High density pixel array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McFall, James Earl (Inventor); Wiener-Avnear, Eliezer (Inventor)

2004-01-01

A pixel array device is fabricated by a laser micro-milling method under strict process control conditions. The device has an array of pixels bonded together with an adhesive filling the grooves between adjacent pixels. The array is fabricated by moving a substrate relative to a laser beam of predetermined intensity at a controlled, constant velocity along a predetermined path defining a set of grooves between adjacent pixels so that a predetermined laser flux per unit area is applied to the material, and repeating the movement for a plurality of passes of the laser beam until the grooves are ablated to a desired depth. The substrate is of an ultrasonic transducer material in one example for fabrication of a 2D ultrasonic phase array transducer. A substrate of phosphor material is used to fabricate an X-ray focal plane array detector.

Time multiplexing for increased FOV and resolution in virtual reality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miñano, Juan C.; Benitez, Pablo; Grabovičkić, Dejan; Zamora, Pablo; Buljan, Marina; Narasimhan, Bharathwaj

2017-06-01

We introduce a time multiplexing strategy to increase the total pixel count of the virtual image seen in a VR headset. This translates into an improvement of the pixel density or the Field of View FOV (or both) A given virtual image is displayed by generating a succession of partial real images, each representing part of the virtual image and together representing the virtual image. Each partial real image uses the full set of physical pixels available in the display. The partial real images are successively formed and combine spatially and temporally to form a virtual image viewable from the eye position. Partial real images are imaged through different optical channels depending of its time slot. Shutters or other schemes are used to avoid that a partial real image be imaged through the wrong optical channels or at the wrong time slot. This time multiplexing strategy needs real images be shown at high frame rates (>120fps). Available display and shutters technologies are discussed. Several optical designs for achieving this time multiplexing scheme in a compact format are shown. This time multiplexing scheme allows increasing the resolution/FOV of the virtual image not only by increasing the physical pixel density but also by decreasing the pixels switching time, a feature that may be simpler to achieve in certain circumstances.

Development of multi-pixel x-ray source using oxide-coated cathodes.

PubMed

Kandlakunta, Praneeth; Pham, Richard; Khan, Rao; Zhang, Tiezhi

2017-07-07

Multiple pixel x-ray sources facilitate new designs of imaging modalities that may result in faster imaging speed, improved image quality, and more compact geometry. We are developing a high-brightness multiple-pixel thermionic emission x-ray (MPTEX) source based on oxide-coated cathodes. Oxide cathodes have high emission efficiency and, thereby, produce high emission current density at low temperature when compared to traditional tungsten filaments. Indirectly heated micro-rectangular oxide cathodes were developed using carbonates, which were converted to semiconductor oxides of barium, strontium, and calcium after activation. Each cathode produces a focal spot on an elongated fixed anode. The x-ray beam ON and OFF control is performed by source-switching electronics, which supplies bias voltage to the cathode emitters. In this paper, we report the initial performance of the oxide-coated cathodes and the MPTEX source.

Quantitative computed tomography of lung parenchyma in patients with emphysema: analysis of higher-density lung regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lederman, Dror; Leader, Joseph K.; Zheng, Bin; Sciurba, Frank C.; Tan, Jun; Gur, David

2011-03-01

Quantitative computed tomography (CT) has been widely used to detect and evaluate the presence (or absence) of emphysema applying the density masks at specific thresholds, e.g., -910 or -950 Hounsfield Unit (HU). However, it has also been observed that subjects with similar density-mask based emphysema scores could have varying lung function, possibly indicating differences of disease severity. To assess this possible discrepancy, we investigated whether density distribution of "viable" lung parenchyma regions with pixel values > -910 HU correlates with lung function. A dataset of 38 subjects, who underwent both pulmonary function testing and CT examinations in a COPD SCCOR study, was assembled. After the lung regions depicted on CT images were automatically segmented by a computerized scheme, we systematically divided the lung parenchyma into different density groups (bins) and computed a number of statistical features (i.e., mean, standard deviation (STD), skewness of the pixel value distributions) in these density bins. We then analyzed the correlations between each feature and lung function. The correlation between diffusion lung capacity (DLCO) and STD of pixel values in the bin of -910HU <= PV < -750HU was -0.43, as compared with a correlation of -0.49 obtained between the post-bronchodilator ratio (FEV1/FVC) measured by the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) dividing the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the STD of pixel values in the bin of -1024HU <= PV < -910HU. The results showed an association between the distribution of pixel values in "viable" lung parenchyma and lung function, which indicates that similar to the conventional density mask method, the pixel value distribution features in "viable" lung parenchyma areas may also provide clinically useful information to improve assessments of lung disease severity as measured by lung functional tests.

High density pixel array and laser micro-milling method for fabricating array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McFall, James Earl (Inventor); Wiener-Avnear, Eliezer (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A pixel array device is fabricated by a laser micro-milling method under strict process control conditions. The device has an array of pixels bonded together with an adhesive filling the grooves between adjacent pixels. The array is fabricated by moving a substrate relative to a laser beam of predetermined intensity at a controlled, constant velocity along a predetermined path defining a set of grooves between adjacent pixels so that a predetermined laser flux per unit area is applied to the material, and repeating the movement for a plurality of passes of the laser beam until the grooves are ablated to a desired depth. The substrate is of an ultrasonic transducer material in one example for fabrication of a 2D ultrasonic phase array transducer. A substrate of phosphor material is used to fabricate an X-ray focal plane array detector.

Methods for Monitoring the Detection of Multi-Temporal Land Use Change Through the Classification of Urban Areas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alhaddad, B. I.; Burns, M. C.; Roca, J.

2011-08-01

Urban areas are complicated due to the mix of man-made features and natural features. A higher level of structural information plays an important role in land cover/use classification of urban areas. Additional spatial indicators have to be extracted based on structural analysis in order to understand and identify spatial patterns or the spatial organization of features, especially for man-made feature. It's very difficult to extract such spatial patterns by using only classification approaches. Clusters of urban patterns which are integral parts of other uses may be difficult to identify. A lot of public resources have been directed towards seeking to develop a standardized classification system and to provide as much compatibility as possible to ensure the widespread use of such categorized data obtained from remote sensor sources. In this paper different methods applied to understand the change in the land use areas by understanding and monitoring the change in urban areas and as its hard to apply those methods to classification results for high elements quantities, dusts and scratches (Roca and Alhaddad, 2005). This paper focuses on a methodology developed based relation between urban elements and how to join this elements in zones or clusters have commune behaviours such as form, pattern, size. The main objective is to convert urban class category in to various structure densities depend on conjunction of pixel and shortest distance between them, Delaunay triangulation has been widely used in spatial analysis and spatial modelling. To identify these different zones, a spatial density-based clustering technique was adopted. In highly urban zones, the spatial density of the pixels is high, while in sparsely areas the density of points is much lower. Once the groups of pixels are identified, the calculation of the boundaries of the areas containing each group of pixels defines the new regions indicate the different contains inside such as high or low urban areas. Multi-temporal datasets from 1986, 1995 and 2004 used to urban region centroid to be our reference in this study which allow us to follow the urban movement, increase and decrease by the time. Kernel Density function used to Calculates urban magnitude, Voronoi algorithm is proposed for deriving explicit boundaries between objects units. To test the approach, we selected a site in a suburban area in Barcelona Municipality, the Spain.

Self-amplified CMOS image sensor using a current-mode readout circuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, Patrick M.; de Lima Monteiro, Davies W.; Pittet, Patrick

2014-05-01

The feature size of the CMOS processes decreased during the past few years and problems such as reduced dynamic range have become more significant in voltage-mode pixels, even though the integration of more functionality inside the pixel has become easier. This work makes a contribution on both sides: the possibility of a high signal excursion range using current-mode circuits together with functionality addition by making signal amplification inside the pixel. The classic 3T pixel architecture was rebuild with small modifications to integrate a transconductance amplifier providing a current as an output. The matrix with these new pixels will operate as a whole large transistor outsourcing an amplified current that will be used for signal processing. This current is controlled by the intensity of the light received by the matrix, modulated pixel by pixel. The output current can be controlled by the biasing circuits to achieve a very large range of output signal levels. It can also be controlled with the matrix size and this permits a very high degree of freedom on the signal level, observing the current densities inside the integrated circuit. In addition, the matrix can operate at very small integration times. Its applications would be those in which fast imaging processing, high signal amplification are required and low resolution is not a major problem, such as UV image sensors. Simulation results will be presented to support: operation, control, design, signal excursion levels and linearity for a matrix of pixels that was conceived using this new concept of sensor.

Research on ionospheric tomography based on variable pixel height

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Dunyong; Li, Peiqing; He, Jie; Hu, Wusheng; Li, Chaokui

2016-05-01

A novel ionospheric tomography technique based on variable pixel height was developed for the tomographic reconstruction of the ionospheric electron density distribution. The method considers the height of each pixel as an unknown variable, which is retrieved during the inversion process together with the electron density values. In contrast to conventional computerized ionospheric tomography (CIT), which parameterizes the model with a fixed pixel height, the variable-pixel-height computerized ionospheric tomography (VHCIT) model applies a disturbance to the height of each pixel. In comparison with conventional CIT models, the VHCIT technique achieved superior results in a numerical simulation. A careful validation of the reliability and superiority of VHCIT was performed. According to the results of the statistical analysis of the average root mean square errors, the proposed model offers an improvement by 15% compared with conventional CIT models.

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

Weiss, Joel T.; Becker, Julian; Shanks, Katherine S.

There is a compelling need for a high frame rate imaging detector with a wide dynamic range, from single x-rays/pixel/pulse to >10{sup 6} x-rays/pixel/pulse, that is capable of operating at both x-ray free electron laser (XFEL) and 3rd generation sources with sustained fluxes of > 10{sup 11} x-rays/pixel/s [1, 2, 3]. We propose to meet these requirements with the High Dynamic Range Pixel Array Detector (HDR-PAD) by (a) increasing the speed of charge removal strategies [4], (b) increasing integrator range by implementing adaptive gain [5], and (c) exploiting the extended charge collection times of electron-hole pair plasma clouds that formmore » when a sufficiently large number of x-rays are absorbed in a detector sensor in a short period of time [6]. We have developed a measurement platform similar to the one used in [6] to study the effects of high electron-hole densities in silicon sensors using optical lasers to emulate the conditions found at XFELs. Characterizations of the employed tunable wavelength laser with picosecond pulse duration have shown Gaussian focal spots sizes of 6 ± 1 µm rms over the relevant spectrum and 2 to 3 orders of magnitude increase in available intensity compared to previous measurements presented in [6]. Results from measurements on a typical pixelated silicon diode intended for use with the HDR-PAD (150 µm pixel size, 500 µm thick sensor) are presented.« less

A review on plasma-etch-process induced damage of HgCdTe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lingfeng; Chen, Yiyu; Ye, Zhenhua; Ding, Ruijun

2018-05-01

Dry etching techniques with minimal etch induced damage are required to develop highly anisotropic etch for pixel delineation of HgCdTe infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs). High density plasma process has become the main etching technique for HgCdTe in the past twenty years, In this paper, high density plasma electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching of HgCdTe are summarized. Common plasma-etch-process induced type conversion and related mechanisms are reviewed particularly.

Fine structure of Galactic foreground ISM towards high-redshift AGN - utilizing Herschel PACS and SPIRE data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perger, K.; Pinter, S.; Frey, S.; Tóth, L. V.

2018-05-01

One of the most certain ways to determine star formation rate in galaxies is based on far infrared (FIR) measurements. To decide the origin of the observed FIR emission, subtracting the Galactic foreground is a crucial step. We utilized Herschel photometric data to determine the hydrogen column densities in three galactic latitude regions, at b = 27°, 50° and -80°. We applied a pixel-by-pixel fit to the spectral energy distribution (SED) for the images aquired from parallel PACS-SPIRE observations in all three sky areas. We determined the column densities with resolutions 45'' and 6', and compared the results with values estimated from the IRAS dust maps. Column densities at 27° and 50° galactic latitudes determined from the Herschel data are in a good agreement with the literature values. However, at the highest galactic latitude we found that the column densities from the Herschel data exceed those derived from the IRAS dust map.

Dynamic plasmonic colour display

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Xiaoyang; Kamin, Simon; Liu, Na

2017-02-01

Plasmonic colour printing based on engineered metasurfaces has revolutionized colour display science due to its unprecedented subwavelength resolution and high-density optical data storage. However, advanced plasmonic displays with novel functionalities including dynamic multicolour printing, animations, and highly secure encryption have remained in their infancy. Here we demonstrate a dynamic plasmonic colour display technique that enables all the aforementioned functionalities using catalytic magnesium metasurfaces. Controlled hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of the constituent magnesium nanoparticles, which serve as dynamic pixels, allow for plasmonic colour printing, tuning, erasing and restoration of colour. Different dynamic pixels feature distinct colour transformation kinetics, enabling plasmonic animations. Through smart material processing, information encoded on selected pixels, which are indiscernible to both optical and scanning electron microscopies, can only be read out using hydrogen as a decoding key, suggesting a new generation of information encryption and anti-counterfeiting applications.

Dynamic plasmonic colour display.

PubMed

Duan, Xiaoyang; Kamin, Simon; Liu, Na

2017-02-24

Plasmonic colour printing based on engineered metasurfaces has revolutionized colour display science due to its unprecedented subwavelength resolution and high-density optical data storage. However, advanced plasmonic displays with novel functionalities including dynamic multicolour printing, animations, and highly secure encryption have remained in their infancy. Here we demonstrate a dynamic plasmonic colour display technique that enables all the aforementioned functionalities using catalytic magnesium metasurfaces. Controlled hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of the constituent magnesium nanoparticles, which serve as dynamic pixels, allow for plasmonic colour printing, tuning, erasing and restoration of colour. Different dynamic pixels feature distinct colour transformation kinetics, enabling plasmonic animations. Through smart material processing, information encoded on selected pixels, which are indiscernible to both optical and scanning electron microscopies, can only be read out using hydrogen as a decoding key, suggesting a new generation of information encryption and anti-counterfeiting applications.

Dynamic plasmonic colour display

PubMed Central

Duan, Xiaoyang; Kamin, Simon; Liu, Na

2017-01-01

Plasmonic colour printing based on engineered metasurfaces has revolutionized colour display science due to its unprecedented subwavelength resolution and high-density optical data storage. However, advanced plasmonic displays with novel functionalities including dynamic multicolour printing, animations, and highly secure encryption have remained in their infancy. Here we demonstrate a dynamic plasmonic colour display technique that enables all the aforementioned functionalities using catalytic magnesium metasurfaces. Controlled hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of the constituent magnesium nanoparticles, which serve as dynamic pixels, allow for plasmonic colour printing, tuning, erasing and restoration of colour. Different dynamic pixels feature distinct colour transformation kinetics, enabling plasmonic animations. Through smart material processing, information encoded on selected pixels, which are indiscernible to both optical and scanning electron microscopies, can only be read out using hydrogen as a decoding key, suggesting a new generation of information encryption and anti-counterfeiting applications. PMID:28232722

Nebular and Stellar Dust Extinction Across the Disk of Emission-line Galaxies on Kiloparsec Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemmati, Shoubaneh; Mobasher, Bahram; Darvish, Behnam; Nayyeri, Hooshang; Sobral, David; Miller, Sarah

2015-11-01

We investigate the resolved kiloparsec-scale stellar and nebular dust distribution in eight star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 0.4 in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey fields. This is to get a better understanding of the effect of dust attenuation on measurements of physical properties and its variation with redshift. Constructing the observed spectral energy distributions (SEDs) per pixel, based on seven bands of photometric data from Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys and WFC3, we performed pixel-by-pixel SED fits to population synthesis models and estimated the small-scale distribution of stellar dust extinction. We use Hα/Hβ nebular emission line ratios from Keck/DEIMOS high-resolution spectra at each spatial resolution element to measure the amount of attenuation faced by ionized gas at different radii from the centers of galaxies. We find a good agreement between the integrated and median of resolved color excess measurements in our galaxies. The ratio of integrated nebular to stellar dust extinction is always greater than unity, but does not show any trend with stellar mass or star formation rate (SFR). We find that inclination plays an important role in the variation of the nebular to stellar excess ratio. The stellar color excess profiles are found to have higher values at the center compared to outer parts of the disk. However, for lower mass galaxies, a similar trend is not found for the nebular color excess. We find that the nebular color excess increases with stellar mass surface density. This explains the absence of radial trend in the nebular color excess in lower mass galaxies which lack a large radial variation of stellar mass surface density. Using standard conversions of SFR surface density to gas mass surface density, and the relation between dust mass surface density and color excess, we find no significant variation in the dust-to-gas ratio in regions with high gas mass surface densities over the scales probed in this study.

Crown-level tree species classification from AISA hyperspectral imagery using an innovative pixel-weighting approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Haijian; Wu, Changshan

2018-06-01

Crown-level tree species classification is a challenging task due to the spectral similarity among different tree species. Shadow, underlying objects, and other materials within a crown may decrease the purity of extracted crown spectra and further reduce classification accuracy. To address this problem, an innovative pixel-weighting approach was developed for tree species classification at the crown level. The method utilized high density discrete LiDAR data for individual tree delineation and Airborne Imaging Spectrometer for Applications (AISA) hyperspectral imagery for pure crown-scale spectra extraction. Specifically, three steps were included: 1) individual tree identification using LiDAR data, 2) pixel-weighted representative crown spectra calculation using hyperspectral imagery, with which pixel-based illuminated-leaf fractions estimated using a linear spectral mixture analysis (LSMA) were employed as weighted factors, and 3) representative spectra based tree species classification was performed through applying a support vector machine (SVM) approach. Analysis of results suggests that the developed pixel-weighting approach (OA = 82.12%, Kc = 0.74) performed better than treetop-based (OA = 70.86%, Kc = 0.58) and pixel-majority methods (OA = 72.26, Kc = 0.62) in terms of classification accuracy. McNemar tests indicated the differences in accuracy between pixel-weighting and treetop-based approaches as well as that between pixel-weighting and pixel-majority approaches were statistically significant.

The stability of TlBr detectors at low temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dönmez, Burçin; He, Zhong; Kim, Hadong; Cirignano, Leonard J.; Shah, Kanai S.

2010-11-01

Thallium bromide (TlBr) is a promising semiconductor detector material due to its high atomic number (Tl: 81, Br: 35), high density (7.56 g/cm 3) and wide band gap (2.68 eV). Current TlBr detectors suffer from polarization, which causes performance degradation over time when high voltage is applied. A 4.6-mm thick TlBr detector with pixellated anodes made by Radiation Monitoring Devices Inc. was used in the experiments. The detector has a planar cathode and nine anode pixels surrounded by a guard ring. The pixel pitch is 1.0-mm. Digital pulse waveforms of preamplifier outputs were recorded using a multi-channel GaGe PCI digitizer board for pulse shaping. Several experiments were carried out at -20 °C while the detector was under bias for over a month. No polarization effect was observed and the detector's spectroscopic performance improved over time. Energy resolution of 1.5% FWHM at 662 keV has been measured without depth correction at -2000 V cathode bias. Average electron mobility-lifetime of (5.7±0.8) ×10 -3 cm 2/V has been measured from four anode pixels.

Advances on Sensitive Electron-injection based Cameras for Low-Flux, Short-Wave-Infrared Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fathipour, Vala; Bonakdar, Alireza; Mohseni, Hooman

2016-08-01

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) photon detection has become an essential technology in the modern world. Sensitive SWIR detector arrays with high pixel density, low noise levels and high signal-to-noise-ratios are highly desirable for a variety of applications including biophotonics, light detection and ranging, optical tomography, and astronomical imaging. As such many efforts in infrared detector research are directed towards improving the performance of the photon detectors operating in this wavelength range. We review the history, principle of operation, present status and possible future developments of a sensitive SWIR detector technology, which has demonstrated to be one of the most promising paths to high pixel density focal plane arrays for low flux applications. The so-called electron-injection (EI) detector was demonstrated for the first time (in 2007). It offers an overall system-level sensitivity enhancement compared to the p-i-n diode due to a stable internal avalanche-free gain. The amplification method is inherently low noise, and devices exhibit an excess noise of unity. The detector operates in linear-mode and requires only bias voltage of a few volts. The stable detector characteristics, makes formation of high yield large-format, and high pixel density focal plane arrays less challenging compared to other detector technologies such as avalanche photodetectors. Detector is based on the mature InP material system (InP/InAlAs/GaAsSb/InGaAs), and has a cutoff wavelength of 1700 nm. It takes advantage of a unique three-dimensional geometry and combines the efficiency of a large absorbing volume with the sensitivity of a low-dimensional switch (injector) to sense and amplify signals. Current devices provide high-speed response ~ 5 ns rise time, and low jitter ~ 12 ps at room temperature. The internal dark current density is ~ 1 μA/cm2 at room temperature decreasing to 0.1 nA/cm2 at 160 K. EI detectors have been designed, fabricated, and tested during two generations of development and optimization cycles. We review our imager results using the first-generation detectors. In the second-generation devices, the dark current is reduced by two orders of magnitude, and bandwidth is improved by 4 orders of magnitude. The dark current density of the EI detector is shown to outperform the state-of-the-art technology, the

Twenty-four-micrometer-pitch microelectrode array with 6912-channel readout at 12 kHz via highly scalable implementation for high-spatial-resolution mapping of action potentials.

PubMed

Ogi, Jun; Kato, Yuri; Matoba, Yoshihisa; Yamane, Chigusa; Nagahata, Kazunori; Nakashima, Yusaku; Kishimoto, Takuya; Hashimoto, Shigeki; Maari, Koichi; Oike, Yusuke; Ezaki, Takayuki

2017-12-19

A 24-μm-pitch microelectrode array (MEA) with 6912 readout channels at 12 kHz and 23.2-μV rms random noise is presented. The aim is to reduce noise in a "highly scalable" MEA with a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor integration circuit (CMOS-MEA), in which a large number of readout channels and a high electrode density can be expected. Despite the small dimension and the simplicity of the in-pixel circuit for the high electrode-density and the relatively large number of readout channels of the prototype CMOS-MEA chip developed in this work, the noise within the chip is successfully reduced to less than half that reported in a previous work, for a device with similar in-pixel circuit simplicity and a large number of readout channels. Further, the action potential was clearly observed on cardiomyocytes using the CMOS-MEA. These results indicate the high-scalability of the CMOS-MEA. The highly scalable CMOS-MEA provides high-spatial-resolution mapping of cell action potentials, and the mapping can aid understanding of complex activities in cells, including neuron network activities.

Quantification of the Conditioning Phase in Cooled Pixelated TlBr Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koehler, Will; He, Zhong; O'Neal, Sean; Yang, Hao; Kim, Hadong; Cirignano, Leonard; Shah, Kanai

2015-08-01

Thallium-bromide (TlBr) is currently under investigation as an alternative room-temperature semiconductor gamma-ray spectrometer due to its favorable material properties (large bandgap, high atomic numbers, and high density). Previous work has shown that 5 mm thick pixelated TlBr detectors can achieve sub-1% FWHM energy resolution at 662 keV for single-pixel events. These results are limited to - 20° C operation where detector performance is stable. During the first one to five days of applied bias at - 20° C, many TlBr detectors undergo a conditioning phase, where the energy resolution improves and the depth-dependent electron drift velocity stabilizes. In this work, the spectroscopic performance, drift velocity, and freed electron concentrations of multiple 5 mm thick pixelated TlBr detectors are monitored throughout the conditioning phase. Additionally, conditioning is performed twice on the same detector at different times to show that improvement mechanisms relax when the detector is stored without bias. We conclude that the improved spectroscopy results from internal electric field stabilization and uniformity caused by fewer trapped electrons.

Time Multiplexed Active Neural Probe with 1356 Parallel Recording Sites

PubMed Central

Raducanu, Bogdan C.; Yazicioglu, Refet F.; Lopez, Carolina M.; Putzeys, Jan; Andrei, Alexandru; Rochus, Veronique; Welkenhuysen, Marleen; van Helleputte, Nick; Musa, Silke; Puers, Robert; Kloosterman, Fabian; Van Hoof, Chris; Mitra, Srinjoy

2017-01-01

We present a high electrode density and high channel count CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) active neural probe containing 1344 neuron sized recording pixels (20 µm × 20 µm) and 12 reference pixels (20 µm × 80 µm), densely packed on a 50 µm thick, 100 µm wide, and 8 mm long shank. The active electrodes or pixels consist of dedicated in-situ circuits for signal source amplification, which are directly located under each electrode. The probe supports the simultaneous recording of all 1356 electrodes with sufficient signal to noise ratio for typical neuroscience applications. For enhanced performance, further noise reduction can be achieved while using half of the electrodes (678). Both of these numbers considerably surpass the state-of-the art active neural probes in both electrode count and number of recording channels. The measured input referred noise in the action potential band is 12.4 µVrms, while using 678 electrodes, with just 3 µW power dissipation per pixel and 45 µW per read-out channel (including data transmission). PMID:29048396

A 25μm pitch LWIR focal plane array with pixel-level 15-bit ADC providing high well capacity and targeting 2mK NETD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guellec, Fabrice; Peizerat, Arnaud; Tchagaspanian, Michael; de Borniol, Eric; Bisotto, Sylvette; Mollard, Laurent; Castelein, Pierre; Zanatta, Jean-Paul; Maillart, Patrick; Zecri, Michel; Peyrard, Jean-Christophe

2010-04-01

CEA Leti has recently developed a new readout IC (ROIC) with pixel-level ADC for cooled infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs). It operates at 50Hz frame rate in a snapshot Integrate-While-Read (IWR) mode. It targets applications that provide a large amount of integrated charge thanks to a long integration time. The pixel-level analog-to-digital conversion is based on charge packets counting. This technique offers a large well capacity that paves the way for a breakthrough in NETD performances. The 15 bits ADC resolution preserves the excellent detector SNR at full well (3Ge-). These characteristics are essential for LWIR FPAs as broad intra-scene dynamic range imaging requires high sensitivity. The ROIC, featuring a 320x256 array with 25μm pixel pitch, has been designed in a standard 0.18μm CMOS technology. The main design challenges for this digital pixel array (SNR, power consumption and layout density) are discussed. The IC has been hybridized to a LWIR detector fabricated using our in-house HgCdTe process. The first electro-optical test results of the detector dewar assembly are presented. They validate both the pixel-level ADC concept and its circuit implementation. Finally, the benefit of this LWIR FPA in terms of NETD performance is demonstrated.

Laser printed plasmonic color metasurfaces (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kristensen, Anders; Zhu, Xiaolong; Højlund-Nielsen, Emil; Vannahme, Christoph; Mortensen, N. Asger

2016-09-01

This paper describes color printing on nanoimprinted plasmonic metasurfaces by laser post-writing, for flexible decoration of high volume manufactured plastic products. Laser pulses induce transient local heat generation that leads to melting and reshaping of the imprinted nanostructures. Different surface morphologies that support different plasmonic resonances, and thereby different color appearances, are created by control of the laser pulse energy density. All primary colors can be printed, with a speed of 1 ns per pixel, resolution up to 127,000 dots per inch (DPI) and power consumption down to 0.3 nJ per pixel.

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

Gao, Lan; Hill, K. W.; Bitter, M.

Here, a high spatial resolution of a few μm is often required for probing small-scale high-energy-density plasmas using high resolution x-ray imaging spectroscopy. This resolution can be achieved by adjusting system magnification to overcome the inherent limitation of the detector pixel size. Laboratory experiments on investigating the relation between spatial resolution and system magnification for a spherical crystal spectrometer are presented. Tungsten Lβ 2 rays from a tungsten-target micro-focus x-ray tube were diffracted by a Ge 440 crystal, which was spherically bent to a radius of 223 mm, and imaged onto an x-ray CCD with 13-μm pixel size. The source-to-crystalmore » (p) and crystal-to-detector (q) distances were varied to produce spatial magnifications ( M = q/p) ranging from 2 to 10. The inferred instrumental spatial width reduces with increasing system magnification M. However, the experimental measurement at each M is larger than the theoretical value of pixel size divided by M. Future work will focus on investigating possible broadening mechanisms that limit the spatial resolution.« less

Urban Density Indices Using Mean Shift-Based Upsampled Elevetion Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charou, E.; Gyftakis, S.; Bratsolis, E.; Tsenoglou, T.; Papadopoulou, Th. D.; Vassilas, N.

2015-04-01

Urban density is an important factor for several fields, e.g. urban design, planning and land management. Modern remote sensors deliver ample information for the estimation of specific urban land classification classes (2D indicators), and the height of urban land classification objects (3D indicators) within an Area of Interest (AOI). In this research, two of these indicators, Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) are numerically and automatically derived from high-resolution airborne RGB orthophotos and LiDAR data. In the pre-processing step the low resolution elevation data are fused with the high resolution optical data through a mean-shift based discontinuity preserving smoothing algorithm. The outcome is an improved normalized digital surface model (nDSM) is an upsampled elevation data with considerable improvement regarding region filling and "straightness" of elevation discontinuities. In a following step, a Multilayer Feedforward Neural Network (MFNN) is used to classify all pixels of the AOI to building or non-building categories. For the total surface of the block and the buildings we consider the number of their pixels and the surface of the unit pixel. Comparisons of the automatically derived BCR and FAR indicators with manually derived ones shows the applicability and effectiveness of the methodology proposed.

Improving Science Communication with Responsive Web Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hilverda, M.

2013-12-01

Effective science communication requires clarity in both content and presentation. Content is increasingly being viewed via the Web across a broad range of devices, which can vary in screen size, resolution, and pixel density. Readers access the same content from desktop computers, tablets, smartphones, and wearable computing devices. Creating separate presentation formats optimized for each device is inefficient and unrealistic as new devices continually enter the marketplace. Responsive web design is an approach that puts content first within a presentation design that responds automatically to its environment. This allows for one platform to be maintained that can be used effectively for every screen. The layout adapts to screens of all sizes ensuring easy viewing of content for readers regardless of their device. Responsive design is accomplished primarily by the use of media queries within style sheets, which allows for changes to layout properties to be defined based on media types (i.e. screen, print) and resolution. Images and other types of multimedia can also be defined to scale automatically to fit different screen dimensions, although some media types require additional effort for proper implementation. Hardware changes, such as high pixel density screens, also present new challenges for effective presentation of content. High pixel density screens contain a greater number of pixels within a screen area increasing the pixels per inch (PPI) compared to standard screens. The result is increased clarity for text and vector media types, but often decreased clarity for standard resolution raster images. Media queries and other custom solutions can assist by specifying higher resolution images for high pixel density screens. Unfortunately, increasing image resolution results in significantly more data being transferred to the device. Web traffic on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets is on a steady growth trajectory and many mobile devices around the world use low-bandwidth connections. Communicating science effectively includes efficient delivery of the information to the reader. To meet this criteria, responsive designs should also incorporate "mobile first" elements such as serving ideal image sizes (a low resolution cell phone does not need to receive a large desktop image) and a focus on fast, readable content delivery. The technical implementation of responsive web design is constantly changing as new web standards and approaches become available. However, fundamental design principles such as grid layouts, clear typography, and proper use of white space should be an important part of content delivery within any responsive design. This presentation will discuss current responsive design approaches for improving scientific communication across multiple devices, operating systems, and bandwidth capacities. The presentation will also include example responsive designs for scientific papers and websites. Implementing a responsive design approach with a focus on content and fundamental design principles is an important step to ensuring scientific information remains clear and accessible as screens and devices continue to evolve.

First light from a very large area pixel array for high-throughput x-ray polarimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellazzini, R.; Spandre, G.; Minuti, M.; Baldini, L.; Brez, A.; Cavalca, F.; Latronico, L.; Omodei, N.; Massai, M. M.; Sgrò, C.; Costa, E.; Soffitta, P.; Krummenacher, F.; de Oliveira, R.

2006-06-01

We report on a large active area (15x15mm2), high channel density (470 pixels/mm2), self-triggering CMOS analog chip that we have developed as pixelized charge collecting electrode of a Micropattern Gas Detector. This device, which represents a big step forward both in terms of size and performance, is the last version of three generations of custom ASICs of increasing complexity. The CMOS pixel array has the top metal layer patterned in a matrix of 105600 hexagonal pixels at 50μm pitch. Each pixel is directly connected to the underneath full electronics chain which has been realized in the remaining five metal and single poly-silicon layers of a standard 0.18μm CMOS VLSI technology. The chip has customizable self-triggering capability and includes a signal pre-processing function for the automatic localization of the event coordinates. In this way it is possible to reduce significantly the readout time and the data volume by limiting the signal output only to those pixels belonging to the region of interest. The very small pixel area and the use of a deep sub-micron CMOS technology has brought the noise down to 50 electrons ENC. Results from in depth tests of this device when coupled to a fine pitch (50μm on a triangular pattern) Gas Electron Multiplier are presented. The matching of readout and gas amplification pitch allows getting optimal results. The application of this detector for Astronomical X-Ray Polarimetry is discussed. The experimental detector response to polarized and unpolarized X-ray radiation when working with two gas mixtures and two different photon energies is shown. Results from a full MonteCarlo simulation for several galactic and extragalactic astronomical sources are also reported.

Fabrication of a Kilopixel Array of Superconducting Microcalorimeters with Microstripline Wiring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chervenak, James

2012-01-01

A document describes the fabrication of a two-dimensional microcalorimeter array that uses microstrip wiring and integrated heat sinking to enable use of high-performance pixel designs at kilopixel scales (32 X 32). Each pixel is the high-resolution design employed in small-array test devices, which consist of a Mo/Au TES (transition edge sensor) on a silicon nitride membrane and an electroplated Bi/Au absorber. The pixel pitch within the array is 300 microns, where absorbers 290 microns on a side are cantilevered over a silicon support grid with 100-micron-wide beams. The high-density wiring and heat sinking are both carried by the silicon beams to the edge of the array. All pixels are wired out to the array edge. ECR (electron cyclotron resonance) oxide underlayer is deposited underneath the sensor layer. The sensor (TES) layer consists of a superconducting underlayer and a normal metal top layer. If the sensor is deposited at high temperature, the ECR oxide can be vacuum annealed to improve film smoothness and etch characteristics. This process is designed to recover high-resolution, single-pixel x-ray microcalorimeter performance within arrays of arbitrarily large format. The critical current limiting parts of the circuit are designed to have simple interfaces that can be independently verified. The lead-to-TES interface is entirely determined in a single layer that has multiple points of interface to maximize critical current. The lead rails that overlap the TES sensor element contact both the superconducting underlayer and the TES normal metal

Experimental investigation on aero-optical aberration of shock wave/boundary layer interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Haolin; Yi, Shihe; Fu, Jia; He, Lin

2016-10-01

After streaming through the flow field which including the expansion, shock wave, boundary, etc., the optical wave would be distorted by fluctuations in the density field. Interactions between laminar/turbulent boundary layer and shock wave contain large number complex flow structures, which offer a condition for studying the influences that different flow structures of the complex flow field have on the aero-optical aberrations. Interactions between laminar/turbulent boundary layer and shock wave are investigated in a Mach 3.0 supersonic wind tunnel, based on nanoparticle-tracer planar laser scattering (NPLS) system. Boundary layer separation/attachment, induced suppression waves, induced shock wave, expansion fan and boundary layer are presented by NPLS images. Its spatial resolution is 44.15 μm/pixel. Time resolution is 6ns. Based on the NPLS images, the density fields with high spatial-temporal resolution are obtained by the flow image calibration, and then the optical path difference (OPD) fluctuations of the original 532nm planar wavefront are calculated using Ray-tracing theory. According to the different flow structures in the flow field, four parts are selected, (1) Y=692 600pixel; (2) Y=600 400pixel; (3) Y=400 268pixel; (4) Y=268 0pixel. The aerooptical effects of different flow structures are quantitatively analyzed, the results indicate that: the compressive waves such as incident shock wave, induced shock wave, etc. rise the density, and then uplift the OPD curve, but this kind of shock are fixed in space position and intensity, the aero-optics induced by it can be regarded as constant; The induced shock waves are induced by the coherent structure of large size vortex in the interaction between turbulent boundary layer, its unsteady characteristic decides the induced waves unsteady characteristic; The space position and intensity of the induced shock wave are fixed in the interaction between turbulent boundary layer; The boundary layer aero-optics are induced by the coherent structure of large size vortex, which result in the fluctuation of OPD.

Electrical, spectral and optical performance of yellow-green and amber micro-pixelated InGaN light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Z.; Liu, N. Y.; Tao, Y. B.; Massoubre, D.; Xie, E. Y.; Hu, X. D.; Chen, Z. Z.; Zhang, G. Y.; Pan, Y. B.; Hao, M. S.; Watson, I. M.; Gu, E.; Dawson, M. D.

2012-01-01

Micro-pixelated InGaN LED arrays operating at 560 and 600 nm, respectively, are demonstrated for what the authors believe to be the first time. Such devices offer applications in areas including bioinstrumentation, visible light communications and optoelectronic tweezers. The devices reported are based on new epitaxial structures, retaining conventional (0 0 0 1) orientation, but incorporating electron reservoir layers which enhance the efficiency of radiative combination in the active regions. A measured output optical power density up to 8 W cm-2 (4.4 W cm-2) has been achieved from a representative pixel of the yellow-green (amber) LED array, substantially higher than that from conventional broad-area reference LEDs fabricated from the same wafer material. Furthermore, these micro-LEDs can sustain a high current density, up to 4.5 kA cm-2, before thermal rollover. A significant blueshift of the emission wavelength with increasing injection current is observed, however. This blueshift saturates at 45 nm (50 nm) for the yellow-green (amber) LED array, and numerical simulations have been used to gain insight into the responsible mechanisms in this microstructured format of device. In the relatively low-current-density regime (<3.5 kA cm-2) the blueshift is attributable to both the screening of the piezoelectric field by the injected carriers and the band-filling effect, whereas in the high-current regime, it is mainly due to band-filling. Further development of the epitaxial wafer material is expected to improve the current-dependent spectral stability.

Characterizing pixel and point patterns with a hyperuniformity disorder length

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chieco, A. T.; Dreyfus, R.; Durian, D. J.

2017-09-01

We introduce the concept of a "hyperuniformity disorder length" h that controls the variance of volume fraction fluctuations for randomly placed windows of fixed size. In particular, fluctuations are determined by the average number of particles within a distance h from the boundary of the window. We first compute special expectations and bounds in d dimensions, and then illustrate the range of behavior of h versus window size L by analyzing several different types of simulated two-dimensional pixel patterns—where particle positions are stored as a binary digital image in which pixels have value zero if empty and one if they contain a particle. The first are random binomial patterns, where pixels are randomly flipped from zero to one with probability equal to area fraction. These have long-ranged density fluctuations, and simulations confirm the exact result h =L /2 . Next we consider vacancy patterns, where a fraction f of particles on a lattice are randomly removed. These also display long-range density fluctuations, but with h =(L /2 )(f /d ) for small f , and h =L /2 for f →1 . And finally, for a hyperuniform system with no long-range density fluctuations, we consider "Einstein patterns," where each particle is independently displaced from a lattice site by a Gaussian-distributed amount. For these, at large L ,h approaches a constant equal to about half the root-mean-square displacement in each dimension. Then we turn to gray-scale pixel patterns that represent simulated arrangements of polydisperse particles, where the volume of a particle is encoded in the value of its central pixel. And we discuss the continuum limit of point patterns, where pixel size vanishes. In general, we thus propose to quantify particle configurations not just by the scaling of the density fluctuation spectrum but rather by the real-space spectrum of h (L ) versus L . We call this approach "hyperuniformity disorder length spectroscopy".

Characterizing pixel and point patterns with a hyperuniformity disorder length.

PubMed

Chieco, A T; Dreyfus, R; Durian, D J

2017-09-01

We introduce the concept of a "hyperuniformity disorder length" h that controls the variance of volume fraction fluctuations for randomly placed windows of fixed size. In particular, fluctuations are determined by the average number of particles within a distance h from the boundary of the window. We first compute special expectations and bounds in d dimensions, and then illustrate the range of behavior of h versus window size L by analyzing several different types of simulated two-dimensional pixel patterns-where particle positions are stored as a binary digital image in which pixels have value zero if empty and one if they contain a particle. The first are random binomial patterns, where pixels are randomly flipped from zero to one with probability equal to area fraction. These have long-ranged density fluctuations, and simulations confirm the exact result h=L/2. Next we consider vacancy patterns, where a fraction f of particles on a lattice are randomly removed. These also display long-range density fluctuations, but with h=(L/2)(f/d) for small f, and h=L/2 for f→1. And finally, for a hyperuniform system with no long-range density fluctuations, we consider "Einstein patterns," where each particle is independently displaced from a lattice site by a Gaussian-distributed amount. For these, at large L,h approaches a constant equal to about half the root-mean-square displacement in each dimension. Then we turn to gray-scale pixel patterns that represent simulated arrangements of polydisperse particles, where the volume of a particle is encoded in the value of its central pixel. And we discuss the continuum limit of point patterns, where pixel size vanishes. In general, we thus propose to quantify particle configurations not just by the scaling of the density fluctuation spectrum but rather by the real-space spectrum of h(L) versus L. We call this approach "hyperuniformity disorder length spectroscopy".

NEBULAR AND STELLAR DUST EXTINCTION ACROSS THE DISK OF EMISSION-LINE GALAXIES ON KILOPARSEC SCALES

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

Hemmati, Shoubaneh; Mobasher, Bahram; Darvish, Behnam

We investigate the resolved kiloparsec-scale stellar and nebular dust distribution in eight star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 0.4 in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey fields. This is to get a better understanding of the effect of dust attenuation on measurements of physical properties and its variation with redshift. Constructing the observed spectral energy distributions (SEDs) per pixel, based on seven bands of photometric data from Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys and WFC3, we performed pixel-by-pixel SED fits to population synthesis models and estimated the small-scale distribution of stellar dust extinction. We use Hα/Hβ nebular emission line ratios from Keck/DEIMOS high-resolutionmore » spectra at each spatial resolution element to measure the amount of attenuation faced by ionized gas at different radii from the centers of galaxies. We find a good agreement between the integrated and median of resolved color excess measurements in our galaxies. The ratio of integrated nebular to stellar dust extinction is always greater than unity, but does not show any trend with stellar mass or star formation rate (SFR). We find that inclination plays an important role in the variation of the nebular to stellar excess ratio. The stellar color excess profiles are found to have higher values at the center compared to outer parts of the disk. However, for lower mass galaxies, a similar trend is not found for the nebular color excess. We find that the nebular color excess increases with stellar mass surface density. This explains the absence of radial trend in the nebular color excess in lower mass galaxies which lack a large radial variation of stellar mass surface density. Using standard conversions of SFR surface density to gas mass surface density, and the relation between dust mass surface density and color excess, we find no significant variation in the dust-to-gas ratio in regions with high gas mass surface densities over the scales probed in this study.« less

Writing next-generation display photomasks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandstrom, Tor; Wahlsten, Mikael; Park, Youngjin

2016-10-01

Recent years have seen a fast technical development within the display area. Displays get ever higher pixel density and the pixels get smaller. Current displays have over 800 PPI and market forces will eventually drive for densities of 2000 PPI or higher. The transistor backplanes also get more complex. OLED displays require 4-7 transistors per pixel instead of the typical 1-2 transistors used for LCDs, and they are significantly more sensitive to errors. New large-area maskwriters have been developed for masks used in high volume production of screens for state-of-theart smartphones. Redesigned laser optics with higher NA and lower aberrations improve resolution and CD uniformity and reduce mura effects. The number of beams has been increased to maintain the throughput despite the higher writing resolution. OLED displays are highly sensitive to placement errors and registration in the writers has been improved. To verify the registration of produced masks a separate metrology system has been developed. The metrology system is self-calibrated to high accuracy. The calibration is repeatable across machines and sites using Z-correction. The repeatability of the coordinate system makes it possible to standardize the coordinate system across an entire supply chain or indeed across the entire industry. In-house metrology is a commercial necessity for high-end mask shop, but also the users of the masks, the panel makers, would benefit from having in-house metrology. It would act as the reference for their mask suppliers, give better predictive and post mortem diagnostic power for the panel process, and the metrology could be used to characterize and improve the entire production loop from data to panel.

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

Gao, Lan, E-mail: lgao@pppl.gov; Hill, K. W.; Bitter, M.

A high spatial resolution of a few μm is often required for probing small-scale high-energy-density plasmas using high resolution x-ray imaging spectroscopy. This resolution can be achieved by adjusting system magnification to overcome the inherent limitation of the detector pixel size. Laboratory experiments on investigating the relation between spatial resolution and system magnification for a spherical crystal spectrometer are presented. Tungsten Lβ{sub 2} rays from a tungsten-target micro-focus x-ray tube were diffracted by a Ge 440 crystal, which was spherically bent to a radius of 223 mm, and imaged onto an x-ray CCD with 13-μm pixel size. The source-to-crystal (p)more » and crystal-to-detector (q) distances were varied to produce spatial magnifications (M = q/p) ranging from 2 to 10. The inferred instrumental spatial width reduces with increasing system magnification M. However, the experimental measurement at each M is larger than the theoretical value of pixel size divided by M. Future work will focus on investigating possible broadening mechanisms that limit the spatial resolution.« less

Spatial resolution of a spherical x-ray crystal spectrometer at various magnifications

DOE PAGES

Gao, Lan; Hill, K. W.; Bitter, M.; ...

2016-08-23

Here, a high spatial resolution of a few μm is often required for probing small-scale high-energy-density plasmas using high resolution x-ray imaging spectroscopy. This resolution can be achieved by adjusting system magnification to overcome the inherent limitation of the detector pixel size. Laboratory experiments on investigating the relation between spatial resolution and system magnification for a spherical crystal spectrometer are presented. Tungsten Lβ 2 rays from a tungsten-target micro-focus x-ray tube were diffracted by a Ge 440 crystal, which was spherically bent to a radius of 223 mm, and imaged onto an x-ray CCD with 13-μm pixel size. The source-to-crystalmore » (p) and crystal-to-detector (q) distances were varied to produce spatial magnifications ( M = q/p) ranging from 2 to 10. The inferred instrumental spatial width reduces with increasing system magnification M. However, the experimental measurement at each M is larger than the theoretical value of pixel size divided by M. Future work will focus on investigating possible broadening mechanisms that limit the spatial resolution.« less

Back-illuminated imager and method for making electrical and optical connections to same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pain, Bedabrata (Inventor)

2010-01-01

Methods for bringing or exposing metal pads or traces to the backside of a backside-illuminated imager allow the pads or traces to reside on the illumination side for electrical connection. These methods provide a solution to a key packaging problem for backside thinned imagers. The methods also provide alignment marks for integrating color filters and microlenses to the imager pixels residing on the frontside of the wafer, enabling high performance multispectral and high sensitivity imagers, including those with extremely small pixel pitch. In addition, the methods incorporate a passivation layer for protection of devices against external contamination, and allow interface trap density reduction via thermal annealing. Backside-illuminated imagers with illumination side electrical connections are also disclosed.

Mt-Insar Landslide Monitoring with the Aid of Homogeneous Pixels Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, X. J.; Zhao, C. Y.; Wang, B. H.; Zhu, W. F.

2018-04-01

SAR interferograms are often contaminated by random noises related to temporal decorrelation, geometrical decorrelation and thermal noises, which makes the fringes obscured and greatly decreases the density of the coherent target and the accuracy of InSAR deformation results, especially for the landslide monitoring in vegetated region and in rainy season. Two different SAR interferogram filtering methods, that is Goldstein filter and homogeneous pixels filter, for one specific landslide are compared. The results show that homogeneous pixels filter is better than Goldstein one for small-scale loess landslide monitoring, which can increase the density of monitoring points. Moreover, the precision of InSAR result can reach millimeter by comparing with GPS time series measurements.

Forest Stand Canopy Structure Attribute Estimation from High Resolution Digital Airborne Imagery

Treesearch

Demetrios Gatziolis

2006-01-01

A study of forest stand canopy variable assessment using digital, airborne, multispectral imagery is presented. Variable estimation involves stem density, canopy closure, and mean crown diameter, and it is based on quantification of spatial autocorrelation among pixel digital numbers (DN) using variogram analysis and an alternative, non-parametric approach known as...

WE-EF-207-07: Dual Energy CT with One Full Scan and a Second Sparse-View Scan Using Structure Preserving Iterative Reconstruction (SPIR)

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

Wang, T; Zhu, L

Purpose: Conventional dual energy CT (DECT) reconstructs CT and basis material images from two full-size projection datasets with different energy spectra. To relax the data requirement, we propose an iterative DECT reconstruction algorithm using one full scan and a second sparse-view scan by utilizing redundant structural information of the same object acquired at two different energies. Methods: We first reconstruct a full-scan CT image using filtered-backprojection (FBP) algorithm. The material similarities of each pixel with other pixels are calculated by an exponential function about pixel value differences. We assume that the material similarities of pixels remains in the second CTmore » scan, although pixel values may vary. An iterative method is designed to reconstruct the second CT image from reduced projections. Under the data fidelity constraint, the algorithm minimizes the L2 norm of the difference between pixel value and its estimation, which is the average of other pixel values weighted by their similarities. The proposed algorithm, referred to as structure preserving iterative reconstruction (SPIR), is evaluated on physical phantoms. Results: On the Catphan600 phantom, SPIR-based DECT method with a second 10-view scan reduces the noise standard deviation of a full-scan FBP CT reconstruction by a factor of 4 with well-maintained spatial resolution, while iterative reconstruction using total-variation regularization (TVR) degrades the spatial resolution at the same noise level. The proposed method achieves less than 1% measurement difference on electron density map compared with the conventional two-full-scan DECT. On an anthropomorphic pediatric phantom, our method successfully reconstructs the complicated vertebra structures and decomposes bone and soft tissue. Conclusion: We develop an effective method to reduce the number of views and therefore data acquisition in DECT. We show that SPIR-based DECT using one full scan and a second 10-view scan can provide high-quality DECT images and accurate electron density maps as conventional two-full-scan DECT.« less

Evaluation of position-estimation methods applied to CZT-based photon-counting detectors for dedicated breast CT

PubMed Central

Makeev, Andrey; Clajus, Martin; Snyder, Scott; Wang, Xiaolang; Glick, Stephen J.

2015-01-01

Abstract. Semiconductor photon-counting detectors based on high atomic number, high density materials [cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)/cadmium telluride (CdTe)] for x-ray computed tomography (CT) provide advantages over conventional energy-integrating detectors, including reduced electronic and Swank noise, wider dynamic range, capability of spectral CT, and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Certain CT applications require high spatial resolution. In breast CT, for example, visualization of microcalcifications and assessment of tumor microvasculature after contrast enhancement require resolution on the order of 100  μm. A straightforward approach to increasing spatial resolution of pixellated CZT-based radiation detectors by merely decreasing the pixel size leads to two problems: (1) fabricating circuitry with small pixels becomes costly and (2) inter-pixel charge spreading can obviate any improvement in spatial resolution. We have used computer simulations to investigate position estimation algorithms that utilize charge sharing to achieve subpixel position resolution. To study these algorithms, we model a simple detector geometry with a 5×5 array of 200  μm pixels, and use a conditional probability function to model charge transport in CZT. We used COMSOL finite element method software to map the distribution of charge pulses and the Monte Carlo package PENELOPE for simulating fluorescent radiation. Performance of two x-ray interaction position estimation algorithms was evaluated: the method of maximum-likelihood estimation and a fast, practical algorithm that can be implemented in a readout application-specific integrated circuit and allows for identification of a quadrant of the pixel in which the interaction occurred. Both methods demonstrate good subpixel resolution; however, their actual efficiency is limited by the presence of fluorescent K-escape photons. Current experimental breast CT systems typically use detectors with a pixel size of 194  μm, with 2×2 binning during the acquisition giving an effective pixel size of 388  μm. Thus, it would be expected that the position estimate accuracy reported in this study would improve detection and visualization of microcalcifications as compared to that with conventional detectors. PMID:26158095

Evaluation of position-estimation methods applied to CZT-based photon-counting detectors for dedicated breast CT.

PubMed

Makeev, Andrey; Clajus, Martin; Snyder, Scott; Wang, Xiaolang; Glick, Stephen J

2015-04-01

Semiconductor photon-counting detectors based on high atomic number, high density materials [cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)/cadmium telluride (CdTe)] for x-ray computed tomography (CT) provide advantages over conventional energy-integrating detectors, including reduced electronic and Swank noise, wider dynamic range, capability of spectral CT, and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Certain CT applications require high spatial resolution. In breast CT, for example, visualization of microcalcifications and assessment of tumor microvasculature after contrast enhancement require resolution on the order of [Formula: see text]. A straightforward approach to increasing spatial resolution of pixellated CZT-based radiation detectors by merely decreasing the pixel size leads to two problems: (1) fabricating circuitry with small pixels becomes costly and (2) inter-pixel charge spreading can obviate any improvement in spatial resolution. We have used computer simulations to investigate position estimation algorithms that utilize charge sharing to achieve subpixel position resolution. To study these algorithms, we model a simple detector geometry with a [Formula: see text] array of [Formula: see text] pixels, and use a conditional probability function to model charge transport in CZT. We used COMSOL finite element method software to map the distribution of charge pulses and the Monte Carlo package PENELOPE for simulating fluorescent radiation. Performance of two x-ray interaction position estimation algorithms was evaluated: the method of maximum-likelihood estimation and a fast, practical algorithm that can be implemented in a readout application-specific integrated circuit and allows for identification of a quadrant of the pixel in which the interaction occurred. Both methods demonstrate good subpixel resolution; however, their actual efficiency is limited by the presence of fluorescent [Formula: see text]-escape photons. Current experimental breast CT systems typically use detectors with a pixel size of [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] binning during the acquisition giving an effective pixel size of [Formula: see text]. Thus, it would be expected that the position estimate accuracy reported in this study would improve detection and visualization of microcalcifications as compared to that with conventional detectors.

Reduced-Scale Transition-Edge Sensor Detectors for Solar and X-Ray Astrophysics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Datesman, Aaron M.; Adams, Joseph S.; Bandler, Simon R.; Betancourt-Martinez, Gabriele L.; Chang, Meng-Ping; Chervenak, James A.; Eckart, Megan E.; Ewin, Audrey E.; Finkbeiner, Fred M.; Ha, Jong Yoon;

Improved canopy reflectance modeling and scene inference through improved understanding of scene pattern

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Franklin, Janet; Simonett, David

1988-01-01

The Li-Strahler reflectance model, driven by LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) data, provided regional estimates of tree size and density within 20 percent of sampled values in two bioclimatic zones in West Africa. This model exploits tree geometry in an inversion technique to predict average tree size and density from reflectance data using a few simple parameters measured in the field (spatial pattern, shape, and size distribution of trees) and in the imagery (spectral signatures of scene components). Trees are treated as simply shaped objects, and multispectral reflectance of a pixel is assumed to be related only to the proportions of tree crown, shadow, and understory in the pixel. These, in turn, are a direct function of the number and size of trees, the solar illumination angle, and the spectral signatures of crown, shadow and understory. Given the variance in reflectance from pixel to pixel within a homogeneous area of woodland, caused by the variation in the number and size of trees, the model can be inverted to give estimates of average tree size and density. Because the inversion is sensitive to correct determination of component signatures, predictions are not accurate for small areas.

High resolution phoswich gamma-ray imager utilizing monolithic MPPC arrays with submillimeter pixelized crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, T.; Kataoka, J.; Nakamori, T.; Kishimoto, A.; Yamamoto, S.; Sato, K.; Ishikawa, Y.; Yamamura, K.; Kawabata, N.; Ikeda, H.; Kamada, K.

2013-05-01

We report the development of a high spatial resolution tweezers-type coincidence gamma-ray camera for medical imaging. This application consists of large-area monolithic Multi-Pixel Photon Counters (MPPCs) and submillimeter pixelized scintillator matrices. The MPPC array has 4 × 4 channels with a three-side buttable, very compact package. For typical operational gain of 7.5 × 105 at + 20 °C, gain fluctuation over the entire MPPC device is only ± 5.6%, and dark count rates (as measured at the 1 p.e. level) amount to <= 400 kcps per channel. We selected Ce-doped (Lu,Y)2(SiO4)O (Ce:LYSO) and a brand-new scintillator, Ce-doped Gd3Al2Ga3O12 (Ce:GAGG) due to their high light yield and density. To improve the spatial resolution, these scintillators were fabricated into 15 × 15 matrices of 0.5 × 0.5 mm2 pixels. The Ce:LYSO and Ce:GAGG scintillator matrices were assembled into phosphor sandwich (phoswich) detectors, and then coupled to the MPPC array along with an acrylic light guide measuring 1 mm thick, and with summing operational amplifiers that compile the signals into four position-encoded analog outputs being used for signal readout. Spatial resolution of 1.1 mm was achieved with the coincidence imaging system using a 22Na point source. These results suggest that the gamma-ray imagers offer excellent potential for applications in high spatial medical imaging.

Determination of Spatially Resolved Tablet Density and Hardness Using Near-Infrared Chemical Imaging (NIR-CI).

PubMed

Talwar, Sameer; Roopwani, Rahul; Anderson, Carl A; Buckner, Ira S; Drennen, James K

2017-08-01

Near-infrared chemical imaging (NIR-CI) combines spectroscopy with digital imaging, enabling spatially resolved analysis and characterization of pharmaceutical samples. Hardness and relative density are critical quality attributes (CQA) that affect tablet performance. Intra-sample density or hardness variability can reveal deficiencies in formulation design or the tableting process. This study was designed to develop NIR-CI methods to predict spatially resolved tablet density and hardness. The method was implemented using a two-step procedure. First, NIR-CI was used to develop a relative density/solid fraction (SF) prediction method for pure microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) compacts only. A partial least squares (PLS) model for predicting SF was generated by regressing the spectra of certain representative pixels selected from each image against the compact SF. Pixel selection was accomplished with a threshold based on the Euclidean distance from the median tablet spectrum. Second, micro-indentation was performed on the calibration compacts to obtain hardness values. A univariate model was developed by relating the empirical hardness values to the NIR-CI predicted SF at the micro-indented pixel locations: this model generated spatially resolved hardness predictions for the entire tablet surface.

Interferometric SAR for characterization of ravines as a function of their density, depth, and surface cover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, R. S.; Saha, S. K.; Suresh Kumar; Sharika Mathew; Lakhera, R. C.; Dadhwal, V. K.

In recent years, the problem of ravine erosion with consequent loss of usable land has received much attention worldwide. The Chambal ravine zone in India is well known for being an extremely intricate, deeply incised network of ravines in a 10 km wide zone on the flanks of the Chambal River. It occupies an area of ˜0.5 million hectares at the expense of fertile agricultural land of the Chambal Valley. The broad grouping of the ravines considering their reclamation potential, as carried out by previous workers based on visual interpretation of optical remote sensing data, is mostly descriptive in nature. In the present study, characterization of the ravines as a function of their erosion potential expressed through ravine density, ravine depth, and ravine surface cover was made in quantitative terms exploiting the preferential characteristics of side-looking, long-wavelength, coherent SAR signal and precision measurements associated with the InSAR technique. The outlines of ravines appear remarkably prominent in SAR backscattered amplitude images due to the high sensitivity of the SAR signal to terrain ruggedness. Using local statistics-based meso and macro textural information of SAR backscattered amplitude images in 7×7 pixel windows (the pixel size being 20 m×20 m), the ravine-affected area has been classified into three density classes, namely low, moderate, and high density ravine classes. C-band InSAR digital elevation models (DEMs) of sparsely vegetated ravine areas essentially give the terrain height. From the pixel-by-pixel terrain height, the ravine depth was calculated by differencing the maximum and minimum terrain heights of the pixels in a 100 m distance range. Considering the vertical precision of the ERS InSAR DEMs of ˜5 m and ravine depth classification by previous workers [Sharma, H.S., 1968. Genesis and pattern of ravines of the Lower Chambal Valley, India. Special Issue. 21st International Geographical Union Congress 30(4), 14-24; Seth, S.P., Bhatnagar, R.K., Chauhan, S.S., 1969. Reclamability classification and nature of ravines of Chambal Command Areas. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in India 17 (3-4), 39-44.], three depth classes, namely shallow (<5 m), moderately deep (5-20 m), and deep (>20 m) ravines, were made. Using the temporal decorrelation property of the close time interval InSAR data pair, namely the ERS SAR tandem pair, four ravine surface cover classes, namely barren land, grass/scrub/crop land, sparse vegetation, and wet land/dense vegetation, could be delineated, which was corroborated by the spectral signatures in the optical range and selective ground truths.

Pulsed x-ray imaging of high-density objects using a ten picosecond high-intensity laser driver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rusby, D. R.; Brenner, C. M.; Armstrong, C.; Wilson, L. A.; Clarke, R.; Alejo, A.; Ahmed, H.; Butler, N. M. H.; Haddock, D.; Higginson, A.; McClymont, A.; Mirfayzi, S. R.; Murphy, C.; Notley, M.; Oliver, P.; Allott, R.; Hernandez-Gomez, C.; Kar, S.; McKenna, P.; Neely, D.

2016-10-01

Point-like sources of X-rays that are pulsed (sub nanosecond), high energy (up to several MeV) and bright are very promising for industrial and security applications where imaging through large and dense objects is required. Highly penetrating X-rays can be produced by electrons that have been accelerated by a high intensity laser pulse incident onto a thin solid target. We have used a pulse length of 10ps to accelerate electrons to create a bright x-ray source. The bremsstrahlung temperature was measured for a laser intensity from 8.5-12×1018 W/cm2. These x-rays have sequentially been used to image high density materials using image plate and a pixelated scintillator system.

A detailed comparison of single-camera light-field PIV and tomographic PIV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Shengxian; Ding, Junfei; Atkinson, Callum; Soria, Julio; New, T. H.

2018-03-01

This paper conducts a comprehensive study between the single-camera light-field particle image velocimetry (LF-PIV) and the multi-camera tomographic particle image velocimetry (Tomo-PIV). Simulation studies were first performed using synthetic light-field and tomographic particle images, which extensively examine the difference between these two techniques by varying key parameters such as pixel to microlens ratio (PMR), light-field camera Tomo-camera pixel ratio (LTPR), particle seeding density and tomographic camera number. Simulation results indicate that the single LF-PIV can achieve accuracy consistent with that of multi-camera Tomo-PIV, but requires the use of overall greater number of pixels. Experimental studies were then conducted by simultaneously measuring low-speed jet flow with single-camera LF-PIV and four-camera Tomo-PIV systems. Experiments confirm that given a sufficiently high pixel resolution, a single-camera LF-PIV system can indeed deliver volumetric velocity field measurements for an equivalent field of view with a spatial resolution commensurate with those of multi-camera Tomo-PIV system, enabling accurate 3D measurements in applications where optical access is limited.

Hierarchical tone mapping for high dynamic range image visualization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Guoping; Duan, Jiang

2005-07-01

In this paper, we present a computationally efficient, practically easy to use tone mapping techniques for the visualization of high dynamic range (HDR) images in low dynamic range (LDR) reproduction devices. The new method, termed hierarchical nonlinear linear (HNL) tone-mapping operator maps the pixels in two hierarchical steps. The first step allocates appropriate numbers of LDR display levels to different HDR intensity intervals according to the pixel densities of the intervals. The second step linearly maps the HDR intensity intervals to theirs allocated LDR display levels. In the developed HNL scheme, the assignment of LDR display levels to HDR intensity intervals is controlled by a very simple and flexible formula with a single adjustable parameter. We also show that our new operators can be used for the effective enhancement of ordinary images.

A new generation of small pixel pitch/SWaP cooled infrared detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Espuno, L.; Pacaud, O.; Reibel, Y.; Rubaldo, L.; Kerlain, A.; Péré-Laperne, N.; Dariel, A.; Roumegoux, J.; Brunner, A.; Kessler, A.; Gravrand, O.; Castelein, P.

2015-10-01

Following clear technological trends, the cooled IR detectors market is now in demand for smaller, more efficient and higher performance products. This demand pushes products developments towards constant innovations on detectors, read-out circuits, proximity electronics boards, and coolers. Sofradir was first to show a 10μm focal plane array (FPA) at DSS 2012, and announced the DAPHNIS 10μm product line back in 2014. This pixel pitch is a key enabler for infrared detectors with increased resolution. Sofradir recently achieved outstanding products demonstrations at this pixel pitch, which clearly demonstrate the benefits of adopting 10μm pixel pitch focal plane array-based detectors. Both HD and XGA Daphnis 10μm products also benefit from a global video datapath efficiency improvement by transitioning to digital video interfaces. Moreover, innovative smart pixels functionalities drastically increase product versatility. In addition to this strong push towards a higher pixels density, Sofradir acknowledges the need for smaller and lower power cooled infrared detector. Together with straightforward system interfaces and better overall performances, latest technological advances on SWAP-C (Size, Weight, Power and Cost) Sofradir products enable the advent of a new generation of high performance portable and agile systems (handheld thermal imagers, unmanned aerial vehicles, light gimbals etc...). This paper focuses on those features and performances that can make an actual difference in the field.

The Lifetimes of Phases in High-mass Star-forming Regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battersby, Cara; Bally, John; Svoboda, Brian

2017-02-01

High-mass stars form within star clusters from dense, molecular regions (DMRs), but is the process of cluster formation slow and hydrostatic or quick and dynamic? We link the physical properties of high-mass star-forming regions with their evolutionary stage in a systematic way, using Herschel and Spitzer data. In order to produce a robust estimate of the relative lifetimes of these regions, we compare the fraction of DMRs above a column density associated with high-mass star formation, N(H2) > 0.4-2.5 × 1022 cm-2, in the “starless” (no signature of stars ≳10 {M}⊙ forming) and star-forming phases in a 2° × 2° region of the Galactic Plane centered at ℓ = 30°. Of regions capable of forming high-mass stars on ˜1 pc scales, the starless (or embedded beyond detection) phase occupies about 60%-70% of the DMR lifetime, and the star-forming phase occupies about 30%-40%. These relative lifetimes are robust over a wide range of thresholds. We outline a method by which relative lifetimes can be anchored to absolute lifetimes from large-scale surveys of methanol masers and UCHII regions. A simplistic application of this method estimates the absolute lifetime of the starless phase to be 0.2-1.7 Myr (about 0.6-4.1 fiducial cloud free-fall times) and the star-forming phase to be 0.1-0.7 Myr (about 0.4-2.4 free-fall times), but these are highly uncertain. This work uniquely investigates the star-forming nature of high column density gas pixel by pixel, and our results demonstrate that the majority of high column density gas is in a starless or embedded phase.

Experimental verification of multilevel spatial pattern generation from binary data page with four-step phase pattern (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barada, Daisuke; Yatagai, Toyohiko

2016-09-01

Holographic memory is expected for cold storage because of the features of huge data capacity, high data transfer rate, and long life time. In holographic memory, a signal beam is modulated by a spatial light modulator according to data pages. The recording density is dependent on information amount per pixel in a data page. However, a binary spatial light modulator is used to realize high data transfer rate in general. In our previous study, an optical conversion method from binary data to multilevel data has been proposed. In this paper, the principle of the method is experimentally verified. In the proposed method, a data page consists of symbols with 2x2 pixels and a four-step phase mask is used. Then, the complex amplitudes of four pixels in a symbol become positive real, positive imaginary, negative real, and negative imaginary values, respectively. A square pixel pattern is spread by spatial frequency filtering with a square aperture in a Fourier plane. When the aperture size is too small, the complex amplitude of four pixels in a symbol is superposed and a symbol is regarded as a pixel with a complex number. In this work, a data page pattern with a four-step phase pattern was generated by using a computer-generated circular polarization hologram (CGCPH). The CGCPH was prepared by electron beam lithography. The page data pattern is Fourier transformed by a lens and spatially filtered by a variable rectangular aperture. The complex amplitude of the spatial filtered data page pattern was measured by digital holography and the principle was experimentally verified.

