Slant-path coherent free space optical communications over the maritime and terrestrial atmospheres with the use of adaptive optics for beam wavefront correction.

PubMed

Li, Ming; Gao, Wenbo; Cvijetic, Milorad

2017-01-10

As a continuation of our previous work [Appl. Opt.54, 1453 (2015)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.54.001453] in which we have studied the performance of coherent free space optical (FSO) communication systems operating over a horizontal path, in this paper we study the coherent FSO system operating over a general slant path. We evaluated system bit-error-rate (BER) in the case when the quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation format is applied and when an adaptive optics (AO) system is employed to mitigate the air turbulence effects for both maritime and terrestrial air transmission scenarios. We adopted a multiple-layer scheme to efficiently model the FSO slant-path links. The atmospheric channel fading was characterized by the wavefront phase distortions and the log-amplitude fluctuations. We derived analytical expressions to characterize log-amplitude fluctuations of air turbulence by asserting the aperture averaging within the frame of the multiple-layer model. The obtained results showed that use of AO enabled improvement of system performance for both uplinks and downlinks, and also revealed that it is more beneficial for the FSO downlinks. Also, AO employment brought larger enhancements in BER performance for the maritime slant-path FSO links than for the terrestrial ones, with an additional striking increase in performance when the AO correction is combined with the aperture averaging.

Research on the Calculation Method of Optical Path Difference of the Shanghai Tian Ma Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, J.; Fu, L.; Jiang, Y. B.; Liu, Q. H.; Gou, W.; Yan, F.

2016-03-01

Based on the Shanghai Tian Ma Telescope (TM), an optical path difference calculation method of the shaped Cassegrain antenna is presented in the paper. Firstly, the mathematical model of the TM optics is established based on the antenna reciprocity theorem. Secondly, the TM sub-reflector and main reflector are fitted by the Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS). Finally, the method of optical path difference calculation is implemented, and the expanding application of the Ruze optical path difference formulas in the TM is researched. The method can be used to calculate the optical path difference distributions across the aperture field of the TM due to misalignment like the axial and lateral displacements of the feed and sub-reflector, or the tilt of the sub-reflector. When the misalignment quantity is small, the expanding Ruze optical path difference formulas can be used to calculate the optical path difference quickly. The paper supports the real-time measurement and adjustment of the TM structure. The research has universality, and can provide reference for the optical path difference calculation of other radio telescopes with shaped surfaces.

Method and system for compact, multi-pass pulsed laser amplifier

DOEpatents

Erlandson, Alvin Charles

2014-11-25

A laser amplifier includes an input aperture operable to receive laser radiation having a first polarization, an output aperture coupled to the input aperture by an optical path, and a polarizer disposed along an optical path. A transmission axis of the polarizer is aligned with the first polarization. The laser amplifier also includes n optical switch disposed along the optical path. The optical switch is operable to pass the laser radiation when operated in a first state and to reflect the laser radiation when operated in a second state. The laser amplifier further includes an optical gain element disposed along the optical path and a polarization rotation device disposed along the optical path.

Tight real-time synchronization of a microwave clock to an optical clock across a turbulent air path

PubMed Central

Bergeron, Hugo; Sinclair, Laura C.; Swann, William C.; Nelson, Craig W.; Deschênes, Jean-Daniel; Baumann, Esther; Giorgetta, Fabrizio R.; Coddington, Ian; Newbury, Nathan R.

2018-01-01

The ability to distribute the precise time and frequency from an optical clock to remote platforms could enable future precise navigation and sensing systems. Here we demonstrate tight, real-time synchronization of a remote microwave clock to a master optical clock over a turbulent 4-km open air path via optical two-way time-frequency transfer. Once synchronized, the 10-GHz frequency signals generated at each site agree to 10−14 at one second and below 10−17 at 1000 seconds. In addition, the two clock times are synchronized to ±13 fs over an 8-hour period. The ability to phase-synchronize 10-GHz signals across platforms supports future distributed coherent sensing, while the ability to time-synchronize multiple microwave-based clocks to a high-performance master optical clock supports future precision navigation/timing systems. PMID:29607352

Tight real-time synchronization of a microwave clock to an optical clock across a turbulent air path.

PubMed

Bergeron, Hugo; Sinclair, Laura C; Swann, William C; Nelson, Craig W; Deschênes, Jean-Daniel; Baumann, Esther; Giorgetta, Fabrizio R; Coddington, Ian; Newbury, Nathan R

2016-04-01

The ability to distribute the precise time and frequency from an optical clock to remote platforms could enable future precise navigation and sensing systems. Here we demonstrate tight, real-time synchronization of a remote microwave clock to a master optical clock over a turbulent 4-km open air path via optical two-way time-frequency transfer. Once synchronized, the 10-GHz frequency signals generated at each site agree to 10 -14 at one second and below 10 -17 at 1000 seconds. In addition, the two clock times are synchronized to ±13 fs over an 8-hour period. The ability to phase-synchronize 10-GHz signals across platforms supports future distributed coherent sensing, while the ability to time-synchronize multiple microwave-based clocks to a high-performance master optical clock supports future precision navigation/timing systems.

Advanced laser architectures for high power eyesafe illuminators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baranova, N.; Pati, B.; Stebbins, K.; Bystryak, I.; Rayno, M.; Ezzo, K.; DePriest, C.

2018-02-01

Q-Peak has demonstrated a novel pulsed eyesafe laser architecture operating with >50 mJ pulse energies at Pulse Repetition Frequencies (PRFs) as high as 320 Hz. The design leverages an Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) and Optical Parametric Amplifier (OPA) geometry, which provides the unique capability for high power in a comparatively compact package, while also offering the potential for additional eyesafe power scaling. The laser consists of a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Q-switched front-end seed laser to produce pulse-widths around 10 ns at 1.06-μm, which is then followed by a pair of Multi-Pass Amplifier (MPA) architectures (comprised of side-pumped, multi-pass Nd:YAG slabs with a compact diode-pump-array imaging system), and finally involving two sequential nonlinear optical conversion architectures for transfer into the eyesafe regime. The initial seed beam is first amplified through the MPA, and then split into parallel optical paths. An OPO provides effective nonlinear conversion on one optical path, while a second MPA further amplifies the 1.06-μm beam for use in pumping an OPA on the second optical path. These paths are then recombined prior to seeding the OPA. Each nonlinear conversion subsystem utilizes Potassium Titanyl Arsenate (KTA) for effective nonlinear conversion with lower risk to optical damage. This laser architecture efficiently produces pulse energies of >50 mJ in the eyesafe band at PRFs as high as 320 Hz, and has been designed to fit within a volume of 4,500 in3 (0.074 m3 ). We will discuss theoretical and experimental details of the nonlinear optical system for achieving higher eyesafe powers.

Low-Coherence light source design for ESPI in-plane displacement measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heikkinen, J. J.; Schajer, G. S.

2018-01-01

The ESPI method for surface deformation measurements requires the use of a light source with high coherence length to accommodate the optical path length differences present in the apparatus. Such high-coherence lasers, however, are typically large, delicate and costly. Laser diodes, on the other hand, are compact, mechanically robust and inexpensive, but unfortunately they have short coherence length. The present work aims to enable the use of a laser diode as an illumination source by equalizing the path lengths within an ESPI interferometer. This is done by using a reflection type diffraction grating to compensate for the path length differences. The high optical power efficiency of such diffraction gratings allows the use of much lower optical power than in previous interferometer designs using transmission gratings. The proposed concept was experimentally investigated by doing in-plane ESPI measurements using a high-coherence single longitudinal mode (SLM) laser, a laser diode and then a laser diode with path length optimization. The results demonstrated the limitations of using an uncompensated laser diode. They then showed the effectiveness of adding a reflection type diffraction grating to equalize the interferometer path lengths. This addition enabled the laser diode to produce high measurement quality across the entire field of view, rivaling although not quite equaling the performance of a high-coherence SLM laser source.

Simulation of optically pumped intersubband laser in magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erić, Marko; Milanović, Vitomir; Ikonić, Zoran; Indjin, Dragan

2007-06-01

Simulations of an optically pumped intersubband laser in magnetic field up to 60 T are performed within the steady-state rate equations model. The electron-polar optical phonon scattering is calculated using the confined and interface phonon model. A strong oscillatory optical gain vs. magnetic field dependence is found, with two dominant gain peaks occurring at 20 and 40 T, the fields which bring appropriate states into resonance with optical phonons and thus open additional relaxation paths. The peak at 20 T exceeds the value of gain achieved at zero field.

Hybrid shearing and phase-shifting point diffraction interferometer

DOEpatents

Goldberg, Kenneth Alan; Naulleau, Patrick P.

2003-06-03

A new interferometry configuration combines the strengths of two existing interferometry methods, improving the quality and extending the dynamic range of both. On the same patterned mask, placed near the image-plane of an optical system under test, patterns for phase-shifting point diffraction interferometry and lateral shearing interferometry coexist. The former giving verifiable high accuracy for the measurement of nearly diffraction-limited optical systems. The latter enabling the measurement of optical systems with more than one wave of aberration in the system wavefront. The interferometry configuration is a hybrid shearing and point diffraction interferometer system for testing an optical element that is positioned along an optical path including: a source of electromagnetic energy in the optical path; a first beam splitter that is secured to a device that includes means for maneuvering the first beam splitter in a first position wherein the first beam splitter is in the optical path dividing light from the source into a reference beam and a test beam and in a second position wherein the first beam splitter is outside the optical path: a hybrid mask which includes a first section that defines a test window and at least one reference pinhole and a second section that defines a second beam splitter wherein the hybrid mask is secured to a device that includes means for maneuvering either the first section or the second section into the optical path positioned in an image plane that is created by the optical element, with the proviso that the first section of the hybrid mask is positioned in the optical path when first beam splitter is positioned in the optical path; and a detector positioned after the hybrid mask along the optical path.

Method and apparatus for timing of laser beams in a multiple laser beam fusion system

DOEpatents

Eastman, Jay M.; Miller, Theodore L.

1981-01-01

The optical path lengths of a plurality of comparison laser beams directed to impinge upon a common target from different directions are compared to that of a master laser beam by using an optical heterodyne interferometric detection technique. The technique consists of frequency shifting the master laser beam and combining the master beam with a first one of the comparison laser beams to produce a time-varying heterodyne interference pattern which is detected by a photo-detector to produce an AC electrical signal indicative of the difference in the optical path lengths of the two beams which were combined. The optical path length of this first comparison laser beam is adjusted to compensate for the detected difference in the optical path lengths of the two beams. The optical path lengths of all of the comparison laser beams are made equal to the optical path length of the master laser beam by repeating the optical path length adjustment process for each of the comparison laser beams. In this manner, the comparison laser beams are synchronized or timed to arrive at the target within .+-.1.times.10.sup.-12 second of each other.

Laser modulator for LISA pathfinder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voland, C.; Lund, G.; Coppoolse, W.; Crosby, P.; Stadler, M.; Kudielka, K.; Özkan, C.

2017-11-01

LISA Pathfinder is an ESA experiment to demonstrate the key technologies needed for the LISA mission to detect gravitational waves in space. The LISA Pathfinder spacecraft represents one arm of the LISA interferometer, containing an optical metrology system and two proof masses as inertial references for the drag-free control system. The LISA Pathfinder payload consists of two drag-free floating test masses located in the inertial sensors with their control electronics and an optical metrology subsystem. The optical metrology subsystem monitors the movement of both test masses relative to each other and to the spacecraft with very high sensitivity and resolution. This is achieved with a heterodyne Mach- Zehnder interferometer. This interferometer requires as input two coherent laser beams with a heterodyne frequency difference of a few kHz. To generate the two laser beams with a heterodyne frequency difference a Nd:YAG laser is used together with the Laser Modulator. The Nd:YAG laser generates a single coherent laser signal at a wavelength of 1064nm which is fibre coupled to the Laser Modulator. The Laser Modulator then generates the two optical beams with the required heterodyne frequency offset. In addition, the Laser Modulator is required to perform laser amplitude stabilization and optical path difference control for the two optical signals. The Laser Modulator consists of an optical unit - the LMU - and RF synthesiser, power amplification and control electronics. These electronics are all housed in the Laser Modulator Electronics (LME). The LMU has four primary functions: • Splitting of the input laser beam into two paths for later superposition in the interferometer. • Applying different frequency shifts to each of the beams. • Providing amplitude modulation control to each of the beams. • Providing active control of the optical path length difference between the two optical paths. The present paper describes the design and performance of the LMU together with a summary of the results of the Laser Modulator engineering model test campaign.

Integrated five-port non-blocking optical router based on mode-selective property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Hao; Zhou, Ting; Fu, Xin; Ding, Jianfeng; Zhang, Lei; Yang, Lin

2018-05-01

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a five-port optical router based on mode-selective property. It utilizes different combinations of four spatial modes at input and output ports as labels to distinguish its 20 routing paths. It can direct signals from the source port to the destination port intelligently without power consumption and additional switching time to realize various path steering. The proposed architecture is constructed by asymmetric directional coupler based mode-multiplexers/de-multiplexers, multimode interference based waveguide crossings and single-mode interconnect waveguides. The broad optical bandwidths of these constituents make the device suitable to combine with wavelength division multiplexing signal transmission, which can effectively increase the data throughput. Measurement results show that the insertion loss of its 20 routing paths are lower than 8.5 dB and the optical signal-to-noise ratios are larger than 16.3 dB at 1525-1565 nm. To characterize its routing functionality, a 40-Gbps data transmission with bit-error-rate (BER) measurement is implemented. The power penalties for the error-free switching (BER<10-9) are 1.0 dB and 0.8 dB at 1545 nm and 1565 nm, respectively.

Optical path switching based differential absorption radiometry for substance detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glen W. (Inventor)

2005-01-01

An optical path switch divides sample path radiation into a time series of alternating first polarized components and second polarized components. The first polarized components are transmitted along a first optical path and the second polarized components along a second optical path. A first gasless optical filter train filters the first polarized components to isolate at least a first wavelength band thereby generating first filtered radiation. A second gasless optical filter train filters the second polarized components to isolate at least a second wavelength band thereby generating second filtered radiation. A beam combiner combines the first and second filtered radiation to form a combined beam of radiation. A detector is disposed to monitor magnitude of at least a portion of the combined beam alternately at the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band as an indication of the concentration of the substance in the sample path.

Optical path switching based differential absorption radiometry for substance detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glen W. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

An optical path switch divides sample path radiation into a time series of alternating first polarized components and second polarized components. The first polarized components are transmitted along a first optical path and the second polarized components along a second optical path. A first gasless optical filter train filters the first polarized components to isolate at least a first wavelength band thereby generating first filtered radiation. A second gasless optical filter train filters the second polarized components to isolate at least a second wavelength band thereby generating second filtered radiation. A beam combiner combines the first and second filtered radiation to form a combined beam of radiation. A detector is disposed to monitor magnitude of at least a portion of the combined beam alternately at the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band as an indication of the concentration of the substance in the sample path.

Optical-beam wavefront control based on the atmospheric backscatter signal

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Banakh, V A; Razenkov, I A; Rostov, A P

2015-02-28

The feasibility of compensating for aberrations of the optical-beam initial wavefront by aperture sounding, based on the atmospheric backscatter signal from an additional laser source with a different wavelength, is experimentally studied. It is shown that the adaptive system based on this principle makes it possible to compensate for distortions of the initial beam wavefront on a surface path in atmosphere. Specifically, the beam divergence decreases, while the level of the detected mean backscatter power from the additional laser source increases. (light scattering)

Modeling of optical quadrature microscopy for imaging mouse embryos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warger, William C., II; DiMarzio, Charles A.

2008-02-01

Optical quadrature microscopy (OQM) has been shown to provide the optical path difference through a mouse embryo, and has led to a novel method to count the total number of cells further into development than current non-toxic imaging techniques used in the clinic. The cell counting method has the potential to provide an additional quantitative viability marker for blastocyst transfer during in vitro fertilization. OQM uses a 633 nm laser within a modified Mach-Zehnder interferometer configuration to measure the amplitude and phase of the signal beam that travels through the embryo. Four cameras preceded by multiple beamsplitters record the four interferograms that are used within a reconstruction algorithm to produce an image of the complex electric field amplitude. Here we present a model for the electric field through the primary optical components in the imaging configuration and the reconstruction algorithm to calculate the signal to noise ratio when imaging mouse embryos. The model includes magnitude and phase errors in the individual reference and sample paths, fixed pattern noise, and noise within the laser and detectors. This analysis provides the foundation for determining the imaging limitations of OQM and the basis to optimize the cell counting method in order to introduce additional quantitative viability markers.

Mini-lidar sensor for the remote stand-off sensing of chemical/biological substances and method for sensing same

DOEpatents

Ray, Mark D.; Sedlacek, Arthur J.

2003-08-19

A method and apparatus for remote, stand-off, and high efficiency spectroscopic detection of biological and chemical substances. The apparatus including an optical beam transmitter which transmits a beam having an axis of transmission to a target, the beam comprising at least a laser emission. An optical detector having an optical detection path to the target is provided for gathering optical information. The optical detection path has an axis of optical detection. A beam alignment device fixes the transmitter proximal to the detector and directs the beam to the target along the optical detection path such that the axis of transmission is within the optical detection path. Optical information gathered by the optical detector is analyzed by an analyzer which is operatively connected to the detector.

Multiparallel Three-Dimensional Optical Microscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Lam K.; Price, Jeffrey H.; Kellner, Albert L.; Bravo-Zanoquera, Miguel

2010-01-01

Multiparallel three-dimensional optical microscopy is a method of forming an approximate three-dimensional image of a microscope sample as a collection of images from different depths through the sample. The imaging apparatus includes a single microscope plus an assembly of beam splitters and mirrors that divide the output of the microscope into multiple channels. An imaging array of photodetectors in each channel is located at a different distance along the optical path from the microscope, corresponding to a focal plane at a different depth within the sample. The optical path leading to each photodetector array also includes lenses to compensate for the variation of magnification with distance so that the images ultimately formed on all the photodetector arrays are of the same magnification. The use of optical components common to multiple channels in a simple geometry makes it possible to obtain high light-transmission efficiency with an optically and mechanically simple assembly. In addition, because images can be read out simultaneously from all the photodetector arrays, the apparatus can support three-dimensional imaging at a high scanning rate.

Asymmetric transmission and optical low-pass filtering in a stack of random media with graded transport mean free path

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bingi, J.; Hemalatha, M.; Anita, R. W.; Vijayan, C.; Murukeshan, V. M.

2015-11-01

Light transport and the physical phenomena related to light propagation in random media are very intriguing, they also provide scope for new paradigms of device functionality, most of which remain unexplored. Here we demonstrate, experimentally and by simulation, a novel kind of asymmetric light transmission (diffusion) in a stack of random media (SRM) with graded transport mean free path. The structure is studied in terms of transmission, of photons propagated through and photons generated within the SRM. It is observed that the SRM exhibits asymmetric transmission property with a transmission contrast of 0.25. In addition, it is shown that the SRM works as a perfect optical low-pass filter with a well-defined cutoff wavelength at 580 nm. Further, the photons generated within the SRM found to exhibit functionality similar to an optical diode with a transmission contrast of 0.62. The basis of this functionality is explained in terms of wavelength dependent photon randomization and the graded transport mean free path of SRM.

Channel Capacity Calculation at Large SNR and Small Dispersion within Path-Integral Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reznichenko, A. V.; Terekhov, I. S.

2018-04-01

We consider the optical fiber channel modelled by the nonlinear Shrödinger equation with additive white Gaussian noise. Using Feynman path-integral approach for the model with small dispersion we find the first nonzero corrections to the conditional probability density function and the channel capacity estimations at large signal-to-noise ratio. We demonstrate that the correction to the channel capacity in small dimensionless dispersion parameter is quadratic and positive therefore increasing the earlier calculated capacity for a nondispersive nonlinear optical fiber channel in the intermediate power region. Also for small dispersion case we find the analytical expressions for simple correlators of the output signals in our noisy channel.

LTP interferometer—noise sources and performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robertson, David; Killow, Christian; Ward, Harry; Hough, Jim; Heinzel, Gerhard; Garcia, Antonio; Wand, Vinzenz; Johann, Ulrich; Braxmaier, Claus

2005-05-01

The LISA Technology Package (LTP) uses laser interferometry to measure the changes in relative displacement between two inertial test masses. The goals of the mission require a displacement measuring precision of 10 pm Hz-1/2 at frequencies in the 3 30 mHz band. We report on progress with a prototype LTP interferometer optical bench in which fused silica mirrors and beamsplitters are fixed to a ZERODUR® substrate using hydroxide catalysis bonding to form a rigid interferometer. The couplings to displacement noise of this interferometer of two expected noise sources—laser frequency noise and ambient temperature fluctuations—have been investigated, and an additional, unexpected, noise source has been identified. The additional noise is due to small amounts of signal at the heterodyne frequency arriving at the photodiode preamplifiers with a phase that quasistatically changes with respect to the optical signal. The phase shift is caused by differential changes in the external optical paths the beams travel before they reach the rigid interferometer. Two different external path length stabilization systems have been demonstrated and these allowed the performance of the overall system to meet the LTP displacement noise requirement.

A geometrical optics approach for modeling atmospheric turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuksel, Heba; Atia, Walid; Davis, Christopher C.

2005-08-01

Atmospheric turbulence has a significant impact on the quality of a laser beam propagating through the atmosphere over long distances. Turbulence causes the optical phasefront to become distorted from propagation through turbulent eddies of varying sizes and refractive index. Turbulence also results in intensity scintillation and beam wander, which can severely impair the operation of target designation and free space optical (FSO) communications systems. We have developed a new model to assess the effects of turbulence on laser beam propagation in such applications. We model the atmosphere along the laser beam propagation path as a spatial distribution of spherical bubbles or curved interfaces. The size and refractive index discontinuity represented by each bubble are statistically distributed according to various models. For each statistical representation of the atmosphere, the path of a single ray, or a bundle of rays, is analyzed using geometrical optics. These Monte Carlo techniques allow us to assess beam wander, beam spread, and phase shifts along the path. An effective Cn2 can be determined by correlating beam wander behavior with the path length. This model has already proved capable of assessing beam wander, in particular the (Range)3 dependence of mean-squared beam wander, and in estimating lateral phase decorrelations that develop across the laser phasefront as it propagates through turbulence. In addition, we have developed efficient computational techniques for various correlation functions that are important in assessing the effects of turbulence. The Monte Carlo simulations are compared and show good agreement with the predictions of wave theory.

Optical Circuit Switched Protocol

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Monacos, Steve P. (Inventor)

2000-01-01

The present invention is a system and method embodied in an optical circuit switched protocol for the transmission of data through a network. The optical circuit switched protocol is an all-optical circuit switched network and includes novel optical switching nodes for transmitting optical data packets within a network. Each optical switching node comprises a detector for receiving the header, header detection logic for translating the header into routing information and eliminating the header, and a controller for receiving the routing information and configuring an all optical path within the node. The all optical path located within the node is solely an optical path without having electronic storage of the data and without having optical delay of the data. Since electronic storage of the header is not necessary and the initial header is eliminated by the first detector of the first switching node. multiple identical headers are sent throughout the network so that subsequent switching nodes can receive and read the header for setting up an optical data path.

A 2-dimensional optical architecture for solving Hamiltonian path problem based on micro ring resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shakeri, Nadim; Jalili, Saeed; Ahmadi, Vahid; Rasoulzadeh Zali, Aref; Goliaei, Sama

2015-01-01

The problem of finding the Hamiltonian path in a graph, or deciding whether a graph has a Hamiltonian path or not, is an NP-complete problem. No exact solution has been found yet, to solve this problem using polynomial amount of time and space. In this paper, we propose a two dimensional (2-D) optical architecture based on optical electronic devices such as micro ring resonators, optical circulators and MEMS based mirror (MEMS-M) to solve the Hamiltonian Path Problem, for undirected graphs in linear time. It uses a heuristic algorithm and employs n+1 different wavelengths of a light ray, to check whether a Hamiltonian path exists or not on a graph with n vertices. Then if a Hamiltonian path exists, it reports the path. The device complexity of the proposed architecture is O(n2).

All-optical, thermo-optical path length modulation based on the vanadium-doped fibers.

PubMed

Matjasec, Ziga; Campelj, Stanislav; Donlagic, Denis

2013-05-20

This paper presents an all-fiber, fully-optically controlled, optical-path length modulator based on highly absorbing optical fiber. The modulator utilizes a high-power 980 nm pump diode and a short section of vanadium-co-doped single mode fiber that is heated through absorption and a non-radiative relaxation process. The achievable path length modulation range primarily depends on the pump's power and the convective heat-transfer coefficient of the surrounding gas, while the time response primarily depends on the heated fiber's diameter. An absolute optical length change in excess of 500 µm and a time-constant as short as 11 ms, were demonstrated experimentally. The all-fiber design allows for an electrically-passive and remote operation of the modulator. The presented modulator could find use within various fiber-optics systems that require optical (remote) path length control or modulation.

Improved graphite furnace atomizer

DOEpatents

Siemer, D.D.

1983-05-18

A graphite furnace atomizer for use in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy is described wherein the heating elements are affixed near the optical path and away from the point of sample deposition, so that when the sample is volatilized the spectroscopic temperature at the optical path is at least that of the volatilization temperature, whereby analyteconcomitant complex formation is advantageously reduced. The atomizer may be elongated along its axis to increase the distance between the optical path and the sample deposition point. Also, the atomizer may be elongated along the axis of the optical path, whereby its analytical sensitivity is greatly increased.

Architecture and design of optical path networks utilizing waveband virtual links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, Yusaku; Mori, Yojiro; Hasegawa, Hiroshi; Sato, Ken-ichi

2016-02-01

We propose a novel optical network architecture that uses waveband virtual links, each of which can carry several optical paths, to directly bridge distant node pairs. Future photonic networks should not only transparently cover extended areas but also expand fiber capacity. However, the traversal of many ROADM nodes impairs the optical signal due to spectrum narrowing. To suppress the degradation, the bandwidth of guard bands needs to be increased, which degrades fiber frequency utilization. Waveband granular switching allows us to apply broader pass-band filtering at ROADMs and to insert sufficient guard bands between wavebands with minimum frequency utilization offset. The scheme resolves the severe spectrum narrowing effect. Moreover, the guard band between optical channels in a waveband can be minimized, which increases the number of paths that can be accommodated per fiber. In the network, wavelength path granular routing is done without utilizing waveband virtual links, and it still suffers from spectrum narrowing. A novel network design algorithm that can bound the spectrum narrowing effect by limiting the number of hops (traversed nodes that need wavelength path level routing) is proposed in this paper. This algorithm dynamically changes the waveband virtual link configuration according to the traffic distribution variation, where optical paths that need many node hops are effectively carried by virtual links. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the number of necessary fibers is reduced by 23% compared with conventional optical path networks.

Vibrational Analysis of a Shipboard Free Electron Laser Beam Path

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

2 Figure 2. Optical Extraction (η) vs. Separation and Electron Beam Tilt for a Notional FEL Oscillator . (From [1...in Figure 2. Figure 2. Optical Extraction (η) vs. Separation and Electron Beam Tilt for a Notional FEL Oscillator . (From [1]) The narrow beam...3 is a top down view of the entire electron beam path. Figure 3. Electron Beam Line of a Notional FEL Oscillator . 2. Optical Path The optical

Changes in diffusion path length with old age in diffuse optical tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnéry, Clément; Leclerc, Paul-Olivier; Desjardins, Michèle; Hoge, Rick; Bherer, Louis; Pouliot, Philippe; Lesage, Frédéric

2012-05-01

Diffuse, optical near infrared imaging is increasingly being used in various neurocognitive contexts where changes in optical signals are interpreted through activation maps. Statistical population comparison of different age or clinical groups rely on the relative homogeneous distribution of measurements across subjects in order to infer changes in brain function. In the context of an increasing use of diffuse optical imaging with older adult populations, changes in tissue properties and anatomy with age adds additional confounds. Few studies investigated these changes with age. Duncan et al. measured the so-called diffusion path length factor (DPF) in a large population but did not explore beyond the age of 51 after which physiological and anatomical changes are expected to occur [Pediatr. Res. 39(5), 889-894 (1996)]. With increasing interest in studying the geriatric population with optical imaging, we studied changes in tissue properties in young and old subjects using both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided Monte-Carlo simulations and time-domain diffuse optical imaging. Our results, measured in the frontal cortex, show changes in DPF that are smaller than previously measured by Duncan et al. in a younger population. The origin of these changes are studied using simulations and experimental measures.

Retrievals of atmospheric columnar carbon dioxide and methane from GOSAT observations with photon path-length probability density function (PPDF) method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bril, A.; Oshchepkov, S.; Yokota, T.; Yoshida, Y.; Morino, I.; Uchino, O.; Belikov, D. A.; Maksyutov, S. S.

2014-12-01

We retrieved the column-averaged dry air mole fraction of atmospheric carbon dioxide (XCO2) and methane (XCH4) from the radiance spectra measured by Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) for 48 months of the satellite operation from June 2009. Recent version of the Photon path-length Probability Density Function (PPDF)-based algorithm was used to estimate XCO2 and optical path modifications in terms of PPDF parameters. We also present results of numerical simulations for over-land observations and "sharp edge" tests for sun-glint mode to discuss the algorithm accuracy under conditions of strong optical path modification. For the methane abundance retrieved from 1.67-µm-absorption band we applied optical path correction based on PPDF parameters from 1.6-µm carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption band. Similarly to CO2-proxy technique, this correction assumes identical light path modifications in 1.67-µm and 1.6-µm bands. However, proxy approach needs pre-defined XCO2 values to compute XCH4, whilst the PPDF-based approach does not use prior assumptions on CO2 concentrations.Post-processing data correction for XCO2 and XCH4 over land observations was performed using regression matrix based on multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The MANOVA statistics was applied to the GOSAT retrievals using reference collocated measurements of Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). The regression matrix was constructed using the parameters that were found to correlate with GOSAT-TCCON discrepancies: PPDF parameters α and ρ, that are mainly responsible for shortening and lengthening of the optical path due to atmospheric light scattering; solar and satellite zenith angles; surface pressure; surface albedo in three GOSAT short wave infrared (SWIR) bands. Application of the post-correction generally improves statistical characteristics of the GOSAT-TCCON correlation diagrams for individual stations as well as for aggregated data.In addition to the analysis of the observations over 12 TCCON stations we estimated temporal and spatial trends (interannual XCO2 and XCH4 variations, seasonal cycles, latitudinal gradients) and compared them with modeled results as well as with similar estimates from other GOSAT retrievals.

Nonadiabatic quantum path analysis of high-order harmonic generation: Role of the carrier-envelope phase on short and long paths

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sansone, G.; Stagira, S.; Nisoli, M.

2004-07-01

High-order harmonic generation process in the few- and multiple-optical-cycle regime is theoretically investigated, using the saddle-point method generalized to account for nonadiabatic effects. The influence of the carrier-envelope phase of the driving pulses on the various electron quantum paths is analyzed. We demonstrate that the short and long quantum paths are influenced in different ways by the carrier-envelope phase. In particular, we show that clear phase effects are visible on the long quantum paths even in the multiple-optical-cycle regime, while the short quantum paths are significantly influenced by the carrier-envelope phase only in the few-optical-cycle regime.

Evaluation of Acoustic Propagation Paths into the Human Head

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-04-01

pressure amplitude) via the alternate propagation paths. A 3D finite-element solid mesh was constructed using a digital image database of an adult...optics, rays are used to depict the path or paths taken as a light wave travels through a lens. However, in optics, the eikonal equation can be solved

All-Optical Wavelength-Path Service With Quality Assurance by Multilayer Integration System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yagi, Mikio; Tanaka, Shinya; Satomi, Shuichi; Ryu, Shiro; Asano, Shoichiro

2006-09-01

In the future all-optical network controlled by generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS), the wavelength path between end nodes will change dynamically. This inevitably means that the fiber parameters along the wavelength path will also vary. This variation in fiber parameters influences the signal quality of high-speed-transmission system (bit rates over 40 Gb/s). Therefore, at a path setup, the fiber-parameter effect should be adequately compensated. Moreover, the path setup must be completed fast enough to meet the network-application demands. To realize the rapid setup of adequate paths, a multilayer integration system for all-optical wavelength-path quality assurance is proposed. This multilayer integration system is evaluated in a field trial. In the trial, the GMPLS control plane, measurement plane, and data plane coordinated to maintain the quality of a 40-Gb/s wavelength path that would otherwise be degraded by the influence of chromatic dispersion. It is also demonstrated that the multilayer integration system can assure the signal quality in the face of not only chromatic dispersion but also degradation in the optical signal-to-noise ratio by the use of a 2R regeneration system. Our experiments confirm that the proposed multilayer integration system is an essential part of future all-optical networks.

Method and system for compact efficient laser architecture

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andrew James; Erlandson, Alvin Charles; Manes, Kenneth Rene; Spaeth, Mary Louis; Caird, John Allyn; Deri, Robert J.

2015-09-15

A laser amplifier module having an enclosure includes an input window, a mirror optically coupled to the input window and disposed in a first plane, and a first amplifier head disposed along an optical amplification path adjacent a first end of the enclosure. The laser amplifier module also includes a second amplifier head disposed along the optical amplification path adjacent a second end of the enclosure and a cavity mirror disposed along the optical amplification path.

Attenuator And Conditioner

DOEpatents

Anderson, Gene R.; Armendariz, Marcelino G.; Carson, Richard F.; Bryan, Robert P.; Duckett, III, Edwin B.; Kemme, Shanalyn Adair; McCormick, Frederick B.; Peterson, David W.

2006-04-04

An apparatus and method of attenuating and/or conditioning optical energy for an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module is disclosed. An apparatus for attenuating the optical output of an optoelectronic connector including: a mounting surface; an array of optoelectronic devices having at least a first end; an array of optical elements having at least a first end; the first end of the array of optical elements optically aligned with the first end of the array of optoelectronic devices; an optical path extending from the first end of the array of optoelectronic devices and ending at a second end of the array of optical elements; and an attenuator in the optical path for attenuating the optical energy emitted from the array of optoelectronic devices. Alternatively, a conditioner may be adapted in the optical path for conditioning the optical energy emitted from the array of optoelectronic devices.

Optical Path Switching Based Differential Absorption Radiometry for Substance Detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glen W. (Inventor)

2000-01-01

A system and method are provided for detecting one or more substances. An optical path switch divides sample path radiation into a time series of alternating first polarized components and second polarized components. The first polarized components are transmitted along a first optical path and the second polarized components along a second optical path. A first gasless optical filter train filters the first polarized components to isolate at least a first wavelength band thereby generating first filtered radiation. A second gasless optical filter train filters the second polarized components to isolate at least a second wavelength band thereby generating second filtered radiation. The first wavelength band and second wavelength band are unique. Further, spectral absorption of a substance of interest is different at the first wavelength band as compared to the second wavelength band. A beam combiner combines the first and second filtered radiation to form a combined beam of radiation. A detector is disposed to monitor magnitude of at least a portion of the combined beam alternately at the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band as an indication of the concentration of the substance in the sample path.

Quasi-monolithic tunable optical resonator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arbore, Mark (Inventor); Tapos, Francisc (Inventor)

2003-01-01

An optical resonator has a piezoelectric element attached to a quasi-monolithic structure. The quasi-monolithic structure defines an optical path. Mirrors attached to the structure deflect light along the optical path. The piezoelectric element controllably strains the quasi-monolithic structure to change a length of the optical path by about 1 micron. A first feedback loop coupled to the piezoelectric element provides fine control over the cavity length. The resonator may include a thermally actuated spacer attached to the cavity and a mirror attached to the spacer. The thermally actuated spacer adjusts the cavity length by up to about 20 microns. A second feedback loop coupled to the sensor and heater provides a coarse control over the cavity length. An alternative embodiment provides a quasi-monolithic optical parametric oscillator (OPO). This embodiment includes a non-linear optical element within the resonator cavity along the optical path. Such an OPO configuration is broadly tunable and capable of mode-hop free operation for periods of 24 hours or more.

Photonic variable delay devices based on optical birefringence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yao, X. Steve (Inventor)

2005-01-01

Optical variable delay devices for providing variable true time delay to multiple optical beams simultaneously. A ladder-structured variable delay device comprises multiple basic building blocks stacked on top of each other resembling a ladder. Each basic building block has two polarization beamsplitters and a polarization rotator array arranged to form a trihedron; Controlling an array element of the polarization rotator array causes a beam passing through the array element either going up to a basic building block above it or reflect back towards a block below it. The beams going higher on the ladder experience longer optical path delay. An index-switched optical variable delay device comprises of many birefringent crystal segments connected with one another, with a polarization rotator array sandwiched between any two adjacent crystal segments. An array element in the polarization rotator array controls the polarization state of a beam passing through the element, causing the beam experience different refractive indices or path delays in the following crystal segment. By independently control each element in each polarization rotator array, variable optical path delays of each beam can be achieved. Finally, an index-switched variable delay device and a ladder-structured variable device are cascaded to form a new device which combines the advantages of the two individual devices. This programmable optic device has the properties of high packing density, low loss, easy fabrication, and virtually infinite bandwidth. The device is inherently two dimensional and has a packing density exceeding 25 lines/cm2. The delay resolution of the device is on the order of a femtosecond (one micron in space) and the total delay exceeds 10 nanosecond. In addition, the delay is reversible so that the same delay device can be used for both antenna transmitting and receiving.

Accurate cell counts in live mouse embryos using optical quadrature and differential interference contrast microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warger, William C., II; Newmark, Judith A.; Zhao, Bing; Warner, Carol M.; DiMarzio, Charles A.

2006-02-01

Present imaging techniques used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics are unable to produce accurate cell counts in developing embryos past the eight-cell stage. We have developed a method that has produced accurate cell counts in live mouse embryos ranging from 13-25 cells by combining Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) and Optical Quadrature Microscopy. Optical Quadrature Microscopy is an interferometric imaging modality that measures the amplitude and phase of the signal beam that travels through the embryo. The phase is transformed into an image of optical path length difference, which is used to determine the maximum optical path length deviation of a single cell. DIC microscopy gives distinct cell boundaries for cells within the focal plane when other cells do not lie in the path to the objective. Fitting an ellipse to the boundary of a single cell in the DIC image and combining it with the maximum optical path length deviation of a single cell creates an ellipsoidal model cell of optical path length deviation. Subtracting the model cell from the Optical Quadrature image will either show the optical path length deviation of the culture medium or reveal another cell underneath. Once all the boundaries are used in the DIC image, the subtracted Optical Quadrature image is analyzed to determine the cell boundaries of the remaining cells. The final cell count is produced when no more cells can be subtracted. We have produced exact cell counts on 5 samples, which have been validated by Epi-Fluorescence images of Hoechst stained nuclei.

Optical and spectroscopic investigation on Calcium Borotellurite glass system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paz, E. C.; Lodi, T. A.; Gomes, B. R. A.; Melo, G. H. A.; Pedrochi, F.; Steimacher, A.

2016-05-01

In this work, the glass formation in Calcium Borotellurite (CBTx) system and their optical properties were studied. Six glass samples were prepared by melt-quenching technique and the samples obtained are transparent, lightly yellowish, without any visible crystallites. The results showed that TeO2 addition increases the density, the electronic polarizability and, consequently, the refractive index. The increase of electronic polarizability and optical basicity suggest that TeO2 addition increases the non-bridging oxygen (NBO) concentration. The increase of TeO2 shifts the band edge to longer wavelength owing to increase in non-bridging oxygen ions, resulting in a linear decrease of optical energy gap. The addition of TeO2 increases the temperature coefficient of the optical path length (dS/dT) in room temperature, which are comparable to phosphate and lower than Low Silica Calcium Alumino Silicate (LSCAS) glasses. The values of dS/dT present an increase as a function of temperature for all the samples measured. The results suggest that CBTx is a good candidate for rare-earth doping and several optical applications.

Interferometer for Measuring Displacement to Within 20 pm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhao, Feng

2003-01-01

An optical heterodyne interferometer that can be used to measure linear displacements with an error <=20 pm has been developed. The remarkable accuracy of this interferometer is achieved through a design that includes (1) a wavefront split that reduces (relative to amplitude splits used in other interferometers) self interference and (2) a common-optical-path configuration that affords common-mode cancellation of the interference effects of thermal-expansion changes in optical-path lengths. The most popular method of displacement- measuring interferometry involves two beams, the polarizations of which are meant to be kept orthogonal upstream of the final interference location, where the difference between the phases of the two beams is measured. Polarization leakages (deviations from the desired perfect orthogonality) contaminate the phase measurement with periodic nonlinear errors. In commercial interferometers, these phase-measurement errors result in displacement errors in the approximate range of 1 to 10 nm. Moreover, because prior interferometers lack compensation for thermal-expansion changes in optical-path lengths, they are subject to additional displacement errors characterized by a temperature sensitivity of about 100 nm/K. Because the present interferometer does not utilize polarization in the separation and combination of the two interfering beams and because of the common-mode cancellation of thermal-expansion effects, the periodic nonlinear errors and the sensitivity to temperature changes are much smaller than in other interferometers

Optical and Casimir effects in topological materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Justin H.

Two major electromagnetic phenomena, magneto-optical effects and the Casimir effect, have seen much theoretical and experimental use for many years. On the other hand, recently there has been an explosion of theoretical and experimental work on so-called topological materials, and a natural question to ask is how such electromagnetic phenomena change with these novel materials. Specifically, we will consider are topological insulators and Weyl semimetals. When Dirac electrons on the surface of a topological insulator are gapped or Weyl fermions in the bulk of a Weyl semimetal appear due to time-reversal symmetry breaking, there is a resulting quantum anomalous Hall effect (2D in one case and bulk 3D in the other, respectively). For topological insulators, we investigate the role of localized in-gap states which can leave their own fingerprints on the magneto-optics and can therefore be probed. We have shown that these states resonantly contribute to the Hall conductivity and are magneto-optically active. For Weyl semimetals we investigate the Casimir force and show that with thickness, chemical potential, and magnetic field, a repulsive and tunable Casimir force can be obtained. Additionally, various values of the parameters can give various combinations of traps and antitraps. We additionally probe the topological transition called a Lifshitz transition in the band structure of a material and show that in a Casimir experiment, one can observe a non-analytic "kink'' in the Casimir force across such a transition. The material we propose is a spin-orbit coupled semiconductor with large g-factor that can be magnetically tuned through such a transition. Additionally, we propose an experiment with a two-dimensional metal where weak localization is tuned with an applied field in order to definitively test the effect of diffusive electrons on the Casimir force---an issue that is surprisingly unresolved to this day. Lastly, we show how the time-continuous coherent state path integral breaks down for both the single-site Bose-Hubbard model and the spin path integral. Specifically, when the Hamiltonian is quadratic in a generator of the algebra used to construct coherent states, the path integral fails to produce correct results following from an operator approach. We note that the problems do not arise in the time-discretized version of the path integral, as expected.

Optical double-image cryptography based on diffractive imaging with a laterally-translated phase grating.

PubMed

Chen, Wen; Chen, Xudong; Sheppard, Colin J R

2011-10-10

In this paper, we propose a method using structured-illumination-based diffractive imaging with a laterally-translated phase grating for optical double-image cryptography. An optical cryptosystem is designed, and multiple random phase-only masks are placed in the optical path. When a phase grating is laterally translated just before the plaintexts, several diffraction intensity patterns (i.e., ciphertexts) can be correspondingly obtained. During image decryption, an iterative retrieval algorithm is developed to extract plaintexts from the ciphertexts. In addition, security and advantages of the proposed method are analyzed. Feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are demonstrated by numerical simulation results. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Design of differential optical absorption spectroscopy long-path telescopes based on fiber optics.

PubMed

Merten, André; Tschritter, Jens; Platt, Ulrich

2011-02-10

We present a new design principle of telescopes for use in the spectral investigation of the atmosphere and the detection of atmospheric trace gases with the long-path differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) technique. A combination of emitting and receiving fibers in a single bundle replaces the commonly used coaxial-Newton-type combination of receiving and transmitting telescope. This very simplified setup offers a higher light throughput and simpler adjustment and allows smaller instruments, which are easier to handle and more portable. The higher transmittance was verified by ray-tracing calculations, which result in a theoretical factor threefold improvement in signal intensity compared with the old setup. In practice, due to the easier alignment and higher stability, up to factor of 10 higher signal intensities were found. In addition, the use of a fiber optic light source provides a better spectral characterization of the light source, which results in a lower detection limit for trace gases studied with this instrument. This new design will greatly enhance the usability and the range of applications of active DOAS instruments.

A heterodyne interferometer with periodic nonlinearities smaller than ±10 pm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weichert, C.; Köchert, P.; Köning, R.; Flügge, J.; Andreas, B.; Kuetgens, U.; Yacoot, A.

2012-09-01

The PTB developed a new optical heterodyne interferometer in the context of the European joint research project ‘Nanotrace’. A new optical concept using plane-parallel plates and spatially separated input beams to minimize the periodic nonlinearities was realized. Furthermore, the interferometer has the resolution of a double-path interferometer, compensates for possible angle variations between the mirrors and the interferometer optics and offers a minimal path difference between the reference and the measurement arm. Additionally, a new heterodyne phase evaluation based on an analogue to digital converter board with embedded field programmable gate arrays was developed, providing a high-resolving capability in the single-digit picometre range. The nonlinearities were characterized by a comparison with an x-ray interferometer, over a measurement range of 2.2 periods of the optical interferometer. Assuming an error-free x-ray interferometer, the nonlinearities are considered to be the deviation of the measured displacement from a best-fit line. For the proposed interferometer, nonlinearities smaller than ±10 pm were observed without any quadrature fringe correction.

On the optical path length in refracting media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasbun, Javier E.

2018-04-01

The path light follows as it travels through a substance depends on the substance's index of refraction. This path is commonly known as the optical path length (OPL). In geometrical optics, the laws of reflection and refraction are simple examples for understanding the path of light travel from source to detector for constant values of the traveled substances' refraction indices. In more complicated situations, the Euler equation can be quite useful and quite important in optics courses. Here, the well-known Euler differential equation (EDE) is used to obtain the OPL for several index of refraction models. For pedagogical completeness, the OPL is also obtained through a modified Monte Carlo (MC) method, versus which the various results obtained through the EDE are compared. The examples developed should be important in projects involving undergraduate as well as graduate students in an introductory optics course. A simple matlab script (program) is included that can be modified by students who wish to pursue the subject further.

Folded path LWIR system for SWAP constrained platforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleet, Erin F.; Wilson, Michael L.; Linne von Berg, Dale; Giallorenzi, Thomas; Mathieu, Barry

2014-06-01

Folded path reflection and catadioptric optics are of growing interest, especially in the long wave infrared (LWIR), due to continuing demands for reductions in imaging system size, weight and power (SWAP). We present the optical design and laboratory data for a 50 mm focal length low f/# folded-path compact LWIR imaging system. The optical design uses 4 concentric aspheric mirrors, each of which is described by annular aspheric functions well suited to the folded path design space. The 4 mirrors are diamond turned onto two thin air-spaced aluminum plates which can be manually focused onto the uncooled LWIR microbolometer array detector. Stray light analysis will be presented to show how specialized internal baffling can be used to reduce stray light propagation through the folded path optical train. The system achieves near diffraction limited performance across the FOV with a 15 mm long optical train and a 5 mm back focal distance. The completed system is small enough to reside within a 3 inch diameter ball gimbal.

The study of optimization on process parameters of high-accuracy computerized numerical control polishing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Wei-Ren; Huang, Shih-Pu; Tsai, Tsung-Yueh; Lin, Yi-Jyun; Yu, Zong-Ru; Kuo, Ching-Hsiang; Hsu, Wei-Yao; Young, Hong-Tsu

2017-09-01

Spherical lenses lead to forming spherical aberration and reduced optical performance. Consequently, in practice optical system shall apply a combination of spherical lenses for aberration correction. Thus, the volume of the optical system increased. In modern optical systems, aspherical lenses have been widely used because of their high optical performance with less optical components. However, aspherical surfaces cannot be fabricated by traditional full aperture polishing process due to their varying curvature. Sub-aperture computer numerical control (CNC) polishing is adopted for aspherical surface fabrication in recent years. By using CNC polishing process, mid-spatial frequency (MSF) error is normally accompanied during this process. And the MSF surface texture of optics decreases the optical performance for high precision optical system, especially for short-wavelength applications. Based on a bonnet polishing CNC machine, this study focuses on the relationship between MSF surface texture and CNC polishing parameters, which include feed rate, head speed, track spacing and path direction. The power spectral density (PSD) analysis is used to judge the MSF level caused by those polishing parameters. The test results show that controlling the removal depth of single polishing path, through the feed rate, and without same direction polishing path for higher total removal depth can efficiently reduce the MSF error. To verify the optical polishing parameters, we divided a correction polishing process to several polishing runs with different direction polishing paths. Compare to one shot polishing run, multi-direction path polishing plan could produce better surface quality on the optics.

HIGH SPEED KERR CELL FRAMING CAMERA

DOEpatents

Goss, W.C.; Gilley, L.F.

1964-01-01

The present invention relates to a high speed camera utilizing a Kerr cell shutter and a novel optical delay system having no moving parts. The camera can selectively photograph at least 6 frames within 9 x 10/sup -8/ seconds during any such time interval of an occurring event. The invention utilizes particularly an optical system which views and transmits 6 images of an event to a multi-channeled optical delay relay system. The delay relay system has optical paths of successively increased length in whole multiples of the first channel optical path length, into which optical paths the 6 images are transmitted. The successively delayed images are accepted from the exit of the delay relay system by an optical image focusing means, which in turn directs the images into a Kerr cell shutter disposed to intercept the image paths. A camera is disposed to simultaneously view and record the 6 images during a single exposure of the Kerr cell shutter. (AEC)

Wave propagation in a random medium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, R. W.; Harp, J. C.

1969-01-01

A simple technique is used to derive statistical characterizations of the perturbations imposed upon a wave (plane, spherical or beamed) propagating through a random medium. The method is essentially physical rather than mathematical, and is probably equivalent to the Rytov method. The limitations of the method are discussed in some detail; in general they are restrictive only for optical paths longer than a few hundred meters, and for paths at the lower microwave frequencies. Situations treated include arbitrary path geometries, finite transmitting and receiving apertures, and anisotropic media. Results include, in addition to the usual statistical quantities, time-lagged functions, mixed functions involving amplitude and phase fluctuations, angle-of-arrival covariances, frequency covariances, and other higher-order quantities.

Multipass optical device and process for gas and analyte determination

DOEpatents

Bernacki, Bruce E [Kennewick, WA

2011-01-25

A torus multipass optical device and method are described that provide for trace level determination of gases and gas-phase analytes. The torus device includes an optical cavity defined by at least one ring mirror. The mirror delivers optical power in at least a radial and axial direction and propagates light in a multipass optical path of a predefined path length.

Non-mechanical optical path switching and its application to dual beam spectroscopy including gas filter correlation radiometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glen W. (Inventor); Wang, Liang-Guo (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A non-mechanical optical switch is developed for alternately switching a monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic light beam along two optical paths. A polarizer polarizes light into a single, e.g., vertical component which is then rapidly modulated into vertical and horizontal components by a polarization modulator. A polarization beam splitter then reflects one of these components along one path and transmits the other along the second path. In the specific application of gas filter correlation radiometry, one path is directed through a vacuum cell and one path is directed through a gas correlation cell containing a desired gas. Reflecting mirrors cause these two paths to intersect at a second polarization beam splitter which reflects one component and transmits the other to recombine them into a polarization modulated beam which can be detected by an appropriate single sensor.

Aerodynamic distortion propagation calculation in application of high-speed target detection by laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Yonghui; Sun, Huayan; Zhao, Yanzhong; Chen, Jianbiao

2015-10-01

Active laser detection technique has a broad application prospect in antimissile and air defense, however the aerodynamic flow field around the planes and missiles cause serious distortion effect on the detecting laser beams. There are many computational fluid dynamics(CFD) codes that can predict the air density distribution and also the density fluctuations of the flow field, it's necessary for physical optics to be used to predict the distortion properties after propagation through the complex process. Aiming at the physical process of laser propagation in "Cat-eye" lenses and aerodynamic flow field for twice, distortion propagation calculation method is researched in this paper. In the minds of dividing the whole process into two parts, and tread the aero-optical optical path difference as a phase distortion, the incidence and reflection process are calculated using Collins formula and angular spectrum diffraction theory respectively. In addition, turbulent performance of the aerodynamic flow field is estimated according to the electromagnetic propagation theory through a random medium, the rms optical path difference and Strehl ratio of the turbulent optical distortion are obtained. Finally, Computational fluid mechanics and aero-optical distortion properties of the detecting laser beams are calculated with the hemisphere-on-cylinder turret as an example, calculation results are showed and analysed.

A complete VLBI delay model for deforming radio telescopes: the Effelsberg case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Artz, T.; Springer, A.; Nothnagel, A.

2014-12-01

Deformations of radio telescopes used in geodetic and astrometric very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations belong to the class of systematic error sources which require correction in data analysis. In this paper we present a model for all path length variations in the geometrical optics of radio telescopes which are due to gravitational deformation. The Effelsberg 100 m radio telescope of the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Bonn, Germany, has been surveyed by various terrestrial methods. Thus, all necessary information that is needed to model the path length variations is available. Additionally, a ray tracing program has been developed which uses as input the parameters of the measured deformations to produce an independent check of the theoretical model. In this program as well as in the theoretical model, the illumination function plays an important role because it serves as the weighting function for the individual path lengths depending on the distance from the optical axis. For the Effelsberg telescope, the biggest contribution to the total path length variations is the bending of the main beam located along the elevation axis which partly carries the weight of the paraboloid at its vertex. The difference in total path length is almost 100 mm when comparing observations at 90 and at 0 elevation angle. The impact of the path length corrections is validated in a global VLBI analysis. The application of the correction model leads to a change in the vertical position of mm. This is more than the maximum path length, but the effect can be explained by the shape of the correction function.

Pulse stretcher

DOEpatents

Horton, J.A.

1994-05-03

Apparatus for increasing the length of a laser pulse to reduce its peak power without substantial loss in the average power of the pulse is disclosed. The apparatus uses a White cell having a plurality of optical delay paths of successively increasing number of passes between the field mirror and the objective mirrors. A pulse from a laser travels through a multi-leg reflective path between a beam splitter and a totally reflective mirror to the laser output. The laser pulse is also simultaneously injected through the beam splitter to the input mirrors of the optical delay paths. The pulses from the output mirrors of the optical delay paths go simultaneously to the laser output and to the input mirrors of the longer optical delay paths. The beam splitter is 50% reflective and 50% transmissive to provide equal attenuation of all of the pulses at the laser output. 6 figures.

Using refraction in thick glass plates for optical path length modulation in low coherence interferometry.

PubMed

Kröger, Niklas; Schlobohm, Jochen; Pösch, Andreas; Reithmeier, Eduard

2017-09-01

In Michelson interferometer setups the standard way to generate different optical path lengths between a measurement arm and a reference arm relies on expensive high precision linear stages such as piezo actuators. We present an alternative approach based on the refraction of light at optical interfaces using a cheap stepper motor with high gearing ratio to control the rotation of a glass plate. The beam path is examined and a relation between angle of rotation and change in optical path length is devised. As verification, an experimental setup is presented, and reconstruction results from a measurement standard are shown. The reconstructed step height from this setup lies within 1.25% of the expected value.

Compact programmable photonic variable delay devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yao, X. Steve (Inventor)

1999-01-01

Optical variable delay devices for providing variable true time delay to multiple optical beams simultaneously. A ladder-structured variable delay device comprises multiple basic building blocks stacked on top of each other resembling a ladder. Each basic building block has two polarization beamsplitters and a polarization rotator array arranged to form a trihedron; Controlling an array element of the polarization rotator array causes a beam passing through the array element either going up to a basic building block above it or reflect back towards a block below it. The beams going higher on the ladder experience longer optical path delay. An index-switched optical variable delay device comprises of many birefringent crystal segments connected with one another, with a polarization rotator array sandwiched between any two adjacent crystal segments. An array element in the polarization rotator array controls the polarization state of a beam passing through the element, causing the beam experience different refractive indices or path delays in the following crystal segment. By independently control each element in each polarization rotator array, variable optical path delays of each beam can be achieved. Finally, an index-switched variable delay device and a ladder-structured variable device are cascaded to form a new device which combines the advantages of the two individual devices. This programmable optic device has the properties of high packing density, low loss, easy fabrication, and virtually infinite bandwidth. The device is inherently two dimensional and has a packing density exceeding 25 lines/cm.sup.2. The delay resolution of the device is on the order of a femtosecond (one micron in space) and the total delay exceeds 10 nanosecond. In addition, the delay is reversible so that the same delay device can be used for both antenna transmitting and receiving.

Theoretical analysis for scaling law of thermal blooming based on optical phase deference

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yunqiang; Huang, Zhilong; Ren, Zebin; Chen, Zhiqiang; Guo, Longde; Xi, Fengjie

2016-10-01

In order to explore the laser propagation influence of thermal blooming effect of pipe flow and to analysis the influencing factors, scaling law theoretical analysis of the thermal blooming effects in pipe flow are carry out in detail based on the optical path difference caused by thermal blooming effects in pipe flow. Firstly, by solving the energy coupling equation of laser beam propagation, the temperature of the flow is obtained, and then the optical path difference caused by the thermal blooming is deduced. Through the analysis of the influence of pipe size, flow field and laser parameters on the optical path difference, energy scaling parameters Ne=nTαLPR2/(ρɛCpπR02) and geometric scaling parameters Nc=νR2/(ɛL) of thermal blooming for the pipe flow are derived. Secondly, for the direct solution method, the energy coupled equations have analytic solutions only for the straight tube with Gauss beam. Considering the limitation of directly solving the coupled equations, the dimensionless analysis method is adopted, the analysis is also based on the change of optical path difference, same scaling parameters for the pipe flow thermal blooming are derived, which makes energy scaling parameters Ne and geometric scaling parameters Nc have good universality. The research results indicate that when the laser power and the laser beam diameter are changed, thermal blooming effects of the pipeline axial flow caused by optical path difference will not change, as long as you keep energy scaling parameters constant. When diameter or length of the pipe changes, just keep the geometric scaling parameters constant, the pipeline axial flow gas thermal blooming effects caused by optical path difference distribution will not change. That is to say, when the pipe size and laser parameters change, if keeping two scaling parameters with constant, the pipeline axial flow thermal blooming effects caused by the optical path difference will not change. Therefore, the energy scaling parameters and the geometric scaling parameters can really describe the gas thermal blooming effect in the axial pipe flow. These conclusions can give a good reference for the construction of the thermal blooming test system of laser system. Contrasted with the thermal blooming scaling parameters of the Bradley-Hermann distortion number ND and Fresnel number NF, which were derived based on the change of far field beam intensity distortion, the scaling parameters of pipe flow thermal blooming deduced from the optical path deference variation are very suitable for the optical system with short laser propagation distance, large Fresnel number and obviously changed optical path deference.

