Optics Commons^™

Detection And Discrimination Of Targets In Infrared Imagery, Adam T. Cuellar

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Automated infrared (IR) imagery analysis is essential for persistent surveillance, defense, and security, yet it remains difficult when sensors move and when unknown objects appear. This dissertation addresses two fundamental problems: (1) detecting small moving targets amid platform-motion induced parallax and (2) distinguishing between known stationary targets and out-of-distribution (OOD) objects.   For detecting moving targets while the platform itself is in motion, auxiliary Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System data are combined with image analysis. Direction Cosine Matrices from calibrated inertial measurements enable sub-pixel frame alignment unattainable with purely image-based registration. The stabilized sequence is processed by a Reed–Xiaoli …

High-Efficiency And Compact Virtual Reality Displays, Zhenyi Luo

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are revolutionizing the way humans interact with digital information. However, current near-eye display systems still face critical challenges regarding optical efficiency, image quality, and device weight. This dissertation focuses on addressing these limitations through innovative liquid-crystal (LC) optics and system-level design strategies to achieve high-efficiency and compact VR displays.

First, to solve the longstanding problem of severe chromatic aberrations in ultrathin LC optics, I proposed an achromatic diffractive LC device. By stacking three LC layers with specifically designed spectral responses and polarization selectivity, I successfully reduced the chromatic aberrations. This idea enables …

High Intensity Ablation By Laser Filaments At Standoff Distances, Owen Thome

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

The high-power densities delivered to a target material by a laser allow for melting and vaporization to occur, a process called laser ablation. At higher intensities, plasma formation occurs and more complex material removal mechanisms take place. As laser power increases, nonlinear effects occur during propagation. One such effect, Kerr self-focusing, leads to beam collapse and ionization, resulting in a channel of plasma and region of high intensity light referred to as a laser filament. Filaments carry intensities on the order of 10¹³ W/cm² to significant distances without the use of large-scale focusing optics. Laser filament ablation is …

Advances In Active And Passive Integrated Photonic Devices On Thin-Film Lithium Niobate, Pooja S. Kulkarni

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) has emerged as a powerful platform for integrated photonics, combining the exceptional electro-optic, nonlinear, and optical properties of bulk lithium niobate with the scalability and compactness of planar nanophotonic technologies. Building on these principles, advanced device architectures such as adiabatic dichroic filters have demonstrated exceptional spectral performance spanning over two octaves of bandwidth on the TFLN platform. Beyond reciprocal devices, it also offers promising pathways toward integrated nonreciprocal components. By leveraging broadband filtering structures and advanced nonlinear photonic design strategies, compact and monolithic optical isolators can be envisioned without relying on traditional magneto-optic materials. In the …

Non-Gaussian Phenomena In Light Scattering And Applications, Shubham Atul Dawda

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Physical reality is rarely deterministic; which, when probed by electromagnetic fields that also fluctuate, leads to observables that are most efficiently modelled as statistical processes. At equilibrium, this is usually achieved by invoking the Gaussian statistics of underlying physical processes, however, in practice, one often encounters out-of-equilibrium conditions where Gaussian descriptions may not suffice. Such situations are plentiful in nature– from biology to astronomy. This dissertation addresses several non-Gaussian phenomena associated with light scattering, and includes specific models’ derivations, experimental techniques developments, and demonstrations of potential applications. The systematic presentation will consider circumstances that infringe upon specific assumptions of the …

Optical Nonlinearity Of A Cold Atomic Ensemble Driven By A Strong Coherent Field In A Saturation Regime, A. S. Usoltsev, L. V. Gerasimov, A. D. Manukhova, S. P. Kulik, D. V. Kupriyanov

Physics Faculty Publications

We present a microscopic analysis and evaluation of the dielectric susceptibility of a dielectric medium consisting of vector-type two-energy-level atoms, responding to a weak probe mode, when the atoms are driven by a strong coherent field. Each atom, in an environment of others, exists as a quasiparticle, further structuring the bulk medium. In a limit of dilute atomic gas, the dynamics of each atom follows the Mollow-type nonlinear excitation regime, and the medium susceptibility collectivizes the individual atomic responses to the probe mode. We outline how the collective dynamics can be interpolated up to a dense medium, and we argue …

Developments And Applications Of Transport Of Intensity Equation Imaging And Optical Diffraction Tomography In Bioimaging, Shane D. Carney