Comparison of the detectability of high- and low-contrast details on a TFT screen and a CRT screen designed for radiologic diagnosis.

PubMed

Kotter, Elmar; Bley, Thorsten A; Saueressig, Ulrich; Fisch, Dagmar; Springer, Oliver; Winterer, Jan Torsten; Schaefer, Oliver; Langer, Mathias

2003-11-01

To evaluate the detection rate of fine details of a new thin-film transistor (TFT) grayscale monitor designed for radiologic diagnosis, compared with a type of cathode ray tube (CRT) screen used routinely for diagnostic radiology. Fifteen radiographs of a statistical phantom presenting low- and high-contrast details were obtained and read out with an Agfa ADC compact storage phosphor system. Each radiograph presented 60 high-density (high-contrast) and 60 low-density (low-contrast) test bodies. Approximately half the test bodies contained holes with different diameters. Observers were asked to detect the presence or absence of a hole in the test body on a 5-point confidence range. The total of 1800 test bodies was reviewed by 5 radiologists on the TFT monitor (20.8 inches; 1536 x 2048 pixels; maximum luminance, 650 cd/m2; contrast, 600:1) and the CRT monitor (21 inches; P45 Phosphor; 2048 x 2560 pixels operated at 1728 x 2304 pixels; maximum luminance, 600 cd/m2; contrast, 300:1). The data were analyzed by receiver-operator characteristic analysis. For high-contrast details, the mean area under the curve rated 0.9336 for the TFT monitor and 0.9312 for the CRT monitor. For low-contrast details, the mean area under the curve rated 0.9189 for the TFT monitor and 0.9224 for the CRT monitor. At P

The Nature of Turbulence in the LITTLE THINGS Dwarf Irregular Galaxies

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

Maier, Erin; Chien, Li-Hsin; Hollyday, Gigja

We present probability density functions and higher order (skewness and kurtosis) analyses of the galaxy-wide and spatially resolved distributions of H i column density in the LITTLE THINGS sample of dwarf irregular galaxies. This analysis follows that of Burkhart et al. for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). About 60% of our sample have galaxy-wide values of kurtosis that are similar to that found for the SMC, with a range up to much higher values, and kurtosis increases with integrated star formation rate. Kurtosis and skewness were calculated for radial annuli and for a grid of 32 pixel × 32 pixel kernels acrossmore » each galaxy. For most galaxies, kurtosis correlates with skewness. For about half of the galaxies, there is a trend of increasing kurtosis with radius. The range of kurtosis and skewness values is modeled by small variations in the Mach number close to the sonic limit and by conversion of H i to molecules at high column density. The maximum H i column densities decrease with increasing radius in a way that suggests molecules are forming in the weak-field limit, where H{sub 2} formation balances photodissociation in optically thin gas at the edges of clouds.« less

Charge transfer efficiency improvement of 4T pixel for high speed CMOS image sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Xiangliang; Liu, Weihui; Yang, Hongjiao; Tang, Lizhen; Yang, Jia

2015-03-01

The charge transfer efficiency improvement method is proposed by optimizing the electrical potential distribution along the transfer path from the PPD to the FD. In this work, we present a non-uniform doped transfer transistor channel, with the adjustments to the overlap length between the CPIA layer and the transfer gate, and the overlap length between the SEN layer and transfer gate. Theory analysis and TCAD simulation results show that the density of the residual charge reduces from 1e11 /cm3 to 1e9 /cm3, and the transfer time reduces from 500 ns to 143 ns, and the charge transfer efficiency is about 77 e-/ns. This optimizing design effectively improves the charge transfer efficiency of 4T pixel and the performance of 4T high speed CMOS image sensor.

Estimation of Wheat Plant Density at Early Stages Using High Resolution Imagery

PubMed Central

Liu, Shouyang; Baret, Fred; Andrieu, Bruno; Burger, Philippe; Hemmerlé, Matthieu

2017-01-01

Crop density is a key agronomical trait used to manage wheat crops and estimate yield. Visual counting of plants in the field is currently the most common method used. However, it is tedious and time consuming. The main objective of this work is to develop a machine vision based method to automate the density survey of wheat at early stages. RGB images taken with a high resolution RGB camera are classified to identify the green pixels corresponding to the plants. Crop rows are extracted and the connected components (objects) are identified. A neural network is then trained to estimate the number of plants in the objects using the object features. The method was evaluated over three experiments showing contrasted conditions with sowing densities ranging from 100 to 600 seeds⋅m-2. Results demonstrate that the density is accurately estimated with an average relative error of 12%. The pipeline developed here provides an efficient and accurate estimate of wheat plant density at early stages. PMID:28559901

Prior-knowledge-based spectral mixture analysis for impervious surface mapping

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

Zhang, Jinshui; He, Chunyang; Zhou, Yuyu

2014-01-03

In this study, we developed a prior-knowledge-based spectral mixture analysis (PKSMA) to map impervious surfaces by using endmembers derived separately for high- and low-density urban regions. First, an urban area was categorized into high- and low-density urban areas, using a multi-step classification method. Next, in high-density urban areas that were assumed to have only vegetation and impervious surfaces (ISs), the Vegetation-Impervious model (V-I) was used in a spectral mixture analysis (SMA) with three endmembers: vegetation, high albedo, and low albedo. In low-density urban areas, the Vegetation-Impervious-Soil model (V-I-S) was used in an SMA analysis with four endmembers: high albedo, lowmore » albedo, soil, and vegetation. The fraction of IS with high and low albedo in each pixel was combined to produce the final IS map. The root mean-square error (RMSE) of the IS map produced using PKSMA was about 11.0%, compared to 14.52% using four-endmember SMA. Particularly in high-density urban areas, PKSMA (RMSE = 6.47%) showed better performance than four-endmember (15.91%). The results indicate that PKSMA can improve IS mapping compared to traditional SMA by using appropriately selected endmembers and is particularly strong in high-density urban areas.« less

Forward model with space-variant of source size for reconstruction on X-ray radiographic image

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jin; Liu, Jun; Jing, Yue-feng; Xiao, Bo; Wei, Cai-hua; Guan, Yong-hong; Zhang, Xuan

2018-03-01

The Forward Imaging Technique is a method to solve the inverse problem of density reconstruction in radiographic imaging. In this paper, we introduce the forward projection equation (IFP model) for the radiographic system with areal source blur and detector blur. Our forward projection equation, based on X-ray tracing, is combined with the Constrained Conjugate Gradient method to form a new method for density reconstruction. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the new technique by reconstructing density distributions from simulated and experimental images. We show that for radiographic systems with source sizes larger than the pixel size, the effect of blur on the density reconstruction is reduced through our method and can be controlled within one or two pixels. The method is also suitable for reconstruction of non-homogeneousobjects.

Density implications of shift compensation postprocessing in holographic storage systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menetrier, Laure; Burr, Geoffrey W.

2003-02-01

We investigate the effect of data page misregistration, and its subsequent correction in postprocessing, on the storage density of holographic data storage systems. A numerical simulation is used to obtain the bit-error rate as a function of hologram aperture, page misregistration, pixel fill factors, and Gaussian additive intensity noise. Postprocessing of simulated data pages is performed by a nonlinear pixel shift compensation algorithm [Opt. Lett. 26, 542 (2001)]. The performance of this algorithm is analyzed in the presence of noise by determining the achievable areal density. The impact of inaccurate measurements of page misregistration is also investigated. Results show that the shift-compensation algorithm can provide almost complete immunity to page misregistration, although at some penalty to the baseline areal density offered by a system with zero tolerance to misalignment.

Image enhancement by spectral-error correction for dual-energy computed tomography.

PubMed

Park, Kyung-Kook; Oh, Chang-Hyun; Akay, Metin

2011-01-01

Dual-energy CT (DECT) was reintroduced recently to use the additional spectral information of X-ray attenuation and aims for accurate density measurement and material differentiation. However, the spectral information lies in the difference between low and high energy images or measurements, so that it is difficult to acquire accurate spectral information due to amplification of high pixel noise in the resulting difference image. In this work, an image enhancement technique for DECT is proposed, based on the fact that the attenuation of a higher density material decreases more rapidly as X-ray energy increases. We define as spectral error the case when a pixel pair of low and high energy images deviates far from the expected attenuation trend. After analyzing the spectral-error sources of DECT images, we propose a DECT image enhancement method, which consists of three steps: water-reference offset correction, spectral-error correction, and anti-correlated noise reduction. It is the main idea of this work that makes spectral errors distributed like random noise over the true attenuation and suppressed by the well-known anti-correlated noise reduction. The proposed method suppressed noise of liver lesions and improved contrast between liver lesions and liver parenchyma in DECT contrast-enhanced abdominal images and their two-material decomposition.

Relationships between brightness of nighttime lights and population density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naizhuo, Z.

2012-12-01

Brightness of nighttime lights has been proven to be a good proxy for socioeconomic and demographic statistics. Moreover, the satellite nighttime lights data have been used to spatially disaggregate amounts of gross domestic product (GDP), fossil fuel carbon dioxide emission, and electric power consumption (Ghosh et al., 2010; Oda and Maksyutov, 2011; Zhao et al., 2012). Spatial disaggregations were performed in these previous studies based on assumed linear relationships between digital number (DN) value of pixels in the nighttime light images and socioeconomic data. However, reliability of the linear relationships was never tested due to lack of relative high-spatial-resolution (equal to or finer than 1 km × 1 km) statistical data. With the similar assumption that brightness linearly correlates to population, Bharti et al. (2011) used nighttime light data as a proxy for population density and then developed a model about seasonal fluctuations of measles in West Africa. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory used sub-national census population data and high spatial resolution remotely-sensed-images to produce LandScan population raster datasets. The LandScan population datasets have 1 km × 1 km spatial resolution which is consistent with the spatial resolution of the nighttime light images. Therefore, in this study I selected 2008 LandScan population data as baseline reference data and the contiguous United State as study area. Relationships between DN value of pixels in the 2008 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) stable light image and population density were established. Results showed that an exponential function can more accurately reflect the relationship between luminosity and population density than a linear function. Additionally, a certain number of saturated pixels with DN value of 63 exist in urban core areas. If directly using the exponential function to estimate the population density for the whole brightly lit area, relatively large under-estimations would emerge in the urban core regions. Previous studies have shown that GDP, carbon dioxide emission, and electric power consumption strongly correlate to urban population (Ghosh et al., 2010; Sutton et al., 2007; Zhao et al., 2012). Thus, although this study only examined the relationships between brightness of nighttime lights and population density, the results can provide insight for the spatial disaggregations of socioeconomic data (e.g. GDP, carbon dioxide emission, and electric power consumption) using the satellite nighttime light image data. Simply distributing the socioeconomic data to each pixel in proportion to the DN value of the nighttime light images may generate relatively large errors. References Bharit N, Tatem AJ, Ferrari MJ, Grais RF, Djibo A, Grenfell BT, 2011. Science, 334:1424-1427. Ghosh T, Elvidge CD, Sutton PC, Baugh KE, Ziskin D, Tuttle BT, 2010. Energies, 3:1895-1913. Oda T, Maksyutov S, 2011. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11:543-556. Sutton PC, Elvidge CD, Ghosh T, 2007. International Journal of Ecological Economics and Statistics, 8:5-21. Zhao N, Ghosh T, Samson EL, 2012. International Journal of Remote sensing, 33:6304-6320.

Interactive classification and content-based retrieval of tissue images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aksoy, Selim; Marchisio, Giovanni B.; Tusk, Carsten; Koperski, Krzysztof

2002-11-01

We describe a system for interactive classification and retrieval of microscopic tissue images. Our system models tissues in pixel, region and image levels. Pixel level features are generated using unsupervised clustering of color and texture values. Region level features include shape information and statistics of pixel level feature values. Image level features include statistics and spatial relationships of regions. To reduce the gap between low-level features and high-level expert knowledge, we define the concept of prototype regions. The system learns the prototype regions in an image collection using model-based clustering and density estimation. Different tissue types are modeled using spatial relationships of these regions. Spatial relationships are represented by fuzzy membership functions. The system automatically selects significant relationships from training data and builds models which can also be updated using user relevance feedback. A Bayesian framework is used to classify tissues based on these models. Preliminary experiments show that the spatial relationship models we developed provide a flexible and powerful framework for classification and retrieval of tissue images.

The Galactic Plane Exoplanet Survey (GPX) - an Amateur Designed Transiting Exoplanet Wide-Field Search (Abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benni, P.

2017-06-01

(Abstract only) GPX is designed to search high density star fields where other surveys, such as WASP, HATNet, XO, and KELT would find challenging due to blending of transit like events. Using readily available amateur equipment, a survey telescope (Celestron RASA, 279 mm f/2.2, based in Acton, Massachusetts) was configured first with a SBIG ST-8300M camera then later upgraded to an FLI ML16200 camera and tested under different sampling scenarios with multiple image fields to obtain a 9- to 11-minute cadence per field. The resultant image resolution of GPX is about 2 arcsec/pixel compared to 13.7±23 arcsec/pixel of the aforementioned surveys and the future TESS space telescope exoplanet survey.

A Low-Noise X-ray Astronomical Silicon-On-Insulator Pixel Detector Using a Pinned Depleted Diode Structure

PubMed Central

Kamehama, Hiroki; Kawahito, Shoji; Shrestha, Sumeet; Nakanishi, Syunta; Yasutomi, Keita; Takeda, Ayaki; Tsuru, Takeshi Go

2017-01-01

This paper presents a novel full-depletion Si X-ray detector based on silicon-on-insulator pixel (SOIPIX) technology using a pinned depleted diode structure, named the SOIPIX-PDD. The SOIPIX-PDD greatly reduces stray capacitance at the charge sensing node, the dark current of the detector, and capacitive coupling between the sensing node and SOI circuits. These features of the SOIPIX-PDD lead to low read noise, resulting high X-ray energy resolution and stable operation of the pixel. The back-gate surface pinning structure using neutralized p-well at the back-gate surface and depleted n-well underneath the p-well for all the pixel area other than the charge sensing node is also essential for preventing hole injection from the p-well by making the potential barrier to hole, reducing dark current from the Si-SiO2 interface and creating lateral drift field to gather signal electrons in the pixel area into the small charge sensing node. A prototype chip using 0.2 μm SOI technology shows very low readout noise of 11.0 e−rms, low dark current density of 56 pA/cm2 at −35 °C and the energy resolution of 200 eV(FWHM) at 5.9 keV and 280 eV (FWHM) at 13.95 keV. PMID:29295523

A Low-Noise X-ray Astronomical Silicon-On-Insulator Pixel Detector Using a Pinned Depleted Diode Structure.

PubMed

Kamehama, Hiroki; Kawahito, Shoji; Shrestha, Sumeet; Nakanishi, Syunta; Yasutomi, Keita; Takeda, Ayaki; Tsuru, Takeshi Go; Arai, Yasuo

2017-12-23

This paper presents a novel full-depletion Si X-ray detector based on silicon-on-insulator pixel (SOIPIX) technology using a pinned depleted diode structure, named the SOIPIX-PDD. The SOIPIX-PDD greatly reduces stray capacitance at the charge sensing node, the dark current of the detector, and capacitive coupling between the sensing node and SOI circuits. These features of the SOIPIX-PDD lead to low read noise, resulting high X-ray energy resolution and stable operation of the pixel. The back-gate surface pinning structure using neutralized p-well at the back-gate surface and depleted n-well underneath the p-well for all the pixel area other than the charge sensing node is also essential for preventing hole injection from the p-well by making the potential barrier to hole, reducing dark current from the Si-SiO₂ interface and creating lateral drift field to gather signal electrons in the pixel area into the small charge sensing node. A prototype chip using 0.2 μm SOI technology shows very low readout noise of 11.0 e - rms , low dark current density of 56 pA/cm² at -35 °C and the energy resolution of 200 eV(FWHM) at 5.9 keV and 280 eV (FWHM) at 13.95 keV.

A Gaussian Mixture Model Representation of Endmember Variability in Hyperspectral Unmixing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Yuan; Rangarajan, Anand; Gader, Paul D.

2018-05-01

Hyperspectral unmixing while considering endmember variability is usually performed by the normal compositional model (NCM), where the endmembers for each pixel are assumed to be sampled from unimodal Gaussian distributions. However, in real applications, the distribution of a material is often not Gaussian. In this paper, we use Gaussian mixture models (GMM) to represent the endmember variability. We show, given the GMM starting premise, that the distribution of the mixed pixel (under the linear mixing model) is also a GMM (and this is shown from two perspectives). The first perspective originates from the random variable transformation and gives a conditional density function of the pixels given the abundances and GMM parameters. With proper smoothness and sparsity prior constraints on the abundances, the conditional density function leads to a standard maximum a posteriori (MAP) problem which can be solved using generalized expectation maximization. The second perspective originates from marginalizing over the endmembers in the GMM, which provides us with a foundation to solve for the endmembers at each pixel. Hence, our model can not only estimate the abundances and distribution parameters, but also the distinct endmember set for each pixel. We tested the proposed GMM on several synthetic and real datasets, and showed its potential by comparing it to current popular methods.

Noise performance limits of advanced x-ray imagers employing poly-Si-based active pixel architectures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koniczek, Martin; El-Mohri, Youcef; Antonuk, Larry E.; Liang, Albert; Zhao, Qihua; Jiang, Hao

2011-03-01

A decade after the clinical introduction of active matrix, flat-panel imagers (AMFPIs), the performance of this technology continues to be limited by the relatively large additive electronic noise of these systems - resulting in significant loss of detective quantum efficiency (DQE) under conditions of low exposure or high spatial frequencies. An increasingly promising approach for overcoming such limitations involves the incorporation of in-pixel amplification circuits, referred to as active pixel architectures (AP) - based on low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs). In this study, a methodology for theoretically examining the limiting noise and DQE performance of circuits employing 1-stage in-pixel amplification is presented. This methodology involves sophisticated SPICE circuit simulations along with cascaded systems modeling. In these simulations, a device model based on the RPI poly-Si TFT model is used with additional controlled current sources corresponding to thermal and flicker (1/f) noise. From measurements of transfer and output characteristics (as well as current noise densities) performed upon individual, representative, poly-Si TFTs test devices, model parameters suitable for these simulations are extracted. The input stimuli and operating-point-dependent scaling of the current sources are derived from the measured current noise densities (for flicker noise), or from fundamental equations (for thermal noise). Noise parameters obtained from the simulations, along with other parametric information, is input to a cascaded systems model of an AP imager design to provide estimates of DQE performance. In this paper, this method of combining circuit simulations and cascaded systems analysis to predict the lower limits on additive noise (and upper limits on DQE) for large area AP imagers with signal levels representative of those generated at fluoroscopic exposures is described, and initial results are reported.

ISBDD Model for Classification of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Imagery

PubMed Central

Li, Na; Xu, Zhaopeng; Zhao, Huijie; Huang, Xinchen; Drummond, Jane; Wang, Daming

2018-01-01

The diverse density (DD) algorithm was proposed to handle the problem of low classification accuracy when training samples contain interference such as mixed pixels. The DD algorithm can learn a feature vector from training bags, which comprise instances (pixels). However, the feature vector learned by the DD algorithm cannot always effectively represent one type of ground cover. To handle this problem, an instance space-based diverse density (ISBDD) model that employs a novel training strategy is proposed in this paper. In the ISBDD model, DD values of each pixel are computed instead of learning a feature vector, and as a result, the pixel can be classified according to its DD values. Airborne hyperspectral data collected by the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) sensor and the Push-broom Hyperspectral Imager (PHI) are applied to evaluate the performance of the proposed model. Results show that the overall classification accuracy of ISBDD model on the AVIRIS and PHI images is up to 97.65% and 89.02%, respectively, while the kappa coefficient is up to 0.97 and 0.88, respectively. PMID:29510547

Two-dimensional T2 distribution mapping in rock core plugs with optimal k-space sampling.

PubMed

Xiao, Dan; Balcom, Bruce J

2012-07-01

Spin-echo single point imaging has been employed for 1D T(2) distribution mapping, but a simple extension to 2D is challenging since the time increase is n fold, where n is the number of pixels in the second dimension. Nevertheless 2D T(2) mapping in fluid saturated rock core plugs is highly desirable because the bedding plane structure in rocks often results in different pore properties within the sample. The acquisition time can be improved by undersampling k-space. The cylindrical shape of rock core plugs yields well defined intensity distributions in k-space that may be efficiently determined by new k-space sampling patterns that are developed in this work. These patterns acquire 22.2% and 11.7% of the k-space data points. Companion density images may be employed, in a keyhole imaging sense, to improve image quality. T(2) weighted images are fit to extract T(2) distributions, pixel by pixel, employing an inverse Laplace transform. Images reconstructed with compressed sensing, with similar acceleration factors, are also presented. The results show that restricted k-space sampling, in this application, provides high quality results. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Linear fitting of multi-threshold counting data with a pixel-array detector for spectral X-ray imaging

PubMed Central

Muir, Ryan D.; Pogranichney, Nicholas R.; Muir, J. Lewis; Sullivan, Shane Z.; Battaile, Kevin P.; Mulichak, Anne M.; Toth, Scott J.; Keefe, Lisa J.; Simpson, Garth J.

2014-01-01

Experiments and modeling are described to perform spectral fitting of multi-threshold counting measurements on a pixel-array detector. An analytical model was developed for describing the probability density function of detected voltage in X-ray photon-counting arrays, utilizing fractional photon counting to account for edge/corner effects from voltage plumes that spread across multiple pixels. Each pixel was mathematically calibrated by fitting the detected voltage distributions to the model at both 13.5 keV and 15.0 keV X-ray energies. The model and established pixel responses were then exploited to statistically recover images of X-ray intensity as a function of X-ray energy in a simulated multi-wavelength and multi-counting threshold experiment. PMID:25178010

Linear fitting of multi-threshold counting data with a pixel-array detector for spectral X-ray imaging.

PubMed

Muir, Ryan D; Pogranichney, Nicholas R; Muir, J Lewis; Sullivan, Shane Z; Battaile, Kevin P; Mulichak, Anne M; Toth, Scott J; Keefe, Lisa J; Simpson, Garth J

2014-09-01

Experiments and modeling are described to perform spectral fitting of multi-threshold counting measurements on a pixel-array detector. An analytical model was developed for describing the probability density function of detected voltage in X-ray photon-counting arrays, utilizing fractional photon counting to account for edge/corner effects from voltage plumes that spread across multiple pixels. Each pixel was mathematically calibrated by fitting the detected voltage distributions to the model at both 13.5 keV and 15.0 keV X-ray energies. The model and established pixel responses were then exploited to statistically recover images of X-ray intensity as a function of X-ray energy in a simulated multi-wavelength and multi-counting threshold experiment.

Experimental realization of a metamaterial detector focal plane array.

PubMed

Shrekenhamer, David; Xu, Wangren; Venkatesh, Suresh; Schurig, David; Sonkusale, Sameer; Padilla, Willie J

2012-10-26

We present a metamaterial absorber detector array that enables room-temperature, narrow-band detection of gigahertz (GHz) radiation in the S band (2-4 GHz). The system is implemented in a commercial printed circuit board process and we characterize the detector sensitivity and angular dependence. A modified metamaterial absorber geometry allows for each unit cell to act as an isolated detector pixel and to collectively form a focal plane array . Each pixel can have a dedicated microwave receiver chain and functions together as a hybrid device tuned to maximize the efficiency of detected power. The demonstrated subwavelength pixel shows detected sensitivity of -77 dBm, corresponding to a radiation power density of 27 nW/m(2), with pixel to pixel coupling interference below -14 dB at 2.5 GHz.

Two high-density recording methods with run-length limited turbo code for holographic data storage system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Yusuke; Hoshizawa, Taku

2016-09-01

Two methods for increasing the data capacity of a holographic data storage system (HDSS) were developed. The first method is called “run-length-limited (RLL) high-density recording”. An RLL modulation has the same effect as enlarging the pixel pitch; namely, it optically reduces the hologram size. Accordingly, the method doubles the raw-data recording density. The second method is called “RLL turbo signal processing”. The RLL turbo code consists of \\text{RLL}(1,∞ ) trellis modulation and an optimized convolutional code. The remarkable point of the developed turbo code is that it employs the RLL modulator and demodulator as parts of the error-correction process. The turbo code improves the capability of error correction more than a conventional LDPC code, even though interpixel interference is generated. These two methods will increase the data density 1.78-fold. Moreover, by simulation and experiment, a data density of 2.4 Tbit/in.2 is confirmed.

Measurement of atomic electric fields and charge densities from average momentum transfers using scanning transmission electron microscopy.

PubMed

Müller-Caspary, Knut; Krause, Florian F; Grieb, Tim; Löffler, Stefan; Schowalter, Marco; Béché, Armand; Galioit, Vincent; Marquardt, Dennis; Zweck, Josef; Schattschneider, Peter; Verbeeck, Johan; Rosenauer, Andreas

2017-07-01

This study sheds light on the prerequisites, possibilities, limitations and interpretation of high-resolution differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). We draw particular attention to the well-established DPC technique based on segmented annular detectors and its relation to recent developments based on pixelated detectors. These employ the expectation value of the momentum transfer as a reliable measure of the angular deflection of the STEM beam induced by an electric field in the specimen. The influence of scattering and propagation of electrons within the specimen is initially discussed separately and then treated in terms of a two-state channeling theory. A detailed simulation study of GaN is presented as a function of specimen thickness and bonding. It is found that bonding effects are rather detectable implicitly, e.g., by characteristics of the momentum flux in areas between the atoms than by directly mapping electric fields and charge densities. For strontium titanate, experimental charge densities are compared with simulations and discussed with respect to experimental artifacts such as scan noise. Finally, we consider practical issues such as figures of merit for spatial and momentum resolution, minimum electron dose, and the mapping of larger-scale, built-in electric fields by virtue of data averaged over a crystal unit cell. We find that the latter is possible for crystals with an inversion center. Concerning the optimal detector design, this study indicates that a sampling of 5mrad per pixel is sufficient in typical applications, corresponding to approximately 10×10 available pixels. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Trade-offs between lens complexity and real estate utilization in a free-space multichip global interconnection module.

PubMed

Milojkovic, Predrag; Christensen, Marc P; Haney, Michael W

2006-07-01

The FAST-Net (Free-space Accelerator for Switching Terabit Networks) concept uses an array of wide-field-of-view imaging lenses to realize a high-density shuffle interconnect pattern across an array of smart-pixel integrated circuits. To simplify the optics we evaluated the efficiency gained in replacing spherical surfaces with aspherical surfaces by exploiting the large disparity between narrow vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) beams and the wide field of view of the imaging optics. We then analyzed trade-offs between lens complexity and chip real estate utilization and determined that there exists an optimal numerical aperture for VCSELs that maximizes their area density. The results provide a general framework for the design of wide-field-of-view free-space interconnection systems that incorporate high-density VCSEL arrays.

Modelling electron distributions within ESA's Gaia satellite CCD pixels to mitigate radiation damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seabroke, G. M.; Holland, A. D.; Burt, D.; Robbins, M. S.

2009-08-01

The Gaia satellite is a high-precision astrometry, photometry and spectroscopic ESA cornerstone mission, currently scheduled for launch in 2012. Its primary science drivers are the composition, formation and evolution of the Galaxy. Gaia will achieve its unprecedented positional accuracy requirements with detailed calibration and correction for radiation damage. At L2, protons cause displacement damage in the silicon of CCDs. The resulting traps capture and emit electrons from passing charge packets in the CCD pixel, distorting the image PSF and biasing its centroid. Microscopic models of Gaia's CCDs are being developed to simulate this effect. The key to calculating the probability of an electron being captured by a trap is the 3D electron density within each CCD pixel. However, this has not been physically modelled for the Gaia CCD pixels. In Seabroke, Holland & Cropper (2008), the first paper of this series, we motivated the need for such specialised 3D device modelling and outlined how its future results will fit into Gaia's overall radiation calibration strategy. In this paper, the second of the series, we present our first results using Silvaco's physics-based, engineering software: the ATLAS device simulation framework. Inputting a doping profile, pixel geometry and materials into ATLAS and comparing the results to other simulations reveals that ATLAS has a free parameter, fixed oxide charge, that needs to be calibrated. ATLAS is successfully benchmarked against other simulations and measurements of a test device, identifying how to use it to model Gaia pixels and highlighting the affect of different doping approximations.

Feasibility of using 'lung density' values estimated from EIT images for clinical diagnosis of lung abnormalities in mechanically ventilated ICU patients.

PubMed

Nebuya, Satoru; Koike, Tomotaka; Imai, Hiroshi; Iwashita, Yoshiaki; Brown, Brian H; Soma, Kazui

2015-06-01

This paper reports on the results of a study which compares lung density values obtained from electrical impedance tomography (EIT), clinical diagnosis and CT values (HU) within a region of interest in the lung. The purpose was to assess the clinical use of lung density estimation using EIT data. In 11 patients supported by a mechanical ventilator, the consistency of regional lung density measurements as estimated by EIT was validated to assess the feasibility of its use in intensive care medicine. There were significant differences in regional lung densities recorded in the supine position between normal lungs and diseased lungs associated with pneumonia, atelectasis and pleural effusion (normal; 240 ± 71.7 kg m(-3), pneumonia; 306 ± 38.6 kg m(-3), atelectasis; 497 ± 130 kg m(-3), pleural effusion; 467 ± 113 kg m(-3): Steel-Dwass test, p < 0.05). In addition, in order to compare lung density with CT image pixels, the image resolution of CT images, which was originally 512 × 512 pixels, was changed to 16 × 16 pixels to match that of the EIT images. The results of CT and EIT images from five patients in an intensive care unit showed a correlation coefficient of 0.66 ± 0.13 between the CT values (HU) and the lung density values (kg m(-3)) obtained from EIT. These results indicate that it may be possible to obtain a quantitative value for regional lung density using EIT.

Gaussian model for emission rate measurement of heated plumes using hyperspectral data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grauer, Samuel J.; Conrad, Bradley M.; Miguel, Rodrigo B.; Daun, Kyle J.

2018-02-01

This paper presents a novel model for measuring the emission rate of a heated gas plume using hyperspectral data from an FTIR imaging spectrometer. The radiative transfer equation (RTE) is used to relate the spectral intensity of a pixel to presumed Gaussian distributions of volume fraction and temperature within the plume, along a line-of-sight that corresponds to the pixel, whereas previous techniques exclusively presume uniform distributions for these parameters. Estimates of volume fraction and temperature are converted to a column density by integrating the local molecular density along each path. Image correlation velocimetry is then employed on raw spectral intensity images to estimate the volume-weighted normal velocity at each pixel. Finally, integrating the product of velocity and column density along a control surface yields an estimate of the instantaneous emission rate. For validation, emission rate estimates were derived from synthetic hyperspectral images of a heated methane plume, generated using data from a large-eddy simulation. Calculating the RTE with Gaussian distributions of volume fraction and temperature, instead of uniform distributions, improved the accuracy of column density measurement by 14%. Moreover, the mean methane emission rate measured using our approach was within 4% of the ground truth. These results support the use of Gaussian distributions of thermodynamic properties in calculation of the RTE for optical gas diagnostics.

Direct reading of charge multipliers with a self-triggering CMOS analog chip with 105 k pixels at 50 μm pitch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellazzini, R.; Spandre, G.; Minuti, M.; Baldini, L.; Brez, A.; Cavalca, F.; Latronico, L.; Omodei, N.; Massai, M. M.; Sgro', C.; Costa, E.; Soffitta, P.; Krummenacher, F.; de Oliveira, R.

2006-10-01

We report on a large area (15×15 mm2), high channel density (470 pixel/mm2), self-triggering CMOS analog chip that we have developed as a pixelized charge collecting electrode of a Micropattern Gas Detector. This device represents a big step forward both in terms of size and performance, and is in fact the last version of three generations of custom ASICs of increasing complexity. The top metal layer of the CMOS pixel array is patterned in a matrix of 105,600 hexagonal pixels with a 50 μm pitch. Each pixel is directly connected to the underlying full electronics chain which has been realized in the remaining five metal and single poly-silicon layers of a 0.18 μm VLSI technology. The chip, which has customizable self-triggering capabilities, also includes a signal pre-processing function for the automatic localization of the event coordinates. Thanks to these advances it is possible to significantly reduce the read-out time and the data volume by limiting the signal output only to those pixels belonging to the region of interest. In addition to the reduced read-out time and data volume, the very small pixel area and the use of a deep sub-micron CMOS technology has allowed bringing the noise down to 50 electrons ENC. Results from in depth tests of this device when coupled to a fine pitch (50 μm on a triangular pattern) Gas Electron Multiplier are presented. It was found that matching the read-out and gas amplification pitch allows getting optimal results. The experimental detector response to polarized and unpolarized X-ray radiation when working with two gas mixtures and two different photon energies is shown and the application of this detector for Astronomical X-ray Polarimetry is discussed. Results from a full Monte-Carlo simulation for several galactic and extragalactic astronomical sources are also reported.

State-of-the-art MCT photodiodes for cutting-edge sensor applications by AIM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Figgemeier, H.; Hanna, S.; Eich, D.; Fries, P.; Mahlein, K.-M.; Wenisch, J.; Schirmacher, W.; Beetz, J.; Breiter, R.

2017-02-01

For about 30 years, AIM has been ranking among the leading global suppliers for high-performance MCT infrared detectors, with its portfolio spanning the photosensitivity cut-off range from the SWIR to the VLWIR and from 1st generation to 3rd generation FPA devices. To meet the market demands for SWaP-C- and IR-detectors with additional functionalities such as multicolor detection, AIM employs both LPE and MBE technology. From AIḾs line of highest-performance single color detectors fabricated by LPE, we will present our latest excellent results of 5.3 μm cut-off MWIR MCT detectors with 1024x768 pixels and a 10 μm pixel pitch. AIM's powerful low dark current LWIR and VLWIR p-on-n device technology on LPE-grown MCT has now been extended to the MWIR spectral range. A comparison of results from n-on-p and p-on-n MWIR MCT planar photodiode arrays is presented. Operating temperatures of 160 K and higher, in conjunction with low defect density and excellent thermal sensitivity (NETD) are attained. The results achieved for LPE MWIR are compared to MBE MWIR data. For both the cost-efficient production of MWIR single color MCT detectors, as well as 3rd generation multicolor MCT detectors, AIM makes use of MBE growth of MCT on large-area GaAs substrates. The now-available AIM MWIR single color MBE MCT detectors grown on GaAs are qualified, delivered, and have reached a maturity fully meeting customers' requirements. Representing AIM's multicolor detector development, latest test results on a 640x512 pixels with a 20 μm pitch design will be presented. The MWIR/MWIR diodes demonstrate high QE, very low color cross talk, and excellent NETD in conjunction with low defect densities.

Analytical expressions for noise and crosstalk voltages of the High Energy Silicon Particle Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, I.; Shrimali, H.; Liberali, V.; Andreazza, A.

2018-01-01

The paper presents design and implementation of a silicon particle detector array with the derived closed form equations of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and crosstalk voltages. The noise analysis demonstrates the effect of interpixel capacitances (IPC) between center pixel (where particle hits) and its neighbouring pixels, resulting as a capacitive crosstalk. The pixel array has been designed and simulated in a 180 nm BCD technology of STMicroelectronics. The technology uses the supply voltage (VDD) of 1.8 V and the substrate potential of -50 V. The area of unit pixel is 250×50 μm2 with the substrate resistivity of 125 Ωcm and the depletion depth of 30 μm. The mathematical model includes the effects of various types of noise viz. the shot noise, flicker noise, thermal noise and the capacitive crosstalk. This work compares the results of noise and crosstalk analysis from the proposed mathematical model with the circuit simulation results for a given simulation environment. The results show excellent agreement with the circuit simulations and the mathematical model. The average relative error (AVR) generated for the noise spectral densities with respect to the simulations and the model is 12% whereas the comparison gives the errors of 3% and 11.5% for the crosstalk voltages and the SNR results respectively.

Local heterogeneities in early batches of EBT2 film: a suggested solution.

PubMed

Kairn, T; Aland, T; Kenny, J

2010-08-07

To enhance the utility of radiochromic films for high-resolution dosimetry of small and modulated radiotherapy fields, we propose a means to negate the effects of heterogeneities in EBT2 (and other) films. The results of using our simple procedure for evaluating radiation dose in EBT2 film are compared with the results of using the manufacturer's recommended procedure as well as a procedure previously established for evaluating dose in older EBT film. It is shown that Newton's ring-like scanning artefacts can be avoided through the use of a plastic frame, to elevate the film above the scanner's surface. The effects of film heterogeneity can be minimized by evaluating net optical density, pixelwise, as the logarithm of the ratio of the red-channel pixel value in each pixel of each irradiated film to the red-channel pixel value in the same pixel in the same film prior to irradiation. The application of a blue-channel correction was found to result in increased noise. It is recommended that, when using EBT2 film for radiotherapy quality assurance, the films should be scanned before and after irradiation and analysed using the method proposed herein, without the use of the blue-channel correction, in order to produce dose images with minimal film heterogeneity effects.

A High Resolution Phase Shifting Interferometer.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayda, Michael; Bartscher, Christoph; Wilkinson, Allen

1997-03-01

Configuration, operation, and performance details of a high resolution phase shifting Twyman-Green interferometer are presented. The instrument was used for density relaxation experiments of very compressible liquid-vapor critical fluids.(A companion talk in the Nonequilibrium Phenomena session under Complex Fluids presents density equilibration work.) A sample assembly contained the cell, beam splitter, phase shifter, and mirrors inside a 6 cm diameter by 6 cm long aluminum cylinder. This sample assembly was contained inside a thermostat stable to 50 μK RMS deviation. A thin phase retarding Liquid Crystal Cell (LCC) was placed in the reference arm of the interferometer. The LCC provided four cumulative 90 degree phase shifts to produce four images used in computing each phase map. The Carré technique was used to calculate a phase value for each pixel from the four intensities of each pixel. Four images for one phase map could be acquired in less than two seconds. The spatial resolution was 25 μm. The phase resolution of the interferometer in a six second period was better than λ/400. The phase stability of the interferometer during 25 hours was better than λ/70. Factors affecting timing, resolution, and other phase shifting devices will be discussed. WWW Presentation

A Decision-Based Modified Total Variation Diffusion Method for Impulse Noise Removal

PubMed Central

Zhu, Qingxin; Song, Xiuli; Tao, Jinsong

2017-01-01

Impulsive noise removal usually employs median filtering, switching median filtering, the total variation L1 method, and variants. These approaches however often introduce excessive smoothing and can result in extensive visual feature blurring and thus are suitable only for images with low density noise. A new method to remove noise is proposed in this paper to overcome this limitation, which divides pixels into different categories based on different noise characteristics. If an image is corrupted by salt-and-pepper noise, the pixels are divided into corrupted and noise-free; if the image is corrupted by random valued impulses, the pixels are divided into corrupted, noise-free, and possibly corrupted. Pixels falling into different categories are processed differently. If a pixel is corrupted, modified total variation diffusion is applied; if the pixel is possibly corrupted, weighted total variation diffusion is applied; otherwise, the pixel is left unchanged. Experimental results show that the proposed method is robust to different noise strengths and suitable for different images, with strong noise removal capability as shown by PSNR/SSIM results as well as the visual quality of restored images. PMID:28536602

Changes of Dust Opacity with Density in the Orion A Molecular Cloud

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Arabindo; Martin, Peter G.; Polychroni, Danae; Bontemps, Sylvain; Abergel, Alain; André, Philippe; Arzoumanian, Doris; Di Francesco, James; Hill, Tracey; Konyves, Vera; Nguyen-Luong, Quang; Pezzuto, Stefano; Schneider, Nicola; Testi, Leonardo; White, Glenn

2013-01-01

We have studied the opacity of dust grains at submillimeter wavelengths by estimating the optical depth from imaging at 160, 250, 350, and 500 μm from the Herschel Gould Belt Survey and comparing this to a column density obtained from the Two Micron All Sky Survey derived color excess E(J - K s). Our main goal was to investigate the spatial variations of the opacity due to "big" grains over a variety of environmental conditions and thereby quantify how emission properties of the dust change with column (and volume) density. The central and southern areas of the Orion A molecular cloud examined here, with N H ranging from 1.5 × 1021 cm-2 to 50 × 1021 cm-2, are well suited to this approach. We fit the multi-frequency Herschel spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of each pixel with a modified blackbody to obtain the temperature, T, and optical depth, τ1200, at a fiducial frequency of 1200 GHz (250 μm). Using a calibration of N H/E(J - Ks ) for the interstellar medium (ISM) we obtained the opacity (dust emission cross-section per H nucleon), σe(1200), for every pixel. From a value ~1 × 10-25 cm2 H-1 at the lowest column densities that is typical of the high-latitude diffuse ISM, σe(1200) increases as N 0.28 H over the range studied. This is suggestive of grain evolution. Integrating the SEDs over frequency, we also calculated the specific power P (emission power per H) for the big grains. In low column density regions where dust clouds are optically thin to the interstellar radiation field (ISRF), P is typically 3.7 × 10-31 W H-1, again close to that in the high-latitude diffuse ISM. However, we find evidence for a decrease of P in high column density regions, which would be a natural outcome of attenuation of the ISRF that heats the grains, and for localized increases for dust illuminated by nearby stars or embedded protostars.

Effects of Digitization and JPEG Compression on Land Cover Classification Using Astronaut-Acquired Orbital Photographs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robinson, Julie A.; Webb, Edward L.; Evangelista, Arlene

2000-01-01

Studies that utilize astronaut-acquired orbital photographs for visual or digital classification require high-quality data to ensure accuracy. The majority of images available must be digitized from film and electronically transferred to scientific users. This study examined the effect of scanning spatial resolution (1200, 2400 pixels per inch [21.2 and 10.6 microns/pixel]), scanning density range option (Auto, Full) and compression ratio (non-lossy [TIFF], and lossy JPEG 10:1, 46:1, 83:1) on digital classification results of an orbital photograph from the NASA - Johnson Space Center archive. Qualitative results suggested that 1200 ppi was acceptable for visual interpretive uses for major land cover types. Moreover, Auto scanning density range was superior to Full density range. Quantitative assessment of the processing steps indicated that, while 2400 ppi scanning spatial resolution resulted in more classified polygons as well as a substantially greater proportion of polygons < 0.2 ha, overall agreement between 1200 ppi and 2400 ppi was quite high. JPEG compression up to approximately 46:1 also did not appear to have a major impact on quantitative classification characteristics. We conclude that both 1200 and 2400 ppi scanning resolutions are acceptable options for this level of land cover classification, as well as a compression ratio at or below approximately 46:1. Auto range density should always be used during scanning because it acquires more of the information from the film. The particular combination of scanning spatial resolution and compression level will require a case-by-case decision and will depend upon memory capabilities, analytical objectives and the spatial properties of the objects in the image.

A low-noise CMOS pixel direct charge sensor, Topmetal-II-

DOE PAGES

An, Mangmang; Chen, Chufeng; Gao, Chaosong; ...

2015-12-12

In this paper, we report the design and characterization of a CMOS pixel direct charge sensor, Topmetal-II-, fabricated in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS Integrated Circuit process. The sensor utilizes exposed metal patches on top of each pixel to directly collect charge. Each pixel contains a low-noise charge-sensitive preamplifier to establish the analog signal and a discriminator with tunable threshold to generate hits. The analog signal from each pixel is accessible through time-shared multiplexing over the entire array. Hits are read out digitally through a column-based priority logic structure. Tests show that the sensor achieved a <15e - analog noisemore » and a 200e - minimum threshold for digital readout per pixel. The sensor is capable of detecting both electrons and ions drifting in gas. Lastly, these characteristics enable its use as the charge readout device in future Time Projection Chambers without gaseous gain mechanism, which has unique advantages in low background and low rate-density experiments.« less

A low-noise CMOS pixel direct charge sensor, Topmetal-II-

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

An, Mangmang; Chen, Chufeng; Gao, Chaosong

In this paper, we report the design and characterization of a CMOS pixel direct charge sensor, Topmetal-II-, fabricated in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS Integrated Circuit process. The sensor utilizes exposed metal patches on top of each pixel to directly collect charge. Each pixel contains a low-noise charge-sensitive preamplifier to establish the analog signal and a discriminator with tunable threshold to generate hits. The analog signal from each pixel is accessible through time-shared multiplexing over the entire array. Hits are read out digitally through a column-based priority logic structure. Tests show that the sensor achieved a <15e - analog noisemore » and a 200e - minimum threshold for digital readout per pixel. The sensor is capable of detecting both electrons and ions drifting in gas. Lastly, these characteristics enable its use as the charge readout device in future Time Projection Chambers without gaseous gain mechanism, which has unique advantages in low background and low rate-density experiments.« less

Anorexia Nervosa: Analysis of Trabecular Texture with CT

PubMed Central

Tabari, Azadeh; Torriani, Martin; Miller, Karen K.; Klibanski, Anne; Kalra, Mannudeep K.

2017-01-01

Purpose To determine indexes of skeletal integrity by using computed tomographic (CT) trabecular texture analysis of the lumbar spine in patients with anorexia nervosa and normal-weight control subjects and to determine body composition predictors of trabecular texture. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was approved by the institutional review board and compliant with HIPAA. Written informed consent was obtained. The study included 30 women with anorexia nervosa (mean age ± standard deviation, 26 years ± 6) and 30 normal-weight age-matched women (control group). All participants underwent low-dose single-section quantitative CT of the L4 vertebral body with use of a calibration phantom. Trabecular texture analysis was performed by using software. Skewness (asymmetry of gray-level pixel distribution), kurtosis (pointiness of pixel distribution), entropy (inhomogeneity of pixel distribution), and mean value of positive pixels (MPP) were assessed. Bone mineral density and abdominal fat and paraspinal muscle areas were quantified with quantitative CT. Women with anorexia nervosa and normal-weight control subjects were compared by using the Student t test. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine associations between trabecular texture and body composition. Results Women with anorexia nervosa had higher skewness and kurtosis, lower MPP (P < .001), and a trend toward lower entropy (P = .07) compared with control subjects. Bone mineral density, abdominal fat area, and paraspinal muscle area were inversely associated with skewness and kurtosis and positively associated with MPP and entropy. Texture parameters, but not bone mineral density, were associated with lowest lifetime weight and duration of amenorrhea in anorexia nervosa. Conclusion Patients with anorexia nervosa had increased skewness and kurtosis and decreased entropy and MPP compared with normal-weight control subjects. These parameters were associated with lowest lifetime weight and duration of amenorrhea, but there were no such associations with bone mineral density. These findings suggest that trabecular texture analysis might contribute information about bone health in anorexia nervosa that is independent of that provided with bone mineral density. © RSNA, 2016 PMID:27797678

Anorexia Nervosa: Analysis of Trabecular Texture with CT.

PubMed

Tabari, Azadeh; Torriani, Martin; Miller, Karen K; Klibanski, Anne; Kalra, Mannudeep K; Bredella, Miriam A

2017-04-01

Purpose To determine indexes of skeletal integrity by using computed tomographic (CT) trabecular texture analysis of the lumbar spine in patients with anorexia nervosa and normal-weight control subjects and to determine body composition predictors of trabecular texture. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was approved by the institutional review board and compliant with HIPAA. Written informed consent was obtained. The study included 30 women with anorexia nervosa (mean age ± standard deviation, 26 years ± 6) and 30 normal-weight age-matched women (control group). All participants underwent low-dose single-section quantitative CT of the L4 vertebral body with use of a calibration phantom. Trabecular texture analysis was performed by using software. Skewness (asymmetry of gray-level pixel distribution), kurtosis (pointiness of pixel distribution), entropy (inhomogeneity of pixel distribution), and mean value of positive pixels (MPP) were assessed. Bone mineral density and abdominal fat and paraspinal muscle areas were quantified with quantitative CT. Women with anorexia nervosa and normal-weight control subjects were compared by using the Student t test. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine associations between trabecular texture and body composition. Results Women with anorexia nervosa had higher skewness and kurtosis, lower MPP (P < .001), and a trend toward lower entropy (P = .07) compared with control subjects. Bone mineral density, abdominal fat area, and paraspinal muscle area were inversely associated with skewness and kurtosis and positively associated with MPP and entropy. Texture parameters, but not bone mineral density, were associated with lowest lifetime weight and duration of amenorrhea in anorexia nervosa. Conclusion Patients with anorexia nervosa had increased skewness and kurtosis and decreased entropy and MPP compared with normal-weight control subjects. These parameters were associated with lowest lifetime weight and duration of amenorrhea, but there were no such associations with bone mineral density. These findings suggest that trabecular texture analysis might contribute information about bone health in anorexia nervosa that is independent of that provided with bone mineral density. © RSNA, 2016.

Tailoring the High-Q LC Filter Arrays for Readout of Kilo-Pixel TES Arrays in the SPICA-SAFARI Instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruijn, M. P.; Gottardi, L.; den Hartog, R. H.; van der Kuur, J.; van der Linden, A. J.; Jackson, B. D.

2014-08-01

Following earlier presentations of arrays of high quality factor (Q 10.000) superconducting resonators in the MHz regime, we report on improvement of the packing density of resonance frequencies to 160 in the 1-3 MHz band. Spread in the spacing of resonances is found to be limited to 1 kHz (1 with the present fabrication procedure. The present packing density of frequencies and chip area approaches the requirements for the SAFARI instrument on the SPICA mission (in preparation). The a-Si:H dielectric layer in the planar S-I-S capacitors shows a presently unexplained apparent negative effective series resistance, depending on operating temperature and applied testing voltage.

Salt-and-pepper noise removal using modified mean filter and total variation minimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aghajarian, Mickael; McInroy, John E.; Wright, Cameron H. G.

2018-01-01

The search for effective noise removal algorithms is still a real challenge in the field of image processing. An efficient image denoising method is proposed for images that are corrupted by salt-and-pepper noise. Salt-and-pepper noise takes either the minimum or maximum intensity, so the proposed method restores the image by processing the pixels whose values are either 0 or 255 (assuming an 8-bit/pixel image). For low levels of noise corruption (less than or equal to 50% noise density), the method employs the modified mean filter (MMF), while for heavy noise corruption, noisy pixels values are replaced by the weighted average of the MMF and the total variation of corrupted pixels, which is minimized using convex optimization. Two fuzzy systems are used to determine the weights for taking average. To evaluate the performance of the algorithm, several test images with different noise levels are restored, and the results are quantitatively measured by peak signal-to-noise ratio and mean absolute error. The results show that the proposed scheme gives considerable noise suppression up to a noise density of 90%, while almost completely maintaining edges and fine details of the original image.

Deformation Measurement In The Hayward Fault Zone Using Partially Correlated Persistent Scatterers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lien, J.; Zebker, H. A.

2013-12-01

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) is an effective tool for measuring temporal changes in the Earth's surface. By combining SAR phase data collected at varying times and orbit geometries, with InSAR we can produce high accuracy, wide coverage images of crustal deformation fields. Changes in the radar imaging geometry, scatterer positions, or scattering behavior between radar passes causes the measured radar return to differ, leading to a decorrelation phase term that obscures the deformation signal and prevents the use of large baseline data. Here we present a new physically-based method of modeling decorrelation from the subset of pixels with the highest intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio, the so-called persistent scatters (PS). This more complete formulation, which includes both phase and amplitude scintillations, better describes the scattering behavior of partially correlated PS pixels and leads to a more reliable selection algorithm. The new method identifies PS pixels using maximum likelihood signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR) estimation based on the joint interferometric stack phase-amplitude distribution. Our PS selection method is unique in that it considers both phase and amplitude; accounts for correlation between all possible pairs of interferometric observations; and models the effect of spatial and temporal baselines on the stack. We use the resulting maximum likelihood SCR estimate as a criterion for PS selection. We implement the partially correlated persistent scatterer technique to analyze a stack of C-band European Remote Sensing (ERS-1/2) interferometric radar data imaging the Hayward Fault Zone from 1995 to 2000. We show that our technique achieves a better trade-off between PS pixel selection accuracy and network density compared to other PS identification methods, particularly in areas of natural terrain. We then present deformation measurements obtained by the selected PS network. Our results demonstrate that the partially correlated persistent scatterer technique can attain accurate deformation measurements even in areas that suffer decorrelation due to natural terrain. The accuracy of phase unwrapping and subsequent deformation estimation on the spatially sparse PS network depends on both pixel selection accuracy and the density of the network. We find that many additional pixels can be added to the PS list if we are able to correctly identify and add those in which the scattering mechanism exhibits partial, rather than complete, correlation across all radar scenes.

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.

Noise suppression for dual-energy CT via penalized weighted least-square optimization with similarity-based regularization

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

Harms, Joseph; Wang, Tonghe; Petrongolo, Michael

Purpose: Dual-energy CT (DECT) expands applications of CT imaging in its capability to decompose CT images into material images. However, decomposition via direct matrix inversion leads to large noise amplification and limits quantitative use of DECT. Their group has previously developed a noise suppression algorithm via penalized weighted least-square optimization with edge-preservation regularization (PWLS-EPR). In this paper, the authors improve method performance using the same framework of penalized weighted least-square optimization but with similarity-based regularization (PWLS-SBR), which substantially enhances the quality of decomposed images by retaining a more uniform noise power spectrum (NPS). Methods: The design of PWLS-SBR is basedmore » on the fact that averaging pixels of similar materials gives a low-noise image. For each pixel, the authors calculate the similarity to other pixels in its neighborhood by comparing CT values. Using an empirical Gaussian model, the authors assign high/low similarity value to one neighboring pixel if its CT value is close/far to the CT value of the pixel of interest. These similarity values are organized in matrix form, such that multiplication of the similarity matrix to the image vector reduces image noise. The similarity matrices are calculated on both high- and low-energy CT images and averaged. In PWLS-SBR, the authors include a regularization term to minimize the L-2 norm of the difference between the images without and with noise suppression via similarity matrix multiplication. By using all pixel information of the initial CT images rather than just those lying on or near edges, PWLS-SBR is superior to the previously developed PWLS-EPR, as supported by comparison studies on phantoms and a head-and-neck patient. Results: On the line-pair slice of the Catphan{sup ©}600 phantom, PWLS-SBR outperforms PWLS-EPR and retains spatial resolution of 8 lp/cm, comparable to the original CT images, even at 90% reduction in noise standard deviation (STD). Similar performance on spatial resolution is observed on an anthropomorphic head phantom. In addition, results of PWLS-SBR show substantially improved image quality due to preservation of image NPS. On the Catphan{sup ©}600 phantom, NPS using PWLS-SBR has a correlation of 93% with that via direct matrix inversion, while the correlation drops to −52% for PWLS-EPR. Electron density measurement studies indicate high accuracy of PWLS-SBR. On seven different materials, the measured electron densities calculated from the decomposed material images using PWLS-SBR have a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 1.20%, while the results of PWLS-EPR have a RMSE of 2.21%. In the study on a head-and-neck patient, PWLS-SBR is shown to reduce noise STD by a factor of 3 on material images with image qualities comparable to CT images, whereas fine structures are lost in the PWLS-EPR result. Additionally, PWLS-SBR better preserves low contrast on the tissue image. Conclusions: The authors propose improvements to the regularization term of an optimization framework which performs iterative image-domain decomposition for DECT with noise suppression. The regularization term avoids calculation of image gradient and is based on pixel similarity. The proposed method not only achieves a high decomposition accuracy, but also improves over the previous algorithm on NPS as well as spatial resolution.« less

Noise suppression for dual-energy CT via penalized weighted least-square optimization with similarity-based regularization

PubMed Central

Harms, Joseph; Wang, Tonghe; Petrongolo, Michael; Niu, Tianye; Zhu, Lei

2016-01-01

Purpose: Dual-energy CT (DECT) expands applications of CT imaging in its capability to decompose CT images into material images. However, decomposition via direct matrix inversion leads to large noise amplification and limits quantitative use of DECT. Their group has previously developed a noise suppression algorithm via penalized weighted least-square optimization with edge-preservation regularization (PWLS-EPR). In this paper, the authors improve method performance using the same framework of penalized weighted least-square optimization but with similarity-based regularization (PWLS-SBR), which substantially enhances the quality of decomposed images by retaining a more uniform noise power spectrum (NPS). Methods: The design of PWLS-SBR is based on the fact that averaging pixels of similar materials gives a low-noise image. For each pixel, the authors calculate the similarity to other pixels in its neighborhood by comparing CT values. Using an empirical Gaussian model, the authors assign high/low similarity value to one neighboring pixel if its CT value is close/far to the CT value of the pixel of interest. These similarity values are organized in matrix form, such that multiplication of the similarity matrix to the image vector reduces image noise. The similarity matrices are calculated on both high- and low-energy CT images and averaged. In PWLS-SBR, the authors include a regularization term to minimize the L-2 norm of the difference between the images without and with noise suppression via similarity matrix multiplication. By using all pixel information of the initial CT images rather than just those lying on or near edges, PWLS-SBR is superior to the previously developed PWLS-EPR, as supported by comparison studies on phantoms and a head-and-neck patient. Results: On the line-pair slice of the Catphan©600 phantom, PWLS-SBR outperforms PWLS-EPR and retains spatial resolution of 8 lp/cm, comparable to the original CT images, even at 90% reduction in noise standard deviation (STD). Similar performance on spatial resolution is observed on an anthropomorphic head phantom. In addition, results of PWLS-SBR show substantially improved image quality due to preservation of image NPS. On the Catphan©600 phantom, NPS using PWLS-SBR has a correlation of 93% with that via direct matrix inversion, while the correlation drops to −52% for PWLS-EPR. Electron density measurement studies indicate high accuracy of PWLS-SBR. On seven different materials, the measured electron densities calculated from the decomposed material images using PWLS-SBR have a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 1.20%, while the results of PWLS-EPR have a RMSE of 2.21%. In the study on a head-and-neck patient, PWLS-SBR is shown to reduce noise STD by a factor of 3 on material images with image qualities comparable to CT images, whereas fine structures are lost in the PWLS-EPR result. Additionally, PWLS-SBR better preserves low contrast on the tissue image. Conclusions: The authors propose improvements to the regularization term of an optimization framework which performs iterative image-domain decomposition for DECT with noise suppression. The regularization term avoids calculation of image gradient and is based on pixel similarity. The proposed method not only achieves a high decomposition accuracy, but also improves over the previous algorithm on NPS as well as spatial resolution. PMID:27147376

An ultra-low power self-timed column-level ADC for a CMOS pixel sensor based vertex detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, L.; Wang, M.

2014-11-01

The International Large Detector (ILD) is a detector concept for the future linear collider experiment. The vertex detector is the key tool to achieve high precision measurements for flavor tagging, which puts stringent requirements on the CMOS pixel sensors. Due to the cooling systems which deteriorate the material budget and increase the multiple scattering, it is important to reduce the power consumption. This paper presents an ultra-low power self-timed column-level ADC for the CMOS pixel sensors, aiming to equip the outer layers of the vertex detector. The ADC was designed to operate in two modes (active and idle) adapted to the low hit density in the outer layers. The architecture employs an enhanced sample-and-hold circuit and a self-timed technique. The total power consumption with a 3-V supply is 225μW during idle mode, which is the most frequent situation. This value rises to 425μW in the case of the active mode. It occupies an area of 35 × 590μm2.

Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC) of Land Cover Using All Available Landsat Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Z.; Woodcock, C. E.

2012-12-01

A new algorithm for Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC) of land cover using all available Landsat data is developed. This new algorithm is capable of detecting many kinds of land cover change as new images are collected and at the same time provide land cover maps for any given time. To better identify land cover change, a two step cloud, cloud shadow, and snow masking algorithm is used for eliminating "noisy" observations. Next, a time series model that has components of seasonality, trend, and break estimates the surface reflectance and temperature. The time series model is updated continuously with newly acquired observations. Due to the high variability in spectral response for different kinds of land cover change, the CCDC algorithm uses a data-driven threshold derived from all seven Landsat bands. When the difference between observed and predicted exceeds the thresholds three consecutive times, a pixel is identified as land cover change. Land cover classification is done after change detection. Coefficients from the time series models and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) from model fitting are used as classification inputs for the Random Forest Classifier (RFC). We applied this new algorithm for one Landsat scene (Path 12 Row 31) that includes all of Rhode Island as well as much of Eastern Massachusetts and parts of Connecticut. A total of 532 Landsat images acquired between 1982 and 2011 were processed. During this period, 619,924 pixels were detected to change once (91% of total changed pixels) and 60,199 pixels were detected to change twice (8% of total changed pixels). The most frequent land cover change category is from mixed forest to low density residential which occupies more than 8% of total land cover change pixels.

Plenoptic mapping for imaging and retrieval of the complex field amplitude of a laser beam.

PubMed

Wu, Chensheng; Ko, Jonathan; Davis, Christopher C

2016-12-26

The plenoptic sensor has been developed to sample complicated beam distortions produced by turbulence in the low atmosphere (deep turbulence or strong turbulence) with high density data samples. In contrast with the conventional Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor, which utilizes all the pixels under each lenslet of a micro-lens array (MLA) to obtain one data sample indicating sub-aperture phase gradient and photon intensity, the plenoptic sensor uses each illuminated pixel (with significant pixel value) under each MLA lenslet as a data point for local phase gradient and intensity. To characterize the working principle of a plenoptic sensor, we propose the concept of plenoptic mapping and its inverse mapping to describe the imaging and reconstruction process respectively. As a result, we show that the plenoptic mapping is an efficient method to image and reconstruct the complex field amplitude of an incident beam with just one image. With a proof of concept experiment, we show that adaptive optics (AO) phase correction can be instantaneously achieved without going through a phase reconstruction process under the concept of plenoptic mapping. The plenoptic mapping technology has high potential for applications in imaging, free space optical (FSO) communication and directed energy (DE) where atmospheric turbulence distortion needs to be compensated.

ALPIDE: the Monolithic Active Pixel Sensor for the ALICE ITS upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šuljić, M.

2016-11-01

The upgrade of the ALICE vertex detector, the Inner Tracking System (ITS), is scheduled to be installed during the next long shutdown period (2019-2020) of the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) . The current ITS will be replaced by seven concentric layers of Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (MAPS) with total active surface of ~10 m2, thus making ALICE the first LHC experiment implementing MAPS detector technology on a large scale. The ALPIDE chip, based on TowerJazz 180 nm CMOS Imaging Process, is being developed for this purpose. A particular process feature, the deep p-well, is exploited so the full CMOS logic can be implemented over the active sensor area without impinging on the deposited charge collection. ALPIDE is implemented on silicon wafers with a high resistivity epitaxial layer. A single chip measures 15 mm by 30 mm and contains half a million pixels distributed in 512 rows and 1024 columns. In-pixel circuitry features amplification, shaping, discrimination and multi-event buffering. The readout is hit driven i.e. only addresses of hit pixels are sent to the periphery. The upgrade of the ITS presents two different sets of requirements for sensors of the inner and of the outer layers due to the significantly different track density, radiation level and active detector surface. The ALPIDE chip fulfils the stringent requirements in both cases. The detection efficiency is higher than 99%, fake-hit probability is orders of magnitude lower than the required 10-6 and spatial resolution within the required 5 μm. This performance is to be maintained even after a total ionising does (TID) of 2.7 Mrad and a non-ionising energy loss (NIEL) fluence of 1.7 × 1013 1 MeV neq/cm2, which is above what is expected during the detector lifetime. Readout rate of 100 kHz is provided and the power density of ALPIDE is less than 40 mW/cm2. This contribution will provide a summary of the ALPIDE features and main test results.

Super-resolution optics for virtual reality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grabovičkić, Dejan; Benitez, Pablo; Miñano, Juan C.; Zamora, Pablo; Buljan, Marina; Narasimhan, Bharathwaj; Nikolic, Milena I.; Lopez, Jesus; Gorospe, Jorge; Sanchez, Eduardo; Lastres, Carmen; Mohedano, Ruben

2017-06-01

In present commercial Virtual Reality (VR) headsets the resolution perceived is still limited, since the VR pixel density (typically 10-15 pixels/deg) is well below what the human eye can resolve (60 pixels/deg). We present here novel advanced optical design approaches that dramatically increase the perceived resolution of the VR keeping the large FoV required in VR applications. This approach can be applied to a vast number of optical architectures, including some advanced configurations, as multichannel designs. All this is done at the optical design stage, and no eye tracker is needed in the headset.

Nearest neighbor-density-based clustering methods for large hyperspectral images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cariou, Claude; Chehdi, Kacem

2017-10-01

We address the problem of hyperspectral image (HSI) pixel partitioning using nearest neighbor - density-based (NN-DB) clustering methods. NN-DB methods are able to cluster objects without specifying the number of clusters to be found. Within the NN-DB approach, we focus on deterministic methods, e.g. ModeSeek, knnClust, and GWENN (standing for Graph WatershEd using Nearest Neighbors). These methods only require the availability of a k-nearest neighbor (kNN) graph based on a given distance metric. Recently, a new DB clustering method, called Density Peak Clustering (DPC), has received much attention, and kNN versions of it have quickly followed and showed their efficiency. However, NN-DB methods still suffer from the difficulty of obtaining the kNN graph due to the quadratic complexity with respect to the number of pixels. This is why GWENN was embedded into a multiresolution (MR) scheme to bypass the computation of the full kNN graph over the image pixels. In this communication, we propose to extent the MR-GWENN scheme on three aspects. Firstly, similarly to knnClust, the original labeling rule of GWENN is modified to account for local density values, in addition to the labels of previously processed objects. Secondly, we set up a modified NN search procedure within the MR scheme, in order to stabilize of the number of clusters found from the coarsest to the finest spatial resolution. Finally, we show that these extensions can be easily adapted to the three other NN-DB methods (ModeSeek, knnClust, knnDPC) for pixel clustering in large HSIs. Experiments are conducted to compare the four NN-DB methods for pixel clustering in HSIs. We show that NN-DB methods can outperform a classical clustering method such as fuzzy c-means (FCM), in terms of classification accuracy, relevance of found clusters, and clustering speed. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility and evaluate the performances of NN-DB methods on a very large image acquired by our AISA Eagle hyperspectral imaging sensor.

Enhancement of breast periphery region in digital mammography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menegatti Pavan, Ana Luiza; Vacavant, Antoine; Petean Trindade, Andre; Quini, Caio Cesar; Rodrigues de Pina, Diana

2018-03-01

Volumetric breast density has been shown to be one of the strongest risk factor for breast cancer diagnosis. This metric can be estimated using digital mammograms. During mammography acquisition, breast is compressed and part of it loses contact with the paddle, resulting in an uncompressed region in periphery with thickness variation. Therefore, reliable density estimation in the breast periphery region is a problem, which affects the accuracy of volumetric breast density measurement. The aim of this study was to enhance breast periphery to solve the problem of thickness variation. Herein, we present an automatic algorithm to correct breast periphery thickness without changing pixel value from internal breast region. The correction pixel values from periphery was based on mean values over iso-distance lines from the breast skin-line using only adipose tissue information. The algorithm detects automatically the periphery region where thickness should be corrected. A correction factor was applied in breast periphery image to enhance the region. We also compare our contribution with two other algorithms from state-of-the-art, and we show its accuracy by means of different quality measures. Experienced radiologists subjectively evaluated resulting images from the tree methods in relation to original mammogram. The mean pixel value, skewness and kurtosis from histogram of the three methods were used as comparison metric. As a result, the methodology presented herein showed to be a good approach to be performed before calculating volumetric breast density.