High-temperature multipass cell for infrared spectroscopy of heated gases and vapors.

PubMed

Bartlome, R; Baer, M; Sigrist, M W

2007-01-01

In absorption spectroscopy, infrared spectra of heated gases or condensed samples in the vapor phase are usually recorded with a single pass heated gas cell. This device exhibits two orders of magnitude lower sensitivity than the high-temperature multipass cell presented in this article. Our device is a novel type of compact long path absorption cell that can withstand aggressive chemicals in addition to temperatures up to 723 K. The construction of the cell and its technical features are described in detail, paying special attention to the mechanisms that compensate for thermal expansion and that allow the user to vary the optical path length under any thermal or vacuum condition. The cell may be used with a laser source or implemented within a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Its design is compatible with optical arrangements using astigmatic mirrors or spherical mirrors in a Herriott configuration. Here we implement a homebuilt Herriott-type cell with a total optical path length of up to 35 m. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the cell, methane and water vapor absorption lines showing dissimilar temperature effects on line intensity were recorded with the help of a mid-infrared laser source tunable between 3 and 4 microm. Emphasis is put on lines that are too weak to be recorded with a single pass cell.

Design of the Longitudinal Dispersion Compensation System for the CHARA Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berger, D. H.; Bagnuolo, W. G.

2001-05-01

In recent years, the baselines of optical and infrared interferometers have been approaching half of a kilometer in length. With increased spatial layout comes new and challenging problems to solve. One common hurdle occurs when observing objects not perpendicular to the baseline. The result is one beam with added path length that must be added to the non-delayed beam such that identical phase fronts are combined together to produce fringes. For several interferometers without the addition of costly and logistically difficult evacuated delay lines, path length equalization occurs in long buildings through the ambient air medium. This causes a beam which is spectrally dispersed along the optical axis. The undesirable consequence is decreased fringe contrast. A solution is to disperse the uncompensated beam by inserting a block of glass to match the optical path lengths for all wavelengths within the observing waveband. A single glass solution is presented for the CHARA Array. Modeling, design and fabrication methods are also considered. The CHARA Array, a six-telescope O/IR interferometric array operated by Georgia State University on Mt. Wilson, California, was funded by the National Science Foundation, the W.M. Keck Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Georgia State University. This research is also funded in part by the Michelson Fellowship Program sponsored by Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

A multi-ring optical packet and circuit integrated network with optical buffering.

PubMed

Furukawa, Hideaki; Shinada, Satoshi; Miyazawa, Takaya; Harai, Hiroaki; Kawasaki, Wataru; Saito, Tatsuhiko; Matsunaga, Koji; Toyozumi, Tatuya; Wada, Naoya

2012-12-17

We newly developed a 3 × 3 integrated optical packet and circuit switch-node. Optical buffers and burst-mode erbium-doped fiber amplifiers with the gain flatness are installed in the 3 × 3 switch-node. The optical buffer can prevent packet collisions and decrease packet loss. We constructed a multi-ring optical packet and circuit integrated network testbed connecting two single-ring networks and a client network by the 3 × 3 switch-node. For the first time, we demonstrated 244 km fiber transmission and 5-node hopping of multiplexed 14-wavelength 10 Gbps optical paths and 100 Gbps optical packets encapsulating 10 Gigabit Ethernet frames on the testbed. Error-free (frame error rate < 1 × 10(-4)) operation was achieved with optical packets of various packet lengths. In addition, successful avoidance of packet collisions by optical buffers was confirmed.

Analysis of Tyman green detection system based on polarization interference

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Yaolin; Wang, Min; Shao, Xiaoping; Kou, Yuanfeng

2018-02-01

The optical surface deviation of the lens can directly affect the quality of the optical system.In order to effectively and accurately detect the surface shape, an optical surface on-line detection system based on polarization interference technology is designed and developed. The system is based on Tyman-Green interference optical path, join the polarization interference measuring technology. Based on the theoretical derivation of the optical path and the ZEMAX software simulation, the experimental optical path is constructed. The parallel light is used to detect the concave lens. The parallel light is used as the light source, the size of the polarization splitting prism, detection radius of curvature, the relations between and among the size of the lens aperture, a detection range is given.

Apodization of beams in an optical interferometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ames, Lawrence L. (Inventor); Dutta, Kalyan (Inventor)

2006-01-01

An interferometry apparatus comprises one or more beam generators, a detector, and a plurality of optical paths along which one or more beams of light propagate. Disposed along at least one of the optical paths is an apodization mask to shape one of the beams.

An optically passive method that doubles the rate of 2-Ghz timing fiducials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boni, R.; Kendrick, J.; Sorce, C.

2017-08-01

Solid-state optical comb-pulse generators provide a convenient and accurate method to include timing fiducials in a streak camera image for time base correction. Commercially available vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL's) emitting in the visible currently in use can be modulated up to 2 GHz. An optically passive method is presented to interleave a time-delayed path of the 2-GHz comb with itself, producing a 4-GHz comb. This technique can be applied to VCSEL's with higher modulation rates. A fiber-delivered, randomly polarized 2-GHz VCSEL comb is polarization split into s-polarization and p-polarization paths. One path is time delayed relative to the other by twice the 2-GHz rate with +/-1-ps accuracy; the two paths then recombine at the fiber-coupled output. High throughput (>=90%) is achieved by carefully using polarization beam-splitting cubes, a total internal reflection beam-path-steering prism, and antireflection coatings. The glass path-length delay block and turning prism are optically contacted together. The beam polarizer cubes that split and recombine the paths are precision aligned and permanently cemented into place. We expect the palm-sized, inline fiber-coupled, comb-rate-doubling device to maintain its internal alignment indefinitely.

Modeling heading and path perception from optic flow in the case of independently moving objects

PubMed Central

Raudies, Florian; Neumann, Heiko

2013-01-01

Humans are usually accurate when estimating heading or path from optic flow, even in the presence of independently moving objects (IMOs) in an otherwise rigid scene. To invoke significant biases in perceived heading, IMOs have to be large and obscure the focus of expansion (FOE) in the image plane, which is the point of approach. For the estimation of path during curvilinear self-motion no significant biases were found in the presence of IMOs. What makes humans robust in their estimation of heading or path using optic flow? We derive analytical models of optic flow for linear and curvilinear self-motion using geometric scene models. Heading biases of a linear least squares method, which builds upon these analytical models, are large, larger than those reported for humans. This motivated us to study segmentation cues that are available from optic flow. We derive models of accretion/deletion, expansion/contraction, acceleration/deceleration, local spatial curvature, and local temporal curvature, to be used as cues to segment an IMO from the background. Integrating these segmentation cues into our method of estimating heading or path now explains human psychophysical data and extends, as well as unifies, previous investigations. Our analysis suggests that various cues available from optic flow help to segment IMOs and, thus, make humans' heading and path perception robust in the presence of such IMOs. PMID:23554589

My Path Into X-Ray, Optics and Pressure: Experiences and Achievements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, William

2013-04-01

A successful career path in science is rarely formulaic or achieved by following a predefined set of actions. Sustained commitment, perseverance, performance and relationships are all key ingredients. Judicious selection of opportunities (research projects, employers, etc.) can lead to significant scientific accomplishments and career advancements. In this presentation I will review the trajectory of my scientific career spanning my experiences from the Westinghouse STS and ISEF, through Caltech and Harvard to my current position of High Pressure Physics Group Leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. I will discuss my involvement in some exciting research projects using x-ray synchrotron sources and optical spectroscopy to study static and dynamic properties of materials at high-pressures. In addition, I will share my perspectives on the importance of excellence, preparedness and the value of professional relationships.

Analytical model of the optical vortex microscope.

PubMed

Płocinniczak, Łukasz; Popiołek-Masajada, Agnieszka; Masajada, Jan; Szatkowski, Mateusz

2016-04-20

This paper presents an analytical model of the optical vortex scanning microscope. In this microscope the Gaussian beam with an embedded optical vortex is focused into the sample plane. Additionally, the optical vortex can be moved inside the beam, which allows fine scanning of the sample. We provide an analytical solution of the whole path of the beam in the system (within paraxial approximation)-from the vortex lens to the observation plane situated on the CCD camera. The calculations are performed step by step from one optical element to the next. We show that at each step, the expression for light complex amplitude has the same form with only four coefficients modified. We also derive a simple expression for the vortex trajectory of small vortex displacements.

Optical Device for Converting a Laser Beam into Two Co-aligned but Oppositely Directed Beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jennings, Donald

2013-01-01

Optical systems consisting of a series of optical elements require alignment from the input end to the output end. The optical elements can be mirrors, lenses, sources, detectors, or other devices. Complex optical systems are often difficult to align from end-to-end because the alignment beam must be inserted at one end in order for the beam to traverse the entire optical path to the other end. The ends of the optical train may not be easily accessible to the alignment beam. Typically, when a series of optical elements is to be aligned, an alignment laser beam is inserted into the optical path with a pick-off mirror at one end of the series of elements. But it may be impossible to insert the beam at an end-point. It can be difficult to locate the pick-off mirror at the desired position because there is not enough space, there is no mounting surface, or the location is occupied by a source, detector, or other component. Alternatively, the laser beam might be inserted at an intermediate location (not at an end-point) and sent, first in one direction and then the other, to the opposite ends of the optical system for alignment. However, in this case, alignment must be performed in two directions and extra effort is required to co-align the two beams to make them parallel and coincident, i.e., to follow the same path as an end-to-end beam. An optical device has been developed that accepts a laser beam as input and produces two co-aligned, but counter-propagating beams. In contrast to a conventional alignment laser placed at one end of the optical path, this invention can be placed at a convenient position within the optical train and aligned to send its two beams simultaneously along precisely opposite paths that, taken together, trace out exactly the same path as the conventional alignment laser. This invention allows the user the freedom to choose locations within the optical train for placement of the alignment beam. It is also self-aligned by design and requires almost no adjustment.

Optical remote measurement of toxic gases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grant, W. B.; Kagann, R. H.; McClenny, W. A.

1992-01-01

Enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990 has resulted in increased ambient air monitoring needs for industry, some of which may be met efficiently using open-path optical remote sensing techniques. These techniques include Fourier transform spectroscopy, differential optical absorption spectroscopy, laser long-path absorption, differential absorption lidar, and gas cell correlation spectroscopy. With this regulatory impetus, it is an opportune time to consider applying these technologies to the remote and/or path-averaged measurement and monitoring of toxic gases covered by the CAAA. This article reviews the optical remote sensing technology and literature for that application.

Aerosol optical properties inferred from in-situ and path-averaged measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Binsbergen, Sven A.; Grossmann, Peter; Cohen, Leo H.; van Eijk, Alexander M. J.; Stein, Karin U.

2017-09-01

This paper compares in-situ and path-averaged measurements of the electro-optical transmission, with emphasis on aerosol effects. The in-situ sensors consisted of optical particle counters (OPC) and a visibility meter, the path-averaged data was provided by a 7-wavelength transmissometer (MSRT) and a scintillometer (BLS). Data was collected at a test site in Northern Germany. A retrieval algorithm was developed to infer characteristics of the aerosol size distribution (Junge approximation) from the MSRT data. A comparison of the various sensors suggests that the optical particle counters are over-optimistic in their estimate of the transmission.

Ultrafast optics. Ultrafast optical control by few photons in engineered fiber.

PubMed

Nissim, R; Pejkic, A; Myslivets, E; Kuo, B P; Alic, N; Radic, S

2014-07-25

Fast control of a strong optical beam by a few photons is an outstanding challenge that limits the performance of quantum sensors and optical processing devices. We report that a fast and efficient optical gate can be realized in an optical fiber that has been engineered with molecular-scale accuracy. Highly efficient, distributed phase-matched photon-photon interaction was achieved in the fiber with locally controlled, nanometer-scale core variations. A three-photon input was used to manipulate a Watt-scale beam at a speed exceeding 500 gigahertz. In addition to very fast beam control, the results provide a path to developing a new class of sensitive receivers capable of operating at very high rates. Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Simultaneous Water Vapor and Dry Air Optical Path Length Measurements and Compensation with the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Defrere, D.; Hinz, P.; Downey, E.; Boehm, M.; Danchi, W. C.; Durney, O.; Ertel, S.; Hill, J. M.; Hoffmann, W. F.; Mennesson, B.;

System and Method for Measuring the Transfer Function of a Guided Wave Device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Froggatt, Mark E. (Inventor); Erdogan, Turan (Inventor)

2002-01-01

A method/system are provided for measuring the NxN scalar transfer function elements for an N-port guided wave device. Optical energy of a selected wavelength is generated at a source and directed along N reference optical paths having N reference path lengths. Each reference optical path terminates in one of N detectors such that N reference signals are produced at the N detectors. The reference signals are indicative of amplitude, phase and frequency of the optical energy carried along the N reference optical paths. The optical energy from the source is also directed to the N-ports of the guided wave device and then on to each of the N detectors such that N measurement optical paths are defined between the source and each of the N detectors. A portion of the optical energy is modified in terms of at least one of the amplitude and phase to produce N modified signals at each of the N detectors. At each of the N detectors, each of the N modified signals is combined with a corresponding one of the N reference signals to produce corresponding N combined signals at each of the N detectors. A total of N(sup 2) measurement signals are generated by the N detectors. Each of the N(sup 2) measurement signals is sampled at a wave number increment (Delta)k so that N(sup 2) sampled signals are produced. The NxN transfer function elements are generated using the N(sup 2) sampled signals. Reference and measurement path length constraints are defined such that the N combined signals at each of the N detectors are spatially separated from one another in the time domain.

A nonlinear strategy for sensor based vehicle path control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mayr, R.

1994-01-01

A method of transverse control which makes use of nonlinear formulations is presented. The strategy is utilized to stabilize a vehicle. The vehicle is autonomously guided and takes its control inputs from an optical sensing system. Additionally, the velocity of the vehicle is dictated by a longitudinal controller, which is also discussed.

Ground-based atmospheric water vapor monitoring system with spectroscopy of radiation in 20-30 GHz and 50-60 GHz bands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagasaki, Takeo; Tajima, Osamu; Araki, Kentaro; Ishimoto, Hiroshi

2016-07-01

We propose a novel ground-based meteorological monitoring system. In the 20{30 GHz band, our system simultaneously measures a broad absorption peak of water vapor and cloud liquid water. Additional observation in the 50{60 GHz band obtains the radiation of oxygen. Spectral results contain vertical profiles of the physical temperature of atmospheric molecules. We designed a simple method for placing the system atop high buildings and mountains and on decks of ships. There is a simple optical system in front of horn antennas for each frequency band. A focused signal from a reflector is separated into two polarized optical paths by a wire grid. Each signal received by the horn antenna is amplified by low-noise amplifiers. Spectra of each signal are measured as a function of frequency using two analyzers. A blackbody calibration source is maintained at 50 K in a cryostat. The calibration signal is led to each receiver via the wire grid. The input path of the signal is selected by rotation of the wire grid by 90°, because the polarization axis of the reflected path and axis of the transparent path are orthogonal. We developed a prototype receiver and demonstrated its performance using monitoring at the zenith.

Temporal overlap estimation based on interference spectrum in CARS microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yongning; Jiang, Junfeng; Liu, Kun; Huang, Can; Wang, Shuang; Zhang, Xuezhi; Liu, Tiegen

2018-01-01

Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy has attracted lots of attention because of the advantages, such as noninvasive, label-free, chemical specificity, intrinsic three-dimension spatial resolution and so on. However, the temporal overlap of pump and Stokes has not been solved owing to the ultrafast optical pulse used in CARS microscopy. We combine interference spectrum of residual pump in Stokes path and nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLSE) to realize the temporal overlap of pump pulse and Stokes pulse. At first, based on the interference spectrum of pump pulse and residual pump in Stokes path, the optical delay is defined when optical path difference between pump path and Stokes path is zero. Then the relative optical delay between Stokes pulse and residual pump in PCF can be calculated by NLSE. According to the spectrum interference and NLSE, temporal overlap of pump pulse and Stokes pulse will be realized easily and the imaging speed will be improved in CARS microscopy.

MAS Bulletin. GY-90 Fiber Optic Gyro

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-20

487 GY.9O Fiber Optic Gyro Background. Elettronica San Giorgio ELSAG S.p.A., Genoa, Italy, has developed a fiber optic gyro (FOG) for use on short...to the length of ELSAG S.p.A., Naval Systems Division, Via G. Puccini, 2-16154 the optical path and an extremely long optical path can be Genoa, Italy...Telephone 39 10/60011, Fax 39 10/607329, Telex achieved in a small size by using a many-turn coil of optical fiber. 270660/213847 ELSAG 1. There are

A fiber-coupled incoherent light source for ultra-precise optical trapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menke, Tim; Schittko, Robert; Mazurenko, Anton; Tai, M. Eric; Lukin, Alexander; Rispoli, Matthew; Kaufman, Adam M.; Greiner, Markus

2017-04-01

The ability to engineer arbitrary optical potentials using spatial light modulation has opened up exciting possibilities in ultracold quantum gas experiments. Yet, despite the high trap quality currently achievable, interference-induced distortions caused by scattering along the optical path continue to impede more sensitive measurements. We present a design of a high-power, spatially and temporally incoherent light source that bears the potential to reduce the impact of such distortions. The device is based on an array of non-lasing semiconductor emitters mounted on a single chip whose optical output is coupled into a multi-mode fiber. By populating a large number of fiber modes, the low spatial coherence of the input light is further reduced due to the differing optical path lengths amongst the modes and the short coherence length of the light. In addition to theoretical calculations showcasing the feasibility of this approach, we present experimental measurements verifying the low degree of spatial coherence achievable with such a source, including a detailed analysis of the speckle contrast at the fiber end. We acknowledge support from the National Science Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation's EPiQS Initiative, an Air Force Office of Scientific Research MURI program and an Army Research Office MURI program.

Multigranular integrated services optical network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Oliver; Yin, Leping; Xu, Huan; Liao, Ming

2006-12-01

Based on all-optical switches without requiring fiber delay lines and optical-electrical-optical interfaces, the multigranular optical switching (MGOS) network integrates three transport services via unified core control to efficiently support bursty and stream traffic of subwavelength to multiwavelength bandwidth. Adaptive robust optical burst switching (AR-OBS) aggregates subwavelength burst traffic into asynchronous light-rate bursts, transported via slotted-time light paths established by fast two-way reservation with robust blocking recovery control. Multiwavelength optical switching (MW-OS) decomposes multiwavelength stream traffic into a group of timing-related light-rate streams, transported via a light-path group to meet end-to-end delay-variation requirements. Optical circuit switching (OCS) simply converts wavelength stream traffic from an electrical-rate into a light-rate stream. The MGOS network employs decoupled routing, wavelength, and time-slot assignment (RWTA) and novel group routing and wavelength assignment (GRWA) to select slotted-time light paths and light-path groups, respectively. The selected resources are reserved by the unified multigranular robust fast optical reservation protocol (MG-RFORP). Simulation results show that elastic traffic is efficiently supported via AR-OBS in terms of loss rate and wavelength utilization, while connection-oriented wavelength traffic is efficiently supported via wavelength-routed OCS in terms of connection blocking and wavelength utilization. The GRWA-tuning result for MW-OS is also shown.

Multiple transmitter performance with appropriate amplitude modulation for free-space optical communication.

PubMed

Tellez, Jason A; Schmidt, Jason D

2011-08-20

The propagation of a free-space optical communications signal through atmospheric turbulence experiences random fluctuations in intensity, including signal fades, which negatively impact the performance of the communications link. The gamma-gamma probability density function is commonly used to model the scintillation of a single beam. One proposed method to reduce the occurrence of scintillation-induced fades at the receiver plane involves the use of multiple beams propagating through independent paths, resulting in a sum of independent gamma-gamma random variables. Recently an analytical model for the probability distribution of irradiance from the sum of multiple independent beams was developed. Because truly independent beams are practically impossible to create, we present here a more general but approximate model for the distribution of beams traveling through partially correlated paths. This model compares favorably with wave-optics simulations and highlights the reduced scintillation as the number of transmitted beams is increased. Additionally, a pulse-position modulation scheme is used to reduce the impact of signal fades when they occur. Analytical and simulated results showed significantly improved performance when compared to fixed threshold on/off keying. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Method for Balancing Detector Output to a Desired Level of Balance at a Frequency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glenn W. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A multi-gas sensor is provided which modulates a polarized light beam over a broadband of wavelengths between two alternating orthogonal polarization components. The two orthogonal polarization components of the polarization modulated beam are directed along two distinct optical paths. At least one optical path contains one or more spectral discrimination elements, with each spectral discrimination element having spectral absorption features of one or more gases of interest being measured. The two optical paths then intersect, and one orthogonal component of the intersected components is transmitted and the other orthogonal component is reflected. The combined polarization modulated beam is partitioned into one or more smaller spectral regions of interest where one or more gases of interest has an absorption band. The difference in intensity between the two orthogonal polarization components is then determined in each partitioned spectral region of interest as an indication of the spectral emission/absorption of the light beam by the gases of interest in the measurement path. The spectral emission/absorption is indicative of the concentration of the one or more gases of interest in the measurement path. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is a gas filter correlation radiometer which comprises a polarizer, a polarization modulator, a polarization beam splitter, a beam combiner, wavelength partitioning element, and detection element. The gases of interest are measured simultaneously and, further, can be measured independently or non-independently. Furthermore, optical or electronic element are provided to balance optical intensities between the two optical paths.

Multi-Gas Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glenn W. (Inventor); Wang, Liang-Guo (Inventor); LeBel, Peter J. (Inventor); Steele, Tommy C. (Inventor); Rana, Mauro (Inventor)

1999-01-01

A multi-gas sensor is provided which modulates a polarized light beam over a broadband of wavelengths between two alternating orthogonal polarization components. The two orthogonal polarization components of the polarization modulated beam are directed along two distinct optical paths. At least one optical path contains one or more spectral discrimination element, with each spectral discrimination element having spectral absorption features of one or more gases of interest being measured. The two optical paths then intersect, and one orthogonal component of the intersected components is transmitted and the other orthogonal component is reflected. The combined polarization modulated beam is partitioned into one or more smaller spectral regions of interest where one or more gases of interest has an absorption band. The difference in intensity between the two orthogonal polarization components is then determined in each partitioned spectral region of interest as an indication of the spectral emission/absorption of the light beam by the gases of interest in the measurement path. The spectral emission/absorption is indicative of the concentration of the one or more gases of interest in the measurement path. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is a gas filter correlation radiometer which comprises a polarizer, a polarization modulator, a polarization beam splitter, a beam combiner, wavelength partitioning element, and detection element. The gases of interest are measured simultaneously and, further, can be measured independently or non-independently. Furthermore, optical or electronic element are provided to balance optical intensities between the two optical paths.

Rotational symmetric HMD with eye-tracking capability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Fangfang; Cheng, Dewen; Wang, Qiwei; Wang, Yongtian

2016-10-01

As an important auxiliary function of head-mounted displays (HMDs), eye tracking has an important role in the field of intelligent human-machine interaction. In this paper, an eye-tracking HMD system (ET-HMD) is designed based on the rotational symmetric system. The tracking principle in this paper is based on pupil-corneal reflection. The ET-HMD system comprises three optical paths for virtual display, infrared illumination, and eye tracking. The display optics is shared by three optical paths and consists of four spherical lenses. For the eye-tracking path, an extra imaging lens is added to match the image sensor and achieve eye tracking. The display optics provides users a 40° diagonal FOV with a ״ 0.61 OLED, the 19 mm eye clearance, and 10 mm exit pupil diameter. The eye-tracking path can capture 15 mm × 15 mm of the users' eyes. The average MTF is above 0.1 at 26 lp/mm for the display path, and exceeds 0.2 at 46 lp/mm for the eye-tracking path. Eye illumination is simulated using LightTools with an eye model and an 850 nm near-infrared LED (NIR-LED). The results of the simulation show that the illumination of the NIR-LED can cover the area of the eye model with the display optics that is sufficient for eye tracking. The integrated optical system HMDs with eye-tracking feature can help improve the HMD experience of users.

High-speed measurement of an air transect's temperature shift heated by laser beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, WenYu; Jiang, ZongFu; Xi, Fengjie; Li, Qiang; Xie, Wenke

2005-02-01

Laser beam heat the air on the optic path, Beam-deflection optical tomography is a non-intrusive method to measure the 2-dimension temperature distribution in the transect. By means of linear Hartmann Sensor at the rate of 27kHz, the optic path was heated by a 2.7μm HF laser, continuous and high time resolution gradients of optic phase were obtained. the result of analysing and calculation showed the temperament shift in the heated beam path was not higher than 50K when the HF laser power was 9W. The experiment showed that it is a practical non-intrusive temperature shift measurement method for a small area aero-optical medium.

Method and system for homogenizing diode laser pump arrays

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andrew James

2016-05-03

An optical amplifier system includes a diode pump array including a plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars disposed in an array configuration and characterized by a periodic distance between adjacent semiconductor diode laser bars. The periodic distance is measured in a first direction perpendicular to each of the plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars. The diode pump array provides a pump output propagating along an optical path and characterized by a first intensity profile measured as a function of the first direction and having a variation greater than 10%. The optical amplifier system also includes a diffractive optic disposed along the optical path. The diffractive optic includes a photo-thermo-refractive glass member. The optical amplifier system further includes an amplifier slab having an input face and position along the optical path and separated from the diffractive optic by a predetermined distance. A second intensity profile measured at the input face of the amplifier slab as a function of the first direction has a variation less than 10%.

Method and system for homogenizing diode laser pump arrays

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andy J

2013-10-01

An optical amplifier system includes a diode pump array including a plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars disposed in an array configuration and characterized by a periodic distance between adjacent semiconductor diode laser bars. The periodic distance is measured in a first direction perpendicular to each of the plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars. The diode pump array provides a pump output propagating along an optical path and characterized by a first intensity profile measured as a function of the first direction and having a variation greater than 10%. The optical amplifier system also includes a diffractive optic disposed along the optical path. The diffractive optic includes a photo-thermo-refractive glass member. The optical amplifier system further includes an amplifier slab having an input face and position along the optical path and separated from the diffractive optic by a predetermined distance. A second intensity profile measured at the input face of the amplifier slab as a function of the first direction has a variation less than 10%.

Comparison of primary optics in amonix CPV arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nayak, Aditya; Kinsey, Geoffrey S.; Liu, Mingguo; Bagienski, William; Garboushian, Vahan

2012-10-01

The Amonix CPV system utilizes an acrylic Fresnel lens Primary Optical Element (POE) and a reflective Secondary Optical Element (SOE). Improvements in the optical design have contributed to more than 10% increase in rated power last year. In order to further optimize the optical power path, Amonix is looking at various trade-offs in optics, including, concentration, optical materials, reliability, and cost. A comparison of optical materials used for manufacturing the primary optical element and optical design trade off's used to maximize power output will be presented. Optimization of the power path has led to the demonstration of a module lens-area efficiency of 35% in outdoor testing at Amonix.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Battum, LJ van; Heukelom, S

Purpose This study investigates the origin of lateral optical density (OD) variation for Gafchromic film (EBT and EBT2) scanned in transmission mode with Epson flatbed scanners (1680 Expression Pro and 10000XL). Effects investigated are: cross talk, optical path length and polarization. Methods Cross talk has been examined with triangular shaped light-transmission sheets with OD ranging from 0 to opaque. Optical path length has been studied with absorptive and reflective OD-filters (OD range 0.2 to 2.0). Dependency on light-polarization on the scanner read out has been investigated using linear polarizer sheets. All experiments have been performed at centre scanner position (normmore » point) and at several lateral scan positions, without and with (un)irradiated EBT-film. Dose values used ranged between 0.2 to 9 Gy, yielding an OD-range between 0.25 to 1.1. Results The lateral OD variation is dose dependent and increases up to 14% at most lateral position for dose up to 9 Gy. Cross talk effect contributes to 0.5% in clinical used OD ranges but equals 2% for extreme high dose gradients. Film induced optical path length will effect the lateral OD variation up to 3% at most lateral points. Light polarization is inherent present in these scanners due to multiple reflection on mirrors. In addition film induced polarization is the most important effect generating the observed lateral OD variation. Both Gafchromic film base and sensitive layer have polarizing capabilities; for the sensitive layer its influence is dose dependent. Conclusions Lateral OD variation origins from optical physics (i.e. polarization and reflection) related to scanner and film construction. Cross talk can be ignored in film dosimetry for clinical used dose values and gradients. Therefore it is recommended to determine the lateral OD variation per film type and scanner.« less

Detecting Topological Defect Dark Matter Using Coherent Laser Ranging System

PubMed Central

Yang, Wanpeng; Leng, Jianxiao; Zhang, Shuangyou; Zhao, Jianye

2016-01-01

In the last few decades, optical frequency combs with high intensity, broad optical bandwidth, and directly traceable discrete wavelengths have triggered rapid developments in distance metrology. However, optical frequency combs to date have been limited to determine the absolute distance to an object (such as satellite missions). We propose a scheme for the detection of topological defect dark matter using a coherent laser ranging system composed of dual-combs and an optical clock via nongravitational signatures. The dark matter field, which comprises a defect, may interact with standard model particles, including quarks and photons, resulting in the alteration of their masses. Thus, a topological defect may function as a dielectric material with a distinctive frequency-depend index of refraction, which would cause the time delay of a periodic extraterrestrial or terrestrial light. When a topological defect passes through the Earth, the optical path of long-distance vacuum path is altered, this change in optical path can be detected through the coherent laser ranging system. Compared to continuous wavelength(cw) laser interferometry methods, dual-comb interferometry in our scheme excludes systematic misjudgement by measuring the absolute optical path length. PMID:27389642

Large dynamic range optical vector analyzer based on optical single-sideband modulation and Hilbert transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Min; Pan, Shilong; Zhao, Yongjiu

2016-07-01

A large dynamic range optical vector analyzer (OVA) based on optical single-sideband modulation is proposed and demonstrated. By dividing the optical signal after optical device under test into two paths, reversing the phase of one swept sideband using a Hilbert transformer in one path, and detecting the two signals from the two paths with a balanced photodetector, the measurement errors induced by the residual -1st-order sideband and the high-order sidebands can be eliminated and the dynamic range of the measurement is increased. In a proof-of-concept experiment, the stimulated Brillouin scattering and a fiber Bragg grating are measured by OVAs with and without the Hilbert transform and balanced photodetection. Results show that about 40-dB improvement in the measurement dynamic range is realized by the proposed OVA.

Near-infrared bulk optical properties of goat wound tissue and human serum: consequences for an implantable optical glucose sensor.

PubMed

Aernouts, Ben; Sharma, Sandeep; Gellynck, Karolien; Vlaminck, Lieven; Cornelissen, Maria; Saeys, Wouter

2016-10-01

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy offers a promising technological platform for continuous glucose monitoring in the human body. Moreover, these measurements could be performed in vivo with an implantable single-chip based optical sensor. However, a thin tissue layer may grow in the optical path of the sensor. As most biological tissues are highly scattering, they only allow a small fraction of the collimated light to pass, significantly reducing the light throughput. To quantify the effect of a thin tissue layer in the optical path, the bulk optical properties of serum and tissue samples grown on implanted dummy sensors were characterized using double integrating sphere and unscattered transmittance measurements. The estimated bulk optical properties were then used to calculate the light attenuation through a thin tissue layer. The combination band of glucose was found to be the better option, relative to the first overtone band, as the absorptivity of glucose molecules is higher, while the reduction in unscattered transmittance due to tissue growth is less. Additionally, as the wound tissue was found to be highly scattering, the unscattered transmittance of the tissue layer is expected to be very low. Therefore, a sensor configuration which measures the diffuse transmittance and/or reflectance instead was recommended. (a) Dummy sensor; (b) explanted dummy sensor in tissue lump; (c) removal of dummy sensor from tissue lump; and (d) 900 µm slices of tissue lump. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Semiclassical Path Integral Calculation of Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Provazza, Justin; Segatta, Francesco; Garavelli, Marco; Coker, David F

2018-02-13

Computation of nonlinear optical response functions allows for an in-depth connection between theory and experiment. Experimentally recorded spectra provide a high density of information, but to objectively disentangle overlapping signals and to reach a detailed and reliable understanding of the system dynamics, measurements must be integrated with theoretical approaches. Here, we present a new, highly accurate and efficient trajectory-based semiclassical path integral method for computing higher order nonlinear optical response functions for non-Markovian open quantum systems. The approach is, in principle, applicable to general Hamiltonians and does not require any restrictions on the form of the intrasystem or system-bath couplings. This method is systematically improvable and is shown to be valid in parameter regimes where perturbation theory-based methods qualitatively breakdown. As a test of the methodology presented here, we study a system-bath model for a coupled dimer for which we compare against numerically exact results and standard approximate perturbation theory-based calculations. Additionally, we study a monomer with discrete vibronic states that serves as the starting point for future investigation of vibronic signatures in nonlinear electronic spectroscopy.

Observation of Biological Tissues Using Common Path Optical Coherence Tomography with Gold Coated Conical Tip Lens Fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taguchi, K.; Sugiyama, J.; Totsuka, M.; Imanaka, S.

2012-03-01

In this paper, we proposed a high lateral resolution common-path Fourier domain optical coherence tomography(OCT) system with the use of a chemically etched single mode fiber. In our experiments, single mode optical fiber for 1310nm was used for preparing the tapered tips. Our system used a conical microlens that was chemically etched by selective chemical etching technique using an etching solution of buffered hydrofluoric acid (BHF). From experimental results, we verified that our proposed optical coherence tomography system could operate as a common-path Fourier domain OCT system and conical tip lens fiber was very useful for a high lateral resolution common-path Fourier domain OCT system. Furthermore, we could observe a surface of paramecium bursaria and symbiotic chlorella in the paramecium bursaria using gold coated conical-tip fiber in the water.

In-situ and path-averaged measurements of aerosol optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Binsbergen, Sven A.; Grossmann, Peter; February, Faith J.; Cohen, Leo H.; van Eijk, Alexander M. J.; Stein, Karin U.

2017-09-01

This paper compares in-situ and path-averaged measurements of the electro-optical transmission, with emphasis on aerosol effects. The in-situ sensors consisted of optical particle counters (OPC), the path-averaged data was provided by a 7-wavelength transmissometer (MSRT) and scintillometers (BLS). Data were collected at two sites: a homogeneous test site in Northern Germany, and over the inhomogeneous False Bay near Cape Town, South Africa. A retrieval algorithm was developed to infer characteristics of the aerosol size distribution (Junge approximation) from the MSRT data. A comparison of the various sensors suggests that the optical particle counters are over optimistic in their estimate of the transmission. For the homogeneous test site, in-situ and path-averaged sensors yield similar results. For the inhomogeneous test site, sensors may react differently or temporally separated to meteorological events such as a change in wind speed and/or direction.

Aero-Optical Wavefront Propagation and Refractive Fluid Interfaces in Large-Reynolds-Number Compressible Turbulent Flows

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-12-31

are utilized with the eikonal equation of geometrical optics to propagate computationally the optical wavefronts in the near field. As long as the...aero-optical interactions. In terms of the refractive index field n and the optical path length (OPL), the eikonal equation is: |∇ (OPL)| = n , (9) (e.g...ray n(`, t) d` . (10) The OPL integral corresponds to inverting the eikonal equation 9. The physical distance along the beam propagation path for

Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer with cavities: Theory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Olindo, C.; Sagioro, M. A.; Monken, C. H.

2006-04-15

We study the number of coincidences in a Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer exit whose arms have been supplemented with the addition of one or two optical cavities. The fourth-order correlation function at the beam splitter exit is calculated. In the regime where the cavities lengths are larger than the one-photon coherence length, photon coalescence and anticoalescence interference is observed. Feynman's path diagrams for the indistinguishable processes that lead to quantum interference are presented. The construction of an optical XOR gate is discussed as an application for the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer with two cavities.

Low-coherence interferometric sensor system utilizing an integrated optics configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plissi, M. V.; Rogers, A. J.; Brassington, D. J.; Wilson, M. G. F.

1995-08-01

The implementation of a twin Mach-Zehnder reference interferometer in an integrated optics substrate is described. From measurements of the fringe visibilities, an identification of the fringe order is attempted as a way to provide an absolute sensor for any parameter capable of modifying the difference in path length between two interfering optical paths.

New Remote Gas Sensor Using Rapid Electro-Optical Path Switching

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, G. W.; Lebel, P. J.; Wallio, H. A.; Vay, S. A.; Wang, L. G.

1994-01-01

Innovative gas filter correlation radiometer (GFCR) features nonmechanical switching of internal optical paths. Incoming radiation switched electro-optically, by means of polarization, between two optical paths, one of which contains correlation gas cell while other does not. Advantages include switching speed, 2 to 3 orders of magnitude faster than mechanical techniques, and high reliability. Applications include regional studies of atmospheric chemistry from either manned or unmanned aircraft as well as satellite studies of global distributions, sources and sink mechanisms for key species involved in chemistry of troposphere. Commercial applications: ability to survey many miles of natural gas pipelines rapidly from aircraft, pinpointing gas leaks by measuring methane at 2.3 micrometers.

Multiple frequency optical mixer and demultiplexer and apparatus for remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Jeffrey R. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

A pulsed laser system includes a modulator module configured to provide pulsed electrical signals and a plurality of solid-state seed sources coupled to the modulator module and configured to operate, responsive to the pulsed electrical signals, in a pulse mode. Each of the plurality of solid-state seed sources is tuned to a different frequency channel separated from any adjacent frequency channel by a frequency offset. The pulsed laser system also includes a combiner that combines outputs from each of the solid state seed sources into a single optical path and an optical doubler and demultiplexer coupled to the single optical path and providing each doubled seed frequency on a separate output path.

Laser beam propagation through a full scale aircraft turboprop engine exhaust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henriksson, Markus; Gustafsson, Ove; Sjöqvist, Lars; Seiffer, Dirk; Wendelstein, Norbert

2010-10-01

The exhaust from engines introduces zones of extreme turbulence levels in local environments around aircraft. This may disturb the performance of aircraft mounted optical and laser systems. The turbulence distortion will be especially devastating for optical missile warning and laser based DIRCM systems used to protect manoeuvring aircraft against missile attacks, situations where the optical propagation path may come close to the engine exhaust. To study the extent of the turbulence zones caused by the engine exhaust and the strength of the effects on optical propagation through these zones a joint trial between Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom was performed using a medium sized military turboprop transport aircraft tethered to the ground at an airfield. This follows on earlier trials performed on a down-scaled jet-engine test rig. Laser beams were propagated along the axis of the aircraft at different distances relative to the engine exhaust and the spatial beam profiles and intensity scintillations were recorded with cameras and photodiodes. A second laser beam path was directed from underneath the loading ramp diagonally past one of the engines. The laser wavelengths used were 1.5 and 3.6 μm. In addition to spatial beam profile distortions temporal effects were investigated. Measurements were performed at different propeller speeds and at different distances from exhaust nozzle to the laser path. Significant increases in laser beam wander and long term beam radius were observed with the engine running. Corresponding increases were also registered in the scintillation index and the temporal fluctuations of the instantaneous power collected by the detector.

Fast wavelength tuning techniques for external cavity lasers

DOEpatents

Wysocki, Gerard [Princeton, NJ; Tittel, Frank K [Houston, TX

2011-01-11

An apparatus comprising a laser source configured to emit a light beam along a first path, an optical beam steering component configured to steer the light beam from the first path to a second path at an angle to the first path, and a diffraction grating configured to reflect back at least a portion of the light beam along the second path, wherein the angle determines an external cavity length. Included is an apparatus comprising a laser source configured to emit a light beam along a first path, a beam steering component configured to redirect the light beam to a second path at an angle to the first path, wherein the optical beam steering component is configured to change the angle at a rate of at least about one Kilohertz, and a diffraction grating configured to reflect back at least a portion of the light beam along the second path.

Terrestrial Planet Finder cryogenic delay line development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smythe, Robert F.; Swain, Mark R.; Alvarez-Salazar, Oscar; Moore, James D.

2004-01-01

Delay lines provide the path-length compensation that makes the measurement of interference fringes possible. When used for nulling interferometry, the delay line must control path-lengths so that the null is stable and controlled throughout the measurement. We report on a low noise, low disturbance, and high bandwidth optical delay line capable of meeting the TPF interferometer optical path length control requirements at cryogenic temperatures.

HIGH TEMPERATURE MICROSCOPE AND FURNACE

DOEpatents

Olson, D.M.

1961-01-31

A high-temperature microscope is offered. It has a reflecting optic situated above a molten specimen in a furnace and reflecting the image of the same downward through an inert optic member in the floor of the furnace, a plurality of spaced reflecting plane mirrors defining a reflecting path around the furnace, a standard microscope supported in the path of and forming the end terminus of the light path.

Detailed Comparisons of COMBAT Data to Wave-Optics Simulations

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-18

2010 along the path between Mauna Loa and Haleakala and is one of many to investigate atmospheric effects in long horizontal optical paths [1-7]. The...Relatively strong jitter sources near transmitter ( atmosphere or telescope). Rationale: Turbulence -induced scintillation alone does not explain the...Characterization of atmospheric turbulence effects over 149 km propagation path using multi-wavelength laser beacons,” in Proceedings of the 2010 AMOS

128×128 three-dimensional MEMS optical switch module with simultaneous optical path connection for optical cross-connect systems.

PubMed

Mizukami, Masato; Yamaguchi, Joji; Nemoto, Naru; Kawajiri, Yuko; Hirata, Hirooki; Uchiyama, Shingo; Makihara, Mitsuhiro; Sakata, Tomomi; Shimoyama, Nobuhiro; Oda, Kazuhiro

2011-07-20

A 128×128 three-dimensional MEMS optical switch module and a switching-control algorithm for high-speed connection and optical power stabilization are described. A prototype switch module enables the simultaneous switching of all optical paths. The insertion loss is less than 4.6 dB and is 2.3 dB on average. The switching time is less than 38 ms and is 8 ms on average. We confirmed that the maximum optical power can be obtained and optical power stabilization control is possible. The results confirm that the module is suitable for practical use in optical cross-connect systems. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Pulse stretcher

DOEpatents

Horton, James A.

1994-01-01

Apparatus (20) for increasing the length of a laser pulse to reduce its peak power without substantial loss in the average power of the pulse. The apparatus (20) uses a White cell (10) having a plurality of optical delay paths (18a-18d) of successively increasing number of passes between the field mirror (13) and the objective mirrors (11 and 12). A pulse (26) from a laser (27) travels through a multi-leg reflective path (28) between a beam splitter (21) and a totally reflective mirror (24) to the laser output (37). The laser pulse (26) is also simultaneously injected through the beam splitter (21) to the input mirrors (14a-14d) of the optical delay paths (18a-18d). The pulses from the output mirrors (16a-16d) of the optical delay paths (18a-18d) go simultaneously to the laser output (37) and to the input mirrors ( 14b-14d) of the longer optical delay paths. The beam splitter (21) is 50% reflective and 50% transmissive to provide equal attenuation of all of the pulses at the laser output (37).

Simultaneous water vapor and dry air optical path length measurements and compensation with the large binocular telescope interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Defrère, D.; Hinz, P.; Downey, E.; Böhm, M.; Danchi, W. C.; Durney, O.; Ertel, S.; Hill, J. M.; Hoffmann, W. F.; Mennesson, B.; Millan-Gabet, R.; Montoya, M.; Pott, J.-U.; Skemer, A.; Spalding, E.; Stone, J.; Vaz, A.

2016-08-01

The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer uses a near-infrared camera to measure the optical path length variations between the two AO-corrected apertures and provide high-angular resolution observations for all its science channels (1.5-13 microns). There is however a wavelength dependent component to the atmospheric turbulence, which can introduce optical path length errors when observing at a wavelength different from that of the fringe sensing camera. Water vapor in particular is highly dispersive and its effect must be taken into account for high-precision infrared interferometric observations as described previously for VLTI/MIDI or the Keck Interferometer Nuller. In this paper, we describe the new sensing approach that has been developed at the LBT to measure and monitor the optical path length fluctuations due to dry air and water vapor separately. After reviewing the current performance of the system for dry air seeing compensation, we present simultaneous H-, K-, and N-band observations that illustrate the feasibility of our feedforward approach to stabilize the path length fluctuations seen by the LBTI nuller.

Long-distance thermal temporal ghost imaging over optical fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Xin; Zhang, Wei; Li, Hao; You, Lixing; Wang, Zhen; Huang, Yidong

2018-02-01

A thermal ghost imaging scheme between two distant parties is proposed and experimentally demonstrated over long-distance optical fibers. In the scheme, the weak thermal light is split into two paths. Photons in one path are spatially diffused according to their frequencies by a spatial dispersion component, then illuminate the object and record its spatial transmission information. Photons in the other path are temporally diffused by a temporal dispersion component. By the coincidence measurement between photons of two paths, the object can be imaged in a way of ghost imaging, based on the frequency correlation between photons in the two paths. In the experiment, the weak thermal light source is prepared by the spontaneous four-wave mixing in a silicon waveguide. The temporal dispersion is introduced by single mode fibers of 50 km, which also could be looked as a fiber link. Experimental results show that this scheme can be realized over long-distance optical fibers.

Evanescent-wave photoacoustic spectroscopy with optical micro/nano fibers.

PubMed

Cao, Yingchun; Jin, Wei; Ho, Lut Hoi; Liu, Zhibo

2012-01-15

We demonstrate gas detection based on evanescent-wave photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy with tapered optical fibers. Evanescent-field instead of open-path absorption is exploited for PA generation, and a quartz tuning fork is used for PA detection. A tapered optical fiber with a diameter down to the wavelength scale demonstrates detection sensitivity similar to an open-path system but with the advantages of easier optical alignment, smaller insertion loss, and multiplexing capability.

Procedure Enabling Simulation and In-Depth Analysis of Optical Effects in Camera-Based Time-Of Sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baumgart, M.; Druml, N.; Consani, M.

2018-05-01

This paper presents a simulation approach for Time-of-Flight cameras to estimate sensor performance and accuracy, as well as to help understanding experimentally discovered effects. The main scope is the detailed simulation of the optical signals. We use a raytracing-based approach and use the optical path length as the master parameter for depth calculations. The procedure is described in detail with references to our implementation in Zemax OpticStudio and Python. Our simulation approach supports multiple and extended light sources and allows accounting for all effects within the geometrical optics model. Especially multi-object reflection/scattering ray-paths, translucent objects, and aberration effects (e.g. distortion caused by the ToF lens) are supported. The optical path length approach also enables the implementation of different ToF senor types and transient imaging evaluations. The main features are demonstrated on a simple 3D test scene.

Liquid Crystal Spatial Light Modulators for Simulating Zonal Multifocal Lenses.

PubMed

Li, Yiyu; Bradley, Arthur; Xu, Renfeng; Kollbaum, Pete S

2017-09-01

To maximize efficiency of the normally lengthy and costly multizone lens design and testing process, it is advantageous to evaluate the potential efficacy of a design as thoroughly as possible prior to lens fabrication and on-eye testing. The current work describes an ex vivo approach of optical design testing. The aim of this study was to describe a system capable of examining the optical characteristics of multizone bifocal and multifocal optics by subaperture stitching using liquid crystal technologies. A liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) was incorporated in each of two channels to generate complementary subapertures by amplitude modulation. Additional trial lenses and phase plates were placed in pupil conjugate planes of either channel to integrate the desired bifocal and multifocal optics once the two optical paths were recombined. A high-resolution Shack-Hartmann aberrometer was integrated to measure the optics of the dual-channel system. Power and wavefront error maps as well as point spread functions were measured and computed for each of three multizone multifocal designs. High transmission modulation was achieved by introducing half-wavelength optical path differences to create two- and five-zone bifocal apertures. Dual-channel stitching revealed classic annular rings in the point spread functions generated from two-zone designs when the outer annular optic was defocused. However, low efficiency of the SLM prevented us from simultaneously measuring the eye + simulator aberrations, and the higher-order diffraction patterns generated by the cellular structure of the liquid crystal arrays limited the visual field to ±0.45 degrees. The system successfully simulated bifocal and multifocal simultaneous lenses allowing for future evaluation of both objective and subjective evaluation of complex optical designs. However, low efficiency and diffraction phenomena of the SLM limit the utility of this technology for simulating multizone and multifocal optics.

Concept and set-up of an IR-gas sensor construction kit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sieber, Ingo; Perner, Gernot; Gengenbach, Ulrich

2015-10-01

The paper presents an approach to a cost-efficient modularly built non-dispersive optical IR-gas sensor (NDIR) based on a construction kit. The modularity of the approach offers several advantages: First of all it allows for an adaptation of the performance of the gas sensor to individual specifications by choosing the suitable modular components. The sensitivity of the sensor e.g. can be altered by selecting a source which emits a favorable wavelength spectrum with respect to the absorption spectrum of the gas to be measured or by tuning the measuring distance (ray path inside the medium to be measured). Furthermore the developed approach is very well suited to be used in teaching. Together with students a construction kit on basis of an optical free space system was developed and partly implemented to be further used as a teaching and training aid for bachelor and master students at our institute. The components of the construction kit are interchangeable and freely fixable on a base plate. The components are classified into five groups: sources, reflectors, detectors, gas feed, and analysis cell. Source, detector, and the positions of the components are fundamental to experiment and test different configurations and beam paths. The reflectors are implemented by an aluminum coated adhesive foil, mounted onto a support structure fabricated by additive manufacturing. This approach allows derivation of the reflecting surface geometry from the optical design tool and generating the 3D-printing files by applying related design rules. The rapid fabrication process and the adjustment of the modules on the base plate allow rapid, almost LEGO®-like, experimental assessment of design ideas. Subject of this paper is modeling, design, and optimization of the reflective optical components, as well as of the optical subsystem. The realization of a sample set-up used as a teaching aid and the optical measurement of the beam path in comparison to the simulation results are shown as well.

Horizontal Line-of-Sight Turbulence Over Near-Ground Paths and Implications for Adaptive Optics Corrections in Laser Communications.

PubMed

Levine, B M; Martinsen, E A; Wirth, A; Jankevics, A; Toledo-Quinones, M; Landers, F; Bruno, T L

1998-07-20

Atmospheric turbulence over long horizontal paths perturbs phase and can also cause severe intensity scintillation in the pupil of an optical communications receiver, which limits the data rate over which intensity-based modulation schemes can operate. The feasibility of using low-order adaptive optics by applying phase-only corrections over horizontal propagation paths is investigated. A Shack-Hartmann wave-front sensor was built and data were gathered on paths 1 m above ground and between a 1- and 2.5-km range. Both intensity fluctuations and optical path fluctuation statistics were gathered within a single frame, and the wave-front reconstructor was modified to allow for scintillated data. The temporal power spectral density for various Zernike polynomial modes was used to determine the effects of the expected corrections by adaptive optics. The slopes of the inertial subrange of turbulence were found to be less than predicted by Kolmogorov theory with an infinite outer scale, and the distribution of variance explained by increasing order was also found to be different. Statistical analysis of these data in the 1-km range indicates that at communications wavelengths of 1.3 mum, a significant improvement in transmitted beam quality could be expected most of the time, to a performance of 10% Strehl ratio or better.

New method for path-length equalization of long single-mode fibers for interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, M.; Monnier, J. D.; Ozdowy, K.; Woillez, J.; Perrin, G.

2014-07-01

The ability to use single mode (SM) fibers for beam transport in optical interferometry offers practical advantages over conventional long vacuum pipes. One challenge facing fiber transport is maintaining constant differential path length in an environment where environmental thermal variations can lead to cm-level variations from day to night. We have fabricated three composite cables of length 470 m, each containing 4 copper wires and 3 SM fibers that operate at the astronomical H band (1500-1800 nm). Multiple fibers allow us to test performance of a circular core fiber (SMF28), a panda-style polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber, and a lastly a specialty dispersion-compensated PM fiber. We will present experimental results using precision electrical resistance measurements of the of a composite cable beam transport system. We find that the application of 1200 W over a 470 m cable causes the optical path difference in air to change by 75 mm (+/- 2 mm) and the resistance to change from 5.36 to 5.50Ω. Additionally, we show control of the dispersion of 470 m of fiber in a single polarization using white light interference fringes (λc=1575 nm, Δλ=75 nm) using our method.

How to Collect National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Traceable Fluorescence Excitation and Emission Spectra.

PubMed

Gilmore, Adam Matthew

2014-01-01

Contemporary spectrofluorimeters comprise exciting light sources, excitation and emission monochromators, and detectors that without correction yield data not conforming to an ideal spectral response. The correction of the spectral properties of the exciting and emission light paths first requires calibration of the wavelength and spectral accuracy. The exciting beam path can be corrected up to the sample position using a spectrally corrected reference detection system. The corrected reference response accounts for both the spectral intensity and drift of the exciting light source relative to emission and/or transmission detector responses. The emission detection path must also be corrected for the combined spectral bias of the sample compartment optics, emission monochromator, and detector. There are several crucial issues associated with both excitation and emission correction including the requirement to account for spectral band-pass and resolution, optical band-pass or neutral density filters, and the position and direction of polarizing elements in the light paths. In addition, secondary correction factors are described including (1) subtraction of the solvent's fluorescence background, (2) removal of Rayleigh and Raman scattering lines, as well as (3) correcting for sample concentration-dependent inner-filter effects. The importance of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable calibration and correction protocols is explained in light of valid intra- and interlaboratory studies and effective spectral qualitative and quantitative analyses including multivariate spectral modeling.

A full-duplex optical access system with hybrid 64/16/4QAM-OFDM downlink

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Chao; Tan, Ze-fu; Shao, Yu-feng; Cai, Li; Pu, He-sheng; Zhu, Yun-le; Huang, Si-si; Liu, Yu

2016-09-01

A full-duplex optical passive access scheme is proposed and verified by simulation, in which hybrid 64/16/4-quadrature amplitude modulation (64/16/4QAM) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) optical signal is for downstream transmission and non-return-to-zero (NRZ) optical signal is for upstream transmission. In view of the transmitting and receiving process for downlink optical signal, in-phase/quadrature-phase (I/Q) modulation based on Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) and homodyne coherent detection technology are employed, respectively. The simulation results show that the bit error ratio ( BER) less than hardware decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) threshold is successfully obtained over transmission path with 20-km-long standard single mode fiber (SSMF) for hybrid downlink modulation OFDM optical signal. In addition, by dividing the system bandwidth into several subchannels consisting of some continuous subcarriers, it is convenient for users to select different channels depending on requirements of communication.

Optical superheterodyne receiver.

PubMed

Lucy, R F; Lang, K; Peters, C J; Duval, K

1967-08-01

Optical communications experiments at 6328 A, comparing the fading characteristics of coherent and noncoherent optical detection, have been performed over a 1-km real atmospheric path in different weather conditions. The results show that fading is less severe for noncoherent detection and that the fading characteristic for both types vary significantly with weather conditions. In addition, the similarity of optical FM to rf FM is demonstrated. The measurements were performed using a remote laser transmitter and an optical superheterodyne receiver operating simultaneously in both a coherent and noncoherent detection mode. The receiver, tunable over a frequency range of 1 GHz at the IF difference frequency of 30 MHz, has automatic frequency control and also uses a precision angle tracking servo to maintain receiver spatial alignment with a remote transmitter. The angle and frequency tracking capability permit operation between moving transmitter and receiver terminals.

Apparatus and method for quantitative measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity between two samples using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect

DOEpatents

Cremers, D.A.; Keller, R.A.

1984-05-08

An apparatus and method for the measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity of weakly absorbing solutions using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect have been developed. Two sample cells are placed in each arm of an interferometer and are traversed by colinear probe and heating laser beams. The interrogation probe beams are recombined forming a fringe pattern, the intensity of which can be related to changes in optical path length of these laser beams through the cells. This in turn can be related to small differences in optical absorptivity which results in different amounts of sample heating when the heating laser beams are turned on, by the fact that the index of refraction of a liquid is temperature dependent. A critical feature of this invention is the stabilization of the optical path of the probe beams against drift. Background (solvent) absorption can then be suppressed by a factor of approximately 400. Solute absorptivities of about 10[sup [minus]5] cm[sup [minus]1] can then be determined in the presence of background absorptions in excess of 10[sup [minus]3] cm[sup [minus]1]. In addition, the smallest absorption measured with the instant apparatus and method is about 5 [times] 10[sup [minus]6] cm[sup [minus]1]. 6 figs.

Routing and wavelength assignment based on normalized resource and constraints for all-optical network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joo, Seong-Soon; Nam, Hyun-Soon; Lim, Chang-Kyu

2003-08-01

With the rapid growth of the Optical Internet, high capacity pipes is finally destined to support end-to-end IP on the WDM optical network. Newly launched 2D MEMS optical switching module in the market supports that expectations of upcoming a transparent optical cross-connect in the network have encouraged the field applicable research on establishing real all-optical transparent network. To open up a customer-driven bandwidth services, design of the optical transport network becomes more challenging task in terms of optimal network resource usage. This paper presents a practical approach to finding a route and wavelength assignment for wavelength routed all-optical network, which has λ-plane OXC switches and wavelength converters, and supports that optical paths are randomly set up and released by dynamic wavelength provisioning to create bandwidth between end users with timescales on the order of seconds or milliseconds. We suggest three constraints to make the RWA problem become more practical one on deployment for wavelength routed all-optical network in network view: limitation on maximum hop of a route within bearable optical network impairments, limitation on minimum hops to travel before converting a wavelength, and limitation on calculation time to find all routes for connections requested at once. We design the NRCD (Normalized Resource and Constraints for All-Optical Network RWA Design) algorithm for the Tera OXC: network resource for a route is calculated by the number of internal switching paths established in each OXC nodes on the route, and is normalized by ratio of number of paths established and number of paths equipped in a node. We show that it fits for the RWA algorithm of the wavelength routed all-optical network through real experiments on the distributed objects platform.