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Non-invasive imaging schemes are highly sought after methodologies in biology and metrology, where maintaining the physical state of a sample is important. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) techniques non-invasively reconstruct the relative phase delay imparted onto an optical field due to transmission through a sample. Phase delay is proportional to the thickness and refractive index of the sample, but is lost in the intensity measurement process. Digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and transport of intensity equation (TIE) phase imaging are two high-resolution QPI techniques. DHM is a well-researched, accurate, and widely implemented technique, but can be difficult to implement in labs without …

Visualizing The Barely Detectable: Particle Characteristics Of The Elusive Aquatic Gel Phase In The Northeastern Subtropical Atlantic, Huanqing Huang, María Couret, Santiago Hernández-León, Alexander B. Bochdansky

OES Faculty Publications

Marine gels constitute a large yet poorly explored ocean carbon pool. Shadow imaging was tuned to detect particles at two sensitivity levels: high–optical density particles (HODP), resembling the particles captured by most imaging systems, and low–optical density particles (LODP), representing a vastly more abundant and gel-dominated pool. This method enabled us to map and characterize a portion of oceanic gels without filtration and staining. In the subtropical northeast Atlantic, LODP outnumbered HODP of the same size by one or two orders of magnitude. Morphology and particle number spectra differed greatly between the two pools, with LODP showing greater morphological homogeneity …

Comparing The Effectiveness Of Eggshell Spectra From Laser-Induced Break-Down Spectroscopy And Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Using Principal Compo-Nent Analysis To Determine The Authenticity Of Organic Eggs, Ahmad Qusthalani, Rara Mitaphonna, Muliadi Ramli, Rajibussalim Rajibussalim, Kurnia Lahna, Nasrullah Zaini, Nasrullah Idris

Makara Journal of Science

This study aimed to explore the potential of modern spectroscopy in the authentication of organic and non-organic chicken eggs using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) spectra. A total of 175 eggs were analyzed, which were grouped into seven categories based on the source of feed given: 100% organic, 100% non-organic, 75% organic, 75% non-organic, 50% organic, free-range chickens, and eggs obtained from the local traditional market. Each group consisted of 25 eggs. NIRS spectra were recorded in the wavelength range of 350–2500 nm, whereas LIBS spectra were recorded in the range of 200–900 nm. A total of …

Satellite-Mediated Quantum Clock Synchronization: Towards Precise Timing At A Global Scale, Sage B. Ducoing

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Accurate timekeeping is essential for scientific and technological advancements, particularly in areas of communication, networking, navigation, and high precision measurements. While many methods of time resolution are already established using classical resources, they fail to combine high precision outcomes with large-scale implementations. Additionally, numerous quantum networking architectures using satellite-assisted methods have demonstrated quantum communication on scales exceeding ground-based methods. For these reasons, we propose the use of a time synchronization method by which pairs of highly time-correlated photons are exchanged between clocks on satellites and clocks on Earth, al- lowing users to reconstruct the time offsets between their clocks. This …

Impact Of Ethanol On The Evolution Of One-Step Synthesized Gold Nanoplates And Nanostars And Their Effects On Raman Signal Enhancement, Ananda Fania, Nonni Soraya Sambudi, Kirana Yuniati Putri, Yuliati Herbani, Affi Nur Hidayah

Makara Journal of Science

Gold nanoplates and nanostars were synthesized from a gold metal salt solution (HAuCl₄) using a one-step synthesis method of ultraviolet C (UVC) light irradiation. The gold salt solution was mixed with ethanol in 6 mL with the following ratios: (1.5:4.5, 3:3, and 4.5:1.5), and subsequently irradiated with UVC light. Changes in localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) shifts were observed in real time at 30-min intervals for 2 h. The synthesis process produces gold nanoplates. While gold nanostars were synthesized from a solution of gold salt combined with ethanol, ascorbic acid, and AgNO₃, maintaining a consistent ratio …

The Study Of Hybrid Nanostructures For Optoelectronics, Alex Davis, Khaoula Dehhou

Publications and Research

Hybrid nanostructures that combine zero-dimensional (0D) quantum dots (QDs) with two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising building blocks for next-generation optoelectronic devices, such as highly sensitive photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, and tunable light sources. These hybrid systems take advantage of the strong, size-dependent emission of colloidal QDs and the high carrier mobility and tunable band structure of 2D materials. In this research, we investigate hybrid structures composed of colloidal CdSe/ZnS, CuInS/ZnS, and PbS QDs integrated with indium selenide (InSe), a TMD known for its exceptional electron mobility and robust photoluminescence in few-layer form. The goal is to understand how interfacial …