Modelling radiation damage to ESA's Gaia satellite CCDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seabroke, George; Holland, Andrew; Cropper, Mark

2008-07-01

The Gaia satellite is a high-precision astrometry, photometry and spectroscopic ESA cornerstone mission, currently scheduled for launch in late 2011. Its primary science drivers are the composition, formation and evolution of the Galaxy. Gaia will not achieve its scientific requirements without detailed calibration and correction for radiation damage. Microscopic models of Gaia's CCDs are being developed to simulate the effect of radiation damage, charge trapping, which causes charge transfer inefficiency. The key to calculating the probability of a photoelectron being captured by a trap is the 3D electron density within each CCD pixel. However, this has not been physically modelled for Gaia CCD pixels. In this paper, the first of a series, we motivate the need for such specialised 3D device modelling and outline how its future results will fit into Gaia's overall radiation calibration strategy.

Improving Measurement of Forest Structural Parameters by Co-Registering of High Resolution Aerial Imagery and Low Density LiDAR Data

PubMed Central

Huang, Huabing; Gong, Peng; Cheng, Xiao; Clinton, Nick; Li, Zengyuan

2009-01-01

Forest structural parameters, such as tree height and crown width, are indispensable for evaluating forest biomass or forest volume. LiDAR is a revolutionary technology for measurement of forest structural parameters, however, the accuracy of crown width extraction is not satisfactory when using a low density LiDAR, especially in high canopy cover forest. We used high resolution aerial imagery with a low density LiDAR system to overcome this shortcoming. A morphological filtering was used to generate a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) and a CHM (Canopy Height Model) from LiDAR data. The LiDAR camera image is matched to the aerial image with an automated keypoints search algorithm. As a result, a high registration accuracy of 0.5 pixels was obtained. A local maximum filter, watershed segmentation, and object-oriented image segmentation are used to obtain tree height and crown width. Results indicate that the camera data collected by the integrated LiDAR system plays an important role in registration with aerial imagery. The synthesis with aerial imagery increases the accuracy of forest structural parameter extraction when compared to only using the low density LiDAR data. PMID:22573971

Spatially unresolved SED fitting can underestimate galaxy masses: a solution to the missing mass problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sorba, Robert; Sawicki, Marcin

2018-05-01

We perform spatially resolved, pixel-by-pixel Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) fitting on galaxies up to z ˜ 2.5 in the Hubble eXtreme Deep Field (XDF). Comparing stellar mass estimates from spatially resolved and spatially unresolved photometry we find that unresolved masses can be systematically underestimated by factors of up to 5. The ratio of the unresolved to resolved mass measurement depends on the galaxy's specific star formation rate (sSFR): at low sSFRs the bias is small, but above sSFR ˜ 10-9.5 yr-1 the discrepancy increases rapidly such that galaxies with sSFRs ˜ 10-8 yr-1 have unresolved mass estimates of only one-half to one-fifth of the resolved value. This result indicates that stellar masses estimated from spatially unresolved data sets need to be systematically corrected, in some cases by large amounts, and we provide an analytic prescription for applying this correction. We show that correcting stellar mass measurements for this bias changes the normalization and slope of the star-forming main sequence and reduces its intrinsic width; most dramatically, correcting for the mass bias increases the stellar mass density of the Universe at high redshift and can resolve the long-standing discrepancy between the directly measured cosmic SFR density at z ≳ 1 and that inferred from stellar mass densities (`the missing mass problem').

A Concept for a High-Energy Gamma-ray Polarimeter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloser, P. F.; Hunter, S. D.; Depaola, G. O.; Longo, F.

2003-01-01

We present a concept for an imaging gamma-ray polarimeter operating from approx. 50 MeV to approx. 1 GeV. Such an instrument would be valuable for the study of high-energy pulsars, active galactic nuclei, supernova remnants, and gamma-ray bursts. The concept makes use of pixelized gas micro-well detectors, under development at Goddard Space Flight Center, to record the electron-positron tracks from pair-production events in a large gas volume. Pixelized micro-well detectors have the potential to form large-volume 3-D track imagers with approx. 100 micron (rms) position resolution at moderate cost. The combination of high spatial resolution and a continuous low-density gas medium permits many thousands of measurements per radiation length, allowing the particle tracks to be imaged accurately before multiple scattering masks their original directions. The polarization of the incoming radiation may then be determined from the azimuthal distribution of the electron-positron pairs. We have performed Geant4 simulations of these processes to estimate the polarization sensitivity as a function of instrument parameters and event selection criteria.

A new 9T global shutter pixel with CDS technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yang; Ma, Cheng; Zhou, Quan; Wang, Xinyang

2015-04-01

Benefiting from motion blur free, Global shutter pixel is very widely used in the design of CMOS image sensors for high speed applications such as motion vision, scientifically inspection, etc. In global shutter sensors, all pixel signal information needs to be stored in the pixel first and then waiting for readout. For higher frame rate, we need very fast operation of the pixel array. There are basically two ways for the in pixel signal storage, one is in charge domain, such as the one shown in [1], this needs complicated process during the pixel fabrication. The other one is in voltage domain, one example is the one in [2], this pixel is based on the 4T PPD technology and normally the driving of the high capacitive transfer gate limits the speed of the array operation. In this paper we report a new 9T global shutter pixel based on 3-T partially pinned photodiode (PPPD) technology. It incorporates three in-pixel storage capacitors allowing for correlated double sampling (CDS) and pipeline operation of the array (pixel exposure during the readout of the array). Only two control pulses are needed for all the pixels at the end of exposure which allows high speed exposure control.

All-digital full waveform recording photon counting flash lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grund, Christian J.; Harwit, Alex

2010-08-01

Current generation analog and photon counting flash lidar approaches suffer from limitation in waveform depth, dynamic range, sensitivity, false alarm rates, optical acceptance angle (f/#), optical and electronic cross talk, and pixel density. To address these issues Ball Aerospace is developing a new approach to flash lidar that employs direct coupling of a photocathode and microchannel plate front end to a high-speed, pipelined, all-digital Read Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) to achieve photon-counting temporal waveform capture in each pixel on each laser return pulse. A unique characteristic is the absence of performance-limiting analog or mixed signal components. When implemented in 65nm CMOS technology, the Ball Intensified Imaging Photon Counting (I2PC) flash lidar FPA technology can record up to 300 photon arrivals in each pixel with 100 ps resolution on each photon return, with up to 6000 range bins in each pixel. The architecture supports near 100% fill factor and fast optical system designs (f/#<1), and array sizes to 3000×3000 pixels. Compared to existing technologies, >60 dB ultimate dynamic range improvement, and >104 reductions in false alarm rates are anticipated, while achieving single photon range precision better than 1cm. I2PC significantly extends long-range and low-power hard target imaging capabilities useful for autonomous hazard avoidance (ALHAT), navigation, imaging vibrometry, and inspection applications, and enables scannerless 3D imaging for distributed target applications such as range-resolved atmospheric remote sensing, vegetation canopies, and camouflage penetration from terrestrial, airborne, GEO, and LEO platforms. We discuss the I2PC architecture, development status, anticipated performance advantages, and limitations.

High-density arrays of x-ray microcalorimeters for Constellation-X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kilbourne, C. A.; Bandler, S. R.; Chervenak, J. A.; Figueroa-Feliciano, E.; Finkbeiner, F. M.; Iyomoto, N.; Kelley, R. L.; Porter, F. S.; Saab, T.; Sadleir, J.

2005-12-01

We have been developing x-ray microcalorimeters for the Constellation-X mission. Devices based on superconducting transition edge sensors (TES) have demonstrated the potential to meet the Constellation-X requirements for spectral resolution, speed, and array scale (> 1000 pixels) in a close-packed geometry. In our part of the GSFC/NIST collaboration on this technology development, we have been concentrating on the fabrication of arrays of pixels suitable for the Constellation-X reference configuration. We have fabricated 8x8 arrays with 0.25-mm pixels arranged with 92% fill factor. The pixels are based on Mo/Au TES and Bi/Cu absorbers. We have achieved a resolution of 4.9 eV FWHM at 6 keV in such devices. Studies of the thermal transport in our Bi/Cu absorbers have shown that, while there is room for improvement, for 0.25 mm pixels our existing absorber design is adequate to avoid line-broadening from position dependence caused by thermal diffusion. In order to push closer to the 4-eV requirement and 2-eV goal at 6 keV, we are refining the design of the TES and the interface to the absorber. For the 32x32 arrays ultimately needed for Constellation-X, signal lead routing and heatsinking will drive the design. We have had early successes with experiments in electroplating electrical vias and thermal busses into micro-machined features in silicon substrates. The next steps will be fabricating arrays that have all of the essential features of the required flight design, testing, and then engineering a prototype array for optimum performance.

Circuit for high resolution decoding of multi-anode microchannel array detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kasle, David B. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A circuit for high resolution decoding of multi-anode microchannel array detectors consisting of input registers accepting transient inputs from the anode array; anode encoding logic circuits connected to the input registers; midpoint pipeline registers connected to the anode encoding logic circuits; and pixel decoding logic circuits connected to the midpoint pipeline registers is described. A high resolution algorithm circuit operates in parallel with the pixel decoding logic circuit and computes a high resolution least significant bit to enhance the multianode microchannel array detector's spatial resolution by halving the pixel size and doubling the number of pixels in each axis of the anode array. A multiplexer is connected to the pixel decoding logic circuit and allows a user selectable pixel address output according to the actual multi-anode microchannel array detector anode array size. An output register concatenates the high resolution least significant bit onto the standard ten bit pixel address location to provide an eleven bit pixel address, and also stores the full eleven bit pixel address. A timing and control state machine is connected to the input registers, the anode encoding logic circuits, and the output register for managing the overall operation of the circuit.

Medical diagnosis system and method with multispectral imaging. [depth of burns and optical density of the skin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anselmo, V. J.; Reilly, T. H. (Inventor)

1979-01-01

A skin diagnosis system includes a scanning and optical arrangement whereby light reflected from each incremental area (pixel) of the skin is directed simultaneously to three separate light filters, e.g., IR, red, and green. As a result, the three devices simultaneously produce three signals which are directly related to the reflectance of light of different wavelengths from the corresponding pixel. These three signals for each pixel after processing are used as inputs to one or more output devices to produce a visual color display and/or a hard copy color print, for one usable as a diagnostic aid by a physician.

Identifying sites for elk restoration in Arkansas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Telesco, R.L.; Van Manen, F.T.; Clark, J.D.; Cartwright, Michael E.

2007-01-01

We used spatial data to identify potential areas for elk (Cervus elaphus) restoration in Arkansas. To assess habitat, we used locations of 239 elk groups collected from helicopter surveys in the Buffalo National River area of northwestern Arkansas, USA, from 1992 to 2002. We calculated the Mahalanobis distance (D2) statistic based on the relationship between those elk-group locations and a suite of 9 landscape variables to evaluate winter habitat in Arkansas. We tested model performance in the Buffalo National River area by comparing the D2 values of pixels representing areas with and without elk pellets along 19 fixed-width transects surveyed in March 2002. Pixels with elk scat had lower D2 values than pixels in which we found no pellets (logistic regression: Wald χ2 = 24.37, P < 0.001), indicating that habitat characteristics were similar to those selected by the aerially surveyed elk. Our D2 model indicated that the best elk habitat primarily occurred in northern and western Arkansas and was associated with areas of high landscape heterogeneity, heavy forest cover, gently sloping ridge tops and valleys, low human population density, and low road densities. To assess the potential for elk–human conflicts in Arkansas, we used the analytical hierarchy process to rank the importance of 8 criteria based on expert opinion from biologists involved in elk management. The biologists ranked availability of forage on public lands as having the strongest influence on the potential for elk–human conflict (33%), followed by human population growth rate (22%) and the amount of private land in row crops (18%). We then applied those rankings in a weighted linear summation to map the relative potential for elk–human conflict. Finally, we used white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) densities to identify areas where success of elk restoration may be hampered due to meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) transmission. By combining results of the 3 spatial data layers (i.e., habitat model, elk–human conflict model, deer density), our model indicated that restoration sites located in west-central and north-central Arkansas were most favorable for reintroduction.

Performance analysis of model based iterative reconstruction with dictionary learning in transportation security CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haneda, Eri; Luo, Jiajia; Can, Ali; Ramani, Sathish; Fu, Lin; De Man, Bruno

2016-05-01

In this study, we implement and compare model based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) with dictionary learning (DL) over MBIR with pairwise pixel-difference regularization, in the context of transportation security. DL is a technique of sparse signal representation using an over complete dictionary which has provided promising results in image processing applications including denoising,1 as well as medical CT reconstruction.2 It has been previously reported that DL produces promising results in terms of noise reduction and preservation of structural details, especially for low dose and few-view CT acquisitions.2 A distinguishing feature of transportation security CT is that scanned baggage may contain items with a wide range of material densities. While medical CT typically scans soft tissues, blood with and without contrast agents, and bones, luggage typically contains more high density materials (i.e. metals and glass), which can produce severe distortions such as metal streaking artifacts. Important factors of security CT are the emphasis on image quality such as resolution, contrast, noise level, and CT number accuracy for target detection. While MBIR has shown exemplary performance in the trade-off of noise reduction and resolution preservation, we demonstrate that DL may further improve this trade-off. In this study, we used the KSVD-based DL3 combined with the MBIR cost-minimization framework and compared results to Filtered Back Projection (FBP) and MBIR with pairwise pixel-difference regularization. We performed a parameter analysis to show the image quality impact of each parameter. We also investigated few-view CT acquisitions where DL can show an additional advantage relative to pairwise pixel difference regularization.

Toward high-resolution global topography of Mercury from MESSENGER orbital stereo imaging: A prototype model for the H6 (Kuiper) quadrangle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Preusker, Frank; Stark, Alexander; Oberst, Jürgen; Matz, Klaus-Dieter; Gwinner, Klaus; Roatsch, Thomas; Watters, Thomas R.

2017-08-01

We selected approximately 10,500 narrow-angle camera (NAC) and wide-angle camera (WAC) images of Mercury acquired from orbit by MESSENGER's Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) with an average resolution of 150 m/pixel to compute a digital terrain model (DTM) for the H6 (Kuiper) quadrangle, which extends from 22.5°S to 22.5°N and from 288.0°E to 360.0°E. From the images, we identified about 21,100 stereo image combinations consisting of at least three images each. We applied sparse multi-image matching to derive approximately 250,000 tie-points representing 50,000 ground points. We used the tie-points to carry out a photogrammetric block adjustment, which improves the image pointing and the accuracy of the ground point positions in three dimensions from about 850 m to approximately 55 m. We then applied high-density (pixel-by-pixel) multi-image matching to derive about 45 billion tie-points. Benefitting from improved image pointing data achieved through photogrammetric block adjustment, we computed about 6.3 billion surface points. By interpolation, we generated a DTM with a lateral spacing of 221.7 m/pixel (192 pixels per degree) and a vertical accuracy of about 30 m. The comparison of the DTM with Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) profiles obtained over four years of MESSENGER orbital operations reveals that the DTM is geometrically very rigid. It may be used as a reference to identify MLA outliers (e.g., when MLA operated at its ranging limit) or to map offsets of laser altimeter tracks, presumably caused by residual spacecraft orbit and attitude errors. After the relevant outlier removals and corrections, MLA profiles show excellent agreement with topographic profiles from H6, with a root mean square height difference of only 88 m.

Parametric boundary reconstruction algorithm for industrial CT metrology application.

PubMed

Yin, Zhye; Khare, Kedar; De Man, Bruno

2009-01-01

High-energy X-ray computed tomography (CT) systems have been recently used to produce high-resolution images in various nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT/NDE) applications. The accuracy of the dimensional information extracted from CT images is rapidly approaching the accuracy achieved with a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), the conventional approach to acquire the metrology information directly. On the other hand, CT systems generate the sinogram which is transformed mathematically to the pixel-based images. The dimensional information of the scanned object is extracted later by performing edge detection on reconstructed CT images. The dimensional accuracy of this approach is limited by the grid size of the pixel-based representation of CT images since the edge detection is performed on the pixel grid. Moreover, reconstructed CT images usually display various artifacts due to the underlying physical process and resulting object boundaries from the edge detection fail to represent the true boundaries of the scanned object. In this paper, a novel algorithm to reconstruct the boundaries of an object with uniform material composition and uniform density is presented. There are three major benefits in the proposed approach. First, since the boundary parameters are reconstructed instead of image pixels, the complexity of the reconstruction algorithm is significantly reduced. The iterative approach, which can be computationally intensive, will be practical with the parametric boundary reconstruction. Second, the object of interest in metrology can be represented more directly and accurately by the boundary parameters instead of the image pixels. By eliminating the extra edge detection step, the overall dimensional accuracy and process time can be improved. Third, since the parametric reconstruction approach shares the boundary representation with other conventional metrology modalities such as CMM, boundary information from other modalities can be directly incorporated as prior knowledge to improve the convergence of an iterative approach. In this paper, the feasibility of parametric boundary reconstruction algorithm is demonstrated with both simple and complex simulated objects. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to the experimental industrial CT system data.

Color normalization of histology slides using graph regularized sparse NMF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sha, Lingdao; Schonfeld, Dan; Sethi, Amit

2017-03-01

Computer based automatic medical image processing and quantification are becoming popular in digital pathology. However, preparation of histology slides can vary widely due to differences in staining equipment, procedures and reagents, which can reduce the accuracy of algorithms that analyze their color and texture information. To re- duce the unwanted color variations, various supervised and unsupervised color normalization methods have been proposed. Compared with supervised color normalization methods, unsupervised color normalization methods have advantages of time and cost efficient and universal applicability. Most of the unsupervised color normaliza- tion methods for histology are based on stain separation. Based on the fact that stain concentration cannot be negative and different parts of the tissue absorb different stains, nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF), and particular its sparse version (SNMF), are good candidates for stain separation. However, most of the existing unsupervised color normalization method like PCA, ICA, NMF and SNMF fail to consider important information about sparse manifolds that its pixels occupy, which could potentially result in loss of texture information during color normalization. Manifold learning methods like Graph Laplacian have proven to be very effective in interpreting high-dimensional data. In this paper, we propose a novel unsupervised stain separation method called graph regularized sparse nonnegative matrix factorization (GSNMF). By considering the sparse prior of stain concentration together with manifold information from high-dimensional image data, our method shows better performance in stain color deconvolution than existing unsupervised color deconvolution methods, especially in keeping connected texture information. To utilized the texture information, we construct a nearest neighbor graph between pixels within a spatial area of an image based on their distances using heat kernal in lαβ space. The representation of a pixel in the stain density space is constrained to follow the feature distance of the pixel to pixels in the neighborhood graph. Utilizing color matrix transfer method with the stain concentrations found using our GSNMF method, the color normalization performance was also better than existing methods.

Photospheric Current Spikes And Their Possible Association With Flares - Results from an HMI Data Driven Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodman, M. L.; Kwan, C.; Ayhan, B.; Eric, S. L.

2016-12-01

A data driven, near photospheric magnetohydrodynamic model predicts spikes in the horizontal current density, and associated resistive heating rate. The spikes appear as increases by orders of magnitude above background values in neutral line regions (NLRs) of active regions (ARs). The largest spikes typically occur a few hours to a few days prior to M or X flares. The spikes correspond to large vertical derivatives of the horizontal magnetic field. The model takes as input the photospheric magnetic field observed by the Helioseismic & Magnetic Imager (HMI) on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) satellite. This 2.5 D field is used to determine an analytic expression for a 3 D magnetic field, from which the current density, vector potential, and electric field are computed in every AR pixel for 14 ARs. The field is not assumed to be force-free. The spurious 6, 12, and 24 hour Doppler periods due to SDO orbital motion are filtered out of the time series of the HMI magnetic field for each pixel. The subset of spikes analyzed at the pixel level are found to occur on HMI and granulation scales of 1 arcsec and 12 minutes. Spikes are found in ARs with and without M or X flares, and outside as well as inside NLRs, but the largest spikes are localized in the NLRs of ARs with M or X flares. The energy to drive the heating associated with the largest current spikes comes from bulk flow kinetic energy, not the electromagnetic field, and the current density is highly non-force free. The results suggest that, in combination with the model, HMI is revealing strong, convection driven, non-force free heating events on granulation scales, and it is plausible these events are correlated with subsequent M or X flares. More and longer time series need to be analyzed to determine if such a correlation exists.

Electron imaging with an EBSD detector.

PubMed

Wright, Stuart I; Nowell, Matthew M; de Kloe, René; Camus, Patrick; Rampton, Travis

2015-01-01

Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) has proven to be a useful tool for characterizing the crystallographic orientation aspects of microstructures at length scales ranging from tens of nanometers to millimeters in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). With the advent of high-speed digital cameras for EBSD use, it has become practical to use the EBSD detector as an imaging device similar to a backscatter (or forward-scatter) detector. Using the EBSD detector in this manner enables images exhibiting topographic, atomic density and orientation contrast to be obtained at rates similar to slow scanning in the conventional SEM manner. The high-speed acquisition is achieved through extreme binning of the camera-enough to result in a 5 × 5 pixel pattern. At such high binning, the captured patterns are not suitable for indexing. However, no indexing is required for using the detector as an imaging device. Rather, a 5 × 5 array of images is formed by essentially using each pixel in the 5 × 5 pixel pattern as an individual scattered electron detector. The images can also be formed at traditional EBSD scanning rates by recording the image data during a scan or can also be formed through post-processing of patterns recorded at each point in the scan. Such images lend themselves to correlative analysis of image data with the usual orientation data provided by and with chemical data obtained simultaneously via X-Ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (XEDS). Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Land Loss in Mississippi River Delta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, S.; Edmonds, D. A.; Robeson, S. M.; Ortiz, A. C.; Nienhuis, J.

2017-12-01

Land loss across the Louisiana coast is predicted to exceed 10,000 km2 by 2100. An estimated 18-24 billion tons of sediment is needed to offset land loss, but available sediment supply from the Mississippi River falls short. As a result, coastal restoration plans must target certain areas, which highlight the importance of understanding the processes and patterns of land loss. In this study, we use remote sensing to investigate and quantify land loss patterns, as well as the corresponding morphology of the land segments that are lost. Using Google Earth Engine, we combined over 10,000 time-series Landsat imagery in the Mississippi River Delta to create twelve, three-year composites from 1983 to 2016. We then spectrally unmixed each pixel into land and water percentages, and create land-water binaries. Stratifying by hydrologic unit code boundaries and local subsidence rates, we analyze the land loss pixels using landscape metrics. Our results show that the total loss from 1983-2016 for our area of interest was 908.02 km2 (loss of 5.84%) and total land area was 6855.63 km2 (49.97 % of total area) in 2016 compared to 7763.65 km2 (44.13%) in 1983 consistent with previous estimates for our study area. Land loss pixels have a low patch density (mean of 4.80 patches/ha) and high aggregation indices (mean of 47.15), which indicates that land-loss pixels tend to clump together. The shape index of these clumped pixels are also low (mean of 2.32), which points towards long, narrow patches and edges. Local indicator of spatial autocorrelation (LISA) areas was applied to determine areas of high positive autocorrelation within the loss pixels which reinforced loss across edges. Based on spatial metrics and subsidence grid based analysis on the temporal pattern of land loss pixels we find that i) land change (both growth and loss pixels) occurs along the marsh, lake and coastal edges rather than inland; ii) subsidence, though positively correlated with landloss, is no longer the dominant process of land loss at rates greater than 8 mm/year; and iii) a frequency analysis shows 30.96% of land loss occurs gradually by changing back and forth from water to land over the study period whereas 69.04% of land loss is permanent and does not revert back. Our findings provide new insight into pathways of land loss and the morphological evolution of deltaic systems.

Pixelated transmission-mode diamond X-ray detector.

PubMed

Zhou, Tianyi; Ding, Wenxiang; Gaowei, Mengjia; De Geronimo, Gianluigi; Bohon, Jen; Smedley, John; Muller, Erik

2015-11-01

Fabrication and testing of a prototype transmission-mode pixelated diamond X-ray detector (pitch size 60-100 µm), designed to simultaneously measure the flux, position and morphology of an X-ray beam in real time, are described. The pixel density is achieved by lithographically patterning vertical stripes on the front and horizontal stripes on the back of an electronic-grade chemical vapor deposition single-crystal diamond. The bias is rotated through the back horizontal stripes and the current is read out on the front vertical stripes at a rate of ∼ 1 kHz, which leads to an image sampling rate of ∼ 30 Hz. This novel signal readout scheme was tested at beamline X28C at the National Synchrotron Light Source (white beam, 5-15 keV) and at beamline G3 at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (monochromatic beam, 11.3 keV) with incident beam flux ranges from 1.8 × 10(-2) to 90 W mm(-2). Test results show that the novel detector provides precise beam position (positional noise within 1%) and morphology information (error within 2%), with an additional software-controlled single channel mode providing accurate flux measurement (fluctuation within 1%).

Two-dimensional ionospheric tomography over the low-latitude Indian region: An intercomparison of ART and MART algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Sukanta Kumar; Shukla, Ashish Kumar

2011-04-01

Single-frequency users of a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) rely on ionospheric models to mitigate the delay due to the ionosphere. The ionosphere is the major source of range and range rate errors for users of the Global Positioning System (GPS) who require high-accuracy positioning. The purpose of the present study is to develop a tomography model to reconstruct the total electron content (TEC) over the low-latitude Indian region which lies in the equatorial ionospheric anomaly belt. In the present study, the TEC data collected from the six TEC collection stations along a longitudinal belt of around 77 degrees are used. The main objective of the study is to find out optimum pixel size which supports a better reconstruction of the electron density and hence the TEC over the low-latitude Indian region. Performance of two reconstruction algorithms Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (ART) and Multiplicative Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (MART) is analyzed for different pixel sizes varying from 1 to 6 degrees in latitude. It is found from the analysis that the optimum pixel size is 5° × 50 km over the Indian region using both ART and MART algorithms.

EnviroAtlas - New York, NY - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Paterson, NJ - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Fresno, CA - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Green Bay, WI - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Des Moines, IA - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Woodbine, IA - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Phoenix, AZ - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Pittsburgh, PA - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - New Bedford, MA - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Milwaukee, WI - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Austin, TX - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Cleveland, OH - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Portland, ME - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Portland, OR - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Durham, NC - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Tampa, FL - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

EnviroAtlas - Memphis, TN - Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset estimates the intersection density of walkable roads within a 750 meter radius of any given 10 meter pixel in the community. Intersections are defined as any point where 3 or more roads meet and density is calculated using kernel density, where closer intersections are weighted higher than further intersections. Intersection density is highly correlated with walking for transportation. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

Origami silicon optoelectronics for hemispherical electronic eye systems.

PubMed

Zhang, Kan; Jung, Yei Hwan; Mikael, Solomon; Seo, Jung-Hun; Kim, Munho; Mi, Hongyi; Zhou, Han; Xia, Zhenyang; Zhou, Weidong; Gong, Shaoqin; Ma, Zhenqiang

2017-11-24

Digital image sensors in hemispherical geometries offer unique imaging advantages over their planar counterparts, such as wide field of view and low aberrations. Deforming miniature semiconductor-based sensors with high-spatial resolution into such format is challenging. Here we report a simple origami approach for fabricating single-crystalline silicon-based focal plane arrays and artificial compound eyes that have hemisphere-like structures. Convex isogonal polyhedral concepts allow certain combinations of polygons to fold into spherical formats. Using each polygon block as a sensor pixel, the silicon-based devices are shaped into maps of truncated icosahedron and fabricated on flexible sheets and further folded either into a concave or convex hemisphere. These two electronic eye prototypes represent simple and low-cost methods as well as flexible optimization parameters in terms of pixel density and design. Results demonstrated in this work combined with miniature size and simplicity of the design establish practical technology for integration with conventional electronic devices.

Digital shaded relief image of a carbonate platform (northern Great Bahama Bank): Scenery seen and unseen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boss, Stephen K.

1996-11-01

A mosaic image of the northern Great Bahama Bank was created from separate gray-scale Landsat images using photo-editing and image analysis software that is commercially available for desktop computers. Measurements of pixel gray levels (relative scale from 0 to 255 referred to as digital number, DN) on the mosaic image were compared to bank-top bathymetry (determined from a network of single-channel, high-resolution seismic profiles), bottom type (coarse sand, sandy mud, barren rock, or reef determined from seismic profiles and diver observations), and vegetative cover (presence and/or absence and relative density of the marine angiosperm Thalassia testudinum determined from diver observations). Results of these analyses indicate that bank-top bathymetry is a primary control on observed pixel DN, bottom type is a secondary control on pixel DN, and vegetative cover is a tertiary influence on pixel DN. Consequently, processing of the gray-scale Landsat mosaic with a directional gradient edge-detection filter generated a physiographic shaded relief image resembling bank-top bathymetric patterns related to submerged physiographic features across the platform. The visibility of submerged karst landforms, Pleistocene eolianite ridges, islands, and possible paleo-drainage patterns created during sea-level lowstands is significantly enhanced on processed images relative to the original mosaic. Bank-margin ooid shoals, platform interior sand bodies, reef edifices, and bidirectional sand waves are features resulting from Holocene carbonate deposition that are also more clearly visible on the new physiographic images. Combined with observational data (single-channel, high-resolution seismic profiles, bottom observations by SCUBA divers, sediment and rock cores) across the northern Great Bahama Bank, these physiographic images facilitate comprehension of areal relations among antecedent platform topography, physical processes, and ensuing depositional patterns during sea-level rise.

X-ray microanalytical surveys of minor element concentrations in unsectioned biological samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schofield, R. M. S.; Lefevre, H. W.; Overley, J. C.; Macdonald, J. D.

1988-03-01

Approximate concentration maps of small unsectioned biological samples are made using the pixel by pixel ratio of PIXE images to areal density images. Areal density images are derived from scanning transmission ion microscopy (STIM) proton energy-loss images. Corrections for X-ray production cross section variations, X-ray attenuation, and depth averaging are approximated or ignored. Estimates of the magnitude of the resulting error are made. Approximate calcium concentrations within the head of a fruit fly are reported. Concentrations in the retinula cell region of the eye average about 1 mg/g dry weight. Concentrations of zinc in the mandible of several ant species average about 40 mg/g. Zinc concentrations in the stomachs of these ants are at least 1 mg/g.

Design, optimization and evaluation of a "smart" pixel sensor array for low-dose digital radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Kai; Liu, Xinghui; Ou, Hai; Chen, Jun

2016-04-01

Amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film transistors (TFTs) have been widely used to build flat-panel X-ray detectors for digital radiography (DR). As the demand for low-dose X-ray imaging grows, a detector with high signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) pixel architecture emerges. "Smart" pixel is intended to use a dual-gate photosensitive TFT for sensing, storage, and switch. It differs from a conventional passive pixel sensor (PPS) and active pixel sensor (APS) in that all these three functions are combined into one device instead of three separate units in a pixel. Thus, it is expected to have high fill factor and high spatial resolution. In addition, it utilizes the amplification effect of the dual-gate photosensitive TFT to form a one-transistor APS that leads to a potentially high SNR. This paper addresses the design, optimization and evaluation of the smart pixel sensor and array for low-dose DR. We will design and optimize the smart pixel from the scintillator to TFT levels and validate it through optical and electrical simulation and experiments of a 4x4 sensor array.

Pixelation Effects in Weak Lensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

High, F. William; Rhodes, Jason; Massey, Richard; Ellis, Richard

2007-01-01

Weak gravitational lensing can be used to investigate both dark matter and dark energy but requires accurate measurements of the shapes of faint, distant galaxies. Such measurements are hindered by the finite resolution and pixel scale of digital cameras. We investigate the optimum choice of pixel scale for a space-based mission, using the engineering model and survey strategy of the proposed Supernova Acceleration Probe as a baseline. We do this by simulating realistic astronomical images containing a known input shear signal and then attempting to recover the signal using the Rhodes, Refregier, and Groth algorithm. We find that the quality of shear measurement is always improved by smaller pixels. However, in practice, telescopes are usually limited to a finite number of pixels and operational life span, so the total area of a survey increases with pixel size. We therefore fix the survey lifetime and the number of pixels in the focal plane while varying the pixel scale, thereby effectively varying the survey size. In a pure trade-off for image resolution versus survey area, we find that measurements of the matter power spectrum would have minimum statistical error with a pixel scale of 0.09' for a 0.14' FWHM point-spread function (PSF). The pixel scale could be increased to 0.16' if images dithered by exactly half-pixel offsets were always available. Some of our results do depend on our adopted shape measurement method and should be regarded as an upper limit: future pipelines may require smaller pixels to overcome systematic floors not yet accessible, and, in certain circumstances, measuring the shape of the PSF might be more difficult than those of galaxies. However, the relative trends in our analysis are robust, especially those of the surface density of resolved galaxies. Our approach thus provides a snapshot of potential in available technology, and a practical counterpart to analytic studies of pixelation, which necessarily assume an idealized shape measurement method.

Techniques for deriving tissue structure from multiple projection dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feldmesser, Howard S. (Inventor); Charles, Jr., Harry K. (Inventor); Beck, Thomas J. (Inventor); Magee, Thomas C. (Inventor)

2004-01-01

Techniques for deriving bone properties from images generated by a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry apparatus include receiving first image data having pixels indicating bone mineral density projected at a first angle of a plurality of projection angles. Second image data and third image data are also received. The second image data indicates bone mineral density projected at a different second angle. The third image data indicates bone mineral density projected at a third angle. The third angle is different from the first angle and the second angle. Principal moments of inertia for a bone in the subject are computed based on the first image data, the second image data and the third image data. The techniques allow high-precision, high-resolution dual-energy x-ray attenuation images to be used for computing principal moments of inertia and strength moduli of individual bones, plus risk of injury and changes in risk of injury to a patient.

Assembly and Integration Process of the First High Density Detector Array for the Atacama Cosmology Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Yaqiong; Choi, Steve; Ho, Shuay-Pwu; Crowley, Kevin T.; Salatino, Maria; Simon, Sara M.; Staggs, Suzanne T.; Nati, Federico; Wollack, Edward J.

2016-01-01

The Advanced ACTPol (AdvACT) upgrade on the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) consists of multichroicTransition Edge Sensor (TES) detector arrays to measure the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization anisotropies in multiple frequency bands. The first AdvACT detector array, sensitive to both 150 and 230 GHz, is fabricated on a 150 mm diameter wafer and read out with a completely different scheme compared to ACTPol. Approximately 2000 TES bolometers are packed into the wafer leading to both a much denser detector density and readout circuitry. The demonstration of the assembly and integration of the AdvACT arrays is important for the next generation CMB experiments, which will continue to increase the pixel number and density. We present the detailed assembly process of the first AdvACT detector array.

Exploratory visualization of astronomical data on ultra-high-resolution wall displays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pietriga, Emmanuel; del Campo, Fernando; Ibsen, Amanda; Primet, Romain; Appert, Caroline; Chapuis, Olivier; Hempel, Maren; Muñoz, Roberto; Eyheramendy, Susana; Jordan, Andres; Dole, Hervé

2016-07-01

Ultra-high-resolution wall displays feature a very high pixel density over a large physical surface, which makes them well-suited to the collaborative, exploratory visualization of large datasets. We introduce FITS-OW, an application designed for such wall displays, that enables astronomers to navigate in large collections of FITS images, query astronomical databases, and display detailed, complementary data and documents about multiple sources simultaneously. We describe how astronomers interact with their data using both the wall's touchsensitive surface and handheld devices. We also report on the technical challenges we addressed in terms of distributed graphics rendering and data sharing over the computer clusters that drive wall displays.

A piecewise-focused high DQE detector for MV imaging.

PubMed

Star-Lack, Josh; Shedlock, Daniel; Swahn, Dennis; Humber, Dave; Wang, Adam; Hirsh, Hayley; Zentai, George; Sawkey, Daren; Kruger, Isaac; Sun, Mingshan; Abel, Eric; Virshup, Gary; Shin, Mihye; Fahrig, Rebecca

2015-09-01

Electronic portal imagers (EPIDs) with high detective quantum efficiencies (DQEs) are sought to facilitate the use of the megavoltage (MV) radiotherapy treatment beam for image guidance. Potential advantages include high quality (treatment) beam's eye view imaging, and improved cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) generating images with more accurate electron density maps with immunity to metal artifacts. One approach to increasing detector sensitivity is to couple a thick pixelated scintillator array to an active matrix flat panel imager (AMFPI) incorporating amorphous silicon thin film electronics. Cadmium tungstate (CWO) has many desirable scintillation properties including good light output, a high index of refraction, high optical transparency, and reasonable cost. However, due to the 0 1 0 cleave plane inherent in its crystalline structure, the difficulty of cutting and polishing CWO has, in part, limited its study relative to other scintillators such as cesium iodide and bismuth germanate (BGO). The goal of this work was to build and test a focused large-area pixelated "strip" CWO detector. A 361 × 52 mm scintillator assembly that contained a total of 28 072 pixels was constructed. The assembly comprised seven subarrays, each 15 mm thick. Six of the subarrays were fabricated from CWO with a pixel pitch of 0.784 mm, while one array was constructed from BGO for comparison. Focusing was achieved by coupling the arrays to the Varian AS1000 AMFPI through a piecewise linear arc-shaped fiber optic plate. Simulation and experimental studies of modulation transfer function (MTF) and DQE were undertaken using a 6 MV beam, and comparisons were made between the performance of the pixelated strip assembly and the most common EPID configuration comprising a 1 mm-thick copper build-up plate attached to a 133 mg/cm(2) gadolinium oxysulfide scintillator screen (Cu-GOS). Projection radiographs and CBCT images of phantoms were acquired. The work also introduces the use of a lightweight edge phantom to generate MTF measurements at MV energies and shows its functional equivalence to the more cumbersome slit-based method. Measured and simulated DQE(0)'s of the pixelated CWO detector were 22% and 26%, respectively. The average measured and simulated ratios of CWO DQE(f) to Cu-GOS DQE(f) across the frequency range of 0.0-0.62 mm(-1) were 23 and 29, respectively. 2D and 3D imaging studies confirmed the large dose efficiency improvement and that focus was maintained across the field of view. In the CWO CBCT images, the measured spatial resolution was 7 lp/cm. The contrast-to-noise ratio was dramatically improved reflecting a 22 × sensitivity increase relative to Cu-GOS. The CWO scintillator material showed significantly higher stability and light yield than the BGO material. An efficient piecewise-focused pixelated strip scintillator for MV imaging is described that offers more than a 20-fold dose efficiency improvement over Cu-GOS.

A piecewise-focused high DQE detector for MV imaging

PubMed Central

Star-Lack, Josh; Shedlock, Daniel; Swahn, Dennis; Humber, Dave; Wang, Adam; Hirsh, Hayley; Zentai, George; Sawkey, Daren; Kruger, Isaac; Sun, Mingshan; Abel, Eric; Virshup, Gary; Shin, Mihye; Fahrig, Rebecca

2015-01-01

Purpose: Electronic portal imagers (EPIDs) with high detective quantum efficiencies (DQEs) are sought to facilitate the use of the megavoltage (MV) radiotherapy treatment beam for image guidance. Potential advantages include high quality (treatment) beam’s eye view imaging, and improved cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) generating images with more accurate electron density maps with immunity to metal artifacts. One approach to increasing detector sensitivity is to couple a thick pixelated scintillator array to an active matrix flat panel imager (AMFPI) incorporating amorphous silicon thin film electronics. Cadmium tungstate (CWO) has many desirable scintillation properties including good light output, a high index of refraction, high optical transparency, and reasonable cost. However, due to the 0 1 0 cleave plane inherent in its crystalline structure, the difficulty of cutting and polishing CWO has, in part, limited its study relative to other scintillators such as cesium iodide and bismuth germanate (BGO). The goal of this work was to build and test a focused large-area pixelated “strip” CWO detector. Methods: A 361  ×  52 mm scintillator assembly that contained a total of 28 072 pixels was constructed. The assembly comprised seven subarrays, each 15 mm thick. Six of the subarrays were fabricated from CWO with a pixel pitch of 0.784 mm, while one array was constructed from BGO for comparison. Focusing was achieved by coupling the arrays to the Varian AS1000 AMFPI through a piecewise linear arc-shaped fiber optic plate. Simulation and experimental studies of modulation transfer function (MTF) and DQE were undertaken using a 6 MV beam, and comparisons were made between the performance of the pixelated strip assembly and the most common EPID configuration comprising a 1 mm-thick copper build-up plate attached to a 133 mg/cm2 gadolinium oxysulfide scintillator screen (Cu-GOS). Projection radiographs and CBCT images of phantoms were acquired. The work also introduces the use of a lightweight edge phantom to generate MTF measurements at MV energies and shows its functional equivalence to the more cumbersome slit-based method. Results: Measured and simulated DQE(0)’s of the pixelated CWO detector were 22% and 26%, respectively. The average measured and simulated ratios of CWO DQE(f) to Cu-GOS DQE(f) across the frequency range of 0.0–0.62 mm−1 were 23 and 29, respectively. 2D and 3D imaging studies confirmed the large dose efficiency improvement and that focus was maintained across the field of view. In the CWO CBCT images, the measured spatial resolution was 7 lp/cm. The contrast-to-noise ratio was dramatically improved reflecting a 22 × sensitivity increase relative to Cu-GOS. The CWO scintillator material showed significantly higher stability and light yield than the BGO material. Conclusions: An efficient piecewise-focused pixelated strip scintillator for MV imaging is described that offers more than a 20-fold dose efficiency improvement over Cu-GOS. PMID:26328960

Array Technology for Terahertz Imaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reck, Theodore; Siles, Jose; Jung, Cecile; Gill, John; Lee, Choonsup; Chattopadhyay, Goutam; Mehdi, Imran; Cooper, Ken

2012-01-01

Heterodyne terahertz (0.3 - 3THz) imaging systems are currently limited to single or a low number of pixels. Drastic improvements in imaging sensitivity and speed can be achieved by replacing single pixel systems with an array of detectors. This paper presents an array topology that is being developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory based on the micromachining of silicon. This technique fabricates the array's package and waveguide components by plasma etching of silicon, resulting in devices with precision surpassing that of current metal machining techniques. Using silicon increases the versatility of the packaging, enabling a variety of orientations of circuitry within the device which increases circuit density and design options. The design of a two-pixel transceiver utilizing a stacked architecture is presented that achieves a pixel spacing of 10mm. By only allowing coupling from the top and bottom of the package the design can readily be arrayed in two dimensions with a spacing of 10mm x 18mm.

Mega-pixel PQR laser chips for interconnect, display ITS, and biocell-tweezers OEIC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, O'Dae; Yoon, J. H.; Kim, D. K.; Kim, Y. C.; Lee, S. E.; Kim, S. S.

2008-02-01

We describe a photonic quantum ring (PQR) laser device of three dimensional toroidal whispering gallery cavity. We have succeeded in fabricating the first genuine mega-pixel laser chips via regular semiconductor technology. This has been realized since the present injection laser emitting surface-normal dominant 3D whispering gallery modes (WGMs) can be operated CW with extremely low operating currents (μA-nA per pixel), together with the lasing temperature stabilities well above 140 deg C with minimal redshifts, which solves the well-known integration problems facing the conventional VCSEL. Such properties unusual for quantum well lasers become usual because the active region, involving vertically confining DBR structure in addition to the 2D concave WGM geometry, induces a 'photonic quantum ring (PQR)-like' carrier distribution through a photonic quantum corral effect. A few applications of such mega-pixel PQR chips are explained as follows: (A) Next-generation 3D semiconductor technologies demand a strategy on the inter-chip and intra-chip optical interconnect schemes with a key to the high-density emitter array. (B) Due to mounting traffic problems and fatalities ITS technology today is looking for a revolutionary change in the technology. We will thus outline how 'SLEEP-ITS' can emerge with the PQR's position-sensing capability. (C) We describe a recent PQR 'hole' laser of convex WGM: Mega-pixel PQR 'hole' laser chips are even easier to fabricate than PQR 'mesa' lasers. Genuine Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beam patterns of PQR holes are very promising for biocell manipulations like sorting mouse myeloid leukemia (M1s) cells. (D) Energy saving and 3D speckle-free POR laser can outdo LEDs in view of red GaAs and blue GaN devices fabricated recently.

Achieving subpixel resolution with time-correlated transient signals in pixelated CdZnTe gamma-ray sensors using a focused laser beam (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ocampo Giraldo, Luis A.; Bolotnikov, Aleksey E.; Camarda, Giuseppe S.; Cui, Yonggang; De Geronimo, Gianluigi; Gul, Rubi; Fried, Jack; Hossain, Anwar; Unlu, Kenan; Vernon, Emerson; Yang, Ge; James, Ralph B.

2017-05-01

High-resolution position-sensitive detectors have been proposed to correct response non-uniformities in Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) crystals by virtually subdividing the detectors area into small voxels and equalizing responses from each voxel. 3D pixelated detectors coupled with multichannel readout electronics are the most advanced type of CZT devices offering many options in signal processing and enhancing detector performance. One recent innovation proposed for pixelated detectors is to use the induced (transient) signals from neighboring pixels to achieve high sub-pixel position resolution while keeping large pixel sizes. The main hurdle in achieving this goal is the relatively low signal induced on the neighboring pixels because of the electrostatic shielding effect caused by the collecting pixel. In addition, to achieve high position sensitivity one should rely on time-correlated transient signals, which means that digitized output signals must be used. We present the results of our studies to measure the amplitude of the pixel signals so that these can be used to measure positions of the interaction points. This is done with the processing of digitized correlated time signals measured from several adjacent pixels taking into account rise-time and charge-sharing effects. In these measurements we used a focused pulsed laser to generate a 10-micron beam at one milliwatt (650-nm wavelength) over the detector surface while the collecting pixel was moved in cardinal directions. The results include measurements that present the benefits of combining conventional pixel geometry with digital pulse processing for the best approach in achieving sub-pixel position resolution with the pixel dimensions of approximately 2 mm. We also present the sub-pixel resolution measurements at comparable energies from various gamma emitting isotopes.

Recent advances in Optical Computed Tomography (OCT) imaging system for three dimensional (3D) radiotherapy dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, Ahmad Taufek Abdul; Farah Rosli, Nurul; Zain, Shafirah Mohd; Zin, Hafiz M.

2018-01-01

Radiotherapy delivery techniques for cancer treatment are becoming more complex and highly focused, to enable accurate radiation dose delivery to the cancerous tissue and minimum dose to the healthy tissue adjacent to tumour. Instrument to verify the complex dose delivery in radiotherapy such as optical computed tomography (OCT) measures the dose from a three-dimensional (3D) radiochromic dosimeter to ensure the accuracy of the radiotherapy beam delivery to the patient. OCT measures the optical density in radiochromic material that changes predictably upon exposure to radiotherapy beams. OCT systems have been developed using a photodiode and charged coupled device (CCD) as the detector. The existing OCT imaging systems have limitation in terms of the accuracy and the speed of the measurement. Advances in on-pixel intelligence CMOS image sensor (CIS) will be exploited in this work to replace current detector in OCT imaging systems. CIS is capable of on-pixel signal processing at a very fast imaging speed (over several hundred images per second) that will allow improvement in the 3D measurement of the optical density. The paper will review 3D radiochromic dosimeters and OCT systems developed and discuss how CMOS based OCT imaging will provide accurate and fast optical density measurements in 3D. The paper will also discuss the configuration of the CMOS based OCT developed in this work and how it may improve the existing OCT system.

Fundamental performance differences between CMOS and CCD imagers, part IV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janesick, James; Pinter, Jeff; Potter, Robert; Elliott, Tom; Andrews, James; Tower, John; Grygon, Mark; Keller, Dave

2010-07-01

This paper is a continuation of past papers written on fundamental performance differences of scientific CMOS and CCD imagers. New characterization results presented below include: 1). a new 1536 × 1536 × 8μm 5TPPD pixel CMOS imager, 2). buried channel MOSFETs for random telegraph noise (RTN) and threshold reduction, 3) sub-electron noise pixels, 4) 'MIM pixel' for pixel sensitivity (V/e-) control, 5) '5TPPD RING pixel' for large pixel, high-speed charge transfer applications, 6) pixel-to-pixel blooming control, 7) buried channel photo gate pixels and CMOSCCDs, 8) substrate bias for deep depletion CMOS imagers, 9) CMOS dark spikes and dark current issues and 10) high energy radiation damage test data. Discussions are also given to a 1024 × 1024 × 16 um 5TPPD pixel imager currently in fabrication and new stitched CMOS imagers that are in the design phase including 4k × 4k × 10 μm and 10k × 10k × 10 um imager formats.

Scientific CMOS Pixels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janesick, James; Gunawan, Ferry; Dosluoglu, Taner; Tower, John; McCaffrey, Niel

2002-08-01

High performance CMOS pixels are introduced; and their development is discussed. 3T (3-transistor) photodiode, 5T pinned diode, 6T photogate and 6T photogate back illuminated CMOS pixels are examined in detail, and the latter three are considered as scientific pixels. The advantages and disadvantagesof these options for scientific CMOS pixels are examined.Pixel characterization, which is used to gain a better understanding of CMOS pixels themselves, is also discussed.

Scientific CMOS Pixels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janesick, J.; Gunawan, F.; Dosluoglu, T.; Tower, J.; McCaffrey, N.

High performance CMOS pixels are introduced and their development is discussed. 3T (3-transistor) photodiode, 5T pinned diode, 6T photogate and 6T photogate back illuminated CMOS pixels are examined in detail, and the latter three are considered as scientific pixels. The advantages and disadvantages of these options for scientific CMOS pixels are examined. Pixel characterization, which is used to gain a better understanding of CMOS pixels themselves, is also discussed.

Use of high-granularity CdZnTe pixelated detectors to correct response non-uniformities caused by defects in crystals

DOE PAGES

Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.; Cui, Y.; ...

2015-09-06

Following our successful demonstration of the position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid detectors, we investigated the feasibility of using high-granularity position sensing to correct response non-uniformities caused by the crystal defects in CdZnTe (CZT) pixelated detectors. The development of high-granularity detectors able to correct response non-uniformities on a scale comparable to the size of electron clouds opens the opportunity of using unselected off-the-shelf CZT material, whilst still assuring high spectral resolution for the majority of the detectors fabricated from an ingot. Here, we present the results from testing 3D position-sensitive 15×15×10 mm 3 pixelated detectors, fabricated with conventional pixel patterns with progressively smallermore » pixel sizes: 1.4, 0.8, and 0.5 mm. We employed the readout system based on the H3D front-end multi-channel ASIC developed by BNL's Instrumentation Division in collaboration with the University of Michigan. We use the sharing of electron clouds among several adjacent pixels to measure locations of interaction points with sub-pixel resolution. By using the detectors with small-pixel sizes and a high probability of the charge-sharing events, we were able to improve their spectral resolutions in comparison to the baseline levels, measured for the 1.4-mm pixel size detectors with small fractions of charge-sharing events. These results demonstrate that further enhancement of the performance of CZT pixelated detectors and reduction of costs are possible by using high spatial-resolution position information of interaction points to correct the small-scale response non-uniformities caused by crystal defects present in most devices.« less

Pixelated coatings and advanced IR coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradal, Fabien; Portier, Benjamin; Oussalah, Meihdi; Leplan, Hervé

2017-09-01

Reosc developed pixelated infrared coatings on detector. Reosc manufactured thick pixelated multilayer stacks on IR-focal plane arrays for bi-spectral imaging systems, demonstrating high filter performance, low crosstalk, and no deterioration of the device sensitivities. More recently, a 5-pixel filter matrix was designed and fabricated. Recent developments in pixelated coatings, shows that high performance infrared filters can be coated directly on detector for multispectral imaging. Next generation space instrument can benefit from this technology to reduce their weight and consumptions.

High-definition vs. standard-definition colonoscopy in the characterization of small colonic polyps: results from a randomized trial.

PubMed

Longcroft-Wheaton, G; Brown, J; Cowlishaw, D; Higgins, B; Bhandari, P

2012-10-01

The resolution of endoscopes has increased in recent years. Modern Fujinon colonoscopes have a charge-coupled device (CCD) pixel density of 650,000 pixels compared with the 410,000 pixel CCD in standard-definition scopes. Acquiring high-definition scopes represents a significant capital investment and their clinical value remains uncertain. The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of high-definition endoscopes on the in vivo histology prediction of colonic polyps. Colonoscopy procedures were performed using Fujinon colonoscopes and EPX-4400 processor. Procedures were randomized to be performed using either a standard-definition EC-530 colonoscope or high-definition EC-530 and EC-590 colonoscopes. Polyps of <10 mm were assessed using both white light imaging (WLI) and flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE), and the predicted diagnosis was recorded. Polyps were removed and sent for histological analysis by a pathologist who was blinded to the endoscopic diagnosis. The predicted diagnosis was compared with the histology to calculate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of in vivo assessment using either standard or high-definition scopes. A total of 293 polyps of <10 mm were examined–150 polyps using the standard-definition colonoscope and 143 polyps using high-definition colonoscopes. There was no difference in sensitivity, specificity or accuracy between the two scopes when WLI was used (standard vs. high: accuracy 70% [95% CI 62–77] vs. 73% [95% CI 65–80]; P=0.61). When FICE was used, high-definition colonoscopes showed a sensitivity of 93% compared with 83% for standard-definition colonoscopes (P=0.048); specificity was 81% and 82%, respectively. There was no difference between high- and standard-definition colonoscopes when white light was used, but FICE significantly improved the in vivo diagnosis of small polyps when high-definition scopes were used compared with standard definition.

Controlled power delivery for super-resolution imaging of biological samples using digital micromirror device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valiya Peedikakkal, Liyana; Cadby, Ashley

2017-02-01

Localization based super resolution images of a biological sample is generally achieved by using high power laser illumination with long exposure time which unfortunately increases photo-toxicity of a sample, making super resolution microscopy, in general, incompatible with live cell imaging. Furthermore, the limitation of photobleaching reduces the ability to acquire time lapse images of live biological cells using fluorescence microscopy. Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology can deliver light at grey scale levels by flickering digital micromirrors at around 290 Hz enabling highly controlled power delivery to samples. In this work, Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) is implemented in an inverse Schiefspiegler telescope setup to control the power and pattern of illumination for super resolution microscopy. We can achieve spatial and temporal patterning of illumination by controlling the DMD pixel by pixel. The DMD allows us to control the power and spatial extent of the laser illumination. We have used this to show that we can reduce the power delivered to the sample to allow for longer time imaging in one area while achieving sub-diffraction STORM imaging in another using higher power densities.

High dynamic range pixel architecture for advanced diagnostic medical x-ray imaging applications

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

Izadi, Mohammad Hadi; Karim, Karim S.

2006-05-15

The most widely used architecture in large-area amorphous silicon (a-Si) flat panel imagers is a passive pixel sensor (PPS), which consists of a detector and a readout switch. While the PPS has the advantage of being compact and amenable toward high-resolution imaging, small PPS output signals are swamped by external column charge amplifier and data line thermal noise, which reduce the minimum readable sensor input signal. In contrast to PPS circuits, on-pixel amplifiers in a-Si technology reduce readout noise to levels that can meet even the stringent requirements for low noise digital x-ray fluoroscopy (<1000 noise electrons). However, larger voltagesmore » at the pixel input cause the output of the amplified pixel to become nonlinear thus reducing the dynamic range. We reported a hybrid amplified pixel architecture based on a combination of PPS and amplified pixel designs that, in addition to low noise performance, also resulted in large-signal linearity and consequently higher dynamic range [K. S. Karim et al., Proc. SPIE 5368, 657 (2004)]. The additional benefit in large-signal linearity, however, came at the cost of an additional pixel transistor. We present an amplified pixel design that achieves the goals of low noise performance and large-signal linearity without the need for an additional pixel transistor. Theoretical calculations and simulation results for noise indicate the applicability of the amplified a-Si pixel architecture for high dynamic range, medical x-ray imaging applications that require switching between low exposure, real-time fluoroscopy and high-exposure radiography.« less

Detector motion method to increase spatial resolution in photon-counting detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Daehee; Park, Kyeongjin; Lim, Kyung Taek; Cho, Gyuseong

2017-03-01

Medical imaging requires high spatial resolution of an image to identify fine lesions. Photon-counting detectors in medical imaging have recently been rapidly replacing energy-integrating detectors due to the former`s high spatial resolution, high efficiency and low noise. Spatial resolution in a photon counting image is determined by the pixel size. Therefore, the smaller the pixel size, the higher the spatial resolution that can be obtained in an image. However, detector redesigning is required to reduce pixel size, and an expensive fine process is required to integrate a signal processing unit with reduced pixel size. Furthermore, as the pixel size decreases, charge sharing severely deteriorates spatial resolution. To increase spatial resolution, we propose a detector motion method using a large pixel detector that is less affected by charge sharing. To verify the proposed method, we utilized a UNO-XRI photon-counting detector (1-mm CdTe, Timepix chip) at the maximum X-ray tube voltage of 80 kVp. A similar spatial resolution of a 55- μm-pixel image was achieved by application of the proposed method to a 110- μm-pixel detector with a higher signal-to-noise ratio. The proposed method could be a way to increase spatial resolution without a pixel redesign when pixels severely suffer from charge sharing as pixel size is reduced.

Method and apparatus for optical Doppler tomographic imaging of fluid flow velocity in highly scattering media

DOEpatents

Nelson, John Stuart; Milner, Thomas Edward; Chen, Zhongping

1999-01-01

Optical Doppler tomography permits imaging of fluid flow velocity in highly scattering media. The tomography system combines Doppler velocimetry with high spatial resolution of partially coherent optical interferometry to measure fluid flow velocity at discrete spatial locations. Noninvasive in vivo imaging of blood flow dynamics and tissue structures with high spatial resolutions of the order of 2 to 10 microns is achieved in biological systems. The backscattered interference signals derived from the interferometer may be analyzed either through power spectrum determination to obtain the position and velocity of each particle in the fluid flow sample at each pixel, or the interference spectral density may be analyzed at each frequency in the spectrum to obtain the positions and velocities of the particles in a cross-section to which the interference spectral density corresponds. The realized resolutions of optical Doppler tomography allows noninvasive in vivo imaging of both blood microcirculation and tissue structure surrounding the vessel which has significance for biomedical research and clinical applications.

Multi-species genetic connectivity in a terrestrial habitat network.

PubMed

Marrotte, Robby R; Bowman, Jeff; Brown, Michael G C; Cordes, Chad; Morris, Kimberley Y; Prentice, Melanie B; Wilson, Paul J

2017-01-01

Habitat fragmentation reduces genetic connectivity for multiple species, yet conservation efforts tend to rely heavily on single-species connectivity estimates to inform land-use planning. Such conservation activities may benefit from multi-species connectivity estimates, which provide a simple and practical means to mitigate the effects of habitat fragmentation for a larger number of species. To test the validity of a multi-species connectivity model, we used neutral microsatellite genetic datasets of Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis ), American marten ( Martes americana ), fisher ( Pekania pennanti ), and southern flying squirrel ( Glaucomys volans ) to evaluate multi-species genetic connectivity across Ontario, Canada. We used linear models to compare node-based estimates of genetic connectivity for each species to point-based estimates of landscape connectivity (current density) derived from circuit theory. To our knowledge, we are the first to evaluate current density as a measure of genetic connectivity. Our results depended on landscape context: habitat amount was more important than current density in explaining multi-species genetic connectivity in the northern part of our study area, where habitat was abundant and fragmentation was low. In the south however, where fragmentation was prevalent, genetic connectivity was correlated with current density. Contrary to our expectations however, locations with a high probability of movement as reflected by high current density were negatively associated with gene flow. Subsequent analyses of circuit theory outputs showed that high current density was also associated with high effective resistance, underscoring that the presence of pinch points is not necessarily indicative of gene flow. Overall, our study appears to provide support for the hypothesis that landscape pattern is important when habitat amount is low. We also conclude that while current density is proportional to the probability of movement per unit area, this does not imply increased gene flow, since high current density tends to be a result of neighbouring pixels with high cost of movement (e.g., low habitat amount). In other words, pinch points with high current density appear to constrict gene flow.

Resolution studies with the DATURA beam telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jansen, H.

2016-12-01

Detailed studies of the resolution of a EUDET-type beam telescope are carried out using the DATURA beam telescope as an example. The EUDET-type beam telescopes make use of CMOS MIMOSA 26 pixel detectors for particle tracking allowing for precise characterisation of particle-sensing devices. A profound understanding of the performance of the beam telescope as a whole is obtained by a detailed characterisation of the sensors themselves. The differential intrinsic resolution as measured in a MIMOSA 26 sensor is extracted using an iterative pull method, and various quantities that depend on the size of the cluster produced by a traversing charged particle are discussed: the residual distribution, the intra-pixel residual-width distribution and the intra-pixel density distribution of track incident positions.

A comparison of the accuracy of pixel based and object based classifications of integrated optical and LiDAR data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gajda, Agnieszka; Wójtowicz-Nowakowska, Anna

2013-04-01

A comparison of the accuracy of pixel based and object based classifications of integrated optical and LiDAR data Land cover maps are generally produced on the basis of high resolution imagery. Recently, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data have been brought into use in diverse applications including land cover mapping. In this study we attempted to assess the accuracy of land cover classification using both high resolution aerial imagery and LiDAR data (airborne laser scanning, ALS), testing two classification approaches: a pixel-based classification and object-oriented image analysis (OBIA). The study was conducted on three test areas (3 km2 each) in the administrative area of Kraków, Poland, along the course of the Vistula River. They represent three different dominating land cover types of the Vistula River valley. Test site 1 had a semi-natural vegetation, with riparian forests and shrubs, test site 2 represented a densely built-up area, and test site 3 was an industrial site. Point clouds from ALS and ortophotomaps were both captured in November 2007. Point cloud density was on average 16 pt/m2 and it contained additional information about intensity and encoded RGB values. Ortophotomaps had a spatial resolution of 10 cm. From point clouds two raster maps were generated: intensity (1) and (2) normalised Digital Surface Model (nDSM), both with the spatial resolution of 50 cm. To classify the aerial data, a supervised classification approach was selected. Pixel based classification was carried out in ERDAS Imagine software. Ortophotomaps and intensity and nDSM rasters were used in classification. 15 homogenous training areas representing each cover class were chosen. Classified pixels were clumped to avoid salt and pepper effect. Object oriented image object classification was carried out in eCognition software, which implements both the optical and ALS data. Elevation layers (intensity, firs/last reflection, etc.) were used at segmentation stage due to proper wages usage. Thus a more precise and unambiguous boundaries of segments (objects) were received. As a results of the classification 5 classes of land cover (buildings, water, high and low vegetation and others) were extracted. Both pixel-based image analysis and OBIA were conducted with a minimum mapping unit of 10m2. Results were validated on the basis on manual classification and random points (80 per test area), reference data set was manually interpreted using ortophotomaps and expert knowledge of the test site areas.

Comparison of high resolution x-ray detectors with conventional FPDs using experimental MTFs and apodized aperture pixel design for reduced aliasing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shankar, A.; Russ, M.; Vijayan, S.; Bednarek, D. R.; Rudin, S.

2017-03-01

Apodized Aperture Pixel (AAP) design, proposed by Ismailova et.al, is an alternative to the conventional pixel design. The advantages of AAP processing with a sinc filter in comparison with using other filters include non-degradation of MTF values and elimination of signal and noise aliasing, resulting in an increased performance at higher frequencies, approaching the Nyquist frequency. If high resolution small field-of-view (FOV) detectors with small pixels used during critical stages of Endovascular Image Guided Interventions (EIGIs) could also be extended to cover a full field-of-view typical of flat panel detectors (FPDs) and made to have larger effective pixels, then methods must be used to preserve the MTF over the frequency range up to the Nyquist frequency of the FPD while minimizing aliasing. In this work, we convolve the experimentally measured MTFs of an Microangiographic Fluoroscope (MAF) detector, (the MAF-CCD with 35μm pixels) and a High Resolution Fluoroscope (HRF) detector (HRF-CMOS50 with 49.5μm pixels) with the AAP filter and show the superiority of the results compared to MTFs resulting from moving average pixel binning and to the MTF of a standard FPD. The effect of using AAP is also shown in the spatial domain, when used to image an infinitely small point object. For detectors in neurovascular interventions, where high resolution is the priority during critical parts of the intervention, but full FOV with larger pixels are needed during less critical parts, AAP design provides an alternative to simple pixel binning while effectively eliminating signal and noise aliasing yet allowing the small FOV high resolution imaging to be maintained during critical parts of the EIGI.

Development of n+-in-p planar pixel sensors for extremely high radiation environments, designed to retain high efficiency after irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Unno, Y.; Kamada, S.; Yamamura, K.; Ikegami, Y.; Nakamura, K.; Takubo, Y.; Takashima, R.; Tojo, J.; Kono, T.; Hanagaki, K.; Yajima, K.; Yamauchi, Y.; Hirose, M.; Homma, Y.; Jinnouchi, O.; Kimura, K.; Motohashi, K.; Sato, S.; Sawai, H.; Todome, K.; Yamaguchi, D.; Hara, K.; Sato, Kz.; Sato, Kj.; Hagihara, M.; Iwabuchi, S.

2016-09-01

We have developed n+-in-p pixel sensors to obtain highly radiation tolerant sensors for extremely high radiation environments such as those found at the high-luminosity LHC. We have designed novel pixel structures to eliminate the sources of efficiency loss under the bias rails after irradiation by removing the bias rail out of the boundary region and routing the bias resistors inside the area of the pixel electrodes. After irradiation by protons with the fluence of approximately 3 ×1015neq /cm2, the pixel structure with the polysilicon bias resistor and the bias rails removed far away from the boundary shows an efficiency loss of < 0.5 % per pixel at the boundary region, which is as efficient as the pixel structure without a biasing structure. The pixel structure with the bias rails at the boundary and the widened p-stop's underneath the bias rail also exhibits an improved loss of approximately 1% per pixel at the boundary region. We have elucidated the physical mechanisms behind the efficiency loss under the bias rail with TCAD simulations. The efficiency loss is due to the interplay of the bias rail acting as a charge collecting electrode with the region of low electric field in the silicon near the surface at the boundary. The region acts as a "shield" for the electrode. After irradiation, the strong applied electric field nearly eliminates the region. The TCAD simulations have shown that wide p-stop and large Si-SiO2 interface charge (inversion layer, specifically) act to shield the weighting potential. The pixel sensor of the old design irradiated by γ-rays at 2.4 MGy is confirmed to exhibit only a slight efficiency loss at the boundary.