Bit-error rate for free-space adaptive optics laser communications.

PubMed

Tyson, Robert K

2002-04-01

An analysis of adaptive optics compensation for atmospheric-turbulence-induced scintillation is presented with the figure of merit being the laser communications bit-error rate. The formulation covers weak, moderate, and strong turbulence; on-off keying; and amplitude-shift keying, over horizontal propagation paths or on a ground-to-space uplink or downlink. The theory shows that under some circumstances the bit-error rate can be improved by a few orders of magnitude with the addition of adaptive optics to compensate for the scintillation. Low-order compensation (less than 40 Zernike modes) appears to be feasible as well as beneficial for reducing the bit-error rate and increasing the throughput of the communication link.

Parallel multiplex laser feedback interferometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Song; Tan, Yidong; Zhang, Shulian, E-mail: zsl-dpi@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn

2013-12-15

We present a parallel multiplex laser feedback interferometer based on spatial multiplexing which avoids the signal crosstalk in the former feedback interferometer. The interferometer outputs two close parallel laser beams, whose frequencies are shifted by two acousto-optic modulators by 2Ω simultaneously. A static reference mirror is inserted into one of the optical paths as the reference optical path. The other beam impinges on the target as the measurement optical path. Phase variations of the two feedback laser beams are simultaneously measured through heterodyne demodulation with two different detectors. Their subtraction accurately reflects the target displacement. Under typical room conditions, experimentalmore » results show a resolution of 1.6 nm and accuracy of 7.8 nm within the range of 100 μm.« less

Generation of elliptical and circular vector hollow beams with different polarizations by a Mach-Zehnder-type optical path

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhizhang; Pei, Chunying; Xia, Meng; Yin, Yaling; Xia, Yong; Yin, Jianping

2018-01-01

We present an experimental approach to convert linearly polarized Gaussian beams into elliptical and circular vector hollow beams (VHBs) with different polarization states. The scheme employed is based on a Mach-Zehnder-type optical path combined with a reflective spatial light modulator (SLM) in each path. The resulting VHBs have radial, azimuthal, and other polarization states. Our studies also show that the size of the generated VHBs remains constant during the propagation in free space over a certain distance, and can be controlled by the axial ratio of the SLM’s binary phase plate. These studies deliver great optical parameters and hold promising applications in the fields of optical trapping and manipulation of particles.

Effects of entanglement in an ideal optical amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franson, J. D.; Brewster, R. A.

2018-04-01

In an ideal linear amplifier, the output signal is linearly related to the input signal with an additive noise that is independent of the input. The decoherence of a quantum-mechanical state as a result of optical amplification is usually assumed to be due to the addition of quantum noise. Here we show that entanglement between the input signal and the amplifying medium can produce an exponentially-large amount of decoherence in an ideal optical amplifier even when the gain is arbitrarily close to unity and the added noise is negligible. These effects occur for macroscopic superposition states, where even a small amount of gain can leave a significant amount of which-path information in the environment. Our results show that the usual input/output relation of a linear amplifier does not provide a complete description of the output state when post-selection is used.

Double-Referential Holography and Spatial Quadrature Amplitude Modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zukeran, Keisuke; Okamoto, Atsushi; Takabayashi, Masanori; Shibukawa, Atsushi; Sato, Kunihiro; Tomita, Akihisa

2013-09-01

We proposed a double-referential holography (DRH) that allows phase-detection without external additional beams. In the DRH, phantom beams, prepared in the same optical path as signal beams and preliminary multiplexed in a recording medium along with the signal, are used to produce interference fringes on an imager for converting a phase into an intensity distribution. The DRH enables stable and high-accuracy phase detection independent of the fluctuations and vibrations of the optical system owing to medium shift and temperature variation. Besides, the collinear arrangement of the signal and phantom beams leads to the compactness of the optical data storage system. We conducted an experiment using binary phase modulation signals for verifying the DRH operation. In addition, 38-level spatial quadrature amplitude modulation signals were successfully reproduced with the DRH by numerical simulation. Furthermore, we verified that the distributed phase-shifting method moderates the dynamic range consumption for the exposure of phantom beams.

Addition of Adapted Optics towards obtaining a quantitative detection of diabetic retinopathy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yust, Brian; Obregon, Isidro; Tsin, Andrew; Sardar, Dhiraj

2009-04-01

An adaptive optics system was assembled for correcting the aberrated wavefront of light reflected from the retina. The adaptive optics setup includes a superluminous diode light source, Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor, deformable mirror, and imaging CCD camera. Aberrations found in the reflected wavefront are caused by changes in the index of refraction along the light path as the beam travels through the cornea, lens, and vitreous humour. The Hartmann-Shack sensor allows for detection of aberrations in the wavefront, which may then be corrected with the deformable mirror. It has been shown that there is a change in the polarization of light reflected from neovascularizations in the retina due to certain diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy. The adaptive optics system was assembled towards the goal of obtaining a quantitative measure of onset and progression of this ailment, as one does not currently exist. The study was done to show that the addition of adaptive optics results in a more accurate detection of neovascularization in the retina by measuring the expected changes in polarization of the corrected wavefront of reflected light.

Prism Window for Optical Alignment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tang, Hong

2008-01-01

A prism window has been devised for use, with an autocollimator, in aligning optical components that are (1) required to be oriented parallel to each other and/or at a specified angle of incidence with respect to a common optical path and (2) mounted at different positions along the common optical path. The prism window can also be used to align a single optical component at a specified angle of incidence. Prism windows could be generally useful for orienting optical components in manufacture of optical instruments. "Prism window" denotes an application-specific unit comprising two beam-splitter windows that are bonded together at an angle chosen to obtain the specified angle of incidence.

Active phase correction of high resolution silicon photonic arrayed waveguide gratings

DOE PAGES

Gehl, M.; Trotter, D.; Starbuck, A.; ...

2017-03-10

Arrayed waveguide gratings provide flexible spectral filtering functionality for integrated photonic applications. Achieving narrow channel spacing requires long optical path lengths which can greatly increase the footprint of devices. High index contrast waveguides, such as those fabricated in silicon-on-insulator wafers, allow tight waveguide bends which can be used to create much more compact designs. Both the long optical path lengths and the high index contrast contribute to significant optical phase error as light propagates through the device. Thus, silicon photonic arrayed waveguide gratings require active or passive phase correction following fabrication. We present the design and fabrication of compact siliconmore » photonic arrayed waveguide gratings with channel spacings of 50, 10 and 1 GHz. The largest device, with 11 channels of 1 GHz spacing, has a footprint of only 1.1 cm 2. Using integrated thermo-optic phase shifters, the phase error is actively corrected. We present two methods of phase error correction and demonstrate state-of-the-art cross-talk performance for high index contrast arrayed waveguide gratings. As a demonstration of possible applications, we perform RF channelization with 1 GHz resolution. In addition, we generate unique spectral filters by applying non-zero phase offsets calculated by the Gerchberg Saxton algorithm.« less

Improved diffusing wave spectroscopy based on the automatized determination of the optical transport and absorption mean free path

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chi; Reufer, Mathias; Gaudino, Danila; Scheffold, Frank

2017-11-01

Diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) can be employed as an optical rheology tool with numerous applications for studying the structure, dynamics and linear viscoelastic properties of complex fluids, foams, glasses and gels. To carry out DWS measurements, one first needs to quantify the static optical properties of the sample under investigation, i.e. the transport mean free path l * and the absorption length l a. In the absence of absorption this can be done by comparing the diffuse optical transmission to a calibration sample whose l * is known. Performing this comparison however is cumbersome, time consuming, and prone to mistakes by the operator. Moreover, already weak absorption can lead to significant errors. In this paper, we demonstrate the implementation of an automatized approach, based on which the DWS measurement procedure can be simplified significantly. By comparison with a comprehensive set of calibration measurements we cover the entire parameter space relating measured count rates ( CR t , CR b ) to ( l *, l a). Based on this approach we can determine l * and la of an unknown sample accurately thus making the additional measurement of a calibration sample obsolete. We illustrate the use of this approach by monitoring the coarsening of a commercially available shaving foam with DWS.

Active phase correction of high resolution silicon photonic arrayed waveguide gratings.

PubMed

Gehl, M; Trotter, D; Starbuck, A; Pomerene, A; Lentine, A L; DeRose, C

2017-03-20

Arrayed waveguide gratings provide flexible spectral filtering functionality for integrated photonic applications. Achieving narrow channel spacing requires long optical path lengths which can greatly increase the footprint of devices. High index contrast waveguides, such as those fabricated in silicon-on-insulator wafers, allow tight waveguide bends which can be used to create much more compact designs. Both the long optical path lengths and the high index contrast contribute to significant optical phase error as light propagates through the device. Therefore, silicon photonic arrayed waveguide gratings require active or passive phase correction following fabrication. Here we present the design and fabrication of compact silicon photonic arrayed waveguide gratings with channel spacings of 50, 10 and 1 GHz. The largest device, with 11 channels of 1 GHz spacing, has a footprint of only 1.1 cm². Using integrated thermo-optic phase shifters, the phase error is actively corrected. We present two methods of phase error correction and demonstrate state-of-the-art cross-talk performance for high index contrast arrayed waveguide gratings. As a demonstration of possible applications, we perform RF channelization with 1 GHz resolution. Additionally, we generate unique spectral filters by applying non-zero phase offsets calculated by the Gerchberg Saxton algorithm.

Multiple-Path-Length Optical Absorbance Cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

An optical absorbance cell that offers a selection of multiple optical path lengths has been developed as part of a portable spectrometric instrument that measures absorption spectra of small samples of water and that costs less than does a conventional, non-portable laboratory spectrometer. The instrument is intended, more specifically, for use in studying colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in seawater, especially in coastal regions. Accurate characterization of CDOM is necessary for building bio-optical mathematical models of seawater. The multiple path lengths of the absorption cell afford a wide range of sensitivity needed for measuring the optical absorbances associated with the wide range of concentrations of CDOM observed in nature. The instrument operates in the wavelength range of 370 to 725 nm. The major subsystems of the instrument (see figure) include a color-balanced light source; the absorption cell; a peristaltic pump; a high-precision, low-noise fiber optic spectrometer; and a laptop or other personal computer. A fiber-optic cable transmits light from the source to the absorption cell. Other optical fibers transmit light from the absorption cell to the spectrometer,

Traffic engineering and regenerator placement in GMPLS networks with restoration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yetginer, Emre; Karasan, Ezhan

2002-07-01

In this paper we study regenerator placement and traffic engineering of restorable paths in Generalized Multipro-tocol Label Switching (GMPLS) networks. Regenerators are necessary in optical networks due to transmission impairments. We study a network architecture where there are regenerators at selected nodes and we propose two heuristic algorithms for the regenerator placement problem. Performances of these algorithms in terms of required number of regenerators and computational complexity are evaluated. In this network architecture with sparse regeneration, offline computation of working and restoration paths is studied with bandwidth reservation and path rerouting as the restoration scheme. We study two approaches for selecting working and restoration paths from a set of candidate paths and formulate each method as an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) prob-lem. Traffic uncertainty model is developed in order to compare these methods based on their robustness with respect to changing traffic patterns. Traffic engineering methods are compared based on number of additional demands due to traffic uncertainty that can be carried. Regenerator placement algorithms are also evaluated from a traffic engineering point of view.

Universal photonic quantum gates assisted by ancilla diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers coupled to resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Hai-Rui; Long, Gui Lu

2015-03-01

We propose two compact, economic, and scalable schemes for implementing optical controlled-phase-flip and controlled-controlled-phase-flip gates by using the input-output process of a single-sided cavity strongly coupled to a single nitrogen-vacancy-center defect in diamond. Additional photonic qubits, necessary for procedures based on the parity-check measurement or controlled-path and merging gates, are not employed in our schemes. In the controlled-path gate, the paths of the target photon are conditionally controlled by the control photon, and these two paths can be merged back into one by using a merging gate. Only one half-wave plate is employed in our scheme for the controlled-phase-flip gate. Compared with the conventional synthesis procedures for constructing a controlled-controlled-phase-flip gate, the cost of which is two controlled-path gates and two merging gates, or six controlled-not gates, our scheme is more compact and simpler. Our schemes could be performed with a high fidelity and high efficiency with current achievable experimental techniques.

Cross-Polarization Optical Coherence Tomography with Active Maintenance of the Circular Polarization of a Sounding Wave in a Common Path System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelikonov, V. M.; Romashov, V. N.; Shabanov, D. V.; Ksenofontov, S. Yu.; Terpelov, D. A.; Shilyagin, P. A.; Gelikonov, G. V.; Vitkin, I. A.

2018-05-01

We consider a cross-polarization optical coherence tomography system with a common path for the sounding and reference waves and active maintenance of the circular polarization of a sounding wave. The system is based on the formation of birefringent characteristics of the total optical path, which are equivalent to a quarter-wave plate with a 45° orientation of its optical axes with respect to the linearly polarized reference wave. Conditions under which any light-polarization state can be obtained using a two-element phase controller are obtained. The dependence of the local cross-scattering coefficient of light in a model medium and biological tissue on the sounding-wave polarization state is demonstrated. The necessity of active maintenance of the circular polarization of a sounding wave in this common path system (including a flexible probe) is shown to realize uniform optimal conditions for cross-polarization studies of biological tissue.

Performance analysis of visible light communication using the STBC-OFDM technique for intelligent transportation systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Changping; Yi, Ying; Lee, Kyujin; Lee, Kyesan

2014-08-01

Visible light communication (VLC) applied in an intelligent transportation system (ITS) has attracted growing attentions, but it also faces challenges, for example deep path loss and optical multi-path dispersion. In this work, we modelled an actual outdoor optical channel as a Rician channel and further proposed space-time block coding (STBC) orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) technology to reduce the influence of severe optical multi-path dispersion associated with such a mock channel for achieving the effective BER of 10-6 even at a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this case, the optical signals transmission distance can be extended as long as possible. Through the simulation results of STBC-OFDM and single-input-single-output (SISO) counterparts in bit error rate (BER) performance comparison, we can distinctly observe that the VLC-ITS system using STBC-OFDM technique can obtain a strongly improved BER performance due to multi-path dispersion alleviation.

An automatic alignment system for measuring optical path of transmissometer based on light beam scanning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Shudao; Ma, Zhongliang; Wang, Min; Peng, Shuling

2018-05-01

This paper proposes a novel alignment system based on the measurement of optical path using a light beam scanning mode in a transmissometer. The system controls both the probe beam and the receiving field of view while scanning in two vertical directions. The system then calculates the azimuth angle of the transmitter and the receiver to determine the precise alignment of the optical path. Experiments show that this method can determine the alignment angles in less than 10 min with errors smaller than 66 μrad in the azimuth. This system also features high collimation precision, process automation and simple installation.

Controlling geometric phase optically in a single spin in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yale, Christopher G.

Geometric phase, or Berry phase, is an intriguing quantum mechanical phenomenon that arises from the cyclic evolution of a quantum state. Unlike dynamical phases, which rely on the time and energetics of the interaction, the geometric phase is determined solely by the geometry of the path travelled in parameter space. As such, it is robust to certain types of noise that preserve the area enclosed by the path, and shows promise for the development of fault-tolerant logic gates. Here, we demonstrate the optical control of geometric phase within a solid-state spin qubit, the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond. Using stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP), we evolve a coherent dark state along `tangerine slice' trajectories on the Bloch sphere and probe these paths through time-resolved state tomography. We then measure the accumulated geometric phase through phase reference to a third ground spin state. In addition, we examine the limits of this control due to adiabatic breakdown as well as the longer timescale effect of far-detuned optical fields. Finally, we intentionally introduce noise into the experimental control parameters, and measure the distributions of the resulting phases to probe the resilience of the phase to differing types of noise. We also examine this robustness as a function of traversal time as well as the noise amplitude. Through these studies, we demonstrate that geometric phase is a promising route toward fault-tolerant quantum information processing. This work is supported by the AFOSR, the NSF, and the German Research Foundation.

Peano-like paths for subaperture polishing of optical aspherical surfaces.

PubMed

Tam, Hon-Yuen; Cheng, Haobo; Dong, Zhichao

2013-05-20

Polishing can be more uniform if the polishing path provides uniform coverage of the surface. It is known that Peano paths can provide uniform coverage of planar surfaces. Peano paths also contain short path segments and turns: (1) all path segments have the same length, (2) path segments are mutually orthogonal at the turns, and (3) path segments and turns are uniformity distributed over the domain surface. These make Peano paths an attractive candidate among polishing tool paths because they enhance multidirectional approaches of the tool to each surface location. A method for constructing Peano paths for uniform coverage of aspherical surfaces is proposed in this paper. When mapped to the aspherical surface, the path also contains short path segments and turns, and the above attributes are approximately preserved. Attention is paid so that the path segments are still well distributed near the vertex of the surface. The proposed tool path was used in the polishing of a number of parabolic BK7 specimens using magnetorheological finishing (MRF) and pitch with cerium oxide. The results were rather good for optical lenses and confirm that a Peano-like path was useful for polishing, for MRF, and for pitch polishing. In the latter case, the surface roughness achieved was 0.91 nm according to WYKO measurement.

Aberration-free intraocular lenses - What does this really mean?

PubMed

Langenbucher, Achim; Schröder, Simon; Cayless, Alan; Eppig, Timo

2017-09-01

So-called aberration-free intraocular lenses (IOLs) are well established in modern cataract surgery. Usually, they are designed to perfectly refract a collimated light beam onto the focal point. We show how much aberration can be expected with such an IOL in a convergent light beam such as that found anterior to the human cornea. Additionally, the aberration in a collimated beam is estimated for an IOL that has no aberrations in the convergent beam. The convergent beam is modelled as the pencil of rays corresponding to the spherical wavefront resulting from a typical corneal power of 43m -1 . The IOLs are modelled as infinitely thin phase plates with 20m -1 optical power placed 5mm behind the cornea. Their aberrations are reported in terms of optical path length difference and longitudinal spherical aberration (LSA) of the marginal rays, as well as nominal spherical aberration (SA) calculated based on a Zernike representation of the wavefront-error at the corneal plane within a 6mm aperture. The IOL designed to have no aberrations in a collimated light beam has an optical path length difference of -1.8μm, and LSA of 0.15m -1 in the convergent beam of a typical eye. The corresponding nominal SA is 0.065μm. The IOL designed to have no aberrations in a convergent light beam has an optical path length difference of 1.8μm, and LSA of -0.15m -1 in the collimated beam. An IOL designed to have no aberrations in a collimated light beam will increase the SA of a patient's eye after implantation. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Optical modeling based on mean free path calculations for quantum dot phosphors applied to optoelectronic devices.

PubMed

Shin, Min-Ho; Kim, Hyo-Jun; Kim, Young-Joo

2017-02-20

We proposed an optical simulation model for the quantum dot (QD) nanophosphor based on the mean free path concept to understand precisely the optical performance of optoelectronic devices. A measurement methodology was also developed to get the desired optical characteristics such as the mean free path and absorption spectra for QD nanophosphors which are to be incorporated into the simulation. The simulation results for QD-based white LED and OLED displays show good agreement with the experimental values from the fabricated devices in terms of spectral power distribution, chromaticity coordinate, CCT, and CRI. The proposed simulation model and measurement methodology can be applied easily to the design of lots of optoelectronics devices using QD nanophosphors to obtain high efficiency and the desired color characteristics.

Accuracy enhanced distance measurement system using double-sideband modulated frequency scanning interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xilun; Wang, Xiangchuan; Pan, Shilong

2017-03-01

An implementation of a distance measurement system using double-sideband with suppressed carrier modulation (DSB-SC) frequency scanning interferometry is proposed to reduce the variations in the optical path and improve the measurement accuracy. In this proposed system, the electro-optic DSB-SC is used to create dual-swept signals with opposite scanning directions. For each swept signal, the relative distance between the reference arm and the measuring arm is determined by the beat frequency of signals from two arms. By multiplying both beat signals, measurement errors caused by variations in the optical path can be greatly reduced. As an experimental demonstration, a vibration was introduced in the optical path length. The experimental results show that the variations can be suppressed for over 19.9 dB.

Non-common path aberration correction in an adaptive optics scanning ophthalmoscope.

PubMed

Sulai, Yusufu N; Dubra, Alfredo

2014-09-01

The correction of non-common path aberrations (NCPAs) between the imaging and wavefront sensing channel in a confocal scanning adaptive optics ophthalmoscope is demonstrated. NCPA correction is achieved by maximizing an image sharpness metric while the confocal detection aperture is temporarily removed, effectively minimizing the monochromatic aberrations in the illumination path of the imaging channel. Comparison of NCPA estimated using zonal and modal orthogonal wavefront corrector bases provided wavefronts that differ by ~λ/20 in root-mean-squared (~λ/30 standard deviation). Sequential insertion of a cylindrical lens in the illumination and light collection paths of the imaging channel was used to compare image resolution after changing the wavefront correction to maximize image sharpness and intensity metrics. Finally, the NCPA correction was incorporated into the closed-loop adaptive optics control by biasing the wavefront sensor signals without reducing its bandwidth.

Wave optics simulation of atmospheric turbulence and reflective speckle effects in carbon dioxide lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, Douglas Harold

Laser speckle can influence lidar measurements from a diffuse hard target. Atmospheric optical turbulence will also affect the lidar return signal. This investigation develops a numerical simulation that models the propagation of a lidar beam and accounts for both reflective speckle and atmospheric turbulence effects. The simulation, previously utilized to simulate the effects of atmospheric optical turbulence alone, is based on implementing a Huygens-Fresnel approximation to laser propagation. A series of phase screens, with the appropriate atmospheric statistical characteristics, is used to simulate the effect of atmospheric optical turbulence. A single random phase screen is used to simulate scattering of the entire beam from a rough surface. These investigations compare the output of the numerical model with separate CO2 lidar measurements of atmospheric turbulence and reflective speckle. This work also compares the output of the model with separate analytical predictions for atmospheric turbulence and reflective speckle. Good agreement is found between the model and the experimental data. Good agreement is also found with analytical predictions. Additionally, results of simulation of the combined effects on a finite aperture lidar system show agreement with experimental observations of increasing RMS noise with increasing turbulence level and the behavior of the experimental integrated intensity probability distribution. Simulation studies are included that demonstrate the usefulness of the model, examine its limitations and provide greater insight into the process of combined atmospheric optical turbulence and reflective speckle. One highlight of these studies is examination of the limitations of the simulation that shows, in general, precision increases with increasing grid size. The study of the backscatter intensity enhancement predicted by analytical theory show it to behave as a multi-path effect, like scintillation, with the highest contributions from atmospheric optical turbulence weighted at the middle of the propagation path. Aperture geometry also affects the signal-to-noise ratio with thin annular apertures exhibiting lower RMS noise than circular apertures of the same active area. The simulation is capable of studying a variety of lidar schemes including varying atmospheric optical turbulence along the propagation path as well as diverse transmitter and receiver geometries.

Full optical model of micro-endoscope with optical coherence microscopy, multiphoton microscopy and visible capabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vega, David; Kiekens, Kelli C.; Syson, Nikolas C.; Romano, Gabriella; Baker, Tressa; Barton, Jennifer K.

2018-02-01

While Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM), Multiphoton Microscopy (MPM), and narrowband imaging are powerful imaging techniques that can be used to detect cancer, each imaging technique has limitations when used by itself. Combining them into an endoscope to work in synergy can help achieve high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis at the point of care. Such complex endoscopes have an elevated risk of failure, and performing proper modelling ensures functionality and minimizes risk. We present full 2D and 3D models of a multimodality optical micro-endoscope to provide real-time detection of carcinomas, called a salpingoscope. The models evaluate the endoscope illumination and light collection capabilities of various modalities. The design features two optical paths with different numerical apertures (NA) through a single lens system with a scanning optical fiber. The dual path is achieved using dichroic coatings embedded in a triplet. A high NA optical path is designed to perform OCM and MPM while a low NA optical path is designed for the visible spectrum to navigate the endoscope to areas of interest and narrowband imaging. Different tests such as the reflectance profile of homogeneous epithelial tissue were performed to adjust the models properly. Light collection models for the different modalities were created and tested for efficiency. While it is challenging to evaluate the efficiency of multimodality endoscopes, the models ensure that the system is design for the expected light collection levels to provide detectable signal to work for the intended imaging.

Low-latency optical parallel adder based on a binary decision diagram with wavelength division multiplexing scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shinya, A.; Ishihara, T.; Inoue, K.; Nozaki, K.; Kita, S.; Notomi, M.

2018-02-01

We propose an optical parallel adder based on a binary decision diagram that can calculate simply by propagating light through electrically controlled optical pass gates. The CARRY and CARRY operations are multiplexed in one circuit by a wavelength division multiplexing scheme to reduce the number of optical elements, and only a single gate constitutes the critical path for one digit calculation. The processing time reaches picoseconds per digit when we use a 100-μm-long optical path gates, which is ten times faster than a CMOS circuit.

Design of MOEMS adjustable optical delay line to reduce link set-up time in a tera-bit/s optical interconnection network.

PubMed

Jing, Wencai; Zhang, Yimo; Zhou, Ge

2002-07-15

A new structure for bit synchronization in a tera-bit/s optical interconnection network has been designed using micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technique. Link multiplexing has been adopted to reduce data packet communication latency. To eliminate link set-up time, adjustable optical delay lines (AODLs) have been adopted to shift the phases of the distributed optical clock signals for bit synchronization. By changing the optical path distance of the optical clock signal, the phase of the clock signal can be shifted at a very high resolution. A phase-shift resolution of 0.1 ps can be easily achieved with 30-microm alternation of the optical path length in vacuum.

Barriers Keep Drops Of Water Out Of Infrared Gas Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murray, Sean K.

1996-01-01

Infrared-sensor cells used for measuring partial pressures of CO(2) and other breathable gases modified to prevent entry of liquid water into sensory optical paths of cells. Hydrophobic membrane prevents drops of water entrained in flow from entering optical path from lamp to infrared detectors.

OPEN PATH AMBIENT MEASUREMENTS OF POLLUTANTS WITH A DOAS SYSTEM

EPA Science Inventory

A differential optical absorption spectrometer (DOAS) has been in operation since August 1991 at the U.S. EPA in RTP, NC. he analyzer unit is located in an environmentally-controlled shelter in the EPA parking lot. our separate open optical paths have been established, ranging fr...

SIMULATION STUDY FOR GASEOUS FLUXES FROM AN AREA SOURCE USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND OPTICAL REMOTE SENSING

EPA Science Inventory

The paper presents a new approach to quantifying emissions from fugitive gaseous air pollution sources. Computed tomography (CT) and path-integrated optical remote sensing (PI-ORS) concentration data are combined in a new field beam geometry. Path-integrated concentrations are ...

Differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system and components

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stutman, Daniel; Finkenthal, Michael

2017-11-21

A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.

Coherent noise reduction in digital holographic microscopy by averaging multiple holograms recorded with a multimode laser.

PubMed

Pan, Feng; Yang, Lizhi; Xiao, Wen

2017-09-04

In digital holographic microscopy (DHM), it is undesirable to observe coherent noise in the reconstructed images. The sources of the noise are mainly the parasitic interference fringes caused by multiple reflections and the speckle pattern caused by the optical scattering on the object surface. Here we propose a noise reduction approach in DHM by averaging multiple holograms recorded with a multimode laser. Based on the periodicity of the temporal coherence of a multimode semiconductor laser, we acquire a series of holograms by changing the optical path length difference between the reference beam and object beam. Because of the use of low coherence light, we can remove the parasitic interference fringes caused by multiple reflections in the holograms. In addition, the coherent noise patterns change in this process due to the different optical paths. Therefore, the coherent noise can be reduced by averaging the multiple reconstructions with uncorrelated noise patterns. Several experiments have been carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for coherent noise reduction in DHM. It is shown a remarkable improvement both in amplitude imaging quality and phase measurement accuracy.

Compact sources for eyesafe illumination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baranova, Nadia; Pu, Rui; Stebbins, Kenneth; Bystryak, Ilya; Rayno, Michael; Ezzo, Kevin; DePriest, Christopher

2018-02-01

Q-peak has demonstrated a compact, pulsed eyesafe laser architecture operating with >10 mJ pulse energies at repetition rates as high as 160 Hz. The design leverages an end-pumped solid-state laser geometry to produce adequate eyesafe beam quality (M2˜4), while also providing a path toward higher-density laser architectures for pulsed eyesafe applications. The baseline discussed in this paper has shown a unique capability for high-pulse repetition rates in a compact package, and offers additional potential for power scaling based on birefringence compensation. The laser consists of an actively Q-switched oscillator cavity producing pulse widths <30 ns, and utilizing an end-pumped Nd:YAG gain medium with a rubidium titanyl phosphate electro-optical crystal. The oscillator provides an effective front-end-seed for an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), which utilizes potassium titanyl arsenate in a linear OPO geometry. This laser efficiently operates in the eyesafe band, and has been designed to fit within a volume of 3760 cm3. We will discuss details of the optical system design, modeled thermal effects and stress-induced birefringence, as well as experimental advantages of the end-pumped laser geometry, along with proposed paths to higher eyesafe pulse energies.

Compact sources for eyesafe illumination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baranova, N.; Pu, R.; Stebbins, K.; Bystryak, I.; Rayno, M.; Ezzo, K.; DePriest, C.

2017-02-01

Q-Peak has demonstrated a novel, compact, pulsed eyesafe laser architecture operating with <10 mJ pulse energies at repetition rates as high as 160 Hz. The design leverages an end-pumped solid-state laser geometry to produce adequate eyesafe beam quality (M2 4), while also providing a path towards higher-density laser architectures for pulsed eyesafe applications. The baseline discussed in this paper has shown a unique capability for high pulse repetition rates in a compact package, and offers additional potential for power scaling based on birefringence compensation. The laser consists of an actively Q-switched oscillator cavity producing pulse-widths <30 ns, and utilizing an end-pumped Nd: YAG gain medium with a Rubidium Titanyl Phosphate (RTP) electro-optical crystal. The oscillator provides an effective front-end-seed for an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), which utilizes Potassium Titanyl Arsenate (KTA) in a linear OPO geometry. This laser efficiently operates in the eyesafe band, and has been designed to fit within a volume of 3760 cm3. We will discuss details of the optical system design, modeled thermal effects and stress-induced birefringence, as well as experimental advantages of the end-pumped laser geometry, along with proposed paths to higher eyesafe pulse energies.

Accurate optical vector network analyzer based on optical single-sideband modulation and balanced photodetection.

PubMed

Xue, Min; Pan, Shilong; Zhao, Yongjiu

2015-02-15

A novel optical vector network analyzer (OVNA) based on optical single-sideband (OSSB) modulation and balanced photodetection is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which can eliminate the measurement error induced by the high-order sidebands in the OSSB signal. According to the analytical model of the conventional OSSB-based OVNA, if the optical carrier in the OSSB signal is fully suppressed, the measurement result is exactly the high-order-sideband-induced measurement error. By splitting the OSSB signal after the optical device-under-test (ODUT) into two paths, removing the optical carrier in one path, and then detecting the two signals in the two paths using a balanced photodetector (BPD), high-order-sideband-induced measurement error can be ideally eliminated. As a result, accurate responses of the ODUT can be achieved without complex post-signal processing. A proof-of-concept experiment is carried out. The magnitude and phase responses of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) measured by the proposed OVNA with different modulation indices are superimposed, showing that the high-order-sideband-induced measurement error is effectively removed.

Analyzing Water's Optical Absorption

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

A cooperative agreement between World Precision Instruments (WPI), Inc., and Stennis Space Center has led the UltraPath(TM) device, which provides a more efficient method for analyzing the optical absorption of water samples at sea. UltraPath is a unique, high-performance absorbance spectrophotometer with user-selectable light path lengths. It is an ideal tool for any study requiring precise and highly sensitive spectroscopic determination of analytes, either in the laboratory or the field. As a low-cost, rugged, and portable system capable of high- sensitivity measurements in widely divergent waters, UltraPath will help scientists examine the role that coastal ocean environments play in the global carbon cycle. UltraPath(TM) is a trademark of World Precision Instruments, Inc. LWCC(TM) is a trademark of World Precision Instruments, Inc.

Design and Development of an Optical Path Difference Scan Mechanism for Fourier Transform Spectrometers using High Displacement RAINBOW Actuators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wise, Stephanie A.; Hardy, Robin C.; Dausch, David E.

1997-01-01

A new piezoelectric drive mechanism has been developed for optical translation in space-based spectrometer systems. The mechanism utilizes a stack of RAINBOW high displacement piezoelectric actuators to move optical components weighing less than 250 grams through a one centimeter travel. The mechanism uses the direct motion of the piezoelectric devices, stacked such that the displacement of the individual RAINBOW actuators is additive. A prototype device has been built which utilizes 21 RAINBOWs to accomplish the necessary travel. The mechanism weighs approximately 0.6 kilograms and uses less than 2 Watts of power at a scanning frequency of 0.5 Hertz, significantly less power than that required by state-of-the-art motor systems.

Method and apparatus for optical communication by frequency modulation

DOEpatents

Priatko, Gordon J.

1988-01-01

Laser optical communication according to this invention is carried out by producing multi-frequency laser beams having different frequencies, splitting one or more of these constituent beams into reference and signal beams, encoding information on the signal beams by frequency modulation and detecting the encoded information by heterodyne techniques. Much more information can be transmitted over optical paths according to the present invention than with the use of only one path as done previously.

The current development status of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) instrument optical design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haring, Robert; Sutin, Brian; Crisp, David; Pollock, Randy; Sundstrand, Hamilton

2005-01-01

The status of the OCO instrument optical design is presented in this paper. The optical bench assembly comprises three cooled grating spectrometers coupled to an all-reflective telescope/relay system. Dichroic beam splitters are used to separate the light from a common telescope into the three spectral bands. The three bore sighted spectrometers allow the total column CO2 absorption path to be corrected for optical path and surface pressure uncertainties, aerosols, and water vapor. The design of the instrument is based on classic flight proven technologies.

Elastic transducers incorporating finite-length optical paths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, Kara J.; Washabaugh, Peter D.

1995-08-01

Frequently, when designing a structure to incorporate integrated sensors, one sacrifices the stiffness of the system to improve sensitivity. However, the use of interferometric displacement sensors that tessellate throughout the volume of a structure has the potential to allow the precision and range of the component measurement to scale with the geometry of the device rather than the maximum strain in the structure. The design of stiff structures that measure all six resultant-load components is described. In addition, an advanced torsion sensor and a linear acceleration transducer are also discussed. Finally, invariant paths are presented that allow the in situ integrity of a structural volume to be monitored with a single pair of displacement sensors.

Modified Linnik microscopic interferometry for quantitative depth evaluation of diffraction-limited microgroove

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Shiwei; Takahashi, Satoru; Michihata, Masaki; Takamasu, Kiyoshi

2018-05-01

The quality control of microgrooves is extremely crucial to ensure the performance and stability of microstructures and improve their fabrication efficiency. This paper introduces a novel optical inspection method and a modified Linnik microscopic interferometer measurement system to detect the depth of microgrooves with a width less than the diffraction limit. Using this optical method, the depth of diffraction-limited microgrooves can be related to the near-field optical phase difference, which cannot be practically observed but can be computed from practical far-field observations. Thus, a modified Linnik microscopic interferometer system based on three identical objective lenses and an optical path reversibility principle were developed. In addition, experiments for standard grating microgrooves on the silicon surface were carried out to demonstrate the feasibility and repeatability of the proposed method and developed measurement system.

Non-common path aberration correction in an adaptive optics scanning ophthalmoscope

PubMed Central

Sulai, Yusufu N.; Dubra, Alfredo

2014-01-01

The correction of non-common path aberrations (NCPAs) between the imaging and wavefront sensing channel in a confocal scanning adaptive optics ophthalmoscope is demonstrated. NCPA correction is achieved by maximizing an image sharpness metric while the confocal detection aperture is temporarily removed, effectively minimizing the monochromatic aberrations in the illumination path of the imaging channel. Comparison of NCPA estimated using zonal and modal orthogonal wavefront corrector bases provided wavefronts that differ by ~λ/20 in root-mean-squared (~λ/30 standard deviation). Sequential insertion of a cylindrical lens in the illumination and light collection paths of the imaging channel was used to compare image resolution after changing the wavefront correction to maximize image sharpness and intensity metrics. Finally, the NCPA correction was incorporated into the closed-loop adaptive optics control by biasing the wavefront sensor signals without reducing its bandwidth. PMID:25401020

Multi-point laser ignition device

DOEpatents

McIntyre, Dustin L.; Woodruff, Steven D.

2017-01-17

A multi-point laser device comprising a plurality of optical pumping sources. Each optical pumping source is configured to create pumping excitation energy along a corresponding optical path directed through a high-reflectivity mirror and into substantially different locations within the laser media thereby producing atomic optical emissions at substantially different locations within the laser media and directed along a corresponding optical path of the optical pumping source. An output coupler and one or more output lenses are configured to produce a plurality of lasing events at substantially different times, locations or a combination thereof from the multiple atomic optical emissions produced at substantially different locations within the laser media. The laser media is a single continuous media, preferably grown on a single substrate.

Demonstrating Fermat's Principle in Optics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paleiov, Orr; Pupko, Ofir; Lipson, S. G.

2011-01-01

We demonstrate Fermat's principle in optics by a simple experiment using reflection from an arbitrarily shaped one-dimensional reflector. We investigated a range of possible light paths from a lamp to a fixed slit by reflection in a curved reflector and showed by direct measurement that the paths along which light is concentrated have either…

Results from SIM's Thermo-Opto-Mechanical (TOM3) Testbed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goullioud, Renaud; Lindensmith, C. A.; Hahn, I.

2006-01-01

Future space-based optical interferometers, such as the Space Interferometer Mission Planet Quest (SIM), require thermal stability of the optical wavefront to the level of picometers in order to produce astrometric data at the micro-arc-second level. In SIM, the internal path of the interferometer will be measured with a small metrology beam whereas the starlight fringe position is estimated from a large concentric annular beam. To achieve the micro-arc-second observation goal for SIM, it is necessary to maintain the optical path difference between the central and the outer annulus portions of the wavefront of the front-end telescope optics to a few tens of picometers. The Thermo-Opto-Mecha nical testbed (TOM3) was developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to measure thermally induced optical deformations of a full-size flight-like beam compressor and siderostat, the two largest optics on SIM, in flight-like thermal environments. A Common Path Heterodyne Interferometer (COPHI) developed at JPL was used for the fine optical path difference measurement as the metrology sensor. The system was integrated inside a large vacuum chamber in order to mitigate the atmospheric and thermal disturbances. The siderostat was installed in a temperature-controlled thermal shroud inside the vacuum chamber, creating a flight-like thermal environment. Detailed thermal and structural models of the test articles (siderostat and compressor) were also developed for model prediction and correlation of the thermal deformations. Experimental data shows SIM required thermal stability of the test articles and good agreement with the model predictions.

Synchronization of Clocks Through 12 km of Strongly Turbulent Air Over a City.

PubMed

Sinclair, Laura C; Swann, William C; Bergeron, Hugo; Baumann, Esther; Cermak, Michael; Coddington, Ian; Deschênes, Jean-Daniel; Giorgetta, Fabrizio R; Juarez, Juan C; Khader, Isaac; Petrillo, Keith G; Souza, Katherine T; Dennis, Michael L; Newbury, Nathan R

2016-10-15

We demonstrate real-time, femtosecond-level clock synchronization across a low-lying, strongly turbulent, 12-km horizontal air path by optical two-way time transfer. For this long horizontal free-space path, the integrated turbulence extends well into the strong turbulence regime corresponding to multiple scattering with a Rytov variance up to 7 and with the number of signal interruptions exceeding 100 per second. Nevertheless, optical two-way time transfer is used to synchronize a remote clock to a master clock with femtosecond-level agreement and with a relative time deviation dropping as low as a few hundred attoseconds. Synchronization is shown for a remote clock based on either an optical or microwave oscillator and using either tip-tilt or adaptive-optics free-space optical terminals. The performance is unaltered from optical two-way time transfer in weak turbulence across short links. These results confirm that the two-way reciprocity of the free-space time-of-flight is maintained both under strong turbulence and with the use of adaptive optics. The demonstrated robustness of optical two-way time transfer against strong turbulence and its compatibility with adaptive optics is encouraging for future femtosecond clock synchronization over very long distance ground-to-air free-space paths.

Synchronization of Clocks Through 12 km of Strongly Turbulent Air Over a City

PubMed Central

Sinclair, Laura C.; Swann, William C.; Bergeron, Hugo; Baumann, Esther; Cermak, Michael; Coddington, Ian; Deschênes, Jean-Daniel; Giorgetta, Fabrizio R.; Juarez, Juan C.; Khader, Isaac; Petrillo, Keith G.; Souza, Katherine T.; Dennis, Michael L.; Newbury, Nathan R.

2018-01-01

We demonstrate real-time, femtosecond-level clock synchronization across a low-lying, strongly turbulent, 12-km horizontal air path by optical two-way time transfer. For this long horizontal free-space path, the integrated turbulence extends well into the strong turbulence regime corresponding to multiple scattering with a Rytov variance up to 7 and with the number of signal interruptions exceeding 100 per second. Nevertheless, optical two-way time transfer is used to synchronize a remote clock to a master clock with femtosecond-level agreement and with a relative time deviation dropping as low as a few hundred attoseconds. Synchronization is shown for a remote clock based on either an optical or microwave oscillator and using either tip-tilt or adaptive-optics free-space optical terminals. The performance is unaltered from optical two-way time transfer in weak turbulence across short links. These results confirm that the two-way reciprocity of the free-space time-of-flight is maintained both under strong turbulence and with the use of adaptive optics. The demonstrated robustness of optical two-way time transfer against strong turbulence and its compatibility with adaptive optics is encouraging for future femtosecond clock synchronization over very long distance ground-to-air free-space paths. PMID:29348695

Automatic cell identification and visualization using digital holographic microscopy with head mounted augmented reality devices.

PubMed

O'Connor, Timothy; Rawat, Siddharth; Markman, Adam; Javidi, Bahram

2018-03-01

We propose a compact imaging system that integrates an augmented reality head mounted device with digital holographic microscopy for automated cell identification and visualization. A shearing interferometer is used to produce holograms of biological cells, which are recorded using customized smart glasses containing an external camera. After image acquisition, segmentation is performed to isolate regions of interest containing biological cells in the field-of-view, followed by digital reconstruction of the cells, which is used to generate a three-dimensional (3D) pseudocolor optical path length profile. Morphological features are extracted from the cell's optical path length map, including mean optical path length, coefficient of variation, optical volume, projected area, projected area to optical volume ratio, cell skewness, and cell kurtosis. Classification is performed using the random forest classifier, support vector machines, and K-nearest neighbor, and the results are compared. Finally, the augmented reality device displays the cell's pseudocolor 3D rendering of its optical path length profile, extracted features, and the identified cell's type or class. The proposed system could allow a healthcare worker to quickly visualize cells using augmented reality smart glasses and extract the relevant information for rapid diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the integration of digital holographic microscopy with augmented reality devices for automated cell identification and visualization.

High power regenerative laser amplifier

DOEpatents

Miller, John L.; Hackel, Lloyd A.; Dane, Clifford B.; Zapata, Luis E.

1994-01-01

A regenerative amplifier design capable of operating at high energy per pulse, for instance, from 20-100 Joules, at moderate repetition rates, for instance from 5-20 Hertz is provided. The laser amplifier comprises a gain medium and source of pump energy coupled with the gain medium; a Pockels cell, which rotates an incident beam in response to application of a control signal; an optical relay system defining a first relay plane near the gain medium and a second relay plane near the rotator; and a plurality of reflectors configured to define an optical path through the gain medium, optical relay and Pockels cell, such that each transit of the optical path includes at least one pass through the gain medium and only one pass through the Pockels cell. An input coupler, and an output coupler are provided, implemented by a single polarizer. A control circuit coupled to the Pockels cell generates the control signal in timed relationship with the input pulse so that the input pulse is captured by the input coupler and proceeds through at least one transit of the optical path, and then the control signal is applied to cause rotation of the pulse to a polarization reflected by the polarizer, after which the captured pulse passes through the gain medium at least once more and is reflected out of the optical path by the polarizer before passing through the rotator again to provide an amplified pulse.

High power regenerative laser amplifier

DOEpatents

Miller, J.L.; Hackel, L.A.; Dane, C.B.; Zapata, L.E.

1994-02-08

A regenerative amplifier design capable of operating at high energy per pulse, for instance, from 20-100 Joules, at moderate repetition rates, for instance from 5-20 Hertz is provided. The laser amplifier comprises a gain medium and source of pump energy coupled with the gain medium; a Pockels cell, which rotates an incident beam in response to application of a control signal; an optical relay system defining a first relay plane near the gain medium and a second relay plane near the rotator; and a plurality of reflectors configured to define an optical path through the gain medium, optical relay and Pockels cell, such that each transit of the optical path includes at least one pass through the gain medium and only one pass through the Pockels cell. An input coupler, and an output coupler are provided, implemented by a single polarizer. A control circuit coupled to the Pockels cell generates the control signal in timed relationship with the input pulse so that the input pulse is captured by the input coupler and proceeds through at least one transit of the optical path, and then the control signal is applied to cause rotation of the pulse to a polarization reflected by the polarizer, after which the captured pulse passes through the gain medium at least once more and is reflected out of the optical path by the polarizer before passing through the rotator again to provide an amplified pulse. 7 figures.

Characterization of the Los Alamos IPG YLR-6000 fiber laser using multiple optical paths and laser focusing optics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Milewski, John O; Bernal, John E

2009-01-01

Fiber laser technology has been identified as the replacement power source for the existing Los Alamos TA-55 production laser welding system. An IPG YLR-6000 fiber laser was purchased, installed at SM-66 R3, and accepted in February 2008. No characterization of the laser and no welding was performed in the Feb 2008 to May 2009 interval. T. Lienert and J. Bernal (Ref. 1, July 2009) determined the existing 200 mm Rofin collimator and focus heads used with the Rofin diode pumped lasers were inadequate for use with the IPG laser due to clipping of the IPG laser beam. Further efforts inmore » testing of the IPG laser with Optoskand fiber delivery optics and a Rofin 120 mm collimator proved problematic due to optical fiber damage. As a result, IPG design optical fibers were purchased as replacements for subsequent testing. Within the same interval, an IPG fiber-to-fiber (F2F) connector, custom built for LANL, (J. Milewski, S. Gravener, Ref.2) was demonstrated and accepted at IPG Oxford, MA in August 2009. An IPG service person was contracted to come to LANL to assist in the installation, training, troubleshooting and characterization of the multiple beam paths and help perform laser head optics characterization. The statement of work is provided below: In summary the laser system, optical fibers, F2F connector, Precitec head, and a modified Rofin type (w/120mm Optoskand collimator) IWindowIBoot system focus head (Figure 1) were shown to perform well at powers up to 6 kW CW. Power measurements, laser spot size measurements, and other characterization data and lessons learned are contained within this report. In addition, a number of issues were identified that will require future resolution.« less

CFO compensation method using optical feedback path for coherent optical OFDM system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moon, Sang-Rok; Hwang, In-Ki; Kang, Hun-Sik; Chang, Sun Hyok; Lee, Seung-Woo; Lee, Joon Ki

2017-07-01

We investigate feasibility of carrier frequency offset (CFO) compensation method using optical feedback path for coherent optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CO-OFDM) system. Recently proposed CFO compensation algorithms provide wide CFO estimation range in electrical domain. However, their practical compensation range is limited by sampling rate of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This limitation has not drawn attention, since the ADC sampling rate was high enough comparing to the data bandwidth and CFO in the wireless OFDM system. For CO-OFDM, the limitation is becoming visible because of increased data bandwidth, laser instability (i.e. large CFO) and insufficient ADC sampling rate owing to high cost. To solve the problem and extend practical CFO compensation range, we propose a CFO compensation method having optical feedback path. By adding simple wavelength control for local oscillator, the practical CFO compensation range can be extended to the sampling frequency range. The feasibility of the proposed method is experimentally investigated.

The CHARA array adaptive optics I: common-path optical and mechanical design, and preliminary on-sky results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Che, Xiao; Sturmann, Laszlo; Monnier, John D.; ten Brummelaar, Theo A.; Sturmann, Judit; Ridgway, Stephen T.; Ireland, Michael J.; Turner, Nils H.; McAlister, Harold A.

2014-07-01

The CHARA array is an optical interferometer with six 1-meter diameter telescopes, providing baselines from 33 to 331 meters. With sub-milliarcsecond angular resolution, its versatile visible and near infrared combiners offer a unique angle of studying nearby stellar systems by spatially resolving their detailed structures. To improve the sensitivity and scientific throughput, the CHARA array was funded by NSF-ATI in 2011 to install adaptive optics (AO) systems on all six telescopes. The initial grant covers Phase I of the AO systems, which includes on-telescope Wavefront Sensors (WFS) and non-common-path (NCP) error correction. Meanwhile we are seeking funding for Phase II which will add large Deformable Mirrors on telescopes to close the full AO loop. The corrections of NCP error and static aberrations in the optical system beyond the WFS are described in the second paper of this series. This paper describes the design of the common-path optical system and the on-telescope WFS, and shows the on-sky commissioning results.

Monolithic mm-wave phase shifter using optically activated superconducting switches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romanofsky, Robert R. (Inventor); Bhasin, Kul B. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A phase shifter is disclosed having a reference path and a delay path, light sources, and superconductive switches. Each of the superconductive switches is terminated in a virtual short circuit, which may be a radial stub. Switching between the reference path and delayed path is accomplished by illuminating the superconductive switches connected to the desired path, while not illuminating the superconductive switches connected to the other path.

Model of Atmospheric Links on Optical Communications from High Altitude

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Subich, Christopher

2004-01-01

Optical communication links have the potential to solve many of the problems of current radio and microwave links to satellites and high-altitude aircraft. The higher frequency involved in optical systems allows for significantly greater signal bandwidth, and thus information transfer rate, in excess of 10 Gbps, and the highly directional nature of laser-based signals eliminates the need for frequency-division multiplexing seen in radio and microwave links today. The atmosphere, however, distorts an optical signal differently than a microwave signal. While the ionosphere is one of the most significant sources of noise and distortion in a microwave or radio signal, the lower atmosphere affects an optical signal more significantly. Refractive index fluctuations, primarily caused by changes in atmospheric temperature and density, distort the incoming signal in both deterministic and nondeterministic ways. Additionally, suspended particles, such as those in haze or rain, further corrupt the transmitted signal. To model many of the atmospheric effects on the propagating beam, we use simulations based on the beam-propagation method. This method, developed both for simulation of signals in waveguides and propagation in atmospheric turbulence, separates the propagation into a diffraction and refraction problem. The diffraction step is an exact solution, within the limits of numerical precision, to the problem of propagation in free space, and the refraction step models the refractive index variances over a segment of the propagation path. By applying refraction for a segment of the propagation path, then diffracting over that same segment, this method forms a good approximation to true propagation through the atmospheric medium. Iterating over small segments of the total propagation path gives a good approximation to the problem of propagation over the entire path. Parameters in this model, such as initial beam profile and atmospheric constants, are easily modified in a simulation such as this, which allows for the rapid analysis of different propagation scenarios. Therefore, this method allows the development of a near-optimal system design for a wide range of situations, typical of what would be seen in different atmospheric conditions over a receiving ground station. A simulation framework based upon this model was developed in FORTRAN, and for moderate grid sizes and propagation distances these simulations are computable in reasonable time on a standard workstation. This presentation will discuss results thus far.

Experiments and error analysis of laser ranging based on frequency-sweep polarization modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Shuyuan; Ji, Rongyi; Li, Yao; Cheng, Zhi; Zhou, Weihu

2016-11-01

Frequency-sweep polarization modulation ranging uses a polarization-modulated laser beam to determine the distance to the target, the modulation frequency is swept and frequency values are measured when transmitted and received signals are in phase, thus the distance can be calculated through these values. This method gets much higher theoretical measuring accuracy than phase difference method because of the prevention of phase measurement. However, actual accuracy of the system is limited since additional phase retardation occurs in the measuring optical path when optical elements are imperfectly processed and installed. In this paper, working principle of frequency sweep polarization modulation ranging method is analyzed, transmission model of polarization state in light path is built based on the theory of Jones Matrix, additional phase retardation of λ/4 wave plate and PBS, their impact on measuring performance is analyzed. Theoretical results show that wave plate's azimuth error dominates the limitation of ranging accuracy. According to the system design index, element tolerance and error correcting method of system is proposed, ranging system is built and ranging experiment is performed. Experiential results show that with proposed tolerance, the system can satisfy the accuracy requirement. The present work has a guide value for further research about system design and error distribution.

Integrating cell on chip—Novel waveguide platform employing ultra-long optical paths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fohrmann, Lena Simone; Sommer, Gerrit; Pitruzzello, Giampaolo; Krauss, Thomas F.; Petrov, Alexander Yu.; Eich, Manfred

2017-09-01

Optical waveguides are the most fundamental building blocks of integrated optical circuits. They are extremely well understood, yet there is still room for surprises. Here, we introduce a novel 2D waveguide platform which affords a strong interaction of the evanescent tail of a guided optical wave with an external medium while only employing a very small geometrical footprint. The key feature of the platform is its ability to integrate the ultra-long path lengths by combining low propagation losses in a silicon slab with multiple reflections of the guided wave from photonic crystal (PhC) mirrors. With a reflectivity of 99.1% of our tailored PhC-mirrors, we achieve interaction paths of 25 cm within an area of less than 10 mm2. This corresponds to 0.17 dB/cm effective propagation which is much lower than the state-of-the-art loss of approximately 1 dB/cm of single mode silicon channel waveguides. In contrast to conventional waveguides, our 2D-approach leads to a decay of the guided wave power only inversely proportional to the optical path length. This entirely different characteristic is the major advantage of the 2D integrating cell waveguide platform over the conventional channel waveguide concepts that obey the Beer-Lambert law.

The Abcd Formula of Phase Definition in Optical Interferometry: Combined Effect of Air Dispersion and Broad Passband

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathar, Richard J.

Long-baseline interferometry detects fringes created by superposition of two beams of light collected by two telescopes pointing into a common direction. The external path difference is commonly compensated by adding a variable optical path length (delay) through air for one beam such that the optical path difference between the beams remains close to zero near the detector. The ABCD formula assigns a (wrapped) phase to the signals A to D of an interference pattern shifted by multiples of 90 degrees in phase. We study the interplay between a broad spectral passband of the optics and the dispersion of the air in the compensating delay, which leads to small deviations between the ABCD phase and the reduced, monochromatic group-delay representation of the wave packets. This adds dispersion to the effects that have been discussed for evacuated interferometers before (Milman 2005).

A study of the high-precision displacement laser probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Yuming; Zhang, Guoxiong

2006-06-01

On the basis of the measuring principle of the dynamic active optical confocal probe based on time difference measurement that has a reference path, a dynamic active optical confocal probe based on time difference measurement but has no reference path is developed. In this paper, the working principle of this optical confocal probe is dissertated. A large-scale integrated measuring system is designed to simplify the structure of the probe and to enhance the stability of the probe. Single-chip microcomputer system with a high-speed ADC is selected in the measurement and control system of the probe. At the end of the paper, experiments on the performance of the optical confocal probe based on time difference measurement with no reference path are carried out. Experiment results show that the probe has a measuring resolution of 0.05μm, a measuring range of 0.2mm and a linearity of 0.4μm.

Optical path design of phase contrast imaging on HL-2A tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiyun, CHENG; Yi, YU; Shaobo, GONG; Min, XU; Tao, LAN; Wei, JIANG; Boda, YUAN; Yifan, WU; Lin, NIE; Rui, KE; Ting, LONG; Dong, GUO; Minyou, YE; Xuru, DUAN

2017-12-01

A phase contrast imaging (PCI) diagnostic has recently been developed on HL-2A tokamak. It can diagnose plasma density fluctuations with maximum wave number of 15 cm-1 and wave number resolution of 2 cm-1. The time resolution reaches 2 μs. A 10.6 μm CO2 laser is expanded to a beam with a diameter of 30 mm and injected into the plasma as an incident beam, injecting into plasma. The emerging scattered and unscattered beams are contrasted by a phase plate. The ideas of optical path design are presented in this paper, together with the parameters of the main optical components. The whole optical path of PCI is not only carefully designed, but also constructed on HL-2A. First calibration results show the ability of this system to catch plasma turbulence in a wide frequency domain.

Interferometric system based on swept source-optical coherence tomography scheme applied to the measurement of distances of industrial interest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morel, Eneas N.; Russo, Nélida A.; Torga, Jorge R.; Duchowicz, Ricardo

2016-01-01

We used an interferometric technique based on typical optical coherence tomography (OCT) schemes for measuring distances of industrial interest. The system employed as a light source a tunable erbium-doped fiber laser of ˜20-pm bandwidth with a tuning range between 1520 and 1570 nm. It has a sufficiently long coherence length to enable long depth range imaging. A set of fiber Bragg gratings was used as a self-calibration method, which has the advantage of being a passive system that requires no additional electronic devices. The proposed configuration and the coherence length of the laser enlarge the range of maximum distances that can be measured with the common OCT configuration, maintaining a good axial resolution. A measuring range slightly >17 cm was determined. The system performance was evaluated by studying the repeatability and axial resolution of the results when the same optical path difference was measured. Additionally, the thickness of a semitransparent medium was also measured.

