xe. Rotational removal rate coefficients were also obtained for the v'11, J'=26 and 47; v'=14, J'=36 states of Br2(B) with collisions with Ar. Total rotational removal rate for Br2 self quenching found to be 3.98+/-0.2x10-10 (cm3/Molec-Sec). …


Calculated Point Defect Properties Of The Intermetallic Compounds Nickel Titanium (Niti) And Iron Titanium (Feti), Russell T. Lutton Mar 1991

Calculated Point Defect Properties Of The Intermetallic Compounds Nickel Titanium (Niti) And Iron Titanium (Feti), Russell T. Lutton

Theses and Dissertations

Atomistic simulation with a modified version of the DYNAMO code was used to calculate the point defect properties of the intermetallic compounds nickel titanium and iron titanium. The calculated energies are believed to be experimentally accurate to within +/- 0.1 eV. Vacant Ni or Fe lattice sites were preferred and had energies of 6.356 eV for NiTi and 5.899 eV for FeTi. Removing a Ti atom resulted in a neighboring antisite defect caused by migration of a Ni or Fe atom into the vacant Ti site. These configurations had energies of 7.024 eV for NiTi and 6.336 eV for FeTi. …


A Study Of The Liquid-Solid Interface During Rapid Resolidification Of Cooper-Titanium Using Molecular Dynamics, Craig L. Loisel Mar 1991

A Study Of The Liquid-Solid Interface During Rapid Resolidification Of Cooper-Titanium Using Molecular Dynamics, Craig L. Loisel

Theses and Dissertations

The behavior of the liquid-solid interface during resolidification of a condensed copper-titanium crystal is studied by atomistic simulation. A system of 1080 atoms (540 of each type) was simulated. The interface was created using monte carlo techniques and resolidification was performed by molecular dynamics. Resolidification was attempted at temperatures of 1200 K, 1100 K, 1000 K, 900 K, 818 K and 773 K. The liquid-solid interface was found to move only at 773 K, resulting in a chemically disordered crystal. The interface velocity observed in the simulation is 6.6 m/s which agrees well with the theoretical value of 5.5 m/ …


High Altitude Neutral Particle Transport Using The Monte Carlo Simulation Code Mcnp With Variable Density Atmosphere, David L. Monti Mar 1991

High Altitude Neutral Particle Transport Using The Monte Carlo Simulation Code Mcnp With Variable Density Atmosphere, David L. Monti

Theses and Dissertations

The Monte Carlo transport code, MCNP was modified for purposes of two dimensional neutron-photon transport modelling in a variable density atmosphere. Calculations were performed using cylindrical (r, z) geometry and a point isotropic neutron-photon source at an elevation of 40 kilometers. Neutron and photon fluence results were computed using ring detectors for field points at constant range versus source elevation angle and for field points at constant altitude versus radius. Comparisons between the modified and unmodified versions of MCNP showed a decrease in run time by a factor of two was possible. Only a fraction of the spatial cells previously …


An Evolution Operator Solution For A Nonlinear Beam Equation, Carl E. Crockett Dec 1990

An Evolution Operator Solution For A Nonlinear Beam Equation, Carl E. Crockett

Theses and Dissertations

A nonlinear partial differential equation, motivated by the transverse vibration of a beam, is shown to have a unique solution. The existence theory, which is in the setting of semigroups and evolution operators, is a composite and synthesis of theorems of Kato. The formulation of the problem and the verification that the formulation leads to a solution are new. The introductory chapter provides background on the topic generally. Chapter 2 provides detailed formulations for the constant coefficient case. Chapter 3 describes nonautonomous cases. The general theorem is presented here. In Chapter 4, a more general case is considered. Namely, Kelvin …


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.


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.


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 …


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 …


Characterization Of Barium Titanate As An Optical Amplifier, George A. Vogel Dec 1990

Characterization Of Barium Titanate As An Optical Amplifier, George A. Vogel

Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of two-beam coupling in photorefractive materials has resulted in an extensive amount of research into their use as optical processing/computing elements. This dissertation develops the theoretical equations for two-beam coupling in barium titanate as an optical amplifier. One of the factors which limits the optical gain in photorefractive crystals is the loss of pump beam power to the amplification of parasitic light (beam fanning). This parasitic light is produced by light scattered from the pump beam by imperfections on both the crystal face and within the crystal. Through the analysis of signal and noise amplification as functions of …


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. …


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.