The Nonsubsampled Contourlet Transform Based Statistical Medical Image Fusion Using Generalized Gaussian Density

PubMed Central

Yang, Guocheng; Li, Meiling; Chen, Leiting; Yu, Jie

2015-01-01

We propose a novel medical image fusion scheme based on the statistical dependencies between coefficients in the nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) domain, in which the probability density function of the NSCT coefficients is concisely fitted using generalized Gaussian density (GGD), as well as the similarity measurement of two subbands is accurately computed by Jensen-Shannon divergence of two GGDs. To preserve more useful information from source images, the new fusion rules are developed to combine the subbands with the varied frequencies. That is, the low frequency subbands are fused by utilizing two activity measures based on the regional standard deviation and Shannon entropy and the high frequency subbands are merged together via weight maps which are determined by the saliency values of pixels. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms the conventional NSCT based medical image fusion approaches in both visual perception and evaluation indices. PMID:26557871

Method and apparatus of high dynamic range image sensor with individual pixel reset

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yadid-Pecht, Orly (Inventor); Pain, Bedabrata (Inventor); Fossum, Eric R. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

A wide dynamic range image sensor provides individual pixel reset to vary the integration time of individual pixels. The integration time of each pixel is controlled by column and row reset control signals which activate a logical reset transistor only when both signals coincide for a given pixel.

High stroke pixel for a deformable mirror

DOEpatents

Miles, Robin R.; Papavasiliou, Alexandros P.

2005-09-20

A mirror pixel that can be fabricated using standard MEMS methods for a deformable mirror. The pixel is electrostatically actuated and is capable of the high deflections needed for spaced-based mirror applications. In one embodiment, the mirror comprises three layers, a top or mirror layer, a middle layer which consists of flexures, and a comb drive layer, with the flexures of the middle layer attached to the mirror layer and to the comb drive layer. The comb drives are attached to a frame via spring flexures. A number of these mirror pixels can be used to construct a large mirror assembly. The actuator for the mirror pixel may be configured as a crenellated beam with one end fixedly secured, or configured as a scissor jack. The mirror pixels may be used in various applications requiring high stroke adaptive optics.

Development of a 300,000-pixel ultrahigh-speed high-sensitivity CCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohtake, H.; Hayashida, T.; Kitamura, K.; Arai, T.; Yonai, J.; Tanioka, K.; Maruyama, H.; Etoh, T. Goji; Poggemann, D.; Ruckelshausen, A.; van Kuijk, H.; Bosiers, Jan T.

2006-02-01

We are developing an ultrahigh-speed, high-sensitivity broadcast camera that is capable of capturing clear, smooth slow-motion videos even where lighting is limited, such as at professional baseball games played at night. In earlier work, we developed an ultrahigh-speed broadcast color camera1) using three 80,000-pixel ultrahigh-speed, highsensitivity CCDs2). This camera had about ten times the sensitivity of standard high-speed cameras, and enabled an entirely new style of presentation for sports broadcasts and science programs. Most notably, increasing the pixel count is crucially important for applying ultrahigh-speed, high-sensitivity CCDs to HDTV broadcasting. This paper provides a summary of our experimental development aimed at improving the resolution of CCD even further: a new ultrahigh-speed high-sensitivity CCD that increases the pixel count four-fold to 300,000 pixels.

Penrose high-dynamic-range imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jia; Bai, Chenyan; Lin, Zhouchen; Yu, Jian

2016-05-01

High-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging is becoming increasingly popular and widespread. The most common multishot HDR approach, based on multiple low-dynamic-range images captured with different exposures, has difficulties in handling camera and object movements. The spatially varying exposures (SVE) technology provides a solution to overcome this limitation by obtaining multiple exposures of the scene in only one shot but suffers from a loss in spatial resolution of the captured image. While aperiodic assignment of exposures has been shown to be advantageous during reconstruction in alleviating resolution loss, almost all the existing imaging sensors use the square pixel layout, which is a periodic tiling of square pixels. We propose the Penrose pixel layout, using pixels in aperiodic rhombus Penrose tiling, for HDR imaging. With the SVE technology, Penrose pixel layout has both exposure and pixel aperiodicities. To investigate its performance, we have to reconstruct HDR images in square pixel layout from Penrose raw images with SVE. Since the two pixel layouts are different, the traditional HDR reconstruction methods are not applicable. We develop a reconstruction method for Penrose pixel layout using a Gaussian mixture model for regularization. Both quantitative and qualitative results show the superiority of Penrose pixel layout over square pixel layout.

Joint spatial-spectral hyperspectral image clustering using block-diagonal amplified affinity matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Lei; Messinger, David W.

2018-03-01

The large number of spectral channels in a hyperspectral image (HSI) produces a fine spectral resolution to differentiate between materials in a scene. However, difficult classes that have similar spectral signatures are often confused while merely exploiting information in the spectral domain. Therefore, in addition to spectral characteristics, the spatial relationships inherent in HSIs should also be considered for incorporation into classifiers. The growing availability of high spectral and spatial resolution of remote sensors provides rich information for image clustering. Besides the discriminating power in the rich spectrum, contextual information can be extracted from the spatial domain, such as the size and the shape of the structure to which one pixel belongs. In recent years, spectral clustering has gained popularity compared to other clustering methods due to the difficulty of accurate statistical modeling of data in high dimensional space. The joint spatial-spectral information could be effectively incorporated into the proximity graph for spectral clustering approach, which provides a better data representation by discovering the inherent lower dimensionality from the input space. We embedded both spectral and spatial information into our proposed local density adaptive affinity matrix, which is able to handle multiscale data by automatically selecting the scale of analysis for every pixel according to its neighborhood of the correlated pixels. Furthermore, we explored the "conductivity method," which aims at amplifying the block diagonal structure of the affinity matrix to further improve the performance of spectral clustering on HSI datasets.

An Algorithm of an X-ray Hit Allocation to a Single Pixel in a Cluster and Its Test-Circuit Implementation

DOE PAGES

Deptuch, Grzegorz W.; Fahim, Farah; Grybos, Pawel; ...

2017-06-28

An on-chip implementable algorithm for allocation of an X-ray photon imprint, called a hit, to a single pixel in the presence of charge sharing in a highly segmented pixel detector is described. Its proof-of-principle implementation is also given supported by the results of tests using a highly collimated X-ray photon beam from a synchrotron source. The algorithm handles asynchronous arrivals of X-ray photons. Activation of groups of pixels, comparisons of peak amplitudes of pulses within an active neighborhood and finally latching of the results of these comparisons constitute the three procedural steps of the algorithm. A grouping of pixels tomore » one virtual pixel, that recovers composite signals and event driven strobes, to control comparisons of fractional signals between neighboring pixels are the actuators of the algorithm. The circuitry necessary to implement the algorithm requires an extensive inter-pixel connection grid of analog and digital signals, that are exchanged between pixels. A test-circuit implementation of the algorithm was achieved with a small array of 32 × 32 pixels and the device was exposed to an 8 keV highly collimated to a diameter of 3-μm X-ray beam. Furthermore, the results of these tests are given in this paper assessing physical implementation of the algorithm.« less

High-voltage pixel sensors for ATLAS upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perić, I.; Kreidl, C.; Fischer, P.; Bompard, F.; Breugnon, P.; Clemens, J.-C.; Fougeron, D.; Liu, J.; Pangaud, P.; Rozanov, A.; Barbero, M.; Feigl, S.; Capeans, M.; Ferrere, D.; Pernegger, H.; Ristic, B.; Muenstermann, D.; Gonzalez Sevilla, S.; La Rosa, A.; Miucci, A.; Nessi, M.; Iacobucci, G.; Backhaus, M.; Hügging, Fabian; Krüger, H.; Hemperek, T.; Obermann, T.; Wermes, N.; Garcia-Sciveres, M.; Quadt, A.; Weingarten, J.; George, M.; Grosse-Knetter, J.; Rieger, J.; Bates, R.; Blue, A.; Buttar, C.; Hynds, D.

2014-11-01

The high-voltage (HV-) CMOS pixel sensors offer several good properties: a fast charge collection by drift, the possibility to implement relatively complex CMOS in-pixel electronics and the compatibility with commercial processes. The sensor element is a deep n-well diode in a p-type substrate. The n-well contains CMOS pixel electronics. The main charge collection mechanism is drift in a shallow, high field region, which leads to a fast charge collection and a high radiation tolerance. We are currently evaluating the use of the high-voltage detectors implemented in 180 nm HV-CMOS technology for the high-luminosity ATLAS upgrade. Our approach is replacing the existing pixel and strip sensors with the CMOS sensors while keeping the presently used readout ASICs. By intelligence we mean the ability of the sensor to recognize a particle hit and generate the address information. In this way we could benefit from the advantages of the HV sensor technology such as lower cost, lower mass, lower operating voltage, smaller pitch, smaller clusters at high incidence angles. Additionally we expect to achieve a radiation hardness necessary for ATLAS upgrade. In order to test the concept, we have designed two HV-CMOS prototypes that can be readout in two ways: using pixel and strip readout chips. In the case of the pixel readout, the connection between HV-CMOS sensor and the readout ASIC can be established capacitively.

Pixelated transmission-mode diamond X-ray detector

PubMed Central

Zhou, Tianyi; Ding, Wenxiang; Gaowei, Mengjia; De Geronimo, Gianluigi; Bohon, Jen; Smedley, John; Muller, Erik

2015-01-01

Fabrication and testing of a prototype transmission-mode pixelated diamond X-ray detector (pitch size 60–100 µm), designed to simultaneously measure the flux, position and morphology of an X-ray beam in real time, are described. The pixel density is achieved by lithographically patterning vertical stripes on the front and horizontal stripes on the back of an electronic-grade chemical vapor deposition single-crystal diamond. The bias is rotated through the back horizontal stripes and the current is read out on the front vertical stripes at a rate of ∼1 kHz, which leads to an image sampling rate of ∼30 Hz. This novel signal readout scheme was tested at beamline X28C at the National Synchrotron Light Source (white beam, 5–15 keV) and at beamline G3 at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (monochromatic beam, 11.3 keV) with incident beam flux ranges from 1.8 × 10−2 to 90 W mm−2. Test results show that the novel detector provides precise beam position (positional noise within 1%) and morphology information (error within 2%), with an additional software-controlled single channel mode providing accurate flux measurement (fluctuation within 1%). PMID:26524304

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

Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.; Cui, Y.

Following our successful demonstration of the position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid detectors, we investigated the feasibility of using high-granularity position sensing to correct response non-uniformities caused by the crystal defects in CdZnTe (CZT) pixelated detectors. The development of high-granularity detectors able to correct response non-uniformities on a scale comparable to the size of electron clouds opens the opportunity of using unselected off-the-shelf CZT material, whilst still assuring high spectral resolution for the majority of the detectors fabricated from an ingot. Here, we present the results from testing 3D position-sensitive 15×15×10 mm 3 pixelated detectors, fabricated with conventional pixel patterns with progressively smallermore » pixel sizes: 1.4, 0.8, and 0.5 mm. We employed the readout system based on the H3D front-end multi-channel ASIC developed by BNL's Instrumentation Division in collaboration with the University of Michigan. We use the sharing of electron clouds among several adjacent pixels to measure locations of interaction points with sub-pixel resolution. By using the detectors with small-pixel sizes and a high probability of the charge-sharing events, we were able to improve their spectral resolutions in comparison to the baseline levels, measured for the 1.4-mm pixel size detectors with small fractions of charge-sharing events. These results demonstrate that further enhancement of the performance of CZT pixelated detectors and reduction of costs are possible by using high spatial-resolution position information of interaction points to correct the small-scale response non-uniformities caused by crystal defects present in most devices.« less

High-speed spectral nanocytology for early cancer screening

PubMed Central

Subramanian, Hariharan; Maneval, Charles D.; White, Craig A.; Levenson, Richard M.; Backman, Vadim

2013-01-01

Abstract. High-throughput partial wave spectroscopy (HTPWS) is introduced as a high-speed spectral nanocytology technique that utilizes the field effect of carcinogenesis to perform minimally invasive cancer screening on at-risk populations. HTPWS uses fully automated hardware and an acousto-optic tunable filter to scan slides at low magnification, to select cells, and to rapidly acquire spectra at each spatial pixel in a cell between 450 and 700 nm, completing measurements of 30 cells in 40 min. Statistical quantitative analysis on the size and density of intracellular nanostructures extracted from the spectra at each pixel in a cell yields the diagnostic biomarker, disorder strength (Ld). Linear correlation between Ld and the length scale of nanostructures was measured in phantoms with R2=0.93. Diagnostic sensitivity was demonstrated by measuring significantly higher Ld from a human colon cancer cell line (HT29 control vector) than a less aggressive variant (epidermal growth factor receptor knockdown). Clinical diagnostic performance for lung cancer screening was tested on 23 patients, yielding a significant difference in Ld between smokers and cancer patients, p=0.02 and effect size=1.00. The high-throughput performance, nanoscale sensitivity, and diagnostic sensitivity make HTPWS a potentially clinically relevant modality for risk stratification of the large populations at risk of developing cancer. PMID:24193949

G-Channel Restoration for RWB CFA with Double-Exposed W Channel

PubMed Central

Park, Chulhee; Song, Ki Sun; Kang, Moon Gi

2017-01-01

In this paper, we propose a green (G)-channel restoration for a red–white–blue (RWB) color filter array (CFA) image sensor using the dual sampling technique. By using white (W) pixels instead of G pixels, the RWB CFA provides high-sensitivity imaging and an improved signal-to-noise ratio compared to the Bayer CFA. However, owing to this high sensitivity, the W pixel values become rapidly over-saturated before the red–blue (RB) pixel values reach the appropriate levels. Because the missing G color information included in the W channel cannot be restored with a saturated W, multiple captures with dual sampling are necessary to solve this early W-pixel saturation problem. Each W pixel has a different exposure time when compared to those of the R and B pixels, because the W pixels are double-exposed. Therefore, a RWB-to-RGB color conversion method is required in order to restore the G color information, using a double-exposed W channel. The proposed G-channel restoration algorithm restores G color information from the W channel by considering the energy difference caused by the different exposure times. Using the proposed method, the RGB full-color image can be obtained while maintaining the high-sensitivity characteristic of the W pixels. PMID:28165425

G-Channel Restoration for RWB CFA with Double-Exposed W Channel.

PubMed

Park, Chulhee; Song, Ki Sun; Kang, Moon Gi

2017-02-05

In this paper, we propose a green (G)-channel restoration for a red-white-blue (RWB) color filter array (CFA) image sensor using the dual sampling technique. By using white (W) pixels instead of G pixels, the RWB CFA provides high-sensitivity imaging and an improved signal-to-noise ratio compared to the Bayer CFA. However, owing to this high sensitivity, the W pixel values become rapidly over-saturated before the red-blue (RB) pixel values reach the appropriate levels. Because the missing G color information included in the W channel cannot be restored with a saturated W, multiple captures with dual sampling are necessary to solve this early W-pixel saturation problem. Each W pixel has a different exposure time when compared to those of the R and B pixels, because the W pixels are double-exposed. Therefore, a RWB-to-RGB color conversion method is required in order to restore the G color information, using a double-exposed W channel. The proposed G-channel restoration algorithm restores G color information from the W channel by considering the energy difference caused by the different exposure times. Using the proposed method, the RGB full-color image can be obtained while maintaining the high-sensitivity characteristic of the W pixels.

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

Deptuch, G. W.; Fahim, F.; Grybos, P.

An on-chip implementable algorithm for allocation of an X-ray photon imprint, called a hit, to a single pixel in the presence of charge sharing in a highly segmented pixel detector is described. Its proof-of-principle implementation is also given supported by the results of tests using a highly collimated X-ray photon beam from a synchrotron source. The algorithm handles asynchronous arrivals of X-ray photons. Activation of groups of pixels, comparisons of peak amplitudes of pulses within an active neighborhood and finally latching of the results of these comparisons constitute the three procedural steps of the algorithm. A grouping of pixels tomore » one virtual pixel that recovers composite signals and event driven strobes to control comparisons of fractional signals between neighboring pixels are the actuators of the algorithm. The circuitry necessary to implement the algorithm requires an extensive inter-pixel connection grid of analog and digital signals that are exchanged between pixels. A test-circuit implementation of the algorithm was achieved with a small array of 32×32 pixels and the device was exposed to an 8 keV highly collimated to a diameter of 3 μm X-ray beam. The results of these tests are given in the paper assessing physical implementation of the algorithm.« less

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

Deptuch, Grzegorz W.; Fahim, Farah; Grybos, Pawel

An on-chip implementable algorithm for allocation of an X-ray photon imprint, called a hit, to a single pixel in the presence of charge sharing in a highly segmented pixel detector is described. Its proof-of-principle implementation is also given supported by the results of tests using a highly collimated X-ray photon beam from a synchrotron source. The algorithm handles asynchronous arrivals of X-ray photons. Activation of groups of pixels, comparisons of peak amplitudes of pulses within an active neighborhood and finally latching of the results of these comparisons constitute the three procedural steps of the algorithm. A grouping of pixels tomore » one virtual pixel, that recovers composite signals and event driven strobes, to control comparisons of fractional signals between neighboring pixels are the actuators of the algorithm. The circuitry necessary to implement the algorithm requires an extensive inter-pixel connection grid of analog and digital signals, that are exchanged between pixels. A test-circuit implementation of the algorithm was achieved with a small array of 32 × 32 pixels and the device was exposed to an 8 keV highly collimated to a diameter of 3-μm X-ray beam. Furthermore, the results of these tests are given in this paper assessing physical implementation of the algorithm.« less

Polyfluorene light-emitting devices and amorphous silicon:hydrogen TFT pixel circuits for active-matrix organic light-emitting displays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Yi

2000-10-01

Organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) made of single-layer and double-layer polymer thin films have been fabricated and studied. The hole transporting (polymer A) and emissive (polymer B) polymers were poly(9,9' -dioctyl fluorene-2,7-diyl)-co-poly(diphenyl-p-tolyl-amine-4,4 '-diyl) and poly(9,9'-dioctyl fluorene-2,7-diyl)-co-poly(benzothiadiazole 2,5-diyl), respectively. The optical bandgaps of polymer A and B were 2.72 and 2.82 eV, respectively. The photoluminescence (PL) peaks for polymer A and B were 502 and 546 nm, respectively. The electroluminescence (EL) peak for polymer B was 547 nm. No EL has been observed from polymer A single layer OLEDs. To obtain the spectral distribution of the emission properties of the light-emitting devices, a new light-output measurement technique was developed. Using this technique, the spectral distribution of the luminance, radiance, photon density emission can be obtained. Moreover, the device external quantum efficiency calculated using this technique is accurate and insensitive to the light emission spectrum shape. Organic light-emitting devices have been fabricated and studied on both glass and flexible plastic substrates. The OLEDs showed a near-linear relationship between the luminance and the applied current density over four orders of magnitude. For the OLEDs fabricated on the glass substrate, luminance ˜9,300 cd/m2, emission efficiency ˜14.5 cd/A, luminescence power efficiency ˜2.26 lm/W, and external quantum efficiency ˜3.85% have been achieved. For the OLEDs fabricated on the flexible plastic substrates, both aluminum and calcium were used as cathode materials. The achieved maximum OLED luminance, emission efficiency, luminescence power efficiency, and external quantum efficiency were ˜13,000 cd/m2, ˜66.1 cd/A, ˜17.2 lm/W, and 16.7%, respectively. To make an active-matrix organic light-emitting display (AM-OLED), a two-TFT pixel electrode circuit was designed and fabricated based on amorphous silicon TFT technology. This circuit was capable of providing continuous pixel excitation and a simple driving scheme. However, it showed an output current variation of ˜40% to 80% due to the drive TFT threshold voltage (V th) shift after long-term operation. To improve the pixel circuit electrical reliability, a four-TFT pixel electrode circuit was proposed and fabricated. This circuit only showed an output current variation <1% for the high currents (>0.5muA) even when a TFT Vth shift as large as 3V was present. This four-TFT pixel electrode circuit was used to fabricate small size active-matrix monochrome organic light-emitting display.

A Closer Look at the Congo and the Lightning Maximum on Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blakeslee, R. J.; Buechler, D. E.; Lavreau, Johan; Goodman, Steven J.

2008-01-01

The global maps of maximum mean annual flash density derived from a decade of observations from the Lightning Imaging Sensor on the NASA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite show that a 0.5 degree x 0.5 degree pixel west of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (latitude 2S, longitude 28E) has the most frequent lightning activity anywhere on earth with an average value in excess of 157 fl/sq km/yr. This pixel has a flash density that is much greater than even its surrounding neighbors. By contrast the maximum mean annual flash rate for North America located in central Florida is only 33 fl/sq km/yr. Previous studies have shown that monthly-seasonal-annual lightning maxima on earth occur in regions dominated by coastal (land-sea breeze interactions) or topographic influences (elevated heat sources, enhanced convergence). Using TRMM, Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper, and Shuttle Imaging Radar imagery we further examine the unique features of this region situated in the deep tropics and dominated by a complex topography having numerous mountain ridges and valleys to better understand why this pixel, unlike any other, has the most active lightning on the planet.

Study of sub-pixel position resolution with time-correlated transient signals in 3D pixelated CdZnTe detectors with varying pixel sizes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ocampo Giraldo, L.; Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.; De Geronimo, G.; Fried, J.; Gul, R.; Hodges, D.; Hossain, A.; Ünlü, K.; Vernon, E.; Yang, G.; James, R. B.

2018-03-01

We evaluated the sub-pixel position resolution achievable in large-volume CdZnTe pixelated detectors with conventional pixel patterns and for several different pixel sizes: 2.8 mm, 1.72 mm, 1.4 mm and 0.8 mm. Achieving position resolution below the physical dimensions of pixels (sub-pixel resolution) is a practical path for making high-granularity position-sensitive detectors, <100 μm, using a limited number of pixels dictated by the mechanical constraints and multi-channel readout electronics. High position sensitivity is important for improving the imaging capability of CZT gamma cameras. It also allows for making more accurate corrections of response non-uniformities caused by crystal defects, thus enabling use of standard-grade (unselected) and less expensive CZT crystals for producing large-volume position-sensitive CZT detectors feasible for many practical applications. We analyzed the digitized charge signals from a representative 9 pixels and the cathode, generated using a pulsed-laser light beam focused down to 10 μm (650 nm) to scan over a selected 3 × 3 pixel area. We applied our digital pulse processing technique to the time-correlated signals captured from adjacent pixels to achieve and evaluate the capability for sub-pixel position resolution. As an example, we also demonstrated an application of 3D corrections to improve the energy resolution and positional information of the events for the tested detectors.

Study of sub-pixel position resolution with time-correlated transient signals in 3D pixelated CdZnTe detectors with varying pixel sizes

DOE PAGES

Giraldo, L. Ocampo; Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.; ...

2017-12-18

Here, we evaluated the sub-pixel position resolution achievable in large-volume CdZnTe pixelated detectors with conventional pixel patterns and for several different pixel sizes: 2.8 mm, 1.72 mm, 1.4 mm and 0.8 mm. Achieving position resolution below the physical dimensions of pixels (sub-pixel resolution) is a practical path for making high-granularity position-sensitive detectors, <100 μμm, using a limited number of pixels dictated by the mechanical constraints and multi-channel readout electronics. High position sensitivity is important for improving the imaging capability of CZT gamma cameras. It also allows for making more accurate corrections of response non-uniformities caused by crystal defects, thus enablingmore » use of standard-grade (unselected) and less expensive CZT crystals for producing large-volume position-sensitive CZT detectors feasible for many practical applications. We analyzed the digitized charge signals from a representative 9 pixels and the cathode, generated using a pulsed-laser light beam focused down to 10 m (650 nm) to scan over a selected 3×3 pixel area. We applied our digital pulse processing technique to the time-correlated signals captured from adjacent pixels to achieve and evaluate the capability for sub-pixel position resolution. As an example, we also demonstrated an application of 3D corrections to improve the energy resolution and positional information of the events for the tested detectors.« less

Study of sub-pixel position resolution with time-correlated transient signals in 3D pixelated CdZnTe detectors with varying pixel sizes

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

Giraldo, L. Ocampo; Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.

Here, we evaluated the sub-pixel position resolution achievable in large-volume CdZnTe pixelated detectors with conventional pixel patterns and for several different pixel sizes: 2.8 mm, 1.72 mm, 1.4 mm and 0.8 mm. Achieving position resolution below the physical dimensions of pixels (sub-pixel resolution) is a practical path for making high-granularity position-sensitive detectors, <100 μμm, using a limited number of pixels dictated by the mechanical constraints and multi-channel readout electronics. High position sensitivity is important for improving the imaging capability of CZT gamma cameras. It also allows for making more accurate corrections of response non-uniformities caused by crystal defects, thus enablingmore » use of standard-grade (unselected) and less expensive CZT crystals for producing large-volume position-sensitive CZT detectors feasible for many practical applications. We analyzed the digitized charge signals from a representative 9 pixels and the cathode, generated using a pulsed-laser light beam focused down to 10 m (650 nm) to scan over a selected 3×3 pixel area. We applied our digital pulse processing technique to the time-correlated signals captured from adjacent pixels to achieve and evaluate the capability for sub-pixel position resolution. As an example, we also demonstrated an application of 3D corrections to improve the energy resolution and positional information of the events for the tested detectors.« less

Background-Oriented Schlieren for Large-Scale and High-Speed Aerodynamic Phenomena

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mizukaki, Toshiharu; Borg, Stephen; Danehy, Paul M.; Murman, Scott M.; Matsumura, Tomoharu; Wakabayashi, Kunihiko; Nakayama, Yoshio

2015-01-01

Visualization of the flow field around a generic re-entry capsule in subsonic flow and shock wave visualization with cylindrical explosives have been conducted to demonstrate sensitivity and applicability of background-oriented schlieren (BOS) for field experiments. The wind tunnel experiment suggests that BOS with a fine-pixel imaging device has a density change detection sensitivity on the order of 10(sup -5) in subsonic flow. In a laboratory setup, the structure of the shock waves generated by explosives have been successfully reconstructed by a computed tomography method combined with BOS.

Fabrication of Microstripline Wiring for Large Format Transition Edge Sensor Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chervenak, James A.; Adams, J. M.; Bailey, C. N.; Bandler, S.; Brekosky, R. P.; Eckart, M. E.; Erwin, A. E.; Finkbeiner, F. M.; Kelley, R. L.; Kilbourne, C. A.;

A functional hybrid memristor crossbar-array/CMOS system for data storage and neuromorphic applications.

PubMed

Kim, Kuk-Hwan; Gaba, Siddharth; Wheeler, Dana; Cruz-Albrecht, Jose M; Hussain, Tahir; Srinivasa, Narayan; Lu, Wei

2012-01-11

Crossbar arrays based on two-terminal resistive switches have been proposed as a leading candidate for future memory and logic applications. Here we demonstrate a high-density, fully operational hybrid crossbar/CMOS system composed of a transistor- and diode-less memristor crossbar array vertically integrated on top of a CMOS chip by taking advantage of the intrinsic nonlinear characteristics of the memristor element. The hybrid crossbar/CMOS system can reliably store complex binary and multilevel 1600 pixel bitmap images using a new programming scheme. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Methods of editing cloud and atmospheric layer affected pixels from satellite data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nixon, P. R. (Principal Investigator); Wiegand, C. L.; Richardson, A. J.; Johnson, M. P.; Goodier, B. G.

1981-01-01

The location and migration of cloud, land and water features were examined in spectral space (reflective VIS vs. emissive IR). Daytime HCMM data showed two distinct types of cloud affected pixels in the south Texas test area. High altitude cirrus and/or cirrostratus and "subvisible cirrus" (SCi) reflected the same or only slightly more than land features. In the emissive band, the digital counts ranged from 1 to over 75 and overlapped land features. Pixels consisting of cumulus clouds, or of mixed cumulus and landscape, clustered in a different area of spectral space than the high altitude cloud pixels. Cumulus affected pixels were more reflective than land and water pixels. In August the high altitude clouds and SCi were more emissive than similar clouds were in July. Four-channel TIROS-N data were examined with the objective of developing a multispectral screening technique for removing SCi contaminated data.

An Over 90 dB Intra-Scene Single-Exposure Dynamic Range CMOS Image Sensor Using a 3.0 μm Triple-Gain Pixel Fabricated in a Standard BSI Process.

PubMed

Takayanagi, Isao; Yoshimura, Norio; Mori, Kazuya; Matsuo, Shinichiro; Tanaka, Shunsuke; Abe, Hirofumi; Yasuda, Naoto; Ishikawa, Kenichiro; Okura, Shunsuke; Ohsawa, Shinji; Otaka, Toshinori

2018-01-12

To respond to the high demand for high dynamic range imaging suitable for moving objects with few artifacts, we have developed a single-exposure dynamic range image sensor by introducing a triple-gain pixel and a low noise dual-gain readout circuit. The developed 3 μm pixel is capable of having three conversion gains. Introducing a new split-pinned photodiode structure, linear full well reaches 40 ke - . Readout noise under the highest pixel gain condition is 1 e - with a low noise readout circuit. Merging two signals, one with high pixel gain and high analog gain, and the other with low pixel gain and low analog gain, a single exposure dynamic rage (SEHDR) signal is obtained. Using this technology, a 1/2.7", 2M-pixel CMOS image sensor has been developed and characterized. The image sensor also employs an on-chip linearization function, yielding a 16-bit linear signal at 60 fps, and an intra-scene dynamic range of higher than 90 dB was successfully demonstrated. This SEHDR approach inherently mitigates the artifacts from moving objects or time-varying light sources that can appear in the multiple exposure high dynamic range (MEHDR) approach.

An Over 90 dB Intra-Scene Single-Exposure Dynamic Range CMOS Image Sensor Using a 3.0 μm Triple-Gain Pixel Fabricated in a Standard BSI Process †

PubMed Central

Takayanagi, Isao; Yoshimura, Norio; Mori, Kazuya; Matsuo, Shinichiro; Tanaka, Shunsuke; Abe, Hirofumi; Yasuda, Naoto; Ishikawa, Kenichiro; Okura, Shunsuke; Ohsawa, Shinji; Otaka, Toshinori

2018-01-01

To respond to the high demand for high dynamic range imaging suitable for moving objects with few artifacts, we have developed a single-exposure dynamic range image sensor by introducing a triple-gain pixel and a low noise dual-gain readout circuit. The developed 3 μm pixel is capable of having three conversion gains. Introducing a new split-pinned photodiode structure, linear full well reaches 40 ke−. Readout noise under the highest pixel gain condition is 1 e− with a low noise readout circuit. Merging two signals, one with high pixel gain and high analog gain, and the other with low pixel gain and low analog gain, a single exposure dynamic rage (SEHDR) signal is obtained. Using this technology, a 1/2.7”, 2M-pixel CMOS image sensor has been developed and characterized. The image sensor also employs an on-chip linearization function, yielding a 16-bit linear signal at 60 fps, and an intra-scene dynamic range of higher than 90 dB was successfully demonstrated. This SEHDR approach inherently mitigates the artifacts from moving objects or time-varying light sources that can appear in the multiple exposure high dynamic range (MEHDR) approach. PMID:29329210

Small Pixel Hybrid CMOS X-ray Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hull, Samuel; Bray, Evan; Burrows, David N.; Chattopadhyay, Tanmoy; Falcone, Abraham; Kern, Matthew; McQuaide, Maria; Wages, Mitchell

2018-01-01

Concepts for future space-based X-ray observatories call for a large effective area and high angular resolution instrument to enable precision X-ray astronomy at high redshift and low luminosity. Hybrid CMOS detectors are well suited for such high throughput instruments, and the Penn State X-ray detector lab, in collaboration with Teledyne Imaging Sensors, has recently developed new small pixel hybrid CMOS X-ray detectors. These prototype 128x128 pixel devices have 12.5 micron pixel pitch, 200 micron fully depleted depth, and include crosstalk eliminating CTIA amplifiers and in-pixel correlated double sampling (CDS) capability. We report on characteristics of these new detectors, including the best read noise ever measured for an X-ray hybrid CMOS detector, 5.67 e- (RMS).

Photon event distribution sampling: an image formation technique for scanning microscopes that permits tracking of sub-diffraction particles with high spatial and temporal resolutions.

PubMed

Larkin, J D; Publicover, N G; Sutko, J L

2011-01-01

In photon event distribution sampling, an image formation technique for scanning microscopes, the maximum likelihood position of origin of each detected photon is acquired as a data set rather than binning photons in pixels. Subsequently, an intensity-related probability density function describing the uncertainty associated with the photon position measurement is applied to each position and individual photon intensity distributions are summed to form an image. Compared to pixel-based images, photon event distribution sampling images exhibit increased signal-to-noise and comparable spatial resolution. Photon event distribution sampling is superior to pixel-based image formation in recognizing the presence of structured (non-random) photon distributions at low photon counts and permits use of non-raster scanning patterns. A photon event distribution sampling based method for localizing single particles derived from a multi-variate normal distribution is more precise than statistical (Gaussian) fitting to pixel-based images. Using the multi-variate normal distribution method, non-raster scanning and a typical confocal microscope, localizations with 8 nm precision were achieved at 10 ms sampling rates with acquisition of ~200 photons per frame. Single nanometre precision was obtained with a greater number of photons per frame. In summary, photon event distribution sampling provides an efficient way to form images when low numbers of photons are involved and permits particle tracking with confocal point-scanning microscopes with nanometre precision deep within specimens. © 2010 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2010 The Royal Microscopical Society.

Printing colour at the optical diffraction limit.

PubMed

Kumar, Karthik; Duan, Huigao; Hegde, Ravi S; Koh, Samuel C W; Wei, Jennifer N; Yang, Joel K W

2012-09-01

The highest possible resolution for printed colour images is determined by the diffraction limit of visible light. To achieve this limit, individual colour elements (or pixels) with a pitch of 250 nm are required, translating into printed images at a resolution of ∼100,000 dots per inch (d.p.i.). However, methods for dispensing multiple colourants or fabricating structural colour through plasmonic structures have insufficient resolution and limited scalability. Here, we present a non-colourant method that achieves bright-field colour prints with resolutions up to the optical diffraction limit. Colour information is encoded in the dimensional parameters of metal nanostructures, so that tuning their plasmon resonance determines the colours of the individual pixels. Our colour-mapping strategy produces images with both sharp colour changes and fine tonal variations, is amenable to large-volume colour printing via nanoimprint lithography, and could be useful in making microimages for security, steganography, nanoscale optical filters and high-density spectrally encoded optical data storage.

Novel Driving Method for Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Switchable Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode Displays for Emission and Programming Time Extension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

In, Hai-Jung; Kwon, Oh-Kyong

2012-03-01

A novel driving method for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) switchable active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays is proposed to extend emission time and data programming time during 3D display operation. The proposed pixel consists of six thin-film transistors (TFTs) and two capacitors, and the aperture ratio of the pixel is 45.8% under 40-in. full-high-definition television condition. By increasing emission time and programming time, the flicker problem can be reduced and the lifetime of AMOLED displays can be extended owing to the decrease in emission current density. Simulation results show that the emission current error range from -0.4 to 1.6% is achieved when the threshold voltage variation of driving TFTs is in the range from -1.0 to 1.0 V, and the emission current error is 1.0% when the power line IR-drop is 2.0 V.

Quantifying multi-temporal urban development characteristics in Las Vegas from Landsat and ASTER data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Xian, G.; Crane, M.; McMahon, C.

2008-01-01

Urban development has expanded rapidly in Las Vegas, Nevada of the United States, over the last fifty years. A major environmental change associated with this urbanization trend is the transformation of the landscape from natural cover types to increasingly anthropogenic impervious surface. This research utilizes remote sensing data from both the Landsat and Terra-Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instruments in conjunction with digital orthophotography to estimate urban extent and its temporal changes by determining sub-pixel impervious surfaces. Percent impervious surface area has shown encouraging agreement with urban land extent and development density. Results indicate that total urban land-use increases approximately 110 percent from 1984 to 2002. Most of the increases are associated with medium-to high-density urban development. Places having significant increases in impervious surfaces are in the northwestern and southeastern parts of Las Vegas. Most high-density urban development, however, appears in central Las Vegas. Impervious surface conditions for 2002 measured from Landsat and ASTER satellite data are compared in terms of their accuracy.

Development of n-in-p pixel modules for the ATLAS upgrade at HL-LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macchiolo, A.; Nisius, R.; Savic, N.; Terzo, S.

2016-09-01

Thin planar pixel modules are promising candidates to instrument the inner layers of the new ATLAS pixel detector for HL-LHC, thanks to the reduced contribution to the material budget and their high charge collection efficiency after irradiation. 100-200 μm thick sensors, interconnected to FE-I4 read-out chips, have been characterized with radioactive sources and beam tests at the CERN-SPS and DESY. The results of these measurements are reported for devices before and after irradiation up to a fluence of 14 ×1015 neq /cm2 . The charge collection and tracking efficiency of the different sensor thicknesses are compared. The outlook for future planar pixel sensor production is discussed, with a focus on sensor design with the pixel pitches (50×50 and 25×100 μm2) foreseen for the RD53 Collaboration read-out chip in 65 nm CMOS technology. An optimization of the biasing structures in the pixel cells is required to avoid the hit efficiency loss presently observed in the punch-through region after irradiation. For this purpose the performance of different layouts have been compared in FE-I4 compatible sensors at various fluence levels by using beam test data. Highly segmented sensors will represent a challenge for the tracking in the forward region of the pixel system at HL-LHC. In order to reproduce the performance of 50×50 μm2 pixels at high pseudo-rapidity values, FE-I4 compatible planar pixel sensors have been studied before and after irradiation in beam tests at high incidence angle (80°) with respect to the short pixel direction. Results on cluster shapes, charge collection and hit efficiency will be shown.

Method and apparatus for detection of charge on ions and particles

DOEpatents

Fuerstenau, Stephen Douglas; Soli, George Arthur

2002-01-01

The present invention provides a tessellated array detector with charge collecting plate (or cup) electrode pixels and amplifying circuitry integrated into each pixel making it sensitive to external electrostatic charge; a micro collector/amplifier pixel design possessing a small capacitance to ensure a high charge to voltage signal conversion for low noise/high sensitivity operation; a micro-fabricated array of such pixels to create a useful macroscopic target area for ion and charged particle collection.

Early science from the Pan-STARRS1 Optical Galaxy Survey (POGS): Maps of stellar mass and star formation rate surface density obtained from distributed-computing pixel-SED fitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thilker, David A.; Vinsen, K.; Galaxy Properties Key Project, PS1

2014-01-01

To measure resolved galactic physical properties unbiased by the mask of recent star formation and dust features, we are conducting a citizen-scientist enabled nearby galaxy survey based on the unprecedented optical (g,r,i,z,y) imaging from Pan-STARRS1 (PS1). The PS1 Optical Galaxy Survey (POGS) covers 3π steradians (75% of the sky), about twice the footprint of SDSS. Whenever possible we also incorporate ancillary multi-wavelength image data from the ultraviolet (GALEX) and infrared (WISE, Spitzer) spectral regimes. For each cataloged nearby galaxy with a reliable redshift estimate of z < 0.05 - 0.1 (dependent on donated CPU power), publicly-distributed computing is being harnessed to enable pixel-by-pixel spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting, which in turn provides maps of key physical parameters such as the local stellar mass surface density, crude star formation history, and dust attenuation. With pixel SED fitting output we will then constrain parametric models of galaxy structure in a more meaningful way than ordinarily achieved. In particular, we will fit multi-component (e.g. bulge, bar, disk) galaxy models directly to the distribution of stellar mass rather than surface brightness in a single band, which is often locally biased. We will also compute non-parametric measures of morphology such as concentration, asymmetry using the POGS stellar mass and SFR surface density images. We anticipate studying how galactic substructures evolve by comparing our results with simulations and against more distant imaging surveys, some of which which will also be processed in the POGS pipeline. The reliance of our survey on citizen-scientist volunteers provides a world-wide opportunity for education. We developed an interactive interface which highlights the science being produced by each volunteer’s own CPU cycles. The POGS project has already proven popular amongst the public, attracting about 5000 volunteers with nearly 12,000 participating computers, and is growing rapidly.

Plasma Properties and Magnetic Field Structure of the Solar Corona, Based on Coordinated Max '91 Observations from SERTS, the VLA, and Magnetographs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brosius, Jeffrey W. (Principal Investigator)

1996-01-01

The plasma properties and magnetic field structure of the solar corona were determined using coordinated observations obtained with NASA/GSFC's Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS), the Very Large Array (VLA), and Kitt Peak photospheric longitudinal magnetograms. A problem was identified with the SERTS calibration as determined from laboratory measurements. A revised calibration curve was derived by requiring that the numerous available measured line intensity ratios agreed with their respective theoretical values. Densities were derived from line intensity ratios, and active region densities were found to typically exceed quiet Sun densities by factors of only about 2. The active region density was found to remain constant across the SERTS slit, despite the fact that the emission line intensities vary significantly. This indicates that the product of the path length and the volume filling factor must vary significantly from the active region outskirts to the central core. Filling factors were derived and found to range from much less than one to nearly unity. Wavelength shifts were examined along the SERTS slit in the spatially resolved spectra, but no evidence was found for significant Doppler shifts in active region 7563 or in the quiet Sun. The numerical procedure developed by Monsignori-Fossi and Landini was used to derive the active region and quiet sun differential emission measure (DEM) from the spatially averaged spectra. A DEM was estimated for each spatial pixel in the two dimensional active region images by scaling the averaged active region DEM based upon corresponding pixel intensities of SERTS Mg IX, Fe XV, and Fe XVI images. These results, along with density measurements, were used in an IDL computer code which calculated the temperature dependence of the coronal magnetic field in each spatial pixel by minimizing the difference between the observed and calculated 20 and 6 cm microwave brightness temperatures.

A high-resolution and intelligent dead pixel detection scheme for an electrowetting display screen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, ZhiJie; Luo, JianKun; Zhao, WenWen; Cao, Yang; Lin, WeiJie; Zhou, GuoFu

2018-02-01

Electrowetting display technology is realized by tuning the surface energy of a hydrophobic surface by applying a voltage based on electrowetting mechanism. With the rapid development of the electrowetting industry, how to analyze efficiently the quality of an electrowetting display screen has a very important significance. There are two kinds of dead pixels on the electrowetting display screen. One is that the oil of pixel cannot completely cover the display area. The other is that indium tin oxide semiconductor wire connecting pixel and foil was burned. In this paper, we propose a high-resolution and intelligent dead pixel detection scheme for an electrowetting display screen. First, we built an aperture ratio-capacitance model based on the electrical characteristics of electrowetting display. A field-programmable gate array is used as the integrated logic hub of the system for a highly reliable and efficient control of the circuit. Dead pixels can be detected and displayed on a PC-based 2D graphical interface in real time. The proposed dead pixel detection scheme reported in this work has promise in automating electrowetting display experiments.

A time-resolved image sensor for tubeless streak cameras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasutomi, Keita; Han, SangMan; Seo, Min-Woong; Takasawa, Taishi; Kagawa, Keiichiro; Kawahito, Shoji

2014-03-01

This paper presents a time-resolved CMOS image sensor with draining-only modulation (DOM) pixels for tube-less streak cameras. Although the conventional streak camera has high time resolution, the device requires high voltage and bulky system due to the structure with a vacuum tube. The proposed time-resolved imager with a simple optics realize a streak camera without any vacuum tubes. The proposed image sensor has DOM pixels, a delay-based pulse generator, and a readout circuitry. The delay-based pulse generator in combination with an in-pixel logic allows us to create and to provide a short gating clock to the pixel array. A prototype time-resolved CMOS image sensor with the proposed pixel is designed and implemented using 0.11um CMOS image sensor technology. The image array has 30(Vertical) x 128(Memory length) pixels with the pixel pitch of 22.4um. .

Nuclear resonant scattering measurements on (57)Fe by multichannel scaling with a 64-pixel silicon avalanche photodiode linear-array detector.

PubMed

Kishimoto, S; Mitsui, T; Haruki, R; Yoda, Y; Taniguchi, T; Shimazaki, S; Ikeno, M; Saito, M; Tanaka, M

2014-11-01

We developed a silicon avalanche photodiode (Si-APD) linear-array detector for use in nuclear resonant scattering experiments using synchrotron X-rays. The Si-APD linear array consists of 64 pixels (pixel size: 100 × 200 μm(2)) with a pixel pitch of 150 μm and depletion depth of 10 μm. An ultrafast frontend circuit allows the X-ray detector to obtain a high output rate of >10(7) cps per pixel. High-performance integrated circuits achieve multichannel scaling over 1024 continuous time bins with a 1 ns resolution for each pixel without dead time. The multichannel scaling method enabled us to record a time spectrum of the 14.4 keV nuclear radiation at each pixel with a time resolution of 1.4 ns (FWHM). This method was successfully applied to nuclear forward scattering and nuclear small-angle scattering on (57)Fe.

Plasmonic Nanoholes in a Multi-Channel Microarray Format for Parallel Kinetic Assays and Differential Sensing

PubMed Central

Im, Hyungsoon; Lesuffleur, Antoine; Lindquist, Nathan C.; Oh, Sang-Hyun

2009-01-01

We present nanohole arrays in a gold film integrated with a 6-channel microfluidic chip for parallel measurements of molecular binding kinetics. Surface plasmon resonance effects in the nanohole arrays enable real-time label-free measurements of molecular binding events in each channel, while adjacent negative reference channels can record measurement artifacts such as bulk solution index changes, temperature variations, or changing light absorption in the liquid. Using this platform, streptavidin-biotin specific binding kinetics are measured at various concentrations with negative controls. A high-density microarray of 252 biosensing pixels is also demonstrated with a packing density of 106 sensing elements/cm2, which can potentially be coupled with a massively parallel array of microfluidic channels for protein microarray applications. PMID:19284776

Determination of vehicle density from traffic images at day and nighttime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehrübeoğlu, Mehrübe; McLauchlan, Lifford

2007-02-01

In this paper we extend our previous work to address vehicle differentiation in traffic density computations1. The main goal of this work is to create vehicle density history for given roads under different weather or light conditions and at different times of the day. Vehicle differentiation is important to account for connected or otherwise long vehicles, such as trucks or tankers, which lead to over-counting with the original algorithm. Average vehicle size in pixels, given the magnification within the field of view for a particular camera, is used to separate regular cars and long vehicles. A separate algorithm and procedure have been developed to determine traffic density after dark when the vehicle headlights are turned on. Nighttime vehicle recognition utilizes blob analysis based on head/taillight images. The high intensity of vehicle lights are identified in binary images for nighttime vehicle detection. The stationary traffic image frames are downloaded from the internet as they are updated. The procedures are implemented in MATLAB. The results of both nighttime traffic density and daytime long vehicle identification algorithms are described in this paper. The determination of nighttime traffic density, and identification of long vehicles at daytime are improvements over the original work1.

A high efficiency readout architecture for a large matrix of pixels.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabrielli, A.; Giorgi, F.; Villa, M.

2010-07-01

In this work we present a fast readout architecture for silicon pixel matrix sensors that has been designed to sustain very high rates, above 1 MHz/mm2 for matrices greater than 80k pixels. This logic can be implemented within MAPS (Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors), a kind of high resolution sensor that integrates on the same bulk the sensor matrix and the CMOS logic for readout, but it can be exploited also with other technologies. The proposed architecture is based on three main concepts. First of all, the readout of the hits is performed by activating one column at a time; all the fired pixels on the active column are read, sparsified and reset in parallel in one clock cycle. This implies the use of global signals across the sensor matrix. The consequent reduction of metal interconnections improves the active area while maintaining a high granularity (down to a pixel pitch of 40 μm). Secondly, the activation for readout takes place only for those columns overlapping with a certain fired area, thus reducing the sweeping time of the whole matrix and reducing the pixel dead-time. Third, the sparsification (x-y address labeling of the hits) is performed with a lower granularity with respect to single pixels, by addressing vertical zones of 8 pixels each. The fine-grain Y resolution is achieved by appending the zone pattern to the zone address of a hit. We show then the benefits of this technique in presence of clusters. We describe this architecture from a schematic point of view, then presenting the efficiency results obtained by VHDL simulations.

Thallium Bromide as an Alternative Material for Room-Temperature Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy and Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koehler, William

Thallium bromide is an attractive material for room-temperature gamma-ray spectroscopy and imaging because of its high atomic number (Tl: 81, Br: 35), high density (7.56 g/cm3), and a wide bandgap (2.68 eV). In this work, 5 mm thick TlBr detectors achieved 0.94% FWHM at 662 keV for all single-pixel events and 0.72% FWHM at 662 keV from the best pixel and depth using three-dimensional position sensing technology. However, these results were limited to stable operation at -20°C. After days to months of room-temperature operation, ionic conduction caused these devices to fail. Depth-dependent signal analysis was used to isolate room-temperature degradation effects to within 0.5 mm of the anode surface. This was verified by refabricating the detectors after complete failure at room temperature; after refabrication, similar performance and functionality was recovered. As part of this work, the improvement in electron drift velocity and energy resolution during conditioning at -20°C was quantified. A new method was developed to measure the impurity concentration without changing the gamma ray measurement setup. The new method was used to show that detector conditioning was likely the result of charged impurities drifting out of the active volume. This space charge reduction then caused a more stable and uniform electric field. Additionally, new algorithms were developed to remove hole contributions in high-hole-mobility detectors to improve depth reconstruction. These algorithms improved the depth reconstruction (accuracy) without degrading the depth uncertainty (precision). Finally, spectroscopic and imaging performance of new 11 x 11 pixelated-anode TlBr detectors was characterized. The larger detectors were used to show that energy resolution can be improved by identifying photopeak events from their Tl characteristic x-rays.

Fusion of GEDI, ICESAT2 & NISAR data for above ground biomass mapping in Sonoma County, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duncanson, L.; Simard, M.; Thomas, N. M.; Neuenschwander, A. L.; Hancock, S.; Armston, J.; Dubayah, R.; Hofton, M. A.; Huang, W.; Tang, H.; Marselis, S.; Fatoyinbo, T.

2017-12-01

Several upcoming NASA missions will collect data sensitive to forest structure (GEDI, ICESAT-2 & NISAR). The LiDAR and SAR data collected by these missions will be used in coming years to map forest aboveground biomass at various resolutions. This research focuses on developing and testing multi-sensor data fusion approaches in advance of these missions. Here, we present the first case study of a CMS-16 grant with results from Sonoma County, California. We simulate lidar and SAR datasets from GEDI, ICESAT-2 and NISAR using airborne discrete return lidar and UAVSAR data, respectively. GEDI and ICESAT-2 signals are simulated from high point density discrete return lidar that was acquired over the entire county in 2014 through a previous CMS project (Dubayah & Hurtt, CMS-13). NISAR is simulated from L-band UAVSAR data collected in 2014. These simulations are empirically related to 300 field plots of aboveground biomass as well as a 30m biomass map produced from the 2014 airborne lidar data. We model biomass independently for each simulated mission dataset and then test two fusion methods for County-wide mapping 1) a pixel based approach and 2) an object oriented approach. In the pixel-based approach, GEDI and ICESAT-2 biomass models are calibrated over field plots and applied in orbital simulations for a 2-year period of the GEDI and ICESAT-2 missions. These simulated samples are then used to calibrate UAVSAR data to produce a 0.25 ha map. In the object oriented approach, the GEDI and ICESAT-2 data are identical to the pixel-based approach, but calibrate image objects of similar L-band backscatter rather than uniform pixels. The results of this research demonstrate the estimated ability for each of these three missions to independently map biomass in a temperate, high biomass system, as well as the potential improvement expected through combining mission datasets.

Printing Peptide arrays with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor chip.

PubMed

Loeffler, Felix F; Cheng, Yun-Chien; Muenster, Bastian; Striffler, Jakob; Liu, Fanny C; Ralf Bischoff, F; Doersam, Edgar; Breitling, Frank; Nesterov-Mueller, Alexander

2013-01-01

: In this chapter, we discuss the state-of-the-art peptide array technologies, comparing the spot technique, lithographical methods, and microelectronic chip-based approaches. Based on this analysis, we describe a novel peptide array synthesis method with a microelectronic chip printer. By means of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor chip, charged bioparticles can be patterned on its surface. The bioparticles serve as vehicles to transfer molecule monomers to specific synthesis spots. Our chip offers 16,384 pixel electrodes on its surface with a spot-to-spot pitch of 100 μm. By switching the voltage of each pixel between 0 and 100 V separately, it is possible to generate arbitrary particle patterns for combinatorial molecule synthesis. Afterwards, the patterned chip surface serves as a printing head to transfer the particle pattern from its surface to a synthesis substrate. We conducted a series of proof-of-principle experiments to synthesize high-density peptide arrays. Our solid phase synthesis approach is based on the 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl protection group strategy. After melting the particles, embedded monomers diffuse to the surface and participate in the coupling reaction to the surface. The method demonstrated herein can be easily extended to the synthesis of more complicated artificial molecules by using bioparticles with artificial molecular building blocks. The possibility of synthesizing artificial peptides was also shown in an experiment in which we patterned biotin particles in a high-density array format. These results open the road to the development of peptide-based functional modules for diverse applications in biotechnology.

Photodiode area effect on performance of X-ray CMOS active pixel sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, M. S.; Kim, Y.; Kim, G.; Lim, K. T.; Cho, G.; Kim, D.

2018-02-01

Compared to conventional TFT-based X-ray imaging devices, CMOS-based X-ray imaging sensors are considered next generation because they can be manufactured in very small pixel pitches and can acquire high-speed images. In addition, CMOS-based sensors have the advantage of integration of various functional circuits within the sensor. The image quality can also be improved by the high fill-factor in large pixels. If the size of the subject is small, the size of the pixel must be reduced as a consequence. In addition, the fill factor must be reduced to aggregate various functional circuits within the pixel. In this study, 3T-APS (active pixel sensor) with photodiodes of four different sizes were fabricated and evaluated. It is well known that a larger photodiode leads to improved overall performance. Nonetheless, if the size of the photodiode is > 1000 μm2, the degree to which the sensor performance increases as the photodiode size increases, is reduced. As a result, considering the fill factor, pixel-pitch > 32 μm is not necessary to achieve high-efficiency image quality. In addition, poor image quality is to be expected unless special sensor-design techniques are included for sensors with a pixel pitch of 25 μm or less.

All-passive pixel super-resolution of time-stretch imaging

PubMed Central

Chan, Antony C. S.; Ng, Ho-Cheung; Bogaraju, Sharat C. V.; So, Hayden K. H.; Lam, Edmund Y.; Tsia, Kevin K.

2017-01-01

Based on image encoding in a serial-temporal format, optical time-stretch imaging entails a stringent requirement of state-of-the-art fast data acquisition unit in order to preserve high image resolution at an ultrahigh frame rate — hampering the widespread utilities of such technology. Here, we propose a pixel super-resolution (pixel-SR) technique tailored for time-stretch imaging that preserves pixel resolution at a relaxed sampling rate. It harnesses the subpixel shifts between image frames inherently introduced by asynchronous digital sampling of the continuous time-stretch imaging process. Precise pixel registration is thus accomplished without any active opto-mechanical subpixel-shift control or other additional hardware. Here, we present the experimental pixel-SR image reconstruction pipeline that restores high-resolution time-stretch images of microparticles and biological cells (phytoplankton) at a relaxed sampling rate (≈2–5 GSa/s)—more than four times lower than the originally required readout rate (20 GSa/s) — is thus effective for high-throughput label-free, morphology-based cellular classification down to single-cell precision. Upon integration with the high-throughput image processing technology, this pixel-SR time-stretch imaging technique represents a cost-effective and practical solution for large scale cell-based phenotypic screening in biomedical diagnosis and machine vision for quality control in manufacturing. PMID:28303936

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

Shanks, Katherine S.; Philipp, Hugh T.; Weiss, Joel T.

Experiments at storage ring light sources as well as at next-generation light sources increasingly require detectors capable of high dynamic range operation, combining low-noise detection of single photons with large pixel well depth. XFEL sources in particular provide pulse intensities sufficiently high that a purely photon-counting approach is impractical. The High Dynamic Range Pixel Array Detector (HDR-PAD) project aims to provide a dynamic range extending from single-photon sensitivity to 10{sup 6} photons/pixel in a single XFEL pulse while maintaining the ability to tolerate a sustained flux of 10{sup 11} ph/s/pixel at a storage ring source. Achieving these goals involves themore » development of fast pixel front-end electronics as well as, in the XFEL case, leveraging the delayed charge collection due to plasma effects in the sensor. A first prototype of essential electronic components of the HDR-PAD readout ASIC, exploring different options for the pixel front-end, has been fabricated. Here, the HDR-PAD concept and preliminary design will be described.« less

Feasibility of estimating volumetric breast density from mammographic x-ray spectra using a cadmium telluride photon-counting detector.

PubMed

Ghammraoui, Bahaa; Badal, Andreu; Glick, Stephen J

2018-06-03

Mammographic density of glandular breast tissue has a masking effect that can reduce lesion detection accuracy and is also a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Therefore, accurate quantitative estimation of breast density is clinically important. In this study, we investigate experimentally the feasibility of quantifying volumetric breast density with spectral mammography using a CdTe-based photon-counting detector. To demonstrate proof-of-principle, this study was carried out using the single pixel Amptek XR-100T-CdTe detector. The total number of x rays recorded by the detector from a single pencil-beam projection through 50%/50% of adipose/glandular mass fraction-equivalent phantoms was measured. Material decomposition assuming two, four, and eight energy bins was then applied to characterize the inspected phantom into adipose and glandular using log-likelihood estimation, taking into account the polychromatic source, the detector response function, and the energy-dependent attenuation. Measurement tests were carried out for different doses, kVp settings, and different breast sizes. For dose of 1 mGy and above, the percent relative root mean square (RMS) errors of the estimated breast density was measured below 7% for all three phantom studies. It was also observed that some decrease in RMS errors was achieved using eight energy bins. For 3 and 4 cm thick phantoms, performance at 40 and 45 kVp showed similar performance. However, it was observed that 45 kVp showed better performance for a phantom thickness of 6 cm at low dose levels due to increased statistical variation at lower photon count levels with 40 kVp. The results of the current study suggest that photon-counting spectral mammography systems using CdTe detectors have the potential to be used for accurate quantification of volumetric breast density on a pixel-to-pixel basis, with an RMS error of less than 7%. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Fluorescent H2 Emission Lines from the Reflection Nebula NGC 7023 Observed with IGRINS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le, Huynh Anh N.; Pak, Soojong; Kaplan, Kyle; Mace, Gregory; Lee, Sungho; Pavel, Michael; Jeong, Ueejeong; Oh, Heeyoung; Lee, Hye-In; Chun, Moo-Young; Yuk, In-Soo; Pyo, Tae-Soo; Hwang, Narae; Kim, Kang-Min; Park, Chan; Sok Oh, Jae; Yu, Young Sam; Park, Byeong-Gon; Minh, Young Chol; Jaffe, Daniel T.

2017-05-01

We have analyzed the temperature, velocity, and density of H2 gas in NGC 7023 with a high-resolution near-infrared spectrum of the northwestern filament of the reflection nebula. By observing NGC 7023 in the H and K bands at R ≃ 45,000 with the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph, we detected 68 H2 emission lines within the 1″ × 15″ slit. The diagnostic ratio of 2-1 S(1)/1-0 S(1) is 0.41-0.56. In addition, the estimated ortho-to-para ratio (OPR) is 1.63-1.82, indicating that the H2 emission transitions in the observed region arise mostly from gas excited by UV fluorescence. Gradients in the temperature, velocity, and OPR within the observed area imply motion of the photodissociation region (PDR) relative to the molecular cloud. In addition, we derive the column density of H2 from the observed emission lines and compare these results with PDR models in the literature covering a range of densities and incident UV field intensities. The notable difference between PDR model predictions and the observed data, in high rotational J levels of ν = 1, is that the predicted formation temperature for newly formed H2 should be lower than that of the model predictions. To investigate the density distribution, we combine pixels in 1″ × 1″ areas and derive the density distribution at the 0.002 pc scale. The derived gradient of density suggests that NGC 7023 has a clumpy structure, including a high clump density of ˜105 cm-3 with a size smaller than ˜5 × 10-3 pc embedded in lower-density regions of 103-104 cm-3.

Protein structure determination by electron diffraction using a single three-dimensional nanocrystal.

PubMed

Clabbers, M T B; van Genderen, E; Wan, W; Wiegers, E L; Gruene, T; Abrahams, J P

2017-09-01

Three-dimensional nanometre-sized crystals of macromolecules currently resist structure elucidation by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Here, a single nanocrystal with a diffracting volume of only 0.14 µm 3 , i.e. no more than 6 × 10 5 unit cells, provided sufficient information to determine the structure of a rare dimeric polymorph of hen egg-white lysozyme by electron crystallography. This is at least an order of magnitude smaller than was previously possible. The molecular-replacement solution, based on a monomeric polyalanine model, provided sufficient phasing power to show side-chain density, and automated model building was used to reconstruct the side chains. Diffraction data were acquired using the rotation method with parallel beam diffraction on a Titan Krios transmission electron microscope equipped with a novel in-house-designed 1024 × 1024 pixel Timepix hybrid pixel detector for low-dose diffraction data collection. Favourable detector characteristics include the ability to accurately discriminate single high-energy electrons from X-rays and count them, fast readout to finely sample reciprocal space and a high dynamic range. This work, together with other recent milestones, suggests that electron crystallography can provide an attractive alternative in determining biological structures.

Protein structure determination by electron diffraction using a single three-dimensional nanocrystal

PubMed Central

Clabbers, M. T. B.; van Genderen, E.; Wiegers, E. L.; Gruene, T.; Abrahams, J. P.

2017-01-01

Three-dimensional nanometre-sized crystals of macromolecules currently resist structure elucidation by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Here, a single nanocrystal with a diffracting volume of only 0.14 µm3, i.e. no more than 6 × 105 unit cells, provided sufficient information to determine the structure of a rare dimeric polymorph of hen egg-white lysozyme by electron crystallography. This is at least an order of magnitude smaller than was previously possible. The molecular-replacement solution, based on a monomeric polyalanine model, provided sufficient phasing power to show side-chain density, and automated model building was used to reconstruct the side chains. Diffraction data were acquired using the rotation method with parallel beam diffraction on a Titan Krios transmission electron microscope equipped with a novel in-house-designed 1024 × 1024 pixel Timepix hybrid pixel detector for low-dose diffraction data collection. Favourable detector characteristics include the ability to accurately discriminate single high-energy electrons from X-rays and count them, fast readout to finely sample reciprocal space and a high dynamic range. This work, together with other recent milestones, suggests that electron crystallography can provide an attractive alternative in determining biological structures. PMID:28876237

Random On-Board Pixel Sampling (ROPS) X-Ray Camera

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

Wang, Zhehui; Iaroshenko, O.; Li, S.

Recent advances in compressed sensing theory and algorithms offer new possibilities for high-speed X-ray camera design. In many CMOS cameras, each pixel has an independent on-board circuit that includes an amplifier, noise rejection, signal shaper, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and optional in-pixel storage. When X-ray images are sparse, i.e., when one of the following cases is true: (a.) The number of pixels with true X-ray hits is much smaller than the total number of pixels; (b.) The X-ray information is redundant; or (c.) Some prior knowledge about the X-ray images exists, sparse sampling may be allowed. Here we first illustratemore » the feasibility of random on-board pixel sampling (ROPS) using an existing set of X-ray images, followed by a discussion about signal to noise as a function of pixel size. Next, we describe a possible circuit architecture to achieve random pixel access and in-pixel storage. The combination of a multilayer architecture, sparse on-chip sampling, and computational image techniques, is expected to facilitate the development and applications of high-speed X-ray camera technology.« less

A detector interferometric calibration experiment for high precision astrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crouzier, A.; Malbet, F.; Henault, F.; Léger, A.; Cara, C.; LeDuigou, J. M.; Preis, O.; Kern, P.; Delboulbe, A.; Martin, G.; Feautrier, P.; Stadler, E.; Lafrasse, S.; Rochat, S.; Ketchazo, C.; Donati, M.; Doumayrou, E.; Lagage, P. O.; Shao, M.; Goullioud, R.; Nemati, B.; Zhai, C.; Behar, E.; Potin, S.; Saint-Pe, M.; Dupont, J.

2016-11-01

Context. Exoplanet science has made staggering progress in the last two decades, due to the relentless exploration of new detection methods and refinement of existing ones. Yet astrometry offers a unique and untapped potential of discovery of habitable-zone low-mass planets around all the solar-like stars of the solar neighborhood. To fulfill this goal, astrometry must be paired with high precision calibration of the detector. Aims: We present a way to calibrate a detector for high accuracy astrometry. An experimental testbed combining an astrometric simulator and an interferometric calibration system is used to validate both the hardware needed for the calibration and the signal processing methods. The objective is an accuracy of 5 × 10-6 pixel on the location of a Nyquist sampled polychromatic point spread function. Methods: The interferometric calibration system produced modulated Young fringes on the detector. The Young fringes were parametrized as products of time and space dependent functions, based on various pixel parameters. The minimization of function parameters was done iteratively, until convergence was obtained, revealing the pixel information needed for the calibration of astrometric measurements. Results: The calibration system yielded the pixel positions to an accuracy estimated at 4 × 10-4 pixel. After including the pixel position information, an astrometric accuracy of 6 × 10-5 pixel was obtained, for a PSF motion over more than five pixels. In the static mode (small jitter motion of less than 1 × 10-3 pixel), a photon noise limited precision of 3 × 10-5 pixel was reached.

High-density arrays of x-ray microcalorimeters for Constellation-X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kilbourne, Caroline A.; Bandler, Simon R.; Brown, Ari D.; Chervenak, James A.; Figueroa-Feliciano, Enectali; Finkbeiner, Fred M.; Iyomoto, Naoko; Kelley, Richard L.; Porter, F. Scott; Saab, Tarek; Sadleir, John; White, Jennifer

2006-06-01

We have been developing x-ray microcalorimeters for the Constellation-X mission. Devices based on superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES) have demonstrated the potential to meet the Constellation-X requirements for spectral resolution, speed, and array scale (> 1000 pixels) in a close-packed geometry. In our part of the GSFC/NIST collaboration on this technology development, we have been concentrating on the fabrication of arrays of pixels suitable for the Constellation-X reference configuration. We have fabricated 8x8 arrays with 0.25-mm pixels arranged with 92% fill factor. The pixels are based on Mo/Au TES and Bi/Cu or Au/Bi absorbers. We have achieved a resolution of 4.0 eV FWHM at 6 keV in such devices, which meets the Constellation-X resolution requirement at 6 keV. Studies of the thermal transport in our Bi/Cu absorbers have shown that, while there is room for improvement, for 0.25-mm pixels the standard absorber design is adequate to avoid unacceptable line-broadening from position dependence caused by thermal diffusion. In order to improve reproducibility and to push closer to the 2-eV goal at 6 keV, however, we are refining the design of the TES and the interface to the absorber. Recent efforts to introduce a barrier layer between the Bi and the Mo/Au to avoid variable interface chemistry and thus improve the reproducibility of device characteristics have thus far yielded unsatisfactory results. However, we have developed a new set of absorber designs with contacts to the TES engineered to allow contact only in regions that do not serve as the active thermometer. We have further constrained the design so that a low-resistance absorber will not electrically short the TES. It is with such a design that we have achieved 4.0 eV resolution at 6 keV.

Edge Probability and Pixel Relativity-Based Speckle Reducing Anisotropic Diffusion.