Polarization feedback laser stabilization

DOEpatents

Esherick, Peter; Owyoung, Adelbert

1988-01-01

A system for locking two Nd:YAG laser oscillators includes an optical path for feeding the output of one laser into the other with different polarizations. Elliptical polarization is incorporated into the optical path so that the change in polarization that occurs when the frequencies coincide may be detected to provide a feedback signal to control one laser relative to the other.

Light-driven phase shifter

DOEpatents

Early, James W.

1990-01-01

A light-driven phase shifter is provided for modulating a transmission light beam. A gaseous medium such as argon is provided with electron energy states excited to populate a metastable state. A tunable dye laser is selected with a wavelength effective to deplete the metastable electron state and may be intensity modulated. The dye laser is directed through the gaseous medium to define a first optical path having an index of refraction determined by the gaseous medium having a depleted metastable electron state. A transmission laser beam is also directed through the gaseous medium to define a second optical path at least partially coincident with the first optical path. The intensity of the dye laser beam may then be varied to phase modulate the transmission laser beam.

Complete description of the optical path difference of a novel spectral zooming imaging spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jie; Wu, Haiying; Qi, Chun

2018-03-01

A complete description of the optical path difference of a novel spectral zooming imaging spectrometer (SZIS) is presented. SZIS is designed based on two identical Wollaston prisms with an adjustable air gap. Thus, interferogram with arbitrary spectral resolution and great reduction of spectral image size can be conveniently formed to adapt to different application requirements. Ray tracing modeling in arbitrary incidence with a quasi-parallel-plate approximation scheme is proposed to analyze the optical path difference of SZIS. In order to know the characteristics of the apparatus, exact calculations of the corresponding spectral resolution and field of view are both derived and analyzed in detail. We also present a comparison of calculation and experiment to prove the validity of the theory.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Reiche, D.; Dalvit, D. A. R.; Busch, K.

We investigate the influence of spatial dispersion on atom-surface quantum friction. We show that for atom-surface separations shorter than the carrier's mean free path within the material, the frictional force can be several orders of magnitude larger than that predicted by local optics. In addition, when taking into account spatial dispersion effects, we show that the commonly used local thermal equilibrium approximation underestimates by approximately 95% the drag force, obtained by employing the recently reported nonequilibrium fluctuation-dissipation relation for quantum friction. Unlike the treatment based on local optics, spatial dispersion in conjunction with corrections to local thermal equilibrium change notmore » only the magnitude but also the distance scaling of quantum friction.« less

Optical path difference microscopy with a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor.

PubMed

Gong, Hai; Agbana, Temitope E; Pozzi, Paolo; Soloviev, Oleg; Verhaegen, Michel; Vdovin, Gleb

2017-06-01

In this Letter, we show that a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor can be used for the quantitative measurement of the specimen optical path difference (OPD) in an ordinary incoherent optical microscope, if the spatial coherence of the illumination light in the plane of the specimen is larger than the microscope resolution. To satisfy this condition, the illumination numerical aperture should be smaller than the numerical aperture of the imaging lens. This principle has been successfully applied to build a high-resolution reference-free instrument for the characterization of the OPD of micro-optical components and microscopic biological samples.

Path-length-resolved dynamic light scattering in highly scattering random media: The transition to diffusing wave spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bizheva, Kostadinka K.; Siegel, Andy M.; Boas, David A.

1998-12-01

We used low coherence interferometry to measure Brownian motion within highly scattering random media. A coherence gate was applied to resolve the optical path-length distribution and to separate ballistic from diffusive light. Our experimental analysis provides details on the transition from single scattering to light diffusion and its dependence on the system parameters. We found that the transition to the light diffusion regime occurs at shorter path lengths for media with higher scattering anisotropy or for larger numerical aperture of the focusing optics.

Three-tier multi-granularity switching system based on PCE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yubao; Sun, Hao; Liu, Yanfei

2017-10-01

With the growing demand for business communications, electrical signal processing optical path switching can't meet the demand. The multi-granularity switch system that can improve node routing and switching capabilities came into being. In the traditional network, each node is responsible for calculating the path; synchronize the whole network state, which will increase the burden on the network, so the concept of path calculation element (PCE) is proposed. The PCE is responsible for routing and allocating resources in the network1. In the traditional band-switched optical network, the wavelength is used as the basic routing unit, resulting in relatively low wavelength utilization. Due to the limitation of wavelength continuity, the routing design of the band technology becomes complicated, which directly affects the utilization of the system. In this paper, optical code granularity is adopted. There is no continuity of the optical code, and the number of optical codes is more flexible than the wavelength. For the introduction of optical code switching, we propose a Code Group Routing Entity (CGRE) algorithm. In short, the combination of three-tier multi-granularity optical switching system and PCE can simplify the network structure, reduce the node load, and enhance the network scalability and survivability. Realize the intelligentization of optical network.

Dynamically reconfigurable optical packet switch (DROPS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Chi-Heng; Chou, Hsu-Feng; Bowers, John E.; Toudeh-Fallah, Farzam; Gyurek, Russ

2006-12-01

A novel Dynamically Reconfigurable Optical Packet Switch (DROPS) that combines both spectral and spatial switching capabilities is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for the first time. Compared with an Arrayed Waveguide Grating Router (AWGR), the added spatial switching capability provided by the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) enables dynamically reconfigurable routing that is not possible with an AWGR alone. This methodology has several advantages over an AWGR including scalability, additional degrees of freedom in routing a packet from an ingress port to an egress port and more flexibility in path or line card recovery. The experimental demonstration implemented with 10-Gb/s packets shows that the added spatial switching does not degrade the bit-error-rate performance, indicating the promising potential of DROPS as a versatile and ultra-high capacity switch for optical packet-switched networks.

Design of Control Plane Architecture Based on Cloud Platform and Experimental Network Demonstration for Multi-domain SDON

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ming; Yin, Hongxi; Xing, Fangyuan; Wang, Jingchao; Wang, Honghuan

2016-02-01

With the features of network virtualization and resource programming, Software Defined Optical Network (SDON) is considered as the future development trend of optical network, provisioning a more flexible, efficient and open network function, supporting intraconnection and interconnection of data centers. Meanwhile cloud platform can provide powerful computing, storage and management capabilities. In this paper, with the coordination of SDON and cloud platform, a multi-domain SDON architecture based on cloud control plane has been proposed, which is composed of data centers with database (DB), path computation element (PCE), SDON controller and orchestrator. In addition, the structure of the multidomain SDON orchestrator and OpenFlow-enabled optical node are proposed to realize the combination of centralized and distributed effective management and control platform. Finally, the functional verification and demonstration are performed through our optical experiment network.

Manipulation of dielectric Rayleigh particles using highly focused elliptically polarized vector fields.

PubMed

Gu, Bing; Xu, Danfeng; Rui, Guanghao; Lian, Meng; Cui, Yiping; Zhan, Qiwen

2015-09-20

Generation of vectorial optical fields with arbitrary polarization distribution is of great interest in areas where exotic optical fields are desired. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate the versatile generation of linearly polarized vector fields, elliptically polarized vector fields, and circularly polarized vortex beams through introducing attenuators in a common-path interferometer. By means of Richards-Wolf vectorial diffraction method, the characteristics of the highly focused elliptically polarized vector fields are studied. The optical force and torque on a dielectric Rayleigh particle produced by these tightly focused vector fields are calculated and exploited for the stable trapping of dielectric Rayleigh particles. It is shown that the additional degree of freedom provided by the elliptically polarized vector field allows one to control the spatial structure of polarization, to engineer the focusing field, and to tailor the optical force and torque on a dielectric Rayleigh particle.

Accurate band-to-band registration of AOTF imaging spectrometer using motion detection technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Pengwei; Zhao, Huijie; Jin, Shangzhong; Li, Ningchuan

2016-05-01

This paper concerns the problem of platform vibration induced band-to-band misregistration with acousto-optic imaging spectrometer in spaceborne application. Registrating images of different bands formed at different time or different position is difficult, especially for hyperspectral images form acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) imaging spectrometer. In this study, a motion detection method is presented using the polychromatic undiffracted beam of AOTF. The factors affecting motion detect accuracy are analyzed theoretically, and calculations show that optical distortion is an easily overlooked factor to achieve accurate band-to-band registration. Hence, a reflective dual-path optical system has been proposed for the first time, with reduction of distortion and chromatic aberration, indicating the potential of higher registration accuracy. Consequently, a spectra restoration experiment using additional motion detect channel is presented for the first time, which shows the accurate spectral image registration capability of this technique.

Polarization feedback laser stabilization

DOEpatents

Esherick, P.; Owyoung, A.

1987-09-28

A system for locking two Nd:YAG laser oscillators includes an optical path for feeding the output of one laser into the other with different polarizations. Elliptical polarization is incorporated into the optical path so that the change in polarization that occurs when the frequencies coincide may be detected to provide a feedback signal to control one laser relative to the other. 4 figs.

Report on Research

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

Force systems require a resolved information on the optical thorough understanding of the propaga- extinction coefficient. Measurements of tion path , the...Depolarization as Function of Snow Density. Measurement System ). (It correlated well with the ( Multi -scatter scale length information is usable to extinction ...data on the effect of optically thin cirrus clouds on long - path infrared transmit- tance. Future system designers will have access to this new

Simulation of the fixed optical path difference of near infrared wind imaging interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rong, Piao; Zhang, Chunmin; Yan, Tingyu; Liu, Dongdong; Li, Yanfen

2017-02-01

As an important part of the earth, atmosphere plays a vital role in filtering the solar radiation, adjusting the temperature and organizing the water circulation and keeping human survival. The passive atmospheric wind measurement is based on the imaging interferometer technology and Doppler effect of electromagnetic wave. By using the wind imaging interferometer to get four interferograms of airglow emission lines, the atmospheric wind velocity, temperature, pressure and emission rate can be derived. Exploring the multi-functional and integrated innovation of detecting wind temperature, wind velocity and trace gas has become a research focus in the field. In the present paper, the impact factors of the fixed optical path difference(OPD) of near infrared wind imaging interferometer(NIWII) are analyzed and the optimum value of the fixed optical path difference is simulated, yielding the optimal results of the fixed optical path difference is 20 cm in near infrared wave band (the O2(a1Δg) airglow emission at 1.27 microns). This study aims at providing theoretical basis and technical support for the detection of stratosphere near infrared wind field and giving guidance for the design and development of near infrared wind imaging interferometer.

Quantum correlation in degenerate optical parametric oscillators with mutual injections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takata, Kenta; Marandi, Alireza; Yamamoto, Yoshihisa

2015-10-01

We theoretically and numerically study the quantum dynamics of two degenerate optical parametric oscillators with mutual injections. The cavity mode in the optical coupling path between the two oscillator facets is explicitly considered. Stochastic equations for the oscillators and mutual injection path based on the positive P representation are derived. The system of two gradually pumped oscillators with out-of-phase mutual injections is simulated, and its quantum state is investigated. When the incoherent loss of the oscillators other than the mutual injections is small, the squeezed quadratic amplitudes p ̂ in the oscillators are positively correlated near the oscillation threshold. It indicates finite quantum correlation, estimated via Gaussian quantum discord, and the entanglement between the intracavity subharmonic fields. When the loss in the injection path is low, each oscillator around the phase transition point forms macroscopic superposition even under a small pump noise. It suggests that the squeezed field stored in the low-loss injection path weakens the decoherence in the oscillators.

Computational Analysis of Hybrid Two-Photon Absorbers with Excited State Absorption

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

level. This hybrid arrangement creates a complex dynamical system in which the electron carrier concentration of every photo-activated energy level...spatiotemporal details of the electron population densities of each photo-activated energy level as well as the pulse shape in space and time. The main...experiments at low input energy . However, further additions must be done to the calculation of the optical path for high input energy . 1 15. SUBJECT TERM

Novel Diffusivity Measurement Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rashidnia, Nasser

2001-01-01

A common-path interferometer (CPI) system was developed to measure the diffusivity of liquid pairs. The CPI is an optical technique that can be used to measure changes in the gradient of the refraction index of transparent materials. This system uses a shearing interferometer that shares the same optical path from a laser light source to the final imaging plane. Hence, the molecular diffusion coefficient of liquids can be determined using the physical relations between changes in the optical path length and the liquid phase properties. The data obtained with this interferometer were compared with similar results from other techniques and demonstrated that the instrument is superior in measuring the diffusivity of miscible liquids while keeping the system very compact and robust. CPI can also be used for studies in interface dynamics and other diffusion-dominated-process applications.

SeaWiFS Postlaunch Technical Report Series. Volume 1; The SeaWiFS Transfer Radiometer (SXR)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hooker, Stanford B. (Editor); Firestone, Elaine R. (Editor); Johnson, B. Carol; Cromer, Christopher L.

1998-01-01

The SeaWiFS Transfer Radiometer (SXR) was built for the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) Project as part of an Interagency Agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The SXR is a multichannel radiometer designed to verify and compare measurements of spectral radiance at six discrete wavelengths in the visible and near infrared for various calibration sources in the SeaWiFS Project. In addition, the SXR is used to compare these sources to standards of spectral radiance maintained at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The SXR was designed, built, and thoroughly characterized in the Optical Technology Division at NIST. A unique optical design provides six independent optical paths, each equipped with a temperature stabilized interference filter and silicon photodiode. A separate beam path through the input lens is used to visually align the SXR. The entrance windows for each channel overlap at the source, with each channel sampling a unique solid angle within the field of view of the SXR; this allows for simultaneous sampling of all channels. The combined standard relative uncertainty of spectral radiance measurements with the SXR is estimated to be between 0.6% and 1.3%. This report describes the design and construction of the SXR in detail, and gives the results of the optical characterization and calibrations done at NIST. The SXR has been used for several intercomparisons which include several SeaWiFS Intercalibration Round-Robin Experiments (SIRREXs); those done at the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) laboratories in Honolulu, Hawaii; at the NEC Corporation in Yokohama, Japan; and Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) in Germantown, Maryland. Thorough optical characterization and calibration of the SXR was essential to the successful application of the radiometer for these measurements.

Monitoring of vapor phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

DOEpatents

Vo-Dinh, Tuan; Hajaligol, Mohammad R.

2004-06-01

An apparatus for monitoring vapor phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a high-temperature environment has an excitation source producing electromagnetic radiation, an optical path having an optical probe optically communicating the electromagnetic radiation received at a proximal end to a distal end, a spectrometer or polychromator, a detector, and a positioner coupled to the first optical path. The positioner can slidably move the distal end of the optical probe to maintain the distal end position with respect to an area of a material undergoing combustion. The emitted wavelength can be directed to a detector in a single optical probe 180.degree. backscattered configuration, in a dual optical probe 180.degree. backscattered configuration or in a dual optical probe 90.degree. side scattered configuration. The apparatus can be used to monitor an emitted wavelength of energy from a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon as it fluoresces in a high temperature environment.

Scanning optical microscope with long working distance objective

DOEpatents

Cloutier, Sylvain G.

2010-10-19

A scanning optical microscope, including: a light source to generate a beam of probe light; collimation optics to substantially collimate the probe beam; a probe-result beamsplitter; a long working-distance, infinity-corrected objective; scanning means to scan a beam spot of the focused probe beam on or within a sample; relay optics; and a detector. The collimation optics are disposed in the probe beam. The probe-result beamsplitter is arranged in the optical paths of the probe beam and the resultant light from the sample. The beamsplitter reflects the probe beam into the objective and transmits resultant light. The long working-distance, infinity-corrected objective is also arranged in the optical paths of the probe beam and the resultant light. It focuses the reflected probe beam onto the sample, and collects and substantially collimates the resultant light. The relay optics are arranged to relay the transmitted resultant light from the beamsplitter to the detector.

Understanding and applying open-path optical sensing data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Virag, Peter; Kricks, Robert J.

1999-02-01

During the last 10 years, open-path air monitors have evolved to yield reliable and effective measurements of single and multiple compounds on a real-time basis. To many individuals within the optical remote sensing community, the attributes of open-path and its the potential uses seem unlimited. Then why has the market has been stagnant for the last few years? The reason may center on how open-path information is applied and how well the end user understands that information. We constantly try to compare open-path data to risk/health or safety levels that are based for use at a single point and for a specific averaging period often far longer than a typical open-path data point. Often this approach is perceived as putting a square peg in a round hole. This perception may be well founded, as open-path data at times may need to go through extensive data manipulation and assumptions before it can be applied. This paper will review pervious open-path monitoring programs and their success in applying the data collected. We will also look at how open-path data is being currently used, some previous pitfalls in data use, alternate methods of data interpretation, and how open-path data can be best practically applied to fit current needs.

Absolute determination of local tropospheric OH concentrations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Armerding, Wolfgang; Comes, Franz-Josef

1994-01-01

Long path absorption (LPA) according to Lambert Beer's law is a method to determine absolute concentrations of trace gases such as tropospheric OH. We have developed a LPA instrument which is based on a rapid tuning of the light source which is a frequency doubled dye laser. The laser is tuned across two or three OH absorption features around 308 nm with a scanning speed of 0.07 cm(exp -1)/microsecond and a repetition rate of 1.3 kHz. This high scanning speed greatly reduces the fluctuation of the light intensity caused by the atmosphere. To obtain the required high sensitivity the laser output power is additionally made constant and stabilized by an electro-optical modulator. The present sensitivity is of the order of a few times 10(exp 5) OH per cm(exp 3) for an acquisition time of a minute and an absorption path length of only 1200 meters so that a folding of the optical path in a multireflection cell was possible leading to a lateral dimension of the cell of a few meters. This allows local measurements to be made. Tropospheric measurements have been carried out in 1991 resulting in the determination of OH diurnal variation at specific days in late summer. Comparison with model calculations have been made. Interferences are mainly due to SO2 absorption. The problem of OH self generation in the multireflection cell is of minor extent. This could be shown by using different experimental methods. The minimum-maximum signal to noise ratio is about 8 x 10(exp -4) for a single scan. Due to the small size of the absorption cell the realization of an open air laboratory is possible in which by use of an additional UV light source or by additional fluxes of trace gases the chemistry can be changed under controlled conditions allowing kinetic studies of tropospheric photochemistry to be made in open air.

Status and Path Forward for the Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) Mission Concept Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crooke, Julie A.; Roberge, Aki; Domagal-Goldman, Shawn D.; Mandell, Avram M.; Bolcar, Matthew R.; Rioux, Norman M.; Perez, Mario R.; Smith, Erin C.

2016-01-01

In preparation of the 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has commenced a process for the astronomical community to study several large mission concepts leveraging the lessons learned from past Decadal Surveys. This will enable the Decadal Survey committee to make more informed recommendations to NASA on its astrophysics science and mission priorities with respect to cost and risk. Four astrophysics large mission concepts were identified. Each of them had a Science and Technology Definition Teem(STDT) chartered to produce scientifically compelling, feasible, and executable design reference mission (DRM)concepts to present to the 2020 Decadal Survey. In addition, The Aerospace Corporation will perform an independent cost and technical evaluation (CATE) of each of these mission concept studies in advance of the 2020 Decadal Survey by interacting with the STDTs to provide detailed technical details on certain areas for which deep dives are appropriate. This paper presents the status and path forward for one of the four large mission concepts, namely, the Large UltraViolet, Optical, InfraRed surveyor (LUVOIR).

Optical phase nanoscopy in red blood cells using low-coherence spectroscopy.

PubMed

Shock, Itay; Barbul, Alexander; Girshovitz, Pinhas; Nevo, Uri; Korenstein, Rafi; Shaked, Natan T

2012-10-01

We propose a low-coherence spectral-domain phase microscopy (SDPM) system for accurate quantitative phase measurements in red blood cells (RBCs) for the prognosis and monitoring of disease conditions that affect the visco-elastic properties of RBCs. Using the system, we performed time-recordings of cell membrane fluctuations, and compared the nano-scale fluctuation dynamics of healthy and glutaraldehyde-treated RBCs. Glutaraldehyde-treated RBCs possess lower amplitudes of fluctuations, reflecting an increased membrane stiffness. To demonstrate the ability of our system to measure fluctuations of lower amplitudes than those measured by the commonly used holographic phase microscopy techniques, we also constructed wide-field digital interferometry (WFDI) system and compared the performances of both systems. Due to its common-path geometry, the optical-path-delay stability of SDPM was found to be less than 0.3 nm in liquid environment, at least three times better than WFDI under the same conditions. In addition, due to the compactness of SDPM and its inexpensive and robust design, the system possesses a high potential for clinical applications.

Status and path forward for the large ultraviolet/optical/infrared surveyor (LUVOIR) mission concept study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crooke, Julie A.; Roberge, Aki; Domagal-Goldman, Shawn D.; Mandell, Avi M.; Bolcar, Matthew R.; Rioux, Norman M.; Perez, Mario R.; Smith, Erin C.

2016-07-01

In preparation of the 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has commenced a process for the astronomical community to study several large mission concepts leveraging the lessons learned from past Decadal Surveys. This will enable the Decadal Survey committee to make more informed recommendations to NASA on its astrophysics science and mission priorities with respect to cost and risk. Four astrophysics large mission concepts were identified. Each of them had a Science and Technology Definition Teem (STDT) chartered to produce scientifically compelling, feasible, and executable design reference mission (DRM) concepts to present to the 2020 Decadal Survey. In addition, The Aerospace Corporation will perform an independent cost and technical evaluation (CATE) of each of these mission concept studies in advance of the 2020 Decadal Survey, by interacting with the STDTs to provide detailed technical details on certain areas for which "deep dives" are appropriate. This paper presents the status and path forward for one of the four large mission concepts, namely, the Large UltraViolet, Optical, InfraRed surveyor (LUVOIR).

APPLYING OPEN-PATH OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY TO HEAVY-DUTY DIESEL EMISSIONS

EPA Science Inventory

Non-dispersive infrared absorption has been used to measure gaseous emissions for both stationary and mobile sources. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used for stationary sources as both extractive and open-path methods. We have applied the open-path method for bo...

Optical remote diagnostics of atmospheric propagating beams of ionizing radiation

DOEpatents

Karl JR., Robert R.

1990-03-06

Data is obtained for use in diagnosing the characteristics of a beam of ionizing radiation, such as charged particle beams, neutral particle beams, and gamma ray beams. In one embodiment the beam is emitted through the atmosphere and produces nitrogen fluorescence during passage through air. The nitrogen fluorescence is detected along the beam path to provide an intensity from which various beam characteristics can be calculated from known tabulations. Optical detecting equipment is preferably located orthogonal to the beam path at a distance effective to include the entire beam path in the equipment field of view.

Optical remote diagnostics of atmospheric propagating beams of ionizing radiation

DOEpatents

Karl, Jr., Robert R.

1990-01-01

Data is obtained for use in diagnosing the characteristics of a beam of ionizing radiation, such as charged particle beams, neutral particle beams, and gamma ray beams. In one embodiment the beam is emitted through the atmosphere and produces nitrogen fluorescence during passage through air. The nitrogen fluorescence is detected along the beam path to provide an intensity from which various beam characteristics can be calculated from known tabulations. Optical detecting equipment is preferably located orthogonal to the beam path at a distance effective to include the entire beam path in the equipment field of view.

Resonant optical scattering in nanoparticle-doped polymer photonic crystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Baumberg, J. J.; Pursiainen, O. L.; Spahn, P.

2009-11-15

A broadband hyperspectral technique is used to measure the coherent optical backscatter across a wide spectral bandwidth, showing the resonant suppression of the photon transport mean free path around the photonic bandgap of a shear-assembled polymer photonic crystal. By doping with carbon nanoscale scatterers that reside at specific points within the photonic crystal lattice, the ratio between photon mean free path and optical penetration is tuned from 10 to 1, enhancing forward scatter at the expense of back-scatter. The back-scattering strength of different polarisations is not explained by any current theory.

Reflection-induced linear polarization rotation and phase modulation between orthogonal waves for refractive index variation measurement.

PubMed

Twu, Ruey-Ching; Wang, Jhao-Sheng

2016-04-01

An optical phase interrogation is proposed to study reflection-induced linear polarization rotation in a common-path homodyne interferometer. This optical methodology can also be applied to the measurement of the refractive index variation of a liquid solution. The performance of the refractive index sensing structure is discussed theoretically, and the experimental results demonstrated a very good ability based on the proposed schemes. Compared with a conventional common-path heterodyne interferometer, the proposed homodyne interferometer with only a single channel reduced the usage of optic elements.

Recognition of the optical packet header for two channels utilizing the parallel reservoir computing based on a semiconductor ring laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Xiurong; Zhao, Qingchun; Yin, Hongxi; Qin, Jie

2018-05-01

In this paper, an all-optical parallel reservoir computing (RC) system with two channels for the optical packet header recognition is proposed and simulated, which is based on a semiconductor ring laser (SRL) with the characteristic of bidirectional light paths. The parallel optical loops are built through the cross-feedback of the bidirectional light paths where every optical loop can independently recognize each injected optical packet header. Two input signals are mapped and recognized simultaneously by training all-optical parallel reservoir, which is attributed to the nonlinear states in the laser. The recognition of optical packet headers for two channels from 4 bits to 32 bits is implemented through the simulation optimizing system parameters and therefore, the optimal recognition error ratio is 0. Since this structure can combine with the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical packet switching network, the wavelength of each channel of optical packet headers for recognition can be different, and a better recognition result can be obtained.

Quasi-Monolithic Structures for Spaceflight Using Hydroxide-Catalysis Bonding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Preston, Alix; Thorpe, J. Ira; Miner, Linda

2012-01-01

Future space-based missions will take measurements of the universe with unprecedented results. To do this, these missions will require materials and bonding techniques with ever-increasing stability in order to make their measurements. As an example, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will detect and observe gravitational waves in the 0.1 mHz to 1 Hz frequency range with strain sensitivities on the order of 10(exp -21) at its most sensitive frequency. To make these measurements, critical components such as the optical bench or telescope support structure, will need to have path-length stabilities of better than 1 pm/(square root)Hz. The baseline construction method for the LISA optical bench is to affix fused silica optical components to a Zerodur baseplate using hydroxide-catalysis bonding (HCB). HCB is a recently developed technique that allows the bonding of glasses, some metals, and silicon carbide with significant strength and stability with a bond thickness of less than a few micrometers. In addition, a wide range of surface profiles can be bonded using only a small amount of hydroxide solution. These characteristics make HCB ideal for adhering optical components in complex optical systems. In addition to being used to construct the LISA optical bench, the HCB technique shows great promise for constructing other structures such as hollow retroreflectors to be used for lunar laser ranging, or a visible nulling coronograph to be used for exo-planet detection. Here we present construction techniques that could be used to make an optical bench, hollow retroreflector, nulling coronograph, or other quasi-monolithic structures using HCB. In addition, we present dimensional stability results of an optical bench that was made using HCB, as well as HCB strength measurements.

Periscopic Spine Surgery

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-03-01

Guided Technologies, Boulder, CO; motion path built from three orthogonal sinusoidal paths is Optotrak , Northern Digital, Waterloo, ON) optical tracking...Hopkins University using an Optotrak to evaluate the simulated motions. The Optotrak (Northern Digital, Inc.) is an optical high- precision 3-D motion...verify the accuracy of the RMS, tests were carried out using the Optotrak , which was placed about 2 m from the simulator. For each test, two sets of data

High frequency modulation circuits based on photoconductive wide bandgap switches

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sampayan, Stephen

Methods, systems, and devices for high voltage and/or high frequency modulation. In one aspect, an optoelectronic modulation system includes an array of two or more photoconductive switch units each including a wide bandgap photoconductive material coupled between a first electrode and a second electrode, a light source optically coupled to the WBGP material of each photoconductive switch unit via a light path, in which the light path splits into multiple light paths to optically interface with each WBGP material, such that a time delay of emitted light exists along each subsequent split light path, and in which the WBGP materialmore » conducts an electrical signal when a light signal is transmitted to the WBGP material, and an output to transmit the electrical signal conducted by each photoconductive switch unit. The time delay of the photons emitted through the light path is substantially equivalent to the time delay of the electrical signal.« less

A geometrical optics approach for modeling aperture averaging in free space optical communication applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuksel, Heba; Davis, Christopher C.

2006-09-01

Intensity fluctuations at the receiver in free space optical (FSO) communication links lead to a received power variance that depends on the size of the receiver aperture. Increasing the size of the receiver aperture reduces the power variance. This effect of the receiver size on power variance is called aperture averaging. If there were no aperture size limitation at the receiver, then there would be no turbulence-induced scintillation. In practice, there is always a tradeoff between aperture size, transceiver weight, and potential transceiver agility for pointing, acquisition and tracking (PAT) of FSO communication links. We have developed a geometrical simulation model to predict the aperture averaging factor. This model is used to simulate the aperture averaging effect at given range by using a large number of rays, Gaussian as well as uniformly distributed, propagating through simulated turbulence into a circular receiver of varying aperture size. Turbulence is simulated by filling the propagation path with spherical bubbles of varying sizes and refractive index discontinuities statistically distributed according to various models. For each statistical representation of the atmosphere, the three-dimensional trajectory of each ray is analyzed using geometrical optics. These Monte Carlo techniques have proved capable of assessing the aperture averaging effect, in particular, the quantitative expected reduction in intensity fluctuations with increasing aperture diameter. In addition, beam wander results have demonstrated the range-cubed dependence of mean-squared beam wander. An effective turbulence parameter can also be determined by correlating beam wander behavior with the path length.

Robot-assisted three-dimensional registration for cochlear implant surgery using a common-path swept-source optical coherence tomography probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gurbani, Saumya S.; Wilkening, Paul; Zhao, Mingtao; Gonenc, Berk; Cheon, Gyeong Woo; Iordachita, Iulian I.; Chien, Wade; Taylor, Russell H.; Niparko, John K.; Kang, Jin U.

2014-05-01

Cochlear implantation offers the potential to restore sensitive hearing in patients with severe to profound deafness. However, surgical placement of the electrode array within the cochlea can produce trauma to sensorineural components, particularly if the initial turn of the cochlea is not successfully navigated as the array is advanced. In this work, we present a robot-mounted common-path swept-source optical coherence tomography endoscopic platform for three-dimensional (3-D) optical coherence tomography (OCT) registration and preoperative surgical planning for cochlear implant surgery. The platform is composed of a common-path 600-μm diameter fiber optic rotary probe attached to a five degrees of freedom robot capable of 1 μm precision movement. The system is tested on a dry fixed ex vivo human temporal bone, and we demonstrate the feasibility of a 3-D OCT registration of the cochlea to accurately describe the spatial and angular profiles of the canal formed by the scala tympani into the first cochlear turn.

Noninvasive imaging of oral mucosae with optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Cheng-Yu; Chen, Wei-Chuan; Tsai, Meng-Tsan

2017-04-01

In this study, a swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is developed for in vivo visualization of structural and vascular morphology oral mucosa. For simplification of optical probe fabrication, probe weight, and system setup, the body of the scanning probe is fabricated by a 3D printer to fix the optical components and the mechanical scanning device, and a partially reflective slide is attached at the output end of probe to achieve a common-path configuration. Aside from providing the ability of 3D structural imaging with the developed system, 3D vascular images of oral mucosa can be simultaneously obtained. Then, different locations of oral mucosa are scanned with common-path OCT. The results show that epithelium and lamina propria layers as well as fungiform papilla can be identified and microvascular images can be acquired. With the proposed probe, the system cost and volume can be greatly reduced. Experimental results indicate that such common-path OCT system could be further implemented for oral cancer diagnosis.

Subtractive Structural Modification of Morpho Butterfly Wings.

PubMed

Shen, Qingchen; He, Jiaqing; Ni, Mengtian; Song, Chengyi; Zhou, Lingye; Hu, Hang; Zhang, Ruoxi; Luo, Zhen; Wang, Ge; Tao, Peng; Deng, Tao; Shang, Wen

2015-11-11

Different from studies of butterfly wings through additive modification, this work for the first time studies the property change of butterfly wings through subtractive modification using oxygen plasma etching. The controlled modification of butterfly wings through such subtractive process results in gradual change of the optical properties, and helps the further understanding of structural optimization through natural evolution. The brilliant color of Morpho butterfly wings is originated from the hierarchical nanostructure on the wing scales. Such nanoarchitecture has attracted a lot of research effort, including the study of its optical properties, its potential use in sensing and infrared imaging, and also the use of such structure as template for the fabrication of high-performance photocatalytic materials. The controlled subtractive processes provide a new path to modify such nanoarchitecture and its optical property. Distinct from previous studies on the optical property of the Morpho wing structure, this study provides additional experimental evidence for the origination of the optical property of the natural butterfly wing scales. The study also offers a facile approach to generate new 3D nanostructures using butterfly wings as the templates and may lead to simpler structure models for large-scale man-made structures than those offered by original butterfly wings. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Spatial dispersion in atom-surface quantum friction

DOE PAGES

Reiche, D.; Dalvit, D. A. R.; Busch, K.; ...

2017-04-15

We investigate the influence of spatial dispersion on atom-surface quantum friction. We show that for atom-surface separations shorter than the carrier's mean free path within the material, the frictional force can be several orders of magnitude larger than that predicted by local optics. In addition, when taking into account spatial dispersion effects, we show that the commonly used local thermal equilibrium approximation underestimates by approximately 95% the drag force, obtained by employing the recently reported nonequilibrium fluctuation-dissipation relation for quantum friction. Unlike the treatment based on local optics, spatial dispersion in conjunction with corrections to local thermal equilibrium change notmore » only the magnitude but also the distance scaling of quantum friction.« less

A common-path optical coherence tomography based electrode for structural imaging of nerves and recording of action potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Islam, M. Shahidul; Haque, Md. Rezuanul; Oh, Christian M.; Wang, Yan; Park, B. Hyle

2013-03-01

Current technologies for monitoring neural activity either use different variety of electrodes (electrical recording) or require contrast agents introduced exogenously or through genetic modification (optical imaging). Here we demonstrate an optical method for non-contact and contrast agent free detection of nerve activity using phase-resolved optical coherence tomography (pr-OCT). A common-path variation of the pr-OCT is recently implemented and the developed system demonstrated the capability to detect rapid transient structural changes that accompany neural spike propagation. No averaging over multiple trials was required, indicating its capability of single-shot detection of individual impulses from functionally stimulated Limulus optic nerve. The strength of this OCT-based optical electrode is that it is a contactless method and does not require any exogenous contrast agent. With further improvements in accuracy and sensitivity, this optical electrode will play a complementary role to the existing recording technologies in future.

Long range laser traversing system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caudill, L. O. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

The relative azimuth bearing between first and second spaced terrestrial points which may be obscured from each other by intervening terrain is measured by placing at one of the points a laser source for projecting a collimated beam upwardly in the vertical plane. The collimated laser beam is detected at the second point by positioning the optical axis of a receiving instrument for the laser beam in such a manner that the beam intercepts the optical axis. In response to the optical axis intercepting the beam, the beam is deflected into two different ray paths by a beam splitter having an apex located on the optical axis. The energy in the ray paths is detected by separate photoresponsive elements that drive logic networks for proving indications of: (1) the optical axis intercepting the beam; (2) the beam being on the left of the optical axis and (3) the beam being on the right side of the optical axis.

Influence of visual path information on human heading perception during rotation.

PubMed

Li, Li; Chen, Jing; Peng, Xiaozhe

2009-03-31

How does visual path information influence people's perception of their instantaneous direction of self-motion (heading)? We have previously shown that humans can perceive heading without direct access to visual path information. Here we vary two key parameters for estimating heading from optic flow, the field of view (FOV) and the depth range of environmental points, to investigate the conditions under which visual path information influences human heading perception. The display simulated an observer traveling on a circular path. Observers used a joystick to rotate their line of sight until deemed aligned with true heading. Four FOV sizes (110 x 94 degrees, 48 x 41 degrees, 16 x 14 degrees, 8 x 7 degrees) and depth ranges (6-50 m, 6-25 m, 6-12.5 m, 6-9 m) were tested. Consistent with our computational modeling results, heading bias increased with the reduction of FOV or depth range when the display provided a sequence of velocity fields but no direct path information. When the display provided path information, heading bias was not influenced as much by the reduction of FOV or depth range. We conclude that human heading and path perception involve separate visual processes. Path helps heading perception when the display does not contain enough optic-flow information for heading estimation during rotation.

Characterizing the propagation path in moderate to strong optical turbulence.

PubMed

Vetelino, Frida Strömqvist; Clare, Bradley; Corbett, Kerry; Young, Cynthia; Grant, Kenneth; Andrews, Larry

2006-05-20

In February 2005 a joint atmospheric propagation experiment was conducted between the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation and the University of Central Florida. A Gaussian beam was propagated along a horizontal 1500 m path near the ground. Scintillation was measured simultaneously at three receivers of diameters 1, 5, and 13 mm. Scintillation theory combined with a numerical scheme was used to infer the structure constant C2n, the inner scale l0, and the outer scale L0 from the optical measurements. At the same time, C2n measurements were taken by a commercial scintillometer, set up parallel to the optical path. The C2n values from the inferred scheme and the commercial scintillometer predict the same behavior, but the inferred scheme consistently gives slightly smaller C2n values.

Global Coordinates and Exact Aberration Calculations Applied to Physical Optics Modeling of Complex Optical Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawrence, G.; Barnard, C.; Viswanathan, V.

1986-11-01

Historically, wave optics computer codes have been paraxial in nature. Folded systems could be modeled by "unfolding" the optical system. Calculation of optical aberrations is, in general, left for the analyst to do with off-line codes. While such paraxial codes were adequate for the simpler systems being studied 10 years ago, current problems such as phased arrays, ring resonators, coupled resonators, and grazing incidence optics require a major advance in analytical capability. This paper describes extension of the physical optics codes GLAD and GLAD V to include a global coordinate system and exact ray aberration calculations. The global coordinate system allows components to be positioned and rotated arbitrarily. Exact aberrations are calculated for components in aligned or misaligned configurations by using ray tracing to compute optical path differences and diffraction propagation. Optical path lengths between components and beam rotations in complex mirror systems are calculated accurately so that coherent interactions in phased arrays and coupled devices may be treated correctly.

Detection, Evaluation, and Optimization of Optical Signals Generated by Fiber Optic Bragg Gratings Under Dynamic Excitations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adamovsky, Grigory; Lekki, John; Lock, James A.

2002-01-01

The dynamic response of a fiber optic Bragg grating to mechanical vibrations is examined both theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical expressions describing the consequences of changes in the grating's reflection spectrum are derived for partially coherent beams in an interferometer. The analysis is given in terms of the dominant wavelength, optical bandwidth, and optical path difference of the interfering signals. Changes in the reflection spectrum caused by a periodic stretching and compression of the grating were experimentally measured using an unbalanced Michelson interferometer, a Michelson interferometer with a non-zero optical path difference. The interferometer's sensitivity to changes in dominant wavelength of the interfering beams was measured as a function of interferometer unbalance and was compared to theoretical predictions. The theoretical analysis enables the user to determine the optimum performance for an unbalanced interferometer.

Optical characterization of murine model's in-vivo skin using Mueller matrix polarimetric imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mora-Núñez, Azael; Martinez-Ponce, Geminiano; Garcia-Torales, Guillermo

2015-12-01

Mueller matrix polarimetric imaging (MMPI) provides a complete characterization of an anisotropic optical medium. Subsequent single value decomposition allows image interpretation in terms of basic optical anisotropies, such as depolarization, diattenuation, and retardance. In this work, healthy in-vivo skin at different anatomical locations of a biological model (Rattus norvegicus) was imaged by the MMPI technique using 532nm coherent illumination. The body parts under study were back, abdomen, tail, and calvaria. Because skin components are randomly distributed and skin thickness depends on its location, polarization measures arise from the average over a single detection element (pixel) and on the number of free optical paths, respectively. Optical anisotropies over the imaged skin indicates, mainly, the presence of components related to the physiology of the explored region. In addition, a MMPI-based comparison between a tumor on the back of one test subject and proximal healthy skin was made. The results show that the single values of optical anisotropies can be helpful in distinguishing different areas of in-vivo skin and also lesions.

Cirrus cloud retrieval with MSG/SEVIRI using artificial neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strandgren, Johan; Bugliaro, Luca; Sehnke, Frank; Schröder, Leon

2017-09-01

Cirrus clouds play an important role in climate as they tend to warm the Earth-atmosphere system. Nevertheless their physical properties remain one of the largest sources of uncertainty in atmospheric research. To better understand the physical processes of cirrus clouds and their climate impact, enhanced satellite observations are necessary. In this paper we present a new algorithm, CiPS (Cirrus Properties from SEVIRI), that detects cirrus clouds and retrieves the corresponding cloud top height, ice optical thickness and ice water path using the SEVIRI imager aboard the geostationary Meteosat Second Generation satellites. CiPS utilises a set of artificial neural networks trained with SEVIRI thermal observations, CALIOP backscatter products, the ECMWF surface temperature and auxiliary data. CiPS detects 71 and 95 % of all cirrus clouds with an optical thickness of 0.1 and 1.0, respectively, that are retrieved by CALIOP. Among the cirrus-free pixels, CiPS classifies 96 % correctly. With respect to CALIOP, the cloud top height retrieved by CiPS has a mean absolute percentage error of 10 % or less for cirrus clouds with a top height greater than 8 km. For the ice optical thickness, CiPS has a mean absolute percentage error of 50 % or less for cirrus clouds with an optical thickness between 0.35 and 1.8 and of 100 % or less for cirrus clouds with an optical thickness down to 0.07 with respect to the optical thickness retrieved by CALIOP. The ice water path retrieved by CiPS shows a similar performance, with mean absolute percentage errors of 100 % or less for cirrus clouds with an ice water path down to 1.7 g m-2. Since the training reference data from CALIOP only include ice water path and optical thickness for comparably thin clouds, CiPS also retrieves an opacity flag, which tells us whether a retrieved cirrus is likely to be too thick for CiPS to accurately derive the ice water path and optical thickness. By retrieving CALIOP-like cirrus properties with the large spatial coverage and high temporal resolution of SEVIRI during both day and night, CiPS is a powerful tool for analysing the temporal evolution of cirrus clouds including their optical and physical properties. To demonstrate this, the life cycle of a thin cirrus cloud is analysed.

FIELD EVALUATION OF A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING GASEOUS FLUXES FROM AREA SOURCES USING OPEN-PATH FTIR

EPA Science Inventory

The paper gives preliminary results from a field evaluation of a new approach for quantifying gaseous fugitive emissions of area air pollution sources. The approach combines path-integrated concentration data acquired with any path-integrated optical remote sensing (PI-ORS) ...

FIELD EVALUATION OF A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING GASEOUS FLUXES FROM AREA SOURCES USING OPEN-PATH FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED

EPA Science Inventory

The paper describes preliminary results from a field experiment designed to evaluate a new approach to quantifying gaseous fugitive emissions from area air pollution sources. The new approach combines path-integrated concentration data acquired with any path-integrated optical re...

Remote atmospheric probing by ground to ground line of sight optical methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawrence, R. S.

1969-01-01

The optical effects arising from refractive-index variations in the clear air are qualitatively described, and the possibilities are discussed of using those effects for remotely sensing the physical properties of the atmosphere. The effects include scintillations, path length fluctuations, spreading of a laser beam, deflection of the beam, and depolarization. The physical properties that may be measured include the average temperature along the path, the vertical temperature gradient, and the distribution along the path of the strength of turbulence and the transverse wind velocity. Line-of-sight laser beam methods are clearly effective in measuring the average properties, but less effective in measuring distributions along the path. Fundamental limitations to the resolution are pointed out and experiments are recommended to investigate the practicality of the methods.

Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings (9th) Held in Austin, Texas on August 10-12 1998

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-08-01

both in-plane and out-of-plane, alter the path length of the light reflected from the region, immediately creating a pattern of optical interference ...fringes on the hologram. The interference fringe pattern can then be analyzed to determine the residual stresses that existed prior to the...of the final shape for each surface. In additive/subtractive SFF, geometry simplification due to decomposition avoids most of the tool interference

Optical Manipulation along Optical Axis with Polarization Sensitive Meta-lens.

PubMed

Markovich, Hen; Shishkin, Ivan; Hendler, Netta; Ginzburg, Pavel

2018-06-27

The ability to manipulate small objects with focused laser beams opens a broad spectrum of opportunities in fundamental and applied studies, where a precise control over mechanical path and stability is required. While conventional optical tweezers are based on bulky diffractive optical elements, developing compact integrable within a fluid cell trapping devices is highly demanded. Here, plasmonic polarization sensitive metasurface-based lens, embedded within a fluid, is demonstrated to provide several stable trapping centers along the optical axis. The position of a particle is controlled with the polarization of the incident light, interacting with plasmonic nanoscale patch antennas, organized within overlapping Fresnel zones of the lens. While standard diffractive optical elements face challenges to trap objects in lateral direction outside the depth of focus, bi-focal Fresnel meta-lens demonstrates the capability to manipulate a bead along 4 micrometers line. Additional fluorescent module, incorporated within the optical trapping setup, was implemented and enabled accurate mapping of optical potential via a particle tracking algorithm. Auxiliary micro- and nano- structures, integrated within fluidic devices, provide numerous opportunities to achieve flexible optomechanical manipulation, including, transport, trapping and sorting, which are highly demanded in lab-on-a-chip applications and many others.

Searching for Ultra-cool Objects at the Limits of Large-scale Surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinfield, D. J.; Patel, K.; Zhang, Z.; Gomes, J.; Burningham, B.; Day-Jones, A. C.; Jenkins, J.

2011-12-01

We have made a search (to Y=19.6) of the UKIDSS Large Area Survey (LAS DR7) for objects detected only in the Y-band. We have identified and removed contamination due to solar system objects, dust specs in the WFCAM optical path, persistence in the WFCAM detectors, and other sources of spurious single source Y-detections in the UKIDSS LAS data-base. In addition to our automated selection procedure we have visually inspected the ˜600 automatically selected candidates to provide an additional level of quality filtering. This has resulted in 55 good candidates that await follow-up observations to confirm their nature. Ultra-cool LAS Y-only objects would have blue Y-J colours combined with very red optical-NIR SEDs - characteristics shared by Jupiter, and suggested by an extrapolation of the Y-J colour trend seen for the latest T dwarfs currently known.

Remote Sensing of the Optical and Physical Densities of Smoke, Dust, and Water Clouds.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

systems to measure variability of aerosol concentration distributions along horizontal optical paths . Analysis of backscatter... extinction measurements using a single- laser lidar system operating at 1.06- and 0.53-pm wavelengths. For larger mean particle sizes the extinction ratio...clear air paths and The transmissometers were mounted across a 10-m complete blockage of the source energy. Transmisso- long aerosol tunnel that

Advances in stereomicroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schnitzler, H.; Zimmer, Klaus-Peter

2008-09-01

Similar to human's binocular vision, stereomicroscopes are comprised of two optical paths under a convergence angle providing a full perspective insight into the world's microstructure. The numerical aperture of stereomicroscopes has continuously increased over the years, reaching the point where the lenses of left and right perspective paths touched each other. This constraint appeared as an upper limit for the resolution of stereomicroscopes, as the resolution of a stereomicroscope was deduced from the numerical apertures of the two equally sized perspective channels. We present the optical design and advances in resolution of the world's first asymmetrical stereomicroscope, which is a technological breakthrough in many aspects of stereomicroscopes. This unique approach uses a large numerical aperture and thus an, so far, unachievable high lateral resolution in the one path, and a small aperture in the other path, which provides a high depth of field ("Fusion Optics"). This new concept is a technical challenge for the optical design of the zoom system as well as for the common main objectives. Furthermore, the new concept makes use of the particular way in which perspective information by binocular vision is formed in the human's brain. In conjunction with a research project at the University of Zurich, Leica Microsystems consolidated the functionality of this concept in to a new generation of stereomicroscopes.

Phase-Shifted Laser Feedback Interferometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ovryn, Benjie

1999-01-01

Phase-shifted, laser feedback interferometry is a new diagnostic tool developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center under the Advanced Technology Development (ATD) Program directed by NASA Headquarters Microgravity Research Division. It combines the principles of phase-shifting interferometry (PSI) and laser-feedback interferometry (LFI) to produce an instrument that can quantify both optical path length changes and sample reflectivity variations. In a homogenous medium, the optical path length between two points is the product of the index of refraction and the geometric distance between the two points. LFI differs from other forms of interferometry by using the laser as both the source and the phase detector. In LFI, coherent feedback of the incident light either reflected directly from a surface or reflected after transmission through a region of interest will modulate the output intensity of the laser. The combination of PSI and LFI has produced a robust instrument, based on a low-power helium-neon (HeNe) gas laser, with a high dynamic range that can be used to measure either static or oscillatory changes of the optical path length. Small changes in optical path length are limited by the fraction of a fringe that can be measured; we can measure nonoscillatory changes with a root mean square (rms) error of the wavelength/1000 without averaging.

Far off-resonance laser frequency stabilization using multipass cells in Faraday rotation spectroscopy.

PubMed

Quan, Wei; Li, Yang; Li, Rujie; Shang, Huining; Fang, Zishan; Qin, Jie; Wan, Shuangai

2016-04-01

We propose a far off-resonance laser frequency stabilization method by using multipass cells in Rb Faraday rotation spectroscopy. Based on the detuning equation, if multipass cells with several meters optical path length are used in the conventional Faraday spectroscopy, the detuning of the lock point can be extended much further from the alkali metal resonance. A plate beam splitter was used to generate two different Faraday signals at the same time. The transmitted optical path length was L=50  mm and the reflected optical path length was 2L=100  mm. When the optical path length doubled, the detuning of the lock points moved further away from the atomic resonance. The temperature dependence of the detuning of the lock point was also analyzed. A temperature-insensitive lock point was found near resonance when the cell temperature was between 110°C and 130°C. We achieved an rms fluctuation of 0.9 MHz/23 h at a detuning of 0.5 GHz. A frequency drift of 16 MHz/h at a detuning of -5.6  GHz and 4 MHz/h at a detuning of -5.2  GHz were also obtained for the transmitted and reflected light Faraday signal.

High-contrast fast Fourier transform acousto-optical tomography of phantom tissues with a frequency-chirp modulation of the ultrasound.

PubMed

Forget, Benoît-Claude; Ramaz, François; Atlan, Michaël; Selb, Juliette; Boccara, Albert-Claude

2003-03-01

We report new results on acousto-optical tomography in phantom tissues using a frequency chirp modulation and a CCD camera. This technique allows quick recording of three-dimensional images of the optical contrast with a two-dimensional scan of the ultrasound source in a plane perpendicular to the ultrasonic path. The entire optical contrast along the ultrasonic path is concurrently obtained from the capture of a film sequence at a rate of 200 Hz. This technique reduces the acquisition time, and it enhances the axial resolution and thus the contrast, which are usually poor owing to the large volume of interaction of the ultrasound perturbation.

Semi-monolithic cavity for external resonant frequency doubling and method of performing the same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hemmati, Hamid (Inventor)

1999-01-01

The fabrication of an optical cavity for use in a laser, in a frequency doubling external cavity, or any other type of nonlinear optical device, can be simplified by providing the nonlinear crystal in combination with a surrounding glass having an index of refraction substantially equal to that of the nonlinear crystal. The closed optical path in this cavity is formed in the surrounding glass and through the nonlinear crystal which lies in one of the optical segments of the light path. The light is transmitted through interfaces between the surrounding glass in the nonlinear crystal through interfaces which are formed at the Brewster-angle to minimize or eliminate reflection.

Quantum routing of single optical photons with a superconducting flux qubit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Keyu; Jelezko, Fedor; Twamley, Jason

2018-05-01

Interconnecting optical photons with superconducting circuits is a challenging problem but essential for building long-range superconducting quantum networks. We propose a hybrid quantum interface between the microwave and optical domains where the propagation of a single-photon pulse along a nanowaveguide is controlled in a coherent way by tuning the electromagnetically induced transparency window with the quantum state of a flux qubit mediated by the spin in a nanodiamond. The qubit can route a single-photon pulse using the nanodiamond into a quantum superposition of paths without the aid of an optical cavity—simplifying the setup. By preparing the flux qubit in a superposition state our cavityless scheme creates a hybrid state-path entanglement between a flying single optical photon and a static superconducting qubit.

Effective distance adaptation traffic dispatching in software defined IP over optical network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Zhiwei; Li, Hui; Liu, Yuze; Ji, Yuefeng; Li, Hongfa; Lin, Yi

2017-10-01

The rapid growth of IP traffic has contributed to the wide deployment of optical devices (ROADM/OXC, etc.). Meanwhile, with the emergence and application of high-performance network services such as ultra-high video transmission, people are increasingly becoming more and more particular about the quality of service (QoS) of network. However, the pass-band shape of WSSs which is utilized in the ROADM/OXC is not ideal, causing narrowing of spectrum. Spectral narrowing can lead to signal impairment. Therefore, guard-bands need to be inserted between adjacent paths. In order to minimize the bandwidth waste due to guard bands, we propose an effective distance-adaptation traffic dispatching algorithm in IP over optical network based on SDON architecture. We use virtualization technology to set up virtual resources direct links by extracting part of the resources on paths which meet certain specific constraints. We also assign different bandwidth to each IP request based on path length. There is no need for guard-bands between the adjacent paths on the virtual link, which can effectively reduce the number of guard-bands and save the spectrum.

A Random Walk into Optical Signal Processing and Integrated Optofluidics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baylor, Martha-Elizabeth

2013-04-01

As a young child, I knew that I wanted to be a paleontologist. My parents, both artists, did their best to encourage me in my quest to dig for dinosaurs. However, decisions during my late high school and early college years serendipitously shifted my path so that I ended up pursuing a career in applied physics. In particular, my career path has been centered in optics with an emphasis on holography and signal processing. This talk will discuss my research in the areas of opto-electronic blind source separation and holographic photopolymers as well as the non-linear path that has gotten me to this point.

NACA Flight-Path Angle and Air-Speed Recorder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coleman, Donald G

1926-01-01

A new trailing bomb-type instrument for photographically recording the flight-path angle and air speed of aircraft in unaccelerated flight is described. The instrument consists essentially of an inclinometer, air-speed meter and a film-drum case. The inclinometer carries an oil-damped pendulum which records optically the flight-path angle upon a rotating motor-driven film drum. The air-speed meter consists of a taut metal diaphragm of high natural frequency which is acted upon by the pressure difference of a Prandtl type Pitot-static tube. The inclinometer record and air-speed record are made optically on the same sensitive film. Two records taken by this instrument are shown.

Study on system for extracted type infrared gas analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Ruirui; Yao, Jun; Li, Wei; Li, Wenzhong; Zhang, Shaohua; Liu, Zhe; Wen, Qiang

2015-12-01

Based on the Beer-Lambert law and the characteristic IR absorption spectrum of CO, a system for extracted type infrared gas analysis has been designed and manufactured, which utilizes different absorptive degrees infrared light gain under different concentration degrees of the gas to be measured to the value of detect CO concentration, including optical path, electric circuit and gas path. A forward and backward gas detection chamber equipped with a micro flow sensor has been used in the optical path as well as a multistage high precision amplifier and filter circuit has been used in the electric circuit. The experimental results accord with the testing standard.

High-resolution laser spectroscopy of hot Cs and Rb vapor confined in a thin optical cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Todorov, P.; Krasteva, A.; Vartanyan, T.; Todorov, G.; Sarkisyan, D.; Cartaleva, S.

2018-03-01

We propose a novel use of an optical cell of micrometer thickness filled with Cs vapor in view of studying the collisions between two different alkali atoms of strongly different densities. We demonstrate narrow and good-contrast sub-Doppler resonances at the Rb D2 line for a mean-free-path of the Cs atoms comparable to the optical cell longitudinal dimension; the resonances are completely destroyed when the mean-free-path of the Cs atoms is more than two orders of magnitude shorter than the longitudinal dimension of the thin cell.

Multiple-wavelength tunable laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnes, Norman P. (Inventor); Walsh, Brian M. (Inventor); Reichle, Donald J. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

A tunable laser includes dispersion optics for separating generated laser pulses into first and second wavelength pulses directed along first and second optical paths. First and second reflective mirrors are disposed in the first and second optical paths, respectively. The laser's output mirror is partially reflective and partially transmissive with respect to the first wavelength and the second wavelength in accordance with provided criteria. A first resonator length is defined between the output mirror and the first mirror, while a second resonator length is defined between the output mirror and the second mirror. The second resonator length is a function of the first resonator length.

A multi-conjugate adaptive optics testbed using two MEMS deformable mirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrews, Jonathan R.; Martinez, Ty; Teare, Scott W.; Restaino, Sergio R.; Wilcox, Christopher C.; Santiago, Freddie; Payne, Don M.

2011-03-01

Adaptive optics (AO) systems are well demonstrated in the literature with both laboratory and real-world systems being developed. Some of these systems have employed MEMS deformable mirrors as their active corrective element. More recent work in AO for astronomical applications has focused on providing correction in more than one conjugate plane. Additionally, horizontal path AO systems are exploring correction in multiple conjugate planes. This provides challenges for a laboratory system as the aberrations need to be generated and corrected in more than one plane in the optical system. Our work with compact AO systems employing MEMS technology in addition to liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) driven aberration generators has been scaled up to a two conjugate plane testbed. Using two SLM based aberration generators and two separate wavefront sensors, the system can apply correction with two MEMS deformable mirrors. The challenges in such a system are to properly match non-identical components and weight the correction algorithm for correcting in two planes. This paper demonstrates preliminary results and analysis with this system with wavefront data and residual error measurements.

Optically Controlled Signal Amplification for DNA Computation.