Evaluation Of Ocean Lidar Enhancement Through Miniaturization And Gated Pmt-Based Range Extension, Chandler Austin Slater

OES Theses and Dissertations

Oceanographic lidar systems remotely characterize the vertical structure of the upper ocean by recording the light backscattered from a laser pulse as it propagates through the water column. Historically these systems have been constrained by limited detection ranges, often capturing only a portion of the illuminated water column, typically fading to noise around the 10% isolume. A primary constraint has been the limited dynamic range of digitizers, which inhibits the ability to resolve both intense near-field and faint far-field backscatter signals within a single acquisition. To address this, we developed a novel optical lidar system incorporating gated photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) …

Investigation Of Laser Based Flow Diagnostics With Metastable Argon, Sterling S. Gordon

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The overarching motivation of this work is the development of seedless, non-intrusive, laser-based diagnostics for supersonic airflow in wind tunnels. To advance this goal, this dissertation fo-cuses on three-photon excitation in a research-grade argon beam within a tabletop vacuum system, which offers a controlled environment for testing and refining the approach. The chosen excitation scheme drives argon atoms to the 3d[5/2]₃ state using a pulsed Ti:Sapphire laser system, enabling time-of-flight (ToF) measurements on atoms that subsequently undergo a multi-step decay to the metastable 4s[3/2]₂ state. Although full realization of this excitation scheme was hindered by technical …

Harnessing Coherent-Wave Control For Sensing Applications, Pablo Jara, Arthur Goetschy, Hui Cao, Alexey Yamilov

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Imaging techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse optical tomography (DOT) achieve deep, noninvasive sensing in turbid media; however, they are constrained by the photon budget, as most of the injected light is lost to scattering before reaching the detector. Wavefront shaping (WFS) can enhance signal strength via interference at specific locations within scattering media, enhancing light-matter interactions and potentially extending the penetration depth of these techniques. Interpretation of the resulting measurements relies on knowing the optical sensitivity - the relationship between changes in the detected signals and perturbations at a specific location inside the medium; however, conventional diffusion-based …

Active Measurement Of A Micron-Order Gap Under High-Speed And High-Temperature Conditions, Andrew Becker

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The hypersonic regime poses numerous challenges that researchers face in the development of hypersonic flight vehicles. Due to their excellent thermomechanical properties, ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs) have risen as a promising solution to act as a protective barrier between the harsh environment and surface materials of these flight bodies. The mechanical operation of a portable hypersonic simulation device was developed in-house and tested at Argonne National Laboratories (ANL) to gather in-situ material response of prospective UHTC samples when exposed to a hypersonic regime. An edge detection-based algorithm was developed and used in LabVIEW to monitor the health and operation of the …

Plasmonic Nanoparticle Integration On Fiber Optic: Role Of Organic Linker And Functionalization Length In Refractive Index Sensing, Shela Ilmiyah, Mohamad Syahadi, Muflikhah Muflikhah, Yuwana Pradana, Zainul Arifin Iman Supardi, Iwan Darmadi, Lia Aprilia

Makara Journal of Science

Nanoplasmonic fiber optic sensors leverage the optical fiber’s inherent compactness and surface sensitivity via evanescent-field interactions with the localized surface plasmon resonance of the metallic nanoparticles. One of the popular approaches is self-assembly owing to its relatively low cost. Despite its low cost, the self-assembly technique has low reproducibility and exhibits low sensitivity because of low nanoplasmonic coverage on the fiber optic surface. In this study, several fabrication techniques were explored to assess the refractive index sensitivity by comparing three common organosilanes, i.e., (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), (3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane, and (3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane. Comparative analyses assessed the anchoring efficiency of the three silanes, sensor reproducibility, …

Single-Molecule Orientation And Localization Microscopy, Sophie Brasselet, Matthew D. Lew

Electrical & Systems Engineering Publications and Presentations

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) offers enhanced spatial resolution in optical microscopy, providing detailed insights into the spatial organization of proteins in cells at the nanoscale. Over the past decade, SMLM has progressively incorporated the capability to retrieve the orientations of single molecules using their polarized dipolar emission pattern. Here we explore recent advancements in single-molecule orientation and localization microscopy (SMOLM), which yields super-resolved images of molecular three-dimensional (3D) orientations, wobble and 3D positions. This advancement opens possibilities to explore the nanoscale organization and conformation of biological molecules as well as to monitor and design local 3D optical fields in nanophotonics. …

Nonlinear Optics Through Femtosecond Light-Matter Interactions, Shah Faisal B. Mazhar

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation offers experimental and theoretical insights into nonlinear light-matter interactions induced by intense femtosecond (fs) laser pulses. It investigates key phenomena, including stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) from phonon and magnon quasiparticles, supercontinuum (SC) generation via self-phase modulation (SPM), conical emission (CE) arising from four-wave mixing (4WM), and modulation instability (MI) driven by cross-phase modulation (XPM) between SRS and SC processes. These effects are studied in diverse media using state-of-the-art femtosecond lasers.