PubMed

Mishra, Deepak; Chaudhury, Santanu; Sarkar, Mukul; Soin, Arvinder Singh; Sharma, Vivek

2018-02-01

Anisotropic diffusion filters are one of the best choices for speckle reduction in the ultrasound images. These filters control the diffusion flux flow using local image statistics and provide the desired speckle suppression. However, inefficient use of edge characteristics results in either oversmooth image or an image containing misinterpreted spurious edges. As a result, the diagnostic quality of the images becomes a concern. To alleviate such problems, a novel anisotropic diffusion-based speckle reducing filter is proposed in this paper. A probability density function of the edges along with pixel relativity information is used to control the diffusion flux flow. The probability density function helps in removing the spurious edges and the pixel relativity reduces the oversmoothing effects. Furthermore, the filtering is performed in superpixel domain to reduce the execution time, wherein a minimum of 15% of the total number of image pixels can be used. For performance evaluation, 31 frames of three synthetic images and 40 real ultrasound images are used. In most of the experiments, the proposed filter shows a better performance as compared to the state-of-the-art filters in terms of the speckle region's signal-to-noise ratio and mean square error. It also shows a comparative performance for figure of merit and structural similarity measure index. Furthermore, in the subjective evaluation, performed by the expert radiologists, the proposed filter's outputs are preferred for the improved contrast and sharpness of the object boundaries. Hence, the proposed filtering framework is suitable to reduce the unwanted speckle and improve the quality of the ultrasound images.

Photographic memory: The storage and retrieval of data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horton, J.

1984-01-01

The concept of density encoding digital data in a mass-storage computer peripheral is proposed. This concept requires that digital data be encoded as distinguishable density levels (DDLS) of the film to be used as the storage medium. These DDL's are then recorded on the film in relatively large pixels. Retrieval of the data would be accomplished by scanning the photographic record using a relatively small aperture. Multiplexing of the pixels is used to store data of a range greater than the number of DDL's supportable by the film in question. Although a cartographic application is used as an example for the photographic storage of data, any digital data can be stored in a like manner. When the data is inherently spatially-distributed, the aptness of the proposed scheme is even more evident. In such a case, human-readability is an advantage which can be added to those mentioned earlier: speed of acquisition, ease of implementation, and cost effectiveness.

A compressed sensing X-ray camera with a multilayer architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhehui; Iaroshenko, O.; Li, S.; Liu, T.; Parab, N.; Chen, W. W.; Chu, P.; Kenyon, G. T.; Lipton, R.; Sun, K.-X.

2018-01-01

Recent advances in compressed sensing theory and algorithms offer new possibilities for high-speed X-ray camera design. In many CMOS cameras, each pixel has an independent on-board circuit that includes an amplifier, noise rejection, signal shaper, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and optional in-pixel storage. When X-ray images are sparse, i.e., when one of the following cases is true: (a.) The number of pixels with true X-ray hits is much smaller than the total number of pixels; (b.) The X-ray information is redundant; or (c.) Some prior knowledge about the X-ray images exists, sparse sampling may be allowed. Here we first illustrate the feasibility of random on-board pixel sampling (ROPS) using an existing set of X-ray images, followed by a discussion about signal to noise as a function of pixel size. Next, we describe a possible circuit architecture to achieve random pixel access and in-pixel storage. The combination of a multilayer architecture, sparse on-chip sampling, and computational image techniques, is expected to facilitate the development and applications of high-speed X-ray camera technology.

Effects of refractive index mismatch in optical CT imaging of polymer gel dosimeters.

PubMed

Manjappa, Rakesh; Makki S, Sharath; Kumar, Rajesh; Kanhirodan, Rajan

2015-02-01

Proposing an image reconstruction technique, algebraic reconstruction technique-refraction correction (ART-rc). The proposed method takes care of refractive index mismatches present in gel dosimeter scanner at the boundary, and also corrects for the interior ray refraction. Polymer gel dosimeters with high dose regions have higher refractive index and optical density compared to the background medium, these changes in refractive index at high dose results in interior ray bending. The inclusion of the effects of refraction is an important step in reconstruction of optical density in gel dosimeters. The proposed ray tracing algorithm models the interior multiple refraction at the inhomogeneities. Jacob's ray tracing algorithm has been modified to calculate the pathlengths of the ray that traverses through the higher dose regions. The algorithm computes the length of the ray in each pixel along its path and is used as the weight matrix. Algebraic reconstruction technique and pixel based reconstruction algorithms are used for solving the reconstruction problem. The proposed method is tested with numerical phantoms for various noise levels. The experimental dosimetric results are also presented. The results show that the proposed scheme ART-rc is able to reconstruct optical density inside the dosimeter better than the results obtained using filtered backprojection and conventional algebraic reconstruction approaches. The quantitative improvement using ART-rc is evaluated using gamma-index. The refraction errors due to regions of different refractive indices are discussed. The effects of modeling of interior refraction in the dose region are presented. The errors propagated due to multiple refraction effects have been modeled and the improvements in reconstruction using proposed model is presented. The refractive index of the dosimeter has a mismatch with the surrounding medium (for dry air or water scanning). The algorithm reconstructs the dose profiles by estimating refractive indices of multiple inhomogeneities having different refractive indices and optical densities embedded in the dosimeter. This is achieved by tracking the path of the ray that traverses through the dosimeter. Extensive simulation studies have been carried out and results are found to be matching that of experimental results.

Effects of refractive index mismatch in optical CT imaging of polymer gel dosimeters

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

Manjappa, Rakesh; Makki S, Sharath; Kanhirodan, Rajan, E-mail: rajan@physics.iisc.ernet.in

2015-02-15

Purpose: Proposing an image reconstruction technique, algebraic reconstruction technique-refraction correction (ART-rc). The proposed method takes care of refractive index mismatches present in gel dosimeter scanner at the boundary, and also corrects for the interior ray refraction. Polymer gel dosimeters with high dose regions have higher refractive index and optical density compared to the background medium, these changes in refractive index at high dose results in interior ray bending. Methods: The inclusion of the effects of refraction is an important step in reconstruction of optical density in gel dosimeters. The proposed ray tracing algorithm models the interior multiple refraction at themore » inhomogeneities. Jacob’s ray tracing algorithm has been modified to calculate the pathlengths of the ray that traverses through the higher dose regions. The algorithm computes the length of the ray in each pixel along its path and is used as the weight matrix. Algebraic reconstruction technique and pixel based reconstruction algorithms are used for solving the reconstruction problem. The proposed method is tested with numerical phantoms for various noise levels. The experimental dosimetric results are also presented. Results: The results show that the proposed scheme ART-rc is able to reconstruct optical density inside the dosimeter better than the results obtained using filtered backprojection and conventional algebraic reconstruction approaches. The quantitative improvement using ART-rc is evaluated using gamma-index. The refraction errors due to regions of different refractive indices are discussed. The effects of modeling of interior refraction in the dose region are presented. Conclusions: The errors propagated due to multiple refraction effects have been modeled and the improvements in reconstruction using proposed model is presented. The refractive index of the dosimeter has a mismatch with the surrounding medium (for dry air or water scanning). The algorithm reconstructs the dose profiles by estimating refractive indices of multiple inhomogeneities having different refractive indices and optical densities embedded in the dosimeter. This is achieved by tracking the path of the ray that traverses through the dosimeter. Extensive simulation studies have been carried out and results are found to be matching that of experimental results.« less

Efficient conceptual design for LED-based pixel light vehicle headlamps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Held, Marcel Philipp; Lachmayer, Roland

2017-12-01

High-resolution vehicle headlamps represent a future-oriented technology that can be used to increase traffic safety and driving comfort. As a further development to the current Matrix Beam headlamps, LED-based pixel light systems enable ideal lighting functions (e.g. projection of navigation information onto the road) to be activated in any given driving scenario. Moreover, compared to other light-modulating elements such as DMDs and LCDs, instantaneous LED on-off toggling provides a decisive advantage in efficiency. To generate highly individualized light distributions for automotive applications, a number of approaches using an LED array may be pursued. One approach is to vary the LED density in the array so as to output the desired light distribution. Another notable approach makes use of an equidistant arrangement of the individual LEDs together with distortion optics to formulate the desired light distribution. The optical system adjusts the light distribution in a manner that improves resolution and increases luminous intensity of the desired area. An efficient setup for pixel generation calls for one lens per LED. Taking into consideration the limited space requirements of the system, this implies that the luminous flux, efficiency and resolution image parameters are primarily controlled by the lens dimensions. In this paper a concept for an equidistant LED array arrangement utilizing distortion optics is presented. The paper is divided into two parts. The first part discusses the influence of lens geometry on the system efficiency whereas the second part investigates the correlation between resolution and luminous flux based on the lens dimensions.

Development of a High Dynamic Range Pixel Array Detector for Synchrotrons and XFELs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weiss, Joel Todd

Advances in synchrotron radiation light source technology have opened new lines of inquiry in material science, biology, and everything in between. However, x-ray detector capabilities must advance in concert with light source technology to fully realize experimental possibilities. X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) place particularly large demands on the capabilities of detectors, and developments towards diffraction-limited storage ring sources also necessitate detectors capable of measuring very high flux [1-3]. The detector described herein builds on the Mixed Mode Pixel Array Detector (MM-PAD) framework, developed previously by our group to perform high dynamic range imaging, and the Adaptive Gain Integrating Pixel Detector (AGIPD) developed for the European XFEL by a collaboration between Deustsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), the Paul-Scherrer-Institute (PSI), the University of Hamburg, and the University of Bonn, led by Heinz Graafsma [4, 5]. The feasibility of combining adaptive gain with charge removal techniques to increase dynamic range in XFEL experiments is assessed by simulating XFEL scatter with a pulsed infrared laser. The strategy is incorporated into pixel prototypes which are evaluated with direct current injection to simulate very high incident x-ray flux. A fully functional 16x16 pixel hybrid integrating x-ray detector featuring several different pixel architectures based on the prototypes was developed. This dissertation describes its operation and characterization. To extend dynamic range, charge is removed from the integration node of the front-end amplifier without interrupting integration. The number of times this process occurs is recorded by a digital counter in the pixel. The parameter limiting full well is thereby shifted from the size of an integration capacitor to the depth of a digital counter. The result is similar to that achieved by counting pixel array detectors, but the integrators presented here are designed to tolerate a sustained flux >1011 x-rays/pixel/second. In addition, digitization of residual analog signals allows sensitivity for single x-rays or low flux signals. Pixel high flux linearity is evaluated by direct exposure to an unattenuated synchrotron source x-ray beam and flux measurements of more than 1010 9.52 keV x-rays/pixel/s are made. Detector sensitivity to small signals is evaluated and dominant sources of error are identified. These new pixels boast multiple orders of magnitude improvement in maximum sustained flux over the MM-PAD, which is capable of measuring a sustained flux in excess of 108 x-rays/pixel/second while maintaining sensitivity to smaller signals, down to single x-rays.

High-speed massively parallel scanning

DOEpatents

Decker, Derek E [Byron, CA

2010-07-06

A new technique for recording a series of images of a high-speed event (such as, but not limited to: ballistics, explosives, laser induced changes in materials, etc.) is presented. Such technique(s) makes use of a lenslet array to take image picture elements (pixels) and concentrate light from each pixel into a spot that is much smaller than the pixel. This array of spots illuminates a detector region (e.g., film, as one embodiment) which is scanned transverse to the light, creating tracks of exposed regions. Each track is a time history of the light intensity for a single pixel. By appropriately configuring the array of concentrated spots with respect to the scanning direction of the detection material, different tracks fit between pixels and sufficient lengths are possible which can be of interest in several high-speed imaging applications.

Energy-correction photon counting pixel for photon energy extraction under pulse pile-up

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Daehee; Park, Kyungjin; Lim, Kyung Taek; Cho, Gyuseong

2017-06-01

A photon counting detector (PCD) has been proposed as an alternative solution to an energy-integrating detector (EID) in medical imaging field due to its high resolution, high efficiency, and low noise. The PCD has expanded to variety of fields such as spectral CT, k-edge imaging, and material decomposition owing to its capability to count and measure the number and the energy of an incident photon, respectively. Nonetheless, pulse pile-up, which is a superimposition of pulses at the output of a charge sensitive amplifier (CSA) in each PC pixel, occurs frequently as the X-ray flux increases due to the finite pulse processing time (PPT) in CSAs. Pulse pile-up induces not only a count loss but also distortion in the measured X-ray spectrum from each PC pixel and thus it is a main constraint on the use of PCDs in high flux X-ray applications. To minimize these effects, an energy-correction PC (ECPC) pixel is proposed to resolve pulse pile-up without cutting off the PPT by adding an energy correction logic (ECL) via a cross detection method (CDM). The ECPC pixel with a size of 200×200 μm2 was fabricated by using a 6-metal 1-poly 0.18 μm CMOS process with a static power consumption of 7.2 μW/pixel. The maximum count rate of the ECPC pixel was extended by approximately three times higher than that of a conventional PC pixel with a PPT of 500 nsec. The X-ray spectrum of 90 kVp, filtered by 3 mm Al filter, was measured as the X-ray current was increased using the CdTe and the ECPC pixel. As a result, the ECPC pixel dramatically reduced the energy spectrum distortion at 2 Mphotons/pixel/s when compared to that of the ERCP pixel with the same 500 nsec PPT.

Time-series analysis of lung texture on bone-suppressed dynamic chest radiograph for the evaluation of pulmonary function: a preliminary study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Rie; Matsuda, Hiroaki; Sanada, Shigeru

2017-03-01

The density of lung tissue changes as demonstrated on imagery is dependent on the relative increases and decreases in the volume of air and lung vessels per unit volume of lung. Therefore, a time-series analysis of lung texture can be used to evaluate relative pulmonary function. This study was performed to assess a time-series analysis of lung texture on dynamic chest radiographs during respiration, and to demonstrate its usefulness in the diagnosis of pulmonary impairments. Sequential chest radiographs of 30 patients were obtained using a dynamic flat-panel detector (FPD; 100 kV, 0.2 mAs/pulse, 15 frames/s, SID = 2.0 m; Prototype, Konica Minolta). Imaging was performed during respiration, and 210 images were obtained over 14 seconds. Commercial bone suppression image-processing software (Clear Read Bone Suppression; Riverain Technologies, Miamisburg, Ohio, USA) was applied to the sequential chest radiographs to create corresponding bone suppression images. Average pixel values, standard deviation (SD), kurtosis, and skewness were calculated based on a density histogram analysis in lung regions. Regions of interest (ROIs) were manually located in the lungs, and the same ROIs were traced by the template matching technique during respiration. Average pixel value effectively differentiated regions with ventilatory defects and normal lung tissue. The average pixel values in normal areas changed dynamically in synchronization with the respiratory phase, whereas those in regions of ventilatory defects indicated reduced variations in pixel value. There were no significant differences between ventilatory defects and normal lung tissue in the other parameters. We confirmed that time-series analysis of lung texture was useful for the evaluation of pulmonary function in dynamic chest radiography during respiration. Pulmonary impairments were detected as reduced changes in pixel value. This technique is a simple, cost-effective diagnostic tool for the evaluation of regional pulmonary function.

A photon-counting photodiode array detector for far ultraviolet (FUV) astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartig, G. F.; Moos, H. W.; Pembroke, R.; Bowers, C.

1982-01-01

A compact, stable, single-stage intensified photodiode array detector designed for photon-counting, far ultraviolet astronomy applications employs a saturable, 'C'-type MCP (Galileo S. MCP 25-25) to produce high gain pulses with a narrowly peaked pulse height distribution. The P-20 output phosphor exhibits a very short decay time, due to the high current density of the electron pulses. This intensifier is being coupled to a self-scanning linear photodiode array which has a fiber optic input window which allows direct, rigid mechanical coupling with minimal light loss. The array was scanned at a 250 KHz pixel rate. The detector exhibits more than adequate signal-to-noise ratio for pulse counting and event location.

A 64-pixel NbTiN superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array for spatially resolved photon detection.

PubMed

Miki, Shigehito; Yamashita, Taro; Wang, Zhen; Terai, Hirotaka

2014-04-07

We present the characterization of two-dimensionally arranged 64-pixel NbTiN superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SSPD) array for spatially resolved photon detection. NbTiN films deposited on thermally oxidized Si substrates enabled the high-yield production of high-quality SSPD pixels, and all 64 SSPD pixels showed uniform superconducting characteristics within the small range of 7.19-7.23 K of superconducting transition temperature and 15.8-17.8 μA of superconducting switching current. Furthermore, all of the pixels showed single-photon sensitivity, and 60 of the 64 pixels showed a pulse generation probability higher than 90% after photon absorption. As a result of light irradiation from the single-mode optical fiber at different distances between the fiber tip and the active area, the variations of system detection efficiency (SDE) in each pixel showed reasonable Gaussian distribution to represent the spatial distributions of photon flux intensity.

In-situ device integration of large-area patterned organic nanowire arrays for high-performance optical sensors

PubMed Central

Wu, Yiming; Zhang, Xiujuan; Pan, Huanhuan; Deng, Wei; Zhang, Xiaohong; Zhang, Xiwei; Jie, Jiansheng

2013-01-01

Single-crystalline organic nanowires (NWs) are important building blocks for future low-cost and efficient nano-optoelectronic devices due to their extraordinary properties. However, it remains a critical challenge to achieve large-scale organic NW array assembly and device integration. Herein, we demonstrate a feasible one-step method for large-area patterned growth of cross-aligned single-crystalline organic NW arrays and their in-situ device integration for optical image sensors. The integrated image sensor circuitry contained a 10 × 10 pixel array in an area of 1.3 × 1.3 mm2, showing high spatial resolution, excellent stability and reproducibility. More importantly, 100% of the pixels successfully operated at a high response speed and relatively small pixel-to-pixel variation. The high yield and high spatial resolution of the operational pixels, along with the high integration level of the device, clearly demonstrate the great potential of the one-step organic NW array growth and device construction approach for large-scale optoelectronic device integration. PMID:24287887

Discovery and Characterization of Small Planets from the K2 Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howard, Andrew

The K2 mission offers a unique opportunity to find substantial numbers of new transiting planets with host stars much brighter than those found by Kepler -- ideal targets for measurements of planetary atmospheres (with HST and JWST) and planetary masses and densities (with Doppler spectroscopy). The K2 data present unique challenges compared to the Kepler mission. We propose to build on our team's demonstrated successes with the Kepler photometry and in finding exciting new planetary systems in K2 data. We will search for transiting planets in photometry of all stellar K2 targets in each of the first three K2 Campaigns (Fields C0, C1, and C2). We will adapt and enhance our TERRA transit search tool to detect transits in the K2 photometry, and we will assess candidate transiting planets with a suite of K2-specific vetting tools including pixel-level inspection for transit localization, centroid motion tests, and secondary eclipse searches. We will publicly release TERRA and our pixel-level diagnostics for use by other teams in future analyses of K2 and TESS photometry. We will also develop FreeBLEND, a free and open source tool to robustly quantify the probability of false positive detections for individual planet candidates given reduced photometry, constraints from the K2 pixel-level data, adaptive optics imaging, high-resolution stellar spectroscopy, and radial velocity measurements. This tool will be similar to BLENDER for Kepler, but (a) more computationally efficient and useable on the wide range of galactic latitudes that K2 samples and (b) available for use by the entire community. With these tools we will publicly release high-quality (low-noise) reduced photometry of the K2 target stars as well as catalogs of the transiting planets. Host stars in our planet catalogs will be characterized by medium and high-resolution spectroscopy (as appropriate) to yield accurate planet parameters. For a handful of planets in the sample, we will measure masses using Keck-HIRES to constrain the planets' bulk densities and compositions. This project is relevant to the ADA Program as it focuses on archived K2 mission data. It supports NASA's strategic goals to characterize the diverse population of small exoplanets, identified targets to maximize JWST's exoplanet science yield, and develops community tools for use with K2, TESS, and other future missions.

Multi-energy x-ray detector calibration for Te and impurity density (nZ) measurements of MCF plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maddox, J.; Pablant, N.; Efthimion, P.; Delgado-Aparicio, L.; Hill, K. W.; Bitter, M.; Reinke, M. L.; Rissi, M.; Donath, T.; Luethi, B.; Stratton, B.

2016-11-01

Soft x-ray detection with the new "multi-energy" PILATUS3 detector systems holds promise as a magnetically confined fusion (MCF) plasma diagnostic for ITER and beyond. The measured x-ray brightness can be used to determine impurity concentrations, electron temperatures, ne 2 Z eff products, and to probe the electron energy distribution. However, in order to be effective, these detectors which are really large arrays of detectors with photon energy gating capabilities must be precisely calibrated for each pixel. The energy-dependence of the detector response of the multi-energy PILATUS3 system with 100 K pixels has been measured at Dectris Laboratory. X-rays emitted from a tube under high voltage bombard various elements such that they emit x-ray lines from Zr-Lα to Ag-Kα between 1.8 and 22.16 keV. Each pixel on the PILATUS3 can be set to a minimum energy threshold in the range from 1.6 to 25 keV. This feature allows a single detector to be sensitive to a variety of x-ray energies, so that it is possible to sample the energy distribution of the x-ray continuum and line-emission. PILATUS3 can be configured for 1D or 2D imaging of MCF plasmas with typical spatial energy and temporal resolution of 1 cm, 0.6 keV, and 5 ms, respectively.

2D Measurements of the Balmer Series in Proto-MPEX using a Fast Visible Camera Setup

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindquist, Elizabeth G.; Biewer, Theodore M.; Ray, Holly B.

2017-10-01

The Prototype Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (Proto-MPEX) is a linear plasma device with densities up to 1020 m-3 and temperatures up to 20 eV. Broadband spectral measurements show the visible emission spectra are solely due to the Balmer lines of deuterium. Monochromatic and RGB color Sanstreak SC1 Edgertronic fast visible cameras capture high speed video of plasmas in Proto-MPEX. The color camera is equipped with a long pass 450 nm filter and an internal Bayer filter to view the Dα line at 656 nm on the red channel and the Dβ line at 486 nm on the blue channel. The monochromatic camera has a 434 nm narrow bandpass filter to view the Dγ intensity. In the setup, a 50/50 beam splitter is used so both cameras image the same region of the plasma discharge. Camera images were aligned to each other by viewing a grid ensuring 1 pixel registration between the two cameras. A uniform intensity calibrated white light source was used to perform a pixel-to-pixel relative and an absolute intensity calibration for both cameras. Python scripts that combined the dual camera data, rendering the Dα, Dβ, and Dγ intensity ratios. Observations from Proto-MPEX discharges will be presented. This work was supported by the US. D.O.E. contract DE-AC05-00OR22725.

Influence of peri-implant artifacts on bone morphometric analysis with micro-computed tomography.

PubMed

Song, Jin Wook; Cha, Jung Yul; Bechtold, Till Edward; Park, Young Chel

2013-01-01

To determine the optimal dilation pixel size distance from the mini-implant interface needed to compensate for the metal artifact on micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for bone morphometric analysis. A total of 72 self-drilling mini-implants were placed into the buccal alveolar bone of six male beagle dogs. After 12 weeks of orthodontic loading, specimens were harvested and scanned with micro-CT (Skyscan 1076) at a resolution of 9 μm. Using the reload plug-in and dilation procedure of CTAn, the percentage of bone-implant contact (BIC) and bone volume density (BV/TV, bone volume/total volume), respectively, were measured from one to seven pixels from the metal implant surface. Each pixel size of dilation (PSD) were compared with that of a ground histologic section, and the optimal PSD for bone morphometric analysis using micro-CT was determined. BIC values from micro-CT analysis decreased when the PSD increased (P < .05). BIC from micro-CT showed the highest correlation coefficient with BIC from histologic slides when the PSD was 5 to 7 (P < .05), whereas BV/TV from micro-CT showed a very high correlation with BV/TV from histologic slides in all ranges (P < .0001). To measure BIC and BV/TV using micro-CT, at least 5 PSD from the metal implant surface is needed.

Median filters as a tool to determine dark noise thresholds in high resolution smartphone image sensors for scientific imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Igoe, Damien P.; Parisi, Alfio V.; Amar, Abdurazaq; Rummenie, Katherine J.

2018-01-01

An evaluation of the use of median filters in the reduction of dark noise in smartphone high resolution image sensors is presented. The Sony Xperia Z1 employed has a maximum image sensor resolution of 20.7 Mpixels, with each pixel having a side length of just over 1 μm. Due to the large number of photosites, this provides an image sensor with very high sensitivity but also makes them prone to noise effects such as hot-pixels. Similar to earlier research with older models of smartphone, no appreciable temperature effects were observed in the overall average pixel values for images taken in ambient temperatures between 5 °C and 25 °C. In this research, hot-pixels are defined as pixels with intensities above a specific threshold. The threshold is determined using the distribution of pixel values of a set of images with uniform statistical properties associated with the application of median-filters of increasing size. An image with uniform statistics was employed as a training set from 124 dark images, and the threshold was determined to be 9 digital numbers (DN). The threshold remained constant for multiple resolutions and did not appreciably change even after a year of extensive field use and exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. Although the temperature effects' uniformity masked an increase in hot-pixel occurrences, the total number of occurrences represented less than 0.1% of the total image. Hot-pixels were removed by applying a median filter, with an optimum filter size of 7 × 7; similar trends were observed for four additional smartphone image sensors used for validation. Hot-pixels were also reduced by decreasing image resolution. The method outlined in this research provides a methodology to characterise the dark noise behavior of high resolution image sensors for use in scientific investigations, especially as pixel sizes decrease.

High-throughput and automated SAXS/USAXS experiment for industrial use at BL19B2 in SPring-8

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

Osaka, Keiichi, E-mail: k-osaka@spring8.or.jp; Inoue, Daisuke; Sato, Masugu

A highly automated system combining a sample transfer robot with focused SR beam has been established for small-angle and ultra small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/USAXS) measurement at BL19B2 for industrial use of SPring-8. High-throughput data collection system can be realized by means of X-ray beam of high photon flux density concentrated by a cylindrical mirror, and a two-dimensional pixel detector PILATUS-2M. For SAXS measurement, we can obtain high-quality data within 1 minute for one exposure using this system. The sample transfer robot has a capacity of 90 samples with a large variety of shapes. The fusion of high-throughput and robotic systemmore » has enhanced the usability of SAXS/USAXS capability for industrial application.« less

Spatial scaling of core and dominant forest cover in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River floodplains, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

De Jager, Nathan R.; Rohweder, Jason J.

2011-01-01

Different organisms respond to spatial structure in different terms and across different spatial scales. As a consequence, efforts to reverse habitat loss and fragmentation through strategic habitat restoration ought to account for the different habitat density and scale requirements of various taxonomic groups. Here, we estimated the local density of floodplain forest surrounding each of ~20 million 10-m forested pixels of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River floodplains by using moving windows of multiple sizes (1–100 ha). We further identified forest pixels that met two local density thresholds: 'core' forest pixels were nested in a 100% (unfragmented) forested window and 'dominant' forest pixels were those nested in a >60% forested window. Finally, we fit two scaling functions to declines in the proportion of forest cover meeting these criteria with increasing window length for 107 management-relevant focal areas: a power function (i.e. self-similar, fractal-like scaling) and an exponential decay function (fractal dimension depends on scale). The exponential decay function consistently explained more variation in changes to the proportion of forest meeting both the 'core' and 'dominant' criteria with increasing window length than did the power function, suggesting that elevation, soil type, hydrology, and human land use constrain these forest types to a limited range of scales. To examine these scales, we transformed the decay constants to measures of the distance at which the probability of forest meeting the 'core' and 'dominant' criteria was cut in half (S 1/2, m). S 1/2 for core forest was typically between ~55 and ~95 m depending on location along the river, indicating that core forest cover is restricted to extremely fine scales. In contrast, half of all dominant forest cover was lost at scales that were typically between ~525 and 750 m, but S 1/2 was as long as 1,800 m. S 1/2 is a simple measure that (1) condenses information derived from multi-scale analyses, (2) allows for comparisons of the amount of forest habitat available to species with different habitat density and scale requirements, and (3) can be used as an index of the spatial continuity of habitat types that do not scale fractally.

Design and characterization of high precision in-pixel discriminators for rolling shutter CMOS pixel sensors with full CMOS capability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Y.; Hu-Guo, C.; Dorokhov, A.; Pham, H.; Hu, Y.

2013-07-01

In order to exploit the ability to integrate a charge collecting electrode with analog and digital processing circuitry down to the pixel level, a new type of CMOS pixel sensors with full CMOS capability is presented in this paper. The pixel array is read out based on a column-parallel read-out architecture, where each pixel incorporates a diode, a preamplifier with a double sampling circuitry and a discriminator to completely eliminate analog read-out bottlenecks. The sensor featuring a pixel array of 8 rows and 32 columns with a pixel pitch of 80 μm×16 μm was fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process. The behavior of each pixel-level discriminator isolated from the diode and the preamplifier was studied. The experimental results indicate that all in-pixel discriminators which are fully operational can provide significant improvements in the read-out speed and the power consumption of CMOS pixel sensors.

Effect of manmade pixels on the inherent dimension of natural material distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlamm, Ariel; Messinger, David; Basener, William

2009-05-01

The inherent dimension of hyperspectral data may be a useful metric for discriminating between the presence of manmade and natural materials in a scene without reliance on spectral signatures take from libraries. Previously, a simple geometric method for approximating the inherent dimension was introduced along with results from application to single material clusters. This method uses an estimate of the slope from a graph based on the point density estimation in the spectral space. Other information can be gathered from the plot which may aid in the discrimination between manmade and natural materials. In order to use these measures to differentiate between the two material types, the effect of the inclusion of manmade pixels on the phenomenology of the background distribution must be evaluated. Here, a procedure for injecting manmade pixels into a natural region of a scene is discussed. The results of dimension estimation on natural scenes with varying amounts of manmade pixels injected are presented here, indicating that these metrics can be sensitive to the presence of manmade phenomenology in an image.

Improved Persistent Scatterer analysis using Amplitude Dispersion Index optimization of dual polarimetry data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esmaeili, Mostafa; Motagh, Mahdi

2016-07-01

Time-series analysis of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data using the two techniques of Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) and Persistent Scatterer Interferometric SAR (PSInSAR) extends the capability of conventional interferometry technique for deformation monitoring and mitigating many of its limitations. Using dual/quad polarized data provides us with an additional source of information to improve further the capability of InSAR time-series analysis. In this paper we use dual-polarized data and combine the Amplitude Dispersion Index (ADI) optimization of pixels with phase stability criterion for PSInSAR analysis. ADI optimization is performed by using Simulated Annealing algorithm to increase the number of Persistent Scatterer Candidate (PSC). The phase stability of PSCs is then measured using their temporal coherence to select the final sets of pixels for deformation analysis. We evaluate the method for a dataset comprising of 17 dual polarization SAR data (HH/VV) acquired by TerraSAR-X data from July 2013 to January 2014 over a subsidence area in Iran and compare the effectiveness of the method for both agricultural and urban regions. The results reveal that using optimum scattering mechanism decreases the ADI values in urban and non-urban regions. As compared to single-pol data the use of optimized polarization increases initially the number of PSCs by about three times and improves the final PS density by about 50%, in particular in regions with high rate of deformation which suffer from losing phase stability over the time. The classification of PS pixels based on their optimum scattering mechanism revealed that the dominant scattering mechanism of the PS pixels in the urban area is double-bounce while for the non-urban regions (ground surfaces and farmlands) it is mostly single-bounce mechanism.

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

Kishimoto, S., E-mail: syunji.kishimoto@kek.jp; Haruki, R.; Mitsui, T.

We developed a silicon avalanche photodiode (Si-APD) linear-array detector for use in nuclear resonant scattering experiments using synchrotron X-rays. The Si-APD linear array consists of 64 pixels (pixel size: 100 × 200 μm{sup 2}) with a pixel pitch of 150 μm and depletion depth of 10 μm. An ultrafast frontend circuit allows the X-ray detector to obtain a high output rate of >10{sup 7} cps per pixel. High-performance integrated circuits achieve multichannel scaling over 1024 continuous time bins with a 1 ns resolution for each pixel without dead time. The multichannel scaling method enabled us to record a time spectrummore » of the 14.4 keV nuclear radiation at each pixel with a time resolution of 1.4 ns (FWHM). This method was successfully applied to nuclear forward scattering and nuclear small-angle scattering on {sup 57}Fe.« less

Experimental single-chip color HDTV image acquisition system with 8M-pixel CMOS image sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimamoto, Hiroshi; Yamashita, Takayuki; Funatsu, Ryohei; Mitani, Kohji; Nojiri, Yuji

2006-02-01

We have developed an experimental single-chip color HDTV image acquisition system using 8M-pixel CMOS image sensor. The sensor has 3840 × 2160 effective pixels and is progressively scanned at 60 frames per second. We describe the color filter array and interpolation method to improve image quality with a high-pixel-count single-chip sensor. We also describe an experimental image acquisition system we used to measured spatial frequency characteristics in the horizontal direction. The results indicate good prospects for achieving a high quality single chip HDTV camera that reduces pseudo signals and maintains high spatial frequency characteristics within the frequency band for HDTV.

Non-destructive measurement of soil liquefaction density change by crosshole radar tomography, Treasure Island, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kayen, Robert E.; Barnhardt, Walter A.; Ashford, Scott; Rollins, Kyle

2000-01-01

A ground penetrating radar (GPR) experiment at the Treasure Island Test Site [TILT] was performed to non-destructively image the soil column for changes in density prior to, and following, a liquefaction event. The intervening liquefaction was achieved by controlled blasting. A geotechnical borehole radar technique was used to acquire high-resolution 2-D radar velocity data. This method of non-destructive site characterization uses radar trans-illumination surveys through the soil column and tomographic data manipulation techniques to construct radar velocity tomograms, from which averaged void ratios can be derived at 0.25 - 0.5m pixel footprints. Tomograms of void ratio were constructed through the relation between soil porosity and dielectric constant. Both pre- and post-blast tomograms were collected and indicate that liquefaction related densification occurred at the site. Volumetric strains estimated from the tomograms correlate well with the observed settlement at the site. The 2-D imagery of void ratio can serve as high-resolution data layers for numerical site response analysis.

Model-based optimization of near-field binary-pixelated beam shapers

DOE PAGES

Dorrer, C.; Hassett, J.

2017-01-23

The optimization of components that rely on spatially dithered distributions of transparent or opaque pixels and an imaging system with far-field filtering for transmission control is demonstrated. The binary-pixel distribution can be iteratively optimized to lower an error function that takes into account the design transmission and the characteristics of the required far-field filter. Simulations using a design transmission chosen in the context of high-energy lasers show that the beam-fluence modulation at an image plane can be reduced by a factor of 2, leading to performance similar to using a non-optimized spatial-dithering algorithm with pixels of size reduced by amore » factor of 2 without the additional fabrication complexity or cost. The optimization process preserves the pixel distribution statistical properties. Analysis shows that the optimized pixel distribution starting from a high-noise distribution defined by a random-draw algorithm should be more resilient to fabrication errors than the optimized pixel distributions starting from a low-noise, error-diffusion algorithm, while leading to similar beamshaping performance. Furthermore, this is confirmed by experimental results obtained with various pixel distributions and induced fabrication errors.« less

A compressed sensing X-ray camera with a multilayer architecture

DOE PAGES

Wang, Zhehui; Laroshenko, O.; Li, S.; ...

2018-01-25

Recent advances in compressed sensing theory and algorithms offer new possibilities for high-speed X-ray camera design. In many CMOS cameras, each pixel has an independent on-board circuit that includes an amplifier, noise rejection, signal shaper, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and optional in-pixel storage. When X-ray images are sparse, i.e., when one of the following cases is true: (a.) The number of pixels with true X-ray hits is much smaller than the total number of pixels; (b.) The X-ray information is redundant; or (c.) Some prior knowledge about the X-ray images exists, sparse sampling may be allowed. In this work, wemore » first illustrate the feasibility of random on-board pixel sampling (ROPS) using an existing set of X-ray images, followed by a discussion about signal to noise as a function of pixel size. Next, we describe a possible circuit architecture to achieve random pixel access and in-pixel storage. The combination of a multilayer architecture, sparse on-chip sampling, and computational image techniques, is expected to facilitate the development and applications of high-speed X-ray camera technology.« less

A compressed sensing X-ray camera with a multilayer architecture

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

Wang, Zhehui; Laroshenko, O.; Li, S.

Recent advances in compressed sensing theory and algorithms offer new possibilities for high-speed X-ray camera design. In many CMOS cameras, each pixel has an independent on-board circuit that includes an amplifier, noise rejection, signal shaper, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and optional in-pixel storage. When X-ray images are sparse, i.e., when one of the following cases is true: (a.) The number of pixels with true X-ray hits is much smaller than the total number of pixels; (b.) The X-ray information is redundant; or (c.) Some prior knowledge about the X-ray images exists, sparse sampling may be allowed. In this work, wemore » first illustrate the feasibility of random on-board pixel sampling (ROPS) using an existing set of X-ray images, followed by a discussion about signal to noise as a function of pixel size. Next, we describe a possible circuit architecture to achieve random pixel access and in-pixel storage. The combination of a multilayer architecture, sparse on-chip sampling, and computational image techniques, is expected to facilitate the development and applications of high-speed X-ray camera technology.« less

Subpixel mapping and test beam studies with a HV2FEI4v2 CMOS-Sensor-Hybrid Module for the ATLAS inner detector upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisanz, T.; Große-Knetter, J.; Quadt, A.; Rieger, J.; Weingarten, J.

2017-08-01

The upgrade to the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider will increase the instantaneous luminosity by more than a factor of 5, thus creating significant challenges to the tracking systems of all experiments. Recent advancement of active pixel detectors designed in CMOS processes provide attractive alternatives to the well-established hybrid design using passive sensors since they allow for smaller pixel sizes and cost effective production. This article presents studies of a high-voltage CMOS active pixel sensor designed for the ATLAS tracker upgrade. The sensor is glued to the read-out chip of the Insertable B-Layer, forming a capacitively coupled pixel detector. The pixel pitch of the device under test is 33× 125 μm2, while the pixels of the read-out chip have a pitch of 50× 250 μm2. Three pixels of the CMOS device are connected to one read-out pixel, the information of which of these subpixels is hit is encoded in the amplitude of the output signal (subpixel encoding). Test beam measurements are presented that demonstrate the usability of this subpixel encoding scheme.

High-speed digital holography for neutral gas and electron density imaging

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

Granstedt, E. M., E-mail: egranstedt@gmail.com; Thomas, C. E.; Kaita, R.

2016-05-15

An instrument was developed using digital holographic reconstruction of the wavefront from a CO{sub 2} laser imaged on a high-speed commercial IR camera. An acousto-optic modulator is used to generate 1–25 μs pulses from a continuous-wave CO{sub 2} laser, both to limit the average power at the detector and also to freeze motion from sub-interframe time scales. Extensive effort was made to characterize and eliminate noise from vibrations and second-surface reflections. Mismatch of the reference and object beam curvature initially contributed substantially to vibrational noise, but was mitigated through careful positioning of identical imaging lenses. Vibrational mode amplitudes were successfullymore » reduced to ≲1 nm for frequencies ≳50 Hz, and the inter-frame noise across the 128 × 128 pixel window which is typically used is ≲2.5 nm. To demonstrate the capabilities of the system, a piezo-electric valve and a reducing-expanding nozzle were used to generate a super-sonic gas jet which was imaged with high spatial resolution (better than 0.8 lp/mm) at high speed. Abel inversions were performed on the phase images to produce 2-D images of localized gas density. This system could also be used for high spatial and temporal resolution measurements of plasma electron density or surface deformations.« less

Hit efficiency study of CMS prototype forward pixel detectors

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

Kim, Dongwook; /Johns Hopkins U.

2006-01-01

In this paper the author describes the measurement of the hit efficiency of a prototype pixel device for the CMS forward pixel detector. These pixel detectors were FM type sensors with PSI46V1 chip readout. The data were taken with the 120 GeV proton beam at Fermilab during the period of December 2004 to February 2005. The detectors proved to be highly efficient (99.27 {+-} 0.02%). The inefficiency was primarily located near the corners of the individual pixels.

Features of the normal choriocapillaris with OCT-angiography: Density estimation and textural properties.

PubMed

Montesano, Giovanni; Allegrini, Davide; Colombo, Leonardo; Rossetti, Luca M; Pece, Alfredo

2017-01-01

The main objective of our work is to perform an in depth analysis of the structural features of normal choriocapillaris imaged with OCT Angiography. Specifically, we provide an optimal radius for a circular Region of Interest (ROI) to obtain a stable estimate of the subfoveal choriocapillaris density and characterize its textural properties using Markov Random Fields. On each binarized image of the choriocapillaris OCT Angiography we performed simulated measurements of the subfoveal choriocapillaris densities with circular Regions of Interest (ROIs) of different radii and with small random displacements from the center of the Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ). We then calculated the variability of the density measure with different ROI radii. We then characterized the textural features of choriocapillaris binary images by estimating the parameters of an Ising model. For each image we calculated the Optimal Radius (OR) as the minimum ROI radius required to obtain a standard deviation in the simulation below 0.01. The density measured with the individual OR was 0.52 ± 0.07 (mean ± STD). Similar density values (0.51 ± 0.07) were obtained using a fixed ROI radius of 450 μm. The Ising model yielded two parameter estimates (β = 0.34 ± 0.03; γ = 0.003 ± 0.012; mean ± STD), characterizing pixel clustering and white pixel density respectively. Using the estimated parameters to synthetize new random textures via simulation we obtained a good reproduction of the original choriocapillaris structural features and density. In conclusion, we developed an extensive characterization of the normal subfoveal choriocapillaris that might be used for flow analysis and applied to the investigation pathological alterations.

Low complexity pixel-based halftone detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ok, Jiheon; Han, Seong Wook; Jarno, Mielikainen; Lee, Chulhee

2011-10-01

With the rapid advances of the internet and other multimedia technologies, the digital document market has been growing steadily. Since most digital images use halftone technologies, quality degradation occurs when one tries to scan and reprint them. Therefore, it is necessary to extract the halftone areas to produce high quality printing. In this paper, we propose a low complexity pixel-based halftone detection algorithm. For each pixel, we considered a surrounding block. If the block contained any flat background regions, text, thin lines, or continuous or non-homogeneous regions, the pixel was classified as a non-halftone pixel. After excluding those non-halftone pixels, the remaining pixels were considered to be halftone pixels. Finally, documents were classified as pictures or photo documents by calculating the halftone pixel ratio. The proposed algorithm proved to be memory-efficient and required low computation costs. The proposed algorithm was easily implemented using GPU.

A design of optical modulation system with pixel-level modulation accuracy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Shiwei; Qu, Xinghua; Feng, Wei; Liang, Baoqiu

2018-01-01

Vision measurement has been widely used in the field of dimensional measurement and surface metrology. However, traditional methods of vision measurement have many limits such as low dynamic range and poor reconfigurability. The optical modulation system before image formation has the advantage of high dynamic range, high accuracy and more flexibility, and the modulation accuracy is the key parameter which determines the accuracy and effectiveness of optical modulation system. In this paper, an optical modulation system with pixel level accuracy is designed and built based on multi-points reflective imaging theory and digital micromirror device (DMD). The system consisted of digital micromirror device, CCD camera and lens. Firstly we achieved accurate pixel-to-pixel correspondence between the DMD mirrors and the CCD pixels by moire fringe and an image processing of sampling and interpolation. Then we built three coordinate systems and calculated the mathematic relationship between the coordinate of digital micro-mirror and CCD pixels using a checkerboard pattern. A verification experiment proves that the correspondence error is less than 0.5 pixel. The results show that the modulation accuracy of system meets the requirements of modulation. Furthermore, the high reflecting edge of a metal circular piece can be detected using the system, which proves the effectiveness of the optical modulation system.

III-V infrared research at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunapala, S. D.; Ting, D. Z.; Hill, C. J.; Soibel, A.; Liu, John; Liu, J. K.; Mumolo, J. M.; Keo, S. A.; Nguyen, J.; Bandara, S. V.; Tidrow, M. Z.

2009-08-01

Jet Propulsion Laboratory is actively developing the III-V based infrared detector and focal plane arrays (FPAs) for NASA, DoD, and commercial applications. Currently, we are working on multi-band Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPs), Superlattice detectors, and Quantum Dot Infrared Photodetector (QDIPs) technologies suitable for high pixel-pixel uniformity and high pixel operability large area imaging arrays. In this paper we report the first demonstration of the megapixel-simultaneously-readable and pixel-co-registered dual-band QWIP focal plane array (FPA). In addition, we will present the latest advances in QDIPs and Superlattice infrared detectors at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Increasing Linear Dynamic Range of a CMOS Image Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pain, Bedabrata

2007-01-01

A generic design and a corresponding operating sequence have been developed for increasing the linear-response dynamic range of a complementary metal oxide/semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The design provides for linear calibrated dual-gain pixels that operate at high gain at a low signal level and at low gain at a signal level above a preset threshold. Unlike most prior designs for increasing dynamic range of an image sensor, this design does not entail any increase in noise (including fixed-pattern noise), decrease in responsivity or linearity, or degradation of photometric calibration. The figure is a simplified schematic diagram showing the circuit of one pixel and pertinent parts of its column readout circuitry. The conventional part of the pixel circuit includes a photodiode having a small capacitance, CD. The unconventional part includes an additional larger capacitance, CL, that can be connected to the photodiode via a transfer gate controlled in part by a latch. In the high-gain mode, the signal labeled TSR in the figure is held low through the latch, which also helps to adapt the gain on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Light must be coupled to the pixel through a microlens or by back illumination in order to obtain a high effective fill factor; this is necessary to ensure high quantum efficiency, a loss of which would minimize the efficacy of the dynamic- range-enhancement scheme. Once the level of illumination of the pixel exceeds the threshold, TSR is turned on, causing the transfer gate to conduct, thereby adding CL to the pixel capacitance. The added capacitance reduces the conversion gain, and increases the pixel electron-handling capacity, thereby providing an extension of the dynamic range. By use of an array of comparators also at the bottom of the column, photocharge voltages on sampling capacitors in each column are compared with a reference voltage to determine whether it is necessary to switch from the high-gain to the low-gain mode. Depending upon the built-in offset in each pixel and in each comparator, the point at which the gain change occurs will be different, adding gain-dependent fixed pattern noise in each pixel. The offset, and hence the fixed pattern noise, is eliminated by sampling the pixel readout charge four times by use of four capacitors (instead of two such capacitors as in conventional design) connected to the bottom of the column via electronic switches SHS1, SHR1, SHS2, and SHR2, respectively, corresponding to high and low values of the signals TSR and RST. The samples are combined in an appropriate fashion to cancel offset-induced errors, and provide spurious-free imaging with extended dynamic range.

Precise color images a high-speed color video camera system with three intensified sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oki, Sachio; Yamakawa, Masafumi; Gohda, Susumu; Etoh, Takeharu G.

1999-06-01

High speed imaging systems have been used in a large field of science and engineering. Although the high speed camera systems have been improved to high performance, most of their applications are only to get high speed motion pictures. However, in some fields of science and technology, it is useful to get some other information, such as temperature of combustion flame, thermal plasma and molten materials. Recent digital high speed video imaging technology should be able to get such information from those objects. For this purpose, we have already developed a high speed video camera system with three-intensified-sensors and cubic prism image splitter. The maximum frame rate is 40,500 pps (picture per second) at 64 X 64 pixels and 4,500 pps at 256 X 256 pixels with 256 (8 bit) intensity resolution for each pixel. The camera system can store more than 1,000 pictures continuously in solid state memory. In order to get the precise color images from this camera system, we need to develop a digital technique, which consists of a computer program and ancillary instruments, to adjust displacement of images taken from two or three image sensors and to calibrate relationship between incident light intensity and corresponding digital output signals. In this paper, the digital technique for pixel-based displacement adjustment are proposed. Although the displacement of the corresponding circle was more than 8 pixels in original image, the displacement was adjusted within 0.2 pixels at most by this method.

A 20 Mfps high frame-depth CMOS burst-mode imager with low power in-pixel NMOS-only passive amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, L.; San Segundo Bello, D.; Coppejans, P.; Craninckx, J.; Wambacq, P.; Borremans, J.

2017-02-01

This paper presents a 20 Mfps 32 × 84 pixels CMOS burst-mode imager featuring high frame depth with a passive in-pixel amplifier. Compared to the CCD alternatives, CMOS burst-mode imagers are attractive for their low power consumption and integration of circuitry such as ADCs. Due to storage capacitor size and its noise limitations, CMOS burst-mode imagers usually suffer from a lower frame depth than CCD implementations. In order to capture fast transitions over a longer time span, an in-pixel CDS technique has been adopted to reduce the required memory cells for each frame by half. Moreover, integrated with in-pixel CDS, an in-pixel NMOS-only passive amplifier alleviates the kTC noise requirements of the memory bank allowing the usage of smaller capacitors. Specifically, a dense 108-cell MOS memory bank (10fF/cell) has been implemented inside a 30μm pitch pixel, with an area of 25 × 30μm2 occupied by the memory bank. There is an improvement of about 4x in terms of frame depth per pixel area by applying in-pixel CDS and amplification. With the amplifier's gain of 3.3, an FD input-referred RMS noise of 1mV is achieved at 20 Mfps operation. While the amplification is done without burning DC current, including the pixel source follower biasing, the full pixel consumes 10μA at 3.3V supply voltage at full speed. The chip has been fabricated in imec's 130nm CMOS CIS technology.

Quantitative evaluation of the accuracy and variance of individual pixels in a scientific CMOS (sCMOS) camera for computational imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Shigeo; Takahashi, Teruo; Bennett, Keith

2017-02-01

The"scientific" CMOS (sCMOS) camera architecture fundamentally differs from CCD and EMCCD cameras. In digital CCD and EMCCD cameras, conversion from charge to the digital output is generally through a single electronic chain, and the read noise and the conversion factor from photoelectrons to digital outputs are highly uniform for all pixels, although quantum efficiency may spatially vary. In CMOS cameras, the charge to voltage conversion is separate for each pixel and each column has independent amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters, in addition to possible pixel-to-pixel variation in quantum efficiency. The "raw" output from the CMOS image sensor includes pixel-to-pixel variability in the read noise, electronic gain, offset and dark current. Scientific camera manufacturers digitally compensate the raw signal from the CMOS image sensors to provide usable images. Statistical noise in images, unless properly modeled, can introduce errors in methods such as fluctuation correlation spectroscopy or computational imaging, for example, localization microscopy using maximum likelihood estimation. We measured the distributions and spatial maps of individual pixel offset, dark current, read noise, linearity, photoresponse non-uniformity and variance distributions of individual pixels for standard, off-the-shelf Hamamatsu ORCA-Flash4.0 V3 sCMOS cameras using highly uniform and controlled illumination conditions, from dark conditions to multiple low light levels between 20 to 1,000 photons / pixel per frame to higher light conditions. We further show that using pixel variance for flat field correction leads to errors in cameras with good factory calibration.

Method for fabricating pixelated silicon device cells

DOEpatents

Nielson, Gregory N.; Okandan, Murat; Cruz-Campa, Jose Luis; Nelson, Jeffrey S.; Anderson, Benjamin John

2015-08-18

A method, apparatus and system for flexible, ultra-thin, and high efficiency pixelated silicon or other semiconductor photovoltaic solar cell array fabrication is disclosed. A structure and method of creation for a pixelated silicon or other semiconductor photovoltaic solar cell array with interconnects is described using a manufacturing method that is simplified compared to previous versions of pixelated silicon photovoltaic cells that require more microfabrication steps.

Charge Sharing and Charge Loss in a Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Fine-Pixel Detector Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaskin, J. A.; Sharma, D. P.; Ramsey, B. D.; Six, N. Frank (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Because of its high atomic number, room temperature operation, low noise, and high spatial resolution a Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) multi-pixel detector is ideal for hard x-ray astrophysical observation. As part of on-going research at MSFC (Marshall Space Flight Center) to develop multi-pixel CdZnTe detectors for this purpose, we have measured charge sharing and charge loss for a 4x4 (750micron pitch), lmm thick pixel array and modeled these results using a Monte-Carlo simulation. This model was then used to predict the amount of charge sharing for a much finer pixel array (with a 300micron pitch). Future work will enable us to compare the simulated results for the finer array to measured values.

Mapping Sub-Antarctic Cushion Plants Using Random Forests to Combine Very High Resolution Satellite Imagery and Terrain Modelling

PubMed Central

Bricher, Phillippa K.; Lucieer, Arko; Shaw, Justine; Terauds, Aleks; Bergstrom, Dana M.

2013-01-01

Monitoring changes in the distribution and density of plant species often requires accurate and high-resolution baseline maps of those species. Detecting such change at the landscape scale is often problematic, particularly in remote areas. We examine a new technique to improve accuracy and objectivity in mapping vegetation, combining species distribution modelling and satellite image classification on a remote sub-Antarctic island. In this study, we combine spectral data from very high resolution WorldView-2 satellite imagery and terrain variables from a high resolution digital elevation model to improve mapping accuracy, in both pixel- and object-based classifications. Random forest classification was used to explore the effectiveness of these approaches on mapping the distribution of the critically endangered cushion plant Azorella macquariensis Orchard (Apiaceae) on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Both pixel- and object-based classifications of the distribution of Azorella achieved very high overall validation accuracies (91.6–96.3%, κ = 0.849–0.924). Both two-class and three-class classifications were able to accurately and consistently identify the areas where Azorella was absent, indicating that these maps provide a suitable baseline for monitoring expected change in the distribution of the cushion plants. Detecting such change is critical given the threats this species is currently facing under altering environmental conditions. The method presented here has applications to monitoring a range of species, particularly in remote and isolated environments. PMID:23940805

The primordial deuterium abundance at zabs = 2.504 from a high signal-to-noise spectrum of Q1009+2956

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zavarygin, E. O.; Webb, J. K.; Dumont, V.; Riemer-Sørensen, S.

2018-04-01

The spectrum of the zem = 2.63 quasar Q1009+2956 has been observed extensively on the Keck telescope. The Lyman limit absorption system zabs = 2.504 was previously used to measure D/H by Burles & Tytler using a spectrum with signal to noise approximately 60 per pixel in the continuum near Ly α at zabs = 2.504. The larger dataset now available combines to form an exceptionally high signal to noise spectrum, around 147 per pixel. Several heavy element absorption lines are detected in this LLS, providing strong constraints on the kinematic structure. We explore a suite of absorption system models and find that the deuterium feature is likely to be contaminated by weak interloping Ly α absorption from a low column density H I cloud, reducing the expected D/H precision. We find D/H =2.48^{+0.41}_{-0.35} × 10^{-5} for this system. Combining this new measurement with others from the literature and applying the method of Least Trimmed Squares to a statistical sample of 15 D/H measurements results in a "reliable" sample of 13 values. This sample yields a primordial deuterium abundance of (D/H)p = (2.545 ± 0.025) × 10-5. The corresponding mean baryonic density of the Universe is Ωbh2 = 0.02174 ± 0.00025. The quasar absorption data is of the same precision as, and marginally inconsistent with, the 2015 CMB Planck (TT+lowP+lensing) measurement, Ωbh2 = 0.02226 ± 0.00023. Further quasar and more precise nuclear data are required to establish whether this is a random fluctuation.

High-Accuracy Ultrasound Contrast Agent Detection Method for Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging Systems.

PubMed

Ito, Koichi; Noro, Kazumasa; Yanagisawa, Yukari; Sakamoto, Maya; Mori, Shiro; Shiga, Kiyoto; Kodama, Tetsuya; Aoki, Takafumi

2015-12-01

An accurate method for detecting contrast agents using diagnostic ultrasound imaging systems is proposed. Contrast agents, such as microbubbles, passing through a blood vessel during ultrasound imaging are detected as blinking signals in the temporal axis, because their intensity value is constantly in motion. Ultrasound contrast agents are detected by evaluating the intensity variation of a pixel in the temporal axis. Conventional methods are based on simple subtraction of ultrasound images to detect ultrasound contrast agents. Even if the subject moves only slightly, a conventional detection method will introduce significant error. In contrast, the proposed technique employs spatiotemporal analysis of the pixel intensity variation over several frames. Experiments visualizing blood vessels in the mouse tail illustrated that the proposed method performs efficiently compared with conventional approaches. We also report that the new technique is useful for observing temporal changes in microvessel density in subiliac lymph nodes containing tumors. The results are compared with those of contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Copyright © 2015 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of LANDSAT images of vegetation cover to estimate effective hydraulic properties of soils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eagleson, Peter S.; Jasinski, Michael F.

1988-01-01

The estimation of the spatially variable surface moisture and heat fluxes of natural, semivegetated landscapes is difficult due to the highly random nature of the vegetation (e.g., plant species, density, and stress) and the soil (e.g., moisture content, and soil hydraulic conductivity). The solution to that problem lies, in part, in the use of satellite remotely sensed data, and in the preparation of those data in terms of the physical properties of the plant and soil. The work was focused on the development and testing of a stochastic geometric canopy-soil reflectance model, which can be applied to the physically-based interpretation of LANDSAT images. The model conceptualizes the landscape as a stochastic surface with bulk plant and soil reflective properties. The model is particularly suited for regional scale investigations where the quantification of the bulk landscape properties, such as fractional vegetation cover, is important on a pixel by pixel basis. A summary of the theoretical analysis and the preliminary testing of the model with actual aerial radiometric data is provided.

Getting to the point: Rapid point selection and variable density InSAR time series for urban deformation monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spaans, K.; Hooper, A. J.

2017-12-01

The short revisit time and high data acquisition rates of current satellites have resulted in increased interest in the development of deformation monitoring and rapid disaster response capability, using InSAR. Fast, efficient data processing methodologies are required to deliver the timely results necessary for this, and also to limit computing resources required to process the large quantities of data being acquired. Contrary to volcano or earthquake applications, urban monitoring requires high resolution processing, in order to differentiate movements between buildings, or between buildings and the surrounding land. Here we present Rapid time series InSAR (RapidSAR), a method that can efficiently update high resolution time series of interferograms, and demonstrate its effectiveness over urban areas. The RapidSAR method estimates the coherence of pixels on an interferogram-by-interferogram basis. This allows for rapid ingestion of newly acquired images without the need to reprocess the earlier acquired part of the time series. The coherence estimate is based on ensembles of neighbouring pixels with similar amplitude behaviour through time, which are identified on an initial set of interferograms, and need be re-evaluated only occasionally. By taking into account scattering properties of points during coherence estimation, a high quality coherence estimate is achieved, allowing point selection at full resolution. The individual point selection maximizes the amount of information that can be extracted from each interferogram, as no selection compromise has to be reached between high and low coherence interferograms. In other words, points do not have to be coherent throughout the time series to contribute to the deformation time series. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method over urban areas in the UK. We show how the algorithm successfully extracts high density time series from full resolution Sentinel-1 interferograms, and distinguish clearly between buildings and surrounding vegetation or streets. The fact that new interferograms can be processed separately from the remainder of the time series helps manage the high data volumes, both in space and time, generated by current missions.

Biomarkers of Cell Senescence Assessed by Imaging Cytometry

PubMed Central

Zhao, Hong; Darzynkiewicz, Zbigniew

2012-01-01

The characteristic features of senescent cells such as their “flattened” appearance, enlarged nuclei and low saturation density at the plateau phase of cell growth, can be conveniently measured by image-assisted d cytometry such as provided by the laser scanning cytometry (LSC). The “flattening” of senescent cells is reflected by the decline in local density of staining (intensity of maximal pixel) of DNA-associated fluorescence [4,6-diamidino-2- phenylindole (DAPI)] paralleled by an increase in nuclear size (area). Thus, the ratio of the maximal pixel of DAPI fluorescence per nucleus to the nuclear area provides a very sensitive morphometric biomarker of “depth” of senescence, which progressively declines during induction of senescence. Also recorded is cellular DNA content revealing cell cycle phase, as well as the saturation cell density at plateau phase of growth, which is dramatically decreased in cultures of senescent cells. Concurrent immunocytochemical analysis of expression of p21WAF1, p16INK4a or p27KIP1 cyclin kinase inhibitor provides additional markers of senescence. These biomarker indices can be expressed in quantitative terms (“senescence indices”) as a fraction of the same markers of the exponentially growing cells in control cultures. PMID:23296652

A low-noise wide-dynamic-range event-driven detector using SOI pixel technology for high-energy particle imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrestha, Sumeet; Kamehama, Hiroki; Kawahito, Shoji; Yasutomi, Keita; Kagawa, Keiichiro; Takeda, Ayaki; Tsuru, Takeshi Go; Arai, Yasuo

2015-08-01

This paper presents a low-noise wide-dynamic-range pixel design for a high-energy particle detector in astronomical applications. A silicon on insulator (SOI) based detector is used for the detection of wide energy range of high energy particles (mainly for X-ray). The sensor has a thin layer of SOI CMOS readout circuitry and a thick layer of high-resistivity detector vertically stacked in a single chip. Pixel circuits are divided into two parts; signal sensing circuit and event detection circuit. The event detection circuit consisting of a comparator and logic circuits which detect the incidence of high energy particle categorizes the incident photon it into two energy groups using an appropriate energy threshold and generate a two-bit code for an event and energy level. The code for energy level is then used for selection of the gain of the in-pixel amplifier for the detected signal, providing a function of high-dynamic-range signal measurement. The two-bit code for the event and energy level is scanned in the event scanning block and the signals from the hit pixels only are read out. The variable-gain in-pixel amplifier uses a continuous integrator and integration-time control for the variable gain. The proposed design allows the small signal detection and wide dynamic range due to the adaptive gain technique and capability of correlated double sampling (CDS) technique of kTC noise canceling of the charge detector.

SIFT-based dense pixel tracking on 0.35 T cine-MR images acquired during image-guided radiation therapy with application to gating optimization

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

Mazur, Thomas R., E-mail: tmazur@radonc.wustl.edu, E-mail: hli@radonc.wustl.edu; Fischer-Valuck, Benjamin W.; Wang, Yuhe

Purpose: To first demonstrate the viability of applying an image processing technique for tracking regions on low-contrast cine-MR images acquired during image-guided radiation therapy, and then outline a scheme that uses tracking data for optimizing gating results in a patient-specific manner. Methods: A first-generation MR-IGRT system—treating patients since January 2014—integrates a 0.35 T MR scanner into an annular gantry consisting of three independent Co-60 sources. Obtaining adequate frame rates for capturing relevant patient motion across large fields-of-view currently requires coarse in-plane spatial resolution. This study initially (1) investigate the feasibility of rapidly tracking dense pixel correspondences across single, sagittal planemore » images (with both moderate signal-to-noise and spatial resolution) using a matching objective for highly descriptive vectors called scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) descriptors associated to all pixels that describe intensity gradients in local regions around each pixel. To more accurately track features, (2) harmonic analysis was then applied to all pixel trajectories within a region-of-interest across a short training period. In particular, the procedure adjusts the motion of outlying trajectories whose relative spectral power within a frequency bandwidth consistent with respiration (or another form of periodic motion) does not exceed a threshold value that is manually specified following the training period. To evaluate the tracking reliability after applying this correction, conventional metrics—including Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs), mean tracking errors (MTEs), and Hausdorff distances (HD)—were used to compare target segmentations obtained via tracking to manually delineated segmentations. Upon confirming the viability of this descriptor-based procedure for reliably tracking features, the study (3) outlines a scheme for optimizing gating parameters—including relative target position and a tolerable margin about this position—derived from a probability density function that is constructed using tracking results obtained just prior to treatment. Results: The feasibility of applying the matching objective for SIFT descriptors toward pixel-by-pixel tracking on cine-MR acquisitions was first retrospectively demonstrated for 19 treatments (spanning various sites). Both with and without motion correction based on harmonic analysis, sub-pixel MTEs were obtained. A mean DSC value spanning all patients of 0.916 ± 0.001 was obtained without motion correction, with DSC values exceeding 0.85 for all patients considered. While most patients show accurate tracking without motion correction, harmonic analysis does yield substantial gain in accuracy (defined using HDs) for three particularly challenging subjects. An application of tracking toward a gating optimization procedure was then demonstrated that should allow a physician to balance beam-on time and tissue sparing in a patient-specific manner by tuning several intuitive parameters. Conclusions: Tracking results show high fidelity in assessing intrafractional motion observed on cine-MR acquisitions. Incorporating harmonic analysis during a training period improves the robustness of the tracking for challenging targets. The concomitant gating optimization procedure should allow for physicians to quantitatively assess gating effectiveness quickly just prior to treatment in a patient-specific manner.« less

Impact of defective pixels in AMLCDs on the perception of medical images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimpe, Tom; Sneyders, Yuri

2006-03-01

With LCD displays, each pixel has its own individual transistor that controls the transmittance of that pixel. Occasionally, these individual transistors will short or alternatively malfunction, resulting in a defective pixel that always shows the same brightness. With ever increasing resolution of displays the number of defect pixels per display increases accordingly. State of the art processes are capable of producing displays with no more than one faulty transistor out of 3 million. A five Mega Pixel medical LCD panel contains 15 million individual sub pixels (3 sub pixels per pixel), each having an individual transistor. This means that a five Mega Pixel display on average will have 5 failing pixels. This paper investigates the visibility of defective pixels and analyzes the possible impact of defective pixels on the perception of medical images. JND simulations were done to study the effect of defective pixels on medical images. Our results indicate that defective LCD pixels can mask subtle features in medical images in an unexpectedly broad area around the defect and therefore may reduce the quality of diagnosis for specific high-demanding areas such as mammography. As a second contribution an innovative solution is proposed. A specialized image processing algorithm can make defective pixels completely invisible and moreover can also recover the information of the defect so that the radiologist perceives the medical image correctly. This correction algorithm has been validated with both JND simulations and psycho visual tests.

Three-terminal RGB full-color OLED pixels for ultrahigh density displays.

PubMed

Fröbel, Markus; Fries, Felix; Schwab, Tobias; Lenk, Simone; Leo, Karl; Gather, Malte C; Reineke, Sebastian

2018-06-26

In recent years, the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology has been a rapidly evolving field of research, successfully making the transition to commercial applications such as mobile phones and other small portable devices. OLEDs provide efficient generation of light, excellent color quality, and allow for innovative display designs, e.g., curved shapes, mechanically flexible and/or transparent devices. Especially their self emissive nature is a highly desirable feature for display applications. In this work, we demonstrate an approach for full-color OLED pixels that are fabricated by vertical stacking of a red-, green-, and blue-emitting unit. Each unit can be addressed separately which allows for efficient generation of every color that is accessible by superpositioning the spectra of the individual emission units. Here, we use a combination of time division multiplexing and pulse width modulation to achieve efficient color mixing. The presented device design requires only three independently addressable electrodes, simplifying both fabrication and electrical driving. The device is built in a top-emission geometry, which is highly desirable for display fabrication as the pixel can be directly deposited onto back-plane electronics. Despite the top-emission design and the application of three silver layers within the device, there is only a minor color shift even for large viewing angles. The color space spanned by the three emission sub-units exceeds the sRGB space, providing more saturated green/yellow/red colors. Furthermore, the electrical performance of each individual unit is on par with standard single emission unit OLEDs, showing very low leakage currents and achieving brightness levels above 1000 cd/m 2 at moderate voltages of around 3-4 V.