PubMed

Prokup, Alexander; Hemphill, James; Liu, Qingyang; Deiters, Alexander

2015-10-16

The hybridization chain reaction (HCR) and fuel-catalyst cycles have been applied to address the problem of signal amplification in DNA-based computation circuits. While they function efficiently, these signal amplifiers cannot be switched ON or OFF quickly and noninvasively. To overcome these limitations, a light-activated initiator strand for the HCR, which enabled fast optical OFF → ON switching, was developed. Similarly, when a light-activated version of the catalyst strand or the inhibitor strand of a fuel-catalyst cycle was applied, the cycle could be optically switched from OFF → ON or ON → OFF, respectively. To move the capabilities of these devices beyond solution-based operations, the components were embedded in agarose gels. Irradiation with customizable light patterns and at different time points demonstrated both spatial and temporal control. The addition of a translator gate enabled a spatially activated signal to travel along a predefined path, akin to a chemical wire. Overall, the addition of small light-cleavable photocaging groups to DNA signal amplification circuits enabled conditional control as well as fast photocontrol of signal amplification.

Optical implementation of a parallel out-of-band controller for large broadband ATM switch applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cloonan, Thomas J.; Richards, Gaylord W.; Lentine, Anthony L.

1996-03-01

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is rapidly becoming the transport mechanism of choice for the information superhighway, because it promises the bandwidth and flexibility needed for many voice, video and data service offerings. Some industry experts project that the required sizes for ATM switching equipment in the public-switched environment will reach the Tbps range by the beginning of the next decade. This paper analyzes the problems associated with controlling the flow of packets within a broadband ATM switch of this size. The analysis is based on the requirements of the growable packet switch architecture. The paper proposes a novel solution to the problem of hunting paths within an ATM packet switch network. The resulting control scheme is unconventional in two ways. First, it uses an out-of-band control algorithm instead of the more common self-routing approach. In particular, we explore the benefits of using a parallel processor as an out-of-band controller for a growable packet switch distribution network. The processor permits additional levels of parallelism to be added to the out-of-band control function so that path hunts can be performed for all N of the input ports within a single cell interval. The proposed approach is also unconventional because it uses free-space digital optics to guide signals between successive stages of the controller. The paper describes the underlying motivations for implementing an optical out-of-band controller for an ATM switch, and it also describes the logic within a controller node that has been fabricated using a hybrid Si CMOS/GaAs SEED technology. The node uses optical detectors (in GaAs), amplifiers and digital control logic (in Si), and optical modulators (in GaAs). Free-space optical connections between successive device arrays can be provided using either bulk optical elements or micro-optics, but the optical interconnects must provide massive fanout capability. An architectural analysis studying the feasibility of applying free-space optics in this proposed ATM switch controller also is presented.

Cloud Optical Depths and Liquid Water Paths at the NSA CART

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doran, J C.; Barnard, James C.; Zhong, Shiyuan

2000-03-14

Cloud optical depths have been measured using multifilter rotating shadowband radiometers (MFRSRs) at Barrow and Atqasuk, and liquid water paths have been measured at Barrow using a microwave radiometer (MWR) during the warm season (June-September) in 1999. Comparisons have been made between these quantities and the corresponding ones determined from the ECMWF GCM. Hour-by-hour comparisons of cloud optical depths show considerable scatter. The scatter is reduced, but is still substantial, when the averaging period is increased to ''daily'' averages, i.e., the time period each day over which the MFRSR can make measurements. This period varied between 18 hours in Junemore » and 6 hours in September. Preliminary results indicate that, for measured cloud optical depths less than approximately 25, the ECMWF has a low bias in its predictions, consistent with a low bias in predicted liquid water path. Based on a more limited set of data, the optical depths at Atqasuk were found to be generally lower than those at Barrow, a trend at least qualitatively captured by the ECMWF model. Analyses to identify the cause of the biases and the considerable scatter in the predictions are continuing.« less

Quasi Path Restoration: A post-failure recovery scheme over pre-allocated backup resource for elastic optical networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Dharmendra Singh; Babu, Sarath; Manoj, B. S.

2018-03-01

Spectrum conflict during primary and backup routes assignment in elastic optical networks results in increased resource consumption as well as high Bandwidth Blocking Probability. In order to avoid such conflicts, we propose a new scheme, Quasi Path Restoration (QPR), where we divide the available spectrum into two: (1) primary spectrum (for primary routes allocation) and (2) backup spectrum (for rerouting the data on link failures). QPR exhibits three advantages over existing survivable strategies such as Shared Path Protection (SPP), Primary First Fit Backup Last Fit (PFFBLF), Jointly Releasing and re-establishment Defragmentation SPP (JRDSSPP), and Path Restoration (PR): (1) the conflict between primary and backup spectrum during route assignment is completely eliminated, (2) upon a link failure, connection recovery requires less backup resources compared to SPP, PFFBLF, and PR, and (3) availability of the same backup spectrum on each link improves the recovery guarantee. The performance of our scheme is analyzed with different primary backup spectrum partitions on varying connection-request demands and number of frequency slots. Our results show that QPR provides better connection recovery guarantee and Backup Resources Utilization (BRU) compared to bandwidth recovery of PR strategy. In addition, we compare QPR with Shared Path Protection and Primary First-Fit Backup Last Fit strategies in terms of Bandwidth Blocking Probability (BBP) and average frequency slots per connection request. Simulation results show that BBP of SPP, PFFBLF, and JRDSPP varies between 18.59% and 14.42%, while in QPR, BBP ranges from 2.55% to 17.76% for Cost239, NSFNET, and ARPANET topologies. Also, QPR provides bandwidth recovery between 93.61% and 100%, while in PR, the recovery ranges from 86.81% to 98.99%. It is evident from our analysis that QPR provides a reasonable trade-off between bandwidth blocking probability and connection recoverability.

Optical reset modulation in the SiO2/Cu conductive-bridge resistive memory stack

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawashima, T.; Zhou, Y.; Yew, K. S.; Ang, D. S.

2017-09-01

We show that the negative photoconductivity property of the nanoscale filamentary breakdown path in the SiO2 electrolyte of the SiO2/Cu conductive bridge resistive random access memory (CBRAM) stack is affected by the number of positive-voltage sweeps applied to the Cu electrode (with respect to a non-metal counter electrode). The path's photo-response to white light, of a given intensity, is suppressed with an increasing number of applied positive-voltage sweeps. When this occurs, the path may only be disrupted by the light of a higher intensity. It is further shown that the loss of the path's photosensitivity to the light of a given intensity can be recovered using a negative-voltage sweep (which eliminates the path), followed by the reformation of the path by a positive-voltage sweep. The above behavior is, however, not seen in the SiO2/Si stack (which involves a non-metal Si electrode), suggesting that the photo-response modulation effect is related to the Cu electrode. The demonstrated reversible electrical modulation of the path's photo-response may afford greater flexibility in the electro-optical control of the CBRAM device.

INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR MEASURING AMMONIA AND METHANE FLUXES FROM A HOG FARM USING OPEN-PATH FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

EPA Science Inventory

The paper describes a new approach to quantify emissions from area air pollution sources. The approach combines path-integrated concentration data acquired with any path-integrated optical remote sensing (PI-ORS) technique and computed tomography (CT) technique. In this study, an...

Computer aided manufacturing for complex freeform optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolfs, Franciscus; Fess, Ed; Johns, Dustin; LePage, Gabriel; Matthews, Greg

2017-10-01

Recently, the desire to use freeform optics has been increasing. Freeform optics can be used to expand the capabilities of optical systems and reduce the number of optics needed in an assembly. The traits that increase optical performance also present challenges in manufacturing. As tolerances on freeform optics become more stringent, it is necessary to continue to improve methods for how the grinding and polishing processes interact with metrology. To create these complex shapes, OptiPro has developed a computer aided manufacturing package called PROSurf. PROSurf generates tool paths required for grinding and polishing freeform optics with multiple axes of motion. It also uses metrology feedback for deterministic corrections. ProSurf handles 2 key aspects of the manufacturing process that most other CAM systems struggle with. The first is having the ability to support several input types (equations, CAD models, point clouds) and still be able to create a uniform high-density surface map useable for generating a smooth tool path. The second is to improve the accuracy of mapping a metrology file to the part surface. To perform this OptiPro is using 3D error maps instead of traditional 2D maps. The metrology error map drives the tool path adjustment applied during processing. For grinding, the error map adjusts the tool position to compensate for repeatable system error. For polishing, the error map drives the relative dwell times of the tool across the part surface. This paper will present the challenges associated with these issues and solutions that we have created.

A compact CCD-monitored atomic force microscope with optical vision and improved performances.

PubMed

Mingyue, Liu; Haijun, Zhang; Dongxian, Zhang

2013-09-01

A novel CCD-monitored atomic force microscope (AFM) with optical vision and improved performances has been developed. Compact optical paths are specifically devised for both tip-sample microscopic monitoring and cantilever's deflection detecting with minimized volume and optimal light-amplifying ratio. The ingeniously designed AFM probe with such optical paths enables quick and safe tip-sample approaching, convenient and effective tip-sample positioning, and high quality image scanning. An image stitching method is also developed to build a wider-range AFM image under monitoring. Experiments show that this AFM system can offer real-time optical vision for tip-sample monitoring with wide visual field and/or high lateral optical resolution by simply switching the objective; meanwhile, it has the elegant performances of nanometer resolution, high stability, and high scan speed. Furthermore, it is capable of conducting wider-range image measurement while keeping nanometer resolution. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Benefit of adaptive FEC in shared backup path protected elastic optical network.

PubMed

Guo, Hong; Dai, Hua; Wang, Chao; Li, Yongcheng; Bose, Sanjay K; Shen, Gangxiang

2015-07-27

We apply an adaptive forward error correction (FEC) allocation strategy to an Elastic Optical Network (EON) operated with shared backup path protection (SBPP). To maximize the protected network capacity that can be carried, an Integer Linear Programing (ILP) model and a spectrum window plane (SWP)-based heuristic algorithm are developed. Simulation results show that the FEC coding overhead required by the adaptive FEC scheme is significantly lower than that needed by a fixed FEC allocation strategy resulting in higher network capacity for the adaptive strategy. The adaptive FEC allocation strategy can also significantly outperform the fixed FEC allocation strategy both in terms of the spare capacity redundancy and the average FEC coding overhead needed per optical channel. The proposed heuristic algorithm is efficient and not only performs closer to the ILP model but also does much better than the shortest-path algorithm.

Direct view zoom scope with single focal plane and adaptable reticle

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bagwell, Brett

A direct view telescopic sight includes objective lens, eyepiece, and prism erector assemblies. The objective lens assembly is mounted to receive light of an image from an object direction and direct the light along an optical path. The eyepiece assembly is mounted to receive the light along the optical path and to emit the light of the image along an eye-ward direction. The prism erector assembly is positioned between the objective lens and eyepiece assemblies and includes first and second prism elements through which the optical path passes. The first and second prism elements invert the image. A reticle elementmore » is disposed on or adjacent to a surface of one of the first or second prism elements to combine a reticle on the image. The image is brought into focus at only a single focal plane between the objective lens and eyepiece assemblies at a given time.« less

Arbitrary unitary transformations on optical states using a quantum memory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Campbell, Geoff T.; Pinel, Olivier; Hosseini, Mahdi

2014-12-04

We show that optical memories arranged along an optical path can perform arbitrary unitary transformations on frequency domain optical states. The protocol offers favourable scaling and can be used with any quantum memory that uses an off-resonant Raman transition to reversibly transfer optical information to an atomic spin coherence.

Slant Path Low Visibility Atmospheric Conditions.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

situation. a) An optical propagation slant test path , of a length over which infrared transmissometer measurements can be made that are in a magnitude...transmission measure - ments which are close to 100% and therefore do not accurately relate to absolute transmissivity. A path which is too long will result in...is available for measurement of backscatter cross section along the chosen transmissometer path . 3. Rough Cross Cut of the Works unde Contract in

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Argo, P.E.; DeLapp, D.; Sutherland, C.D.

TRACKER is an extension of a three-dimensional Hamiltonian raytrace code developed some thirty years ago by R. Michael Jones. Subsequent modifications to this code, which is commonly called the {open_quotes}Jones Code,{close_quotes} were documented by Jones and Stephensen (1975). TRACKER incorporates an interactive user`s interface, modern differential equation integrators, graphical outputs, homing algorithms, and the Ionospheric Conductivity and Electron Density (ICED) ionosphere. TRACKER predicts the three-dimensional paths of radio waves through model ionospheres by numerically integrating Hamilton`s equations, which are a differential expression of Fermat`s principle of least time. By using continuous models, the Hamiltonian method avoids false caustics and discontinuousmore » raypath properties often encountered in other raytracing methods. In addition to computing the raypath, TRACKER also calculates the group path (or pulse travel time), the phase path, the geometrical (or {open_quotes}real{close_quotes}) pathlength, and the Doppler shift (if the time variation of the ionosphere is explicitly included). Computational speed can be traded for accuracy by specifying the maximum allowable integration error per step in the integration. Only geometrical optics are included in the main raytrace code; no partial reflections or diffraction effects are taken into account. In addition, TRACKER does not lend itself to statistical descriptions of propagation -- it requires a deterministic model of the ionosphere.« less

DeMi Payload Progress Update and Adaptive Optics (AO) Control Comparisons – Meeting Space AO Requirements on a CubeSat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grunwald, Warren; Holden, Bobby; Barnes, Derek; Allan, Gregory; Mehrle, Nicholas; Douglas, Ewan S.; Cahoy, Kerri

2018-01-01

The Deformable Mirror (DeMi) CubeSat mission utilizes an Adaptive Optics (AO) control loop to correct incoming wavefronts as a technology demonstration for space-based imaging missions, such as high contrast observations (Earthlike exoplanets) and steering light into core single mode fibers for amplification. While AO has been used extensively on ground based systems to correct for atmospheric aberrations, operating an AO system on-board a small satellite presents different challenges. The DeMi payload 140 actuator MEMS deformable mirror (DM) corrects the incoming wavefront in four different control modes: 1) internal observation with a Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor (SHWFS), 2) internal observation with an image plane sensor, 3) external observation with a SHWFS, and 4) external observation with an image plane sensor. All modes have wavefront aberration from two main sources, time-invariant launch disturbances that have changed the optical path from the expected path when calibrated in the lab and very low temporal frequency thermal variations as DeMi orbits the Earth. The external observation modes has additional error from: the pointing precision error from the attitude control system and reaction wheel jitter. Updates on DeMi’s mechanical, thermal, electrical, and mission design are also presented. The analysis from the DeMi payload simulations and testing provides information on the design options when developing space-based AO systems.

An optimization method of VON mapping for energy efficiency and routing in elastic optical networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Huanlin; Xiong, Cuilian; Chen, Yong; Li, Changping; Chen, Derun

2018-03-01

To improve resources utilization efficiency, network virtualization in elastic optical networks has been developed by sharing the same physical network for difference users and applications. In the process of virtual nodes mapping, longer paths between physical nodes will consume more spectrum resources and energy. To address the problem, we propose a virtual optical network mapping algorithm called genetic multi-objective optimize virtual optical network mapping algorithm (GM-OVONM-AL), which jointly optimizes the energy consumption and spectrum resources consumption in the process of virtual optical network mapping. Firstly, a vector function is proposed to balance the energy consumption and spectrum resources by optimizing population classification and crowding distance sorting. Then, an adaptive crossover operator based on hierarchical comparison is proposed to improve search ability and convergence speed. In addition, the principle of the survival of the fittest is introduced to select better individual according to the relationship of domination rank. Compared with the spectrum consecutiveness-opaque virtual optical network mapping-algorithm and baseline-opaque virtual optical network mapping algorithm, simulation results show the proposed GM-OVONM-AL can achieve the lowest bandwidth blocking probability and save the energy consumption.

Unsteady density and velocity measurements in the 6 foot x 6 foot wind tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rose, W. C.; Johnson, D. A.

1980-01-01

The methods used and the results obtained in four aero-optic tests are summarized. It is concluded that the rather large values of density fluctuation appear to be the result of much higher Mach number than freestream and the violent turbulence in the flow as it separates from the turret. A representative comparison of fairing on-fairing off rms density fluctuation indicates essentially no effect at M = 0.62 and a small effect at M = 0.95. These data indicate that some slight improvement in optical quality can be expected with the addition of a fairing, although at M = 0.62 its effect would be nil. Fairings are very useful in controlling pressure loads on turrets, but will not have first order effects on optical quality. Scale sizes increase dramatically with increasing azimuth angle for a reprensentative condition. Since both scale sizes and fluctuation levels increase (total turbulence path length also increases) with azimuth angle, substantial optical degradation might be expected. For shorter wave lengths, large degradations occur.

Observational artifacts of Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array: ghost rays and stray light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madsen, Kristin K.; Christensen, Finn E.; Craig, William W.; Forster, Karl W.; Grefenstette, Brian W.; Harrison, Fiona A.; Miyasaka, Hiromasa; Rana, Vikram

2017-10-01

The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) launched in June 2012, flies two conical approximation Wolter-I mirrors at the end of a 10.15-m mast. The optics are coated with multilayers of Pt/C and W/Si that operate from 3 to 80 keV. Since the optical path is not shrouded, aperture stops are used to limit the field of view (FoV) from background and sources outside the FoV. However, there is still a sliver of sky (˜1.0 deg to 4.0 deg) where photons may bypass the optics altogether and fall directly on the detector array. We term these photons stray light. Additionally, there are also photons that do not undergo the focused double reflections in the optics, and we term these ghost rays. We present detailed analysis and characterization of these two components and discuss how they impact observations. Finally, we discuss how they could have been prevented and should be in future observatories.

Ladder-structured photonic variable delay device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yao, X. Steve (Inventor)

1998-01-01

An ladder-structured variable delay device for providing variable true time delay to multiple optical beams simultaneously. The device comprises multiple basic units stacked on top of each other resembling a ladder. Each basic unit comprises a polarization sensitive corner reflector formed by two polarization beamsplitters and a polarization rotator array placed parallel to the hypotenuse of the corner reflector. Controlling an array element of the polarization rotator array causes an optical beam passing through the array element to either go up to a basic unit above it or reflect back towards output. The beams going higher on the ladder experience longer optical path delay. Finally, the ladder-structured variable device can be cascaded with another multi-channel delay device to form a new device which combines the advantages of the two individual devices. This programmable optic device has the properties of high packing density, low loss, easy fabrication, and virtually infinite bandwidth. In addition, the delay is reversible so that the same delay device can be used for both antenna transmitting and receiving.

A Dynamic Bayesian Observer Model Reveals Origins of Bias in Visual Path Integration.

PubMed

Lakshminarasimhan, Kaushik J; Petsalis, Marina; Park, Hyeshin; DeAngelis, Gregory C; Pitkow, Xaq; Angelaki, Dora E

2018-06-20

Path integration is a strategy by which animals track their position by integrating their self-motion velocity. To identify the computational origins of bias in visual path integration, we asked human subjects to navigate in a virtual environment using optic flow and found that they generally traveled beyond the goal location. Such a behavior could stem from leaky integration of unbiased self-motion velocity estimates or from a prior expectation favoring slower speeds that causes velocity underestimation. Testing both alternatives using a probabilistic framework that maximizes expected reward, we found that subjects' biases were better explained by a slow-speed prior than imperfect integration. When subjects integrate paths over long periods, this framework intriguingly predicts a distance-dependent bias reversal due to buildup of uncertainty, which we also confirmed experimentally. These results suggest that visual path integration in noisy environments is limited largely by biases in processing optic flow rather than by leaky integration. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Optoelectronic System Measures Distances to Multiple Targets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liebe, Carl Christian; Abramovici, Alexander; Bartman, Randall; Chapsky, Jacob; Schmalz, John; Coste, Keith; Litty, Edward; Lam, Raymond; Jerebets, Sergei

2007-01-01

An optoelectronic metrology apparatus now at the laboratory-prototype stage of development is intended to repeatedly determine distances of as much as several hundred meters, at submillimeter accuracy, to multiple targets in rapid succession. The underlying concept of optoelectronic apparatuses that can measure distances to targets is not new; such apparatuses are commonly used in general surveying and machining. However, until now such apparatuses have been, variously, constrained to (1) a single target or (2) multiple targets with a low update rate and a requirement for some a priori knowledge of target geometry. When fully developed, the present apparatus would enable measurement of distances to more than 50 targets at an update rate greater than 10 Hz, without a requirement for a priori knowledge of target geometry. The apparatus (see figure) includes a laser ranging unit (LRU) that includes an electronic camera (photo receiver), the field of view of which contains all relevant targets. Each target, mounted at a fiducial position on an object of interest, consists of a small lens at the output end of an optical fiber that extends from the object of interest back to the LRU. For each target and its optical fiber, there is a dedicated laser that is used to illuminate the target via the optical fiber. The targets are illuminated, one at a time, with laser light that is modulated at a frequency of 10.01 MHz. The modulated laser light is emitted by the target, from where it returns to the camera (photodetector), where it is detected. Both the outgoing and incoming 10.01-MHz laser signals are mixed with a 10-MHz local-oscillator to obtain beat notes at 10 kHz, and the difference between the phases of the beat notes is measured by a phase meter. This phase difference serves as a measure of the total length of the path traveled by light going out through the optical fiber and returning to the camera (photodetector) through free space. Because the portion of the path length inside the optical fiber is not ordinarily known and can change with temperature, it is also necessary to measure the phase difference associated with this portion and subtract it from the aforementioned overall phase difference to obtain the phase difference proportional to only the free-space path length, which is the distance that one seeks to measure. Therefore, the apparatus includes a photodiode and a circulator that enable measurement of the phase difference associated with propagation from the LRU inside the fiber to the target, reflection from the fiber end, and propagation back inside the fiber to the LRU. Because this phase difference represents twice the optical path length of the fiber, this phase difference is divided in two before subtraction from the aforementioned total-path-length phase difference. Radiation-induced changes in the photodetectors in this apparatus can affect the measurements. To enable calibration for the purpose of compensation for these changes, the apparatus includes an additional target at a known short distance, located inside the camera. If the measured distance to this target changes, then the change is applied to the other targets.

EUVL masks: paving the path for commercialization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mangat, Pawitter J. S.; Hector, Scott D.

2001-09-01

Optical projection lithography has been the principal vehicle of semiconductor manufacturing for more than 20 years and is marching aggressively to satisfy the needs of semiconductor manufacturers for 100nm devices. However, the complexity of optical lithography continues to increase as wavelength reduction continues to 157nm. Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL), with wavelength from 13-14 nm, is evolving as a leading next generation lithography option for semiconductor industry to stay on the path laid by Moore's Law. Masks are a critical part of the success of any technology and are considered to be high risk both for optical lithography and NGL technologies for sub-100nm lithography. Two key areas of EUV mask fabrication are reflective multilayer deposition and absorber patterning. In the case of reflective multilayers, delivering defect free multilayers for mask blanks is the biggest challenge. Defect mitigation is being explored as a possible option to smooth the multilayer defects in addition to optimization of the deposition process to reduce defect density. The mask patterning process needs focus on the defect-free absorber stack patterning process, mask cleaning, inspection and repair. In addition, there is considerable effort to understand by simulations, the defect printability, thermal and mechanical distortions, and non-telecentric illumination, to mention a few. To protect the finished mask from defects added during use, a removable pellicle strategy combined with thermophoretic protection during exposure is being developed. Recent migration to square form factor using low thermal expansion material (LTEM) is advantageous as historical developments in optical masks can be applied to EUV mask patterning. This paper addresses recent developments in the EUV mask patterning and highlights critical manufacturing process controls needed to fabricate defect-free full field masks with CD and image placement specifications for sub-70nm node lithography. No technology can be implemented without establishing the commercial infrastructure. The rising cost seems to be a major issue affecting the technology development. With respect to mask fabrication for commercial availability, a virtual mask shop analysis is presented that indicates that the process cost for EUVL masks are comparable to the high end optical mask with a reasonable yield. However, the cost for setting up a new mask facility is considerably high.

Piezoelectric Diffraction-Based Optical Switches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spremo, Stevan; Fuhr, Peter; Schipper, John

2003-01-01

Piezoelectric diffraction-based optoelectronic devices have been invented to satisfy requirements for switching signals quickly among alternative optical paths in optical communication networks. These devices are capable of operating with switching times as short as microseconds or even nanoseconds in some cases.

Linear Optical Quantum Metrology with Single Photons: Exploiting Spontaneously Generated Entanglement to Beat the Shot-Noise Limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Motes, Keith R.; Olson, Jonathan P.; Rabeaux, Evan J.; Dowling, Jonathan P.; Olson, S. Jay; Rohde, Peter P.

2015-05-01

Quantum number-path entanglement is a resource for supersensitive quantum metrology and in particular provides for sub-shot-noise or even Heisenberg-limited sensitivity. However, such number-path entanglement has been thought to be resource intensive to create in the first place—typically requiring either very strong nonlinearities, or nondeterministic preparation schemes with feedforward, which are difficult to implement. Very recently, arising from the study of quantum random walks with multiphoton walkers, as well as the study of the computational complexity of passive linear optical interferometers fed with single-photon inputs, it has been shown that such passive linear optical devices generate a superexponentially large amount of number-path entanglement. A logical question to ask is whether this entanglement may be exploited for quantum metrology. We answer that question here in the affirmative by showing that a simple, passive, linear-optical interferometer—fed with only uncorrelated, single-photon inputs, coupled with simple, single-mode, disjoint photodetection—is capable of significantly beating the shot-noise limit. Our result implies a pathway forward to practical quantum metrology with readily available technology.

Linear optical quantum metrology with single photons: exploiting spontaneously generated entanglement to beat the shot-noise limit.

PubMed

Motes, Keith R; Olson, Jonathan P; Rabeaux, Evan J; Dowling, Jonathan P; Olson, S Jay; Rohde, Peter P

2015-05-01

Quantum number-path entanglement is a resource for supersensitive quantum metrology and in particular provides for sub-shot-noise or even Heisenberg-limited sensitivity. However, such number-path entanglement has been thought to be resource intensive to create in the first place--typically requiring either very strong nonlinearities, or nondeterministic preparation schemes with feedforward, which are difficult to implement. Very recently, arising from the study of quantum random walks with multiphoton walkers, as well as the study of the computational complexity of passive linear optical interferometers fed with single-photon inputs, it has been shown that such passive linear optical devices generate a superexponentially large amount of number-path entanglement. A logical question to ask is whether this entanglement may be exploited for quantum metrology. We answer that question here in the affirmative by showing that a simple, passive, linear-optical interferometer--fed with only uncorrelated, single-photon inputs, coupled with simple, single-mode, disjoint photodetection--is capable of significantly beating the shot-noise limit. Our result implies a pathway forward to practical quantum metrology with readily available technology.

Chemical Sensors Based on Optical Ring Resonators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Homer, Margie; Manfreda, Allison; Mansour, Kamjou; Lin, Ying; Ksendzov, Alexander

2005-01-01

Chemical sensors based on optical ring resonators are undergoing development. A ring resonator according to this concept is a closed-circuit dielectric optical waveguide. The outermost layer of this waveguide, analogous to the optical cladding layer on an optical fiber, is a made of a polymer that (1) has an index of refraction lower than that of the waveguide core and (2) absorbs chemicals from the surrounding air. The index of refraction of the polymer changes with the concentration of absorbed chemical( s). The resonator is designed to operate with relatively strong evanescent-wave coupling between the outer polymer layer and the electromagnetic field propagating along the waveguide core. By virtue of this coupling, the chemically induced change in index of refraction of the polymer causes a measurable shift in the resonance peaks of the ring. In a prototype that has been used to demonstrate the feasibility of this sensor concept, the ring resonator is a dielectric optical waveguide laid out along a closed path resembling a racetrack (see Figure 1). The prototype was fabricated on a silicon substrate by use of standard techniques of thermal oxidation, chemical vapor deposition, photolithography, etching, and spin coating. The prototype resonator waveguide features an inner cladding of SiO2, a core of SixNy, and a chemical-sensing outer cladding of ethyl cellulose. In addition to the ring Chemical sensors based on optical ring resonators are undergoing development. A ring resonator according to this concept is a closed-circuit dielectric optical waveguide. The outermost layer of this waveguide, analogous to the optical cladding layer on an optical fiber, is a made of a polymer that (1) has an index of refraction lower than that of the waveguide core and (2) absorbs chemicals from the surrounding air. The index of refraction of the polymer changes with the concentration of absorbed chemical( s). The resonator is designed to operate with relatively strong evanescent-wave coupling between the outer polymer layer and the electromagnetic field propagating along the waveguide core. By virtue of this coupling, the chemically induced change in index of refraction of the polymer causes a measurable shift in the resonance peaks of the ring. In a prototype that has been used to demonstrate the feasibility of this sensor concept, the ring resonator is a dielectric optical waveguide laid out along a closed path resembling a racetrack (see Figure 1). The prototype was fabricated on a silicon substrate by use of standard techniques of thermal oxidation, chemical vapor deposition, photolithography, etching, and spin coating. The prototype resonator waveguide features an inner cladding of SiO2, a core of SixNy, and a chemical-sensing outer cladding of ethyl cellulose. In addition to the ring res

Three-dimensional crossbar interconnection using planar-integrated free-space optics and digital mirror-device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lohmann, U.; Jahns, J.; Limmer, S.; Fey, D.

2011-01-01

We consider the implementation of a dynamic crossbar interconnect using planar-integrated free-space optics (PIFSO) and a digital mirror-device™ (DMD). Because of the 3D nature of free-space optics, this approach is able to solve geometrical problems with crossings of the signal paths that occur in waveguide optical and electrical interconnection, especially for large number of connections. The DMD device allows one to route the signals dynamically. Due to the large number of individual mirror elements in the DMD, different optical path configurations are possible, thus offering the chance for optimizing the network configuration. The optimization is achieved by using an evolutionary algorithm for finding best values for a skewless parallel interconnection. Here, we present results and experimental examples for the use of the PIFSO/DMD-setup.

Integral image rendering procedure for aberration correction and size measurement.

PubMed

Sommer, Holger; Ihrig, Andreas; Ebenau, Melanie; Flühs, Dirk; Spaan, Bernhard; Eichmann, Marion

2014-05-20

The challenge in rendering integral images is to use as much information preserved by the light field as possible to reconstruct a captured scene in a three-dimensional way. We propose a rendering algorithm based on the projection of rays through a detailed simulation of the optical path, considering all the physical properties and locations of the optical elements. The rendered images contain information about the correct size of imaged objects without the need to calibrate the imaging device. Additionally, aberrations of the optical system may be corrected, depending on the setup of the integral imaging device. We show simulation data that illustrates the aberration correction ability and experimental data from our plenoptic camera, which illustrates the capability of our proposed algorithm to measure size and distance. We believe this rendering procedure will be useful in the future for three-dimensional ophthalmic imaging of the human retina.

Inherent polarization entanglement generated from a monolithic semiconductor chip

PubMed Central

Horn, Rolf T.; Kolenderski, Piotr; Kang, Dongpeng; Abolghasem, Payam; Scarcella, Carmelo; Frera, Adriano Della; Tosi, Alberto; Helt, Lukas G.; Zhukovsky, Sergei V.; Sipe, J. E.; Weihs, Gregor; Helmy, Amr S.; Jennewein, Thomas

2013-01-01

Creating miniature chip scale implementations of optical quantum information protocols is a dream for many in the quantum optics community. This is largely because of the promise of stability and scalability. Here we present a monolithically integratable chip architecture upon which is built a photonic device primitive called a Bragg reflection waveguide (BRW). Implemented in gallium arsenide, we show that, via the process of spontaneous parametric down conversion, the BRW is capable of directly producing polarization entangled photons without additional path difference compensation, spectral filtering or post-selection. After splitting the twin-photons immediately after they emerge from the chip, we perform a variety of correlation tests on the photon pairs and show non-classical behaviour in their polarization. Combined with the BRW's versatile architecture our results signify the BRW design as a serious contender on which to build large scale implementations of optical quantum processing devices. PMID:23896982

V-shaped resonators for addition of broad-area laser diode arrays

DOEpatents

Liu, Bo; Liu, Yun; Braiman, Yehuda Y.

2012-12-25

A system and method for addition of broad-area semiconductor laser diode arrays are described. The system can include an array of laser diodes, a V-shaped external cavity, and grating systems to provide feedback for phase-locking of the laser diode array. A V-shaped mirror used to couple the laser diode emissions along two optical paths can be a V-shaped prism mirror, a V-shaped stepped mirror or include multiple V-shaped micro-mirrors. The V-shaped external cavity can be a ring cavity. The system can include an external injection laser to further improve coherence and phase-locking.

Modeling and properties of an ion-exchanged optical variable attenuator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orignac, Xavier; Ingenhoff, Jan; Fabricius, Norbert

1999-03-01

The optical signal power needs to be regulated at some locations in transmission lines. That can be done with the help of optical variable attenuators (OVA), devices which allows for the control of their insertion loss. This work describes the design and properties of some OVAs fabricated by the ion-exchange technique. The OVA functionality relies on a Mach-Zehnder structure, where the output optical intensity is tuned via the change in optical path along one of the two interferometer arms. Here, the optical path is varied through thermo-optic effect (change of refractive index with temperature). Modelling is first addressed: a mostly qualitative theoretical investigation is used to clarify how the fabrication parameters (burial depth and Mach-Zehnder arm separation distance) can be related to the OVAs properties (attenuation dynamic, switching power, settling time, PDL). Properties of fabricated OVAs are presented in a second part. They are compared with other existing products. The relationship between fabrication parameters and properties is also re-examined in light of these results.

Note: A portable Raman analyzer for microfluidic chips based on a dichroic beam splitter for integration of imaging and signal collection light paths

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Geng, Yijia; Xu, Shuping; Xu, Weiqing, E-mail: xuwq@jlu.edu.cn

An integrated and portable Raman analyzer featuring an inverted probe fixed on a motor-driving adjustable optical module was designed for the combination of a microfluidic system. It possesses a micro-imaging function. The inverted configuration is advantageous to locate and focus microfluidic channels. Different from commercial micro-imaging Raman spectrometers using manual switchable light path, this analyzer adopts a dichroic beam splitter for both imaging and signal collection light paths, which avoids movable parts and improves the integration and stability of optics. Combined with surface-enhanced Raman scattering technique, this portable Raman micro-analyzer is promising as a powerful tool for microfluidic analytics.

Backscattering enhancement factor dependence of a Laguerre-Gaussian laser beam propagating on the location path in the atmosphere on optical turbulence intensity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rytchkov, D. S.

2017-11-01

The paper presents the results of a study of the backscattering enhancement factor (BSE) dependence of vortex LaguerreGaussian beams propagating on monostatic location paths in the atmosphere on optical turbulence intensity. The numeric simulation split-step method of laser beam propagation was used to obtain BSE factor values of a laser beam propagated on monostatic location path in the turbulent atmosphere and reflected from a diffuse target. It is shown that BSE factor of the averaged intensity of a backscattered vortex laser beam of any topological charge is less than BSE factor values of backscattered Gaussian beam in arbitrary turbulent conditions.

Observing Optical Plasmons on a Single Nanometer Scale

PubMed Central

Cohen, Moshik; Shavit, Reuven; Zalevsky, Zeev

2014-01-01

The exceptional capability of plasmonic structures to confine light into deep subwavelength volumes has fashioned rapid expansion of interest from both fundamental and applicative perspectives. Surface plasmon nanophotonics enables to investigate light - matter interaction in deep nanoscale and harness electromagnetic and quantum properties of materials, thus opening pathways for tremendous potential applications. However, imaging optical plasmonic waves on a single nanometer scale is yet a substantial challenge mainly due to size and energy considerations. Here, for the first time, we use Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) under optical illumination to image and characterize plasmonic modes. We experimentally demonstrate unprecedented spatial resolution and measurement sensitivity both on the order of a single nanometer. By comparing experimentally obtained images with theoretical calculation results, we show that KPFM maps may provide valuable information on the phase of the optical near field. Additionally, we propose a theoretical model for the relation between surface plasmons and the material workfunction measured by KPFM. Our findings provide the path for using KPFM for high resolution measurements of optical plasmons, prompting the scientific frontier towards quantum plasmonic imaging on submolecular scales. PMID:24556874

Absolute metrology for space interferometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salvadé, Yves; Courteville, Alain; Dändliker, René

2017-11-01

The crucial issue of space-based interferometers is the laser interferometric metrology systems to monitor with very high accuracy optical path differences. Although classical high-resolution laser interferometers using a single wavelength are well developed, this type of incremental interferometer has a severe drawback: any interruption of the interferometer signal results in the loss of the zero reference, which requires a new calibration, starting at zero optical path difference. We propose in this paper an absolute metrology system based on multiplewavelength interferometry.

[System design of open-path natural gas leakage detection based on Fresnel lens].

PubMed

Xia, Hui; Liu, Wen-Qing; Zhang, Yu-Jun; Kan, Rui-Feng; Cui, Yi-Ben; Wang, Min; He, Ying; Cui, Xiao-Juan; Ruan, Jun; Geng, Hui

2009-03-01

Based on the technology of tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) in conjunction with second harmonic wave detection, a long open-path TDLAS system using a 1.65 microm InGaAsP distributed feedback laser was developed, which is used for detecting pipeline leakage. In this system, a high cost performance Fresnel lens is used as the receiving optical system, which receives the laser-beam reflected by a solid corner cube reflector, and focuses the receiving laser-beam to the InGaAs detector. At the same time, the influences of the concentration to the fluctuation of light intensity were taken into account in the process of measurement, and were eliminated by the method of normalized light intensity. As a result, the measurement error caused by the fluctuation of light intensity was made less than 1%. The experiment of natural gas leakage detection was simulated, and the detection sensitivity is 0.1 x 10(-6) (ratio by volume) with a total path of 320 m. According to the receiving light efficiency of the optical system and the detectable minimum light intensity of the detector, the detectable maximal optical path of the system was counted to be 2 000 m. The results of experiment show that it is a feasible design to use the Fresnel lens as the receiving optical system and can satisfy the demand of the leakage detection of natural gas.

Visible light optical coherence microscopy imaging of the mouse cortex with femtoliter volume resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merkle, Conrad W.; Chong, Shau Poh; Kho, Aaron M.; Zhu, Jun; Kholiqov, Oybek; Dubra, Alfredo; Srinivasan, Vivek J.

2018-02-01

Most flying-spot Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) systems use a symmetric confocal geometry, where the detection path retraces the illumination path starting from and ending with the spatial mode of a single mode optical fiber. Here, we describe a visible light OCM instrument that breaks this symmetry to improve transverse resolution without sacrificing collection efficiency in scattering tissue. This was achieved by overfilling a 0.3 numerical aperture (NA) water immersion objective on the illumination path, while maintaining a conventional Gaussian mode detection path (1/e2 intensity diameter 0.82 Airy disks), enabling 1.1 μm full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) transverse resolution. At the same time, a 0.9 μm FWHM axial resolution in tissue, achieved by a broadband visible light source, enabled femtoliter volume resolution. We characterized this instrument according to paraxial coherent microscopy theory, and then used it to image the meningeal layers, intravascular red blood cell-free layer, and myelinated axons in the mouse neocortex in vivo through the thinned skull. Finally, by introducing a 0.8 NA water immersion objective, we improved the lateral resolution to 0.44 μm FWHM, which provided a volumetric resolution of 0.2 fL, revealing cell bodies in cortical layer I of the mouse brain with OCM for the first time.

Twin and habit plane microstructures due to the tetragonal to monoclinic transformation of zirconia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simha, N. K.

1997-02-01

We first construct Bain strains for the tetragonal to monoclinic ( t → m) transformation of zirconia (ZrO 2), and then examine the resulting twin and habit plane microstructures. The ( t → m) transformation in zirconia occurs via two paths; transformation along path I has two Bain strains that involve shearing of a rectangular face of the tetragonal unit cell, and shearing of the square base corresponds to path II. The monoclinic variants resulting from each of the three Bain strains can form 12 twins, and four of the twins corresponding to path II are neither of type I nor of type II. Habit planes do not exist for the transformation along path I, whereas transformation along path II has: (± 0.8139, ± 0.3898, - 0.4309) t, (± 0.6489, ± 0.6271, - 0.4309) t, (± 0.7804, ± 0.4530, - 0.4309) t. We predict the exact twin planes observed by Bailey [(1964) Phase transformation at high temperatures in hafnia and zirconia. Proc. Roy. Soc.279A, 395-412], Bansal and Heuer [(1972) On a martensitic phase transformation in Zirconia ZrO 2—I. Metallographic evidence. Acta Metall.20, 1281-1289] and Buljan et al. [(1976) Optical and X-ray single crystal studies of the monoclinic ↔ tetragonal transition in ZrO 2. J. Am. Ceram. Soc.59, 351-354]; additional twins and habit planes that we predict have not yet been observed.

Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) Update and the Path Towards Optical Relay Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Israel, David J.; Edwards, Bernard L.; Staren, John W.

2017-01-01

This paper provides a concept for an evolution of NASA's optical communications near Earth relay architecture. NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD), a joint project between NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology (JPL), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL). LCRD will provide a minimum of two years of high data rate optical communications service experiments in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), following launch in 2019. This paper will provide an update of the LCRD mission status and planned capabilities and experiments, followed by a discussion of the path from LCRD to operational network capabilities.

Common-path low-coherence interferometry fiber-optic sensor guided microincision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Kang; Kang, Jin U.

2011-09-01

We propose and demonstrate a common-path low-coherence interferometry (CP-LCI) fiber-optic sensor guided precise microincision. The method tracks the target surface and compensates the tool-to-surface relative motion with better than +/-5 μm resolution using a precision micromotor connected to the tool tip. A single-fiber distance probe integrated microdissector was used to perform an accurate 100 μm incision into the surface of an Intralipid phantom. The CP-LCI guided incision quality in terms of depth was evaluated afterwards using three-dimensional Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography imaging, which showed significant improvement of incision accuracy compared to free-hand-only operations.

High channel density wavelength division multiplexer with defined diffracting means positioning

DOEpatents

Jannson, Tomasz P.; Jannson, Joanna L.; Yeung, Peter C.

1990-01-01

A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer having optical path lengths between a fiber array and a Fourier transform lens, and between a dispersion grating and the lens equal to the focal length of the lens. The optical path lengths reduce losses due to angular acceptance mismatch in the multiplexer. Close orientation of the fiber array about the optical axis and the use of a holographic dispersion grating reduces other losses in the system. Multi-exposure holographic dispersion gratings enable the multiplexer/demultiplexer for extremely broad-band simultaneous transmission and reflection operation. Individual Bragg plane sets recorded in the grating are dedicated to and operate efficiently on discrete wavelength ranges.

Differential optical absorption spectrometer for measurement of tropospheric pollutants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evangelisti, F.; Baroncelli, A.; Bonasoni, P.; Giovanelli, G.; Ravegnani, F.

1995-05-01

Our institute has recently developed a differential optical absorption spectrometry system called the gas analyzer spectrometer correlating optical absorption differences (GASCOAD), which features as a detector a linear image sensor that uses an artificial light source for long-path tropospheric-pollution monitoring. The GASCOAD, its method of eliminating interference from background sky light, and subsequent spectral analysis are reported and discussed. The spectrometer was used from 7 to 22 February 1993 in Milan, a heavily polluted metropolitan area, to measure the concentrations of SO2, NO2, O3, and HNO2 averaged over a 1.7-km horizontal light path. The findings are reported and briefly discussed.

High temperature, minimally invasive optical sensing modules

DOEpatents

Riza, Nabeel Agha [Oviedo, FL; Perez, Frank [Tujunga, CA

2008-02-05

A remote temperature sensing system includes a light source selectively producing light at two different wavelengths and a sensor device having an optical path length that varies as a function of temperature. The sensor receives light emitted by the light source and redirects the light along the optical path length. The system also includes a detector receiving redirected light from the sensor device and generating respective signals indicative of respective intensities of received redirected light corresponding to respective wavelengths of light emitted by the light source. The system also includes a processor processing the signals generated by the detector to calculate a temperature of the device.

Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) Update and the Path Towards Optical Relay Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Israel, David J.; Edwards, Bernard L.; Staren, John W.

2017-01-01

This Presentation provides a concept for an evolution of NASAs optical communications near Earth relay architecture. NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD), a joint project between NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology (JPL), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL). LCRD will provide a minimum of two years of high data rate optical communications service experiments in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), following launch in 2019. This paper will provide an update of the LCRD mission status and planned capabilities and experiments, followed by a discussion of the path from LCRD to operational network capabilities.

Compact OXC architecture, design and prototype development for flexible waveband routing optical networks.

PubMed

Ishikawa, Tomohiro; Mori, Yojiro; Hasegawa, Hiroshi; Subramaniam, Suresh; Sato, Ken-Ichi; Moriwaki, Osamu

2017-07-10

A novel compact OXC node architecture that combines WSSs and arrays of small scale optical delivery-coupling type switches ("DCSWs") is proposed. Unlike conventional OXC nodes, the WSSs are only responsible for dynamic path bundling ("flexible waveband") while the small scale optical switches route bundled path groups. A network design algorithm that is aware of the routing scheme is also proposed, and numerical experiments elucidate that the necessary number of WSSs and amplifiers can be significantly reduced. A prototype of the proposed OXC is also developed using monolithic arrayed DCSWs. Transmission experiments on the prototype verify the proposal's technical feasibility.

Optics from Euclid to Huygens.

PubMed

Herzberger, M

1966-09-01

The salient contributions of writers on optics from Euclid to Newton and Huygens are outlined, with a workable bibliography, to encourage present-day workers to restudy the classical writings and to find ideas that lie outside the paths that orthodox optical science has taken.

Virtually assisted optical colonoscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marino, Joseph; Qiu, Feng; Kaufman, Arie

2008-03-01

We present a set of tools used to enhance the optical colonoscopy procedure in a novel manner with the aim of improving both the accuracy and efficiency of this procedure. In order to better present the colon information to the gastroenterologist performing a conventional (optical) colonoscopy, we undistort the radial distortion of the fisheye view of the colonoscope. The radial distortion is modeled with a function that converts the fisheye view to the perspective view, where the shape and size of polyps can be more readily observed. The conversion, accelerated on the graphics processing unit and running in real-time, calculates the corresponding position in the fisheye view of each pixel on the perspective image. We also merge our previous work in computer-aided polyp detection for virtual colonoscopy into the optical colonoscopy environment. The physical colonoscope path in the optical colonoscopy is approximated with the hugging corner shortest path, which is correlated with the centerline in the virtual colonoscopy. With the estimated distance that the colonoscope has been inserted, we are able to provide the gastroenterologist with visual cues along the observation path as to the location of possible polyps found by the detection process. In order to present the information to the gastroenterologist in a non-intrusive manner, we have developed a friendly user interface to enhance the optical colonoscopy without being cumbersome, distracting, or resulting in a more lackadaisical inspection by the gastroenterologist.

Measurement of thermo-optic properties of Y3Al5O12, Lu3Al5O12, YAIO3, LiYF4, LiLuF4, BaY2F8, KGd(WO4)2, and KY(WO4)2 laser crystals in the 80-300 K temperature range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, R. L.; Ripin, D. J.; Ochoa, J. R.; Fan, T. Y.

2005-11-01

Thermo-optic materials properties of laser host materials have been measured to enable solid-state laser performance modeling. The thermo-optic properties include thermal diffusivity (β), specific heat at constant pressure (Cp), thermal conductivity (κ), coefficient of thermal expansion (α), thermal coefficient of the optical path length (γ) equal to (dO/dT)/L, and thermal coefficient of refractive index (dn/dT) at 1064nm; O denotes the optical path length, which is equal to the product of the refractive index (n) and sample length (L). Thermal diffusivity and specific heat were measured using laser-flash method. Thermal conductivity was deduced using measured values of β, Cp, and the density (ρ ). Thermal expansion was measured using a Michelson laser interferometer. Thermal coefficient of the optical path length was measured at 1064nm, using interference between light reflected from the front and rear facets of the sample. Thermal coefficient of the refractive index was determined, using the measured values of γ, α, and n. β and κ of Y3Al5O12, YAIO3, and LiYF4 were found to decrease, as expected, upon doping with Yb.

Optical fiber network sensor system for monitoring methane concentration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhi-wei; Zhang, Ji-long

2011-08-01

With regard to the high accuracy optic-fiber sensor for monitoring methane concentration, the choice of light source depends on methane peak values. Besides, the environment of mine should be considered, that is to say other gas should be considered, such as vapor, CO and CO2 etc, without absorbent spectrum in the decided wavelength. It has been reported that vapor, CO and CO2 have no obvious absorption in 0.85μm, 1.3μm and 1.66μm area, CH4 has no obvious absorption in 0.85μm area. So diode laser with 1.3μm or 1.66μm peak wavelength is chosen as the optic-fiber sensor's light source for detecting methane concentration. On the basis of the principle of optic absorption varied with methane concentration at its characteristic absorbent wavelength, the advantage of optic-fiber sensor technology and the circumstance characteristic of the coal mine. An optic-fiber sensor system is presented for monitoring methane concentration. Space Division Multiple Access Technology (SDMAT) and long optical path absorbent pool technology are combined in the study. Considering the circumstance characteristic of the coal mine, the optic-fiber network sensors for detecting methane concentration from mix gas of vapor, CO, CH4 and CO2 are used. It introduces the principle of an optic-fiber sensor system for monitoring methane concentration in coal mine. It contains the structure block diagram of monitoring system, the system is mainly made up of diode laser for monitoring methane concentration, Y-shaped photo-coupler with coupled rate 50:50, optical switch 1×2, gas absorbent cell, the computer data process and control system and photoelectric transformer. In this study, in order to decrease to the influence of the dark-current of photodiode, intensity in light sources and temperature drifts of processing circuit on the system accuracy in measurement, a beam of light is broken down into two beams in the coupler of Y-shaped coupler, the one acts as the reference optical path, the other is known as the sensing optical path. The experimental result shows that diode laser with 1654.141nm in wavelength is taken as the optic source for detecting methane concentration, the detective limit of the sensor is below 4.274mg/m3 when the optical path of absorbent pool is 20 centimeters, and the prevision and stability could satisfy practical application. The whole instrument can also reach on-line measurement with multiple points on different spot.

The optical-mechanical design of DMD modulation imaging device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tianting; Xu, Xiping; Qiao, Yang; Li, Lei; Pan, Yue

2014-09-01

In order to avoid the phenomenon of some image information were lost, which is due to the jamming signals, such as incident laser, make the pixels dot on CCD saturated. In this article a device of optical-mechanical structure was designed, which utilized the DMD (Digital Micro mirror Device) to modulate the image. The DMD reflection imaging optical system adopts the telecentric light path. However, because the design is not only required to guarantee a 66° angle between the optical axis of the relay optics and the DMD, but also to ensure that the optical axis of the projection system keeps parallel with the perpendicular bisector of the micro-mirror which is in the "flat" state, so the TIR prism is introduced，and making the relay optics and the DMD satisfy the optical institution's requirements. In this paper, a mechanical structure of the imaging optical system was designed and at the meanwhile the lens assembly has been well connected and fixed and fine-tuned by detailed structural design, which included the tilt decentered lens, wedge flanges, prisms. By optimizing the design, the issues of mutual restraint between the inverting optical system and the projecting system were well resolved, and prevented the blocking of the two systems. In addition, the structure size of the whole DMD reflection imaging optical system was minimized; it reduced the energy loss and ensured the image quality.

Motion detection, novelty filtering, and target tracking using an interferometric technique with GaAs phase conjugate mirror

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheng, Li-Jen (Inventor); Liu, Tsuen-Hsi (Inventor)

1991-01-01

A method and apparatus for detecting and tracking moving objects in a noise environment cluttered with fast- and slow-moving objects and other time-varying background. A pair of phase conjugate light beams carrying the same spatial information commonly cancel each other out through an image subtraction process in a phase conjugate interferometer, wherein gratings are formed in a fast photorefractive phase conjugate mirror material. In the steady state, there is no output. When the optical path of one of the two phase conjugate beams is suddenly changed, the return beam loses its phase conjugate nature and the interferometer is out of balance, resulting in an observable output. The observable output lasts until the phase conjugate nature of the beam has recovered. The observable time of the output signal is roughly equal to the formation time of the grating. If the optical path changing time is slower than the formation time, the change of optical path becomes unobservable, because the index grating can follow the change. Thus, objects traveling at speeds which result in a path changing time which is slower than the formation time are not observable and do not clutter the output image view.

Efficient use of strong light for high photosynthetic productivity: interrelationships between the optical path, the optimal population density and cell-growth inhibition.

PubMed

Richmond, Amos; Cheng-Wu, Zhang; Zarmi, Yair

2003-07-01

The interrelationships between the optical path in flat plate reactors and photosynthetic productivity were elucidated. In preliminary works, a great surge in photosynthetic productivity was attained in flat plate photoreactors with an ultra short (e.g. 1.0 cm) optical path, in which extremely high culture density was facilitated by vigorous stirring and strong light. This surge in net photosynthetic efficiency was associated with a very significant increase in the optimal population density facilitated by the very short optical path (OP). A salient feature of these findings concerns the necessity to address growth inhibition (GI) which becomes increasingly manifested as cell concentration rises above a certain, species-specific, threshold (e.g. 1-2 billion cells of Nannochloropsis sp. ml(-1)). Indeed, ultrahigh cell density cultures may be established and sustained only if growth inhibition is continuously, or at least frequently, removed. Nannochloropsis culture from which GI was not removed, yielded 60 mg(-1) h(-1), yielding 260 mg l(-1) h(-1) when GI was removed. Two basic factors crucial for obtaining maximal photosynthetic productivity and efficiency in strong photon irradiance are defined: (1) areal cell density must be optimal, as high as possible (cell growth inhibition having been eliminated), insuring the average photon irradiance (I(av)) available per cell is falling at the end of the linear phase of the PI(av) curve, relating rate of photosynthesis to I(av), i.e. approximately photon irradiance per cell. (2) The light-dark (L-D) cycle period, which is determined by travel time of cells between the dark and the light volumes along the optical path, should be made as short as practically feasible, so as to approach, as much as possible the photosynthetic unit turnover time. This is obtainable in flat plate reactors by reducing the OP to as small a magnitude as is practically feasible.

Optically reconfigurable patterning for control of the propagation characteristics of a planar waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y.; Klittnick, A.; Clark, N. A.; Keller, P.

2008-10-01

We demonstrate an easily fabricated all-optical and freely reconfigurable method of controlling the propagating characteristics of the optic path within a planar waveguide with low insertion losses by employing the optical patterning of the refractive index of an erasable and rewriteable photosensitive liquid crystal polymer cladding layer.

A Classroom Demonstration of Rayleigh Light Scattering in Optically Active and Inactive Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pecina, Monica Avalos; Smith, Charles A.

1999-01-01

Argues that the concept of optical activity is vague to students because it is difficult for instructors to demonstrate the phenomenon in the classroom. Presents a demonstration that allows students to observe and manipulate the optical path of polarized light through optically inactive and active solutions. (CCM)

Optical Interconnections for VLSI Computational Systems Using Computer-Generated Holography.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feldman, Michael Robert

Optical interconnects for VLSI computational systems using computer generated holograms are evaluated in theory and experiment. It is shown that by replacing particular electronic connections with free-space optical communication paths, connection of devices on a single chip or wafer and between chips or modules can be improved. Optical and electrical interconnects are compared in terms of power dissipation, communication bandwidth, and connection density. Conditions are determined for which optical interconnects are advantageous. Based on this analysis, it is shown that by applying computer generated holographic optical interconnects to wafer scale fine grain parallel processing systems, dramatic increases in system performance can be expected. Some new interconnection networks, designed to take full advantage of optical interconnect technology, have been developed. Experimental Computer Generated Holograms (CGH's) have been designed, fabricated and subsequently tested in prototype optical interconnected computational systems. Several new CGH encoding methods have been developed to provide efficient high performance CGH's. One CGH was used to decrease the access time of a 1 kilobit CMOS RAM chip. Another was produced to implement the inter-processor communication paths in a shared memory SIMD parallel processor array.

Polarization Considerations for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waluschka, Eugene; Pedersen, Tracy R.; McNamara, Paul

2005-01-01

A polarization ray trace model of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna s (LISA) optical path is being created. The model will be able to assess the effects of various polarizing elements and the optical coatings on the required, very long path length, picometer level dynamic interferometry. The computational steps are described. This should eliminate any ambiguities associated with polarization ray tracing of interferometers and provide a basis for determining the computer model s limitations and serve as a clearly defined starting point for future work.

Experimental cancellation of aberrations in intensity correlation in classical optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jesus-Silva, A. J.; Silva, Juarez G.; Monken, C. H.; Fonseca, E. J. S.

2018-01-01

We study the classical correlation function of spatially incoherent beams with a phase aberration in the beam path. On the basis of our experimental measurements and in the optical coherence theory, we show that the effects of phase disturbances, independently of their kind and without need of coordinate inversion, can be canceled out if the same phase is aligned in the signal and reference beam path. These results can be useful for imaging and microscopy through random media.

Discharge source with gas curtain for protecting optics from particles

DOEpatents

Fornaciari, Neal R.; Kanouff, Michael P.

2004-03-30

A gas curtain device is employed to deflect debris that is generated by an extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray radiation discharge source such as an electric discharge plasma source. The gas curtain device projects a stream of gas over the path of the radiation to deflect debris particles into a direction that is different from that of the path of the radiation. The gas curtain can be employed to prevent debris accumulation on the optics used in photolithography.

The design of common aperture and multi-band optical system based on day light telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jiao; Wang, Ling; Zhang, Bo; Teng, Guoqi; Wang, Meng

2017-02-01

As the development of electro-optical weapon system, the technique of common path and multi-sensor are used popular, and becoming a trend. According to the requirement of miniaturization and lightweight for electro-optical stabilized sighting system, a day light telescope/television viewing-aim system/ laser ranger has been designed in this thesis, which has common aperture. Thus integration scheme of multi-band and common aperture has been adopted. A day light telescope has been presented, which magnification is 8, field of view is 6°, and distance of exit pupil is more than 20mm. For 1/3" CCD, television viewing-aim system which has 156mm focal length, has been completed. In addition, laser ranging system has been designed, with 10km raging distance. This paper outlines its principle which used day light telescope as optical reference of correcting the optical axis. Besides, by means of shared objective, reserved image with inverting prism and coating beam-splitting film on the inclined plane of the cube prism, the system has been applied to electro-optical weapon system, with high-resolution of imaging and high-precision ranging.