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 …


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 …


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 …


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 …


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 …


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 …


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 …


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.


Detection Of High Altitude Aircraft Wake Vortices Using Infrared Doppler Lidar: An Assessment, Michael J. Estes Dec 1990

Detection Of High Altitude Aircraft Wake Vortices Using Infrared Doppler Lidar: An Assessment, Michael J. Estes

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the feasibility of air-to-air detection of high altitude aircraft wake vortices at long ranges using infrared Doppler lidar. The purpose of this technique is to detect otherwise stealthy aircraft. Three laser wavelengths were analyzed: 1.064, 2.091, and 9.115 microns. Analysis revealed that the spectral width of the return signal from an aircraft wake presented a good signature for detection. Based on the analysis, a minimum signal-to-noise ratio of 0 db was established. Detection performance was then analyzed using signal-to-noise ratio calculations for backscatter by ambient atmospheric aerosols, jet engine exhaust soot particles, and condensation trail ice particles. …


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.


Continuous Wave And Pulsed Solid State Laser Model, Matthew D. Rotondaro Nov 1990

Continuous Wave And Pulsed Solid State Laser Model, Matthew D. Rotondaro

Theses and Dissertations

A solid state laser is modeled for use on a personal computer. The model can accurately represent Nd:YAG and Nd:Glass lasers during both continuous wave and repetitively pulsed operation. The large number of input variables allow the user to make changes to the cavity, optical pump source, and the cooling system. The model calculates the energy, power, and divergence angle of the beam along with other variables. Because of its user-friendly interface, it is possible for someone with limited laser experience to obtain useful information.


Lasing Conditions Of Elemental Sulfur In A Gas Discharge, David E. Egbert Sep 1972

Lasing Conditions Of Elemental Sulfur In A Gas Discharge, David E. Egbert

Theses and Dissertations

The partial pressures from heated sulfur crystals and helium, and sulfur and nitrogen required for ionic sulfur laser action in a gas discharge were determined. Previous work with sulfur lasers is reviewed and population inversion mechanisms are presented for the ionic sulfur laser lines. Possible excitation mechanisms are presented for both electron and ion or atomic collision excitation. Transition diagrams for all the known ionic sulfur laser transitions and an approximate potential energy curve for the diatomic sulfur molecule are presented. Laser action was achieved only when a spark gap pulser was used with a laser tube especially designed to …


Mechanical Effects Of Acoustic Transients On Tobacco Mosaic Virus, Philip Edward Hamrick Jan 1968

Mechanical Effects Of Acoustic Transients On Tobacco Mosaic Virus, Philip Edward Hamrick

Theses and Dissertations

The mechanical breakage of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) due to the action of acoustic transients has been investigated. The acoustic transients were produced by transient heating of a Prussian blue dye solution (attenuation coefficient of 1000 per cm) when a ruby laser light (20 x 106 watts) was incident on the dye surface. A quartz piezoelectric transducer was used to determine the amplitude and form of the acoustic wave. The production of acoustic waves by transient heating is discussed, and the theoretical form of the acoustic wave determined for various boundary and initial conditions are compared to the experimentally …


Investigation Of The Platinum-Rich Portion Of The Platinum-Tantalum Phase Diagram, Bob Dean Browning Aug 1961

Investigation Of The Platinum-Rich Portion Of The Platinum-Tantalum Phase Diagram, Bob Dean Browning

Theses and Dissertations

The Pt-Ta binary system was investigated at two isotherms;1000°C and 1500°C, and at eleven alloy compositions in the range of 50 to 100 atomic percent platinum. The alloys were examined by x-ray diffraction and metallography. Three intermetallic compounds, Pt2Ta, Pt3Ta, and Pt4Ta were found to exist in this composition range. The Pt4Ta intermetallic appeared only at the 1500°C isotherm. Platinum dissolved tantalum substitutionally to 90 atomic percent at 1500 °C and to approximately 80 atomic percent at 1000 °C.