The interplay among SRS, SC, 4WM, and MI is examined to probe vibrational modes and temperature-dependent magnetic excitations in condensed-matter systems. Experiments are conducted on anisotropic uniaxial calcite …

Low-Cost Cutaneous Protoporphyrin Ix (Ppix) Detection (Cpd) Device For Follow-Up Monitoring Of Patients After Photodynamic Therapy, Md Asaduzzaman Rasel

Graduate Masters Theses

Background: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) utilizes specific wavelengths of light to activate photosensitizing chemical compounds, known as photosensitizers, which induce the generation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) for the targeted destruction of cancer cells. Among various photosensitizers for PDT, Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) is widely employed in oncology and dermatology due to its natural in situ generation via the metabolic conversion of 5- aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a non-phototoxic prodrug. Systemic administration of ALA after 3-6 hr drug delay leads to peak PpIX accumulation in tissues, facilitating therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, PpIX can persist in the skin for 24–48 hours post-treatment, …

Design And Development Of A Standalone Digital Holographic Microscope Employing Phase-Driven Reconstruction And Classification For Biomedical Imaging And Optical Diagnostics, Charlotte Kyeremah

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Access to advanced biomedical imaging technologies remains a significant challenge in resource-limited settings, especially for early disease detection and monitoring of diseases such as malaria, HIV, and other blood-borne diseases. Although point-of-care (POC) devices have gained popularity in global health, many rely on antibody-based tests, lateral flow strips, or optical readouts that often lack quantitative capabilities, sensitivity to early infections, or versatility in different diagnostic targets. In addition, these systems are typically dependent on disposable reagents or manual interpretation, which limits their effectiveness in remote areas. Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM) presents a promising alternative as a label-free imaging method capable …

A Comprehensive Study On The Use Of Sub-Coherent Self Heterodyne Linewidth Estimations, Genevieve Gutierrez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A fundamental requirement for many precision spectroscopic applications is the development of stable lasers with narrow linewidths. However, accurately verifying laser linewidths becomes increasingly challenging as the linewidth decreases. In the field of frequency metrology, the delayed self-heterodyne technique has long been regarded as one of the most reliable and accessible methods for linewidth characterization, favored for its low equipment cost and reproducible results. Traditionally, self-heterodyne measurements employ an optical delay line significantly longer than the coherence length of the laser, with analysis performed via either the instantaneous power spectral density or the noise power spectral density. However, the use …

Non-Linear Atom-Laser Interactions Using Rubidium Pump-Probe Spectroscopy, Grace Neil

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

An experiment was performed to demonstrate the pump-probe spectroscopy of Rubidium (Rb) vapor, revealing the nonlinear atom-laser interactions in the 5S1/2 ↔ 5D5/2 transition in Rb that can be used to generate quantum entanglement between two laser beams. The setup included a tunable infrared diode laser, optical mirrors, photodiode-detectors, a beam-splitter, and a temperature- regulated rubidium gas chamber, all of which are controlled by the TeachSpin laser controller and monitor. The output from the laser-diode was split into a pump (90%) and a signal probe (10%), which intersected in counter-propagating directions inside the Rubidium chamber. The analysis shows that in …

Method For Target Detection In A High Noise Environment Through Frequency Analysis Using An Event-Based Vision Sensor, Will Johnston, Shannon Young, David Howe, Rachel Oliver, Zachary Theis, Brian Mcreynolds, Michael L. Dexter

Faculty Publications

Event-based vision sensors (EVSs), often referred to as neuromorphic cameras, operate by responding to changes in brightness on a pixel-by-pixel basis. In contrast, traditional framing cameras employ some fixed sampling interval where integrated intensity is read off the entire focal plane at once. Similar to traditional cameras, EVSs can suffer loss of sensitivity through scenes with high intensity and dynamic clutter, reducing the ability to see points of interest through traditional event processing means. This paper describes a method to reduce the negative impacts of these types of EVS clutter and enable more robust target detection through the use of …