Focal plane based wavefront sensing with random DM probes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pluzhnik, Eugene; Sirbu, Dan; Belikov, Ruslan; Bendek, Eduardo; Dudinov, Vladimir N.

2017-09-01

An internal coronagraph with an adaptive optical system for wavefront control is being considered for direct imaging of exoplanets with upcoming space missions and concepts, including WFIRST, HabEx, LUVOIR, EXCEDE and ACESat. The main technical challenge associated with direct imaging of exoplanets is to control of both diffracted and scattered light from the star so that even a dim planetary companion can be imaged. For a deformable mirror (DM) to create a dark hole with 10-10 contrast in the image plane, wavefront errors must be accurately measured on the science focal plane detector to ensure a common optical path. We present here a method that uses a set of random phase probes applied to the DM to obtain a high accuracy wavefront estimate even for a dynamically changing optical system. The presented numerical simulations and experimental results show low noise sensitivity, high reliability, and robustness of the proposed approach. The method does not use any additional optics or complex calibration procedures and can be used during the calibration stage of any direct imaging mission. It can also be used in any optical experiment that uses a DM as an active optical element in the layout.

Measuring phonon mean free path distributions by probing quasiballistic phonon transport in grating nanostructures

DOE PAGES

Zeng, Lingping; Collins, Kimberlee C.; Hu, Yongjie; ...

2015-11-27

Heat conduction in semiconductors and dielectrics depends upon their phonon mean free paths that describe the average travelling distance between two consecutive phonon scattering events. Nondiffusive phonon transport is being exploited to extract phonon mean free path distributions. Here, we describe an implementation of a nanoscale thermal conductivity spectroscopy technique that allows for the study of mean free path distributions in optically absorbing materials with relatively simple fabrication and a straightforward analysis scheme. We pattern 1D metallic grating of various line widths but fixed gap size on sample surfaces. The metal lines serve as both heaters and thermometers in time-domainmore » thermoreflectance measurements and simultaneously act as wiregrid polarizers that protect the underlying substrate from direct optical excitation and heating. We demonstrate the viability of this technique by studying length-dependent thermal conductivities of silicon at various temperatures. The thermal conductivities measured with different metal line widths are analyzed using suppression functions calculated from the Boltzmann transport equation to extract the phonon mean free path distributions with no calibration required. Furthermore, this table-top ultrafast thermal transport spectroscopy technique enables the study of mean free path spectra in a wide range of technologically important materials.« less

Calculation and plotting of retinal nerve fiber paths based on Jansonius et al. 2009/2012 with an R program.

PubMed

Bach, M; Hoffmann, M B

2018-06-01

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "Retinal conduction speed analysis reveals different origins of the P50 and N95 components of the (multifocal) pattern electroretinogram" (Bach et al., 2018) [1]. That analysis required the individual length data of the retinal nerve fibers (from ganglion cell body to optic nerve head, depending on the position of the ganglion cell body). Jansonius et al. (2009, 2012) [2,3] mathematically modeled the path morphology of the human retinal nerve fibers. We here present a working implementation with source code (for the free and open-source programming environment "R") of the Jansonius' formulas, including all errata. One file defines Jansonius et al.'s "phi" function. This function allows quantitative modelling of paths (and any measures derived from them) of the retinal nerve fibers. As a working demonstration, a second file contains a graph which plots samples of nerve fibers. The included R code runs in base R without the need of any additional packages.

Improved Electro-Optical Switches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nelson, Bruce N.; Cooper, Ronald F.

1994-01-01

Improved single-pole, double-throw electro-optical switches operate in switching times less than microsecond developed for applications as optical communication systems and networks of optical sensors. Contain no moving parts. In comparison with some prior electro-optical switches, these are simpler and operate with smaller optical losses. Beam of light switched from one output path to other by applying, to electro-optical crystal, voltage causing polarization of beam of light to change from vertical to horizontal.

Huygens-Feynman-Fresnel principle as the basis of applied optics.

PubMed

Gitin, Andrey V

2013-11-01

The main relationships of wave optics are derived from a combination of the Huygens-Fresnel principle and the Feynman integral over all paths. The stationary-phase approximation of the wave relations gives the correspondent relations from the point of view of geometrical optics.

Optical sensor of magnetic fields

DOEpatents

Butler, M.A.; Martin, S.J.

1986-03-25

An optical magnetic field strength sensor for measuring the field strength of a magnetic field comprising a dilute magnetic semi-conductor probe having first and second ends, longitudinally positioned in the magnetic field for providing Faraday polarization rotation of light passing therethrough relative to the strength of the magnetic field. Light provided by a remote light source is propagated through an optical fiber coupler and a single optical fiber strand between the probe and the light source for providing a light path therebetween. A polarizer and an apparatus for rotating the polarization of the light is provided in the light path and a reflector is carried by the second end of the probe for reflecting the light back through the probe and thence through the polarizer to the optical coupler. A photo detector apparatus is operably connected to the optical coupler for detecting and measuring the intensity of the reflected light and comparing same to the light source intensity whereby the magnetic field strength may be calculated.

Method and system for modulation of gain suppression in high average power laser systems

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andrew James [Manteca, CA

2012-07-31

A high average power laser system with modulated gain suppression includes an input aperture associated with a first laser beam extraction path and an output aperture associated with the first laser beam extraction path. The system also includes a pinhole creation laser having an optical output directed along a pinhole creation path and an absorbing material positioned along both the first laser beam extraction path and the pinhole creation path. The system further includes a mechanism operable to translate the absorbing material in a direction crossing the first laser beam extraction laser path and a controller operable to modulate the second laser beam.

Optimization of confocal laser induced fluorescence for long focal length applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jemiolo, Andrew J.; Henriquez, Miguel F.; Thompson, Derek S.; Scime, Earl E.

2017-10-01

Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) is a non-perturbative diagnostic for measuring ion and neutral particle velocities and temperatures in a plasma. The conventional method for single-photon LIF requires intersecting optical paths for light injection and collection. The multiple vacuum windows needed for such measurements are unavailable in many plasma experiments. Confocal LIF eliminates the need for perpendicular intersecting optical paths by using concentric injection and collection paths through a single window. One of the main challenges with using confocal LIF is achieving high resolution measurements at the longer focal lengths needed for many plasma experiments. We present confocal LIF measurements in HELIX, a helicon plasma experiment at West Virginia University, demonstrating spatial resolution dependence on focal length and spatial filtering. By combining aberration mitigating optics with spatial filtering, our results show high resolution measurements at focal lengths of 0.5 m, long enough to access the interiors of many laboratory plasma experiments. This work was supported by U.S. National Science Foundation Grant No. PHY-1360278.

Measurement of refractive index of photopolymer for holographic gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Eriko; Mizuno, Jun; Fujikawa, Chiemi; Kodate, Kashiko

2007-02-01

We have made attempts to measure directly the small-scale variation of optical path lengths in photopolymer samples. For those with uniform thickness, the measured quantity is supposed to be proportional to the refractive index of the photopolymer. The system is based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer using phase-locking technique and measures the change in optical path length during the sample is scanned across the optical axis. The spatial resolution is estimated to be 2μm, which is limited by the sample thickness. The path length resolution is estimated to be 6nm, which corresponds to the change in refractive index less than 10 -3 for the sample of 10μm thick. The measurement results showed clearly that the refractive index of photopolymer is not simply proportional to the exposure energy, contrary to the conventional photosensitive materials such as silver halide emulsion and dichromated gelatine. They also revealed the refractive index fluctuation in uniformly exposed photopolymer sample, which explains the milky appearance that sometimes observed in thick samples.

Secondary and compound concentrators for parabolic dish solar thermal power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaffe, L. D.; Poon, P. T.

1981-01-01

A secondary optical element may be added to a parabolic dish solar concentrator to increase the geometric concentration ratio attainable at a given intercept factor. This secondary may be a Fresnel lens or a mirror, such as a compound elliptic concentrator or a hyperbolic trumpet. At a fixed intercept factor, higher overall geometric concentration may be obtainable with a long focal length primary and a suitable secondary matched to it. Use of a secondary to increase the geometric concentration ratio is more likely to e worthwhile if the receiver temperature is high and if errors in the primary are large. Folding the optical path with a secondary may reduce cost by locating the receiver and power conversion equipment closer to the ground and by eliminating the heavy structure needed to support this equipment at the primary focus. Promising folded-path configurations include the Ritchey-Chretien and perhaps some three element geometries. Folding the optical path may be most useful in systems that provide process heat.

Chinese vinegar classification via volatiles using long-optical-path infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics.

PubMed

Dong, D; Zheng, W; Jiao, L; Lang, Y; Zhao, X

2016-03-01

Different brands of Chinese vinegar are similar in appearance, color and aroma, making their discrimination difficult. The compositions and concentrations of the volatiles released from different vinegars vary by raw material and brewing process and thus offer a means to discriminate vinegars. In this study, we enhanced the detection sensitivity of the infrared spectrometer by extending its optical path. We measured the infrared spectra of the volatiles from 5 brands of Chinese vinegar and observed the spectral characteristics corresponding to alcohols, esters, acids, furfural, etc. Different brands of Chinese vinegar had obviously different infrared spectra and could be classified through chemometrics analysis. Furthermore, we established classification models and demonstrated their effectiveness for classifying different brands of vinegar. This study demonstrates that long-optical-path infrared spectroscopy has the ability to discriminate Chinese vinegars with the advantages that it is fast and non-destructive and eliminates the need for sampling. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous data communication and position sensing with an impact ionization engineered avalanche photodiode array for free space optical communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferraro, Mike S.; Mahon, Rita; Rabinovich, William S.; Murphy, James L.; Dexter, James L.; Clark, William R.; Waters, William D.; Vaccaro, Kenneth; Krejca, Brian D.

2017-02-01

Photodetectors in free space optical communication systems perform two functions: reception of data communication signals and position sensing for pointing, tracking, and stabilization. Traditionally, the optical receive path in an FSO system is split into separate paths for data detection and position sensing. The need for separate paths is a consequence of conflicting performance criteria between position sensitive detectors (PSD) and data detectors. Combining the functionality of both detector types requires that the combinational sensor not only have the bandwidth to support high data rate communication but the active area and spatial discrimination to accommodate position sensing. In this paper we present a large area, concentric five element impact ionization engineered avalanche photodiode array rated for bandwidths beyond 1GHz with a measured carrier ionization ratio of less than 0.1 at moderate APD gains. The integration of this array as a combinational sensor in an FSO system is discussed along with the development of a pointing and stabilization algorithm.

Electro-Optical Modulator Bias Control Using Bipolar Pulses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farr, William; Kovalik, Joseph

2007-01-01

An improved method has been devised for controlling the DC bias applied to an electro-optical crystal that is part of a Mach-Zehnder modulator that generates low-duty-cycle optical pulses for a pulse-position modulation (PPM) optical data-communication system. In such a system, it is desirable to minimize the transmission of light during the intervals between pulses, and for this purpose, it is necessary to maximize the extinction ratio of the modulator (the ratio between the power transmitted during an "on" period and the power transmitted during an "off" period). The present method is related to prior dither error feedback methods, but unlike in those methods, there is no need for an auxiliary modulation subsystem to generate a dithering signal. Instead, as described below, dither is effected through alternation of the polarity of the modulation signal. The upper part of Figure 1 schematically depicts a Mach-Zehnder modulator. The signal applied to the electro-optical crystal consists of a radio-frequency modulating pulse signal, VRF, superimposed on a DC bias Vbias. Maximum extinction occurs during the off (VRF = 0) period if Vbias is set at a value that makes the two optical paths differ by an odd integer multiple of a half wavelength so that the beams traveling along the two paths interfere destructively at the output beam splitter. Assuming that the modulating pulse signal VRF has a rectangular waveform, maximum transmission occurs during the "on" period if the amplitude of VRF is set to a value, V , that shifts the length of the affected optical path by a half wavelength so that now the two beams interfere constructively at the output beam splitter. The modulating pulse signal is AC-coupled from an amplifier to the electro-optical crystal. Sometimes, two successive pulses occur so close in time that the operating point of the amplifier drifts, one result being that there is not enough time for the signal level to return to ground between pulses. Also, the difference between the optical-path lengths can drift with changes in temperature and other spurious effects. The effects of both types of drift are suppressed in the present method, in which one takes advantage of the fact that when Vbias is set at the value for maximum extinction, equal-magnitude positive and negative pulses applied to the electro-optical crystal produce equal output light pulses.

Multi-chord fiber-coupled interferometer with a long coherence length laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merritt, Elizabeth C.; Lynn, Alan G.; Gilmore, Mark A.; Hsu, Scott C.

2012-03-01

This paper describes a 561 nm laser heterodyne interferometer that provides time-resolved measurements of line-integrated plasma electron density within the range of 1015-1018 cm-2. Such plasmas are produced by railguns on the plasma liner experiment, which aims to produce μs-, cm-, and Mbar-scale plasmas through the merging of 30 plasma jets in a spherically convergent geometry. A long coherence length, 320 mW laser allows for a strong, sub-fringe phase-shift signal without the need for closely matched probe and reference path lengths. Thus, only one reference path is required for all eight probe paths, and an individual probe chord can be altered without altering the reference or other probe path lengths. Fiber-optic decoupling of the probe chord optics on the vacuum chamber from the rest of the system allows the probe paths to be easily altered to focus on different spatial regions of the plasma. We demonstrate that sub-fringe resolution capability allows the interferometer to operate down to line-integrated densities of the order of 5 × 1015 cm-2.

Teaching quantum physics by the sum over paths approach and GeoGebra simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malgieri, M.; Onorato, P.; De Ambrosis, A.

2014-09-01

We present a research-based teaching sequence in introductory quantum physics using the Feynman sum over paths approach. Our reconstruction avoids the historical pathway, and starts by reconsidering optics from the standpoint of the quantum nature of light, analysing both traditional and modern experiments. The core of our educational path lies in the treatment of conceptual and epistemological themes, peculiar of quantum theory, based on evidence from quantum optics, such as the single photon Mach-Zehnder and Zhou-Wang-Mandel experiments. The sequence is supported by a collection of interactive simulations, realized in the open source GeoGebra environment, which we used to assist students in learning the basics of the method, and help them explore the proposed experimental situations as modeled in the sum over paths perspective. We tested our approach in the context of a post-graduate training course for pre-service physics teachers; according to the data we collected, student teachers displayed a greatly improved understanding of conceptual issues, and acquired significant abilities in using the sum over path method for problem solving.

Common-path low-coherence interferometry fiber-optic sensor guided microincision

PubMed Central

Zhang, Kang; Kang, Jin U.

2011-01-01

We propose and demonstrate a common-path low-coherence interferometry (CP-LCI) fiber-optic sensor guided precise microincision. The method tracks the target surface and compensates the tool-to-surface relative motion with better than ±5 μm resolution using a precision micromotor connected to the tool tip. A single-fiber distance probe integrated microdissector was used to perform an accurate 100 μm incision into the surface of an Intralipid phantom. The CP-LCI guided incision quality in terms of depth was evaluated afterwards using three-dimensional Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography imaging, which showed significant improvement of incision accuracy compared to free-hand-only operations. PMID:21950912

High channel density wavelength division multiplexer with defined diffracting means positioning

DOEpatents

Jannson, T.P.; Jannson, J.L.; Yeung, P.C.

1990-05-15

A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer is disclosed having optical path lengths between a fiber array and a Fourier transform lens, and between a dispersion grating and the lens equal to the focal length of the lens. The optical path lengths reduce losses due to angular acceptance mismatch in the multiplexer. Close orientation of the fiber array about the optical axis and the use of a holographic dispersion grating reduces other losses in the system. Multi-exposure holographic dispersion gratings enable the multiplexer/demultiplexer for extremely broad-band simultaneous transmission and reflection operation. Individual Bragg plane sets recorded in the grating are dedicated to and operate efficiently on discrete wavelength ranges. 11 figs.

A path planning method used in fluid jet polishing eliminating lightweight mirror imprinting effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wenzong; Fan, Bin; Shi, Chunyan; Wang, Jia; Zhuo, Bin

2014-08-01

With the development of space technology, the design of optical system tends to large aperture lightweight mirror with high dimension-thickness ratio. However, when the lightweight mirror PV value is less than λ/10 , the surface will show wavy imprinting effect obviously. Imprinting effect introduced by head-tool pressure has become a technological barrier in high-precision lightweight mirror manufacturing. Fluid jet polishing can exclude outside pressure. Presently, machining tracks often used are grating type path, screw type path and pseudo-random path. On the edge of imprinting error, the speed of adjacent path points changes too fast, which causes the machine hard to reflect quickly, brings about new path error, and increases the polishing time due to superfluous path. This paper presents a new planning path method to eliminate imprinting effect. Simulation results show that the path of the improved grating path can better eliminate imprinting effect compared to the general path.

Integration of Ground-Based Solar FT-IR Absorption Spectroscopy and Open-Path Systems for Atmospheric Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steill, J. D.; Hager, J. S.; Compton, R. N.

2005-12-01

Air quality issues in the Knoxville and East Tennessee region are of great concern, particularly as regards the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Integration of a Bomem DA8 FT-IR spectrometer with rooftop sun-tracking optics and an open-path system provides a unique opportunity to analyze the local atmospheric chemical composition. Many trace atmospheric constituents are open to this analysis, such as O3, CO, CH4, and N2O. Boundary layer concentrations as well as total column abundances and vertical concentration profiles are derived. Vertical concentration profiles are determined by fitting solar absorbance lines with the SFIT2 algorithm. Improved fitting of solar spectra has been demonstrated by incorporating the tropospheric concentrations as determined by open-path measurements. In addition to providing a means to improve the analysis of solar spectra, the open-path data is useful for elucidation of diurnal trends in the trace gas concentrations. Anthropogenic influences are of special interest, and seasonal and daily trends in amounts of tropospheric pollutants such as ozone correlate with other sources such as the EPA. Although obviously limited by weather considerations, the technique is suited to the regional climate and a body of data of more than two years extent is available for analysis.

Study of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen state for space-time variables in a two photon interference experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, Y. H.; Sergienko, A. V.; Rubin, M. H.

1993-01-01

A pair of correlated photons generated from parametric down conversion was sent to two independent Michelson interferometers. Second order interference was studied by means of a coincidence measurement between the outputs of two interferometers. The reported experiment and analysis studied this second order interference phenomena from the point of view of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox. The experiment was done in two steps. The first step of the experiment used 50 psec and 3 nsec coincidence time windows simultaneously. The 50 psec window was able to distinguish a 1.5 cm optical path difference in the interferometers. The interference visibility was measured to be 38 percent and 21 percent for the 50 psec time window and 22 percent and 7 percent for the 3 nsec time window, when the optical path difference of the interferometers were 2 cm and 4 cm, respectively. By comparing the visibilities between these two windows, the experiment showed the non-classical effect which resulted from an E.P.R. state. The second step of the experiment used a 20 psec coincidence time window, which was able to distinguish a 6 mm optical path difference in the interferometers. The interference visibilities were measured to be 59 percent for an optical path difference of 7 mm. This is the first observation of visibility greater than 50 percent for a two interferometer E.P.R. experiment which demonstrates nonclassical correlation of space-time variables.

Refractive indices used by the Haag-Streit Lenstar to calculate axial biometric dimensions.

PubMed

Suheimat, Marwan; Verkicharla, Pavan K; Mallen, Edward A H; Rozema, Jos J; Atchison, David A

2015-01-01

To estimate refractive indices used by the Lenstar biometer to translate measured optical path lengths into geometrical path lengths within the eye. Axial lengths of model eyes were determined using the IOLMaster and Lenstar biometers; comparing those lengths gave an overall eye refractive index estimate for the Lenstar. Using the Lenstar Graphical User Interface, we noticed that boundaries between media could be manipulated and opposite changes in optical path lengths on either side of the boundary could be introduced. Those ratios were combined with the overall eye refractive index to estimate separate refractive indices. Furthermore, Haag-Streit provided us with a template to obtain 'air thicknesses' to compare with geometrical distances. The axial length estimates obtained using the IOLMaster and the Lenstar agreed to within 0.01 mm. Estimates of group refractive indices used in the Lenstar were 1.340, 1.341, 1.415, and 1.354 for cornea, aqueous, lens, and overall eye, respectively. Those refractive indices did not match those of schematic eyes, but were close in the cases of aqueous and lens. Linear equations relating air thicknesses to geometrical thicknesses were consistent with our findings. The Lenstar uses different refractive indices for different ocular media. Some of the refractive indices, such as that for the cornea, are not physiological; therefore, it is likely that the calibrations in the instrument correspond to instrument-specific corrections and are not the real optical path lengths. © 2014 The Authors Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics © 2014 The College of Optometrists.

Optical overview and qualification of the LLCD space terminal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeVoe, C. E.; Pillsbury, A. D.; Khatri, F.; Burnside, J. M.; Raudenbush, A. C.; Petrilli, L. J.; Williams, T.

2017-11-01

In October 2013 the Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD) made communications history by successfully demonstrating 622 megabits per second laser communication from the moon's orbit to earth. The LLCD consisted of the Lunar Laser Communication Space Terminal (LLST), developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory, mounted on NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft and a primary ground terminal located in New Mexico, the Lunar Laser Communications Ground Terminal (LLGT), and two alternate ground terminals. This paper presents the optical layout of the LLST, the approach for testing the optical subsystems, and the results of the optical qualification of the LLST. Also described is the optical test set used to qualify the LLST. The architecture philosophy for the optics was to keep a small, simple optical backend that provided excellent boresighting and high isolation between the optical paths, high quality wavefront on axis, with minimal throughput losses on all paths. The front end large optics consisted of a Cassegrain 107mm telescope with an f/0.7 parabolic primary mirror and a solar window to reduce the thermal load on the telescope and to minimize background light received at the sensors.

Influence of OPD in wavelength-shifting interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongjun; Tian, Ailing; Liu, Bingcai; Dang, Juanjuan

2009-12-01

Phase-shifting interferometry is a powerful tool for high accuracy optical measurement. It operates by change the optical path length in the reference arm or test arm. This method practices by move optical device. So it has much problem when the optical device is very large and heavy. For solve this problem, the wavelength-shifting interferometry was put forwarded. In wavelength-shifting interferometry, the phase shifting angle was achieved by change the wavelength of optical source. The phase shifting angle was decided by wavelength and OPD (Optical Path Difference) between test and reference wavefront. So the OPD is an important factor to measure results. But in measurement, because the positional error and profile error of under testing optical element is exist, the phase shifting angle is different in different test point when wavelength scanning, it will introduce phase shifting angle error, so it will introduce optical surface measure error. For analysis influence of OPD on optical surface error, the relation between surface error and OPD was researched. By simulation, the relation between phase shifting error and OPD was established. By analysis, the error compensation method was put forward. After error compensation, the measure results can be improved to great extend.

Influence of OPD in wavelength-shifting interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongjun; Tian, Ailing; Liu, Bingcai; Dang, Juanjuan

2010-03-01

Phase-shifting interferometry is a powerful tool for high accuracy optical measurement. It operates by change the optical path length in the reference arm or test arm. This method practices by move optical device. So it has much problem when the optical device is very large and heavy. For solve this problem, the wavelength-shifting interferometry was put forwarded. In wavelength-shifting interferometry, the phase shifting angle was achieved by change the wavelength of optical source. The phase shifting angle was decided by wavelength and OPD (Optical Path Difference) between test and reference wavefront. So the OPD is an important factor to measure results. But in measurement, because the positional error and profile error of under testing optical element is exist, the phase shifting angle is different in different test point when wavelength scanning, it will introduce phase shifting angle error, so it will introduce optical surface measure error. For analysis influence of OPD on optical surface error, the relation between surface error and OPD was researched. By simulation, the relation between phase shifting error and OPD was established. By analysis, the error compensation method was put forward. After error compensation, the measure results can be improved to great extend.

Electro-Optic Propagation

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-09-30

Electro - Optic Propagation Stephen Doss-Hammel SPAWARSYSCEN San Diego code 2858 49170 Propagation Path San Diego, CA 92152-7385 phone: (619...OBJECTIVES The electro - optical propagation objectives are: 1) The acquisition and analysis of mid-wave and long-wave infrared transmission and...elements to the electro - optical propagation model development. The first element is the design and execution of field experiments to generate useful

Numerical studies of the fluid and optical fields associated with complex cavity flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Atwood, Christopher A.

1992-01-01

Numerical solutions for the flowfield about several cavity configurations have been computed using the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Comparisons between numerical and experimental results are made in two dimensions for free shear layers and a rectangular cavity, and in three dimensions for the transonic aero-window problem of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Results show that dominant acoustic frequencies and magnitudes of the self excited resonant cavity flows compare well with the experiment. In addition, solution sensitivity to artificial dissipation and grid resolution levels are determined. Optical path distortion due to the flow field is modelled geometrically and is found to match the experiment. The fluid field was computed using a diagonalized scheme within an overset mesh framework. An existing code, OVERFLOW, was utilized with the additions of characteristic boundary condition and output routines required for reduction of the unsteady data. The newly developed code is directly applicable to a generalized three dimensional structured grid zone. Details are provided in a paper included in Appendix A.

Computer Tomography and Hybrid Optical/Digital Methods for Aerodynamic Measurements.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-28

Industrial Applications of Corn- on Axisymnnietric Flame ’Iempnlw res Measured by Holo- puted Tornographv arid NMI? Imiaging (Optical Society of graphic...Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Escuela de Ingenieria . Santiago, equal. The optical path length difference (OPD) be- Chile. tween the two rays

Optics assembly for high power laser tools

DOEpatents

Fraze, Jason D.; Faircloth, Brian O.; Zediker, Mark S.

2016-06-07

There is provided a high power laser rotational optical assembly for use with, or in high power laser tools for performing high power laser operations. In particular, the optical assembly finds applications in performing high power laser operations on, and in, remote and difficult to access locations. The optical assembly has rotational seals and bearing configurations to avoid contamination of the laser beam path and optics.

Large volume multiple-path nuclear pumped laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hohl, F.; Deyoung, R. J. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

Large volumes of gas are excited by using internal high reflectance mirrors that are arranged so that the optical path crosses back and forth through the excited gaseous medium. By adjusting the external dielectric mirrors of the laser, the number of paths through the laser cavity can be varied. Output powers were obtained that are substantially higher than the output powers of previous nuclear laser systems.

A head-mounted compressive three-dimensional display system with polarization-dependent focus switching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Chang-Kun; Moon, Seokil; Lee, Byounghyo; Jeong, Youngmo; Lee, Byoungho

2016-10-01

A head-mounted compressive three-dimensional (3D) display system is proposed by combining polarization beam splitter (PBS), fast switching polarization rotator and micro display with high pixel density. According to the polarization state of the image controlled by polarization rotator, optical path of image in the PBS can be divided into transmitted and reflected components. Since optical paths of each image are spatially separated, it is possible to independently focus both images at different depth positions. Transmitted p-polarized and reflected s-polarized images can be focused by convex lens and mirror, respectively. When the focal lengths of the convex lens and mirror are properly determined, two image planes can be located in intended positions. The geometrical relationship is easily modulated by replacement of the components. The fast switching of polarization realizes the real-time operation of multi-focal image planes with a single display panel. Since it is possible to conserve the device characteristic of single panel, the high image quality, reliability and uniformity can be retained. For generating 3D images, layer images for compressive light field display between two image planes are calculated. Since the display panel with high pixel density is adopted, high quality 3D images are reconstructed. In addition, image degradation by diffraction between physically stacked display panels can be mitigated. Simple optical configuration of the proposed system is implemented and the feasibility of the proposed method is verified through experiments.

Fizeau simultaneous phase-shifting interferometry based on extended source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shanshan; Zhu, Qiudong; Hou, Yinlong; Cao, Zheng

2016-09-01

Coaxial Fizeau simultaneous phase-shifting interferometer plays an important role in many fields for its characteristics of long optical path, miniaturization, and elimination of reference surface high-frequency error. Based on the matching of coherence between extended source and interferometer, orthogonal polarization reference wave and measurement wave can be obtained by Fizeau interferometry with Michelson interferometer preposed. Through matching spatial coherence length between preposed interferometer and primary interferometer, high contrast interference fringes can be obtained and additional interference fringes can be eliminated. Thus, the problem of separation of measurement and reference surface in the common optical path Fizeau interferometer is solved. Numerical simulation and principle experiment is conducted to verify the feasibility of extended source interferometer. Simulation platform is established by using the communication technique of DDE (dynamic data exchange) to connect Zemax and Matlab. The modeling of the extended source interferometer is realized by using Zemax. Matlab codes are programmed to automatically rectify the field parameters of the optical system and conveniently calculate the visibility of interference fringes. Combined with the simulation, the experimental platform of the extended source interferometer is established. After experimental research on the influence law of scattering screen granularity to interference fringes, the granularity of scattering screen is determined. Based on the simulation platform and experimental platform, the impacts on phase measurement accuracy of the imaging system aberration and collimation system aberration of the interferometer are analyzed. Compared the visibility relation curves between experimental measurement and simulation result, the experimental result is in line with the theoretical result.

Analysis of Non-Uniform Gain for Control of a Deformable Mirror in an Adaptive-Optics System

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

Turbulence Estimator SM Path SH WFS – DM Path Figure 3.6: Primary layout. The blue boxed components is representative of the SM path, the red boxed components...layout that was developed for the majority of the experiments conducted. 3.1.5.1 Steering Mirror Path. This path, boxed in blue in Figure 3.6, is used to...Christou, T.S. Duncan, R.J. Eager, M.A. Ealey, B.L. Ellerbroek, R.Q. Fugate , G.W. Jones, R.M. Kuhns, D.J. Lee, W.H. Lowrey, M.D. Oliker, R.E. Ruane

On Applications of Disruption Tolerant Networking to Optical Networking in Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hylton, Alan Guy; Raible, Daniel E.; Juergens, Jeffrey; Iannicca, Dennis

2012-01-01

The integration of optical communication links into space networks via Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) is a largely unexplored area of research. Building on successful foundational work accomplished at JPL, we discuss a multi-hop multi-path network featuring optical links. The experimental test bed is constructed at the NASA Glenn Research Center featuring multiple Ethernet-to-fiber converters coupled with free space optical (FSO) communication channels. The test bed architecture models communication paths from deployed Mars assets to the deep space network (DSN) and finally to the mission operations center (MOC). Reliable versus unreliable communication methods are investigated and discussed; including reliable transport protocols, custody transfer, and fragmentation. Potential commercial applications may include an optical communications infrastructure deployment to support developing nations and remote areas, which are unburdened with supporting an existing heritage means of telecommunications. Narrow laser beam widths and control of polarization states offer inherent physical layer security benefits with optical communications over RF solutions. This paper explores whether or not DTN is appropriate for space-based optical networks, optimal payload sizes, reliability, and a discussion on security.

Adaptive optics compensation over a 3 km near horizontal path

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mackey, Ruth; Dainty, Chris

2008-10-01

We present results of adaptive optics compensation at the receiver of a 3km optical link using a beacon laser operating at 635nm. The laser is transmitted from the roof of a seven-storey building over a near horizontal path towards a 127 mm optical receiver located on the second-floor of the Applied Optics Group at the National University of Ireland, Galway. The wavefront of the scintillated beam is measured using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWFS) with high-speed CMOS camera capable of frame rates greater than 1kHz. The strength of turbulence is determined from the fluctuations in differential angle-of-arrival in the wavefront sensor measurements and from the degree of scintillation in the pupil plane. Adaptive optics compensation is applied using a tip-tilt mirror and 37 channel membrane mirror and controlled using a single desktop computer. The performance of the adaptive optics system in real turbulence is compared with the performance of the system in a controlled laboratory environment, where turbulence is generated using a liquid crystal spatial light modulator.

Transverse pumped laser amplifier architecture

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andrew James; Manes, Kenneth R.; Deri, Robert; Erlandson, Alvin; Caird, John; Spaeth, Mary L.

2015-05-19

An optical gain architecture includes a pump source and a pump aperture. The architecture also includes a gain region including a gain element operable to amplify light at a laser wavelength. The gain region is characterized by a first side intersecting an optical path, a second side opposing the first side, a third side adjacent the first and second sides, and a fourth side opposing the third side. The architecture further includes a dichroic section disposed between the pump aperture and the first side of the gain region. The dichroic section is characterized by low reflectance at a pump wavelength and high reflectance at the laser wavelength. The architecture additionally includes a first cladding section proximate to the third side of the gain region and a second cladding section proximate to the fourth side of the gain region.

Transverse pumped laser amplifier architecture

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andrew James; Manes, Kenneth; Deri, Robert; Erlandson, Al; Caird, John; Spaeth, Mary

2013-07-09

An optical gain architecture includes a pump source and a pump aperture. The architecture also includes a gain region including a gain element operable to amplify light at a laser wavelength. The gain region is characterized by a first side intersecting an optical path, a second side opposing the first side, a third side adjacent the first and second sides, and a fourth side opposing the third side. The architecture further includes a dichroic section disposed between the pump aperture and the first side of the gain region. The dichroic section is characterized by low reflectance at a pump wavelength and high reflectance at the laser wavelength. The architecture additionally includes a first cladding section proximate to the third side of the gain region and a second cladding section proximate to the fourth side of the gain region.

Rod Photopigment Kinetics After Photodisruption of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

PubMed Central

Masella, Benjamin D.; Hunter, Jennifer J.; Williams, David R.

2014-01-01

Purpose. Advances in retinal imaging have led to the discovery of long-lasting retinal changes caused by light exposures below published safety limits, including disruption of the RPE. To investigate the functional consequences of RPE disruption, we combined adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy with retinal densitometry. Methods. A modified adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) measured the apparent density and regeneration rate of rhodopsin in two macaques before and after four different 568-nm retinal radiant exposures (RREs; 400–3200 J/cm2). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to measure the optical path length through the photoreceptor outer segments before and after RPE disruption. Results. All tested RREs caused visible RPE disruption. Apparent rhodopsin density was significantly reduced following 1600 (P = 0.01) and 3200 J/cm2 (P = 0.007) exposures. No significant change in apparent density was observed in response to 800 J/cm2. Surprisingly, exposure to 400 J/cm2 showed a significant increase in apparent density (P = 0.047). Rhodopsin recovery rate was not significantly affected by these RREs. Optical coherence tomography measurements showed a significant decrease in the optical path length through the photoreceptor outer segments for RREs above 800 J/cm2 (P < 0.001). Conclusions. At higher RREs, optical path length through the outer segments was reduced. However, the rate of photopigment regeneration was unchanged. While some ambiguity remains as to the correlation between measured reflectivity and absolute rhodopsin density; at the lowest RREs, RPE disruption appears not to be accompanied by a loss of apparent rhodopsin density, which would have been indicative of functional loss. PMID:25316724

Double degree master program: Optical Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakholdin, Alexey; Kujawinska, Malgorzata; Livshits, Irina; Styk, Adam; Voznesenskaya, Anna; Ezhova, Kseniia; Ermolayeva, Elena; Ivanova, Tatiana; Romanova, Galina; Tolstoba, Nadezhda

2015-10-01

Modern tendencies of higher education require development of master programs providing achievement of learning outcomes corresponding to quickly variable job market needs. ITMO University represented by Applied and Computer Optics Department and Optical Design and Testing Laboratory jointly with Warsaw University of Technology represented by the Institute of Micromechanics and Photonics at The Faculty of Mechatronics have developed a novel international master double-degree program "Optical Design" accumulating the expertise of both universities including experienced teaching staff, educational technologies, and experimental resources. The program presents studies targeting research and professional activities in high-tech fields connected with optical and optoelectronics devices, optical engineering, numerical methods and computer technologies. This master program deals with the design of optical systems of various types, assemblies and layouts using computer modeling means; investigation of light distribution phenomena; image modeling and formation; development of optical methods for image analysis and optical metrology including optical testing, materials characterization, NDT and industrial control and monitoring. The goal of this program is training a graduate capable to solve a wide range of research and engineering tasks in optical design and metrology leading to modern manufacturing and innovation. Variability of the program structure provides its flexibility and adoption according to current job market demands and personal learning paths for each student. In addition considerable proportion of internship and research expands practical skills. Some special features of the "Optical Design" program which implements the best practices of both Universities, the challenges and lessons learnt during its realization are presented in the paper.

Gaining with loss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pile, Interview by David F. P.

2017-12-01

Nature Photonics spoke to Demetrios Christodoulides, of CREOL, The College of Optics & Photonics, University of Central Florida, about the birth of the parity-time-symmetry concepts in optics and the challenges and prospects on the path ahead.

Ultrastable assembly and integration technology for ground- and space-based optical systems.

PubMed

Ressel, Simon; Gohlke, Martin; Rauen, Dominik; Schuldt, Thilo; Kronast, Wolfgang; Mescheder, Ulrich; Johann, Ulrich; Weise, Dennis; Braxmaier, Claus

2010-08-01

Optical metrology systems crucially rely on the dimensional stability of the optical path between their individual optical components. We present in this paper a novel adhesive bonding technology for setup of quasi-monolithic systems and compare selected characteristics to the well-established state-of-the-art technique of hydroxide-catalysis bonding. It is demonstrated that within the measurement resolution of our ultraprecise custom heterodyne interferometer, both techniques achieve an equivalent passive path length and tilt stability for time scales between 0.1 mHz and 1 Hz. Furthermore, the robustness of the adhesive bonds against mechanical and thermal inputs has been tested, making this new bonding technique in particular a potential option for interferometric applications in future space missions. The integration process itself is eased by long time scales for alignment, as well as short curing times.

Structured light optical microscopy for three-dimensional reconstruction of technical surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kettel, Johannes; Reinecke, Holger; Müller, Claas

2016-04-01

In microsystems technology quality control of micro structured surfaces with different surface properties is playing an ever more important role. The process of quality control incorporates three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of specularand diffusive reflecting technical surfaces. Due to the demand on high measurement accuracy and data acquisition rates, structured light optical microscopy has become a valuable solution to solve this problem providing high vertical and lateral resolution. However, 3D reconstruction of specular reflecting technical surfaces still remains a challenge to optical measurement principles. In this paper we present a measurement principle based on structured light optical microscopy which enables 3D reconstruction of specular- and diffusive reflecting technical surfaces. It is realized using two light paths of a stereo microscope equipped with different magnification levels. The right optical path of the stereo microscope is used to project structured light onto the object surface. The left optical path is used to capture the structured illuminated object surface with a camera. Structured light patterns are generated by a Digital Light Processing (DLP) device in combination with a high power Light Emitting Diode (LED). Structured light patterns are realized as a matrix of discrete light spots to illuminate defined areas on the object surface. The introduced measurement principle is based on multiple and parallel processed point measurements. Analysis of the measured Point Spread Function (PSF) by pattern recognition and model fitting algorithms enables the precise calculation of 3D coordinates. Using exemplary technical surfaces we demonstrate the successful application of our measurement principle.

Quantification and parametrization of non-linearity effects by higher-order sensitivity terms in scattered light differential optical absorption spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puķīte, Jānis; Wagner, Thomas

2016-05-01

We address the application of differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) of scattered light observations in the presence of strong absorbers (in particular ozone), for which the absorption optical depth is a non-linear function of the trace gas concentration. This is the case because Beer-Lambert law generally does not hold for scattered light measurements due to many light paths contributing to the measurement. While in many cases linear approximation can be made, for scenarios with strong absorptions non-linear effects cannot always be neglected. This is especially the case for observation geometries, for which the light contributing to the measurement is crossing the atmosphere under spatially well-separated paths differing strongly in length and location, like in limb geometry. In these cases, often full retrieval algorithms are applied to address the non-linearities, requiring iterative forward modelling of absorption spectra involving time-consuming wavelength-by-wavelength radiative transfer modelling. In this study, we propose to describe the non-linear effects by additional sensitivity parameters that can be used e.g. to build up a lookup table. Together with widely used box air mass factors (effective light paths) describing the linear response to the increase in the trace gas amount, the higher-order sensitivity parameters eliminate the need for repeating the radiative transfer modelling when modifying the absorption scenario even in the presence of a strong absorption background. While the higher-order absorption structures can be described as separate fit parameters in the spectral analysis (so-called DOAS fit), in practice their quantitative evaluation requires good measurement quality (typically better than that available from current measurements). Therefore, we introduce an iterative retrieval algorithm correcting for the higher-order absorption structures not yet considered in the DOAS fit as well as the absorption dependence on temperature and scattering processes.

An asymptotic preserving unified gas kinetic scheme for frequency-dependent radiative transfer equations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sun, Wenjun, E-mail: sun_wenjun@iapcm.ac.cn; Jiang, Song, E-mail: jiang@iapcm.ac.cn; Xu, Kun, E-mail: makxu@ust.hk

This paper presents an extension of previous work (Sun et al., 2015 [22]) of the unified gas kinetic scheme (UGKS) for the gray radiative transfer equations to the frequency-dependent (multi-group) radiative transfer system. Different from the gray radiative transfer equations, where the optical opacity is only a function of local material temperature, the simulation of frequency-dependent radiative transfer is associated with additional difficulties from the frequency-dependent opacity. For the multiple frequency radiation, the opacity depends on both the spatial location and the frequency. For example, the opacity is typically a decreasing function of frequency. At the same spatial region themore » transport physics can be optically thick for the low frequency photons, and optically thin for high frequency ones. Therefore, the optical thickness is not a simple function of space location. In this paper, the UGKS for frequency-dependent radiative system is developed. The UGKS is a finite volume method and the transport physics is modeled according to the ratio of the cell size to the photon's frequency-dependent mean free path. When the cell size is much larger than the photon's mean free path, a diffusion solution for such a frequency radiation will be obtained. On the other hand, when the cell size is much smaller than the photon's mean free path, a free transport mechanism will be recovered. In the regime between the above two limits, with the variation of the ratio between the local cell size and photon's mean free path, the UGKS provides a smooth transition in the physical and frequency space to capture the corresponding transport physics accurately. The seemingly straightforward extension of the UGKS from the gray to multiple frequency radiation system is due to its intrinsic consistent multiple scale transport modeling, but it still involves lots of work to properly discretize the multiple groups in order to design an asymptotic preserving (AP) scheme in all regimes. The current scheme is tested in a few frequency-dependent radiation problems, and the results are compared with the solutions from the well-defined implicit Monte Carlo (IMC) method. The UGKS is much more efficient than IMC, and the computational times of both schemes for all test cases are listed. The UGKS seems to be the first discrete ordinate method (DOM) for the accurate capturing of multiple frequency radiative transport physics from ballistic particle motion to the diffusive wave propagation.« less

Characterization of quantum well structures using a photocathode electron microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spencer, Michael G.; Scott, Craig J.

1989-01-01

Present day integrated circuits pose a challenge to conventional electronic and mechanical test methods. Feature sizes in the submicron and nanometric regime require radical approaches in order to facilitate electrical contact to circuits and devices being tested. In addition, microwave operating frequencies require careful attention to distributed effects when considering the electrical signal paths within and external to the device under test. An alternative testing approach which combines the best of electrical and optical time domain testing is presented, namely photocathode electron microscope quantitative voltage contrast (PEMQVC).

On-demand virtual optical network access using 100 Gb/s Ethernet.

PubMed

Ishida, Osamu; Takamichi, Toru; Arai, Sachine; Kawate, Ryusuke; Toyoda, Hidehiro; Morita, Itsuro; Araki, Soichiro; Ichikawa, Toshiyuki; Hoshida, Takeshi; Murai, Hitoshi

2011-12-12

Our Terabit LAN initiatives attempt to enhance the scalability and utilization of lambda resources. This paper describes bandwidth-on-demand virtualized 100GE access to WDM networks on a field fiber test-bed using multi-domain optical-path provisioning. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Exotic looped trajectories of photons in three-slit interference

PubMed Central

Magaña-Loaiza, Omar S; De Leon, Israel; Mirhosseini, Mohammad; Fickler, Robert; Safari, Akbar; Mick, Uwe; McIntyre, Brian; Banzer, Peter; Rodenburg, Brandon; Leuchs, Gerd; Boyd, Robert W.

2016-01-01

The validity of the superposition principle and of Born's rule are well-accepted tenants of quantum mechanics. Surprisingly, it has been predicted that the intensity pattern formed in a three-slit experiment is seemingly in contradiction with the most conventional form of the superposition principle when exotic looped trajectories are taken into account. However, the probability of observing such paths is typically very small, thus rendering them extremely difficult to measure. Here we confirm the validity of Born's rule and present the first experimental observation of exotic trajectories as additional paths for the light by directly measuring their contribution to the formation of optical interference fringes. We accomplish this by enhancing the electromagnetic near-fields in the vicinity of the slits through the excitation of surface plasmons. This process increases the probability of occurrence of these exotic trajectories, demonstrating that they are related to the near-field component of the photon's wavefunction. PMID:28008907

Exotic looped trajectories of photons in three-slit interference.

PubMed

Magaña-Loaiza, Omar S; De Leon, Israel; Mirhosseini, Mohammad; Fickler, Robert; Safari, Akbar; Mick, Uwe; McIntyre, Brian; Banzer, Peter; Rodenburg, Brandon; Leuchs, Gerd; Boyd, Robert W

2016-12-23

The validity of the superposition principle and of Born's rule are well-accepted tenants of quantum mechanics. Surprisingly, it has been predicted that the intensity pattern formed in a three-slit experiment is seemingly in contradiction with the most conventional form of the superposition principle when exotic looped trajectories are taken into account. However, the probability of observing such paths is typically very small, thus rendering them extremely difficult to measure. Here we confirm the validity of Born's rule and present the first experimental observation of exotic trajectories as additional paths for the light by directly measuring their contribution to the formation of optical interference fringes. We accomplish this by enhancing the electromagnetic near-fields in the vicinity of the slits through the excitation of surface plasmons. This process increases the probability of occurrence of these exotic trajectories, demonstrating that they are related to the near-field component of the photon's wavefunction.

Non-duplicate polarization-diversity 8 × 8 Si-wire PILOSS switch integrated with polarization splitter-rotators.

PubMed

Tanizawa, Ken; Suzuki, Keijiro; Ikeda, Kazuhiro; Namiki, Shu; Kawashima, Hitoshi

2017-05-15

We demonstrate a fully integrated polarization-diversity 8 × 8 thermo-optic Si-wire switch that uses only a single path-independent insertion loss (PILOSS) switch matrix. All input/output ports of the PILOSS switch matrix are uniquely assigned for polarization diversity without switch duplication. To integrate polarization splitter-rotators on a chip, we propose a compact path-length-equalized polarization-diversity switch configuration. Polarization-dependent loss (PDL) and differential group delay (DGD) are minimized. The 8 × 8 switch is fabricated by the CMOS-compatible fabrication process on 300-mm diameter wafer and additional etching of upper cladding after dicing. The chip size is 7 × 10.5 mm 2 . A PDL of 2 dB and a DGD of 1.5 ps are achieved. The crosstalk in the worst-case scenario is -20 dB in the full C-band.

Common path endoscopic probes for optical coherence tomography (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Kanwarpal; Gardecki, Joseph A.; Tearney, Guillermo J.

2017-02-01

Background: Dispersion imbalance and polarization mismatch between the reference and sample arm signals can lead to image quality degradation in optical coherence tomography (OCT). One approach to reduce these image artifacts is to employ a common-path geometry in fiber-based probes. In this work, we report an 800 um diameter all-fiber common-path monolithic probe for coronary artery imaging where the reference signal is generated using an inline fiber partial reflector. Methods: Our common-path probe was designed for swept-source based Fourier domain OCT at 1310 nm wavelength. A face of a coreless fiber was coated with gold and spliced to a standard SMF-28 single mode fiber creating an inline partial reflector, which acted as a reference surface. The other face of the coreless fiber was shaped into a ball lens for focusing. The optical elements were assembled within a 560 µm diameter drive shaft, which was attached to a rotary junction. The drive shaft was placed inside a transparent sheath having an outer diameter of 800 µm. Results: With a source input power of 30mW, the inline common-path probe achieved a sensitivity of 104 dB. Images of human finger skin showed the characteristic layers of skin as well as features such as sweat ducts. Images of coronary arteries ex vivo obtained with this probe enabled visualization of the characteristic architectural morphology of the normal artery wall and known features of atherosclerotic plaque. Conclusion: In this work, we have demonstrated a common path OCT probe for cardiovascular imaging. The probe is easy to fabricate, will reduce system complexity and overall cost. We believe that this design will be helpful in endoscopic applications that require high resolution and a compact form factor.

Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural sites using open-path optical remote sensing method.

PubMed

Ro, Kyoung S; Johnson, Melvin H; Varma, Ravi M; Hashmonay, Ram A; Hunt, Patrick

2009-08-01

Improved characterization of distributed emission sources of greenhouse gases such as methane from concentrated animal feeding operations require more accurate methods. One promising method is recently used by the USEPA. It employs a vertical radial plume mapping (VRPM) algorithm using optical remote sensing techniques. We evaluated this method to estimate emission rates from simulated distributed methane sources. A scanning open-path tunable diode laser was used to collect path-integrated concentrations (PICs) along different optical paths on a vertical plane downwind of controlled methane releases. Each cycle consists of 3 ground-level PICs and 2 above ground PICs. Three- to 10-cycle moving averages were used to reconstruct mass equivalent concentration plum maps on the vertical plane. The VRPM algorithm estimated emission rates of methane along with meteorological and PIC data collected concomitantly under different atmospheric stability conditions. The derived emission rates compared well with actual released rates irrespective of atmospheric stability conditions. The maximum error was 22 percent when 3-cycle moving average PICs were used; however, it decreased to 11% when 10-cycle moving average PICs were used. Our validation results suggest that this new VRPM method may be used for improved estimations of greenhouse gas emission from a variety of agricultural sources.

Motion detection, novelty filtering, and target tracking using an interferometric technique with a GaAs phase conjugate mirror

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheng, Li-Jen (Inventor); Liu, Tsuen-Hsi (Inventor)

1990-01-01

A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting and tracking moving objects in a noise environment cluttered with fast-and slow-moving objects and other time-varying background. A pair of phase conjugate light beams carrying the same spatial information commonly cancel each other out through an image subtraction process in a phase conjugate interferometer, wherein gratings are formed in a fast photo-refractive phase conjugate mirror material. In the steady state, there is no output. When the optical path of one of the two phase conjugate beams is suddenly changed, the return beam loses its phase conjugate nature and the inter-ferometer is out of balance, resulting in an observable output. The observable output lasts until the phase conjugate nature of the beam has recovered. The observable time of the output signal is roughly equal to the formation time of the grating. If the optical path changing time is slower than the formation time, the change of optical path becomes unobservable, because the index grating can follow the change. Thus, objects traveling at speeds which result in a path changing time which is slower than the formation time are not observable and do not clutter the output image view.

Path profiles of Cn2 derived from radiometer temperature measurements and geometrical ray tracing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vyhnalek, Brian E.

2017-02-01

Atmospheric turbulence has significant impairments on the operation of Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication systems, in particular temporal and spatial intensity fluctuations at the receiving aperture resulting in power surges and fades, changes in angle of arrival, spatial coherence degradation, etc. The refractive index structure parameter C 2 n is a statistical measure of the strength of turbulence in the atmosphere and is highly dependent upon vertical height. Therefore to understand atmospheric turbulence effects on vertical FSO communication links such as space-to-ground links, it is necessary to specify C 2 n profiles along the atmospheric propagation path. To avoid the limitations on the applicability of classical approaches, propagation simulation through geometrical ray tracing is applied. This is achieved by considering the atmosphere along the optical propagation path as a spatial distribution of spherical bubbles with varying relative refractive index deviations representing turbulent eddies. The relative deviations of the refractive index are statistically determined from altitude-dependent and time varying temperature fluctuations, as measured by a microwave profiling radiometer. For each representative atmosphere ray paths are analyzed using geometrical optics, which is particularly advantageous in situations of strong turbulence where there is severe wavefront distortion and discontinuity. The refractive index structure parameter is then determined as a function of height and time.

Path Profiles of Cn2 Derived from Radiometer Temperature Measurements and Geometrical Ray Tracing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vyhnalek, Brian E.

2017-01-01

Atmospheric turbulence has significant impairments on the operation of Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication systems, in particular temporal and spatial intensity fluctuations at the receiving aperture resulting in power surges and fades, changes in angle of arrival, spatial coherence degradation, etc. The refractive index structure parameter Cn2 is a statistical measure of the strength of turbulence in the atmosphere and is highly dependent upon vertical height. Therefore to understand atmospheric turbulence effects on vertical FSO communication links such as space-to-ground links, it is necessary to specify Cn2 profiles along the atmospheric propagation path. To avoid the limitations on the applicability of classical approaches, propagation simulation through geometrical ray tracing is applied. This is achieved by considering the atmosphere along the optical propagation path as a spatial distribution of spherical bubbles with varying relative refractive index deviations representing turbulent eddies. The relative deviations of the refractive index are statistically determined from altitude-dependent and time-varying temperature fluctuations, as measured by a microwave profiling radiometer. For each representative atmosphere ray paths are analyzed using geometrical optics, which is particularly advantageous in situations of strong turbulence where there is severe wavefront distortion and discontinuity. The refractive index structure parameter is then determined as a function of height and time.

Some design considerations for a synthetic aperture optical telescope array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, P. W.

1984-01-01

Several design considerations inherent in the configuration of phased array transmission of multiwavelength laser beams are discussed. Attention is focused on the U.S.A.F. phased array (PHASAR) demonstration project, where problems have been encountered in dividing the beam(s), controlling the optical path differences between subapertures, and expanding individual beams.A piston-driven path length adjustment mechanism has been selected, along with an active control system and proven components for stability maintenance. The necessity of developing broadband, high reflectivity low phase shift coatings for the system mirrors is stressed.

Measurement of wavelength-dependent extinction to distinguish between absorbing and nonabsorbing aerosol particulates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Portscht, R.

1977-01-01

Measurements of spectral transmission factors in smoky optical transmission paths reveal a difference between wavelength exponents of the extinction cross section of high absorption capacity and those of low absorption capacity. A theoretical explanation of this behavior is presented. In certain cases, it is possible to obtain data on the absorption index of aerosol particles in the optical path by measuring the spectral decadic extinction coefficient at, at least, two wavelengths. In this manner it is possible, for instance, to distinguish smoke containing soot from water vapor.

Horizontal atmospheric turbulence, beam propagation, and modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilcox, Christopher C.; Santiago, Freddie; Martinez, Ty; Judd, K. Peter; Restaino, Sergio R.

2017-05-01

The turbulent effect from the Earth's atmosphere degrades the performance of an optical imaging system. Many studies have been conducted in the study of beam propagation in a turbulent medium. Horizontal beam propagation and correction presents many challenges when compared to vertical due to the far harsher turbulent conditions and increased complexity it induces. We investigate the collection of beam propagation data, analysis, and use for building a mathematical model of the horizontal turbulent path and the plans for an adaptive optical system to use this information to correct for horizontal path atmospheric turbulence.

Characterization of optical turbulence at the GREGOR solar telescope: temporal and local behavior and its influence on the solar observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sprung, D.; Sucher, E.; Stein, K.; von der Lühe, O.; Berkefeld, Th.

2016-10-01

Local atmospheric turbulence at the telescope level is regarded as a major reason for affecting the performance of the adaptive optics systems using wavelengths in the visible and infrared for solar observations. During the day the air masses around the telescope dome are influenced by flow distortions. Additionally heating of the infrastructure close to telescope causes thermal turbulence. Thereby optical turbulence is produced and leads to quality changes in the local seeing throughout the day. Image degradation will be yielded affecting the performance of adaptive optical systems. The spatial resolution of the solar observations will be reduced. For this study measurements of the optical turbulence, represented by the structure function parameter of the refractive index Cn2 were performed on several locations at the GREGOR telescope at the Teide observatory at Tenerife at the Canary Islands / Spain. Since September 2012 measurements of Cn2 were carried out between the towers of the Vacuum Tower Telescope (VTT) and of GREGOR with a laser-scintillometer. The horizontal distance of the measurement path was about 75 m. Additional from May 2015 up to March 2016 the optical turbulence was determined at three additional locations close to the solar telescope GREGOR. The optical turbulence is derived from sonic anemometer measurements. Time series of the sonic temperature are analyzed and compared to the direct measurements of the laser scintillometer. Meteorological conditions are investigated, especially the influence of the wind direction. Turbulence of upper atmospheric layers is not regarded. The measured local turbulence is compared to the system performance of the GREGOR telescopes. It appears that the mountain ridge effects on turbulence are more relevant than any local causes of seeing close to the telescope. Results of these analyses and comparison of nearly one year of measurements are presented and discussed.

Global Multispectral Cloud Retrievals from MODIS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, Michael D.; Platnick, Steven; Ackerman, Steven A.; Menzel, W. Paul; Riedi, Jerome C.; Baum, Bryan A.

2003-01-01

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) was developed by NASA and launched onboard the Terra spacecraft on December 18,1999 and Aqua spacecraft on May 4,2002. It achieved its final orbit and began Earth observations on February 24, 2000 for Terra and June 24, 2002 for Aqua. A comprehensive set of remote sensing algorithms for cloud masking and the retrieval of cloud physical and optical properties has been developed by members of the MODIS atmosphere science team. The archived products from these algorithms have applications in climate change studies, climate modeling, numerical weather prediction, as well as fundamental atmospheric research. In addition to an extensive cloud mask, products include cloud-top properties (temperature, pressure, effective emissivity), cloud thermodynamic phase, cloud optical and microphysical parameters (optical thickness, effective particle radius, water path), as well as derived statistics. We will describe the various cloud properties being analyzed on a global basis from both Terra and Aqua, and will show characteristics of cloud optical and microphysical properties as a function of latitude for land and ocean separately, and contrast the statistical properties of similar cloud types in various parts of the world.