Imaging tissues for biomedical research using the high-resolution micro-tomography system nanotom® m

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deyhle, Hans; Schulz, Georg; Khimchenko, Anna; Bikis, Christos; Hieber, Simone E.; Jaquiery, Claude; Kunz, Christoph; Müller-Gerbl, Magdalena; Höchel, Sebastian; Saxer, Till; Stalder, Anja K.; Ilgenstein, Bernd; Beckmann, Felix; Thalmann, Peter; Buscema, Marzia; Rohr, Nadja; Holme, Margaret N.; Müller, Bert

2016-10-01

Micro computed tomography (mCT) is well established in virtually all fields of biomedical research, allowing for the non-destructive volumetric visualization of tissue morphology. A variety of specimens can be investigated, ranging from soft to hard tissue to engineered structures like scaffolds. Similarly, the size of the objects of interest ranges from a fraction of a millimeter to several tens of centimeters. While synchrotron radiation-based μCT still offers unrivaled data quality, the ever-improving technology of cathodic tube-based machines offers a valuable and more accessible alternative. The Biomaterials Science Center of the University of Basel operates a nanotomOR m (phoenix|x-ray, GE Sensing and Inspection Technologies GmbH, Wunstorf, Germany), with a 180 kV source and a minimal spot size of about 0.9 μm. Through the adjustable focus-specimen and focus-detector distances, the effective pixel size can be adjusted from below 500 nm to about 80 μm. On the high-resolution side, it is for example possible to visualize the tubular network in sub-millimeter thin dentin specimens. It is then possible to locally extract parameters such as tubule diameter, density, or alignment, giving information on cell movements during tooth formation. On the other side, with a horizontal shift of the 3,072 pixels x 2,400 pixels detector, specimens up to 35 cm in diameter can be scanned. It is possible, for example, to scan an entire human knee, albeit with inferior resolution. Lab source μCT machines are thus a powerful and flexible tool for the advancement of biomedical research, and a valuable and more accessible alternative to synchrotron radiation facilities.

Compartmental analysis of [11C]flumazenil kinetics for the estimation of ligand transport rate and receptor distribution using positron emission tomography.

PubMed

Koeppe, R A; Holthoff, V A; Frey, K A; Kilbourn, M R; Kuhl, D E

1991-09-01

The in vivo kinetic behavior of [11C]flumazenil ([11C]FMZ), a non-subtype-specific central benzodiazepine antagonist, is characterized using compartmental analysis with the aim of producing an optimized data acquisition protocol and tracer kinetic model configuration for the assessment of [11C]FMZ binding to benzodiazepine receptors (BZRs) in human brain. The approach presented is simple, requiring only a single radioligand injection. Dynamic positron emission tomography data were acquired on 18 normal volunteers using a 60- to 90-min sequence of scans and were analyzed with model configurations that included a three-compartment, four-parameter model, a three-compartment, three-parameter model, with a fixed value for free plus nonspecific binding; and a two-compartment, two-parameter model. Statistical analysis indicated that a four-parameter model did not yield significantly better fits than a three-parameter model. Goodness of fit was improved for three- versus two-parameter configurations in regions with low receptor density, but not in regions with moderate to high receptor density. Thus, a two-compartment, two-parameter configuration was found to adequately describe the kinetic behavior of [11C]FMZ in human brain, with stable estimates of the model parameters obtainable from as little as 20-30 min of data. Pixel-by-pixel analysis yields functional images of transport rate (K1) and ligand distribution volume (DV"), and thus provides independent estimates of ligand delivery and BZR binding.

Compact SPAD-Based Pixel Architectures for Time-Resolved Image Sensors

PubMed Central

Perenzoni, Matteo; Pancheri, Lucio; Stoppa, David

2016-01-01

This paper reviews the state of the art of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) image sensors for time-resolved imaging. The focus of the paper is on pixel architectures featuring small pixel size (<25 μm) and high fill factor (>20%) as a key enabling technology for the successful implementation of high spatial resolution SPAD-based image sensors. A summary of the main CMOS SPAD implementations, their characteristics and integration challenges, is provided from the perspective of targeting large pixel arrays, where one of the key drivers is the spatial uniformity. The main analog techniques aimed at time-gated photon counting and photon timestamping suitable for compact and low-power pixels are critically discussed. The main features of these solutions are the adoption of analog counting techniques and time-to-analog conversion, in NMOS-only pixels. Reliable quantum-limited single-photon counting, self-referenced analog-to-digital conversion, time gating down to 0.75 ns and timestamping with 368 ps jitter are achieved. PMID:27223284

Terahertz Array Receivers with Integrated Antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chattopadhyay, Goutam; Llombart, Nuria; Lee, Choonsup; Jung, Cecile; Lin, Robert; Cooper, Ken B.; Reck, Theodore; Siles, Jose; Schlecht, Erich; Peralta, Alessandro;

Photon counting photodiode array detector for far ultraviolet (FUV) astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartig, G. F.; Moos, H. W.; Pembroke, R.; Bowers, C.

1982-01-01

A compact, stable, single-stage intensified photodiode array detector designed for photon-counting, far ultraviolet astronomy applications employs a saturable, 'C'-type MCP (Galileo S. MCP 25-25) to produce high gain pulses with a narrowly peaked pulse height distribution. The P-20 output phosphor exhibits a very short decay time, due to the high current density of the electron pulses. This intensifier is being coupled to a self-scanning linear photodiode array which has a fiber optic input window which allows direct, rigid mechanical coupling with minimal light loss. The array was scanned at a 250 KHz pixel rate. The detector exhibits more than adequate signal-to-noise ratio for pulse counting and event location. Previously announced in STAR as N82-19118

Modulation transfer function measurement technique for small-pixel detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marchywka, Mike; Socker, Dennis G.

1992-01-01

A modulation transfer function (MTF) measurement technique suitable for large-format, small-pixel detector characterization has been investigated. A volume interference grating is used as a test image instead of the bar or sine wave target images normally used. This technique permits a high-contrast, large-area, sinusoidal intensity distribution to illuminate the device being tested, avoiding the need to deconvolve raw data with imaging system characteristics. A high-confidence MTF result at spatial frequencies near 200 cycles/mm is obtained. We present results at several visible light wavelengths with a 6.8-micron-pixel CCD. Pixel response functions are derived from the MTF results.

High Dynamic Range Imaging at the Quantum Limit with Single Photon Avalanche Diode-Based Image Sensors †

PubMed Central

Mattioli Della Rocca, Francescopaolo

2018-01-01

This paper examines methods to best exploit the High Dynamic Range (HDR) of the single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) in a high fill-factor HDR photon counting pixel that is scalable to megapixel arrays. The proposed method combines multi-exposure HDR with temporal oversampling in-pixel. We present a silicon demonstration IC with 96 × 40 array of 8.25 µm pitch 66% fill-factor SPAD-based pixels achieving >100 dB dynamic range with 3 back-to-back exposures (short, mid, long). Each pixel sums 15 bit-planes or binary field images internally to constitute one frame providing 3.75× data compression, hence the 1k frames per second (FPS) output off-chip represents 45,000 individual field images per second on chip. Two future projections of this work are described: scaling SPAD-based image sensors to HDR 1 MPixel formats and shrinking the pixel pitch to 1–3 µm. PMID:29641479

Fabrication of X-ray Microcalorimeter Focal Planes Composed of Two Distinct Pixel Types.

PubMed

Wassell, E J; Adams, J S; Bandler, S R; Betancourt-Martinez, G L; Chiao, M P; Chang, M P; Chervenak, J A; Datesman, A M; Eckart, M E; Ewin, A J; Finkbeiner, F M; Ha, J Y; Kelley, R; Kilbourne, C A; Miniussi, A R; Sakai, K; Porter, F; Sadleir, J E; Smith, S J; Wakeham, N A; Yoon, W

2017-06-01

We are developing superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter focal planes for versatility in meeting specifications of X-ray imaging spectrometers including high count-rate, high energy resolution, and large field-of-view. In particular, a focal plane composed of two sub-arrays: one of fine-pitch, high count-rate devices and the other of slower, larger pixels with similar energy resolution, offers promise for the next generation of astrophysics instruments, such as the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) instrument on the European Space Agency's Athena mission. We have based the sub-arrays of our current design on successful pixel designs that have been demonstrated separately. Pixels with an all gold X-ray absorber on 50 and 75 micron scales where the Mo/Au TES sits atop a thick metal heatsinking layer have shown high resolution and can accommodate high count-rates. The demonstrated larger pixels use a silicon nitride membrane for thermal isolation, thinner Au and an added bismuth layer in a 250 micron square absorber. To tune the parameters of each sub-array requires merging the fabrication processes of the two detector types. We present the fabrication process for dual production of different X-ray absorbers on the same substrate, thick Au on the small pixels and thinner Au with a Bi capping layer on the larger pixels to tune their heat capacities. The process requires multiple electroplating and etching steps, but the absorbers are defined in a single ion milling step. We demonstrate methods for integrating heatsinking of the two types of pixel into the same focal plane consistent with the requirements for each sub-array, including the limiting of thermal crosstalk. We also discuss fabrication process modifications for tuning the intrinsic transition temperature (T c ) of the bilayers for the different device types through variation of the bilayer thicknesses. The latest results on these "hybrid" arrays will be presented.

Fabrication of X-ray Microcalorimeter Focal Planes Composed of Two Distinct Pixel Types

PubMed Central

Wassell, E. J.; Adams, J. S.; Bandler, S. R.; Betancourt-Martinez, G. L.; Chiao, M. P.; Chang, M. P.; Chervenak, J. A.; Datesman, A. M.; Eckart, M. E.; Ewin, A. J.; Finkbeiner, F. M.; Ha, J. Y.; Kelley, R.; Kilbourne, C. A.; Miniussi, A. R.; Sakai, K.; Porter, F.; Sadleir, J. E.; Smith, S. J.; Wakeham, N. A.; Yoon, W.

2017-01-01

We are developing superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter focal planes for versatility in meeting specifications of X-ray imaging spectrometers including high count-rate, high energy resolution, and large field-of-view. In particular, a focal plane composed of two sub-arrays: one of fine-pitch, high count-rate devices and the other of slower, larger pixels with similar energy resolution, offers promise for the next generation of astrophysics instruments, such as the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) instrument on the European Space Agency’s Athena mission. We have based the sub-arrays of our current design on successful pixel designs that have been demonstrated separately. Pixels with an all gold X-ray absorber on 50 and 75 micron scales where the Mo/Au TES sits atop a thick metal heatsinking layer have shown high resolution and can accommodate high count-rates. The demonstrated larger pixels use a silicon nitride membrane for thermal isolation, thinner Au and an added bismuth layer in a 250 micron square absorber. To tune the parameters of each sub-array requires merging the fabrication processes of the two detector types. We present the fabrication process for dual production of different X-ray absorbers on the same substrate, thick Au on the small pixels and thinner Au with a Bi capping layer on the larger pixels to tune their heat capacities. The process requires multiple electroplating and etching steps, but the absorbers are defined in a single ion milling step. We demonstrate methods for integrating heatsinking of the two types of pixel into the same focal plane consistent with the requirements for each sub-array, including the limiting of thermal crosstalk. We also discuss fabrication process modifications for tuning the intrinsic transition temperature (Tc) of the bilayers for the different device types through variation of the bilayer thicknesses. The latest results on these “hybrid” arrays will be presented. PMID:28804229

Fabrication of X-ray Microcalorimeter Focal Planes Composed of Two Distinct Pixel Types

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wassell, Edward J.; Adams, Joseph S.; Bandler, Simon R.; Betancour-Martinez, Gabriele L; Chiao, Meng P.; Chang, Meng Ping; Chervenak, James A.; Datesman, Aaron M.; Eckart, Megan E.; Ewin, Audrey J.;

Real-time dynamic range and signal to noise enhancement in beam-scanning microscopy by integration of sensor characteristics, data acquisition hardware, and statistical methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kissick, David J.; Muir, Ryan D.; Sullivan, Shane Z.; Oglesbee, Robert A.; Simpson, Garth J.

2013-02-01

Despite the ubiquitous use of multi-photon and confocal microscopy measurements in biology, the core techniques typically suffer from fundamental compromises between signal to noise (S/N) and linear dynamic range (LDR). In this study, direct synchronous digitization of voltage transients coupled with statistical analysis is shown to allow S/N approaching the theoretical maximum throughout an LDR spanning more than 8 decades, limited only by the dark counts of the detector on the low end and by the intrinsic nonlinearities of the photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector on the high end. Synchronous digitization of each voltage transient represents a fundamental departure from established methods in confocal/multi-photon imaging, which are currently based on either photon counting or signal averaging. High information-density data acquisition (up to 3.2 GB/s of raw data) enables the smooth transition between the two modalities on a pixel-by-pixel basis and the ultimate writing of much smaller files (few kB/s). Modeling of the PMT response allows extraction of key sensor parameters from the histogram of voltage peak-heights. Applications in second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy are described demonstrating S/N approaching the shot-noise limit of the detector over large dynamic ranges.

Development of high energy micro-tomography system at SPring-8

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uesugi, Kentaro; Hoshino, Masato

2017-09-01

A high energy X-ray micro-tomography system has been developed at BL20B2 in SPring-8. The available range of the energy is between 20keV and 113keV with a Si (511) double crystal monochromator. The system enables us to image large or heavy materials such as fossils and metals. The X-ray image detector consists of visible light conversion system and sCMOS camera. The effective pixel size is variable by changing a tandem lens between 6.5 μm/pixel and 25.5 μm/pixel discretely. The format of the camera is 2048 pixels x 2048 pixels. As a demonstration of the system, alkaline battery and a nodule from Bolivia were imaged. A detail of the structure of the battery and a female mold Trilobite were successfully imaged without breaking those fossils.

The Belle II DEPFET pixel detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lütticke, F.

2013-02-01

The existing Japanese Flavour Factory (KEKB) is currently being upgraded and is foreseen to be comissioned by 2014. The new e+e- collider (SuperKEKB) will have an instantaneous luminosity of 8 × 1035cm-2s-1, 40 times higher than the current world record set by KEKB. In order to handle the increased event rate and the higher background and provide high data quality, the Belle detector is upgraded to Belle II. The increased particle rate requires a new vertex pixel detector with high granularity. This silicon detector will be based on DEPFET technology and will consist of two layers of active pixel sensors. By integrating a field effect transistor into every pixel on top of a fully depleted bulk, the DEPFET technology combines detection and in-pixel amplification. This technology allows good signal to noise performance with a very low material budget.

Charge Loss and Charge Sharing Measurements for Two Different Pixelated Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaskin, Jessica; Sharma, Dharma; Ramsey, Brian; Seller, Paul

2003-01-01

As part of ongoing research at Marshall Space Flight Center, Cadmium-Zinc- Telluride (CdZnTe) pixilated detectors are being developed for use at the focal plane of the High Energy Replicated Optics (HERO) telescope. HERO requires a 64x64 pixel array with a spatial resolution of around 200 microns (with a 6m focal length) and high energy resolution (< 2% at 60keV). We are currently testing smaller arrays as a necessary first step towards this goal. In this presentation, we compare charge sharing and charge loss measurements between two devices that differ both electronically and geometrically. The first device consists of a 1-mm-thick piece of CdZnTe that is sputtered with a 4x4 array of pixels with pixel pitch of 750 microns (inter-pixel gap is 100 microns). The signal is read out using discrete ultra-low-noise preamplifiers, one for each of the 16 pixels. The second detector consists of a 2-mm-thick piece of CdZnTe that is sputtered with a 16x16 array of pixels with a pixel pitch of 300 microns (inter-pixel gap is 50 microns). Instead of using discrete preamplifiers, the crystal is bonded to an ASIC that provides all of the front-end electronics to each of the 256 pixels. what degree the bias voltage (i.e. the electric field) and hence the drift and diffusion coefficients affect our measurements. Further, we compare the measured results with simulated results and discuss to

Microradiography with Semiconductor Pixel Detectors

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

Jakubek, Jan; Cejnarova, Andrea; Dammer, Jiri

High resolution radiography (with X-rays, neutrons, heavy charged particles, ...) often exploited also in tomographic mode to provide 3D images stands as a powerful imaging technique for instant and nondestructive visualization of fine internal structure of objects. Novel types of semiconductor single particle counting pixel detectors offer many advantages for radiation imaging: high detection efficiency, energy discrimination or direct energy measurement, noiseless digital integration (counting), high frame rate and virtually unlimited dynamic range. This article shows the application and potential of pixel detectors (such as Medipix2 or TimePix) in different fields of radiation imaging.

Design and Simulations of an Energy Harvesting Capable CMOS Pixel for Implantable Retinal Prosthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ansaripour, Iman; Karami, Mohammad Azim

2017-12-01

A new pixel is designed with the capability of imaging and energy harvesting for the retinal prosthesis implant in 0.18 µm standard Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor technology. The pixel conversion gain and dynamic range, are 2.05 \\upmu{{V}}/{{e}}^{ - } and 63.2 dB. The power consumption 53.12 pW per pixel while energy harvesting performance is 3.87 nW in 60 klx of illuminance per pixel. These results have been obtained using post layout simulation. In the proposed pixel structure, the high power production capability in energy harvesting mode covers the demanded energy by using all available p-n junction photo generated currents.

Sloan Digital Sky Survey III photometric quasar clustering: Probing the initial conditions of the Universe

DOE PAGES

Ho, Shirley; Agarwal, Nishant; Myers, Adam D.; ...

2015-05-22

Here, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey has surveyed 14,555 square degrees of the sky, and delivered over a trillion pixels of imaging data. We present the large-scale clustering of 1.6 million quasars between z=0.5 and z=2.5 that have been classified from this imaging, representing the highest density of quasars ever studied for clustering measurements. This data set spans 0~ 11,00 square degrees and probes a volume of 80 h –3 Gpc 3. In principle, such a large volume and medium density of tracers should facilitate high-precision cosmological constraints. We measure the angular clustering of photometrically classified quasars using an optimalmore » quadratic estimator in four redshift slices with an accuracy of ~ 25% over a bin width of δ l ~ 10–15 on scales corresponding to matter-radiation equality and larger (0ℓ ~ 2–3).« less

Impulsive noise suppression in color images based on the geodesic digital paths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolka, Bogdan; Cyganek, Boguslaw

2015-02-01

In the paper a novel filtering design based on the concept of exploration of the pixel neighborhood by digital paths is presented. The paths start from the boundary of a filtering window and reach its center. The cost of transitions between adjacent pixels is defined in the hybrid spatial-color space. Then, an optimal path of minimum total cost, leading from pixels of the window's boundary to its center is determined. The cost of an optimal path serves as a degree of similarity of the central pixel to the samples from the local processing window. If a pixel is an outlier, then all the paths starting from the window's boundary will have high costs and the minimum one will also be high. The filter output is calculated as a weighted mean of the central pixel and an estimate constructed using the information on the minimum cost assigned to each image pixel. So, first the costs of optimal paths are used to build a smoothed image and in the second step the minimum cost of the central pixel is utilized for construction of the weights of a soft-switching scheme. The experiments performed on a set of standard color images, revealed that the efficiency of the proposed algorithm is superior to the state-of-the-art filtering techniques in terms of the objective restoration quality measures, especially for high noise contamination ratios. The proposed filter, due to its low computational complexity, can be applied for real time image denoising and also for the enhancement of video streams.

Velocity map imaging using an in-vacuum pixel detector.

PubMed

Gademann, Georg; Huismans, Ymkje; Gijsbertsen, Arjan; Jungmann, Julia; Visschers, Jan; Vrakking, Marc J J

2009-10-01

The use of a new type in-vacuum pixel detector in velocity map imaging (VMI) is introduced. The Medipix2 and Timepix semiconductor pixel detectors (256 x 256 square pixels, 55 x 55 microm2) are well suited for charged particle detection. They offer high resolution, low noise, and high quantum efficiency. The Medipix2 chip allows double energy discrimination by offering a low and a high energy threshold. The Timepix detector allows to record the incidence time of a particle with a temporal resolution of 10 ns and a dynamic range of 160 micros. Results of the first time application of the Medipix2 detector to VMI are presented, investigating the quantum efficiency as well as the possibility to operate at increased background pressure in the vacuum chamber.

Assessment of Vegetation Destruction Due to Wenchuan Earthquake and Its Recovery Process Using MODIS Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Z.; Xiao, X.

2015-12-01

With a high temporal resolution and a large covering area, MODIS data are particularly useful in assessing vegetation destruction and recovery of a wide range of areas. In this study, MOD13Q1 data of the growing season (Mar. to Nov.) are used to calculate the Maximum NDVI (NDVImax) of each year. This study calculates each pixel's mean and standard deviation of the NDVImaxs in the 8 years before the earthquake. If the pixel's NDVImax of 2008 is two standard deviation smaller than the mean NDVImax, this pixel is detected as a vegetation destructed pixel. For each vegetation destructed pixel, its similar pixels of the same vegetation type are selected within the latitude difference of 0.5 degrees, altitude difference of 100 meters and slope difference of 3 degrees. Then the NDVImax difference of each vegetation destructed pixel and its similar pixels are calculated. The 5 similar pixels with the smallest NDVImax difference in the 8 years before the earthquake are selected as reference pixels. The mean NDVImaxs of these reference pixels after the earthquake are calculated and serve as the criterion to assess the vegetation recovery process.

Retinal vessel segmentation using the 2-D Gabor wavelet and supervised classification.

PubMed

Soares, João V B; Leandro, Jorge J G; Cesar Júnior, Roberto M; Jelinek, Herbert F; Cree, Michael J

2006-09-01

We present a method for automated segmentation of the vasculature in retinal images. The method produces segmentations by classifying each image pixel as vessel or nonvessel, based on the pixel's feature vector. Feature vectors are composed of the pixel's intensity and two-dimensional Gabor wavelet transform responses taken at multiple scales. The Gabor wavelet is capable of tuning to specific frequencies, thus allowing noise filtering and vessel enhancement in a single step. We use a Bayesian classifier with class-conditional probability density functions (likelihoods) described as Gaussian mixtures, yielding a fast classification, while being able to model complex decision surfaces. The probability distributions are estimated based on a training set of labeled pixels obtained from manual segmentations. The method's performance is evaluated on publicly available DRIVE (Staal et al., 2004) and STARE (Hoover et al., 2000) databases of manually labeled images. On the DRIVE database, it achieves an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9614, being slightly superior than that presented by state-of-the-art approaches. We are making our implementation available as open source MATLAB scripts for researchers interested in implementation details, evaluation, or development of methods.

Bioinspired architecture approach for a one-billion transistor smart CMOS camera chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fey, Dietmar; Komann, Marcus

2007-05-01

In the paper we present a massively parallel VLSI architecture for future smart CMOS camera chips with up to one billion transistors. To exploit efficiently the potential offered by future micro- or nanoelectronic devices traditional on central structures oriented parallel architectures based on MIMD or SIMD approaches will fail. They require too long and too many global interconnects for the distribution of code or the access to common memory. On the other hand nature developed self-organising and emergent principles to manage successfully complex structures based on lots of interacting simple elements. Therefore we developed a new as Marching Pixels denoted emergent computing paradigm based on a mixture of bio-inspired computing models like cellular automaton and artificial ants. In the paper we present different Marching Pixels algorithms and the corresponding VLSI array architecture. A detailed synthesis result for a 0.18 μm CMOS process shows that a 256×256 pixel image is processed in less than 10 ms assuming a moderate 100 MHz clock rate for the processor array. Future higher integration densities and a 3D chip stacking technology will allow the integration and processing of Mega pixels within the same time since our architecture is fully scalable.

Image processing strategies based on saliency segmentation for object recognition under simulated prosthetic vision.

PubMed

Li, Heng; Su, Xiaofan; Wang, Jing; Kan, Han; Han, Tingting; Zeng, Yajie; Chai, Xinyu

2018-01-01

Current retinal prostheses can only generate low-resolution visual percepts constituted of limited phosphenes which are elicited by an electrode array and with uncontrollable color and restricted grayscale. Under this visual perception, prosthetic recipients can just complete some simple visual tasks, but more complex tasks like face identification/object recognition are extremely difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate and apply image processing strategies for optimizing the visual perception of the recipients. This study focuses on recognition of the object of interest employing simulated prosthetic vision. We used a saliency segmentation method based on a biologically plausible graph-based visual saliency model and a grabCut-based self-adaptive-iterative optimization framework to automatically extract foreground objects. Based on this, two image processing strategies, Addition of Separate Pixelization and Background Pixel Shrink, were further utilized to enhance the extracted foreground objects. i) The results showed by verification of psychophysical experiments that under simulated prosthetic vision, both strategies had marked advantages over Direct Pixelization in terms of recognition accuracy and efficiency. ii) We also found that recognition performance under two strategies was tied to the segmentation results and was affected positively by the paired-interrelated objects in the scene. The use of the saliency segmentation method and image processing strategies can automatically extract and enhance foreground objects, and significantly improve object recognition performance towards recipients implanted a high-density implant. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multi-energy x-ray detector calibration for T e and impurity density (n Z) measurements of MCF plasmas

DOE PAGES

Maddox, J.; Pablant, N.; Efthimion, P.; ...

2016-09-07

Here, soft x-ray detection with the new "multi-energy" PILATUS3 detector systems holds promise as a magnetically confined fusion (MCF) plasma diagnostic for ITER and beyond. The measured x-ray brightness can be used to determine impurity concentrations, electron temperatures, n 2 eZ eff products, and to probe the electron energy distribution. However, in order to be effective, these detectors which are really large arrays of detectors with photon energy gating capabilities must be precisely calibrated for each pixel. The energy-dependence of the detector response of the multi-energy PILATUS3 system with 100 K pixels has been measured at Dectris Laboratory. X-rays emittedmore » from a tube under high voltage bombard various elements such that they emit x-ray lines from Zr-Lα to Ag-Kα between 1.8 and 22.16 keV. Each pixel on the PILATUS3 can be set to a minimum energy threshold in the range from 1.6 to 25 keV. This feature allows a single detector to be sensitive to a variety of x-ray energies, so that it is possible to sample the energy distribution of the x-ray continuum and line-emission. PILATUS3 can be configured for 1D or 2D imaging of MCF plasmas with typical spatial energy and temporal resolution of 1 cm, 0.6 keV, and 5 ms, respectively.« less

A robust color signal processing with wide dynamic range WRGB CMOS image sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawada, Shun; Kuroda, Rihito; Sugawa, Shigetoshi

2011-01-01

We have developed a robust color reproduction methodology by a simple calculation with a new color matrix using the formerly developed wide dynamic range WRGB lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) CMOS image sensor. The image sensor was fabricated through a 0.18 μm CMOS technology and has a 45 degrees oblique pixel array, the 4.2 μm effective pixel pitch and the W pixels. A W pixel was formed by replacing one of the two G pixels in the Bayer RGB color filter. The W pixel has a high sensitivity through the visible light waveband. An emerald green and yellow (EGY) signal is generated from the difference between the W signal and the sum of RGB signals. This EGY signal mainly includes emerald green and yellow lights. These colors are difficult to be reproduced accurately by the conventional simple linear matrix because their wave lengths are in the valleys of the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the RGB pixels. A new linear matrix based on the EGY-RGB signal was developed. Using this simple matrix, a highly accurate color processing with a large margin to the sensitivity fluctuation and noise has been achieved.

Accuracy of lung nodule density on HRCT: analysis by PSF-based image simulation.

PubMed

Ohno, Ken; Ohkubo, Masaki; Marasinghe, Janaka C; Murao, Kohei; Matsumoto, Toru; Wada, Shinichi

2012-11-08

A computed tomography (CT) image simulation technique based on the point spread function (PSF) was applied to analyze the accuracy of CT-based clinical evaluations of lung nodule density. The PSF of the CT system was measured and used to perform the lung nodule image simulation. Then, the simulated image was resampled at intervals equal to the pixel size and the slice interval found in clinical high-resolution CT (HRCT) images. On those images, the nodule density was measured by placing a region of interest (ROI) commonly used for routine clinical practice, and comparing the measured value with the true value (a known density of object function used in the image simulation). It was quantitatively determined that the measured nodule density depended on the nodule diameter and the image reconstruction parameters (kernel and slice thickness). In addition, the measured density fluctuated, depending on the offset between the nodule center and the image voxel center. This fluctuation was reduced by decreasing the slice interval (i.e., with the use of overlapping reconstruction), leading to a stable density evaluation. Our proposed method of PSF-based image simulation accompanied with resampling enables a quantitative analysis of the accuracy of CT-based evaluations of lung nodule density. These results could potentially reveal clinical misreadings in diagnosis, and lead to more accurate and precise density evaluations. They would also be of value for determining the optimum scan and reconstruction parameters, such as image reconstruction kernels and slice thicknesses/intervals.

Spatial luminescence imaging of dopant incorporation in CdTe Films

DOE PAGES

Guthrey, Harvey; Moseley, John; Colegrove, Eric; ...

2017-01-25

State-of-the-art cathodoluminescence (CL) spectrum imaging with spectrum-per-pixel CL emission mapping is applied to spatially profile how dopant elements are incorporated into Cadmium telluride (CdTe). Emission spectra and intensity monitor the spatial distribution of additional charge carriers through characteristic variations in the CL emission based on computational modeling. Our results show that grain boundaries play a role in incorporating dopants in CdTe exposed to copper, phosphorus, and intrinsic point defects in CdTe. Furthermore, the image analysis provides critical, unique feedback to understand dopant incorporation and activation in the inhomogeneous CdTe material, which has struggled to reach high levels of hole density.

Multi-rate, real time image compression for images dominated by point sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huber, A. Kris; Budge, Scott E.; Harris, Richard W.

1993-01-01

An image compression system recently developed for compression of digital images dominated by point sources is presented. Encoding consists of minimum-mean removal, vector quantization, adaptive threshold truncation, and modified Huffman encoding. Simulations are presented showing that the peaks corresponding to point sources can be transmitted losslessly for low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and high point source densities while maintaining a reduced output bit rate. Encoding and decoding hardware has been built and tested which processes 552,960 12-bit pixels per second at compression rates of 10:1 and 4:1. Simulation results are presented for the 10:1 case only.

A TECHNIQUE FOR ASSESSING THE ACCURACY OF SUB-PIXEL IMPERVIOUS SURFACE ESTIMATES DERIVED FROM LANDSAT TM IMAGERY

EPA Science Inventory

We developed a technique for assessing the accuracy of sub-pixel derived estimates of impervious surface extracted from LANDSAT TM imagery. We utilized spatially coincident
sub-pixel derived impervious surface estimates, high-resolution planimetric GIS data, vector--to-
r...

Limited Area Coverage/High Resolution Picture Transmission (LAC/HRPT) tape IJ grid pixel extraction processor user's manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Obrien, S. O. (Principal Investigator)

1980-01-01

The program, LACREG, extracted all pixels that are contained in a specific IJ grid section. The pixels, along with a header record are stored in a disk file defined by the user. The program will extract up to 99 IJ grid sections.

Methods in quantitative image analysis.

PubMed

Oberholzer, M; Ostreicher, M; Christen, H; Brühlmann, M

1996-05-01

The main steps of image analysis are image capturing, image storage (compression), correcting imaging defects (e.g. non-uniform illumination, electronic-noise, glare effect), image enhancement, segmentation of objects in the image and image measurements. Digitisation is made by a camera. The most modern types include a frame-grabber, converting the analog-to-digital signal into digital (numerical) information. The numerical information consists of the grey values describing the brightness of every point within the image, named a pixel. The information is stored in bits. Eight bits are summarised in one byte. Therefore, grey values can have a value between 0 and 256 (2(8)). The human eye seems to be quite content with a display of 5-bit images (corresponding to 64 different grey values). In a digitised image, the pixel grey values can vary within regions that are uniform in the original scene: the image is noisy. The noise is mainly manifested in the background of the image. For an optimal discrimination between different objects or features in an image, uniformity of illumination in the whole image is required. These defects can be minimised by shading correction [subtraction of a background (white) image from the original image, pixel per pixel, or division of the original image by the background image]. The brightness of an image represented by its grey values can be analysed for every single pixel or for a group of pixels. The most frequently used pixel-based image descriptors are optical density, integrated optical density, the histogram of the grey values, mean grey value and entropy. The distribution of the grey values existing within an image is one of the most important characteristics of the image. However, the histogram gives no information about the texture of the image. The simplest way to improve the contrast of an image is to expand the brightness scale by spreading the histogram out to the full available range. Rules for transforming the grey value histogram of an existing image (input image) into a new grey value histogram (output image) are most quickly handled by a look-up table (LUT). The histogram of an image can be influenced by gain, offset and gamma of the camera. Gain defines the voltage range, offset defines the reference voltage and gamma the slope of the regression line between the light intensity and the voltage of the camera. A very important descriptor of neighbourhood relations in an image is the co-occurrence matrix. The distance between the pixels (original pixel and its neighbouring pixel) can influence the various parameters calculated from the co-occurrence matrix. The main goals of image enhancement are elimination of surface roughness in an image (smoothing), correction of defects (e.g. noise), extraction of edges, identification of points, strengthening texture elements and improving contrast. In enhancement, two types of operations can be distinguished: pixel-based (point operations) and neighbourhood-based (matrix operations). The most important pixel-based operations are linear stretching of grey values, application of pre-stored LUTs and histogram equalisation. The neighbourhood-based operations work with so-called filters. These are organising elements with an original or initial point in their centre. Filters can be used to accentuate or to suppress specific structures within the image. Filters can work either in the spatial or in the frequency domain. The method used for analysing alterations of grey value intensities in the frequency domain is the Hartley transform. Filter operations in the spatial domain can be based on averaging or ranking the grey values occurring in the organising element. The most important filters, which are usually applied, are the Gaussian filter and the Laplace filter (both averaging filters), and the median filter, the top hat filter and the range operator (all ranking filters). Segmentation of objects is traditionally based on threshold grey values. (AB

Quantification of mammographic masking risk with volumetric breast density maps: how to select women for supplemental screening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holland, Katharina; van Gils, Carla H.; Wanders, Johanna OP; Mann, Ritse M.; Karssemeijer, Nico

2016-03-01

The sensitivity of mammograms is low for women with dense breasts, since cancers may be masked by dense tissue. In this study, we investigated methods to identify women with density patterns associated with a high masking risk. Risk measures are derived from volumetric breast density maps. We used the last negative screening mammograms of 93 women who subsequently presented with an interval cancer (IC), and, as controls, 930 randomly selected normal screening exams from women without cancer. Volumetric breast density maps were computed from the mammograms, which provide the dense tissue thickness at each location. These were used to compute absolute and percentage glandular tissue volume. We modeled the masking risk for each pixel location using the absolute and percentage dense tissue thickness and we investigated the effect of taking the cancer location probability distribution (CLPD) into account. For each method, we selected cases with the highest masking measure (by thresholding) and computed the fraction of ICs as a function of the fraction of controls selected. The latter can be interpreted as the negative supplemental screening rate (NSSR). Between the models, when incorporating CLPD, no significant differences were found. In general, the methods performed better when CLPD was included. At higher NSSRs some of the investigated masking measures had a significantly higher performance than volumetric breast density. These measures may therefore serve as an alternative to identify women with a high risk for a masked cancer.

Development and characterization of high-resolution neutron pixel detectors based on Timepix read-out chips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krejci, F.; Zemlicka, J.; Jakubek, J.; Dudak, J.; Vavrik, D.; Köster, U.; Atkins, D.; Kaestner, A.; Soltes, J.; Viererbl, L.; Vacik, J.; Tomandl, I.

2016-12-01

Using a suitable isotope such as 6Li and 10B semiconductor hybrid pixel detectors can be successfully adapted for position sensitive detection of thermal and cold neutrons via conversion into energetic light ions. The adapted devices then typically provides spatial resolution at the level comparable to the pixel pitch (55 μm) and sensitive area of about few cm2. In this contribution, we describe further progress in neutron imaging performance based on the development of a large-area hybrid pixel detector providing practically continuous neutron sensitive area of 71 × 57 mm2. The measurements characterising the detector performance at the cold neutron imaging instrument ICON at PSI and high-flux imaging beam-line Neutrograph at ILL are presented. At both facilities, high-resolution high-contrast neutron radiography with the newly developed detector has been successfully applied for objects which imaging were previously difficult with hybrid pixel technology (such as various composite materials, objects of cultural heritage etc.). Further, a significant improvement in the spatial resolution of neutron radiography with hybrid semiconductor pixel detector based on the fast read-out Timepix-based detector is presented. The system is equipped with a thin planar 6LiF convertor operated effectively in the event-by-event mode enabling position sensitive detection with spatial resolution better than 10 μm.

High throughput reconfigurable data analysis system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bearman, Greg (Inventor); Pelletier, Michael J. (Inventor); Seshadri, Suresh (Inventor); Pain, Bedabrata (Inventor)

2008-01-01

The present invention relates to a system and method for performing rapid and programmable analysis of data. The present invention relates to a reconfigurable detector comprising at least one array of a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels can be selected to receive and read-out an input. The pixel array is divided into at least one pixel group for conducting a common predefined analysis. Each of the pixels has a programmable circuitry programmed with a dynamically configurable user-defined function to modify the input. The present detector also comprises a summing circuit designed to sum the modified input.

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (SAO OMPS) formaldehyde retrieval

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González Abad, Gonzalo; Vasilkov, Alexander; Seftor, Colin; Liu, Xiong; Chance, Kelly

2016-07-01

This paper presents our new formaldehyde (H2CO) retrievals, obtained from spectra recorded by the nadir instrument of the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) flown on board NASA's Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SUOMI-NPP) satellite. Our algorithm is similar to the one currently in place for the production of NASA's Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) operational H2CO product. We are now able to produce a set of long-term data from two different instruments that share a similar concept and a similar retrieval approach. The ongoing overlap period between OMI and OMPS offers a perfect opportunity to study the consistency between both data sets. The different spatial and spectral resolution of the instruments is a source of discrepancy in the retrievals despite the similarity of the physic assumptions of the algorithm. We have concluded that the reduced spectral resolution of OMPS in comparison with OMI is not a significant obstacle in obtaining good-quality retrievals. Indeed, the improved signal-to-noise ratio of OMPS with respect to OMI helps to reduce the noise of the retrievals performed using OMPS spectra. However, the size of OMPS spatial pixels imposes a limitation in the capability to distinguish particular features of H2CO that are discernible with OMI. With root mean square (RMS) residuals ˜ 5 × 10-4 for individual pixels we estimate the detection limit to be about 7.5 × 1015 molecules cm-2. Total vertical column density (VCD) errors for individual pixels range between 40 % for pixels with high concentrations to 100 % or more for pixels with concentrations at or below the detection limit. We compare different OMI products (SAO OMI v3.0.2 and BIRA OMI v14) with our OMPS product using 1 year of data, between September 2012 and September 2013. The seasonality of the retrieved slant columns is captured similarly by all products but there are discrepancies in the values of the VCDs. The mean biases among the two OMI products and our OMPS product are 23 % between OMI SAO and OMPS SAO and 28 % between OMI BIRA and OMPS SAO for eight selected regions.

Fluorescent H{sub 2} Emission Lines from the Reflection Nebula NGC 7023 Observed with IGRINS

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

Le, Huynh Anh N.; Pak, Soojong; Lee, Hye-In

We have analyzed the temperature, velocity, and density of H{sub 2} gas in NGC 7023 with a high-resolution near-infrared spectrum of the northwestern filament of the reflection nebula. By observing NGC 7023 in the H and K bands at R ≃ 45,000 with the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph, we detected 68 H{sub 2} emission lines within the 1″ × 15″ slit. The diagnostic ratio of 2-1 S(1)/1-0 S(1) is 0.41−0.56. In addition, the estimated ortho-to-para ratio (OPR) is 1.63−1.82, indicating that the H{sub 2} emission transitions in the observed region arise mostly from gas excited by UV fluorescence. Gradients inmore » the temperature, velocity, and OPR within the observed area imply motion of the photodissociation region (PDR) relative to the molecular cloud. In addition, we derive the column density of H{sub 2} from the observed emission lines and compare these results with PDR models in the literature covering a range of densities and incident UV field intensities. The notable difference between PDR model predictions and the observed data, in high rotational J levels of ν = 1, is that the predicted formation temperature for newly formed H{sub 2} should be lower than that of the model predictions. To investigate the density distribution, we combine pixels in 1″ × 1″ areas and derive the density distribution at the 0.002 pc scale. The derived gradient of density suggests that NGC 7023 has a clumpy structure, including a high clump density of ∼10{sup 5} cm{sup −3} with a size smaller than ∼5 × 10{sup −3} pc embedded in lower-density regions of 10{sup 3}–10{sup 4} cm{sup −3}.« less

X-ray analog pixel array detector for single synchrotron bunch time-resolved imaging.

PubMed

Koerner, Lucas J; Gruner, Sol M

2011-03-01

Dynamic X-ray studies can reach temporal resolutions limited by only the X-ray pulse duration if the detector is fast enough to segregate synchrotron pulses. An analog integrating pixel array detector with in-pixel storage and temporal resolution of around 150 ns, sufficient to isolate pulses, is presented. Analog integration minimizes count-rate limitations and in-pixel storage captures successive pulses. Fundamental tests of noise and linearity as well as high-speed laser measurements are shown. The detector resolved individual bunch trains at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source at levels of up to 3.7 × 10(3) X-rays per pixel per train. When applied to turn-by-turn X-ray beam characterization, single-shot intensity measurements were made with a repeatability of 0.4% and horizontal oscillations of the positron cloud were detected.

X-ray analog pixel array detector for single synchrotron bunch time-resolved imaging

PubMed Central

Koerner, Lucas J.; Gruner, Sol M.

2011-01-01

Dynamic X-ray studies can reach temporal resolutions limited by only the X-ray pulse duration if the detector is fast enough to segregate synchrotron pulses. An analog integrating pixel array detector with in-pixel storage and temporal resolution of around 150 ns, sufficient to isolate pulses, is presented. Analog integration minimizes count-rate limitations and in-pixel storage captures successive pulses. Fundamental tests of noise and linearity as well as high-speed laser measurements are shown. The detector resolved individual bunch trains at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source at levels of up to 3.7 × 103 X-rays per pixel per train. When applied to turn-by-turn X-ray beam characterization, single-shot intensity measurements were made with a repeatability of 0.4% and horizontal oscillations of the positron cloud were detected. PMID:21335901

The CAOS camera platform: ushering in a paradigm change in extreme dynamic range imager design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riza, Nabeel A.

2017-02-01

Multi-pixel imaging devices such as CCD, CMOS and Focal Plane Array (FPA) photo-sensors dominate the imaging world. These Photo-Detector Array (PDA) devices certainly have their merits including increasingly high pixel counts and shrinking pixel sizes, nevertheless, they are also being hampered by limitations in instantaneous dynamic range, inter-pixel crosstalk, quantum full well capacity, signal-to-noise ratio, sensitivity, spectral flexibility, and in some cases, imager response time. Recently invented is the Coded Access Optical Sensor (CAOS) Camera platform that works in unison with current Photo-Detector Array (PDA) technology to counter fundamental limitations of PDA-based imagers while providing high enough imaging spatial resolution and pixel counts. Using for example the Texas Instruments (TI) Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) to engineer the CAOS camera platform, ushered in is a paradigm change in advanced imager design, particularly for extreme dynamic range applications.

A comparative analysis of pixel- and object-based detection of landslides from very high-resolution images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keyport, Ren N.; Oommen, Thomas; Martha, Tapas R.; Sajinkumar, K. S.; Gierke, John S.

2018-02-01

A comparative analysis of landslides detected by pixel-based and object-oriented analysis (OOA) methods was performed using very high-resolution (VHR) remotely sensed aerial images for the San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala, which witnessed widespread devastation during the 2005 Hurricane Stan. A 3-band orthophoto of 0.5 m spatial resolution together with a 115 field-based landslide inventory were used for the analysis. A binary reference was assigned with a zero value for landslide and unity for non-landslide pixels. The pixel-based analysis was performed using unsupervised classification, which resulted in 11 different trial classes. Detection of landslides using OOA includes 2-step K-means clustering to eliminate regions based on brightness; elimination of false positives using object properties such as rectangular fit, compactness, length/width ratio, mean difference of objects, and slope angle. Both overall accuracy and F-score for OOA methods outperformed pixel-based unsupervised classification methods in both landslide and non-landslide classes. The overall accuracy for OOA and pixel-based unsupervised classification was 96.5% and 94.3%, respectively, whereas the best F-score for landslide identification for OOA and pixel-based unsupervised methods: were 84.3% and 77.9%, respectively.Results indicate that the OOA is able to identify the majority of landslides with a few false positive when compared to pixel-based unsupervised classification.

Optical and x-ray characterization of two novel CMOS image sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bohndiek, Sarah E.; Arvanitis, Costas D.; Venanzi, Cristian; Royle, Gary J.; Clark, Andy T.; Crooks, Jamie P.; Prydderch, Mark L.; Turchetta, Renato; Blue, Andrew; Speller, Robert D.

2007-02-01

A UK consortium (MI3) has been founded to develop advanced CMOS pixel designs for scientific applications. Vanilla, a 520x520 array of 25μm pixels benefits from flushed reset circuitry for low noise and random pixel access for region of interest (ROI) readout. OPIC, a 64x72 test structure array of 30μm digital pixels has thresholding capabilities for sparse readout at 3,700fps. Characterization is performed with both optical illumination and x-ray exposure via a scintillator. Vanilla exhibits 34+/-3e - read noise, interactive quantum efficiency of 54% at 500nm and can read a 6x6 ROI at 24,395fps. OPIC has 46+/-3e - read noise and a wide dynamic range of 65dB due to high full well capacity. Based on these characterization studies, Vanilla could be utilized in applications where demands include high spectral response and high speed region of interest readout while OPIC could be used for high speed, high dynamic range imaging.

Development of N+ in P pixel sensors for a high-luminosity large hadron collider

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamada, Shintaro; Yamamura, Kazuhisa; Unno, Yoshinobu; Ikegami, Yoichi

2014-11-01

Hamamatsu Photonics K. K. is developing an N+ in a p planar pixel sensor with high radiation tolerance for the high-luminosity large hadron collider (HL-LHC). The N+ in the p planar pixel sensor is a candidate for the HL-LHC and offers the advantages of high radiation tolerance at a reasonable price compared with the N+ in an n planar sensor, the three-dimensional sensor, and the diamond sensor. However, the N+ in the p planar pixel sensor still presents some problems that need to be solved, such as its slim edge and the danger of sparks between the sensor and readout integrated circuit. We are now attempting to solve these problems with wafer-level processes, which is important for mass production. To date, we have obtained a 250-μm edge with an applied bias voltage of 1000 V. To protect against high-voltage sparks from the edge, we suggest some possible designs for the N+ edge.

Large-Scale Structure of the Molecular Gas in Taurus Revealed by High Spatial Dynamic Range Spectral Line Mapping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldsmith, Paul F.

2008-01-01

Viewgraph topics include: optical image of Taurus; dust extinction in IR has provided a new tool for probing cloud morphology; observations of the gas can contribute critical information on gas temperature, gas column density and distribution, mass, and kinematics; the Taurus molecular cloud complex; average spectra in each mask region; mas 2 data; dealing with mask 1 data; behavior of mask 1 pixels; distribution of CO column densities; conversion to H2 column density; variable CO/H2 ratio with values much less than 10(exp -4) at low N indicated by UV results; histogram of N(H2) distribution; H2 column density distribution in Taurus; cumulative distribution of mass and area; lower CO fractional abundance in mask 0 and 1 regions greatly increases mass determined in the analysis; masses determined with variable X(CO) and including diffuse regions agrees well with the found from L(CO); distribution of young stars as a function of molecular column density; star formation efficiency; star formation rate and gas depletion; and enlarged images of some of the regions with numerous young stars. Additional slides examine the origin of the Taurus molecular cloud, evolution from HI gas, kinematics as a clue to its origin, and its relationship to star formation.

Mercuric iodide room-temperature array detectors for gamma-ray imaging

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

Patt, B.

Significant progress has been made recently in the development of mercuric iodide detector arrays for gamma-ray imaging, making real the possibility of constructing high-performance small, light-weight, portable gamma-ray imaging systems. New techniques have been applied in detector fabrication and then low noise electronics which have produced pixel arrays with high-energy resolution, high spatial resolution, high gamma stopping efficiency. Measurements of the energy resolution capability have been made on a 19-element protypical array. Pixel energy resolutions of 2.98% fwhm and 3.88% fwhm were obtained at 59 keV (241-Am) and 140-keV (99m-Tc), respectively. The pixel spectra for a 14-element section of themore » data is shown together with the composition of the overlapped individual pixel spectra. These techniques are now being applied to fabricate much larger arrays with thousands of pixels. Extension of these principles to imaging scenarios involving gamma-ray energies up to several hundred keV is also possible. This would enable imaging of the 208 keV and 375-414 keV 239-Pu and 240-Pu structures, as well as the 186 keV line of 235-U.« less

Ultra-low power high-dynamic range color pixel embedding RGB to r-g chromaticity transformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lecca, Michela; Gasparini, Leonardo; Gottardi, Massimo

2014-05-01

This work describes a novel color pixel topology that converts the three chromatic components from the standard RGB space into the normalized r-g chromaticity space. This conversion is implemented with high-dynamic range and with no dc power consumption, and the auto-exposure capability of the sensor ensures to capture a high quality chromatic signal, even in presence of very bright illuminants or in the darkness. The pixel is intended to become the basic building block of a CMOS color vision sensor, targeted to ultra-low power applications for mobile devices, such as human machine interfaces, gesture recognition, face detection. The experiments show that significant improvements of the proposed pixel with respect to standard cameras in terms of energy saving and accuracy on data acquisition. An application to skin color-based description is presented.

Velocity map imaging using an in-vacuum pixel detector

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

Gademann, Georg; Huismans, Ymkje; Gijsbertsen, Arjan

The use of a new type in-vacuum pixel detector in velocity map imaging (VMI) is introduced. The Medipix2 and Timepix semiconductor pixel detectors (256x256 square pixels, 55x55 {mu}m{sup 2}) are well suited for charged particle detection. They offer high resolution, low noise, and high quantum efficiency. The Medipix2 chip allows double energy discrimination by offering a low and a high energy threshold. The Timepix detector allows to record the incidence time of a particle with a temporal resolution of 10 ns and a dynamic range of 160 {mu}s. Results of the first time application of the Medipix2 detector to VMImore » are presented, investigating the quantum efficiency as well as the possibility to operate at increased background pressure in the vacuum chamber.« less

Infrared sensors for Earth observation missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashcroft, P.; Thorne, P.; Weller, H.; Baker, I.

2007-10-01

SELEX S&AS is developing a family of infrared sensors for earth observation missions. The spectral bands cover shortwave infrared (SWIR) channels from around 1μm to long-wave infrared (LWIR) channels up to 15μm. Our mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) technology has enabled a sensor array design that can satisfy the requirements of all of the SWIR and medium-wave infrared (MWIR) bands with near-identical arrays. This is made possible by the combination of a set of existing technologies that together enable a high degree of flexibility in the pixel geometry, sensitivity, and photocurrent integration capacity. The solution employs a photodiode array under the control of a readout integrated circuit (ROIC). The ROIC allows flexible geometries and in-pixel redundancy to maximise operability and reliability, by combining the photocurrent from a number of photodiodes into a single pixel. Defective or inoperable diodes (or "sub-pixels") can be deselected with tolerable impact on the overall pixel performance. The arrays will be fabricated using the "loophole" process in MCT grown by liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE). These arrays are inherently robust, offer high quantum efficiencies and have been used in previous space programs. The use of loophole arrays also offers access to SELEX's avalanche photodiode (APD) technology, allowing low-noise, highly uniform gain at the pixel level where photon flux is very low.

Wafer-scale pixelated detector system

DOEpatents

Fahim, Farah; Deptuch, Grzegorz; Zimmerman, Tom

2017-10-17

A large area, gapless, detection system comprises at least one sensor; an interposer operably connected to the at least one sensor; and at least one application specific integrated circuit operably connected to the sensor via the interposer wherein the detection system provides high dynamic range while maintaining small pixel area and low power dissipation. Thereby the invention provides methods and systems for a wafer-scale gapless and seamless detector systems with small pixels, which have both high dynamic range and low power dissipation.

Demonstration of 1024x1024 pixel dual-band QWIP focal plane array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunapala, S. D.; Bandara, S. V.; Liu, J. K.; Mumolo, J. M.; Ting, D. Z.; Hill, C. J.; Nguyen, J.; Rafol, S. B.

2010-04-01

QWIPs are well known for their stability, high pixel-pixel uniformity and high pixel operability which are quintessential parameters for large area imaging arrays. In this paper we report the first demonstration of the megapixel-simultaneously-readable and pixel-co-registered dual-band QWIP focal plane array (FPA). The dual-band QWIP device was developed by stacking two multi-quantum-well stacks tuned to absorb two different infrared wavelengths. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) band extends from 4.4 - 5.1 μm and FWHM of the long-wave infrared (LWIR) band extends from 7.8 - 8.8 μm. Dual-band QWIP detector arrays were hybridized with direct injection 30 μm pixel pitch megapixel dual-band simultaneously readable CMOS read out integrated circuits using the indium bump hybridization technique. The initial dual-band megapixel QWIP FPAs were cooled to 68K operating temperature. The preliminary data taken from the first megapixel QWIP FPA has shown system NE▵T of 27 and 40 mK for MWIR and LWIR bands respectively.

Development of a Cost-Effective Modular Pixelated NaI(Tl) Detector for Clinical SPECT Applications

PubMed Central

Rozler, Mike; Liang, Haoning; Chang, Wei

2013-01-01

A new pixelated detector for high-resolution clinical SPECT applications was designed and tested. The modular detector is based on a scintillator block comprised of 2.75×2.75×10 mm3 NaI(Tl) pixels and decoded by an array of 51 mm diameter single-anode PMTs. Several configurations, utilizing two types of PMTs, were evaluated using a collimated beam source to measure positioning accuracy directly. Good pixel separation was observed, with correct pixel identification ranging from 60 to 72% averaged over the entire area of the modules, depending on the PMT type and configuration. This translates to a significant improvement in positioning accuracy compared to continuous slab detectors of the same thickness, along with effective reduction of “dead” space at the edges. The observed 10% average energy resolution compares well to continuous slab detectors. The combined performance demonstrates the suitability of pixelated detectors decoded with a relatively small number of medium-sized PMTs as a cost-effective approach for high resolution clinical SPECT applications, in particular those involving curved detector geometries. PMID:24146436

A 128 x 128 CMOS Active Pixel Image Sensor for Highly Integrated Imaging Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mendis, Sunetra K.; Kemeny, Sabrina E.; Fossum, Eric R.

1993-01-01

A new CMOS-based image sensor that is intrinsically compatible with on-chip CMOS circuitry is reported. The new CMOS active pixel image sensor achieves low noise, high sensitivity, X-Y addressability, and has simple timing requirements. The image sensor was fabricated using a 2 micrometer p-well CMOS process, and consists of a 128 x 128 array of 40 micrometer x 40 micrometer pixels. The CMOS image sensor technology enables highly integrated smart image sensors, and makes the design, incorporation and fabrication of such sensors widely accessible to the integrated circuit community.

1024-Pixel CMOS Multimodality Joint Cellular Sensor/Stimulator Array for Real-Time Holistic Cellular Characterization and Cell-Based Drug Screening.

PubMed

Park, Jong Seok; Aziz, Moez Karim; Li, Sensen; Chi, Taiyun; Grijalva, Sandra Ivonne; Sung, Jung Hoon; Cho, Hee Cheol; Wang, Hua

2018-02-01

This paper presents a fully integrated CMOS multimodality joint sensor/stimulator array with 1024 pixels for real-time holistic cellular characterization and drug screening. The proposed system consists of four pixel groups and four parallel signal-conditioning blocks. Every pixel group contains 16 × 16 pixels, and each pixel includes one gold-plated electrode, four photodiodes, and in-pixel circuits, within a pixel footprint. Each pixel supports real-time extracellular potential recording, optical detection, charge-balanced biphasic current stimulation, and cellular impedance measurement for the same cellular sample. The proposed system is fabricated in a standard 130-nm CMOS process. Rat cardiomyocytes are successfully cultured on-chip. Measured high-resolution optical opacity images, extracellular potential recordings, biphasic current stimulations, and cellular impedance images demonstrate the unique advantages of the system for holistic cell characterization and drug screening. Furthermore, this paper demonstrates the use of optical detection on the on-chip cultured cardiomyocytes to real-time track their cyclic beating pattern and beating rate.

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

Dou, Letian; Lai, Minliang; Kley, Christopher S.

Halide perovskites are promising semiconductor materials for solution-processed optoelectronic devices. Their strong ionic bonding nature results in highly dynamic crystal lattices, inherently allowing rapid ion exchange at the solid–vapor and solid–liquid interface. In this paper, we show that the anion-exchange chemistry can be precisely controlled in single-crystalline halide perovskite nanomaterials when combined with nanofabrication techniques. We demonstrate spatially resolved multicolor CsPbX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I, or alloy of two halides) nanowire heterojunctions with a pixel size down to 500 nm with the photoluminescence tunable over the entire visible spectrum. In addition, the heterojunctions show distinct electronic states acrossmore » the interface, as revealed by Kelvin probe force microscopy. Finally, these perovskite heterojunctions represent key building blocks for high-resolution multicolor displays beyond current state-of-the-art technology as well as high-density diode/transistor arrays.« less

Wavelength scanning achieves pixel super-resolution in holographic on-chip microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Wei; Göröcs, Zoltan; Zhang, Yibo; Feizi, Alborz; Greenbaum, Alon; Ozcan, Aydogan

2016-03-01

Lensfree holographic on-chip imaging is a potent solution for high-resolution and field-portable bright-field imaging over a wide field-of-view. Previous lensfree imaging approaches utilize a pixel super-resolution technique, which relies on sub-pixel lateral displacements between the lensfree diffraction patterns and the image sensor's pixel-array, to achieve sub-micron resolution under unit magnification using state-of-the-art CMOS imager chips, commonly used in e.g., mobile-phones. Here we report, for the first time, a wavelength scanning based pixel super-resolution technique in lensfree holographic imaging. We developed an iterative super-resolution algorithm, which generates high-resolution reconstructions of the specimen from low-resolution (i.e., under-sampled) diffraction patterns recorded at multiple wavelengths within a narrow spectral range (e.g., 10-30 nm). Compared with lateral shift-based pixel super-resolution, this wavelength scanning approach does not require any physical shifts in the imaging setup, and the resolution improvement is uniform in all directions across the sensor-array. Our wavelength scanning super-resolution approach can also be integrated with multi-height and/or multi-angle on-chip imaging techniques to obtain even higher resolution reconstructions. For example, using wavelength scanning together with multi-angle illumination, we achieved a halfpitch resolution of 250 nm, corresponding to a numerical aperture of 1. In addition to pixel super-resolution, the small scanning steps in wavelength also enable us to robustly unwrap phase, revealing the specimen's optical path length in our reconstructed images. We believe that this new wavelength scanning based pixel super-resolution approach can provide competitive microscopy solutions for high-resolution and field-portable imaging needs, potentially impacting tele-pathology applications in resource-limited-settings.

How Many Pixels Does It Take to Make a Good 4"×6" Print? Pixel Count Wars Revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kriss, Michael A.

Digital still cameras emerged following the introduction of the Sony Mavica analog prototype camera in 1981. These early cameras produced poor image quality and did not challenge film cameras for overall quality. By 1995 digital still cameras in expensive SLR formats had 6 mega-pixels and produced high quality images (with significant image processing). In 2005 significant improvement in image quality was apparent and lower prices for digital still cameras (DSCs) started a rapid decline in film usage and film camera sells. By 2010 film usage was mostly limited to professionals and the motion picture industry. The rise of DSCs was marked by a “pixel war” where the driving feature of the cameras was the pixel count where even moderate cost, ˜120, DSCs would have 14 mega-pixels. The improvement of CMOS technology pushed this trend of lower prices and higher pixel counts. Only the single lens reflex cameras had large sensors and large pixels. The drive for smaller pixels hurt the quality aspects of the final image (sharpness, noise, speed, and exposure latitude). Only today are camera manufactures starting to reverse their course and producing DSCs with larger sensors and pixels. This paper will explore why larger pixels and sensors are key to the future of DSCs.

Evaluation of Stokes Settling Equation for Variable Density Aggregates.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-04-26

aggregate densities of the order 1.05 a/l (Sbglar to the hlab-made assroese fed b7 grame (t976)) aw* of the tpt esis "ae 110s10m0 ft the .01O of...work performed under this contract, this report will describe the behavior of Inorganic aggregates encountering fluids Of ilffering composition than...perimeter ofthe Fig. 2. Particle moving in 3-D * Pam . particle, while pixels above the theshold ere accumu- lated a,- its area. C. Ps J Arm Swa Tedvnftu

The multicategory case of the sequential Bayesian pixel selection and estimation procedure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pore, M. D.; Dennis, T. B. (Principal Investigator)

1980-01-01

A Bayesian technique for stratified proportion estimation and a sampling based on minimizing the mean squared error of this estimator were developed and tested on LANDSAT multispectral scanner data using the beta density function to model the prior distribution in the two-class case. An extention of this procedure to the k-class case is considered. A generalization of the beta function is shown to be a density function for the general case which allows the procedure to be extended.

Improving the Accuracy of Mapping Urban Vegetation Carbon Density by Combining Shadow Remove, Spectral Unmixing Analysis and Spatial Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qie, G.; Wang, G.; Wang, M.

2016-12-01

Mixed pixels and shadows due to buildings in urban areas impede accurate estimation and mapping of city vegetation carbon density. In most of previous studies, these factors are often ignored, which thus result in underestimation of city vegetation carbon density. In this study we presented an integrated methodology to improve the accuracy of mapping city vegetation carbon density. Firstly, we applied a linear shadow remove analysis (LSRA) on remotely sensed Landsat 8 images to reduce the shadow effects on carbon estimation. Secondly, we integrated a linear spectral unmixing analysis (LSUA) with a linear stepwise regression (LSR), a logistic model-based stepwise regression (LMSR) and k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), and utilized and compared the integrated models on shadow-removed images to map vegetation carbon density. This methodology was examined in Shenzhen City of Southeast China. A data set from a total of 175 sample plots measured in 2013 and 2014 was used to train the models. The independent variables statistically significantly contributing to improving the fit of the models to the data and reducing the sum of squared errors were selected from a total of 608 variables derived from different image band combinations and transformations. The vegetation fraction from LSUA was then added into the models as an important independent variable. The estimates obtained were evaluated using a cross-validation method. Our results showed that higher accuracies were obtained from the integrated models compared with the ones using traditional methods which ignore the effects of mixed pixels and shadows. This study indicates that the integrated method has great potential on improving the accuracy of urban vegetation carbon density estimation. Key words: Urban vegetation carbon, shadow, spectral unmixing, spatial modeling, Landsat 8 images

Colorization-Based RGB-White Color Interpolation using Color Filter Array with Randomly Sampled Pattern

PubMed Central

Oh, Paul; Lee, Sukho; Kang, Moon Gi

2017-01-01

Recently, several RGB-White (RGBW) color filter arrays (CFAs) have been proposed, which have extra white (W) pixels in the filter array that are highly sensitive. Due to the high sensitivity, the W pixels have better SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) characteristics than other color pixels in the filter array, especially, in low light conditions. However, most of the RGBW CFAs are designed so that the acquired RGBW pattern image can be converted into the conventional Bayer pattern image, which is then again converted into the final color image by using conventional demosaicing methods, i.e., color interpolation techniques. In this paper, we propose a new RGBW color filter array based on a totally different color interpolation technique, the colorization algorithm. The colorization algorithm was initially proposed for colorizing a gray image into a color image using a small number of color seeds. Here, we adopt this algorithm as a color interpolation technique, so that the RGBW color filter array can be designed with a very large number of W pixels to make the most of the highly sensitive characteristics of the W channel. The resulting RGBW color filter array has a pattern with a large proportion of W pixels, while the small-numbered RGB pixels are randomly distributed over the array. The colorization algorithm makes it possible to reconstruct the colors from such a small number of RGB values. Due to the large proportion of W pixels, the reconstructed color image has a high SNR value, especially higher than those of conventional CFAs in low light condition. Experimental results show that many important information which are not perceived in color images reconstructed with conventional CFAs are perceived in the images reconstructed with the proposed method. PMID:28657602

Colorization-Based RGB-White Color Interpolation using Color Filter Array with Randomly Sampled Pattern.

PubMed

Oh, Paul; Lee, Sukho; Kang, Moon Gi

2017-06-28

Recently, several RGB-White (RGBW) color filter arrays (CFAs) have been proposed, which have extra white (W) pixels in the filter array that are highly sensitive. Due to the high sensitivity, the W pixels have better SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) characteristics than other color pixels in the filter array, especially, in low light conditions. However, most of the RGBW CFAs are designed so that the acquired RGBW pattern image can be converted into the conventional Bayer pattern image, which is then again converted into the final color image by using conventional demosaicing methods, i.e., color interpolation techniques. In this paper, we propose a new RGBW color filter array based on a totally different color interpolation technique, the colorization algorithm. The colorization algorithm was initially proposed for colorizing a gray image into a color image using a small number of color seeds. Here, we adopt this algorithm as a color interpolation technique, so that the RGBW color filter array can be designed with a very large number of W pixels to make the most of the highly sensitive characteristics of the W channel. The resulting RGBW color filter array has a pattern with a large proportion of W pixels, while the small-numbered RGB pixels are randomly distributed over the array. The colorization algorithm makes it possible to reconstruct the colors from such a small number of RGB values. Due to the large proportion of W pixels, the reconstructed color image has a high SNR value, especially higher than those of conventional CFAs in low light condition. Experimental results show that many important information which are not perceived in color images reconstructed with conventional CFAs are perceived in the images reconstructed with the proposed method.

Amorphous selenium direct detection CMOS digital x-ray imager with 25 micron pixel pitch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, Christopher C.; Abbaszadeh, Shiva; Ghanbarzadeh, Sina; Allan, Gary; Farrier, Michael; Cunningham, Ian A.; Karim, Karim S.

2014-03-01

We have developed a high resolution amorphous selenium (a-Se) direct detection imager using a large-area compatible back-end fabrication process on top of a CMOS active pixel sensor having 25 micron pixel pitch. Integration of a-Se with CMOS technology requires overcoming CMOS/a-Se interfacial strain, which initiates nucleation of crystalline selenium and results in high detector dark currents. A CMOS-compatible polyimide buffer layer was used to planarize the backplane and provide a low stress and thermally stable surface for a-Se. The buffer layer inhibits crystallization and provides detector stability that is not only a performance factor but also critical for favorable long term cost-benefit considerations in the application of CMOS digital x-ray imagers in medical practice. The detector structure is comprised of a polyimide (PI) buffer layer, the a-Se layer, and a gold (Au) top electrode. The PI layer is applied by spin-coating and is patterned using dry etching to open the backplane bond pads for wire bonding. Thermal evaporation is used to deposit the a-Se and Au layers, and the detector is operated in hole collection mode (i.e. a positive bias on the Au top electrode). High resolution a-Se diagnostic systems typically use 70 to 100 μm pixel pitch and have a pre-sampling modulation transfer function (MTF) that is significantly limited by the pixel aperture. Our results confirm that, for a densely integrated 25 μm pixel pitch CMOS array, the MTF approaches the fundamental material limit, i.e. where the MTF begins to be limited by the a-Se material properties and not the pixel aperture. Preliminary images demonstrating high spatial resolution have been obtained from a frst prototype imager.

a Spiral-Based Downscaling Method for Generating 30 M Time Series Image Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, B.; Chen, J.; Xing, H.; Wu, H.; Zhang, J.