Volumetric Imaging Of Cellular Dynamics Using Light-Sheet Microscopy: From Subcellular Structures To Whole Organisms, Md Nasful Huda Prince

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

Advancing biomedical imaging requires platforms that combine high-resolution, speed, and stability across biological scales. This dissertation presents three innovations designed to address limitations of conventional light-sheet and oblique plane imaging. First, we introduce Reflected Inline Detection in Epi-Oblique Plane Microscopy (RIDE-OPM), a compact and drift-resistant system that eliminates a tertiary detection path while maintaining alignment flexibility, enabling robust long-term live imaging. Second, we present a high-speed Axially Swept Light-Sheet Microscopy (ASLM) platform for cleared tissues, using dual foci and synchronized sweeping to achieve isotropic sub-micron resolution at up to 40 frames-per-second, a fourfold improvement over standard ASLM. Integrated with a …

Guided Modes Through The Dual Perspectives Of Geometrical Optics And Wave Equation, Mason Spears

Mathematics and Statistics Undergraduate Departmental Honors Theses

In an optical waveguide, only finitely many electric field intensity profiles travel without loss, and these are aptly named guided modes. This paper uses fundamental concepts from the two paradigms of interpreting light, geometrical and physical optics, to derive guided modes axiomatically. First, basic principles of geometrical optics are demonstrated in a slab waveguide to explain characteristics of optical waveguides such as total internal reflection and numerical aperture. Dispersion curves are assembled from the same principles and used to show that only finitely many guided modes exist for a given waveguide. Next, Maxwell’s equations are used to derive the famous …

Enhanced Point Cloud Generation From A Novel 360° Underwater Lidar, Olagoke E. Daramola

Dissertations

This dissertation presents novel algorithms to improve the mapping capabilities of a 360-degree underwater Pulsed Laser Line Scanner LiDAR (PLLS-360°). Due to its 360° field-of-view (FOV), the PLLS-360° is a compact full-waveform omnidirectional imager suitable for seafloor mapping, underwater asset inspection, object detection, ice-sheet mapping, and construction progress monitoring. The proposed methodology includes an improved waveform fitting technique for saturated waveform recovery, detection array response correction, radiometric corrections, and fusion of LiDAR and sonar bathymetric datasets. The first part of this dissertation assesses the LiDAR’s performance and describes how the data for this unique 360° FOV architecture is processed. The …

A Study On The Propagation And Exploitation Of Structured Light In Underwater Turbulence, Jaxon P. Wiley

All Dissertations

The development and optimization of optical systems will play a pivotal role in the continued exploration and exploitation of the world’s underwater environments. These systems offer advantages in many sectors, and includes applications in areas such as high-speed communication, advanced sensing and imaging, and environmental characterization and monitoring. Underwater environments offer a plethora of challenges, however, and mitigating these obstacles remains an arduous task. In this work, the inherent advantages of structured light are leveraged to optimize optical system performance through non-ideal underwater conditions. Additionally, fundamental relationships between the generation of specified structured modes and their interactions with complex environments …

Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diodes As A Light Source For Photodynamic Therapy, Hamid El Hamidi

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

ABSTRACT:

QUANTUM DOT LIGHT EMITTING DIODES AS A LIGHT SOURCE FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

Photodynamic therapy is a cancer treatment modality that involves the accumulation of a photosensitizer, exposure to visible light, and the presence of oxygen, resulting in the formation of highly reactive and cytotoxic singlet oxygen. PDT has been shown to be more effective as the fluence rate decreases due to oxygen availability and the absence of photobleaching. On the other hand, Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diodes QLEDs- a new form of light source based on nanoparticles (quantum dots)- emerge as a potentially advantageous light source for certain types …

Advancing Real-World Implementation Of The Well Optimized Linear Finder (Wolf) High-Speed Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation Method, Timothy Evan Coon

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation advances the real-world implementation of the Well Optimized Linear Finder (WOLF) method for high-speed Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation (ATC). Atmospheric turbulence introduces phase aberrations into optical wavefronts and degrades image quality in terrestrial imaging systems. Traditional phase diversity methods are computationally intensive and poorly suited to real-time operation. The WOLF method addresses these limitations through a novel, point-wise formulation of the optical transfer function (OTF) as a structured autocorrelation of the generalized pupil function (GPF). This formulation enables the estimation of phase aberrations at individual spatial coordinates with distributed computational complexity.

The research begins by developing a MATLAB-based simulation …