Combined fabrication technique for high-precision aspheric optical windows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Hao; Song, Ci; Xie, Xuhui

2016-07-01

Specifications made on optical components are becoming more and more stringent with the performance improvement of modern optical systems. These strict requirements not only involve low spatial frequency surface accuracy, mid-and-high spatial frequency surface errors, but also surface smoothness and so on. This presentation mainly focuses on the fabrication process for square aspheric window which combines accurate grinding, magnetorheological finishing (MRF) and smoothing polishing (SP). In order to remove the low spatial frequency surface errors and subsurface defects after accurate grinding, the deterministic polishing method MRF with high convergence and stable material removal rate is applied. Then the SP technology with pseudo-random path is adopted to eliminate the mid-and-high spatial frequency surface ripples and high slope errors which is the defect for MRF. Additionally, the coordinate measurement method and interferometry are combined in different phase. Acid-etched method and ion beam figuring (IBF) are also investigated on observing and reducing the subsurface defects. Actual fabrication result indicates that the combined fabrication technique can lead to high machining efficiency on manufaturing the high-precision and high-quality optical aspheric windows.

Electro-Optic Propagation

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-09-30

Electro - Optic Propagation Stephen Doss-Hammel SPAWARSYSCEN San Diego code 2858 49170 Propagation Path San Diego, CA 92152-7385 phone: (619...scenarios to extend the capabilities of TAWS to surface and low altitude situations. OBJECTIVES The electro - optical propagation objectives are: 1...development of a new propagation assessment tool called EOSTAR ( Electro - Optical Signal Transmission and Ranging). The goal of the EOSTAR project is to

Investigation of the height dependency of optical turbulence in the surface layer over False Bay (South Africa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sprung, Detlev; van Eijk, Alexander M. J.; Günter, Willie; Griffith, Derek; Eisele, Christian; Sucher, Erik; Seiffer, Dirk; Stein, Karin

2017-09-01

Atmospheric turbulence impacts on the propagation of electro-optical radiation. Typical manifestations of optical turbulence are scintillation (intensity fluctuations), beam wander and (for laser systems) reduction of beam quality. For longer propagation channels, it is important to characterize the vertical and horizontal distribution (inhomogeneity) of the optical turbulence. In the framework of the First European South African Transmission ExpeRiment (FESTER) optical turbulence was measured between June 2015 and February 2016 over a 1.8 km over-water link over False Bay. The link ran from the Institute of Maritime Technology (IMT) at Simons Town to the lighthouse at Roman Rock Island. Three Boundary layer scintillometers (BLS900) allowed assessing the vertical distribution of optical turbulence at three different heights between 5 and 12 m above the water surface. The expected decrease with Cn2 with height is not always found. These results are analyzed in terms of the meteorological scenario, and a comparison is made with a fourth optical link providing optical turbulence data over a 8.69 km path from IMT to St. James, roughly perpendicular to the three 1.8 km paths.

Lossless microwave photonic delay line using a ring resonator with an integrated semiconductor optical amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yiwei; Zhuang, Leimeng; Boller, Klaus-Jochen; Lowery, Arthur James

2017-06-01

Optical delay lines implemented in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are essential for creating robust and low-cost optical signal processors on miniaturized chips. In particular, tunable delay lines enable a key feature of programmability for the on-chip processing functions. However, the previously investigated tunable delay lines are plagued by a severe drawback of delay-dependent loss due to the propagation loss in the constituent waveguides. In principle, a serial-connected amplifier can be used to compensate such losses or perform additional amplitude manipulation. However, this solution is generally unpractical as it introduces additional burden on chip area and power consumption, particularly for large-scale integrated PICs. Here, we report an integrated tunable delay line that overcomes the delay-dependent loss, and simultaneously allows for independent manipulation of group delay and amplitude responses. It uses a ring resonator with a tunable coupler and a semiconductor optical amplifier in the feedback path. A proof-of-concept device with a free spectral range of 11.5 GHz and a delay bandwidth in the order of 200 MHz is discussed in the context of microwave photonics and is experimentally demonstrated to be able to provide a lossless delay up to 1.1 to a 5 ns Gaussian pulse. The proposed device can be designed for different frequency scales with potential for applications across many other areas such as telecommunications, LIDAR, and spectroscopy, serving as a novel building block for creating chip-scale programmable optical signal processors.

Ballistic Imaging and Scattering Measurements for Diesel Spray Combustion: Optical Development and Phenomenological Studies

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-01

polystyrene spheres in a water suspension. The impact of spatial filtering , temporal filtering , and scattering path length on image resolution are...The impact of spatial filtering , temporal filtering , and scattering path length on image resolution are reported. The technique is demonstrated...cell filled with polystyrene spheres in a water suspension. The impact of spatial filtering , temporal filtering , and scattering path length on image

Holographic motion picture camera with Doppler shift compensation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kurtz, R. L. (Inventor)

1976-01-01

A holographic motion picture camera is reported for producing three dimensional images by employing an elliptical optical system. There is provided in one of the beam paths (the object or reference beam path) a motion compensator which enables the camera to photograph faster moving objects.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Tropospheric Clouds Observed by MODIS Onboard the Terra and Aqua Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, Michael D.

2005-01-01

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) was developed by NASA and launched onboard the Terra spacecraft on December 18, 1999 and Aqua spacecraft on May 4, 2002. It achieved its final orbit and began Earth observations on February 24, 2000 for Terra and June 24, 2002 for Aqua. A comprehensive set of remote sensing algorithms for cloud masking and the retrieval of cloud physical and optical properties has been developed by members of the MODIS atmosphere science team. The archived products from these algorithms have applications in climate change studies, climate modeling, numerical weather prediction, as well as fundamental atmospheric research. In addition to an extensive cloud mask, products include cloud-top properties (temperature, pressure, effective emissivity), cloud thermodynamic phase, cloud optical and microphysical parameters (optical thickness, effective particle radius, water path), as well as derived statistics. We will describe the various cloud properties being analyzed on a global basis from both Terra and Aqua. These include the latitudinal distribution of cloud optical and radiative properties of both liquid water and ice clouds, as well as joint histograms of cloud optical thickness and effective radius for selected geographical locations around the world.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Tropospheric Clouds Observed by MODIS Onboard the Terra and Aqua Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, Michael D.; Platnick, Steven

2005-01-01

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) was developed by NASA and launched onboard the Terra spacecraft on December 18,1999 and Aqua spacecraft on May 4, 2002. It achieved its final orbit and began Earth observations on February 24, 2000 for Terra and June 24, 2002 for Aqua. A comprehensive set of remote sensing algorithms for cloud masking and the retrieval of cloud physical and optical properties has been developed by members of the MODIS atmosphere science team. The archived products from these algorithms have applications in climate change studies, climate modeling, numerical weather prediction, as well as fundamental atmospheric research. In addition to an extensive cloud mask, products include cloud-top properties (temperature, pressure, effective emissivity), cloud thermodynamic phase, cloud optical and microphysical parameters (optical thickness, effective particle radius, water path), as well as derived statistics. We will describe the various cloud properties being analyzed on a global basis from both Terra and Aqua. These include the latitudinal distribution of cloud optical and radiative properties of both liquid water and ice clouds, as well as joint histograms of cloud optical thickness and effective radius for selected geographical locations around the world.

Cross layer optimization for cloud-based radio over optical fiber networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Sujie; Guo, Shaoyong; Qiu, Xuesong; Yang, Hui; Meng, Luoming

2016-07-01

To adapt the 5G communication, the cloud radio access network is a paradigm introduced by operators which aggregates all base stations computational resources into a cloud BBU pool. The interaction between RRH and BBU or resource schedule among BBUs in cloud have become more frequent and complex with the development of system scale and user requirement. It can promote the networking demand among RRHs and BBUs, and force to form elastic optical fiber switching and networking. In such network, multiple stratum resources of radio, optical and BBU processing unit have interweaved with each other. In this paper, we propose a novel multiple stratum optimization (MSO) architecture for cloud-based radio over optical fiber networks (C-RoFN) with software defined networking. Additionally, a global evaluation strategy (GES) is introduced in the proposed architecture. MSO can enhance the responsiveness to end-to-end user demands and globally optimize radio frequency, optical spectrum and BBU processing resources effectively to maximize radio coverage. The feasibility and efficiency of the proposed architecture with GES strategy are experimentally verified on OpenFlow-enabled testbed in terms of resource occupation and path provisioning latency.

Common-Path Interferometric Wavefront Sensing for Space Telescopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, James Kent

2011-01-01

This paper presents an optical configuration for a common-path phase-shifting interferometric wavefront sensor.1 2 This sensor has a host of attractive features which make it well suited for space-based adaptive optics. First, it is strictly reflective and therefore operates broadband, second it is common mode and therefore does not suffer from systematic errors (like vibration) that are typical in other interferometers, third it is a phase-shifting interferometer and therefore benefits from both the sensitivity of interferometric sensors as well as the noise rejection afforded by synchronous detection. Unlike the Shack-Hartman wavefront sensor, it has nearly uniform sensitivity to all pupil modes. Optical configuration, theory and simulations for such a system will be discussed along with predicted performance.

Thermomagnetic recording and magneto-optic playback system having constant intensity laser beam control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewicki, G. W.; Guisinger, J. E. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

A system is developed for maintaining the intensity of a laser beam at a constant level in a thermomagnetic recording and magneto-optic playback system in which an isotropic film is heated along a continuous path by the laser beam for recording. As each successive area of the path is heated locally to the vicinity of its Curie point in the presence of a controlled magnetic field, a magneto-optic density is produced proportional to the amplitude of the controlled magnetic field. To play back the recorded signal, the intensity of the laser beam is reduced and a Faraday or Kerr effect analyzer is used, with a photodetector, as a transducer for producing an output signal.

EPR experiment and 2-photon interferometry: Report of a 2-photon interference experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, Y. H.; Rubin, M. H.; Sergienko, A. V.

1992-01-01

After a very brief review of the historical Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR) experiments, a new two-photon interference type EPR experiment is reported. A two-photon state was generated by optical parametric down conversion. Pairs of light quanta with degenerate frequency but divergent directions of propagation were sent to two independent Michelson interferometers. First and second order interference effectors were studied. Different than other reports, we observed that the second order interference visibility vanished when the optical path difference of the interferometers were much less than the coherence length of the pumping laser beam. However, we also observed that the second order interference behaved differently depending on whether the interferometers were set at equal or different optical path differences.

Arc-evaporated carbon films: optical properties and electron mean free paths

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, M.W.; Arakawa, E.T.; Dolfini, S.M.

1984-01-01

This paper describes briefly a method which can be used to calculate inelastic mean free paths for electrons with energies in the range of interest for the interpretation of surface phenomena. This method requires a knowledge of the optical properties of the material for the photon energies associated with the oscillator strength of the valence electrons. However, in general it is easier to obtain accurate values of the required properties than it is to measure the electron attenuation lengths in the energy region of interest. This technique, demonstrated here for arc-evaporated carbon, can be used for any material for whichmore » the optical properties can be measured over essentially the whole energy range corresponding to the valence electron response.« less

Snapshot polarization-sensitive plug-in optical module for a Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marques, Manuel J.; Rivet, Sylvain; Bradu, Adrian; Podoleanu, Adrian

2018-02-01

In this communication, we present a proof-of-concept polarization-sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) which can be used to characterize the retardance and the axis orientation of a linear birefringent sample. This module configuration is an improvement from our previous work1, 2 since it encodes the two polarization channels on the optical path difference, effectively carrying out the polarization measurements simultaneously (snapshot measurement), whilst retaining all the advantages (namely the insensitivity to environmental parameters when using SM fibers) of these two previous configurations. Further progress consists in employing Master Slave OCT technology,3 which is used to automatically compensate for the dispersion mismatch introduced by the elements in the module. This is essential given the encoding of the polarization states on two different optical path lengths, each of them having dissimilar dispersive properties. By utilizing this method instead of the commonly used re-linearization and numerical dispersion compensation methods an improvement in terms of the calculation time required can be achieved.

Nitrogen dioxide sensing using a novel gas correlation detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kebabian, Paul L.; Annen, Kurt D.; Berkoff, Timothy A.; Freedman, Andrew

2000-05-01

A nitrogen dioxide point sensor, based on a novel nondispersive gas filter spectroscopic scheme, is described. The detection scheme relies on the fact that the absorption spectrum of nitrogen dioxide in the 400-550 nm region consists of a complicated line structure superimposed on an average broadband absorption. A compensating filter is used to remove the effect of the broadband absorption, making the sensor insensitive both to small particles in the optical path and to potentially interfering gases with broadband absorption features in the relevant wavelength region. Measurements are obtained using a remote optical absorption cell that is linked via multimode fibre optics to the source and detection optics. The incorporation of blue light emitting diodes which spectrally match the nitrogen dioxide absorption allows the employment of electronic (instead of mechanical) switching between optical paths. A sensitivity of better than 1.0 ppm m column density (1 s integration time) has been observed; improvements in electronics and thermal stabilization should increase this sensitivity.

Geometrical-optics approximation of forward scattering by gradient-index spheres.

PubMed

Li, Xiangzhen; Han, Xiang'e; Li, Renxian; Jiang, Huifen

2007-08-01

By means of geometrical optics we present an approximation method for acceleration of the computation of the scattering intensity distribution within a forward angular range (0-60 degrees ) for gradient-index spheres illuminated by a plane wave. The incident angle of reflected light is determined by the scattering angle, thus improving the approximation accuracy. The scattering angle and the optical path length are numerically integrated by a general-purpose integrator. With some special index models, the scattering angle and the optical path length can be expressed by a unique function and the calculation is faster. This method is proved effective for transparent particles with size parameters greater than 50. It fails to give good approximation results at scattering angles whose refractive rays are in the backward direction. For different index models, the geometrical-optics approximation is effective only for forward angles, typically those less than 60 degrees or when the refractive-index difference of a particle is less than a certain value.

All-optical optoacoustic microscopy based on probe beam deflection technique.

PubMed

Maswadi, Saher M; Ibey, Bennett L; Roth, Caleb C; Tsyboulski, Dmitri A; Beier, Hope T; Glickman, Randolph D; Oraevsky, Alexander A

2016-09-01

Optoacoustic (OA) microscopy using an all-optical system based on the probe beam deflection technique (PBDT) for detection of laser-induced acoustic signals was investigated as an alternative to conventional piezoelectric transducers. PBDT provides a number of advantages for OA microscopy including (i) efficient coupling of laser excitation energy to the samples being imaged through the probing laser beam, (ii) undistorted coupling of acoustic waves to the detector without the need for separation of the optical and acoustic paths, (iii) high sensitivity and (iv) ultrawide bandwidth. Because of the unimpeded optical path in PBDT, diffraction-limited lateral resolution can be readily achieved. The sensitivity of the current PBDT sensor of 22 μV/Pa and its noise equivalent pressure (NEP) of 11.4 Pa are comparable with these parameters of the optical micro-ring resonator and commercial piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers. Benefits of the present prototype OA microscope were demonstrated by successfully resolving micron-size details in histological sections of cardiac muscle.

Software-centric View on OVMS for LBT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trowitzsch, J.; Borelli, J.; Pott, J.; Kürster, M.

2012-09-01

The performance of infrared interferometry (IF) and adaptive optics (AO) strongly depends on the mitigation and correction of telescope vibrations. Therefore, at the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) the OVMS, the Optical Path Difference and Vibration Monitoring System, is being installed. It is meant to ensure suitable conditions for adaptive optics and interferometry. The vibration information is collected from accelerometers that are distributed over the optical elements of the LBT. The collected vibration measurements are converted into tip-tilt and optical path difference data. That data is utilized in the control strategies of the LBT adaptive secondary mirrors and the beam combining interferometers, LINC-NIRVANA and LBTI. Within the OVMS the software part is responsibility of the LINC-NIRVANA team at MPIA Heidelberg. It comprises the software for the real-time data acquisition from the accelerometers as well as the related telemetry interface and the vibration monitoring quick look tools. The basic design ideas, implementation details and special features are explained here.

Photon path distribution and optical responses of turbid media: theoretical analysis based on the microscopic Beer-Lambert law.

PubMed

Tsuchiya, Y

2001-08-01

A concise theoretical treatment has been developed to describe the optical responses of a highly scattering inhomogeneous medium using functions of the photon path distribution (PPD). The treatment is based on the microscopic Beer-Lambert law and has been found to yield a complete set of optical responses by time- and frequency-domain measurements. The PPD is defined for possible photons having a total zigzag pathlength of l between the points of light input and detection. Such a distribution is independent of the absorption properties of the medium and can be uniquely determined for the medium under quantification. Therefore, the PPD can be calculated with an imaginary reference medium having the same optical properties as the medium under quantification except for the absence of absorption. One of the advantages of this method is that the optical responses, the total attenuation, the mean pathlength, etc are expressed by functions of the PPD and the absorption distribution.

Automatic Alignment of Displacement-Measuring Interferometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halverson, Peter; Regehr, Martin; Spero, Robert; Alvarez-Salazar, Oscar; Loya, Frank; Logan, Jennifer

2006-01-01

A control system strives to maintain the correct alignment of a laser beam in an interferometer dedicated to measuring the displacement or distance between two fiducial corner-cube reflectors. The correct alignment of the laser beam is parallel to the line between the corner points of the corner-cube reflectors: Any deviation from parallelism changes the length of the optical path between the reflectors, thereby introducing a displacement or distance measurement error. On the basis of the geometrical optics of corner-cube reflectors, the length of the optical path can be shown to be L = L(sub 0)cos theta, where L(sub 0) is the distance between the corner points and theta is the misalignment angle. Therefore, the measurement error is given by DeltaL = L(sub 0)(cos theta - 1). In the usual case in which the misalignment is small, this error can be approximated as DeltaL approximately equal to -L(sub 0)theta sup 2/2. The control system (see figure) is implemented partly in hardware and partly in software. The control system includes three piezoelectric actuators for rapid, fine adjustment of the direction of the laser beam. The voltages applied to the piezoelectric actuators include components designed to scan the beam in a circular pattern so that the beam traces out a narrow cone (60 microradians wide in the initial application) about the direction in which it is nominally aimed. This scan is performed at a frequency (2.5 Hz in the initial application) well below the resonance frequency of any vibration of the interferometer. The laser beam makes a round trip to both corner-cube reflectors and then interferes with the launched beam. The interference is detected on a photodiode. The length of the optical path is measured by a heterodyne technique: A 100- kHz frequency shift between the launched beam and a reference beam imposes, on the detected signal, an interferometric phase shift proportional to the length of the optical path. A phase meter comprising analog filters and specialized digital circuitry converts the phase shift to an indication of displacement, generating a digital signal proportional to the path length.

Double-pulse 2-μm integrated path differential absorption lidar airborne validation for atmospheric carbon dioxide measurement.

PubMed

Refaat, Tamer F; Singh, Upendra N; Yu, Jirong; Petros, Mulugeta; Remus, Ruben; Ismail, Syed

2016-05-20

Field experiments were conducted to test and evaluate the initial atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) measurement capability of airborne, high-energy, double-pulsed, 2-μm integrated path differential absorption (IPDA) lidar. This IPDA was designed, integrated, and operated at the NASA Langley Research Center on-board the NASA B-200 aircraft. The IPDA was tuned to the CO₂ strong absorption line at 2050.9670 nm, which is the optimum for lower tropospheric weighted column measurements. Flights were conducted over land and ocean under different conditions. The first validation experiments of the IPDA for atmospheric CO₂ remote sensing, focusing on low surface reflectivity oceanic surface returns during full day background conditions, are presented. In these experiments, the IPDA measurements were validated by comparison to airborne flask air-sampling measurements conducted by the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory. IPDA performance modeling was conducted to evaluate measurement sensitivity and bias errors. The IPDA signals and their variation with altitude compare well with predicted model results. In addition, off-off-line testing was conducted, with fixed instrument settings, to evaluate the IPDA systematic and random errors. Analysis shows an altitude-independent differential optical depth offset of 0.0769. Optical depth measurement uncertainty of 0.0918 compares well with the predicted value of 0.0761. IPDA CO₂ column measurement compares well with model-driven, near-simultaneous air-sampling measurements from the NOAA aircraft at different altitudes. With a 10-s shot average, CO₂ differential optical depth measurement of 1.0054±0.0103 was retrieved from a 6-km altitude and a 4-GHz on-line operation. As compared to CO₂ weighted-average column dry-air volume mixing ratio of 404.08 ppm, derived from air sampling, IPDA measurement resulted in a value of 405.22±4.15  ppm with 1.02% uncertainty and 0.28% additional bias. Sensitivity analysis of environmental systematic errors correlates the additional bias to water vapor. IPDA ranging resulted in a measurement uncertainty of <3  m.

High-Content Optical Codes for Protecting Rapid Diagnostic Tests from Counterfeiting.

PubMed

Gökçe, Onur; Mercandetti, Cristina; Delamarche, Emmanuel

2018-06-19

Warnings and reports on counterfeit diagnostic devices are released several times a year by regulators and public health agencies. Unfortunately, mishandling, altering, and counterfeiting point-of-care diagnostics (POCDs) and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) is lucrative, relatively simple and can lead to devastating consequences. Here, we demonstrate how to implement optical security codes in silicon- and nitrocellulose-based flow paths for device authentication using a smartphone. The codes are created by inkjet spotting inks directly on nitrocellulose or on micropillars. Codes containing up to 32 elements per mm 2 and 8 colors can encode as many as 10 45 combinations. Codes on silicon micropillars can be erased by setting a continuous flow path across the entire array of code elements or for nitrocellulose by simply wicking a liquid across the code. Static or labile code elements can further be formed on nitrocellulose to create a hidden code using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or glycerol additives to the inks. More advanced codes having a specific deletion sequence can also be created in silicon microfluidic devices using an array of passive routing nodes, which activate in a particular, programmable sequence. Such codes are simple to fabricate, easy to view, and efficient in coding information; they can be ideally used in combination with information on a package to protect diagnostic devices from counterfeiting.

Laser speckle imaging in the spatial frequency domain

PubMed Central

Mazhar, Amaan; Cuccia, David J.; Rice, Tyler B.; Carp, Stefan A.; Durkin, Anthony J.; Boas, David A.; Choi, Bernard; Tromberg, Bruce J.

2011-01-01

Laser Speckle Imaging (LSI) images interference patterns produced by coherent addition of scattered laser light to map subsurface tissue perfusion. However, the effect of longer path length photons is typically unknown and poses a limitation towards absolute quantification. In this work, LSI is integrated with spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) to suppress multiple scattering and absorption effects. First, depth sensitive speckle contrast is shown in phantoms by separating a deep source (4 mm) from a shallow source (2 mm) of speckle contrast by using a high spatial frequency of illumination (0.24 mm−1). We develop an SFD adapted correlation diffusion model and show that with high frequency (0.24 mm−1) illumination, doubling of absorption contrast results in only a 1% change in speckle contrast versus 25% change using a planar unmodulated (0 mm−1) illumination. Similar absorption change is mimicked in vivo imaging a finger occlusion and the relative speckle contrast change from baseline is 10% at 0.26 mm−1 versus 60% at 0 mm−1 during a finger occlusion. These results underscore the importance of path length and optical properties in determining speckle contrast. They provide an integrated approach for simultaneous mapping of blood flow (speckle contrast) and oxygenation (optical properties) which can be used to inform tissue metabolism. PMID:21698018

Laser-Based Production of Metallic Conducting Paths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vedder, Christian; Stollenwerk, Jochen; Wissenbach, Konrad; Pirch, Norbert

For numerous devices such as OLEDs, solar cells or heated windows conducting paths are needed for collecting or distributing electricity on poorly or non-conducting surfaces. With established techniques the metallic paths can only be produced with a great deal of effort, incurring high costs for plant, equipment and energy. A new laser based process to manufacture conducting paths allows for writing narrow paths (down to 35 μm width) of Al, Cu, Ag or similar materials onto flat surfaces of glass (plain or coated with ITO) and silicon wafers by melting and vaporizing a metal foil through optical energy at high speeds of up to 2.5 m/s.

All-optical spinor Bose-Einstein condensation and the spinor dynamics-driven atom laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundblad, Nathan Eric

Optical trapping as a viable means of exploring the physics of ultracold dilute atomic gases has revealed a new spectrum of physical phenomena. In particular, macroscopic and sudden occupation of the ground state below a critical temperature---a phenomenon known as Bose-Einstein condensation---has become an even richer system for the study of quantum mechanics, ultracold collisions, and many-body physics in general. Optical trapping liberates the spin degree of the BEC, making the order parameter vectorial ('spinor BEC'), as opposed to the scalar order of traditional magnetically trapped condensates. The work described within is divided into two main efforts. The first encompasses the all-optical creation of a Bose-Einstein condensate in rubidium vapor. An all-optical path to spinor BEC (as opposed to transfer to an optical trap from a magnetic trap condensate) was desired both for the simplicity of the experimental setup and also for the potential gains in speed of creation; evaporative cooling, the only known path to dilute-gas condensation, works only as efficiently as the rate of elastic collisions in the gas, a rate that starts out much higher in optical traps. The first all-optical BEC was formed elsewhere in 2001; the years following saw many groups worldwide seeking to create their own version. Our own all-optical spinor BEC, made with a single-beam dipole trap formed by a focused CO2 laser, is described here, with particular attention paid to trap loading, measurement of trap parameters, and the use of a novel 780 nm high-power laser system. The second part describes initial experiments performed with the nascent condensate. The spinor properties of the condensate are documented, and a measurement is made of the density-dependent rate of spin mixing in the condensate. In addition, we demonstrate a novel dual-beam atom laser formed by outcoupling oppositely polarized components of the condensate, whose populations have been coherently evolved through spin dynamics. We drive coherent spin-mixing evolution through adiabatic compression of the initially weak trap. Such dual beams, nominally number-correlated through the angular momentum-conserving collision 2m0 ⇋ m+1 + m-1 have been proposed as tools to explore entanglement and squeezing in Bose-Einstein condensates.

The 27-28 October 1986 FIRE IFO cirrus case study: Comparison of satellite and aircraft derived particle size

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wielicki, Bruce A.; Suttles, J. T.; Heymsfield, Andrew J.; Welch, Ronald M.; Spinhirne, James D.; Wu, Man-Li C.; Starr, David; Parker, Lindsay; Arduini, Robert F.

1990-01-01

Theoretical calculations predict that cloud reflectance in near infrared windows such as those at 1.6 and 2.2 microns should give lower reflectances than at visible wavelengths. The reason for this difference is that ice and liquid water show significant absorption at those wavelengths, in contrast to the nearly conservative scattering at wavelengths shorter than 1 micron. In addition, because the amount of absorption scales with the path length of radiation through the particle, increasing cloud particle size should lead to decreasing reflectances at 1.6 and 2.2 microns. Measurements at these wavelengths to date, however, have often given unpredicted results. Twomey and Cocks found unexpectedly high absorption (factors of 3 to 5) in optically thick liquid water clouds. Curran and Wu found expectedly low absorption in optically thick high clouds, and postulated the existence of supercooled small water droplets in place of the expected large ice particles. The implications of the FIRE data for optically thin cirrus are examined.

A novel fiber optic Fabry-Perot structure with a micrometric diameter tip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xingwei; Xu, Juncheng; Wang, Zhuang; Cooper, Kristie L.; Wang, Anbo

2006-08-01

This paper presents a novel fiber optic Fabry-Perot (FP) structure with a micrometric diameter tip. The fabrication of micro scale probes has become essential in intracellular surgery, in cell sensing, manipulation, and injection. It is of great importance in many fields, such as genetics, pathology, criminology, pharmacogenetics, and food safety. With such a tiny protrusion, the sensor can be inserted into micron size cells, say, for DNA analysis. With the FP cavity inside the fiber, the change of optical path difference (OPD) caused by the environment can be demodulated. In addition, the structure is intrinsically capable of temperature compensation. What's more, it is simple, cost-efficient, and compact. Last but not the least, the structure shows promise for nanometric protrusion. Once this goal is achieved, the sensor can be inserted into most cells. The sensor could pave the way for faster, more accurate medical diagnostic tests for countless conditions and may ultimately save lives by allowing earlier disease detection and intervention.

OPEN PATH TUNABLE DIODE LASER ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY FOR ACQUISITION OF FUGITIVE EMISSION FLUX DATA

EPA Science Inventory

Air pollutant emission from unconfined sources is an increasingly important environmental issue. The U.S. EPA has developed a gorund-based optical remote sensing method that enables direct measurement of fugitive emission flux from large area sources. Open-path Fourier transfor...

Overlapped optics induced perfect coherent effects.

PubMed

Li, Jian Jie; Zang, Xiao Fei; Mao, Jun Fa; Tang, Min; Zhu, Yi Ming; Zhuang, Song Lin

2013-12-20

For traditional coherent effects, two separated identical point sources can be interfered with each other only when the optical path difference is integer number of wavelengths, leading to alternate dark and bright fringes for different optical path difference. For hundreds of years, such a perfect coherent condition seems insurmountable. However, in this paper, based on transformation optics, two separated in-phase identical point sources can induce perfect interference with each other without satisfying the traditional coherent condition. This shifting illusion media is realized by inductor-capacitor transmission line network. Theoretical analysis, numerical simulations and experimental results are performed to confirm such a kind of perfect coherent effect and it is found that the total radiation power of multiple elements system can be greatly enhanced. Our investigation may be applicable to National Ignition Facility (NIF), Inertial Confined Fusion (ICF) of China, LED lighting technology, terahertz communication, and so on.

Performance of multi-hop parallel free-space optical communication over gamma-gamma fading channel with pointing errors.

PubMed

Gao, Zhengguang; Liu, Hongzhan; Ma, Xiaoping; Lu, Wei

2016-11-10

Multi-hop parallel relaying is considered in a free-space optical (FSO) communication system deploying binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) modulation under the combined effects of a gamma-gamma (GG) distribution and misalignment fading. Based on the best path selection criterion, the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of this cooperative random variable is derived. Then the performance of this optical mesh network is analyzed in detail. A Monte Carlo simulation is also conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the results for the average bit error rate (ABER) and outage probability. The numerical result proves that it needs a smaller average transmitted optical power to achieve the same ABER and outage probability when using the multi-hop parallel network in FSO links. Furthermore, the system use of more number of hops and cooperative paths can improve the quality of the communication.

Development of a Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy System Using HighLuminance LED for Measurement of NO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuchi, Tetsuo; Nayuki, Takuya; Mori, Hideto; Goto, Naohiko; Fujii, Takashi; Nemoto, Koshichi

A differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) system for measurement of atmospheric NO2 was developed. The system uses a battery-operated, high luminance LED and a fiber-coupled spectrometer, and is portable. Laboratory experiments using a gas cell of length 0.22 m with varying NO2 concentrations were performed to evaluate the sensitivity of the DOAS system. The DOAS measurement results are in agreement with NO2 concentrations obtained simultaneously by a FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared) system for NO2 concentrations down to 20 ppm. Experiments with an optical path length of 93 m were also performed, and NO2 concentrations down to 0.20 ppm were measured. Since measurement of atmospheric NO2, which is in the order of several tens of ppb, requires optical path lengths of several hundred m, system improvements to improve the signal detection are necessary.

Astigmatism corrected common path probe for optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Singh, Kanwarpal; Yamada, Daisuke; Tearney, Guillermo

2017-03-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) catheters for intraluminal imaging are subject to various artifacts due to reference-sample arm dispersion imbalances and sample arm beam astigmatism. The goal of this work was to develop a probe that minimizes such artifacts. Our probe was fabricated using a single mode fiber at the tip of which a glass spacer and graded index objective lens were spliced to achieve the desired focal distance. The signal was reflected using a curved reflector to correct for astigmatism caused by the thin, protective, transparent sheath that surrounds the optics. The probe design was optimized using Zemax, a commercially available optical design software. Common path interferometric operation was achieved using Fresnel reflection from the tip of the focusing graded index objective lens. The performance of the probe was tested using a custom designed spectrometer-based OCT system. The probe achieved an axial resolution of 15.6 μm in air, a lateral resolution 33 μm, and a sensitivity of 103 dB. A scattering tissue phantom was imaged to test the performance of the probe for astigmatism correction. Images of the phantom confirmed that this common-path, astigmatism-corrected OCT imaging probe had minimal artifacts in the axial, and lateral dimensions. In this work, we developed an astigmatism-corrected, common path probe that minimizes artifacts associated with standard OCT probes. This design may be useful for OCT applications that require high axial and lateral resolutions. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:312-318, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of travel speed on the visual control of steering toward a goal.

PubMed

Chen, Rongrong; Niehorster, Diederick C; Li, Li

2018-03-01

Previous studies have proposed that people can use visual cues such as the instantaneous direction (i.e., heading) or future path trajectory of travel specified by optic flow or target visual direction in egocentric space to steer or walk toward a goal. In the current study, we examined what visual cues people use to guide their goal-oriented locomotion and whether their reliance on such visual cues changes as travel speed increases. We presented participants with optic flow displays that simulated their self-motion toward a target at various travel speeds under two viewing conditions in which we made target egocentric direction available or unavailable for steering. We found that for both viewing conditions, participants did not steer along a curved path toward the target such that the actual and the required path curvature to reach the target would converge when approaching the target. At higher travel speeds, participants showed a faster and larger reduction in target-heading angle and more accurate and precise steady-state control of aligning their heading specified by optic flow with the target. These findings support the claim that people use heading and target egocentric direction but not path for goal-oriented locomotion control, and their reliance on heading increases at higher travel speeds. The increased reliance on heading for goal-oriented locomotion control could be due to an increased reliability in perceiving heading from optic flow as the magnitude of flow increases with travel speed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Using Two Models in Optics: Students' Difficulties and Suggestions for Teaching.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colin, P.; Viennot, L.

2001-01-01

Focuses on difficulties linked to situations in physics involving two models--geometrical optics and wave optics. Presents content analysis underlining two important features required for addressing such situations: (1) awareness of the status of the drawings; and (2) the 'backward selection' of paths of light. (Contains 24 references.)…

Enhancing performance of LCoS-SLM as adaptive optics by using computer-generated holograms modulation software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Chun-Wei; Lyu, Bo-Han; Wang, Chen; Hung, Cheng-Chieh

2017-05-01

We have already developed multi-function and easy-to-use modulation software that was based on LabVIEW system. There are mainly four functions in this modulation software, such as computer generated holograms (CGH) generation, CGH reconstruction, image trimming, and special phase distribution. Based on the above development of CGH modulation software, we could enhance the performance of liquid crystal on silicon - spatial light modulator (LCoSSLM) as similar as the diffractive optical element (DOE) and use it on various adaptive optics (AO) applications. Through the development of special phase distribution, we are going to use the LCoS-SLM with CGH modulation software into AO technology, such as optical microscope system. When the LCOS-SLM panel is integrated in an optical microscope system, it could be placed on the illumination path or on the image forming path. However, LCOS-SLM provides a program-controllable liquid crystal array for optical microscope. It dynamically changes the amplitude or phase of light and gives the obvious advantage, "Flexibility", to the system

Random fluctuations of optical signal path delay in the atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kral, L.; Prochazka, I.; Hamal, K.

2006-09-01

Atmospheric turbulence induces random delay fluctuations to any optical signal transmitted through the air. These fluctuations can influence for example the measurement precision of laser rangefinders. We have found an appropriate theoretical model based on geometrical optics that allows us to predict the amplitude of the random delay fluctuations for different observing conditions. We have successfully proved the applicability of this model by a series of experiments, directly determining the amplitude of the turbulence-induced pulse delay fluctuations by analysis of a high precision laser ranging data. Moreover, we have also shown that a standard theoretical approach based on diffractive propagation of light through inhomogeneous media and implemented using the GLAD software is not suitable for modeling of the optical signal delay fluctuations caused by the atmosphere. These models based on diffractive propagation predict the turbulence-induced optical path length fluctuations of the order of micrometers, whereas the fluctuations predicted by the geometrical optics model (in agreement with our experimental data) are generally larger by two orders of magnitude, i.e. in the submillimeter range. The reason of this discrepancy is a subject to discussion.

Logical optical line terminal technologies towards flexible and highly reliable metro- and access-integrated networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okamoto, Satoru; Sato, Takehiro; Yamanaka, Naoaki

2017-01-01

In this paper, flexible and highly reliable metro and access integrated networks with network virtualization and software defined networking technologies will be presented. Logical optical line terminal (L-OLT) technologies and active optical distribution networks (ODNs) are the key to introduce flexibility and high reliability into the metro and access integrated networks. In the Elastic Lambda Aggregation Network (EλAN) project which was started in 2012, a concept of the programmable optical line terminal (P-OLT) has been proposed. A role of the P-OLT is providing multiple network services that have different protocols and quality of service requirements by single OLT box. Accommodated services will be Internet access, mobile front-haul/back-haul, data-center access, and leased line. L-OLTs are configured within the P-OLT box to support the functions required for each network service. Multiple P-OLTs and programmable optical network units (P-ONUs) are connected by the active ODN. Optical access paths which have flexible capacity are set on the ODN to provide network services from L-OLT to logical ONUs (L-ONUs). The L-OLT to L-ONU path on the active ODN provides a logical connection. Therefore, introducing virtualization technologies becomes possible. One example is moving an L-OLT from one P-OLT to another P-OLT like a virtual machine. This movement is called L-OLT migration. The L-OLT migration provides flexible and reliable network functions such as energy saving by aggregating L-OLTs to a limited number of P-OLTs, and network wide optical access path restoration. Other L-OLT virtualization technologies and experimental results will be also discussed in the paper.

An asymptotic preserving unified gas kinetic scheme for gray radiative transfer equations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sun, Wenjun, E-mail: sun_wenjun@iapcm.ac.cn; Jiang, Song, E-mail: jiang@iapcm.ac.cn; Xu, Kun, E-mail: makxu@ust.hk

The solutions of radiative transport equations can cover both optical thin and optical thick regimes due to the large variation of photon's mean-free path and its interaction with the material. In the small mean free path limit, the nonlinear time-dependent radiative transfer equations can converge to an equilibrium diffusion equation due to the intensive interaction between radiation and material. In the optical thin limit, the photon free transport mechanism will emerge. In this paper, we are going to develop an accurate and robust asymptotic preserving unified gas kinetic scheme (AP-UGKS) for the gray radiative transfer equations, where the radiation transportmore » equation is coupled with the material thermal energy equation. The current work is based on the UGKS framework for the rarefied gas dynamics [14], and is an extension of a recent work [12] from a one-dimensional linear radiation transport equation to a nonlinear two-dimensional gray radiative system. The newly developed scheme has the asymptotic preserving (AP) property in the optically thick regime in the capturing of diffusive solution without using a cell size being smaller than the photon's mean free path and time step being less than the photon collision time. Besides the diffusion limit, the scheme can capture the exact solution in the optical thin regime as well. The current scheme is a finite volume method. Due to the direct modeling for the time evolution solution of the interface radiative intensity, a smooth transition of the transport physics from optical thin to optical thick can be accurately recovered. Many numerical examples are included to validate the current approach.« less

Design and implementation of the one-step MSD adder of optical computer.

PubMed

Song, Kai; Yan, Liping

2012-03-01

On the basis of the symmetric encoding algorithm for the modified signed-digit (MSD), a 7*7 truth table that can be realized with optical methods was developed. And based on the truth table, the optical path structures and circuit implementations of the one-step MSD adder of ternary optical computer (TOC) were designed. Experiments show that the scheme is correct, feasible, and efficient. © 2012 Optical Society of America

Development of a novel polymeric fiber-optic magnetostrictive metal detector.

PubMed

Hua, Wei-Shu; Hooks, Joshua Rosenberg; Wu, Wen-Jong; Wang, Wei-Chih

2010-01-01

The purpose this paper is the development a novel polymeric fiber-optic magnetostrictive metal detector, using a fiber-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer and polymeric magnetostrictive material. Metal detection is based on the strain-induced optical path length change steming from the ferromagnetic material introduced in the magnetic field. Varied optical phase shifts resulted largely from different metal objects. In this paper, the preliminary results on the different metal material detection will be discussed.

A Dynamic Resilience Approach for WDM Optical Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garg, Amit Kumar

2017-12-01

Optical fibres have been developed as a transmission medium to carry traffic in order to provide various services in telecommunications platform. Failure of this fibre caused loss of data which can interrupt communication services. This paper has been focused only on survivable schemes in order to guarantee both protection and restoration in WDM optical networks. In this paper, a dynamic resilience approach has been proposed whose objective is to route the flows in a way which minimizes the total amount of bandwidth used for working and protection paths. In the proposed approach, path-based protection is utilized because it yields lower overhead and is also suitable for global optimization where, in case of a single link failure, all the flows utilizing the failed link are re-routed to a pre-computed set of paths. The simulation results demonstrate that proposed approach is much more efficient as it provides better quality of services (QoS) in terms of network resource utilization, blocking probability etc. as compared to conventional protection and restoration schemes. The proposed approach seems to offer an attractive combination of features, with both ring like speed and mesh-like efficiency.

Design of visible and IR infrared dual-band common-path telescope system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, YuLin; Yu, Xun; Tao, Yu; Jiang, Xu

2018-01-01

The use of visible and IR infrared dual-band combination can effectively improve the performance of photoelectric detection system,TV and IR system were designed with the common path by the common reflection optical system.A TV/IR infrared common-caliber and common-path system is designed,which can realize the Remote and all-day information.For the 640×512 cooled focal plane array,an infrared middle wave system was presented with a focal length of 600mm F number of 4 field of view(FOV) of 0.38°×0.43°, the system uses optical passive thermal design, has o compact structure and can meet 100% cold shield efficiency,meanwhile it meets the design requirements of lightweight and athermalization. For the 1920×1080 pixels CCD,a visible (TV) system ,which had 500mm focal length, 4F number,was completed.The final optical design along with their modulation transfer function is presented,showing excellent imaging performance in dual-band at the temperature range between -40° and 60°.

Three-dimensional automated nanoparticle tracking using Mie scattering in an optical microscope.

PubMed

Gineste, J-M; Macko, P; Patterson, E A; Whelan, M P

2011-08-01

The forward scattering of light in a conventional inverted optical microscope by nanoparticles ranging in diameter from 10 to 50nm has been used to automatically and quantitatively identify and track their location in three-dimensions with a temporal resolution of 200ms. The standard deviation of the location of nominally stationary 50-nm-diameter nanoparticles was found to be about 50nm along the light path and about 5nm in the plane perpendicular to the light path. The method is based on oscillating the microscope objective along the light path using a piezo actuator and acquiring images with the condenser aperture closed to a minimum to enhance the effects of diffraction. Data processing in the time and spatial domains allowed the location of particles to be obtained automatically so that the technique has potential applications both in the processing of nanoparticles and in their use in a variety of fields including nanobiotechnology, pharmaceuticals and food processing where a simple optical microscope maybe preferred for a variety of reasons. © 2011 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2011 Royal Microscopical Society.

Studies of free-space optical links through simulated boundary layer and long-path turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasiczko, Linda; Smolyaninov, Igor I.; Milner, Stuart D.; Davis, Christopher C.

2004-02-01

There is recent interest from the US Department of Defense in free space optical communication networks involving aircraft flying at various altitudes. The optical links between these aircraft may be as long as 100km, and involve communication between network nodes that are moving at sub-sonic speeds. An unresolved issue for links of this kind between pairs of aircraft is the effect of boundary layer turbulence near each aircraft, as well as along the atmospheric path between them. The deployment of optical wireless links in several different scenarios will be described. These include links near to the ground for which the turbulence parameter Cn2 varies along the path between transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX), high altitude links between aircraft, and ground to aircraft links. The last two of these may involve boundary layer turbulence near the aircraft node where the turbulence is localized either at the TX or at the RX. Some of the theoretical approaches to examining these situations will be described, as well as an ongoing program of research to examine these situations experimentally. Ways to mitigate the effects of node motion, and scintillation at the RX will be discussed, including the use of non-imaging concentrators at the RX.

Development of GK-2A cloud optical and microphysical properties retrieval algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Y.; Yum, S. S.; Um, J.

2017-12-01

Cloud and aerosol radiative forcing is known to be one of the the largest uncertainties in climate change prediction. To reduce this uncertainty, remote sensing observation of cloud radiative and microphysical properties have been used since 1970s and the corresponding remote sensing techniques and instruments have been developed. As a part of such effort, Geo-KOMPSAT-2A (Geostationary Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite-2A, GK-2A) will be launched in 2018. On the GK-2A, the Advanced Meteorological Imager (AMI) is primary instrument which have 3 visible, 3 near-infrared, and 10 infrared channels. To retrieve optical and microphysical properties of clouds using AMI measurements, the preliminary version of new cloud retrieval algorithm for GK-2A was developed and several validation tests were conducted. This algorithm retrieves cloud optical thickness (COT), cloud effective radius (CER), liquid water path (LWP), and ice water path (IWP), so we named this algorithm as Daytime Cloud Optical thickness, Effective radius and liquid and ice Water path (DCOEW). The DCOEW uses cloud reflectance at visible and near-infrared channels as input data. An optimal estimation (OE) approach that requires appropriate a-priori values and measurement error information is used to retrieve COT and CER. LWP and IWP are calculated using empirical relationships between COT/CER and cloud water path that were determined previously. To validate retrieved cloud properties, we compared DCOEW output data with other operational satellite data. For COT and CER validation, we used two different data sets. To compare algorithms that use cloud reflectance at visible and near-IR channels as input data, MODIS MYD06 cloud product was selected. For the validation with cloud products that are based on microwave measurements, COT(2B-TAU)/CER(2C-ICE) data retrieved from CloudSat cloud profiling radar (W-band, 94 GHz) was used. For cloud water path validation, AMSR-2 Level-3 Cloud liquid water data was used. Detailed results will be shown at the conference.

Error rate performance of atmospheric laser communication based on bubble model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Ke; Wang, Jin; Li, Yan

2009-08-01

Free-Space Optics (FSO) can provide an effective line-of-sight and wireless communication with high bandwidth over a short distance. As a promising field of wireless communication, FSO is being accepted as an alternative of the more expensive fiber-optic based solutions. Despite the advantages of FSO, atmospheric turbulence has a significant impact on laser beam propagating through the channel in the atmosphere over a long distance. Turbulent eddies of various size and refractive index result in intensity scintillation and phase wander, which can severely impair the quality of FSO communication system. In this paper, a new geometrical model is used to assess the effects of turbulence on laser beam in its propagation path. The atmosphere is modeled along the transmission path filled with spatial-distributed spherical bubbles. The size and refractive index discontinuity of each bubble is K-distributed. This Monte Carlo technique allows us to estimate the fluctuation of intensity and phase shifts along the path. A pair of uncollimated rays arrives at the receiver through different path, and an optical path difference is produced. This difference causes a delay between the two rays. At the receiver, as the two rays are superposed, the delay ultimately affects the judgement of the bits. In the simulation, we assume that when the delay exceeds half of the bit width, bit error is possible. On the contrary, when the delay is less than the bit width, the bit error will not happen. Based on this assumption, we calculate the BER under different conditions, and results are further analyzed.

USING TUNABLE DIODE LASERS TO MEASURE EMISSIONS FROM ANIMAL HOUSING AND WASTE LAGOONS

EPA Science Inventory

Open-path optical spectroscopy has been applied to several fugitive sources by scientists at the EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory for more than a decade. Open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP-FTIR) was used during the initial research phase because of the abil...

OPEN PATH OPTICAL SENSING OF PARTICULATE MATTER

EPA Science Inventory

The paper discusses the concepts behind recent developments in optical remote sensing (ORS) and the results from experiments. Airborne fugitive and fine particulate matter (PM) from various sources contribute to exceedances of state and federal PM and visibility standards. Recent...

OPTICAL REMOTE SENSING FOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING

EPA Science Inventory

The paper outlines recent developments in using optical remote sensing (ORS) instruments for air quality monitoring both for gaseous pollutants and airborne particulate matter (PM). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been using open-path Fourier transform infrared...

Obtaining tight bounds on higher-order interferences with a 5-path interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kauten, Thomas; Keil, Robert; Kaufmann, Thomas; Pressl, Benedikt; Brukner, Časlav; Weihs, Gregor

2017-03-01

Within the established theoretical framework of quantum mechanics, interference always occurs between pairs of paths through an interferometer. Higher order interferences with multiple constituents are excluded by Born’s rule and can only exist in generalized probabilistic theories. Thus, high-precision experiments searching for such higher order interferences are a powerful method to distinguish between quantum mechanics and more general theories. Here, we perform such a test in an optical multi-path interferometer, which avoids crucial systematic errors, has access to the entire phase space and is more stable than previous experiments. Our results are in accordance with quantum mechanics and rule out the existence of higher order interference terms in optical interferometry to an extent that is more than four orders of magnitude smaller than the expected pairwise interference, refining previous bounds by two orders of magnitude.

Dynamic generation of Ince-Gaussian modes with a digital micromirror device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Yu-Xuan; Fang, Zhao-Xiang; Gong, Lei; Huang, Kun; Chen, Yue; Lu, Rong-De

2015-04-01

Ince-Gaussian (IG) beam with elliptical profile, as a connection between Hermite-Gaussian (HG) and Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams, has showed unique advantages in some applications such as quantum entanglement and optical micromanipulation. However, its dynamic generation with high switching frequency is still challenging. Here, we experimentally reported the quick generation of Ince-Gaussian beam by using a digital micro-mirror device (DMD), which has the highest switching frequency of 5.2 kHz in principle. The configurable properties of DMD allow us to observe the quasi-smooth variation from LG (with ellipticity ɛ = 0 ) to IG and HG ( ɛ = ∞ ) beam. This approach might pave a path to high-speed quantum communication in terms of IG beam. Additionally, the characterized axial plane intensity distribution exhibits a 3D mould potentially being employed for optical micromanipulation.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Riza, Nabeel Agha; Perez, Frank

A remote temperature sensing system includes a light source selectively producing light at two different wavelengths and a sensor device having an optical path length that varies as a function of temperature. The sensor receives light emitted by the light source and redirects the light along the optical path length. The system also includes a detector receiving redirected light from the sensor device and generating respective signals indicative of respective intensities of received redirected light corresponding to respective wavelengths of light emitted by the light source. The system also includes a processor processing the signals generated by the detector tomore » calculate a temperature of the device.« less

An Open-path Laser Transmissometer for Atmospheric Extinction Measurements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chandran, P. M. Satheesh; Krishnakumar, C. P.; Varma, Ravi

2011-10-20

A transmissometer is an optical instrument which measures transmitted intensity of monochromatic light over a fixed pathlength. Prototype of a simple laser transmissometer has been developed for transmission (or extinction) measurements through suspended absorbers and scatterers in the atmosphere over tens of meters. Instrument consists of a continuous green diode pumped solid state laser, transmission optics, photodiode detectors and A/D data acquisition components. A modulated laser beam is transmitted and subsequently reflected and returned to the unit by a retroreflecting mirror assembly placed several tens of meters away. Results from an open-path field measurement of the instrument are described.

Airborne Sun Photometer Measurements of Aerosol Optical Depth during SOLVE II: Comparison with SAGE III and POAM III Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, P.; Livingston, J.; Schmid, B.; Eilers, J.; Kolyer, R.; Redemann, J.; Yee, J.-H.; Trepte, C.; Thomason, L.; Zawodny, J.

2003-01-01

The 14-channel NASA Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS-14) was operated aboard the NASA DC-8 during the Second SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE II) and obtained successful measurements during the sunlit segments of eight science flights. These included six flights out of Kiruna, Sweden, one flight out of NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), and the Kiruna-DFRC return transit flight. Values of spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD), columnar ozone and columnar water vapor have been derived from the AATS-14 measurements. In this paper, we focus on AATS-14 AOD data. In particular, we compare AATS-14 AOD spectra with temporally and spatially near-coincident measurements by the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III) and the Polar Ozone and Aerosol Measurement III (POAM III) satellite sensors. We examine the effect on retrieved AOD of uncertainties in relative optical airmass (the ratio of AOD along the instrument-to-sun slant path to that along the vertical path) at large solar zenith angles. Airmass uncertainties result fiom uncertainties in requisite assumed vertical profiles of aerosol extinction due to inhomogeneity along the viewing path or simply to lack of available data. We also compare AATS-14 slant path solar transmission measurements with coincident measurements acquired from the DC-8 by the NASA Langley Research Center Gas and Aerosol Measurement Sensor (GAMS).

Design of interferometer system on Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus (VEST) at Seoul National University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, D. H.; An, Y. H.; Chung, K. J.; Hwang, Y. S.

2012-01-01

A 94 GHz heterodyne interferometer system was designed to measure the plasma density of VEST (Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus), which was recently built at Seoul National University. Two 94 GHz Gunn oscillators with a frequency difference of 40 MHz were used in the microwave electronics part of a heterodyne interferometer system. A compact beam focusing system utilizing a pair of plano-convex lenses and a concave mirror was designed to maximize the effective beam reception and spatial resolution. Beam path analysis based on Gaussian optics was used in the design of the beam focusing system. The design of the beam focusing system and the beam path analysis were verified with a couple of experiments that were done within an experimental framework that considered the real dimensions of a vacuum vessel. Optimum distances between the optical components and the beam radii along the beam path obtained from the experiments were in good agreement with the beam path analysis using the Gaussian optics. Both experimentation and numerical calculations confirmed that the designed beam focusing system maximized the spatial resolution of the measurement; moreover, the beam waist was located at the center of the plasma to generate a phase shift more effectively in plasmas. The interferometer system presented in this paper is expected to be used in the measurements of line integrated plasma densities during the start-up phase of VEST.

Design considerations for highly effective fluorescence excitation and detection optical systems for molecular diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasper, Axel; Van Hille, Herbert; Kuk, Sola

2018-02-01

Modern instruments for molecular diagnostics are continuously optimized for diagnostic accuracy, versatility and throughput. The latest progress in LED technology together with tailored optics solutions allows developing highly efficient photonics engines perfectly adapted to the sample under test. Super-bright chip-on-board LED light sources are a key component for such instruments providing maximum luminous intensities in a multitude of narrow spectral bands. In particular the combination of white LEDs with other narrow band LEDs allows achieving optimum efficiency outperforming traditional Xenon light sources in terms of energy consumption, heat dissipation in the system, and switching time between spectral channels. Maximum sensitivity of the diagnostic system can only be achieved with an optimized optics system for the illumination and imaging of the sample. The illumination beam path must be designed for optimum homogeneity across the field while precisely limiting the angular distribution of the excitation light. This is a necessity for avoiding spill-over to the detection beam path and guaranteeing the efficiency of the spectral filtering. The imaging optics must combine high spatial resolution, high light collection efficiency and optimized suppression of excitation light for good signal-to-noise ratio. In order to achieve minimum cross-talk between individual wells in the sample, the optics design must also consider the generation of stray light and the formation of ghost images. We discuss what parameters and limitations have to be considered in an integrated system design approach covering the full path from the light source to the detector.

OVMS: the optical path difference and vibration monitoring system for the LBT and its interferometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kürster, M.; Bertram, T.; Borelli, J. L.; Brix, M.; Gässler, W.; Herbst, T. M.; Naranjo, V.; Pott, J.-U.; Trowitzsch, J.; Connors, T. E.; Hinz, P. M.; McMahon, T. J.; Ashby, D. S.; Brynnel, J. G.; Cushing, N. J.; Edgin, T.; Esguerra, J. D.; Green, R. F.; Kraus, J.; Little, J.; Beckmann, U.; Weigelt, G. P.

2010-07-01

Characterisation, mitigation and correction of telescope vibrations have proven to be crucial for the performance of astronomical infrared interferometers. The project teams of the interferometers for the LBT, LINC-NIRVANA and LBTI, and LBT Observatory (LBTO) have embarked on a joint effort to implement an accelerometer-based vibration measurement system distributed over the optical elements of the LBT. OVMS, the Optical Path Difference and Vibration Monitoring System will serve to (i) ensure conditions suitable for adaptive optics (AO) and interferometric (IF) observations and (ii) utilize vibration information, converted into tip-tilt and optical path difference data, in the control strategies of the LBT adaptive secondary mirrors and the beam combining interferometers. The system hardware is mainly developed by Steward Observatory's LBTI team and its installation at the LBT is underway. The OVMS software development and associated computer infrastructure is the responsibility of the LINC-NIRVANA team at MPIA Heidelberg. Initially, the OVMS will fill a data archive provided by LBTO that will be used to study vibration data and correlate them with telescope movements and environmental parameters thereby identifiying sources of vibrations and to eliminate or mitigate them. Data display tools will help LBTO staff to keep vibrations within predefined thresholds for quiet conditions for AO and IF observations. Later-on real-time data from the OVMS will be fed into the control loops of the AO systems and IF instruments in order to permit the correction of vibration signals with frequencies up to 450 Hz.

LCRD Update and Path to Optical Relay Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Israel, David

2017-01-01

Speaker and Presenter at the Lincoln Laboratory Communications Workshop on May 23, 2017 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA. This presentation discusses a concept for an evolution of NASAs optical communications near-Earth relay architecture. NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) is a joint project between NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology (JPL), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL). LCRD will provide a minimum of two years of high data rate optical communications service experiments in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) following launch in 2019. This presentation will provide an update of the LCRD mission status and planned capabilities and experiments, followed by a discussion of the path from LCRD to operational network capabilities.

Development of a visible light transmission (VLT) measurement system using an open-path optical method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurulain, S.; Manap, H.

2017-09-01

This paper describes about a visible light transmission (VLT) measurement system using an optical method. VLT rate plays an important role in order to determine the visibility of a medium. Current instrument to measure visibility has a gigantic set up, costly and mostly fails to function at low light condition environment. This research focuses on the development of a VLT measurement system using a simple experimental set-up and at a low cost. An open path optical technique is used to measure a few series of known-VLT thin film that act as sample of different visibilities. This measurement system is able to measure the light intensity of these thin films within the visible light region (535-540 nm) and the response time is less than 1s.

Tapered fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometers for vibration and elasticity sensing applications.

PubMed

Chen, Nan-Kuang; Hsieh, Yu-Hsin; Lee, Yi-Kun

2013-05-06

We demonstrate the optical measurements of heart-beat pulse rate and also elasticity of a polymeric tube, using a tapered fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This device has two abrupt tapers in the Er/Yb codoped fiber and thus fractional amount of core mode is converted into cladding modes at the first abrupt taper. The core and cladding modes propagate through different optical paths and meet again at the second abrupt taper to produce interferences. The mechanical vibration signals generated by the blood vessels and by an inflated polymeric tube can perturb the optical paths of resonant modes to move around the resonant wavelengths. Thus, the cw laser signal is modulated to become pulses to reflect the heart-beat pulse rate and the elasticity of a polymeric tube, respectively.