2017-09-01

The spatial detail and updating frequency of land cover data are important factors influencing land surface dynamic monitoring applications in high spatial resolution scale. However, the fragmentized patches and seasonal variable of some land cover types (e. g. small crop field, wetland) make it labor-intensive and difficult in the generation of land cover data. Utilizing the high spatial resolution multi-temporal image data is a possible solution. Unfortunately, the spatial and temporal resolution of available remote sensing data like Landsat or MODIS datasets can hardly satisfy the minimum mapping unit and frequency of current land cover mapping / updating at the same time. The generation of high resolution time series may be a compromise to cover the shortage in land cover updating process. One of popular way is to downscale multi-temporal MODIS data with other high spatial resolution auxiliary data like Landsat. But the usual manner of downscaling pixel based on a window may lead to the underdetermined problem in heterogeneous area, result in the uncertainty of some high spatial resolution pixels. Therefore, the downscaled multi-temporal data can hardly reach high spatial resolution as Landsat data. A spiral based method was introduced to downscale low spatial and high temporal resolution image data to high spatial and high temporal resolution image data. By the way of searching the similar pixels around the adjacent region based on the spiral, the pixel set was made up in the adjacent region pixel by pixel. The underdetermined problem is prevented to a large extent from solving the linear system when adopting the pixel set constructed. With the help of ordinary least squares, the method inverted the endmember values of linear system. The high spatial resolution image was reconstructed on the basis of high spatial resolution class map and the endmember values band by band. Then, the high spatial resolution time series was formed with these high spatial resolution images image by image. Simulated experiment and remote sensing image downscaling experiment were conducted. In simulated experiment, the 30 meters class map dataset Globeland30 was adopted to investigate the effect on avoid the underdetermined problem in downscaling procedure and a comparison between spiral and window was conducted. Further, the MODIS NDVI and Landsat image data was adopted to generate the 30m time series NDVI in remote sensing image downscaling experiment. Simulated experiment results showed that the proposed method had a robust performance in downscaling pixel in heterogeneous region and indicated that it was superior to the traditional window-based methods. The high resolution time series generated may be a benefit to the mapping and updating of land cover data.

Carotid Stenosis And Ulcer Detectability As A Function Of Pixel Size

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mintz, Leslie J.; Enzmann, Dieter R.; Keyes, Gary S.; Mainiero, Louis M.; Brody, William R.

1981-11-01

Digital radiography, in conjunction with digital subtraction methods can provide high quality images of the vascular system,1-4 Spatial resolution is one important limiting factor of this imaging technique. Since spatial resolution of a digital image is a function of pixel size, it is important to determine the pixel size threshold necessary to provide information comparable to that of conventional angiograms. This study was designed to establish the pixel size necessary to identify accurately stenotic and ulcerative lesions of the carotid artery.

Image Format Conversion to DICOM and Lookup Table Conversion to Presentation Value of the Japanese Society of Radiological Technology (JSRT) Standard Digital Image Database.

PubMed

Yanagita, Satoshi; Imahana, Masato; Suwa, Kazuaki; Sugimura, Hitomi; Nishiki, Masayuki

2016-01-01

Japanese Society of Radiological Technology (JSRT) standard digital image database contains many useful cases of chest X-ray images, and has been used in many state-of-the-art researches. However, the pixel values of all the images are simply digitized as relative density values by utilizing a scanned film digitizer. As a result, the pixel values are completely different from the standardized display system input value of digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM), called presentation value (P-value), which can maintain a visual consistency when observing images using different display luminance. Therefore, we converted all the images from JSRT standard digital image database to DICOM format followed by the conversion of the pixel values to P-value using an original program developed by ourselves. Consequently, JSRT standard digital image database has been modified so that the visual consistency of images is maintained among different luminance displays.

A 45 nm Stacked CMOS Image Sensor Process Technology for Submicron Pixel.

PubMed

Takahashi, Seiji; Huang, Yi-Min; Sze, Jhy-Jyi; Wu, Tung-Ting; Guo, Fu-Sheng; Hsu, Wei-Cheng; Tseng, Tung-Hsiung; Liao, King; Kuo, Chin-Chia; Chen, Tzu-Hsiang; Chiang, Wei-Chieh; Chuang, Chun-Hao; Chou, Keng-Yu; Chung, Chi-Hsien; Chou, Kuo-Yu; Tseng, Chien-Hsien; Wang, Chuan-Joung; Yaung, Dun-Nien

2017-12-05

A submicron pixel's light and dark performance were studied by experiment and simulation. An advanced node technology incorporated with a stacked CMOS image sensor (CIS) is promising in that it may enhance performance. In this work, we demonstrated a low dark current of 3.2 e - /s at 60 °C, an ultra-low read noise of 0.90 e - ·rms, a high full well capacity (FWC) of 4100 e - , and blooming of 0.5% in 0.9 μm pixels with a pixel supply voltage of 2.8 V. In addition, the simulation study result of 0.8 μm pixels is discussed.

An investigation of signal performance enhancements achieved through innovative pixel design across several generations of indirect detection, active matrix, flat-panel arrays

PubMed Central

Antonuk, Larry E.; Zhao, Qihua; El-Mohri, Youcef; Du, Hong; Wang, Yi; Street, Robert A.; Ho, Jackson; Weisfield, Richard; Yao, William

2009-01-01

Active matrix flat-panel imager (AMFPI) technology is being employed for an increasing variety of imaging applications. An important element in the adoption of this technology has been significant ongoing improvements in optical signal collection achieved through innovations in indirect detection array pixel design. Such improvements have a particularly beneficial effect on performance in applications involving low exposures and∕or high spatial frequencies, where detective quantum efficiency is strongly reduced due to the relatively high level of additive electronic noise compared to signal levels of AMFPI devices. In this article, an examination of various signal properties, as determined through measurements and calculations related to novel array designs, is reported in the context of the evolution of AMFPI pixel design. For these studies, dark, optical, and radiation signal measurements were performed on prototype imagers incorporating a variety of increasingly sophisticated array designs, with pixel pitches ranging from 75 to 127 μm. For each design, detailed measurements of fundamental pixel-level properties conducted under radiographic and fluoroscopic operating conditions are reported and the results are compared. A series of 127 μm pitch arrays employing discrete photodiodes culminated in a novel design providing an optical fill factor of ∼80% (thereby assuring improved x-ray sensitivity), and demonstrating low dark current, very low charge trapping and charge release, and a large range of linear signal response. In two of the designs having 75 and 90 μm pitches, a novel continuous photodiode structure was found to provide fill factors that approach the theoretical maximum of 100%. Both sets of novel designs achieved large fill factors by employing architectures in which some, or all of the photodiode structure was elevated above the plane of the pixel addressing transistor. Generally, enhancement of the fill factor in either discrete or continuous photodiode arrays was observed to result in no degradation in MTF due to charge sharing between pixels. While the continuous designs exhibited relatively high levels of charge trapping and release, as well as shorter ranges of linearity, it is possible that these behaviors can be addressed through further refinements to pixel design. Both the continuous and the most recent discrete photodiode designs accommodate more sophisticated pixel circuitry than is present on conventional AMFPIs – such as a pixel clamp circuit, which is demonstrated to limit signal saturation under conditions corresponding to high exposures. It is anticipated that photodiode structures such as the ones reported in this study will enable the development of even more complex pixel circuitry, such as pixel-level amplifiers, that will lead to further significant improvements in imager performance. PMID:19673228

A new high dynamic range ROIC with smart light intensity control unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yazici, Melik; Ceylan, Omer; Shafique, Atia; Abbasi, Shahbaz; Galioglu, Arman; Gurbuz, Yasar

2017-05-01

This journal presents a new high dynamic range ROIC with smart pixel which consists of two pre-amplifiers that are controlled by a circuit inside the pixel. Each pixel automatically decides which pre-amplifier is used according to the incoming illumination level. Instead of using single pre-amplifier, two input pre-amplifiers, which are optimized for different signal levels, are placed inside each pixel. The smart circuit mechanism, which decides the best input circuit according to the incoming light level, is also designed for each pixel. In short, an individual pixel has the ability to select the best input amplifier circuit that performs the best/highest SNR for the incoming signal level. A 32 × 32 ROIC prototype chip is designed to demonstrate the concept in 0.18 μ m CMOS technology. The prototype is optimized for NIR and SWIR bands. Instead of a detector, process variation optimized current sources are placed inside the ROIC. The chip achieves minimum 8.6 e- input referred noise and 98.9 dB dynamic range. It has the highest dynamic range in the literature in terms of analog ROICs for SWIR band. It is operating in room temperature and power consumption is 2.8 μ W per pixel.

Adaptive pixel-to-pixel projection intensity adjustment for measuring a shiny surface using orthogonal color fringe pattern projection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chao; Gao, Nan; Wang, Xiangjun; Zhang, Zonghua

2018-05-01

Three-dimensional (3D) shape measurement based on fringe pattern projection techniques has been commonly used in various fields. One of the remaining challenges in fringe pattern projection is that camera sensor saturation may occur if there is a large range of reflectivity variation across the surface that causes measurement errors. To overcome this problem, a novel fringe pattern projection method is proposed to avoid image saturation and maintain high-intensity modulation for measuring shiny surfaces by adaptively adjusting the pixel-to-pixel projection intensity according to the surface reflectivity. First, three sets of orthogonal color fringe patterns and a sequence of uniform gray-level patterns with different gray levels are projected onto a measured surface by a projector. The patterns are deformed with respect to the object surface and captured by a camera from a different viewpoint. Subsequently, the optimal projection intensity at each pixel is determined by fusing different gray levels and transforming the camera pixel coordinate system into the projector pixel coordinate system. Finally, the adapted fringe patterns are created and used for 3D shape measurement. Experimental results on a flat checkerboard and shiny objects demonstrate that the proposed method can measure shiny surfaces with high accuracy.

Empirical analysis of vegetation dynamics and the possibility of a catastrophic desertification transition

PubMed Central

Kent, Rafi; Michael, Yaron; Shnerb, Nadav M.

2017-01-01

The process of desertification in the semi-arid climatic zone is considered by many as a catastrophic regime shift, since the positive feedback of vegetation density on growth rates yields a system that admits alternative steady states. Some support to this idea comes from the analysis of static patterns, where peaks of the vegetation density histogram were associated with these alternative states. Here we present a large-scale empirical study of vegetation dynamics, aimed at identifying and quantifying directly the effects of positive feedback. To do that, we have analyzed vegetation density across 2.5 × 106 km2 of the African Sahel region, with spatial resolution of 30 × 30 meters, using three consecutive snapshots. The results are mixed. The local vegetation density (measured at a single pixel) moves towards the average of the corresponding rainfall line, indicating a purely negative feedback. On the other hand, the chance of spatial clusters (of many “green” pixels) to expand in the next census is growing with their size, suggesting some positive feedback. We show that these apparently contradicting results emerge naturally in a model with positive feedback and strong demographic stochasticity, a model that allows for a catastrophic shift only in a certain range of parameters. Static patterns, like the double peak in the histogram of vegetation density, are shown to vary between censuses, with no apparent correlation with the actual dynamical features. Our work emphasizes the importance of dynamic response patterns as indicators of the state of the system, while the usefulness of static modality features appears to be quite limited. PMID:29261678

Empirical analysis of vegetation dynamics and the possibility of a catastrophic desertification transition.

PubMed

Weissmann, Haim; Kent, Rafi; Michael, Yaron; Shnerb, Nadav M

2017-01-01

The process of desertification in the semi-arid climatic zone is considered by many as a catastrophic regime shift, since the positive feedback of vegetation density on growth rates yields a system that admits alternative steady states. Some support to this idea comes from the analysis of static patterns, where peaks of the vegetation density histogram were associated with these alternative states. Here we present a large-scale empirical study of vegetation dynamics, aimed at identifying and quantifying directly the effects of positive feedback. To do that, we have analyzed vegetation density across 2.5 × 106 km2 of the African Sahel region, with spatial resolution of 30 × 30 meters, using three consecutive snapshots. The results are mixed. The local vegetation density (measured at a single pixel) moves towards the average of the corresponding rainfall line, indicating a purely negative feedback. On the other hand, the chance of spatial clusters (of many "green" pixels) to expand in the next census is growing with their size, suggesting some positive feedback. We show that these apparently contradicting results emerge naturally in a model with positive feedback and strong demographic stochasticity, a model that allows for a catastrophic shift only in a certain range of parameters. Static patterns, like the double peak in the histogram of vegetation density, are shown to vary between censuses, with no apparent correlation with the actual dynamical features. Our work emphasizes the importance of dynamic response patterns as indicators of the state of the system, while the usefulness of static modality features appears to be quite limited.

Ultra-high resolution and high-brightness AMOLED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wacyk, Ihor; Ghosh, Amal; Prache, Olivier; Draper, Russ; Fellowes, Dave

2012-06-01

As part of its continuing effort to improve both the resolution and optical performance of AMOLED microdisplays, eMagin has recently developed an SXGA (1280×3×1024) microdisplay under a US Army RDECOM CERDEC NVESD contract that combines the world's smallest OLED pixel pitch with an ultra-high brightness green OLED emitter. This development is aimed at next-generation HMD systems with "see-through" and daylight imaging requirements. The OLED pixel array is built on a 0.18-micron CMOS backplane and contains over 4 million individually addressable pixels with a pixel pitch of 2.7 × 8.1 microns, resulting in an active area of 0.52 inches diagonal. Using both spatial and temporal enhancement, the display can provide over 10-bits of gray-level control for high dynamic range applications. The new pixel design also enables the future implementation of a full-color QSXGA (2560 × RGB × 2048) microdisplay in an active area of only 1.05 inch diagonal. A low-power serialized low-voltage-differential-signaling (LVDS) interface is integrated into the display for use as a remote video link for tethered systems. The new SXGA backplane has been combined with the high-brightness green OLED device developed by eMagin under an NVESD contract. This OLED device has produced an output brightness of more than 8000fL with all pixels on; lifetime measurements are currently underway and will presented at the meeting. This paper will describe the operational features and first optical and electrical test results of the new SXGA demonstrator microdisplay.

A comparison between univariate probabilistic and multivariate (logistic regression) methods for landslide susceptibility analysis: the example of the Febbraro valley (Northern Alps, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, M.; Apuani, T.; Felletti, F.

2009-04-01

The aim of this paper is to compare the results of two statistical methods for landslide susceptibility analysis: 1) univariate probabilistic method based on landslide susceptibility index, 2) multivariate method (logistic regression). The study area is the Febbraro valley, located in the central Italian Alps, where different types of metamorphic rocks croup out. On the eastern part of the studied basin a quaternary cover represented by colluvial and secondarily, by glacial deposits, is dominant. In this study 110 earth flows, mainly located toward NE portion of the catchment, were analyzed. They involve only the colluvial deposits and their extension mainly ranges from 36 to 3173 m2. Both statistical methods require to establish a spatial database, in which each landslide is described by several parameters that can be assigned using a main scarp central point of landslide. The spatial database is constructed using a Geographical Information System (GIS). Each landslide is described by several parameters corresponding to the value of main scarp central point of the landslide. Based on bibliographic review a total of 15 predisposing factors were utilized. The width of the intervals, in which the maps of the predisposing factors have to be reclassified, has been defined assuming constant intervals to: elevation (100 m), slope (5 °), solar radiation (0.1 MJ/cm2/year), profile curvature (1.2 1/m), tangential curvature (2.2 1/m), drainage density (0.5), lineament density (0.00126). For the other parameters have been used the results of the probability-probability plots analysis and the statistical indexes of landslides site. In particular slope length (0 ÷ 2, 2 ÷ 5, 5 ÷ 10, 10 ÷ 20, 20 ÷ 35, 35 ÷ 260), accumulation flow (0 ÷ 1, 1 ÷ 2, 2 ÷ 5, 5 ÷ 12, 12 ÷ 60, 60 ÷27265), Topographic Wetness Index 0 ÷ 0.74, 0.74 ÷ 1.94, 1.94 ÷ 2.62, 2.62 ÷ 3.48, 3.48 ÷ 6,00, 6.00 ÷ 9.44), Stream Power Index (0 ÷ 0.64, 0.64 ÷ 1.28, 1.28 ÷ 1.81, 1.81 ÷ 4.20, 4.20 ÷ 9.40). Geological map and land use map were also used, considering geological and land use properties as categorical variables. Appling the univariate probabilistic method the Landslide Susceptibility Index (LSI) is defined as the sum of the ratio Ra/Rb calculated for each predisposing factor, where Ra is the ratio between number of pixel of class and the total number of pixel of the study area, and Rb is the ratio between number of landslides respect to the pixel number of the interval area. From the analysis of the Ra/Rb ratio the relationship between landslide occurrence and predisposing factors were defined. Then the equation of LSI was used in GIS to trace the landslide susceptibility maps. The multivariate method for landslide susceptibility analysis, based on logistic regression, was performed starting from the density maps of the predisposing factors, calculated with the intervals defined above using the equation Rb/Rbtot, where Rbtot is a sum of all Rb values. Using stepwise forward algorithms the logistic regression was performed in two successive steps: first a univariate logistic regression is used to choose the most significant predisposing factors, then the multivariate logistic regression can be performed. The univariate regression highlighted the importance of the following factors: elevation, accumulation flow, drainage density, lineament density, geology and land use. When the multivariate regression was applied the number of controlling factors was reduced neglecting the geological properties. The resulting final susceptibility equation is: P = 1 / (1 + exp-(6.46-22.34*elevation-5.33*accumulation flow-7.99* drainage density-4.47*lineament density-17.31*land use)) and using this equation the susceptibility maps were obtained. To easy compare the results of the two methodologies, the susceptibility maps were reclassified in five susceptibility intervals (very high, high, moderate, low and very low) using natural breaks. Then the maps were validated using two cumulative distribution curves, one related to the landslides (number of landslides in each susceptibility class) and one to the basin (number of pixel covering each class). Comparing the curves for each method, it results that the two approaches (univariate and multivariate) are appropriate, providing acceptable results. In both maps the distribution of high susceptibility condition is mainly localized on the left slope of the catchment in agreement with the field evidences. The comparison between the methods was obtained by subtraction of the two maps. This operation shows that about 40% of the basin is classified by the same class of susceptibility. In general the univariate probabilistic method tends to overestimate the areal extension of the high susceptibility class with respect to the maps obtained by the logistic regression method.

Photon-counting hexagonal pixel array CdTe detector: Spatial resolution characteristics for image-guided interventional applications

PubMed Central

Shrestha, Suman; Karellas, Andrew; Shi, Linxi; Gounis, Matthew J.; Bellazzini, Ronaldo; Spandre, Gloria; Brez, Alessandro; Minuti, Massimo

2016-01-01

Purpose: High-resolution, photon-counting, energy-resolved detector with fast-framing capability can facilitate simultaneous acquisition of precontrast and postcontrast images for subtraction angiography without pixel registration artifacts and can facilitate high-resolution real-time imaging during image-guided interventions. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the spatial resolution characteristics of a hexagonal pixel array photon-counting cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector. Methods: A 650 μm thick CdTe Schottky photon-counting detector capable of concurrently acquiring up to two energy-windowed images was operated in a single energy-window mode to include photons of 10 keV or higher. The detector had hexagonal pixels with apothem of 30 μm resulting in pixel pitch of 60 and 51.96 μm along the two orthogonal directions. The detector was characterized at IEC-RQA5 spectral conditions. Linear response of the detector was determined over the air kerma rate relevant to image-guided interventional procedures ranging from 1.3 nGy/frame to 91.4 μGy/frame. Presampled modulation transfer was determined using a tungsten edge test device. The edge-spread function and the finely sampled line spread function accounted for hexagonal sampling, from which the presampled modulation transfer function (MTF) was determined. Since detectors with hexagonal pixels require resampling to square pixels for distortion-free display, the optimal square pixel size was determined by minimizing the root-mean-squared-error of the aperture functions for the square and hexagonal pixels up to the Nyquist limit. Results: At Nyquist frequencies of 8.33 and 9.62 cycles/mm along the apothem and orthogonal to the apothem directions, the modulation factors were 0.397 and 0.228, respectively. For the corresponding axis, the limiting resolution defined as 10% MTF occurred at 13.3 and 12 cycles/mm, respectively. Evaluation of the aperture functions yielded an optimal square pixel size of 54 μm. After resampling to 54 μm square pixels using trilinear interpolation, the presampled MTF at Nyquist frequency of 9.26 cycles/mm was 0.29 and 0.24 along the orthogonal directions and the limiting resolution (10% MTF) occurred at approximately 12 cycles/mm. Visual analysis of a bar pattern image showed the ability to resolve close to 12 line-pairs/mm and qualitative evaluation of a neurovascular nitinol-stent showed the ability to visualize its struts at clinically relevant conditions. Conclusions: Hexagonal pixel array photon-counting CdTe detector provides high spatial resolution in single-photon counting mode. After resampling to optimal square pixel size for distortion-free display, the spatial resolution is preserved. The dual-energy capabilities of the detector could allow for artifact-free subtraction angiography and basis material decomposition. The proposed high-resolution photon-counting detector with energy-resolving capability can be of importance for several image-guided interventional procedures as well as for pediatric applications. PMID:27147324

Photon-counting hexagonal pixel array CdTe detector: Spatial resolution characteristics for image-guided interventional applications.

PubMed

Vedantham, Srinivasan; Shrestha, Suman; Karellas, Andrew; Shi, Linxi; Gounis, Matthew J; Bellazzini, Ronaldo; Spandre, Gloria; Brez, Alessandro; Minuti, Massimo

2016-05-01

High-resolution, photon-counting, energy-resolved detector with fast-framing capability can facilitate simultaneous acquisition of precontrast and postcontrast images for subtraction angiography without pixel registration artifacts and can facilitate high-resolution real-time imaging during image-guided interventions. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the spatial resolution characteristics of a hexagonal pixel array photon-counting cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector. A 650 μm thick CdTe Schottky photon-counting detector capable of concurrently acquiring up to two energy-windowed images was operated in a single energy-window mode to include photons of 10 keV or higher. The detector had hexagonal pixels with apothem of 30 μm resulting in pixel pitch of 60 and 51.96 μm along the two orthogonal directions. The detector was characterized at IEC-RQA5 spectral conditions. Linear response of the detector was determined over the air kerma rate relevant to image-guided interventional procedures ranging from 1.3 nGy/frame to 91.4 μGy/frame. Presampled modulation transfer was determined using a tungsten edge test device. The edge-spread function and the finely sampled line spread function accounted for hexagonal sampling, from which the presampled modulation transfer function (MTF) was determined. Since detectors with hexagonal pixels require resampling to square pixels for distortion-free display, the optimal square pixel size was determined by minimizing the root-mean-squared-error of the aperture functions for the square and hexagonal pixels up to the Nyquist limit. At Nyquist frequencies of 8.33 and 9.62 cycles/mm along the apothem and orthogonal to the apothem directions, the modulation factors were 0.397 and 0.228, respectively. For the corresponding axis, the limiting resolution defined as 10% MTF occurred at 13.3 and 12 cycles/mm, respectively. Evaluation of the aperture functions yielded an optimal square pixel size of 54 μm. After resampling to 54 μm square pixels using trilinear interpolation, the presampled MTF at Nyquist frequency of 9.26 cycles/mm was 0.29 and 0.24 along the orthogonal directions and the limiting resolution (10% MTF) occurred at approximately 12 cycles/mm. Visual analysis of a bar pattern image showed the ability to resolve close to 12 line-pairs/mm and qualitative evaluation of a neurovascular nitinol-stent showed the ability to visualize its struts at clinically relevant conditions. Hexagonal pixel array photon-counting CdTe detector provides high spatial resolution in single-photon counting mode. After resampling to optimal square pixel size for distortion-free display, the spatial resolution is preserved. The dual-energy capabilities of the detector could allow for artifact-free subtraction angiography and basis material decomposition. The proposed high-resolution photon-counting detector with energy-resolving capability can be of importance for several image-guided interventional procedures as well as for pediatric applications.

A sun-crown-sensor model and adapted C-correction logic for topographic correction of high resolution forest imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Yuanchao; Koukal, Tatjana; Weisberg, Peter J.

2014-10-01

Canopy shadowing mediated by topography is an important source of radiometric distortion on remote sensing images of rugged terrain. Topographic correction based on the sun-canopy-sensor (SCS) model significantly improved over those based on the sun-terrain-sensor (STS) model for surfaces with high forest canopy cover, because the SCS model considers and preserves the geotropic nature of trees. The SCS model accounts for sub-pixel canopy shadowing effects and normalizes the sunlit canopy area within a pixel. However, it does not account for mutual shadowing between neighboring pixels. Pixel-to-pixel shadowing is especially apparent for fine resolution satellite images in which individual tree crowns are resolved. This paper proposes a new topographic correction model: the sun-crown-sensor (SCnS) model based on high-resolution satellite imagery (IKONOS) and high-precision LiDAR digital elevation model. An improvement on the C-correction logic with a radiance partitioning method to address the effects of diffuse irradiance is also introduced (SCnS + C). In addition, we incorporate a weighting variable, based on pixel shadow fraction, on the direct and diffuse radiance portions to enhance the retrieval of at-sensor radiance and reflectance of highly shadowed tree pixels and form another variety of SCnS model (SCnS + W). Model evaluation with IKONOS test data showed that the new SCnS model outperformed the STS and SCS models in quantifying the correlation between terrain-regulated illumination factor and at-sensor radiance. Our adapted C-correction logic based on the sun-crown-sensor geometry and radiance partitioning better represented the general additive effects of diffuse radiation than C parameters derived from the STS or SCS models. The weighting factor Wt also significantly enhanced correction results by reducing within-class standard deviation and balancing the mean pixel radiance between sunlit and shaded slopes. We analyzed these improvements with model comparison on the red and near infrared bands. The advantages of SCnS + C and SCnS + W on both bands are expected to facilitate forest classification and change detection applications.

Human eye-inspired soft optoelectronic device using high-density MoS2-graphene curved image sensor array.

PubMed

Choi, Changsoon; Choi, Moon Kee; Liu, Siyi; Kim, Min Sung; Park, Ok Kyu; Im, Changkyun; Kim, Jaemin; Qin, Xiaoliang; Lee, Gil Ju; Cho, Kyoung Won; Kim, Myungbin; Joh, Eehyung; Lee, Jongha; Son, Donghee; Kwon, Seung-Hae; Jeon, Noo Li; Song, Young Min; Lu, Nanshu; Kim, Dae-Hyeong

2017-11-21

Soft bioelectronic devices provide new opportunities for next-generation implantable devices owing to their soft mechanical nature that leads to minimal tissue damages and immune responses. However, a soft form of the implantable optoelectronic device for optical sensing and retinal stimulation has not been developed yet because of the bulkiness and rigidity of conventional imaging modules and their composing materials. Here, we describe a high-density and hemispherically curved image sensor array that leverages the atomically thin MoS 2 -graphene heterostructure and strain-releasing device designs. The hemispherically curved image sensor array exhibits infrared blindness and successfully acquires pixelated optical signals. We corroborate the validity of the proposed soft materials and ultrathin device designs through theoretical modeling and finite element analysis. Then, we propose the ultrathin hemispherically curved image sensor array as a promising imaging element in the soft retinal implant. The CurvIS array is applied as a human eye-inspired soft implantable optoelectronic device that can detect optical signals and apply programmed electrical stimulation to optic nerves with minimum mechanical side effects to the retina.

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

Wilke, R. N., E-mail: rwilke@gwdg.de; Wallentin, J.; Osterhoff, M.

The Large Area Medipix-Based Detector Array (Lambda) has been used in a ptychographic imaging experiment on solar-cell nanowires. By using a semi-transparent central stop, the high flux density provided by nano-focusing Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors can be fully exploited for high-resolution phase reconstructions. Suitable detection systems that are capable of recording high photon count rates with single-photon detection are instrumental for coherent X-ray imaging. The new single-photon-counting pixel detector ‘Lambda’ has been tested in a ptychographic imaging experiment on solar-cell nanowires using Kirkpatrick–Baez-focused 13.8 keV X-rays. Taking advantage of the high count rate of the Lambda and dynamic range expansion by themore » semi-transparent central stop, a high-dynamic-range diffraction signal covering more than seven orders of magnitude has been recorded, which corresponds to a photon flux density of about 10{sup 5} photons nm{sup −2} s{sup −1} or a flux of ∼10{sup 10} photons s{sup −1} on the sample. By comparison with data taken without the semi-transparent central stop, an increase in resolution by a factor of 3–4 is determined: from about 125 nm to about 38 nm for the nanowire and from about 83 nm to about 21 nm for the illuminating wavefield.« less

A scalable multi-DLP pico-projector system for virtual reality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teubl, F.; Kurashima, C.; Cabral, M.; Fels, S.; Lopes, R.; Zuffo, M.

2014-03-01

Virtual Reality (VR) environments can offer immersion, interaction and realistic images to users. A VR system is usually expensive and requires special equipment in a complex setup. One approach is to use Commodity-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) desktop multi-projectors manually or camera based calibrated to reduce the cost of VR systems without significant decrease of the visual experience. Additionally, for non-planar screen shapes, special optics such as lenses and mirrors are required thus increasing costs. We propose a low-cost, scalable, flexible and mobile solution that allows building complex VR systems that projects images onto a variety of arbitrary surfaces such as planar, cylindrical and spherical surfaces. This approach combines three key aspects: 1) clusters of DLP-picoprojectors to provide homogeneous and continuous pixel density upon arbitrary surfaces without additional optics; 2) LED lighting technology for energy efficiency and light control; 3) smaller physical footprint for flexibility purposes. Therefore, the proposed system is scalable in terms of pixel density, energy and physical space. To achieve these goals, we developed a multi-projector software library called FastFusion that calibrates all projectors in a uniform image that is presented to viewers. FastFusion uses a camera to automatically calibrate geometric and photometric correction of projected images from ad-hoc positioned projectors, the only requirement is some few pixels overlapping amongst them. We present results with eight Pico-projectors, with 7 lumens (LED) and DLP 0.17 HVGA Chipset.

Ultrafast Phase Mapping of Thin-Sections from An Apollo 16 Drive Tube - a New Visualisation of Lunar Regolith

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Botha, Pieter; Butcher, Alan R.; Horsch, Hana; Rickman, Doug; Wentworth, Susan J.; Schrader, Christian M.; Stoeser, Doug; Benedictus, Aukje; Gottlieb, Paul; McKay, David

2008-01-01

Polished thin-sections of samples extracted from Apollo drive tubes provide unique insights into the structure of the Moon's regolith at various landing sites. In particular, they allow the mineralogy and texture of the regolith to be studied as a function of depth. Much has been written about such thin-sections based on optical, SEM and EPMA studies, in terms of their essential petrographic features, but there has been little attempt to quantify these aspects from a spatial perspective. In this study, we report the findings of experimental analysis of two thin-sections (64002, 6019, depth range 5.0 - 8.0 cm & 64001, 6031, depth range 50.0 - 53.1 cm), from a single Apollo 16 drive tube using QEMSCAN . A key feature of the method is phase identification by ultrafast energy dispersive x-ray mapping on a pixel-by-pixel basis. By selecting pixel resolutions ranging from 1 - 5 microns, typically 8,500,000 individual measurement points can be collected on a thin-section. The results we present include false colour digital images of both thin-sections. From these images, information such as phase proportions (major, minor and trace phases), particle textures, packing densities, and particle geometries, has been quantified. Parameters such as porosity and average phase density, which are of geomechanical interest, can also be calculated automatically. This study is part of an on-going investigation into spatial variation of lunar regolith and NASA's ISRU Lunar Simulant Development Project.

How many pixels does it take to make a good 4"×6" print? Pixel count wars revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kriss, Michael A.

2011-01-01

In the early 1980's the future of conventional silver-halide photographic systems was of great concern due to the potential introduction of electronic imaging systems then typified by the Sony Mavica analog electronic camera. The focus was on the quality of film-based systems as expressed in the number of equivalent number pixels and bits-per-pixel, and how many pixels would be required to create an equivalent quality image from a digital camera. It was found that 35-mm frames, for ISO 100 color negative film, contained equivalent pixels of 12 microns for a total of 18 million pixels per frame (6 million pixels per layer) with about 6 bits of information per pixel; the introduction of new emulsion technology, tabular AgX grains, increased the value to 8 bit per pixel. Higher ISO speed films had larger equivalent pixels, fewer pixels per frame, but retained the 8 bits per pixel. Further work found that a high quality 3.5" x 5.25" print could be obtained from a three layer system containing 1300 x 1950 pixels per layer or about 7.6 million pixels in all. In short, it became clear that when a digital camera contained about 6 million pixels (in a single layer using a color filter array and appropriate image processing) that digital systems would challenge and replace conventional film-based system for the consumer market. By 2005 this became the reality. Since 2005 there has been a "pixel war" raging amongst digital camera makers. The question arises about just how many pixels are required and are all pixels equal? This paper will provide a practical look at how many pixels are needed for a good print based on the form factor of the sensor (sensor size) and the effective optical modulation transfer function (optical spread function) of the camera lens. Is it better to have 16 million, 5.7-micron pixels or 6 million 7.8-micron pixels? How does intrinsic (no electronic boost) ISO speed and exposure latitude vary with pixel size? A systematic review of these issues will be provided within the context of image quality and ISO speed models developed over the last 15 years.

A review of advances in pixel detectors for experiments with high rate and radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia-Sciveres, Maurice; Wermes, Norbert

2018-06-01

The large Hadron collider (LHC) experiments ATLAS and CMS have established hybrid pixel detectors as the instrument of choice for particle tracking and vertexing in high rate and radiation environments, as they operate close to the LHC interaction points. With the high luminosity-LHC upgrade now in sight, for which the tracking detectors will be completely replaced, new generations of pixel detectors are being devised. They have to address enormous challenges in terms of data throughput and radiation levels, ionizing and non-ionizing, that harm the sensing and readout parts of pixel detectors alike. Advances in microelectronics and microprocessing technologies now enable large scale detector designs with unprecedented performance in measurement precision (space and time), radiation hard sensors and readout chips, hybridization techniques, lightweight supports, and fully monolithic approaches to meet these challenges. This paper reviews the world-wide effort on these developments.

Digital micromirror device camera with per-pixel coded exposure for high dynamic range imaging.

PubMed

Feng, Wei; Zhang, Fumin; Wang, Weijing; Xing, Wei; Qu, Xinghua

2017-05-01

In this paper, we overcome the limited dynamic range of the conventional digital camera, and propose a method of realizing high dynamic range imaging (HDRI) from a novel programmable imaging system called a digital micromirror device (DMD) camera. The unique feature of the proposed new method is that the spatial and temporal information of incident light in our DMD camera can be flexibly modulated, and it enables the camera pixels always to have reasonable exposure intensity by DMD pixel-level modulation. More importantly, it allows different light intensity control algorithms used in our programmable imaging system to achieve HDRI. We implement the optical system prototype, analyze the theory of per-pixel coded exposure for HDRI, and put forward an adaptive light intensity control algorithm to effectively modulate the different light intensity to recover high dynamic range images. Via experiments, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our method and implement the HDRI on different objects.

Image sensor with high dynamic range linear output

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yadid-Pecht, Orly (Inventor); Fossum, Eric R. (Inventor)

2007-01-01

Designs and operational methods to increase the dynamic range of image sensors and APS devices in particular by achieving more than one integration times for each pixel thereof. An APS system with more than one column-parallel signal chains for readout are described for maintaining a high frame rate in readout. Each active pixel is sampled for multiple times during a single frame readout, thus resulting in multiple integration times. The operation methods can also be used to obtain multiple integration times for each pixel with an APS design having a single column-parallel signal chain for readout. Furthermore, analog-to-digital conversion of high speed and high resolution can be implemented.

Application of Extended Kalman Filter in Persistant Scatterer Interferometry to Enhace the Accuracy of Unwrapping Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tavakkoli Estahbanat, A.; Dehghani, M.

2017-09-01

In interferometry technique, phases have been modulated between 0-2π. Finding the number of integer phases missed when they were wrapped is the main goal of unwrapping algorithms. Although the density of points in conventional interferometry is high, this is not effective in some cases such as large temporal baselines or noisy interferograms. Due to existing noisy pixels, not only it does not improve results, but also it leads to some unwrapping errors during interferogram unwrapping. In PS technique, because of the sparse PS pixels, scientists are confronted with a problem to unwrap phases. Due to the irregular data separation, conventional methods are sterile. Unwrapping techniques are divided in to path-independent and path-dependent in the case of unwrapping paths. A region-growing method which is a path-dependent technique has been used to unwrap PS data. In this paper an idea of EKF has been generalized on PS data. This algorithm is applied to consider the nonlinearity of PS unwrapping problem as well as conventional unwrapping problem. A pulse-pair method enhanced with singular value decomposition (SVD) has been used to estimate spectral shift from interferometric power spectral density in 7*7 local windows. Furthermore, a hybrid cost-map is used to manage the unwrapping path. This algorithm has been implemented on simulated PS data. To form a sparse dataset, A few points from regular grid are randomly selected and the RMSE of results and true unambiguous phases in presented to validate presented approach. The results of this algorithm and true unwrapped phases were completely identical.

Light-controlled biphasic current stimulator IC using CMOS image sensors for high-resolution retinal prosthesis and in vitro experimental results with rd1 mouse.

PubMed

Oh, Sungjin; Ahn, Jae-Hyun; Lee, Sangmin; Ko, Hyoungho; Seo, Jong Mo; Goo, Yong-Sook; Cho, Dong-il Dan

2015-01-01

Retinal prosthetic devices stimulate retinal nerve cells with electrical signals proportional to the incident light intensities. For a high-resolution retinal prosthesis, it is necessary to reduce the size of the stimulator pixels as much as possible, because the retinal nerve cells are concentrated in a small area of approximately 5 mm × 5 mm. In this paper, a miniaturized biphasic current stimulator integrated circuit is developed for subretinal stimulation and tested in vitro. The stimulator pixel is miniaturized by using a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor composed of three transistors. Compared to a pixel that uses a four-transistor CMOS image sensor, this new design reduces the pixel size by 8.3%. The pixel size is further reduced by simplifying the stimulation-current generating circuit, which provides a 43.9% size reduction when compared to the design reported to be the most advanced version to date for subretinal stimulation. The proposed design is fabricated using a 0.35 μm bipolar-CMOS-DMOS process. Each pixel is designed to fit in a 50 μ m × 55 μm area, which theoretically allows implementing more than 5000 pixels in the 5 mm × 5 mm area. Experimental results show that a biphasic current in the range of 0 to 300 μA at 12 V can be generated as a function of incident light intensities. Results from in vitro experiments with rd1 mice indicate that the proposed method can be effectively used for retinal prosthesis with a high resolution.

Quantitative background parenchymal uptake on molecular breast imaging and breast cancer risk: a case-control study.

PubMed

Hruska, Carrie B; Geske, Jennifer R; Swanson, Tiffinee N; Mammel, Alyssa N; Lake, David S; Manduca, Armando; Conners, Amy Lynn; Whaley, Dana H; Scott, Christopher G; Carter, Rickey E; Rhodes, Deborah J; O'Connor, Michael K; Vachon, Celine M

2018-06-05

Background parenchymal uptake (BPU), which refers to the level of Tc-99m sestamibi uptake within normal fibroglandular tissue on molecular breast imaging (MBI), has been identified as a breast cancer risk factor, independent of mammographic density. Prior analyses have used subjective categories to describe BPU. We evaluate a new quantitative method for assessing BPU by testing its reproducibility, comparing quantitative results with previously established subjective BPU categories, and determining the association of quantitative BPU with breast cancer risk. Two nonradiologist operators independently performed region-of-interest analysis on MBI images viewed in conjunction with corresponding digital mammograms. Quantitative BPU was defined as a unitless ratio of the average pixel intensity (counts/pixel) within the fibroglandular tissue versus the average pixel intensity in fat. Operator agreement and the correlation of quantitative BPU measures with subjective BPU categories assessed by expert radiologists were determined. Percent density on mammograms was estimated using Cumulus. The association of quantitative BPU with breast cancer (per one unit BPU) was examined within an established case-control study of 62 incident breast cancer cases and 177 matched controls. Quantitative BPU ranged from 0.4 to 3.2 across all subjects and was on average higher in cases compared to controls (1.4 versus 1.2, p < 0.007 for both operators). Quantitative BPU was strongly correlated with subjective BPU categories (Spearman's r = 0.59 to 0.69, p < 0.0001, for each paired combination of two operators and two radiologists). Interoperator and intraoperator agreement in the quantitative BPU measure, assessed by intraclass correlation, was 0.92 and 0.98, respectively. Quantitative BPU measures showed either no correlation or weak negative correlation with mammographic percent density. In a model adjusted for body mass index and percent density, higher quantitative BPU was associated with increased risk of breast cancer for both operators (OR = 4.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-10.1, and 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.7). Quantitative measurement of BPU, defined as the ratio of average counts in fibroglandular tissue relative to that in fat, can be reliably performed by nonradiologist operators with a simple region-of-interest analysis tool. Similar to results obtained with subjective BPU categories, quantitative BPU is a functional imaging biomarker of breast cancer risk, independent of mammographic density and hormonal factors.

A 4MP high-dynamic-range, low-noise CMOS image sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Cheng; Liu, Yang; Li, Jing; Zhou, Quan; Chang, Yuchun; Wang, Xinyang

2015-03-01

In this paper we present a 4 Megapixel high dynamic range, low dark noise and dark current CMOS image sensor, which is ideal for high-end scientific and surveillance applications. The pixel design is based on a 4-T PPD structure. During the readout of the pixel array, signals are first amplified, and then feed to a low- power column-parallel ADC array which is already presented in [1]. Measurement results show that the sensor achieves a dynamic range of 96dB, a dark noise of 1.47e- at 24fps speed. The dark current is 0.15e-/pixel/s at -20oC.

Imaging properties of pixellated scintillators with deep pixels

PubMed Central

Barber, H. Bradford; Fastje, David; Lemieux, Daniel; Grim, Gary P.; Furenlid, Lars R.; Miller, Brian W.; Parkhurst, Philip; Nagarkar, Vivek V.

2015-01-01

We have investigated the light-transport properties of scintillator arrays with long, thin pixels (deep pixels) for use in high-energy gamma-ray imaging. We compared 10×10 pixel arrays of YSO:Ce, LYSO:Ce and BGO (1mm × 1mm × 20 mm pixels) made by Proteus, Inc. with similar 10×10 arrays of LSO:Ce and BGO (1mm × 1mm × 15mm pixels) loaned to us by Saint-Gobain. The imaging and spectroscopic behaviors of these scintillator arrays are strongly affected by the choice of a reflector used as an inter-pixel spacer (3M ESR in the case of the Proteus arrays and white, diffuse-reflector for the Saint-Gobain arrays). We have constructed a 3700-pixel LYSO:Ce Prototype NIF Gamma-Ray Imager for use in diagnosing target compression in inertial confinement fusion. This system was tested at the OMEGA Laser and exhibited significant optical, inter-pixel cross-talk that was traced to the use of a single-layer of ESR film as an inter-pixel spacer. We show how the optical cross-talk can be mapped, and discuss correction procedures. We demonstrate a 10×10 YSO:Ce array as part of an iQID (formerly BazookaSPECT) imager and discuss issues related to the internal activity of 176Lu in LSO:Ce and LYSO:Ce detectors. PMID:26236070

Imaging properties of pixellated scintillators with deep pixels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barber, H. Bradford; Fastje, David; Lemieux, Daniel; Grim, Gary P.; Furenlid, Lars R.; Miller, Brian W.; Parkhurst, Philip; Nagarkar, Vivek V.

2014-09-01

We have investigated the light-transport properties of scintillator arrays with long, thin pixels (deep pixels) for use in high-energy gamma-ray imaging. We compared 10x10 pixel arrays of YSO:Ce, LYSO:Ce and BGO (1mm x 1mm x 20 mm pixels) made by Proteus, Inc. with similar 10x10 arrays of LSO:Ce and BGO (1mm x 1mm x 15mm pixels) loaned to us by Saint-Gobain. The imaging and spectroscopic behaviors of these scintillator arrays are strongly affected by the choice of a reflector used as an inter-pixel spacer (3M ESR in the case of the Proteus arrays and white, diffuse-reflector for the Saint-Gobain arrays). We have constructed a 3700-pixel LYSO:Ce Prototype NIF Gamma-Ray Imager for use in diagnosing target compression in inertial confinement fusion. This system was tested at the OMEGA Laser and exhibited significant optical, inter-pixel cross-talk that was traced to the use of a single-layer of ESR film as an inter-pixel spacer. We show how the optical cross-talk can be mapped, and discuss correction procedures. We demonstrate a 10x10 YSO:Ce array as part of an iQID (formerly BazookaSPECT) imager and discuss issues related to the internal activity of 176Lu in LSO:Ce and LYSO:Ce detectors.

Limits in point to point resolution of MOS based pixels detector arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fourches, N.; Desforge, D.; Kebbiri, M.; Kumar, V.; Serruys, Y.; Gutierrez, G.; Leprêtre, F.; Jomard, F.

2018-01-01

In high energy physics point-to-point resolution is a key prerequisite for particle detector pixel arrays. Current and future experiments require the development of inner-detectors able to resolve the tracks of particles down to the micron range. Present-day technologies, although not fully implemented in actual detectors, can reach a 5-μm limit, this limit being based on statistical measurements, with a pixel-pitch in the 10 μm range. This paper is devoted to the evaluation of the building blocks for use in pixel arrays enabling accurate tracking of charged particles. Basing us on simulations we will make here a quantitative evaluation of the physical and technological limits in pixel size. Attempts to design small pixels based on SOI technology will be briefly recalled here. A design based on CMOS compatible technologies that allow a reduction of the pixel size below the micrometer is introduced here. Its physical principle relies on a buried carrier-localizing collecting gate. The fabrication process needed by this pixel design can be based on existing process steps used in silicon microelectronics. The pixel characteristics will be discussed as well as the design of pixel arrays. The existing bottlenecks and how to overcome them will be discussed in the light of recent ion implantation and material characterization experiments.

Label-Free Biomedical Imaging Using High-Speed Lock-In Pixel Sensor for Stimulated Raman Scattering

PubMed Central

Mars, Kamel; Kawahito, Shoji; Yasutomi, Keita; Kagawa, Keiichiro; Yamada, Takahiro

2017-01-01

Raman imaging eliminates the need for staining procedures, providing label-free imaging to study biological samples. Recent developments in stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) have achieved fast acquisition speed and hyperspectral imaging. However, there has been a problem of lack of detectors suitable for MHz modulation rate parallel detection, detecting multiple small SRS signals while eliminating extremely strong offset due to direct laser light. In this paper, we present a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor using high-speed lock-in pixels for stimulated Raman scattering that is capable of obtaining the difference of Stokes-on and Stokes-off signal at modulation frequency of 20 MHz in the pixel before reading out. The generated small SRS signal is extracted and amplified in a pixel using a high-speed and large area lateral electric field charge modulator (LEFM) employing two-step ion implantation and an in-pixel pair of low-pass filter, a sample and hold circuit and a switched capacitor integrator using a fully differential amplifier. A prototype chip is fabricated using 0.11 μm CMOS image sensor technology process. SRS spectra and images of stearic acid and 3T3-L1 samples are successfully obtained. The outcomes suggest that hyperspectral and multi-focus SRS imaging at video rate is viable after slight modifications to the pixel architecture and the acquisition system. PMID:29120358

Label-Free Biomedical Imaging Using High-Speed Lock-In Pixel Sensor for Stimulated Raman Scattering.

PubMed

Mars, Kamel; Lioe, De Xing; Kawahito, Shoji; Yasutomi, Keita; Kagawa, Keiichiro; Yamada, Takahiro; Hashimoto, Mamoru

2017-11-09

Raman imaging eliminates the need for staining procedures, providing label-free imaging to study biological samples. Recent developments in stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) have achieved fast acquisition speed and hyperspectral imaging. However, there has been a problem of lack of detectors suitable for MHz modulation rate parallel detection, detecting multiple small SRS signals while eliminating extremely strong offset due to direct laser light. In this paper, we present a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor using high-speed lock-in pixels for stimulated Raman scattering that is capable of obtaining the difference of Stokes-on and Stokes-off signal at modulation frequency of 20 MHz in the pixel before reading out. The generated small SRS signal is extracted and amplified in a pixel using a high-speed and large area lateral electric field charge modulator (LEFM) employing two-step ion implantation and an in-pixel pair of low-pass filter, a sample and hold circuit and a switched capacitor integrator using a fully differential amplifier. A prototype chip is fabricated using 0.11 μm CMOS image sensor technology process. SRS spectra and images of stearic acid and 3T3-L1 samples are successfully obtained. The outcomes suggest that hyperspectral and multi-focus SRS imaging at video rate is viable after slight modifications to the pixel architecture and the acquisition system.

The Speedster-EXD- A New Event-Driven Hybrid CMOS X-ray Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, Christopher V.; Falcone, Abraham D.; Prieskorn, Zachary R.; Burrows, David N.

2016-01-01

The Speedster-EXD is a new 64×64 pixel, 40-μm pixel pitch, 100-μm depletion depth hybrid CMOS x-ray detector with the capability of reading out only those pixels containing event charge, thus enabling fast effective frame rates. A global charge threshold can be specified, and pixels containing charge above this threshold are flagged and read out. The Speedster detector has also been designed with other advanced in-pixel features to improve performance, including a low-noise, high-gain capacitive transimpedance amplifier that eliminates interpixel capacitance crosstalk (IPC), and in-pixel correlated double sampling subtraction to reduce reset noise. We measure the best energy resolution on the Speedster-EXD detector to be 206 eV (3.5%) at 5.89 keV and 172 eV (10.0%) at 1.49 keV. The average IPC to the four adjacent pixels is measured to be 0.25%±0.2% (i.e., consistent with zero). The pixel-to-pixel gain variation is measured to be 0.80%±0.03%, and a Monte Carlo simulation is applied to better characterize the contributions to the energy resolution.

Classification and analysis of the Rudaki's Area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zambon, F.; De sanctis, M.; Capaccioni, F.; Filacchione, G.; Carli, C.; Ammannito, E.; Frigeri, A.

2011-12-01

During the first two MESSENGER flybys the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) has mapped 90% of the Mercury's surface. An effective way to study the different terrain on planetary surfaces is to apply classification methods. These are based on clustering algorithms and they can be divided in two categories: unsupervised and supervised. The unsupervised classifiers do not require the analyst feedback and the algorithm automatically organizes pixels values into classes. In the supervised method, instead, the analyst must choose the "training area" that define the pixels value of a given class. We applied an unsupervised classifier, ISODATA, to the WAC filter images of the Rudaki's area where several kind of terrain have been identified showing differences in albedo, topography and crater density. ISODATA classifier divides this region in four classes: 1) shadow regions, 2) rough regions, 3) smooth plane, 4) highest reflectance area. ISODATA can not distinguish the high albedo regions from highly reflective illuminated edge of the craters, however the algorithm identify four classes that can be considered different units mainly on the basis of their reflectances at the various wavelengths. Is not possible, instead, to extrapolate compositional information because of the absence of clear spectral features. An additional analysis was made using ISODATA to choose the "training area" for further supervised classifications. These approach would allow, for example, to separate more accurately the edge of the craters from the high reflectance areas and the low reflectance regions from the shadow areas.

TFT-Directed Electroplating of RGB Luminescent Films without a Vacuum or Mask toward a Full-Color AMOLED Pixel Matrix.

PubMed

Wang, Rong; Zhang, Donglian; Xiong, You; Zhou, Xuehong; Liu, Cao; Chen, Weifeng; Wu, Weijing; Zhou, Lei; Xu, Miao; Wang, Lei; Liu, Linlin; Peng, Junbiao; Ma, Yuguang; Cao, Yong

2018-05-30

The thin-film transistor (TFT) driving circuit is a separate electronic component embedded within the panel itself to switch the current for each pixel in active-matrix organic light-emitting diode displays. We reported a TFT-directed dye electroplating method to fabricate pixels; this would be a new method to deposit films on prepatterned electrode for organic full-color display, where TFT driving circuit provide a switching current signal to drive and direct dye depositing on selected RGB pixels. A prototype patterned color pixel matrix was achieved, as high-quality light-emitting films with uniform morphology, pure RGB chromaticity, and stable output.

A new LTPS TFT AC pixel circuit for an AMOLED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yongwen, Zhang; Wenbin, Chen

2013-01-01

This work presents a new voltage programmed pixel circuit for an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display. The proposed pixel circuit consists of six low temperature polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors (LTPS TFTs), one storage capacitor, and one OLED, and is verified by simulation work using HSPICE software. Besides effectively compensating for the threshold voltage variation of the driving TFT and OLED, the proposed pixel circuit offers an AC driving mode for the OLED, which can suppress the degradation of the OLED. Moreover, a high contrast ratio can be achieved by the proposed pixel circuit since the OLED does not emit any light except for the emission period.

Characterization of a 512x512-pixel 8-output full-frame CCD for high-speed imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graeve, Thorsten; Dereniak, Eustace L.

1993-01-01

The characterization of a 512 by 512 pixel, eight-output full frame CCD manufactured by English Electric Valve under part number CCD13 is discussed. This device is a high- resolution Silicon-based array designed for visible imaging applications at readout periods as low as two milliseconds. The characterization of the device includes mean-variance analysis to determine read noise and dynamic range, as well as charge transfer efficiency, MTF, and quantum efficiency measurements. Dark current and non-uniformity issues on a pixel-to-pixel basis and between individual outputs are also examined. The characterization of the device is restricted by hardware limitations to a one MHz pixel rate, corresponding to a 40 ms readout time. However, subsections of the device have been operated at up to an equivalent 100 frames per second. To maximize the frame rate, the CCD is illuminated by a synchronized strobe flash in between frame readouts. The effects of the strobe illumination on the imagery obtained from the device is discussed.

PIXELS: Using field-based learning to investigate students' concepts of pixels and sense of scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pope, A.; Tinigin, L.; Petcovic, H. L.; Ormand, C. J.; LaDue, N.

2015-12-01

Empirical work over the past decade supports the notion that a high level of spatial thinking skill is critical to success in the geosciences. Spatial thinking incorporates a host of sub-skills such as mentally rotating an object, imagining the inside of a 3D object based on outside patterns, unfolding a landscape, and disembedding critical patterns from background noise. In this study, we focus on sense of scale, which refers to how an individual quantified space, and is thought to develop through kinesthetic experiences. Remote sensing data are increasingly being used for wide-reaching and high impact research. A sense of scale is critical to many areas of the geosciences, including understanding and interpreting remotely sensed imagery. In this exploratory study, students (N=17) attending the Juneau Icefield Research Program participated in a 3-hour exercise designed to study how a field-based activity might impact their sense of scale and their conceptions of pixels in remotely sensed imagery. Prior to the activity, students had an introductory remote sensing lecture and completed the Sense of Scale inventory. Students walked and/or skied the perimeter of several pixel types, including a 1 m square (representing a WorldView sensor's pixel), a 30 m square (a Landsat pixel) and a 500 m square (a MODIS pixel). The group took reflectance measurements using a field radiometer as they physically traced out the pixel. The exercise was repeated in two different areas, one with homogenous reflectance, and another with heterogeneous reflectance. After the exercise, students again completed the Sense of Scale instrument and a demographic survey. This presentation will share the effects and efficacy of the field-based intervention to teach remote sensing concepts and to investigate potential relationships between students' concepts of pixels and sense of scale.

Uncooled IR imager with 5-mK NEDT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amantea, Robert; Knoedler, C. M.; Pantuso, Francis P.; Patel, Vipulkumar; Sauer, Donald J.; Tower, John R.

1997-08-01

The bi-material concept for room-temperature infrared imaging has the potential of reaching an NE(Delta) T approaching the theoretical limit because of its high responsivity and low noise. The approach, which is 100% compatible with silicon IC foundry processing, utilizes a novel combination of surface micromachining and conventional integrated circuits to produce a bimaterial thermally sensitive element that controls the position of a capacitive plate coupled to the input of a low noise MOS amplifier. This approach can achieve the high sensitivity, the low weight, and the low cost necessary for equipment such as helmet mounted IR viewers and IR rifle sights. The pixel design has the following benefits: (1) an order of magnitude improvement in NE(Delta) T due to extremely high sensitivity and low noise, (2) low cost due to 100% silicon IC compatibility, (3) high image quality and increased yield due to ability to do offset and sensitivity corrections on the imager, pixel-by-pixel; (4) no cryogenic cooler and no high vacuum processing; and (5) commercial applications such as law enforcement, home security, and transportation safety. Two designs are presented. One is a 50 micrometer pixel using silicon nitride as the thermal isolation element that can achieve 5 mK NE(Delta) T; the other is a 29 micrometer pixel using silicon carbide that provides much higher thermal isolation and can achieve 10 mK NE(Delta) T.

Human vision-based algorithm to hide defective pixels in LCDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimpe, Tom; Coulier, Stefaan; Van Hoey, Gert

2006-02-01

Producing displays without pixel defects or repairing defective pixels is technically not possible at this moment. This paper presents a new approach to solve this problem: defects are made invisible for the user by using image processing algorithms based on characteristics of the human eye. The performance of this new algorithm has been evaluated using two different methods. First of all the theoretical response of the human eye was analyzed on a series of images and this before and after applying the defective pixel compensation algorithm. These results show that indeed it is possible to mask a defective pixel. A second method was to perform a psycho-visual test where users were asked whether or not a defective pixel could be perceived. The results of these user tests also confirm the value of the new algorithm. Our "defective pixel correction" algorithm can be implemented very efficiently and cost-effectively as pixel-dataprocessing algorithms inside the display in for instance an FPGA, a DSP or a microprocessor. The described techniques are also valid for both monochrome and color displays ranging from high-quality medical displays to consumer LCDTV applications.

A 256×256 low-light-level CMOS imaging sensor with digital CDS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Mei; Chen, Nan; Zhong, Shengyou; Li, Zhengfen; Zhang, Jicun; Yao, Li-bin

2016-10-01

In order to achieve high sensitivity for low-light-level CMOS image sensors (CIS), a capacitive transimpedance amplifier (CTIA) pixel circuit with a small integration capacitor is used. As the pixel and the column area are highly constrained, it is difficult to achieve analog correlated double sampling (CDS) to remove the noise for low-light-level CIS. So a digital CDS is adopted, which realizes the subtraction algorithm between the reset signal and pixel signal off-chip. The pixel reset noise and part of the column fixed-pattern noise (FPN) can be greatly reduced. A 256×256 CIS with CTIA array and digital CDS is implemented in the 0.35μm CMOS technology. The chip size is 7.7mm×6.75mm, and the pixel size is 15μm×15μm with a fill factor of 20.6%. The measured pixel noise is 24LSB with digital CDS in RMS value at dark condition, which shows 7.8× reduction compared to the image sensor without digital CDS. Running at 7fps, this low-light-level CIS can capture recognizable images with the illumination down to 0.1lux.

Method and System for Temporal Filtering in Video Compression Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, Ligang; He, Drake; Jagmohan, Ashish; Sheinin, Vadim

2011-01-01

Three related innovations combine improved non-linear motion estimation, video coding, and video compression. The first system comprises a method in which side information is generated using an adaptive, non-linear motion model. This method enables extrapolating and interpolating a visual signal, including determining the first motion vector between the first pixel position in a first image to a second pixel position in a second image; determining a second motion vector between the second pixel position in the second image and a third pixel position in a third image; determining a third motion vector between the first pixel position in the first image and the second pixel position in the second image, the second pixel position in the second image, and the third pixel position in the third image using a non-linear model; and determining a position of the fourth pixel in a fourth image based upon the third motion vector. For the video compression element, the video encoder has low computational complexity and high compression efficiency. The disclosed system comprises a video encoder and a decoder. The encoder converts the source frame into a space-frequency representation, estimates the conditional statistics of at least one vector of space-frequency coefficients with similar frequencies, and is conditioned on previously encoded data. It estimates an encoding rate based on the conditional statistics and applies a Slepian-Wolf code with the computed encoding rate. The method for decoding includes generating a side-information vector of frequency coefficients based on previously decoded source data and encoder statistics and previous reconstructions of the source frequency vector. It also performs Slepian-Wolf decoding of a source frequency vector based on the generated side-information and the Slepian-Wolf code bits. The video coding element includes receiving a first reference frame having a first pixel value at a first pixel position, a second reference frame having a second pixel value at a second pixel position, and a third reference frame having a third pixel value at a third pixel position. It determines a first motion vector between the first pixel position and the second pixel position, a second motion vector between the second pixel position and the third pixel position, and a fourth pixel value for a fourth frame based upon a linear or nonlinear combination of the first pixel value, the second pixel value, and the third pixel value. A stationary filtering process determines the estimated pixel values. The parameters of the filter may be predetermined constants.

Study of run time errors of the ATLAS pixel detector in the 2012 data taking period

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gandrajula, Reddy Pratap

The high resolution silicon Pixel detector is critical in event vertex reconstruction and in particle track reconstruction in the ATLAS detector. During the pixel data taking operation, some modules (Silicon Pixel sensor +Front End Chip+ Module Control Chip (MCC)) go to an auto-disable state, where the Modules don't send the data for storage. Modules become operational again after reconfiguration. The source of the problem is not fully understood. One possible source of the problem is traced to the occurrence of single event upset (SEU) in the MCC. Such a module goes to either a Timeout or Busy state. This report is the study of different types and rates of errors occurring in the Pixel data taking operation. Also, the study includes the error rate dependency on Pixel detector geometry.

Three-dimensional imaging for large LArTPCs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, X.; Zhang, C.; Viren, B.; Diwan, M.

2018-05-01

High-performance event reconstruction is critical for current and future massive liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs) to realize their full scientific potential. LArTPCs with readout using wire planes provide a limited number of 2D projections. In general, without a pixel-type readout it is challenging to achieve unambiguous 3D event reconstruction. As a remedy, we present a novel 3D imaging method, Wire-Cell, which incorporates the charge and sparsity information in addition to the time and geometry through simple and robust mathematics. The resulting 3D image of ionization density provides an excellent starting point for further reconstruction and enables the true power of 3D tracking calorimetry in LArTPCs.

Ion profiling in an ambient drift tube-ion mobility spectrometer using a high pixel density linear array detector IonCCD.

PubMed

Davila, Stephen J; Hadjar, Omar; Eiceman, Gary A

2013-07-16

A linear pixel-based detector array, the IonCCD, is characterized for use under ambient conditions with thermal (<1 eV) positive ions derived from purified air and a 10 mCi (63)Ni foil. The IonCCD combined with a drift tube-ion mobility spectrometer permitted the direct detection of gas phase ions at atmospheric pressure and confirmed a limit of detection of 3000 ions/pixel/frame established previously in both the keV (1-2 keV) and the hyper-thermal (10-40 eV) regimes. Results demonstrate the "broad-band" application of the IonCCD over 10(5) orders in ion energy and over 10(10) in operating pressure. The Faraday detector of a drift tube for an ion mobility spectrometer was replaced with the IonCCD providing images of ion profiles over the cross-section of the drift tube. Patterns in the ion profiles were developed in the drift tube cross-section by control of electric fields between wires of Bradbury Nielson and Tyndall Powell shutter designs at distances of 1-8 cm from the detector. Results showed that ion beams formed in wire sets, retained their shape with limited mixing by diffusion and Coulombic repulsion. Beam broadening determined as 95 μm/cm for hydrated protons in air with moisture of ~10 ppmv. These findings suggest a value of the IonCCD in further studies of ion motion and diffusion of thermalized ions, enhancing computational results from simulation programs, and in the design or operation of ion mobility spectrometers.

Multi-Aperture-Based Probabilistic Noise Reduction of Random Telegraph Signal Noise and Photon Shot Noise in Semi-Photon-Counting Complementary-Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Image Sensor

PubMed Central

Ishida, Haruki; Kagawa, Keiichiro; Komuro, Takashi; Zhang, Bo; Seo, Min-Woong; Takasawa, Taishi; Yasutomi, Keita; Kawahito, Shoji

2018-01-01

A probabilistic method to remove the random telegraph signal (RTS) noise and to increase the signal level is proposed, and was verified by simulation based on measured real sensor noise. Although semi-photon-counting-level (SPCL) ultra-low noise complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors (CISs) with high conversion gain pixels have emerged, they still suffer from huge RTS noise, which is inherent to the CISs. The proposed method utilizes a multi-aperture (MA) camera that is composed of multiple sets of an SPCL CIS and a moderately fast and compact imaging lens to emulate a very fast single lens. Due to the redundancy of the MA camera, the RTS noise is removed by the maximum likelihood estimation where noise characteristics are modeled by the probability density distribution. In the proposed method, the photon shot noise is also relatively reduced because of the averaging effect, where the pixel values of all the multiple apertures are considered. An extremely low-light condition that the maximum number of electrons per aperture was the only 2e− was simulated. PSNRs of a test image for simple averaging, selective averaging (our previous method), and the proposed method were 11.92 dB, 11.61 dB, and 13.14 dB, respectively. The selective averaging, which can remove RTS noise, was worse than the simple averaging because it ignores the pixels with RTS noise and photon shot noise was less improved. The simulation results showed that the proposed method provided the best noise reduction performance. PMID:29587424

Evaluation of a single-pixel one-transistor active pixel sensor for fingerprint imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Man; Ou, Hai; Chen, Jun; Wang, Kai

2015-08-01

Since it first appeared in iPhone 5S in 2013, fingerprint identification (ID) has rapidly gained popularity among consumers. Current fingerprint-enabled smartphones unanimously consists of a discrete sensor to perform fingerprint ID. This architecture not only incurs higher material and manufacturing cost, but also provides only static identification and limited authentication. Hence as the demand for a thinner, lighter, and more secure handset grows, we propose a novel pixel architecture that is a photosensitive device embedded in a display pixel and detects the reflected light from the finger touch for high resolution, high fidelity and dynamic biometrics. To this purpose, an amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) dual-gate photo TFT working in both fingerprint-imaging mode and display-driving mode will be developed.

A fast 1-D detector for imaging and time resolved SAXS experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menk, R. H.; Arfelli, F.; Bernstorff, S.; Pontoni, D.; Sarvestani, A.; Besch, H. J.; Walenta, A. H.

1999-02-01

A one-dimensional test detector on the principle of a highly segmented ionization chamber with shielding grid (Frisch grid) was developed to evaluate if this kind of detector is suitable for advanced small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments. At present it consists of 128 pixels which can be read out within 0.2 ms with a noise floor of 2000 e-ENC. A quantum efficiency of 80% for a photon energy of 8 keV was achieved. This leads to DQE values of 80% for photon fluxes above 1000 photons/pixel and integration time. The shielding grid is based on the principles of the recently invented MCAT structure and the GEM structure which also allows electron amplification in the gas. In the case of the MCAT structure, an energy resolution of 20% at 5.9 keV was observed. The gas amplification mode enables imaging with this integrating detector on a subphoton noise level with respect to the integration time. Preliminary experiments of saturation behavior show that this kind of detector digests a photon flux density up to 10 12 photons/mm 2 s and operates linearly. A spatial resolution of at least three line pairs/mm was obtained. All these features show that this type of detector is well suited for time-resolved SAXS experiments as well as high flux imaging applications.