Membrane adaptive optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marker, Dan K.; Wilkes, James M.; Ruggiero, Eric J.; Inman, Daniel J.

2005-08-01

An innovative adaptive optic is discussed that provides a range of capabilities unavailable with either existing, or newly reported, research devices. It is believed that this device will be inexpensive and uncomplicated to construct and operate, with a large correction range that should dramatically relax the static and dynamic structural tolerances of a telescope. As the areal density of a telescope primary is reduced, the optimal optical figure and the structural stiffness are inherently compromised and this phenomenon will require a responsive, range-enhanced wavefront corrector. In addition to correcting for the aberrations in such innovative primary mirrors, sufficient throw remains to provide non-mechanical steering to dramatically improve the Field of regard. Time dependent changes such as thermal disturbances can also be accommodated. The proposed adaptive optic will overcome some of the issues facing conventional deformable mirrors, as well as current and proposed MEMS-based deformable mirrors and liquid crystal based adaptive optics. Such a device is scalable to meter diameter apertures, eliminates high actuation voltages with minimal power consumption, provides long throw optical path correction, provides polychromatic dispersion free operation, dramatically reduces the effects of adjacent actuator influence, and provides a nearly 100% useful aperture. This article will reveal top-level details of the proposed construction and include portions of a static, dynamic, and residual aberration analysis. This device will enable certain designs previously conceived by visionaries in the optical community.

Miniaturized multi channel infrared optical gas sensor system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wöllenstein, Jürgen; Eberhardt, Andre; Rademacher, Sven; Schmitt, Katrin

2011-06-01

Infrared spectroscopy uses the characteristic absorption of the molecules in the mid infrared and allows the determination of the gases and their concentration. Especially by the absorption at longer wavelengths between 8 μm and 12 μm, the so called "fingerprint" region, the molecules can be measured with highest selectivity. We present an infrared optical filter photometer for the analytical determination of trace gases in the air. The challenge in developing the filter photometer was the construction of a multi-channel system using a novel filter wheel concept - which acts as a chopper too- in order to measure simultaneously four gases: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia. The system consists of a broadband infrared emitter, a long path cell with 1.7m optical path length, a filter wheel and analogue and digital signal processing. Multi channel filter photometers normally need one filter and one detector per target gas. There are small detection units with one, two or more detectors with integrated filters available on the market. One filter is normally used as reference at a wavelength without any cross-sensitivities to possible interfering gases (e.g. at 3.95 μm is an "atmospheric window" - a small spectral band without absorbing gases in the atmosphere). The advantage of a filter-wheel set-up is that a single IR-detector can be used, which reduces the signal drift enormously. Pyroelectric and thermopile detectors are often integrated in these kinds of spectrometers. For both detector types a modulation of the light is required and can be done - without an additional chopper - with the filter wheel.

Effects of Corrugated Temperature Sheets on Optical Propagation along Quasi-Horizontal Paths in the Stably Stratified Atmosphere

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-11

diameter) are consistent with theoretical predictions based on Taylor’s frozen- turbulence hypothesis and the geometrical - optics approximation. Short...theoretical predictions based on Taylor’s frozen- turbulence hypothesis and the geometrical - optics approximation. Short-term (less than a few seconds... turbulent , quasi-horizontal interfaces, or “sheets”. Collocated in- situ and optical field measurements conducted in the atmospheric surface layer

Inhomogeneity of optical turbulence over False Bay (South Africa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullwer, Carmen; Sprung, Detlev; van Eijk, Alexander M. J.; Gunter, Willi; Stein, Karin

2017-09-01

Atmospheric turbulence impacts on the propagation of electro-optical radiation. Typical manifestations of optical turbulence are scintillation (intensity fluctuations), beam wander and (for laser systems) reduction of beam quality. For longer propagation channels, it is important to characterize the vertical and horizontal distribution (inhomogeneity) of the optical turbulence. In the framework of the First European South African Transmission ExpeRiment (FESTER) optical turbulence was measured between June 2015 and February 2016 on a 2 km over-water link over False Bay. The link ran from the Institute of Maritime Technology (IMT) in Simons Town to the lighthouse at Roman Rock Island. Three Boundary layer scintillometers (BLS900) allowed assessing the vertical distribution of optical turbulence at three different heights between 5 and 12 m above the water surface. The expected decrease of Cn2 with height is not always found. These results are analyzed in terms of the meteorological scenarios, and a comparison is made with a fourth optical link providing optical turbulence data over a 8.7 km path from IMT to Kalk Bay, roughly 36° to the north of the three 2 km paths. The results are related to the inhomogeneous meteorological conditions over the Bay as assessed with the numerical weather prediction tool, the Weather Forecast and Research model WRF.

Routing and spectrum assignment based on ant colony optimization of minimum consecutiveness loss in elastic optical networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fu; Liu, Bo; Zhang, Lijia; Xin, Xiangjun; Tian, Qinghua; Zhang, Qi; Rao, Lan; Tian, Feng; Luo, Biao; Liu, Yingjun; Tang, Bao

2016-10-01

Elastic Optical Networks are considered to be a promising technology for future high-speed network. In this paper, we propose a RSA algorithm based on the ant colony optimization of minimum consecutiveness loss (ACO-MCL). Based on the effect of the spectrum consecutiveness loss on the pheromone in the ant colony optimization, the path and spectrum of the minimal impact on the network are selected for the service request. When an ant arrives at the destination node from the source node along a path, we assume that this path is selected for the request. We calculate the consecutiveness loss of candidate-neighbor link pairs along this path after the routing and spectrum assignment. Then, the networks update the pheromone according to the value of the consecutiveness loss. We save the path with the smallest value. After multiple iterations of the ant colony optimization, the final selection of the path is assigned for the request. The algorithms are simulated in different networks. The results show that ACO-MCL algorithm performs better in blocking probability and spectrum efficiency than other algorithms. Moreover, the ACO-MCL algorithm can effectively decrease spectrum fragmentation and enhance available spectrum consecutiveness. Compared with other algorithms, the ACO-MCL algorithm can reduce the blocking rate by at least 5.9% in heavy load.

The slant path atmospheric refraction calibrator - An instrument to measure the microwave propagation delays induced by atmospheric water vapor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walter, Steven J.; Bender, Peter L.

1992-01-01

The water vapor-induced propagation delay experienced by a radio signal traversing the atmosphere is characterized by the Slant Path Atmospheric Refraction Calibrator (SPARC), which measures the difference in the travel times between an optical and a microwave signal propagating along the same atmospheric path with an accuracy of 15 picosec or better. Attention is given to the theoretical and experimental issues involved in measuring the delay induced by water vapor; SPARC measurements conducted along a 13.35-km ground-based path are presented, illustrating the instrument's stability, precision, and accuracy.

Blocking performance approximation in flexi-grid networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ge, Fei; Tan, Liansheng

2016-12-01

The blocking probability to the path requests is an important issue in flexible bandwidth optical communications. In this paper, we propose a blocking probability approximation method of path requests in flexi-grid networks. It models the bundled neighboring carrier allocation with a group of birth-death processes and provides a theoretical analysis to the blocking probability under variable bandwidth traffic. The numerical results show the effect of traffic parameters to the blocking probability of path requests. We use the first fit algorithm in network nodes to allocate neighboring carriers to path requests in simulations, and verify approximation results.

Path connectivity based spectral defragmentation in flexible bandwidth networks.

PubMed

Wang, Ying; Zhang, Jie; Zhao, Yongli; Zhang, Jiawei; Zhao, Jie; Wang, Xinbo; Gu, Wanyi

2013-01-28

Optical networks with flexible bandwidth provisioning have become a very promising networking architecture. It enables efficient resource utilization and supports heterogeneous bandwidth demands. In this paper, two novel spectrum defragmentation approaches, i.e. Maximum Path Connectivity (MPC) algorithm and Path Connectivity Triggering (PCT) algorithm, are proposed based on the notion of Path Connectivity, which is defined to represent the maximum variation of node switching ability along the path in flexible bandwidth networks. A cost-performance-ratio based profitability model is given to denote the prons and cons of spectrum defragmentation. We compare these two proposed algorithms with non-defragmentation algorithm in terms of blocking probability. Then we analyze the differences of defragmentation profitability between MPC and PCT algorithms.

Control of Space-Based Electron Beam Free Form Fabrication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seifzer. W. J.; Taminger, K. M.

2007-01-01

Engineering a closed-loop control system for an electron beam welder for space-based additive manufacturing is challenging. For earth and space based applications, components must work in a vacuum and optical components become occluded with metal vapor deposition. For extraterrestrial applications added components increase launch weight, increase complexity, and increase space flight certification efforts. Here we present a software tool that closely couples path planning and E-beam parameter controls into the build process to increase flexibility. In an environment where data collection hinders real-time control, another approach is considered that will still yield a high quality build.

Multi-access laser communications terminal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

The Optical Multi-Access (OMA) Terminal is capable of establishing up to six simultaneous high-data-rate communication links between low-Earth-orbit satellites and a host satellite at synchronous orbit with only one 16-inch-diameter antenna on the synchronous satellite. The advantage over equivalent RF systems in space weight, power, and swept volume is great when applied to NASA satellite communications networks. A photograph of the 3-channel prototype constructed under the present contract to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept is presented. The telescope has a 10-inch clear aperture and a 22 deg full field of view. It consists of 4 refractive elements to achieve a telecentric focus, i.e., the focused beam is normal to the focal plane at all field angles. This feature permits image pick-up optics in the focal plane to track satellite images without tilting their optic axes to accommodate field angle. The geometry of the imager-pick-up concept and the coordinate system of the swinging arm and disk mechanism for image pick-up are shown. Optics in the arm relay the telescope focus to a communications and tracking receiver and introduce the transmitted beacon beam on a path collinear with the receive path. The electronic circuits for the communications and tracking receivers are contained on the arm and disk assemblies and relay signals to an associated PC-based operator's console for control of the arm and disk motor drive through a flexible cable which permits +/- 240 deg travel for each arm and disk assembly. Power supplies and laser transmitters are mounted in the cradle for the telescope. A single-mode fiber in the cable is used to carry the laser transmitter signal to the arm optics. The promise of the optical multi-access terminal towards which the prototype effort worked is shown. The emphasis in the prototype development was the demonstration of the unique aspect of the concept, and where possible, cost avoidance compromises were implemented in areas already proven on other programs. The design details are described in section 2, the prototype test results in section 3, additional development required in section 4, and conclusions in section 5.

The spatial distribution of the reactive iodine species IO from simultaneous active and passive DOAS observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seitz, K.; Buxmann, J.; Pöhler, D.; Sommer, T.; Tschritter, J.; Neary, T.; O'Dowd, C.; Platt, U.

2010-03-01

We present investigations of the reactive iodine species (RIS) IO, OIO and I2 in a coastal region from a field campaign simultaneously employing active long path differential optical absorption spectroscopy (LP-DOAS) as well as passive multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS). The campaign took place at the Martin Ryan Institute (MRI) in Carna, County Galway at the Irish West Coast about 6 km south-east of the atmospheric research station Mace Head in summer 2007. In order to study the horizontal distribution of the trace gases of interest, we established two almost parallel active LP-DOAS light paths, the shorter of 1034 m length just crossing the intertidal area, whereas the longer one of 3946 m length also crossed open water during periods of low tide. In addition we operated two passive Mini-MAX-DOAS instruments with the same viewing direction. While neither OIO nor I2 could be unambiguously identified with any of the instruments, IO could be detected with active as well as passive DOAS. The IO column densities seen at both active LP-DOAS light paths are almost the same. Thus it can be concluded that coastal IO is almost exclusively located in the intertidal area, where we detected mixing ratios of up to 29±8.8 ppt (equivalent to pmol/mol). Nucleation events with particle concentrations of 106 cm-3 particles were observed each day correlating with high IO mixing ratios. Therefore we feel that our detected IO concentrations confirm the results of model studies, which state that in order to explain such particle bursts, IO mixing ratios of 50 to 100 ppt in so called "hot-spots" are required.

The spatial distribution of the reactive iodine species IO from simultaneous active and passive DOAS observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seitz, K.; Buxmann, J.; Pöhler, D.; Sommer, T.; Tschritter, J.; O'Dowd, C.; Platt, U.

2009-10-01

We present investigations of the reactive iodine species (RIS) IO, OIO and I2 in a coastal region from a field campaign simultaneously employing active long path differential optical absorption spectroscopy (LP-DOAS) as well as passive multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS). The campaign took place at the Martin Ryan Institute (MRI) in Carna, County Galway at the Irish West Coast about 6 km south-east of the atmospheric research station Mace Head in summer 2007. In order to study the horizontal distribution of the trace gases of interest, we established two almost parallel active LP-DOAS light paths, the shorter of 1034 m length just crossing the intertidal area, whereas the longer one of 3946 m length also crossed open water during periods of low tide. In addition we operated two passive Mini-MAX-DOAS instruments with the same viewing direction. While neither OIO nor I2 could be unambiguously identified with any of the instruments, IO could be detected with active as well as passive DOAS. The IO column densities seen at both active LP-DOAS light paths are almost the same. Thus it can be concluded that coastal IO is almost exclusively located in the intertidal area, where we detected mixing ratios of up to 35±7.7 ppt (equivalent to pmol/mol). Nucleation events with particle concentrations of 106 cm-3 particles were observed each day correlating with high IO mixing ratios. Therefore we feel that our detected IO concentrations confirm the results of model studies, which state that in order to explain such particle bursts, IO mixing ratios of 50 to 100 ppt in so called "hot-spots" are required.

Contact-Engineered Electrical Properties of MoS2 Field-Effect Transistors via Selectively Deposited Thiol-Molecules.

PubMed

Cho, Kyungjune; Pak, Jinsu; Kim, Jae-Keun; Kang, Keehoon; Kim, Tae-Young; Shin, Jiwon; Choi, Barbara Yuri; Chung, Seungjun; Lee, Takhee

2018-05-01

Although 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) has gained much attention due to its unique electrical and optical properties, the limited electrical contact to 2D semiconductors still impedes the realization of high-performance 2D MoS 2 -based devices. In this regard, many studies have been conducted to improve the carrier-injection properties by inserting functional paths, such as graphene or hexagonal boron nitride, between the electrodes and 2D semiconductors. The reported strategies, however, require relatively time-consuming and low-yield transfer processes on sub-micrometer MoS 2 flakes. Here, a simple contact-engineering method is suggested, introducing chemically adsorbed thiol-molecules as thin tunneling barriers between the metal electrodes and MoS 2 channels. The selectively deposited thiol-molecules via the vapor-deposition process provide additional tunneling paths at the contact regions, improving the carrier-injection properties with lower activation energies in MoS 2 field-effect transistors. Additionally, by inserting thiol-molecules at the only one contact region, asymmetric carrier-injection is feasible depending on the temperature and gate bias. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

On the importance of high-frequency air-temperature fluctuations for spectroscopic corrections of open-path carbon dioxide flux measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogoev, Ivan; Helbig, Manuel; Sonnentag, Oliver

2015-04-01

A growing number of studies report systematic differences in CO2 flux estimates obtained with the two main types of gas analyzers: compared to eddy-covariance systems based on closed-path (CP) gas analyzers, systems with open-path (OP) gas analyzers systematically overestimate CO2 uptake during daytime periods with high positive sensible heat fluxes, while patterns for differences in nighttime CO2 exchange are less obvious. These biases have been shown to correlate with the sign and the magnitude of the sensible heat flux and to introduce large uncertainties when calculating annual CO2 budgets. In general, CP and OP gas analyzers commonly used to measure the CO2 density in the atmosphere operate on the principle of infrared light absorption approximated by Beer-Lambert's law. Non-dispersive interference-based optical filter elements are used to select spectral bands with strong attenuation of light transmission, characteristic to the gas of interest. The intensity of the light passing through the optical sensing path depends primarily on the amount of absorber gas in the measurement volume. Besides the density of the gas, barometric pressure and air temperature are additional factors affecting the strength and the half-width of the absorption lines. These so-called spectroscopic effects are accounted for by measuring barometric pressure and air temperature in the sensing path and scaling the light-intensity measurements before applying the calibration equation. This approach works well for CP gas analyzers with an intake tube that acts as a low-pass filter on fast air-temperature fluctuations. Low-frequency response temperature sensors in the measurement cell are therefore sufficient to account for spectroscopic temperature effects. In contrast, OP gas analyzers are exposed to high-frequency air-temperature fluctuations associated with the atmospheric surface-layer turbulent heat exchange. If not corrected adequately, these fast air-temperature variations can cause systematic errors in the CO2 density measurements. Under conditions of high positive or negative sensible heat flux, air-temperature fluctuations are correlated with fluctuations of the vertical wind component and can lead to significant biases in the CO2 flux estimates. This study demonstrates that sonically derived fast-response air temperature in the optical sensing path of an OP gas analyzer can replace the slow-response measurements from the temperature sensor as a scaling parameter in the calibration model to correct for these air temperature-induced spectroscopic effects. Our approach is evaluated by comparison between different OP and CP gas analyzer-based eddy-covariance systems in ecosystems with low CO2 uptake under a range of sensible heat flux regimes and varying meteorological parameters. We show that ignoring high-frequency spectroscopic effects can lead to false interpretations of net ecosystem CO2 exchange for specific site and environmental conditions.

How flatbed scanners upset accurate film dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Battum, L. J.; Huizenga, H.; Verdaasdonk, R. M.; Heukelom, S.

2016-01-01

Film is an excellent dosimeter for verification of dose distributions due to its high spatial resolution. Irradiated film can be digitized with low-cost, transmission, flatbed scanners. However, a disadvantage is their lateral scan effect (LSE): a scanner readout change over its lateral scan axis. Although anisotropic light scattering was presented as the origin of the LSE, this paper presents an alternative cause. Hereto, LSE for two flatbed scanners (Epson 1680 Expression Pro and Epson 10000XL), and Gafchromic film (EBT, EBT2, EBT3) was investigated, focused on three effects: cross talk, optical path length and polarization. Cross talk was examined using triangular sheets of various optical densities. The optical path length effect was studied using absorptive and reflective neutral density filters with well-defined optical characteristics (OD range 0.2-2.0). Linear polarizer sheets were used to investigate light polarization on the CCD signal in absence and presence of (un)irradiated Gafchromic film. Film dose values ranged between 0.2 to 9 Gy, i.e. an optical density range between 0.25 to 1.1. Measurements were performed in the scanner’s transmission mode, with red-green-blue channels. LSE was found to depend on scanner construction and film type. Its magnitude depends on dose: for 9 Gy increasing up to 14% at maximum lateral position. Cross talk was only significant in high contrast regions, up to 2% for very small fields. The optical path length effect introduced by film on the scanner causes 3% for pixels in the extreme lateral position. Light polarization due to film and the scanner’s optical mirror system is the main contributor, different in magnitude for the red, green and blue channel. We concluded that any Gafchromic EBT type film scanned with a flatbed scanner will face these optical effects. Accurate dosimetry requires correction of LSE, therefore, determination of the LSE per color channel and dose delivered to the film.

Comparison of micrometeorological methods using open-path optical instruments for measuring methane emission from agricultural sites

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In this study, we evaluated the accuracies of two relatively new micrometeorological methods using open-path tunable diode laser absorption spectrometers: vertical radial plume mapping method (US EPA OTM-10) and the backward Lagragian stochastic method (Wintrax®). We have evaluated the accuracy of t...

Folded-path optical analysis gas cell

DOEpatents

Carangelo, R.M.; Wright, D.D.

1995-08-08

A folded-path gas cell employs an elliptical concave mirror in confronting relationship to two substantially spherical concave mirrors. At least one of the spherical mirrors, and usually both, are formed with an added cylindrical component to increase orthogonal foci coincidence and thereby to increase the radiation energy throughput characteristic of the cell. 10 figs.

Integration of polarization-multiplexing and phase-shifting in nanometric two dimensional self-mixing measurement.

PubMed

Tao, Yufeng; Xia, Wei; Wang, Ming; Guo, Dongmei; Hao, Hui

2017-02-06

Integration of phase manipulation and polarization multiplexing was introduced to self-mixing interferometry (SMI) for high-sensitive measurement. Light polarizations were used to increase measuring path number and predict manifold merits for potential applications. Laser source was studied as a microwave-photonic resonator optically-injected by double reflected lights on a two-feedback-factor analytical model. Independent external paths exploited magnesium-oxide doped lithium niobate crystals at perpendicular polarizations to transfer interferometric phases into amplitudes of harmonics. Theoretical resolutions reached angstrom level. By integrating two techniques, this SMI outperformed the conventional single-path SMIs by simultaneous dual-targets measurement on single laser tube with high sensitivity and low speckle noise. In experimental demonstration, by nonlinear filtering method, a custom-made phase-resolved algorithm real-time figured out instantaneous two-dimensional displacements with nanometer resolution. Experimental comparisons to lock-in technique and a commercial Ploytec-5000 laser Doppler velocity meter validated this two-path SMI in micron range without optical cross-talk. Moreover, accuracy subjected to slewing rates of crystals could be flexibly adjusted.

Electro-optical propagation measurements during the MINOTAUROS experiment in the Cretan Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eisele, Christian; Sucher, Erik; Wendelstein, Norbert; Stein, Karin

2017-09-01

We report on propagation measurements performed during the MINOTAUROS (Maritime INvestigations On Targets and Atmosphere Under Reduction of Optical Signatures) experiment on Crete, Greece, in late summer of 2016. The field trial has been organized by NATO STO Task Group SET-211 on Naval Platform Protection in the EO/IR Domain with strong support of the Hellenic Navy. Besides meteorological measurements, the experiment included measurements of turbulence using a boundary layer scintillometer on a slant path (d = 8 km) across the entry of Souda Bay (Crete). These are compared to values obtained by a 3D sonic anemometer, which was deployed at one end of the propagation path. Refraction effects have been measured using a 17.5 km path from Drapanos to Gerani. Two meteorological buoys along the path were used to gather information about the atmospheric conditions. An overview and a first analysis of the results are presented. The refraction measurements are compared to simulations using MORTICIA (Model of Range and Transmission in Coastal Inland Atmospheres), a new software tool currently under development in a collaboration of Fraunhofer IOSB and TNO.

High reflected cubic cavity as long path absorption cell for infrared gas sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Jia; Gao, Qiang; Zhang, Zhiguo

2014-10-01

One direct and efficient method to improve the sensitivity of infrared gas sensors is to increase the optical path length of gas cells according to Beer-Lambert Law. In this paper, cubic shaped cavities with high reflected inner coating as novel long path absorption cells for infrared gas sensing were developed. The effective optical path length (EOPL) for a single cubic cavity and tandem cubic cavities were investigated based on Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) measuring oxygen P11 line at 763 nm. The law of EOPL of a diffuse cubic cavity in relation with the reflectivity of the coating, the port fraction and side length of the cavity was obtained. Experimental results manifested an increase of EOPL for tandem diffuse cubic cavities as the decrease of port fraction of the connecting aperture f', and the EOPL equaled to the sum of that of two single cubic cavities at f'<0.01. The EOPL spectra at infrared wavelength range for different inner coatings including high diffuse coatings and high reflected metallic thin film coatings were deduced.

EVALUATION OF FUGITIVE EMISSIONS USING GROUND-BASED OPTICAL REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGY

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has developed and evaluated a method for characterizing fugitive emissions from large area sources. The method, known as radial plume mapping (RPM) uses multiple-beam, scanning, optical remote sensing (ORS) instrumentation such as open-path Fourier transform infrared spectro...

Optical fibers for the distribution of frequency and timing references

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lutes, G. F.

1981-01-01

An optical fiber communications link was installed for the purpose of evaluating the applicability of optical fiber technology to the distribution of frequency and timing reference signals. It incorporated a 1.5km length of optical fiber cable containing two multimode optical fibers. The two fibers were welded together at one end of the cable to attain a path length of 3km. Preliminary measurements made on this link, including Allan variance and power spectral density of phase noise are reported.

Cross-layer shared protection strategy towards data plane in software defined optical networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Yu; Li, Zhiqiang; Zhou, Bin; Dong, Xiancun

2018-04-01

In order to ensure reliable data transmission on the data plane and minimize resource consumption, a novel protection strategy towards data plane is proposed in software defined optical networks (SDON). Firstly, we establish a SDON architecture with hierarchical structure of data plane, which divides the data plane into four layers for getting fine-grained bandwidth resource. Then, we design the cross-layer routing and resource allocation based on this network architecture. Through jointly considering the bandwidth resource on all the layers, the SDN controller could allocate bandwidth resource to working path and backup path in an economical manner. Next, we construct auxiliary graphs and transform the shared protection problem into the graph vertex coloring problem. Therefore, the resource consumption on backup paths can be reduced further. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed protection strategy can achieve lower protection overhead and higher resource utilization ratio.

Integrated structural and optical modeling of the orbiting stellar interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaklan, Stuart B.; Yu, Jeffrey W.; Briggs, Hugh C.

1993-11-01

The Integrated Modeling of Optical Systems (IMOS) Integration Workbench at JPL has been used to model the effects of structural perturbations on the optics in the proposed Orbiting Stellar Interferometer (OSI). OSI consists of 3 pairs of interferometers and delay lines attached to a 7.5 meter truss. They are interferometrically monitored from a separate boom by a laser metrology system. The spatially distributed nature of the science instrument calls for a high level of integration between the optics and support structure. Because OSI is designed to achieve micro-arcsecond astrometry, many of its alignment, stability, and knowledge tolerances are in the submicron regime. The spacecraft will be subject to vibrations caused by reaction wheels and on-board equipment, as well as thermal strain due to solar and terrestrial heating. These perturbations affect optical parameters such as optical path differences and beam co-parallelism which are critical to instrument performance. IMOS provides an environment that allows one to design and perturb the structure, attach optics to structural or non-structural nodes, trace rays, and analyze the impact of mechanical perturbations on optical performance. This tool makes it simple to change the structure and immediately see performance enhancement/degradation. We have employed IMOS to analyze the effect of reaction wheel disturbances on the optical path difference in both the science and metrology interferometers.

DOAS (differential optical absorption spectroscopy) urban pollution measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stevens, Robert K.; Vossler, T. L.

1991-05-01

During July and August of 1990, a differential optical absorption spectrometer (DOAS) made by OPSIS Inc. was used to measure gaseous air pollutants over three separate open paths in Atlanta, GA. Over path 1 (1099 m) and path 2 (1824 m), ozone (03), sulfur dioxide (SO2) nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrous acid (HNO2) formaldehyde (HCHO), benzene, toluene, and o-xylene were measured. Nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia (NH3) were monitored over path 3 (143 m). The data quality and data capture depended on the compound being measured and the path over which it was measured. Data quality criteria for each compound were chosen such that the average relative standard deviation would be less than 25%. Data capture ranged from 43% for o-xylene for path 1 to 95% for ozone for path 2. Benzene, toluene, and o-xylene concentrations measured over path 2, which crossed over an interstate highway, were higher than concentrations measured over path 1, implicating emissions from vehicles on the highway as a significant source of these compounds. Federal Reference Method (FRN) instruments were located near the DOAS light receivers and measurements of 03, NO2, and NO were made concurrently with the DOAS. Correlation coefficients greater than 0.85 were obtained between the DOAS and FRM's; however, there was a difference between the mean values obtained by the two methods for 03 and NO. A gas chromatograph for measuring volatile organic compounds was operated next to the FRN's. Correlation coefficients of about 0.66 were obtained between the DOAS and GC measurements of benzene and o- xylene. However, the correlation coefficient between the DOAS and GC measurements of toluene averaged only 0.15 for the two DOAS measurement paths. The lack of correlation and other factors indicate the possibility of a localized source of toluene near the GC. In general, disagreements between the two measurement methods could be caused by atmospheric inhomogeneities or interferences in the DOAS and other methods.

Development of a Submillimeter Multipass Spectrometer for the Study of Molecular Ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carroll, A.; Rocher, B.; Laas, J. C.; Deprince, B. A.; Hays, B.; Weaver, S. L. Widicus; Lang, S.

2012-06-01

We have developed a multipass spectrometer for the submillimeter spectral region that is being used to study molecular ions through gas phase spectroscopy. The optical configuration is based on the design of Perry and coworkers that was implemented in the optical regime. To our knowledge, this is the first implementation of this optical configuration at long wavelengths. The setup involves two nearly concentric spherical mirrors that focus the multiple beam passes into a small area, or ``waist'', in the middle of the sample chamber. A supersonic molecular beam is coupled to the setup so that the molecular beam crosses the optical path at the waist. Initial studies have focused on neutral test molecules to probe the physical properties of the molecular beam under various arrangements of the molecular source relative to the optical path. Current studies focus on coupling a plasma discharge source to the setup to enable the study of molecular ions. Here we present the design of this instrument, compare the spectrometer capabilities to a traditional single pass spectrometer, and discuss the results of initial spectroscopic studies.

Prototype high speed optical delay line for stellar interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colavita, M. M.; Hines, B. E.; Shao, M.; Klose, G. J.; Gibson, B. V.

1991-12-01

The long baselines of the next-generation ground-based optical stellar interferometers require optical delay lines which can maintain nm-level path-length accuracy while moving at high speeds. NASA-JPL is currently designing delay lines to meet these requirements. The design is an enhanced version of the Mark III delay line, with the following key features: hardened, large diameter wheels, rather than recirculating ball bearings, to reduce mechanical noise; a friction-drive cart which bears the cable-dragging forces, and drives the optics cart through a force connection only; a balanced PZT assembly to enable high-bandwidth path-length control; and a precision aligned flexural suspension for the optics assembly to minimize bearing noise feedthrough. The delay line is fully programmable in position and velocity, and the system is controlled with four cascaded software feedback loops. Preliminary performance is a jitter in any 5 ms window of less than 10 nm rms for delay rates of up to 28 mm/s; total jitter is less than 10 nm rms for delay rates up to 20 mm/s.

A Unified Model of Heading and Path Perception in Primate MSTd

PubMed Central

Layton, Oliver W.; Browning, N. Andrew

2014-01-01

Self-motion, steering, and obstacle avoidance during navigation in the real world require humans to travel along curved paths. Many perceptual models have been proposed that focus on heading, which specifies the direction of travel along straight paths, but not on path curvature, which humans accurately perceive and is critical to everyday locomotion. In primates, including humans, dorsal medial superior temporal area (MSTd) has been implicated in heading perception. However, the majority of MSTd neurons respond optimally to spiral patterns, rather than to the radial expansion patterns associated with heading. No existing theory of curved path perception explains the neural mechanisms by which humans accurately assess path and no functional role for spiral-tuned cells has yet been proposed. Here we present a computational model that demonstrates how the continuum of observed cells (radial to circular) in MSTd can simultaneously code curvature and heading across the neural population. Curvature is encoded through the spirality of the most active cell, and heading is encoded through the visuotopic location of the center of the most active cell's receptive field. Model curvature and heading errors fit those made by humans. Our model challenges the view that the function of MSTd is heading estimation, based on our analysis we claim that it is primarily concerned with trajectory estimation and the simultaneous representation of both curvature and heading. In our model, temporal dynamics afford time-history in the neural representation of optic flow, which may modulate its structure. This has far-reaching implications for the interpretation of studies that assume that optic flow is, and should be, represented as an instantaneous vector field. Our results suggest that spiral motion patterns that emerge in spatio-temporal optic flow are essential for guiding self-motion along complex trajectories, and that cells in MSTd are specifically tuned to extract complex trajectory estimation from flow. PMID:24586130

Fluidic optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitesides, George M.; Tang, Sindy K. Y.

2006-09-01

Fluidic optics is a new class of optical system with real-time tunability and reconfigurability enabled by the introduction of fluidic components into the optical path. We describe the design, fabrication, operation of a number of fluidic optical systems, and focus on three devices, liquid-core/liquid-cladding (L2) waveguides, microfluidic dye lasers, and diffraction gratings based on flowing, crystalline lattices of bubbles, to demonstrate the integration of microfluidics and optics. We fabricate these devices in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) with soft-lithographic techniques. They are simple to construct, and readily integrable with microanalytical or lab-on-a-chip systems.

Beam-guidance optics for high-power fiber laser systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohring, Bernd; Tassini, Leonardo; Protz, Rudolf; Zoz, Jürgen

2013-05-01

The realization of a high-energy laser weapon system by coupling a large number of industrial high-power fiber lasers is investigated. To perform the combination of the individual beams of the different fiber lasers within the optical path of the laser weapon, a special optical set-up is used. Each optical component is realized either as reflective component oras refractive optics. Both possibilities were investigated by simulations and experiments. From the results, the general aspects for the layout of the beam-guidance optics for a high-power fiber laser system are derived.

All-optical two-way relaying free-space optical communications for HAP-based broadband backhaul networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vu, Minh Q.; Nguyen, Nga T. T.; Pham, Hien T. T.; Dang, Ngoc T.

2018-03-01

High-altitude platforms (HAPs) are flexible, non-pollutant and cost-effective infrastructures compared to satellite or old terrestrial systems. They are being researched and developed widely in Europe, USA, Japan, Korea, and so on. However, the current limited data rates and the overload of radio frequency (RF) spectrum are problems which the developers for HAPs are confronting because most of them use RF links to communicate with the ground stations (GSs) or each other. In this paper, we propose an all-optical two-way half-duplex relaying free-space optical (FSO) communication for HAP-based backhaul networks, which connect the base transceiver station (BTS) to the core network (CN) via a single HAP. Our proposed backhaul solution can be deployed quickly and flexibly for disaster relief and for serving users in both urban environments and remote areas. The key subsystem of HAP is an optical regenerate-and-forward (ORF) equipped with an optical hard-limiter (OHL) and an optical XOR gate to perform all-optical processing and help mitigate the background noise. In addition, two-way half-duplex relaying can be provided thanks to the use of network coding scheme. The closed-form expression for the bit error rate (BER) of our proposed system under the effect of path loss, atmospheric turbulence, and noise induced by the background light is formulated. The numerical results are demonstrated to prove the feasibility of our proposed system with the verification by using Monte-Carlo (M-C) simulations.

Self-Assembly of Reconfigurable By-Design Optical Materials with Molecular-Level Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-21

International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics, Singapore, May 20 - 23, 2014. Zhang, W. “Design, Synthesis, and Applications of...metal  nanoparticles  positioned  in  3D   crystal   lattices...materials such as photonic crystal and metamaterial hold high promise of providing a path to by-design optical materials with engineered optical

Development of Adaptive Tilt Tracker that Utilizes QUAD-cell Detector to Track Extended Objects

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-17

telescopes. When incident light encounters the atmosphere , it experiences a turbulent medium that distorts optical wavefronts. Without the AO...fluctuations which randomize optical path lengths. Figure 2 - The temporal and spatial aspects of atmospheric turbulence [6] Consider...the PTS are determined by atmospheric turbulence , optical set-up, and object characteristics such as size, shape, motion, and intensity

Apparatus and Method for Elimination of Polarization-Induced Fading in Fiber-optic Sensor System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, Hon Man (Inventor); Parker, Jr., Allen R. (Inventor)

2015-01-01

The invention is an apparatus and method of eliminating polarization-induced fading in interferometric fiber-optic sensor system having a wavelength-swept laser optical signal. The interferometric return signal from the sensor arms are combined and provided to a multi-optical path detector assembly and ultimately to a data acquisition and processing unit by way of a switch that is time synchronized with the laser scan sweep cycle.

Enhanced sensitivity for optical loss measurement in planar thin-films (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Hua-Kang

2016-09-01

An organic-inorganic hybrid material benefits from processing advantages of organics and high refractive indices of inorganics. We focus on a titanium oxide hydrate system combined with common bulk polymers. In particular, we target thin-film structures of a few microns in thickness. Traditional Beer-Lambert approaches for measuring optical losses can only provide an upper limit estimate. This sensitivity is highly limited when considering the low-losses required for mid-range optical applications, on the order of 0.1 cm-1. For intensity based measurements, improving the sensitivity requires an increase in the optical path length. Instead, a new sensitive technique suitable for simple planar thin films is required. A number of systems were modelled to measure optical losses in films of 1 micron thick. The presented techniques utilise evanescent waves and total internal reflection to increase optical path length through the material. It was found that a new way of using prism coupling provides the greatest improvement in sensitivity. In keeping the requirements on the material simple, this method for measuring loss is well suited to any future developments of new materials in thin-film structures.

Testing of Piezo-Actuated Glass Micro-Membranes by Optical Low-Coherence Reflectometry.

PubMed

Merlo, Sabina; Poma, Paolo; Crisà, Eleonora; Faralli, Dino; Soldo, Marco

2017-02-25

In this work, we have applied optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR), implemented with infra-red light propagating in fiberoptic paths, to perform static and dynamic analyses on piezo-actuated glass micro-membranes. The actuator was fabricated by means of thin-film piezoelectric MEMS technology and was employed for modifying the micro-membrane curvature, in view of its application in micro-optic devices, such as variable focus micro-lenses. We are here showing that OLCR incorporating a near-infrared superluminescent light emitting diode as the read-out source is suitable for measuring various parameters such as the micro-membrane optical path-length, the membrane displacement as a function of the applied voltage (yielding the piezo-actuator hysteresis) as well as the resonance curve of the fundamental vibration mode. The use of an optical source with short coherence-time allows performing interferometric measurements without spurious resonance effects due to multiple parallel interfaces of highly planar slabs, furthermore selecting the plane/layer to be monitored. We demonstrate that the same compact and flexible setup can be successfully employed to perform spot optical measurements for static and dynamic characterization of piezo-MEMS in real time.

Testing of Piezo-Actuated Glass Micro-Membranes by Optical Low-Coherence Reflectometry

PubMed Central

Merlo, Sabina; Poma, Paolo; Crisà, Eleonora; Faralli, Dino; Soldo, Marco

2017-01-01

In this work, we have applied optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR), implemented with infra-red light propagating in fiberoptic paths, to perform static and dynamic analyses on piezo-actuated glass micro-membranes. The actuator was fabricated by means of thin-film piezoelectric MEMS technology and was employed for modifying the micro-membrane curvature, in view of its application in micro-optic devices, such as variable focus micro-lenses. We are here showing that OLCR incorporating a near-infrared superluminescent light emitting diode as the read-out source is suitable for measuring various parameters such as the micro-membrane optical path-length, the membrane displacement as a function of the applied voltage (yielding the piezo-actuator hysteresis) as well as the resonance curve of the fundamental vibration mode. The use of an optical source with short coherence-time allows performing interferometric measurements without spurious resonance effects due to multiple parallel interfaces of highly planar slabs, furthermore selecting the plane/layer to be monitored. We demonstrate that the same compact and flexible setup can be successfully employed to perform spot optical measurements for static and dynamic characterization of piezo-MEMS in real time. PMID:28245603

Annular beam shaping system for advanced 3D laser brazing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pütsch, Oliver; Stollenwerk, Jochen; Kogel-Hollacher, Markus; Traub, Martin

2012-10-01

As laser brazing benefits from advantages such as smooth joints and small heat-affected zones, it has become established as a joining technology that is widely used in the automotive industry. With the processing of complex-shaped geometries, recent developed brazing heads suffer, however, from the need for continuous reorientation of the optical system and/or limited accessibility due to lateral wire feeding. This motivates the development of a laser brazing head with coaxial wire feeding and enhanced functionality. An optical system is designed that allows to generate an annular intensity distribution in the working zone. The utilization of complex optical components avoids obscuration of the optical path by the wire feeding. The new design overcomes the disadvantages of the state-of-the-art brazing heads with lateral wire feeding and benefits from the independence of direction while processing complex geometries. To increase the robustness of the brazing process, the beam path also includes a seam tracking system, leading to a more challenging design of the whole optical train. This paper mainly discusses the concept and the optical design of the coaxial brazing head, and also presents the results obtained with a prototype and selected application results.

Universal method for crosstalk noise and transmission loss analysis for N-port nonblocking optical router for photonic networks-on-chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yiyuan; Zhang, Zhendong; Song, Tingting; He, Chao; Li, Jiachao; Wang, Guijin

2016-05-01

Crosstalk noise and transmission loss are two key elements in determining the performance of optical routers. We propose a universal method for crosstalk noise and transmission loss analysis for the N-port nonblocking optical router used in photonic networks-on-chip. Utilizing this method, we study the crosstalk noise and transmission loss for the five-, six-, seven-, and eight-port optical routers. We ascertain that the crosstalk noise and transmission loss are different for different input-output pairs. For the five-port optical router, the maximum crosstalk noise ranges from 0 to -7.07 dBm, and the transmission loss ranges from -9.05 to -0.51 dB. Furthermore, based on the crosstalk noise and transmission loss, we analyze optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) and bit error ratio (BER) for the five-, six-, seven-, and eight-port nonblocking optical routers. As the number of ports increases, the minimum average OSNR decreases and the average BER increases. In addition, in order to present the performance of the routers more visually, a fiber-optic communications system is designed to simulate the transmission processes of the signals of the different paths of the routers in Optisystem. The results show that the power amplitude of the input signal is obviously higher than the corresponding output signal. With this method, we can easily evaluate the transmission loss, crosstalk noise, OSNR, and BER of high-radix nonblocking optical routers and conveniently study the performance of the N-port optical router.

Misconceptions about optics: An effect of misleading explanations?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Favale, Fabrizio; Bondani, Maria

2014-07-01

During our activities of physics dissemination with High School students especially concerning optics, we are used to distribute a questionnaire about colors and image formation by mirrors and lenses. The answers to some questions clearly show misconceptions and naïve ideas about colors, ray tracing, image formation in reflection and refraction. These misconceptions are widespread and do not depend on the gender, the level, and the age of the students: they seem to depend on some wrong ideas and explanatory models that are not changed by the curricular studies at school. In fact, the same errors are present in groups of students before and after taking optics courses at High School. On the other hand we have also found some misleading explanations of the phenomena both in textbooks and websites. Most of the time, errors occur in the explanatory drawings accompanying the text, which are based on some hybrid description of the optical processes: sometimes the description of the path of the ray light is confused with the image reconstruction by the lenses. We think that to partially avoid some errors it is important to use a teaching path centered on the actual path of the rays and not on what eyes see (the vision). Here we present the results of data collected from more than 200 students and some considerations about figures and explanations found in textbooks.

Resonance fluorescence trajectories in superconducting qubit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naghiloo, Mahdi; Tan, Dian; Harrington, Patrick; Lewalle, Philippe; Jordan, Andrew; Murch, Kater

We employ phase-sensitive amplification to perform homodyne detection of the resonance fluorescence from a driven superconducting artificial atom. Entanglement between the emitter and its fluorescence allows us to track the individual quantum state trajectories of the emitter. We analyze the ensemble properties of these trajectories by considering paths that connect specific initial and final states. By applying a stochastic path integral formalism, we calculate equations of motion for the most likely path between two quantum states and compare these predicted paths to experimental data. Drawing on the mathematical similarity between the action formalism of the most likely quantum paths and ray optics, we study the emergence of caustics in quantum trajectories-situations where multiple extrema in the stochastic action occur. We observe such multiple most likely paths in experimental data and find these paths to be in reasonable quantitative agreement with theoretical calculations. Supported by the John Templeton Foundation.

Metrology Optical Power Budgeting in SIM Using Statistical Analysis Techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuan, Gary M

2008-01-01

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) is a space-based stellar interferometry instrument, consisting of up to three interferometers, which will be capable of micro-arc second resolution. Alignment knowledge of the three interferometer baselines requires a three-dimensional, 14-leg truss with each leg being monitored by an external metrology gauge. In addition, each of the three interferometers requires an internal metrology gauge to monitor the optical path length differences between the two sides. Both external and internal metrology gauges are interferometry based, operating at a wavelength of 1319 nanometers. Each gauge has fiber inputs delivering measurement and local oscillator (LO) power, split into probe-LO and reference-LO beam pairs. These beams experience power loss due to a variety of mechanisms including, but not restricted to, design efficiency, material attenuation, element misalignment, diffraction, and coupling efficiency. Since the attenuation due to these sources may degrade over time, an accounting of the range of expected attenuation is needed so an optical power margin can be book kept. A method of statistical optical power analysis and budgeting, based on a technique developed for deep space RF telecommunications, is described in this paper and provides a numerical confidence level for having sufficient optical power relative to mission metrology performance requirements.

Apparatus and method for quantitative measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity between two samples using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect

DOEpatents

Cremers, David A.; Keller, Richard A.

1984-01-01

An apparatus and method for the measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity of weakly absorbing solutions using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect has been developed. Two sample cells are placed in each arm of an interferometer and are traversed by colinear probe and heating laser beams. The interrogation probe beams are recombined forming a fringe pattern, the intensity of which can be related to changes in optical pathlength of these laser beams through the cells. This in turn can be related to small differences in optical absorptivity which results in different amounts of sample heating when the heating laser beams are turned on, by the fact that the index of refraction of a liquid is temperature dependent. A critical feature of this invention is the stabilization of the optical path of the probe beams against drift. Background (solvent) absorption can then be suppressed by a factor of approximately 400. Solute absorptivities of about 10.sup.-5 cm.sup.-1 can then be determined in the presence of background absorptions in excess of 10.sup.-3 cm.sup.-1. In addition, the smallest absorption measured with the instant apparatus and method is about 5.times. 10.sup.-6 cm.sup.-1.

Apparatus and method for quantitative measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity between two samples using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect

DOEpatents

Cremers, D.A.; Keller, R.A.

1982-06-08

An apparatus and method for the measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity of weakly absorbing solutions using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect has been developed. Two sample cells are placed in each arm of an interferometer and are traversed by colinear probe and heating laser beams. The interrogation probe beams are recombined forming a fringe pattern, the intensity of which can be related to changes in optical pathlength of these laser beams through the cells. This in turn can be related to small differences in optical absorptivity which results in different amounts of sample heating when the heating laser beams are turned on, by the fact that the index of refraction of a liquid is temperature dependent. A critical feature of this invention is the stabilization of the optical path of the probe beams against drift. Background (solvent) absorption can then be suppressed by a factor of approximately 400. Solute absorptivities of about 10/sup -5/ cm/sup -1/ can then be determined in the presence of background absorptions in excess of 10/sup -3/ cm/sup -1/. In addition, the smallest absorption measured with the instant apparatus and method is about 5 x 10/sup -6/ cm/sup -1/.

Nonlinear optical cryptosystem based on joint Fresnel transform correlator under vector wave illumination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xueju, Shen; Chao, Lin; Xiao, Zou; Jianjun, Cai

2015-05-01

We present a nonlinear optical cryptosystem with multi-dimensional keys including phase, polarization and diffraction distance. To make full use of the degrees of freedom that optical processing offers, an elaborately designed vector wave with both a space-variant phase and locally linear polarization is generated with a common-path interferometer for illumination. The joint transform correlator in the Fresnel domain, implemented with a double optical wedge, is utilized as the encryption framework which provides an additional key known as the Fresnel diffraction distance. Two nonlinear operations imposed on the recorded joint Fresnel power distribution (JFPD) by a charge coupled device (CCD) are adopted. The first one is the division of power distribution of the reference window random function which is previously proposed by researchers and can improve the quality of the decrypted image. The second one is the recording of a hybrid JFPD using a micro-polarizers array with orthogonal and random transmissive axes attached to the CCD. Then the hybrid JFPD is further scrambled by substituting random noise for partial power distribution. The two nonlinear operations break the linearity of this cryptosystem and provide ultra security. We verify our proposal using a quick response code for noise-free recovery.

Directional Radiometry and Radiative Transfer: the Convoluted Path From Centuries-old Phenomenology to Physical Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mishchenko, Michael I.

2014-01-01

This Essay traces the centuries-long history of the phenomenological disciplines of directional radiometry and radiative transfer in turbid media, discusses their fundamental weaknesses, and outlines the convoluted process of their conversion into legitimate branches of physical optics.

Algorithm for lens calculations in the geometrized Maxwell theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulyabov, Dmitry S.; Korolkova, Anna V.; Sevastianov, Leonid A.; Gevorkyan, Migran N.; Demidova, Anastasia V.

2018-04-01

Nowadays the geometric approach in optics is often used to find out media parameters based on propagation paths of the rays because in this case it is a direct problem. However inverse problem in the framework of geometrized optics is usually not given attention. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the work of the proposed the algorithm in the framework of geometrized approach to optics for solving the problem of finding the propagation path of the electromagnetic radiation depending on environmental parameters. The methods of differential geometry are used for effective metrics construction for isotropic and anisotropic media. For effective metric space ray trajectories are obtained in the form of geodesic curves. The introduced algorithm is applied to well-known objects, Maxwell and Luneburg lenses. The similarity of results obtained by classical and geometric approach is demonstrated.

Light beam frequency comb generator

DOEpatents

Priatko, G.J.; Kaskey, J.A.

1992-11-24

A light beam frequency comb generator uses an acousto-optic modulator to generate a plurality of light beams with frequencies which are uniformly separated and possess common noise and drift characteristics. A well collimated monochromatic input light beam is passed through this modulator to produce a set of both frequency shifted and unshifted optical beams. An optical system directs one or more frequency shifted beams along a path which is parallel to the path of the input light beam such that the frequency shifted beams are made incident on the modulator proximate to but separated from the point of incidence of the input light beam. After the beam is thus returned to and passed through the modulator repeatedly, a plurality of mutually parallel beams are generated which are frequency-shifted different numbers of times and possess common noise and drift characteristics. 2 figs.

Light beam frequency comb generator

DOEpatents

Priatko, Gordon J.; Kaskey, Jeffrey A.

1992-01-01

A light beam frequency comb generator uses an acousto-optic modulator to generate a plurality of light beams with frequencies which are uniformly separated and possess common noise and drift characteristics. A well collimated monochromatic input light beam is passed through this modulator to produce a set of both frequency shifted and unshifted optical beams. An optical system directs one or more frequency shifted beams along a path which is parallel to the path of the input light beam such that the frequency shifted beams are made incident on the modulator proximate to but separated from the point of incidence of the input light beam. After the beam is thus returned to and passed through the modulator repeatedly, a plurality of mutually parallel beams are generated which are frequency-shifted different numbers of times and possess common noise and drift characteristics.

Spectral and Radiometric Calibration Using Tunable Lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McCorkel, Joel (Inventor)

2017-01-01

A tunable laser system includes a tunable laser, an adjustable laser cavity for producing one or more modes of laser light emitted from the tunable laser, a first optical parametric oscillator positioned in a light path of the adjustable laser cavity, and a controller operable to simultaneously control parameters of at least the tunable laser, the first optical parametric oscillator, and the adjustable laser cavity to produce a range of wavelengths emitted from the tunable laser system. A method of operating a tunable laser system includes using a controller to simultaneously control parameters of a tunable laser, an adjustable laser cavity for producing one or more modes of laser light emitted from the tunable laser, and a first optical parametric oscillator positioned in a light path of the adjustable laser cavity, to produce a range of wavelengths emitted from the tunable laser system.

Optical apparatus using liquid crystals for shaping the spatial intensity of optical beams having designated wavelengths

DOEpatents

Jacobs, S.D.; Cerqua, K.A.

1987-07-14

The spatial intensity profile of an optical beam of designated wavelengths, such as a laser beam, is shaped (the beam is apodized) by means of cholesteric liquid crystals of opposite chirality disposed successively along the path of the beam. The crystals have curved surfaces, which may be defined by a lens which defines the thickness of the liquid crystal fluid gap in a liquid crystal cell, so as to vary the selective reflection of the designated wavelength across the aperture of the beam. In this way, a soft aperture is provided. By using tandem cell pairs having liquid crystals of opposite chirality, but of different pitch, and with lenses of different curvature, beams of different wavelengths which are projected colinearly along the path may be individually tailored in spatial intensity profile. 11 figs.

Optical apparatus using liquid crystals for shaping the spatial intensity of optical beams having designated wavelengths

DOEpatents

Jacobs, Stephen D.; Cerqua, Kathleen A.

1987-01-01

The spatial intensity profile of an optical beam of designated wavelengths, such as a laser beam, is shaped (the beam is apodized) by means of cholesteric liquid crystals of opposite chirality disposed successively along the path of the beam. The crystals have curved surfaces, which may be defined by a lens which defines the thickness of the liquid crystal fluid gap in a liquid crystal cell, so as to vary the selective reflection of the designated wavelength across the aperture of the beam. In this way, a soft aperture is provided. By using tandem cell pairs having liquid crystals of opposite chirality, but of different pitch, and with lenses of different curvature, beams of different wavelengths which are projected colinearly along the path may be individually tailored in spatial intensity profile.

Thermomagnetic recording and magnetic-optic playback system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewicki, G. W.; Guisinger, J. E. (Inventor)

1971-01-01

A magnetic recording and magneto-optic playback system is disclosed wherein thermomagnetic recording is employed. A transparent isotropic film is heated along a continuous path by a focused laser beam. As each successive area of the path is heated locally to the vicinity of its Curie point in the presence of an applied magnetic field, a magneto-optic density is established proportional to the magnetic field and fixed in place as the area cools once the laser beam moves on to an adjacent area. To play back the recorded data, the intensity of the laser beam is reduced to avoid reaching the vicinity of the Curie point of the film as it is scanned by the laser beam in the same manner as for recording. A Faraday effect analyzer and photo detector are employed as a transducer for producing an output signal.

A mobile system for active otpical pollution monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sunesson, A.; Edner, H.; Svanberg, S.; Uneus, L.; Wendt, W.; Fredriksson, K.

1986-01-01

The remote monitoring of atmospheric pollutants can now be performed in several ways. Laser radar techniques have proven their ability to reveal the spatial distribution of different species or particles. Classical optical techniques can also be used, but yield the average concentration over a given path and hence no range resolution. One such technique is Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy, DOAS. Such schemes can be used to monitor paths that a preliminary lidar investigation has shown to be of interest. Having previously had access to a mobile lidar system, a new system has been completed. The construction builds on experience from using the other system and it is meant to be more of a mobile optical laboratory than just a lidar system. A complete system description is given along with some preliminary usage. Future uses are contemplated.

Optical monitoring system for a turbine engine

DOEpatents

Lemieux, Dennis H; Smed, Jan P; Williams, James P; Jonnalagadda, Vinay

2013-05-14

The monitoring system for a gas turbine engine including a viewing tube assembly having an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is located adjacent to a hot gas flow path within the gas turbine engine and the outer end is located adjacent to an outer casing of the gas turbine engine. An aperture wall is located at the inner end of the viewing tube assembly and an optical element is located within the viewing tube assembly adjacent to the inner end and is spaced from the aperture wall to define a cooling and purge chamber therebetween. An aperture is defined in the aperture wall for passage of light from the hot gas flow path to the optical element. Swirl passages are defined in the viewing tube assembly between the aperture wall and the optical element for passage of cooling air from a location outside the viewing tube assembly into the chamber, wherein swirl passages effect a swirling movement of air in a circumferential direction within the chamber.

Functionalizing a Tapered Microcavity as a Gas Cell for On-Chip Mid-Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Mandon, Julien; Harren, Frans J. M.; Wolffenbuttel, Reinoud F.

2017-01-01

Increasing demand for field instruments designed to measure gas composition has strongly promoted the development of robust, miniaturized and low-cost handheld absorption spectrometers in the mid-infrared. Efforts thus far have focused on miniaturizing individual components. However, the optical absorption path that the light beam travels through the sample defines the length of the gas cell and has so far limited miniaturization. Here, we present a functionally integrated linear variable optical filter and gas cell, where the sample to be measured is fed through the resonator cavity of the filter. By using multiple reflections from the mirrors on each side of the cavity, the optical absorption path is elongated from the physical μm-level to the effective mm-level. The device is batch-fabricated at the wafer level in a CMOS-compatible approach. The optical performance is analyzed using the Fizeau interferometer model and demonstrated with actual gas measurements. PMID:28878167

Development of an Optical Gas Leak Sensor for Detecting Ethylene, Dimethyl Ether and Methane

PubMed Central

Tan, Qiulin; Pei, Xiangdong; Zhu, Simin; Sun, Dong; Liu, Jun; Xue, Chenyang; Liang, Ting; Zhang, Wendong; Xiong, Jijun

2013-01-01

In this paper, we present an approach to develop an optical gas leak sensor that can be used to measure ethylene, dimethyl ether, and methane. The sensor is designed based on the principles of IR absorption spectrum detection, and comprises two crossed elliptical surfaces with a folded reflection-type optical path. We first analyze the optical path and the use of this structure to design a miniature gas sensor. The proposed sensor includes two detectors (one to acquire the reference signal and the other for the response signal), the light source, and the filter, all of which are integrated in a miniature gold-plated chamber. We also designed a signal detection device to extract the sensor signal and a microprocessor to calculate and control the entire process. The produced sensor prototype had an accuracy of ±0.05%. Experiments which simulate the transportation of hazardous chemicals demonstrated that the developed sensor exhibited a good dynamic response and adequately met technical requirements. PMID:23539025

Optical Path Difference Fluctations at the CHARA Interferometric Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merand, A.; ten Brummelaar, T. A.; McAlister, H. A.; Ridgway, S. T.; Sturmann, J.; Sturmann, L.; Turner, N. H.; Bagnuolo, W. G.; Hrynevych, M.; Shure, M. A.

2001-05-01

Commissioning observations at the CHARA Array have been carried out with the two south telescopes, with a telescope separation of 34 meters. Due to the size of the array (>340 meters across) and the optical delay geometry, the beams travel horizontal distances of approximately 200 meters, with a number of reflections in the telescope coude area and the optical delay and beam combination areas. Stellar and laboratory observations have been analyzed to determine the variations of the optical path, as revealed by shifts in the interference pattern. The power spectra of the OPD variations are diagnostic of the atmospheric turbulence characteristics, and of any internal vibrations in the laboratory. Results of the OPD analysis will be compared to similar studies at other interferometric facilities. The CHARA Array, a six-telescope O/IR interferometric array operated by Georgia State University on Mt. Wilson, Calfornia, was funded by the National Science Foundation, the W.M. Keck Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Georgia State University.