A Stimulated Raman Scattering CMOS Pixel Using a High-Speed Charge Modulator and Lock-in Amplifier.

PubMed

Lioe, De Xing; Mars, Kamel; Kawahito, Shoji; Yasutomi, Keita; Kagawa, Keiichiro; Yamada, Takahiro; Hashimoto, Mamoru

2016-04-13

A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) lock-in pixel to observe stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) using a high speed lateral electric field modulator (LEFM) for photo-generated charges and in-pixel readout circuits is presented. An effective SRS signal generated after the SRS process is very small and needs to be extracted from an extremely large offset due to a probing laser signal. In order to suppress the offset components while amplifying high-frequency modulated small SRS signal components, the lock-in pixel uses a high-speed LEFM for demodulating the SRS signal, resistor-capacitor low-pass filter (RC-LPF) and switched-capacitor (SC) integrator with a fully CMOS differential amplifier. AC (modulated) components remained in the RC-LPF outputs are eliminated by the phase-adjusted sampling with the SC integrator and the demodulated DC (unmodulated) components due to the SRS signal are integrated over many samples in the SC integrator. In order to suppress further the residual offset and the low frequency noise (1/f noise) components, a double modulation technique is introduced in the SRS signal measurements, where the phase of high-frequency modulated laser beam before irradiation of a specimen is modulated at an intermediate frequency and the demodulation is done at the lock-in pixel output. A prototype chip for characterizing the SRS lock-in pixel is implemented and a successful operation is demonstrated. The reduction effects of residual offset and 1/f noise components are confirmed by the measurements. A ratio of the detected small SRS to offset a signal of less than 10(-)⁵ is experimentally demonstrated, and the SRS spectrum of a Benzonitrile sample is successfully observed.

Feature extraction using convolutional neural network for classifying breast density in mammographic images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomaz, Ricardo L.; Carneiro, Pedro C.; Patrocinio, Ana C.

2017-03-01

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women in most countries. The high levels of mortality relate mostly to late diagnosis and to the direct proportionally relationship between breast density and breast cancer development. Therefore, the correct assessment of breast density is important to provide better screening for higher risk patients. However, in modern digital mammography the discrimination among breast densities is highly complex due to increased contrast and visual information for all densities. Thus, a computational system for classifying breast density might be a useful tool for aiding medical staff. Several machine-learning algorithms are already capable of classifying small number of classes with good accuracy. However, machinelearning algorithms main constraint relates to the set of features extracted and used for classification. Although well-known feature extraction techniques might provide a good set of features, it is a complex task to select an initial set during design of a classifier. Thus, we propose feature extraction using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for classifying breast density by a usual machine-learning classifier. We used 307 mammographic images downsampled to 260x200 pixels to train a CNN and extract features from a deep layer. After training, the activation of 8 neurons from a deep fully connected layer are extracted and used as features. Then, these features are feedforward to a single hidden layer neural network that is cross-validated using 10-folds to classify among four classes of breast density. The global accuracy of this method is 98.4%, presenting only 1.6% of misclassification. However, the small set of samples and memory constraints required the reuse of data in both CNN and MLP-NN, therefore overfitting might have influenced the results even though we cross-validated the network. Thus, although we presented a promising method for extracting features and classifying breast density, a greater database is still required for evaluating the results.

Assessment of two mammographic density related features in predicting near-term breast cancer risk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Bin; Sumkin, Jules H.; Zuley, Margarita L.; Wang, Xingwei; Klym, Amy H.; Gur, David

2012-02-01

In order to establish a personalized breast cancer screening program, it is important to develop risk models that have high discriminatory power in predicting the likelihood of a woman developing an imaging detectable breast cancer in near-term (e.g., <3 years after a negative examination in question). In epidemiology-based breast cancer risk models, mammographic density is considered the second highest breast cancer risk factor (second to woman's age). In this study we explored a new feature, namely bilateral mammographic density asymmetry, and investigated the feasibility of predicting near-term screening outcome. The database consisted of 343 negative examinations, of which 187 depicted cancers that were detected during the subsequent screening examination and 155 that remained negative. We computed the average pixel value of the segmented breast areas depicted on each cranio-caudal view of the initial negative examinations. We then computed the mean and difference mammographic density for paired bilateral images. Using woman's age, subjectively rated density (BIRADS), and computed mammographic density related features we compared classification performance in estimating the likelihood of detecting cancer during the subsequent examination using areas under the ROC curves (AUC). The AUCs were 0.63+/-0.03, 0.54+/-0.04, 0.57+/-0.03, 0.68+/-0.03 when using woman's age, BIRADS rating, computed mean density and difference in computed bilateral mammographic density, respectively. Performance increased to 0.62+/-0.03 and 0.72+/-0.03 when we fused mean and difference in density with woman's age. The results suggest that, in this study, bilateral mammographic tissue density is a significantly stronger (p<0.01) risk indicator than both woman's age and mean breast density.

High-speed X-ray imaging pixel array detector for synchrotron bunch isolation

DOE PAGES

Philipp, Hugh T.; Tate, Mark W.; Purohit, Prafull; ...

2016-01-28

A wide-dynamic-range imaging X-ray detector designed for recording successive frames at rates up to 10 MHz is described. X-ray imaging with frame rates of up to 6.5 MHz have been experimentally verified. The pixel design allows for up to 8–12 frames to be stored internally at high speed before readout, which occurs at a 1 kHz frame rate. An additional mode of operation allows the integration capacitors to be re-addressed repeatedly before readout which can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of cyclical processes. This detector, along with modern storage ring sources which provide short (10–100 ps) and intense X-ray pulses atmore » megahertz rates, opens new avenues for the study of rapid structural changes in materials. The detector consists of hybridized modules, each of which is comprised of a 500 µm-thick silicon X-ray sensor solder bump-bonded, pixel by pixel, to an application-specific integrated circuit. The format of each module is 128 × 128 pixels with a pixel pitch of 150 µm. In the prototype detector described here, the three-side buttable modules are tiled in a 3 × 2 array with a full format of 256 × 384 pixels. Lastly, we detail the characteristics, operation, testing and application of the detector.« less

High-speed X-ray imaging pixel array detector for synchrotron bunch isolation

PubMed Central

Philipp, Hugh T.; Tate, Mark W.; Purohit, Prafull; Shanks, Katherine S.; Weiss, Joel T.; Gruner, Sol M.

2016-01-01

A wide-dynamic-range imaging X-ray detector designed for recording successive frames at rates up to 10 MHz is described. X-ray imaging with frame rates of up to 6.5 MHz have been experimentally verified. The pixel design allows for up to 8–12 frames to be stored internally at high speed before readout, which occurs at a 1 kHz frame rate. An additional mode of operation allows the integration capacitors to be re-addressed repeatedly before readout which can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of cyclical processes. This detector, along with modern storage ring sources which provide short (10–100 ps) and intense X-ray pulses at megahertz rates, opens new avenues for the study of rapid structural changes in materials. The detector consists of hybridized modules, each of which is comprised of a 500 µm-thick silicon X-ray sensor solder bump-bonded, pixel by pixel, to an application-specific integrated circuit. The format of each module is 128 × 128 pixels with a pixel pitch of 150 µm. In the prototype detector described here, the three-side buttable modules are tiled in a 3 × 2 array with a full format of 256 × 384 pixels. The characteristics, operation, testing and application of the detector are detailed. PMID:26917125

High-speed X-ray imaging pixel array detector for synchrotron bunch isolation.

PubMed

Philipp, Hugh T; Tate, Mark W; Purohit, Prafull; Shanks, Katherine S; Weiss, Joel T; Gruner, Sol M

2016-03-01

A wide-dynamic-range imaging X-ray detector designed for recording successive frames at rates up to 10 MHz is described. X-ray imaging with frame rates of up to 6.5 MHz have been experimentally verified. The pixel design allows for up to 8-12 frames to be stored internally at high speed before readout, which occurs at a 1 kHz frame rate. An additional mode of operation allows the integration capacitors to be re-addressed repeatedly before readout which can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of cyclical processes. This detector, along with modern storage ring sources which provide short (10-100 ps) and intense X-ray pulses at megahertz rates, opens new avenues for the study of rapid structural changes in materials. The detector consists of hybridized modules, each of which is comprised of a 500 µm-thick silicon X-ray sensor solder bump-bonded, pixel by pixel, to an application-specific integrated circuit. The format of each module is 128 × 128 pixels with a pixel pitch of 150 µm. In the prototype detector described here, the three-side buttable modules are tiled in a 3 × 2 array with a full format of 256 × 384 pixels. The characteristics, operation, testing and application of the detector are detailed.

Simulation study of pixel detector charge digitization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fuyue; Nachman, Benjamin; Sciveres, Maurice; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Team

2017-01-01

Reconstruction of tracks from nearly overlapping particles, called Tracking in Dense Environments (TIDE), is an increasingly important component of many physics analyses at the Large Hadron Collider as signatures involving highly boosted jets are investigated. TIDE makes use of the charge distribution inside a pixel cluster to resolve tracks that share one of more of their pixel detector hits. In practice, the pixel charge is discretized using the Time-over-Threshold (ToT) technique. More charge information is better for discrimination, but more challenging for designing and operating the detector. A model of the silicon pixels has been developed in order to study the impact of the precision of the digitized charge distribution on distinguishing multi-particle clusters. The output of the GEANT4-based simulation is used to train neutral networks that predict the multiplicity and location of particles depositing energy inside one cluster of pixels. By studying the multi-particle cluster identification efficiency and position resolution, we quantify the trade-off between the number of ToT bits and low-level tracking inputs. As both ATLAS and CMS are designing upgraded detectors, this work provides guidance for the pixel module designs to meet TIDE needs. Work funded by the China Scholarship Council and the Office of High Energy Physics of the U.S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC02-05CH11231.

The design of high dynamic range ROIC for IRFPAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Dazhao; Liang, Qinghua; Zhang, Qiwen; Chen, Honglei; Ding, Ruijun

2015-10-01

The charge packet readout integrated circuit (ROIC) technology for the IRFPAs is introduced, which can realize that every pixel achieves a very high capacity of the electrons storage, and it also improves the performance of the SNR and reduces the saturation possibility of the pixels. The ROIC for the LWIR requires ability that obtaining high capacity for storing electrons. For the conventional ROIC, the maximum charge capacity is determined by the integration capacitance and the operating voltage, it can achieve a high charge capacity through increasing the area of the integration capacitor or raising the operating voltage. And this paper would introduce a digital method of ROIC that can achieve a very high charge capacity. The circuit architecture of this approach includes the following parts, a preamplifier, a comparator, a counter, and memory arrays. And the maximum charge capacity of the pixel is determined by the counter bits. This new method can achieve a high charge capacity more than 1Ge- every pixel and output the digital signal directly, while that of conventional ROIC is less than 50Me- and output the analog signal from the pixel. In this new circuit, the comparator is a important module, as the integration voltage value need compare with threshold voltage through the comparator all the time during the integration period, and we will discuss the influence of the comparator. This work design the circuit with the CSMC 0.35um CMOS technology, and the simulation use the spectre model.

On Certain New Methodology for Reducing Sensor and Readout Electronics Circuitry Noise in Digital Domain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kizhner, Semion; Miko, Joseph; Bradley, Damon; Heinzen, Katherine

2008-01-01

NASA Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and upcoming cosmology science missions carry instruments with multiple focal planes populated with many large sensor detector arrays. These sensors are passively cooled to low temperatures for low-level light (L3) and near-infrared (NIR) signal detection, and the sensor readout electronics circuitry must perform at extremely low noise levels to enable new required science measurements. Because we are at the technological edge of enhanced performance for sensors and readout electronics circuitry, as determined by thermal noise level at given temperature in analog domain, we must find new ways of further compensating for the noise in the signal digital domain. To facilitate this new approach, state-of-the-art sensors are augmented at their array hardware boundaries by non-illuminated reference pixels, which can be used to reduce noise attributed to sensors. There are a few proposed methodologies of processing in the digital domain the information carried by reference pixels, as employed by the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope Projects. These methods involve using spatial and temporal statistical parameters derived from boundary reference pixel information to enhance the active (non-reference) pixel signals. To make a step beyond this heritage methodology, we apply the NASA-developed technology known as the Hilbert- Huang Transform Data Processing System (HHT-DPS) for reference pixel information processing and its utilization in reconfigurable hardware on-board a spaceflight instrument or post-processing on the ground. The methodology examines signal processing for a 2-D domain, in which high-variance components of the thermal noise are carried by both active and reference pixels, similar to that in processing of low-voltage differential signals and subtraction of a single analog reference pixel from all active pixels on the sensor. Heritage methods using the aforementioned statistical parameters in the digital domain (such as statistical averaging of the reference pixels themselves) zeroes out the high-variance components, and the counterpart components in the active pixels remain uncorrected. This paper describes how the new methodology was demonstrated through analysis of fast-varying noise components using the Hilbert-Huang Transform Data Processing System tool (HHT-DPS) developed at NASA and the high-level programming language MATLAB (Trademark of MathWorks Inc.), as well as alternative methods for correcting for the high-variance noise component, using an HgCdTe sensor data. The NASA Hubble Space Telescope data post-processing, as well as future deep-space cosmology projects on-board instrument data processing from all the sensor channels, would benefit from this effort.

WE-G-204-03: Photon-Counting Hexagonal Pixel Array CdTe Detector: Optimal Resampling to Square Pixels

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

Shrestha, S; Vedantham, S; Karellas, A

Purpose: Detectors with hexagonal pixels require resampling to square pixels for distortion-free display of acquired images. In this work, the presampling modulation transfer function (MTF) of a hexagonal pixel array photon-counting CdTe detector for region-of-interest fluoroscopy was measured and the optimal square pixel size for resampling was determined. Methods: A 0.65mm thick CdTe Schottky sensor capable of concurrently acquiring up to 3 energy-windowed images was operated in a single energy-window mode to include ≥10 KeV photons. The detector had hexagonal pixels with apothem of 30 microns resulting in pixel spacing of 60 and 51.96 microns along the two orthogonal directions.more » Images of a tungsten edge test device acquired under IEC RQA5 conditions were double Hough transformed to identify the edge and numerically differentiated. The presampling MTF was determined from the finely sampled line spread function that accounted for the hexagonal sampling. The optimal square pixel size was determined in two ways; the square pixel size for which the aperture function evaluated at the Nyquist frequencies along the two orthogonal directions matched that from the hexagonal pixel aperture functions, and the square pixel size for which the mean absolute difference between the square and hexagonal aperture functions was minimized over all frequencies up to the Nyquist limit. Results: Evaluation of the aperture functions over the entire frequency range resulted in square pixel size of 53 microns with less than 2% difference from the hexagonal pixel. Evaluation of the aperture functions at Nyquist frequencies alone resulted in 54 microns square pixels. For the photon-counting CdTe detector and after resampling to 53 microns square pixels using quadratic interpolation, the presampling MTF at Nyquist frequency of 9.434 cycles/mm along the two directions were 0.501 and 0.507. Conclusion: Hexagonal pixel array photon-counting CdTe detector after resampling to square pixels provides high-resolution imaging suitable for fluoroscopy.« less

The DFMS sensor of ROSINA onboard Rosetta: A computer-assisted approach to resolve mass calibration, flux calibration, and fragmentation issues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhooghe, Frederik; De Keyser, Johan; Altwegg, Kathrin; Calmonte, Ursina; Fuselier, Stephen; Hässig, Myrtha; Berthelier, Jean-Jacques; Mall, Urs; Gombosi, Tamas; Fiethe, Björn

2014-05-01

Rosetta will rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in May 2014. The Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA) instrument comprises three sensors: the pressure sensor (COPS) and two mass spectrometers (RTOF and DFMS). The double focusing mass spectrometer DFMS is optimized for mass resolution and consists of an ion source, a mass analyser and a detector package operated in analogue mode. The magnetic sector of the analyser provides the mass dispersion needed for use with the position-sensitive microchannel plate (MCP) detector. Ions that hit the MCP release electrons that are recorded digitally using a linear electron detector array with 512 pixels. Raw data for a given commanded mass are obtained as ADC counts as a function of pixel number. We have developed a computer-assisted approach to address the problem of calibrating such raw data. Mass calibration: Ion identification is based on their mass-over-charge (m/Z) ratio and requires an accurate correlation of pixel number and m/Z. The m/Z scale depends on the commanded mass and the magnetic field and can be described by an offset of the pixel associated with the commanded mass from the centre of the detector array and a scaling factor. Mass calibration is aided by the built-in gas calibration unit (GCU), which allows one to inject a known gas mixture into the instrument. In a first, fully automatic step of the mass calibration procedure, the calibration uses all GCU spectra and extracts information about the mass peak closest to the centre pixel, since those peaks can be identified unambiguously. This preliminary mass-calibration relation can then be applied to all spectra. Human-assisted identification of additional mass peaks further improves the mass calibration. Ion flux calibration: ADC counts per pixel are converted to ion counts per second using the overall gain, the individual pixel gain, and the total data accumulation time. DFMS can perform an internal scan to determine the pixel gain and related detector aging. The software automatically corrects for these effects to calibrate the fluxes. The COPS sensor can be used for an a posteriori calibration of the fluxes. Neutral gas number densities: Neutrals are ionized in the ion source before they are transferred to the mass analyser, but during this process fragmentation may occur. Our software allows one to identify which neutrals entered the instrument, given the ion fragments that are detected. First, multiple spectra with a limited mass range are combined to provide an overview of as many ion fragments as possible. We then exploit a fragmentation database to assist in figuring out the relation between entering species and recorded fragments. Finally, using experimentally determined sensitivities, gas number densities are obtained. The instrument characterisation (experimental determination of sensitivities, fragmentation patterns for the most common neutral species, etc.) has been conducted by the consortium using an instrument copy in the University of Bern test facilities during the cruise phase of the mission.

Fully depleted CMOS pixel sensor development and potential applications

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

Baudot, J.; Kachel, M.; CNRS, UMR7178, 67037 Strasbourg

CMOS pixel sensors are often opposed to hybrid pixel sensors due to their very different sensitive layer. In standard CMOS imaging processes, a thin (about 20 μm) low resistivity epitaxial layer acts as the sensitive volume and charge collection is mostly driven by thermal agitation. In contrast, the so-called hybrid pixel technology exploits a thick (typically 300 μm) silicon sensor with high resistivity allowing for the depletion of this volume, hence charges drift toward collecting electrodes. But this difference is fading away with the recent availability of some CMOS imaging processes based on a relatively thick (about 50 μm) highmore » resistivity epitaxial layer which allows for full depletion. This evolution extents the range of applications for CMOS pixel sensors where their known assets, high sensitivity and granularity combined with embedded signal treatment, could potentially foster breakthrough in detection performances for specific scientific instruments. One such domain is the Xray detection for soft energies, typically below 10 keV, where the thin sensitive layer was previously severely impeding CMOS sensor usage. Another application becoming realistic for CMOS sensors, is the detection in environment with a high fluence of non-ionizing radiation, such as hadron colliders. However, when considering highly demanding applications, it is still to be proven that micro-circuits required to uniformly deplete the sensor at the pixel level, do not mitigate the sensitivity and efficiency required. Prototype sensors in two different technologies with resistivity higher than 1 kΩ, sensitive layer between 40 and 50 μm and featuring pixel pitch in the range 25 to 50 μm, have been designed and fabricated. Various biasing architectures were adopted to reach full depletion with only a few volts. Laboratory investigations with three types of sources (X-rays, β-rays and infrared light) demonstrated the validity of the approach with respect to depletion, keeping a low noise figure. Especially, an energy resolution of about 400 eV for 5 keV X-rays was obtained for single pixels. The prototypes have then been exposed to gradually increased fluences of neutrons, from 10{sup 13} to 5x10{sup 14} neq/cm{sup 2}. Again laboratory tests allowed to evaluate the signal over noise persistence on the different pixels implemented. Currently our development mostly targets the detection of soft X-rays, with the ambition to develop a pixel sensor matching counting rates as affordable with hybrid pixel sensors, but with an extended sensitivity to low energy and finer pixel about 25 x 25 μm{sup 2}. The original readout architecture proposed relies on a two tiers chip. The first tier consists of a sensor with a modest dynamic in order to insure low noise performances required by sensitivity. The interconnected second tier chip enhances the read-out speed by introducing massive parallelization. Performances reachable with this strategy combining counting and integration will be detailed. (authors)« less

Spatially resolved multicolor CsPbX 3 nanowire heterojunctions via anion exchange

DOE PAGES

Dou, Letian; Lai, Minliang; Kley, Christopher S.; ...

2017-06-26

Halide perovskites are promising semiconductor materials for solution-processed optoelectronic devices. Their strong ionic bonding nature results in highly dynamic crystal lattices, inherently allowing rapid ion exchange at the solid–vapor and solid–liquid interface. In this paper, we show that the anion-exchange chemistry can be precisely controlled in single-crystalline halide perovskite nanomaterials when combined with nanofabrication techniques. We demonstrate spatially resolved multicolor CsPbX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I, or alloy of two halides) nanowire heterojunctions with a pixel size down to 500 nm with the photoluminescence tunable over the entire visible spectrum. In addition, the heterojunctions show distinct electronic states acrossmore » the interface, as revealed by Kelvin probe force microscopy. Finally, these perovskite heterojunctions represent key building blocks for high-resolution multicolor displays beyond current state-of-the-art technology as well as high-density diode/transistor arrays.« less

Flip chip bumping technology—Status and update

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juergen Wolf, M.; Engelmann, Gunter; Dietrich, Lothar; Reichl, Herbert

2006-09-01

Flip chip technology is a key driver for new complex system architectures and high-density packaging, e.g. sensor or pixel devices. Bumped wafers/dice as key elements become very important in terms of general availability at low cost, high yield and quality level. Today, different materials, e.g. Au, Ni, AuSn, SnAg, SnAgCu, SnCu, etc., are used for flip chip interconnects and different bumping approaches are available. Electroplating is the technology of choice for high-yield wafer bumping for small bump sizes and pitches. Lead-free solder bumps require an increase in knowledge in the field of under bump metallization (UBM) and the interaction of bump and substrate metallization, the formation and growth of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) during liquid- and solid-phase reactions. Results of a new bi-layer UBM of Ni-Cu which is especially designed for small-sized lead-free solder bumps will be discussed.

Pixel CdTe semiconductor module to implement a sub-MeV imaging detector for astrophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gálvez, J.-L.; Hernanz, M.; Álvarez, L.; Artigues, B.; Álvarez, J.-M.; Ullán, M.; Pellegrini, G.; Lozano, M.; Cabruja, E.; Martínez, R.; Chmeissani, M.; Puigdengoles, C.

2017-03-01

Stellar explosions are relevant and interesting astrophysical phenomena. Since long ago we have been working on the characterization of nova and supernova explosions in X and gamma rays, with the use of space missions such as INTEGRAL, XMM-Newton and Swift. We have been also involved in feasibility studies of future instruments in the energy range from several keV up to a few MeV, in collaboration with other research institutes, such as GRI, DUAL and e-ASTROGAM. High sensitivities are essential to perform detailed studies of cosmic explosions and cosmic accelerators, e.g., Supernovae, Classical Novae, Supernova Remnants (SNRs), Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). In order to fulfil the combined requirement of high detection efficiency with good spatial and energy resolution, an initial module prototype based on CdTe pixel detectors is being developed. The detector dimensions are 12.5mm x 12.5mm x 2mm, with a pixel pitch of 1mm x 1mm. Each pixel is bump bonded to a fanout board made of Sapphire substrate and routed to the corresponding input channel of the readout ASIC, to measure pixel position and pulse height for each incident gamma-ray photon. An ohmic CdTe pixel detector has been characterised by means of 57Co, 133Ba and 22Na sources. Based on this, its spectroscopic performance and the influence of charge sharing is reported here. The pixel study is complemented by the simulation of the CdTe module performance using the GEANT 4 and MEGALIB tools, which will help us to optimise the pixel size selection.

New results on diamond pixel sensors using ATLAS frontend electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keil, M.; Adam, W.; Berdermann, E.; Bergonzo, P.; de Boer, W.; Bogani, F.; Borchi, E.; Brambilla, A.; Bruzzi, M.; Colledani, C.; Conway, J.; D'Angelo, P.; Dabrowski, W.; Delpierre, P.; Dulinski, W.; Doroshenko, J.; Doucet, M.; van Eijk, B.; Fallou, A.; Fischer, P.; Fizzotti, F.; Kania, D.; Gan, K. K.; Grigoriev, E.; Hallewell, G.; Han, S.; Hartjes, F.; Hrubec, J.; Husson, D.; Kagan, H.; Kaplon, J.; Kass, R.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Koeth, T.; Krammer, M.; Logiudice, A.; mac Lynne, L.; Manfredotti, C.; Meier, D.; Menichelli, D.; Meuser, S.; Mishina, M.; Moroni, L.; Noomen, J.; Oh, A.; Pan, L. S.; Pernicka, M.; Perera, L.; Riester, J. L.; Roe, S.; Rudge, A.; Russ, J.; Sala, S.; Sampietro, M.; Schnetzer, S.; Sciortino, S.; Stelzer, H.; Stone, R.; Suter, B.; Trischuk, W.; Tromson, D.; Vittone, E.; Weilhammer, P.; Wermes, N.; Wetstein, M.; Zeuner, W.; Zoeller, M.

2003-03-01

Diamond is a promising sensor material for future collider experiments due to its radiation hardness. Diamond pixel sensors have been bump bonded to an ATLAS pixel readout chip using PbSn solder bumps. Single chip devices have been characterised by lab measurements and in a high-energy pion beam at CERN. Results on charge collection, spatial resolution, efficiency and the charge carrier lifetime are presented.

Comparison of computation time and image quality between full-parallax 4G-pixels CGHs calculated by the point cloud and polygon-based method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakatsuji, Noriaki; Matsushima, Kyoji

2017-03-01

Full-parallax high-definition CGHs composed of more than billion pixels were so far created only by the polygon-based method because of its high performance. However, GPUs recently allow us to generate CGHs much faster by the point cloud. In this paper, we measure computation time of object fields for full-parallax high-definition CGHs, which are composed of 4 billion pixels and reconstruct the same scene, by using the point cloud with GPU and the polygon-based method with CPU. In addition, we compare the optical and simulated reconstructions between CGHs created by these techniques to verify the image quality.

Characterization of Pixelated Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Detectors for Astrophysical Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaskin, Jessica; Sharma, Dharma; Ramsey, Brian; Seller, Paul

2003-01-01

Comparisons of charge sharing and charge loss measurements between two pixelated Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CdZnTe) detectors are discussed. These properties along with the detector geometry help to define the limiting energy resolution and spatial resolution of the detector in question. The first detector consists of a 1-mm-thick piece of CdZnTe sputtered with a 4x4 array of pixels with pixel pitch of 750 microns (inter-pixel gap is 100 microns). Signal readout is via discrete ultra-low-noise preamplifiers, one for each of the 16 pixels. The second detector consists of a 2-mm-thick piece of CdZnTe sputtered with a 16x16 array of pixels with a pixel pitch of 300 microns (inter-pixel gap is 50 microns). This crystal is bonded to a custom-built readout chip (ASIC) providing all front-end electronics to each of the 256 independent pixels. These detectors act as precursors to that which will be used at the focal plane of the High Energy Replicated Optics (HERO) telescope currently being developed at Marshall Space Flight Center. With a telescope focal length of 6 meters, the detector needs to have a spatial resolution of around 200 microns in order to take full advantage of the HERO angular resolution. We discuss to what degree charge sharing will degrade energy resolution but will improve our spatial resolution through position interpolation.

Investigation of the limitations of the highly pixilated CdZnTe detector for PET applications

PubMed Central

Komarov, Sergey; Yin, Yongzhi; Wu, Heyu; Wen, Jie; Krawczynski, Henric; Meng, Ling-Jian; Tai, Yuan-Chuan

2016-01-01

We are investigating the feasibility of a high resolution positron emission tomography (PET) insert device based on the CdZnTe detector with 350 μm anode pixel pitch to be integrated into a conventional animal PET scanner to improve its image resolution. In this paper, we have used a simplified version of the multi pixel CdZnTe planar detector, 5 mm thick with 9 anode pixels only. This simplified 9 anode pixel structure makes it possible to carry out experiments without a complete application-specific integrated circuits readout system that is still under development. Special attention was paid to the double pixel (or charge sharing) detections. The following characteristics were obtained in experiment: energy resolution full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) is 7% for single pixel and 9% for double pixel photoelectric detections of 511 keV gammas; timing resolution (FWHM) from the anode signals is 30 ns for single pixel and 35 ns for double pixel detections (for photoelectric interactions only the corresponding values are 20 and 25 ns); position resolution is 350 μm in x,y-plane and ~0.4 mm in depth-of-interaction. The experimental measurements were accompanied by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to find a limitation imposed by spatial charge distribution. Results from MC simulations suggest the limitation of the intrinsic spatial resolution of the CdZnTe detector for 511 keV photoelectric interactions is 170 μm. The interpixel interpolation cannot recover the resolution beyond the limit mentioned above for photoelectric interactions. However, it is possible to achieve higher spatial resolution using interpolation for Compton scattered events. Energy and timing resolution of the proposed 350 μm anode pixel pitch detector is no better than 0.6% FWHM at 511 keV, and 2 ns FWHM, respectively. These MC results should be used as a guide to understand the performance limits of the pixelated CdZnTe detector due to the underlying detection processes, with the understanding of the inherent limitations of MC methods. PMID:23079763

Investigation of the limitations of the highly pixilated CdZnTe detector for PET applications.

PubMed

Komarov, Sergey; Yin, Yongzhi; Wu, Heyu; Wen, Jie; Krawczynski, Henric; Meng, Ling-Jian; Tai, Yuan-Chuan

2012-11-21

We are investigating the feasibility of a high resolution positron emission tomography (PET) insert device based on the CdZnTe detector with 350 µm anode pixel pitch to be integrated into a conventional animal PET scanner to improve its image resolution. In this paper, we have used a simplified version of the multi pixel CdZnTe planar detector, 5 mm thick with 9 anode pixels only. This simplified 9 anode pixel structure makes it possible to carry out experiments without a complete application-specific integrated circuits readout system that is still under development. Special attention was paid to the double pixel (or charge sharing) detections. The following characteristics were obtained in experiment: energy resolution full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) is 7% for single pixel and 9% for double pixel photoelectric detections of 511 keV gammas; timing resolution (FWHM) from the anode signals is 30 ns for single pixel and 35 ns for double pixel detections (for photoelectric interactions only the corresponding values are 20 and 25 ns); position resolution is 350 µm in x,y-plane and ∼0.4 mm in depth-of-interaction. The experimental measurements were accompanied by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to find a limitation imposed by spatial charge distribution. Results from MC simulations suggest the limitation of the intrinsic spatial resolution of the CdZnTe detector for 511 keV photoelectric interactions is 170 µm. The interpixel interpolation cannot recover the resolution beyond the limit mentioned above for photoelectric interactions. However, it is possible to achieve higher spatial resolution using interpolation for Compton scattered events. Energy and timing resolution of the proposed 350 µm anode pixel pitch detector is no better than 0.6% FWHM at 511 keV, and 2 ns FWHM, respectively. These MC results should be used as a guide to understand the performance limits of the pixelated CdZnTe detector due to the underlying detection processes, with the understanding of the inherent limitations of MC methods.

Covariance and correlation estimation in electron-density maps.

PubMed

Altomare, Angela; Cuocci, Corrado; Giacovazzo, Carmelo; Moliterni, Anna; Rizzi, Rosanna

2012-03-01

Quite recently two papers have been published [Giacovazzo & Mazzone (2011). Acta Cryst. A67, 210-218; Giacovazzo et al. (2011). Acta Cryst. A67, 368-382] which calculate the variance in any point of an electron-density map at any stage of the phasing process. The main aim of the papers was to associate a standard deviation to each pixel of the map, in order to obtain a better estimate of the map reliability. This paper deals with the covariance estimate between points of an electron-density map in any space group, centrosymmetric or non-centrosymmetric, no matter the correlation between the model and target structures. The aim is as follows: to verify if the electron density in one point of the map is amplified or depressed as an effect of the electron density in one or more other points of the map. High values of the covariances are usually connected with undesired features of the map. The phases are the primitive random variables of our probabilistic model; the covariance changes with the quality of the model and therefore with the quality of the phases. The conclusive formulas show that the covariance is also influenced by the Patterson map. Uncertainty on measurements may influence the covariance, particularly in the final stages of the structure refinement; a general formula is obtained taking into account both phase and measurement uncertainty, valid at any stage of the crystal structure solution.

A history of hybrid pixel detectors, from high energy physics to medical imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delpierre, P.

2014-05-01

The aim of this paper is to describe the development of hybrid pixel detectors from the origin to the application on medical imaging. We are going to recall the need for fast 2D detectors in the high energy physics experiments and to follow the different pixel electronic circuits created to satisfy this demand. The adaptation of these circuits for X-rays will be presented as well as their industrialization. Today, a number of applications are open for these cameras, particularly for biomedical imaging applications. Some developments for clinical CT will also be shown.

Radiation hard pixel sensors using high-resistive wafers in a 150 nm CMOS processing line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pohl, D.-L.; Hemperek, T.; Caicedo, I.; Gonella, L.; Hügging, F.; Janssen, J.; Krüger, H.; Macchiolo, A.; Owtscharenko, N.; Vigani, L.; Wermes, N.

2017-06-01

Pixel sensors using 8'' CMOS processing technology have been designed and characterized offering the benefits of industrial sensor fabrication, including large wafers, high throughput and yield, as well as low cost. The pixel sensors are produced using a 150 nm CMOS technology offered by LFoundry in Avezzano. The technology provides multiple metal and polysilicon layers, as well as metal-insulator-metal capacitors that can be employed for AC-coupling and redistribution layers. Several prototypes were fabricated and are characterized with minimum ionizing particles before and after irradiation to fluences up to 1.1 × 1015 neq cm-2. The CMOS-fabricated sensors perform equally well as standard pixel sensors in terms of noise and hit detection efficiency. AC-coupled sensors even reach 100% hit efficiency in a 3.2 GeV electron beam before irradiation.

Investigation of CMOS pixel sensor with 0.18 μm CMOS technology for high-precision tracking detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, L.; Fu, M.; Zhang, Y.; Yan, W.; Wang, M.

2017-01-01

The Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC) proposed by the Chinese high energy physics community is aiming to measure Higgs particles and their interactions precisely. The tracking detector including Silicon Inner Tracker (SIT) and Forward Tracking Disks (FTD) has driven stringent requirements on sensor technologies in term of spatial resolution, power consumption and readout speed. CMOS Pixel Sensor (CPS) is a promising candidate to approach these requirements. This paper presents the preliminary studies on the sensor optimization for tracking detector to achieve high collection efficiency while keeping necessary spatial resolution. Detailed studies have been performed on the charge collection using a 0.18 μm CMOS image sensor process. This process allows high resistivity epitaxial layer, leading to a significant improvement on the charge collection and therefore improving the radiation tolerance. Together with the simulation results, the first exploratory prototype has bee designed and fabricated. The prototype includes 9 different pixel arrays, which vary in terms of pixel pitch, diode size and geometry. The total area of the prototype amounts to 2 × 7.88 mm2.

Contrast computation methods for interferometric measurement of sensor modulation transfer function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battula, Tharun; Georgiev, Todor; Gille, Jennifer; Goma, Sergio

2018-01-01

Accurate measurement of image-sensor frequency response over a wide range of spatial frequencies is very important for analyzing pixel array characteristics, such as modulation transfer function (MTF), crosstalk, and active pixel shape. Such analysis is especially significant in computational photography for the purposes of deconvolution, multi-image superresolution, and improved light-field capture. We use a lensless interferometric setup that produces high-quality fringes for measuring MTF over a wide range of frequencies (here, 37 to 434 line pairs per mm). We discuss the theoretical framework, involving Michelson and Fourier contrast measurement of the MTF, addressing phase alignment problems using a moiré pattern. We solidify the definition of Fourier contrast mathematically and compare it to Michelson contrast. Our interferometric measurement method shows high detail in the MTF, especially at high frequencies (above Nyquist frequency). We are able to estimate active pixel size and pixel pitch from measurements. We compare both simulation and experimental MTF results to a lens-free slanted-edge implementation using commercial software.

Challenges in quantitative crystallographic characterization of 3D thin films by ACOM-TEM.

PubMed

Kobler, A; Kübel, C

2017-02-01

Automated crystal orientation mapping for transmission electron microscopy (ACOM-TEM) has become an easy to use method for the investigation of crystalline materials and complements other TEM methods by adding local crystallographic information over large areas. It fills the gap between high resolution electron microscopy and electron back scatter diffraction in terms of spatial resolution. Recent investigations showed that spot diffraction ACOM-TEM is a quantitative method with respect to sample parameters like grain size, twin density, orientation density and others. It can even be used in combination with in-situ tensile or thermal testing. However, there are limitations of the current method. In this paper we discuss some of the challenges and discuss solutions, e.g. we present an ambiguity filter that reduces the number of pixels with a '180° ambiguity problem'. For that an ACOM-TEM tilt series of nanocrystalline Pd thin films with overlapping crystallites was acquired and analyzed. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Fast, High-Precision Readout Circuit for Detector Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rider, David M.; Hancock, Bruce R.; Key, Richard W.; Cunningham, Thomas J.; Wrigley, Chris J.; Seshadri, Suresh; Sander, Stanley P.; Blavier, Jean-Francois L.

2013-01-01

The GEO-CAPE mission described in NASA's Earth Science and Applications Decadal Survey requires high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution measurements to monitor and characterize the rapidly changing chemistry of the troposphere over North and South Americas. High-frame-rate focal plane arrays (FPAs) with many pixels are needed to enable such measurements. A high-throughput digital detector readout integrated circuit (ROIC) that meets the GEO-CAPE FPA needs has been developed, fabricated, and tested. The ROIC is based on an innovative charge integrating, fast, high-precision analog-to-digital circuit that is built into each pixel. The 128×128-pixel ROIC digitizes all 16,384 pixels simultaneously at frame rates up to 16 kHz to provide a completely digital output on a single integrated circuit at an unprecedented rate of 262 million pixels per second. The approach eliminates the need for off focal plane electronics, greatly reducing volume, mass, and power compared to conventional FPA implementations. A focal plane based on this ROIC will require less than 2 W of power on a 1×1-cm integrated circuit. The ROIC is fabricated of silicon using CMOS technology. It is designed to be indium bump bonded to a variety of detector materials including silicon PIN diodes, indium antimonide (InSb), indium gallium arsenide (In- GaAs), and mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) detector arrays to provide coverage over a broad spectral range in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet spectral ranges.

High-resolution dynamic pressure sensor array based on piezo-phototronic effect tuned photoluminescence imaging.

PubMed

Peng, Mingzeng; Li, Zhou; Liu, Caihong; Zheng, Qiang; Shi, Xieqing; Song, Ming; Zhang, Yang; Du, Shiyu; Zhai, Junyi; Wang, Zhong Lin

2015-03-24

A high-resolution dynamic tactile/pressure display is indispensable to the comprehensive perception of force/mechanical stimulations such as electronic skin, biomechanical imaging/analysis, or personalized signatures. Here, we present a dynamic pressure sensor array based on pressure/strain tuned photoluminescence imaging without the need for electricity. Each sensor is a nanopillar that consists of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells. Its photoluminescence intensity can be modulated dramatically and linearly by small strain (0-0.15%) owing to the piezo-phototronic effect. The sensor array has a high pixel density of 6350 dpi and exceptional small standard deviation of photoluminescence. High-quality tactile/pressure sensing distribution can be real-time recorded by parallel photoluminescence imaging without any cross-talk. The sensor array can be inexpensively fabricated over large areas by semiconductor product lines. The proposed dynamic all-optical pressure imaging with excellent resolution, high sensitivity, good uniformity, and ultrafast response time offers a suitable way for smart sensing, micro/nano-opto-electromechanical systems.

Local Competition-Based Superpixel Segmentation Algorithm in Remote Sensing

PubMed Central

Liu, Jiayin; Tang, Zhenmin; Cui, Ying; Wu, Guoxing

2017-01-01

Remote sensing technologies have been widely applied in urban environments’ monitoring, synthesis and modeling. Incorporating spatial information in perceptually coherent regions, superpixel-based approaches can effectively eliminate the “salt and pepper” phenomenon which is common in pixel-wise approaches. Compared with fixed-size windows, superpixels have adaptive sizes and shapes for different spatial structures. Moreover, superpixel-based algorithms can significantly improve computational efficiency owing to the greatly reduced number of image primitives. Hence, the superpixel algorithm, as a preprocessing technique, is more and more popularly used in remote sensing and many other fields. In this paper, we propose a superpixel segmentation algorithm called Superpixel Segmentation with Local Competition (SSLC), which utilizes a local competition mechanism to construct energy terms and label pixels. The local competition mechanism leads to energy terms locality and relativity, and thus, the proposed algorithm is less sensitive to the diversity of image content and scene layout. Consequently, SSLC could achieve consistent performance in different image regions. In addition, the Probability Density Function (PDF), which is estimated by Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) with the Gaussian kernel, is introduced to describe the color distribution of superpixels as a more sophisticated and accurate measure. To reduce computational complexity, a boundary optimization framework is introduced to only handle boundary pixels instead of the whole image. We conduct experiments to benchmark the proposed algorithm with the other state-of-the-art ones on the Berkeley Segmentation Dataset (BSD) and remote sensing images. Results demonstrate that the SSLC algorithm yields the best overall performance, while the computation time-efficiency is still competitive. PMID:28604641

Local Competition-Based Superpixel Segmentation Algorithm in Remote Sensing.

PubMed

Liu, Jiayin; Tang, Zhenmin; Cui, Ying; Wu, Guoxing

2017-06-12

Remote sensing technologies have been widely applied in urban environments' monitoring, synthesis and modeling. Incorporating spatial information in perceptually coherent regions, superpixel-based approaches can effectively eliminate the "salt and pepper" phenomenon which is common in pixel-wise approaches. Compared with fixed-size windows, superpixels have adaptive sizes and shapes for different spatial structures. Moreover, superpixel-based algorithms can significantly improve computational efficiency owing to the greatly reduced number of image primitives. Hence, the superpixel algorithm, as a preprocessing technique, is more and more popularly used in remote sensing and many other fields. In this paper, we propose a superpixel segmentation algorithm called Superpixel Segmentation with Local Competition (SSLC), which utilizes a local competition mechanism to construct energy terms and label pixels. The local competition mechanism leads to energy terms locality and relativity, and thus, the proposed algorithm is less sensitive to the diversity of image content and scene layout. Consequently, SSLC could achieve consistent performance in different image regions. In addition, the Probability Density Function (PDF), which is estimated by Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) with the Gaussian kernel, is introduced to describe the color distribution of superpixels as a more sophisticated and accurate measure. To reduce computational complexity, a boundary optimization framework is introduced to only handle boundary pixels instead of the whole image. We conduct experiments to benchmark the proposed algorithm with the other state-of-the-art ones on the Berkeley Segmentation Dataset (BSD) and remote sensing images. Results demonstrate that the SSLC algorithm yields the best overall performance, while the computation time-efficiency is still competitive.

Forward modeling of gravity data using geostatistically generated subsurface density variations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Phelps, Geoffrey

2016-01-01

Using geostatistical models of density variations in the subsurface, constrained by geologic data, forward models of gravity anomalies can be generated by discretizing the subsurface and calculating the cumulative effect of each cell (pixel). The results of such stochastically generated forward gravity anomalies can be compared with the observed gravity anomalies to find density models that match the observed data. These models have an advantage over forward gravity anomalies generated using polygonal bodies of homogeneous density because generating numerous realizations explores a larger region of the solution space. The stochastic modeling can be thought of as dividing the forward model into two components: that due to the shape of each geologic unit and that due to the heterogeneous distribution of density within each geologic unit. The modeling demonstrates that the internally heterogeneous distribution of density within each geologic unit can contribute significantly to the resulting calculated forward gravity anomaly. Furthermore, the stochastic models match observed statistical properties of geologic units, the solution space is more broadly explored by producing a suite of successful models, and the likelihood of a particular conceptual geologic model can be compared. The Vaca Fault near Travis Air Force Base, California, can be successfully modeled as a normal or strike-slip fault, with the normal fault model being slightly more probable. It can also be modeled as a reverse fault, although this structural geologic configuration is highly unlikely given the realizations we explored.

High-aggregate-capacity visible light communication links using stacked multimode polymer waveguides and micro-pixelated LED arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bamiedakis, N.; McKendry, J. J. D.; Xie, E.; Gu, E.; Dawson, M. D.; Penty, R. V.; White, I. H.

2018-02-01

In recent years, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have gained renewed interest for use in visible light communication links (VLC) owing to their potential use as both high-quality power-efficient illumination sources as well as low-cost optical transmitters in free-space and guided-wave links. Applications that can benefit from their use include optical wireless systems (LiFi and Internet of Things), in-home and automotive networks, optical USBs and short-reach low-cost optical interconnects. However, VLC links suffer from the limited LED bandwidth (typically 100 MHz). As a result, a combination of novel LED devices, advanced modulation formats and multiplexing methods are employed to overcome this limitation and achieve high-speed (>1 Gb/s) data transmission over such links. In this work, we present recent advances in the formation of high-aggregate-capacity low cost guided wave VLC links using stacked polymer multimode waveguides and matching micro-pixelated LED (μLED) arrays. μLEDs have been shown to exhibit larger bandwidths (>200 MHz) than conventional broad-area LEDs and can be formed in large array configurations, while multimode polymer waveguides enable the formation of low-cost optical links onto standard PCBs. Here, three- and four-layered stacks of multimode waveguides, as well as matching GaN μLED arrays, are fabricated in order to generate high-density yet low-cost optical interconnects. Different waveguide topologies are implemented and are investigated in terms of loss and crosstalk performance. The initial results presented herein demonstrate good intrinsic crosstalk performance and indicate the potential to achieve >= 0.5 Tb/s/mm2 aggregate interconnection capacity using this low-cost technology.

Droplet Image Super Resolution Based on Sparse Representation and Kernel Regression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Zhenzhen; Luo, Xinghong; Yu, Qiang

2018-02-01

Microgravity and containerless conditions, which are produced via electrostatic levitation combined with a drop tube, are important when studying the intrinsic properties of new metastable materials. Generally, temperature and image sensors can be used to measure the changes of sample temperature, morphology and volume. Then, the specific heat, surface tension, viscosity changes and sample density can be obtained. Considering that the falling speed of the material sample droplet is approximately 31.3 m/s when it reaches the bottom of a 50-meter-high drop tube, a high-speed camera with a collection rate of up to 106 frames/s is required to image the falling droplet. However, at the high-speed mode, very few pixels, approximately 48-120, will be obtained in each exposure time, which results in low image quality. Super-resolution image reconstruction is an algorithm that provides finer details than the sampling grid of a given imaging device by increasing the number of pixels per unit area in the image. In this work, we demonstrate the application of single image-resolution reconstruction in the microgravity and electrostatic levitation for the first time. Here, using the image super-resolution method based on sparse representation, a low-resolution droplet image can be reconstructed. Employed Yang's related dictionary model, high- and low-resolution image patches were combined with dictionary training, and high- and low-resolution-related dictionaries were obtained. The online double-sparse dictionary training algorithm was used in the study of related dictionaries and overcome the shortcomings of the traditional training algorithm with small image patch. During the stage of image reconstruction, the algorithm of kernel regression is added, which effectively overcomes the shortcomings of the Yang image's edge blurs.

Droplet Image Super Resolution Based on Sparse Representation and Kernel Regression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Zhenzhen; Luo, Xinghong; Yu, Qiang

2018-05-01

Microgravity and containerless conditions, which are produced via electrostatic levitation combined with a drop tube, are important when studying the intrinsic properties of new metastable materials. Generally, temperature and image sensors can be used to measure the changes of sample temperature, morphology and volume. Then, the specific heat, surface tension, viscosity changes and sample density can be obtained. Considering that the falling speed of the material sample droplet is approximately 31.3 m/s when it reaches the bottom of a 50-meter-high drop tube, a high-speed camera with a collection rate of up to 106 frames/s is required to image the falling droplet. However, at the high-speed mode, very few pixels, approximately 48-120, will be obtained in each exposure time, which results in low image quality. Super-resolution image reconstruction is an algorithm that provides finer details than the sampling grid of a given imaging device by increasing the number of pixels per unit area in the image. In this work, we demonstrate the application of single image-resolution reconstruction in the microgravity and electrostatic levitation for the first time. Here, using the image super-resolution method based on sparse representation, a low-resolution droplet image can be reconstructed. Employed Yang's related dictionary model, high- and low-resolution image patches were combined with dictionary training, and high- and low-resolution-related dictionaries were obtained. The online double-sparse dictionary training algorithm was used in the study of related dictionaries and overcome the shortcomings of the traditional training algorithm with small image patch. During the stage of image reconstruction, the algorithm of kernel regression is added, which effectively overcomes the shortcomings of the Yang image's edge blurs.

An asynchronous data-driven readout prototype for CEPC vertex detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ping; Sun, Xiangming; Huang, Guangming; Xiao, Le; Gao, Chaosong; Huang, Xing; Zhou, Wei; Ren, Weiping; Li, Yashu; Liu, Jianchao; You, Bihui; Zhang, Li

2017-12-01

The Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC) is proposed as a Higgs boson and/or Z boson factory for high-precision measurements on the Higgs boson. The precision of secondary vertex impact parameter plays an important role in such measurements which typically rely on flavor-tagging. Thus silicon CMOS Pixel Sensors (CPS) are the most promising technology candidate for a CEPC vertex detector, which can most likely feature a high position resolution, a low power consumption and a fast readout simultaneously. For the R&D of the CEPC vertex detector, we have developed a prototype MIC4 in the Towerjazz 180 nm CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) process. We have proposed and implemented a new architecture of asynchronous zero-suppression data-driven readout inside the matrix combined with a binary front-end inside the pixel. The matrix contains 128 rows and 64 columns with a small pixel pitch of 25 μm. The readout architecture has implemented the traditional OR-gate chain inside a super pixel combined with a priority arbiter tree between the super pixels, only reading out relevant pixels. The MIC4 architecture will be introduced in more detail in this paper. It will be taped out in May and will be characterized when the chip comes back.

Atomized scan strategy for high definition for VR application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Shuping; Ran, Feng; Ji, Yuan; Chen, Wendong

2017-10-01

Silicon-based OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display) microdisplay technology begins to attract people's attention in the emerging VR and AR devices. The high display frame refresh rate is an important solution to alleviate the dizziness in VR applications. Traditional display circuit drivers use the analog method or the digital PWM method that follow the serial scan order from the first pixel to the last pixel by using the shift registers. This paper proposes a novel atomized scan strategy based on the digital fractal scan strategy using the pseudo-random scan order. It can be used to realize the high frame refresh rate with the moderate pixel clock frequency in the high definition OLED microdisplay. The linearity of the gray level is also improved compared with the Z fractal scan strategy.

Submesoscale Sea Surface Temperature Variability from UAV and Satellite Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castro, S. L.; Emery, W. J.; Tandy, W., Jr.; Good, W. S.

2017-12-01

Technological advances in spatial resolution of observations have revealed the importance of short-lived ocean processes with scales of O(1km). These submesoscale processes play an important role for the transfer of energy from the meso- to small scales and for generating significant spatial and temporal intermittency in the upper ocean, critical for the mixing of the oceanic boundary layer. Submesoscales have been observed in sea surface temperatures (SST) from satellites. Satellite SST measurements are spatial averages over the footprint of the satellite. When the variance of the SST distribution within the footprint is small, the average value is representative of the SST over the whole pixel. If the variance is large, the spatial heterogeneity is a source of uncertainty in satellite derived SSTs. Here we show evidence that the submesoscale variability in SSTs at spatial scales of 1km is responsible for the spatial variability within satellite footprints. Previous studies of the spatial variability in SST, using ship-based radiometric data suggested that variability at scales smaller than 1 km is significant and affects the uncertainty of satellite-derived skin SSTs. We examine data collected by a calibrated thermal infrared radiometer, the Ball Experimental Sea Surface Temperature (BESST), flown on a UAV over the Arctic Ocean and compare them with coincident measurements from the MODIS spaceborne radiometer to assess the spatial variability of SST within 1 km pixels. By taking the standard deviation of all the BESST measurements within individual MODIS pixels we show that significant spatial variability exists within the footprints. The distribution of the surface variability measured by BESST shows a peak value of O(0.1K) with 95% of the pixels showing σ < 0.45K. More importantly, high-variability pixels are located at density fronts in the marginal ice zone, which are a primary source of submesoscale intermittency near the surface in the Arctic Ocean. Wavenumber spectra of the BESST SSTs indicate a spectral slope of -2, consistent with the presence of submesoscale processes. Furthermore, not only is the BESST wavenumber spectra able to match the MODIS SST spectra well, but also extends the spectral slope of -2 by 2 decades relative to MODIS, from wavelengths of 8km to 0.08km.

Low cost solution-based materials processing methods for large area OLEDs and OFETs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, Jonghwa

In Part 1, we demonstrate the fabrication of organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) with precisely patterned pixels by the spin-casting of Alq3 and rubrene thin films with dimensions as small as 10 mum. The solution-based patterning technique produces pixels via the segregation of organic molecules into microfabricated channels or wells. Segregation is controlled by a combination of weak adsorbing characteristics of aliphatic terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and by centrifugal force, which directs the organic solution into the channel or well. This novel patterning technique may resolve the limitations of pixel resolution in the method of thermal evaporation using shadow masks, and is applicable to the fabrication of large area displays. Furthermore, the patterning technique has the potential to produce pixel sizes down to the limitation of photolithography and micromachining techniques, thereby enabling the fabrication of high-resolution microdisplays. The patterned OLEDs, based upon a confined structure with low refractive index of SiO2, exhibited higher current density than an unpatterned OLED, which results in higher electroluminescence intensity and eventually more efficient device operation at low applied voltages. We discuss the patterning method and device fabrication, and characterize the morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the organic pixels. In part 2, we demonstrate a new growth technique for organic single crystals based on solvent vapor assisted recrystallization. We show that, by controlling the polarity of the solvent vapor and the exposure time in a closed system, we obtain rubrene in orthorhombic to monoclinic crystal structures. This novel technique for growing single crystals can induce phase shifting and alteration of crystal structure and lattice parameters. The organic molecules showed structural change from orthorhombic to monoclinic, which also provided additional optical transition of hypsochromic shift from that of the orthorhombic form. An intermediate form of the crystal exhibits an optical transition to the lowest vibrational energy level that is otherwise disallowed in the single-crystal orthorhombic form. The monoclinic form exhibits entirely new optical transitions and showed a possible structural rearrangement for increasing charge carrier mobility, making it promising for organic devices. These phenomena can be explained and proved by the chemical structure and molecular packing of the monoclinic form, transformed from orthorhombic crystalline structure.

Phase unwrapping algorithm using polynomial phase approximation and linear Kalman filter.

PubMed

Kulkarni, Rishikesh; Rastogi, Pramod

2018-02-01

A noise-robust phase unwrapping algorithm is proposed based on state space analysis and polynomial phase approximation using wrapped phase measurement. The true phase is approximated as a two-dimensional first order polynomial function within a small sized window around each pixel. The estimates of polynomial coefficients provide the measurement of phase and local fringe frequencies. A state space representation of spatial phase evolution and the wrapped phase measurement is considered with the state vector consisting of polynomial coefficients as its elements. Instead of using the traditional nonlinear Kalman filter for the purpose of state estimation, we propose to use the linear Kalman filter operating directly with the wrapped phase measurement. The adaptive window width is selected at each pixel based on the local fringe density to strike a balance between the computation time and the noise robustness. In order to retrieve the unwrapped phase, either a line-scanning approach or a quality guided strategy of pixel selection is used depending on the underlying continuous or discontinuous phase distribution, respectively. Simulation and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method.

Machine learning to analyze images of shocked materials for precise and accurate measurements

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

Dresselhaus-Cooper, Leora; Howard, Marylesa; Hock, Margaret C.

A supervised machine learning algorithm, called locally adaptive discriminant analysis (LADA), has been developed to locate boundaries between identifiable image features that have varying intensities. LADA is an adaptation of image segmentation, which includes techniques that find the positions of image features (classes) using statistical intensity distributions for each class in the image. In order to place a pixel in the proper class, LADA considers the intensity at that pixel and the distribution of intensities in local (nearby) pixels. This paper presents the use of LADA to provide, with statistical uncertainties, the positions and shapes of features within ultrafast imagesmore » of shock waves. We demonstrate the ability to locate image features including crystals, density changes associated with shock waves, and material jetting caused by shock waves. This algorithm can analyze images that exhibit a wide range of physical phenomena because it does not rely on comparison to a model. LADA enables analysis of images from shock physics with statistical rigor independent of underlying models or simulations.« less

Fast Imaging Detector Readout Circuits with In-Pixel ADCs for Fourier Transform Imaging Spectrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rider, D.; Blavier, J-F.; Cunningham, T.; Hancock, B.; Key, R.; Pannell, Z.; Sander, S.; Seshadri, S.; Sun, C.; Wrigley, C.

2011-01-01

Focal plane arrays (FPAs) with high frame rates and many pixels benefit several upcoming Earth science missions including GEO-CAPE, GACM, and ACE by enabling broader spatial coverage and higher spectral resolution. FPAs for the PanFTS, a high spatial resolution Fourier transform spectrometer and a candidate instrument for the GEO-CAPE mission are the focus of the developments reported here, but this FPA technology has the potential to enable a variety of future measurements and instruments. The ESTO ACT Program funded the developed of a fast readout integrated circuit (ROIC) based on an innovative in-pixel analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The 128 X 128 pixel ROIC features 60 ?m pixels, a 14-bit ADC in each pixel and operates at a continuous frame rate of 14 kHz consuming only 1.1 W of power. The ROIC outputs digitized data completely eliminating the bulky, power consuming signal chains needed by conventional FPAs. The 128 X 128 pixel ROIC has been fabricated in CMOS and tested at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The current version is designed to be hybridized with PIN photodiode arrays via indium bump bonding for light detection in the visible and ultraviolet spectral regions. However, the ROIC design incorporates a small photodiode in each cell to permit detailed characterization of the ROICperformance without the need for hybridization. We will describe the essential features of the ROIC design and present results of ROIC performance measurements.

Interactive rendering of acquired materials on dynamic geometry using frequency analysis.

PubMed

Bagher, Mahdi Mohammad; Soler, Cyril; Subr, Kartic; Belcour, Laurent; Holzschuch, Nicolas

2013-05-01

Shading acquired materials with high-frequency illumination is computationally expensive. Estimating the shading integral requires multiple samples of the incident illumination. The number of samples required may vary across the image, and the image itself may have high- and low-frequency variations, depending on a combination of several factors. Adaptively distributing computational budget across the pixels for shading is a challenging problem. In this paper, we depict complex materials such as acquired reflectances, interactively, without any precomputation based on geometry. In each frame, we first estimate the frequencies in the local light field arriving at each pixel, as well as the variance of the shading integrand. Our frequency analysis accounts for combinations of a variety of factors: the reflectance of the object projecting to the pixel, the nature of the illumination, the local geometry and the camera position relative to the geometry and lighting. We then exploit this frequency information (bandwidth and variance) to adaptively sample for reconstruction and integration. For example, fewer pixels per unit area are shaded for pixels projecting onto diffuse objects, and fewer samples are used for integrating illumination incident on specular objects.

High-Order Model and Dynamic Filtering for Frame Rate Up-Conversion.

PubMed

Bao, Wenbo; Zhang, Xiaoyun; Chen, Li; Ding, Lianghui; Gao, Zhiyong

2018-08-01

This paper proposes a novel frame rate up-conversion method through high-order model and dynamic filtering (HOMDF) for video pixels. Unlike the constant brightness and linear motion assumptions in traditional methods, the intensity and position of the video pixels are both modeled with high-order polynomials in terms of time. Then, the key problem of our method is to estimate the polynomial coefficients that represent the pixel's intensity variation, velocity, and acceleration. We propose to solve it with two energy objectives: one minimizes the auto-regressive prediction error of intensity variation by its past samples, and the other minimizes video frame's reconstruction error along the motion trajectory. To efficiently address the optimization problem for these coefficients, we propose the dynamic filtering solution inspired by video's temporal coherence. The optimal estimation of these coefficients is reformulated into a dynamic fusion of the prior estimate from pixel's temporal predecessor and the maximum likelihood estimate from current new observation. Finally, frame rate up-conversion is implemented using motion-compensated interpolation by pixel-wise intensity variation and motion trajectory. Benefited from the advanced model and dynamic filtering, the interpolated frame has much better visual quality. Extensive experiments on the natural and synthesized videos demonstrate the superiority of HOMDF over the state-of-the-art methods in both subjective and objective comparisons.

High Dynamic Range Pixel Array Detector for Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy.

PubMed

Tate, Mark W; Purohit, Prafull; Chamberlain, Darol; Nguyen, Kayla X; Hovden, Robert; Chang, Celesta S; Deb, Pratiti; Turgut, Emrah; Heron, John T; Schlom, Darrell G; Ralph, Daniel C; Fuchs, Gregory D; Shanks, Katherine S; Philipp, Hugh T; Muller, David A; Gruner, Sol M

2016-02-01

We describe a hybrid pixel array detector (electron microscope pixel array detector, or EMPAD) adapted for use in electron microscope applications, especially as a universal detector for scanning transmission electron microscopy. The 128×128 pixel detector consists of a 500 µm thick silicon diode array bump-bonded pixel-by-pixel to an application-specific integrated circuit. The in-pixel circuitry provides a 1,000,000:1 dynamic range within a single frame, allowing the direct electron beam to be imaged while still maintaining single electron sensitivity. A 1.1 kHz framing rate enables rapid data collection and minimizes sample drift distortions while scanning. By capturing the entire unsaturated diffraction pattern in scanning mode, one can simultaneously capture bright field, dark field, and phase contrast information, as well as being able to analyze the full scattering distribution, allowing true center of mass imaging. The scattering is recorded on an absolute scale, so that information such as local sample thickness can be directly determined. This paper describes the detector architecture, data acquisition system, and preliminary results from experiments with 80-200 keV electron beams.

Tracking performance of a single-crystal and a polycrystalline diamond pixel-detector

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

Menasce, D.; et al.

2013-06-01

We present a comparative characterization of the performance of a single-crystal and a polycrystalline diamond pixel-detector employing the standard CMS pixel readout chips. Measurements were carried out at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility, FTBF, using protons of momentum 120 GeV/c tracked by a high-resolution pixel telescope. Particular attention was directed to the study of the charge-collection, the charge-sharing among adjacent pixels and the achievable position resolution. The performance of the single-crystal detector was excellent and comparable to the best available silicon pixel-detectors. The measured average detection-efficiency was near unity, ε = 0.99860±0.00006, and the position-resolution for shared hits was aboutmore » 6 μm. On the other hand, the performance of the polycrystalline detector was hampered by its lower charge collection distance and the readout chip threshold. A new readout chip, capable of operating at much lower threshold (around 1 ke $-$), would be required to fully exploit the potential performance of the polycrystalline diamond pixel-detector.« less

The charge pump PLL clock generator designed for the 1.56 ns bin size time-to-digital converter pixel array of the Timepix3 readout ASIC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Y.; Brezina, C.; Desch, K.; Poikela, T.; Llopart, X.; Campbell, M.; Massimiliano, D.; Gromov, V.; Kluit, R.; van Beauzekom, M.; Zappon, F.; Zivkovic, V.

2014-01-01

Timepix3 is a newly developed pixel readout chip which is expected to be operated in a wide range of gaseous and silicon detectors. It is made of 256 × 256 pixels organized in a square pixel-array with 55 μm pitch. Oscillators running at 640 MHz are distributed across the pixel-array and allow for a highly accurate measurement of the arrival time of a hit. This paper concentrates on a low-jitter phase locked loop (PLL) that is located in the chip periphery. This PLL provides a control voltage which regulates the actual frequency of the individual oscillators, allowing for compensation of process, voltage, and temperature variations.

Junction-side illuminated silicon detector arrays

DOEpatents

Iwanczyk, Jan S.; Patt, Bradley E.; Tull, Carolyn

2004-03-30

A junction-side illuminated detector array of pixelated detectors is constructed on a silicon wafer. A junction contact on the front-side may cover the whole detector array, and may be used as an entrance window for light, x-ray, gamma ray and/or other particles. The back-side has an array of individual ohmic contact pixels. Each of the ohmic contact pixels on the back-side may be surrounded by a grid or a ring of junction separation implants. Effective pixel size may be changed by separately biasing different sections of the grid. A scintillator may be coupled directly to the entrance window while readout electronics may be coupled directly to the ohmic contact pixels. The detector array may be used as a radiation hardened detector for high-energy physics research or as avalanche imaging arrays.

ACE: Automatic Centroid Extractor for real time target tracking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cameron, K.; Whitaker, S.; Canaris, J.

1990-01-01

A high performance video image processor has been implemented which is capable of grouping contiguous pixels from a raster scan image into groups and then calculating centroid information for each object in a frame. The algorithm employed to group pixels is very efficient and is guaranteed to work properly for all convex shapes as well as most concave shapes. Processing speeds are adequate for real time processing of video images having a pixel rate of up to 20 million pixels per second. Pixels may be up to 8 bits wide. The processor is designed to interface directly to a transputer serial link communications channel with no additional hardware. The full custom VLSI processor was implemented in a 1.6 mu m CMOS process and measures 7200 mu m on a side.

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

Vedantham, Srinivasan; Shrestha, Suman; Karellas, Andrew, E-mail: andrew.karellas@umassmed.edu

Purpose: High-resolution, photon-counting, energy-resolved detector with fast-framing capability can facilitate simultaneous acquisition of precontrast and postcontrast images for subtraction angiography without pixel registration artifacts and can facilitate high-resolution real-time imaging during image-guided interventions. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the spatial resolution characteristics of a hexagonal pixel array photon-counting cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector. Methods: A 650 μm thick CdTe Schottky photon-counting detector capable of concurrently acquiring up to two energy-windowed images was operated in a single energy-window mode to include photons of 10 keV or higher. The detector had hexagonal pixels with apothem of 30 μm resulting in pixelmore » pitch of 60 and 51.96 μm along the two orthogonal directions. The detector was characterized at IEC-RQA5 spectral conditions. Linear response of the detector was determined over the air kerma rate relevant to image-guided interventional procedures ranging from 1.3 nGy/frame to 91.4 μGy/frame. Presampled modulation transfer was determined using a tungsten edge test device. The edge-spread function and the finely sampled line spread function accounted for hexagonal sampling, from which the presampled modulation transfer function (MTF) was determined. Since detectors with hexagonal pixels require resampling to square pixels for distortion-free display, the optimal square pixel size was determined by minimizing the root-mean-squared-error of the aperture functions for the square and hexagonal pixels up to the Nyquist limit. Results: At Nyquist frequencies of 8.33 and 9.62 cycles/mm along the apothem and orthogonal to the apothem directions, the modulation factors were 0.397 and 0.228, respectively. For the corresponding axis, the limiting resolution defined as 10% MTF occurred at 13.3 and 12 cycles/mm, respectively. Evaluation of the aperture functions yielded an optimal square pixel size of 54 μm. After resampling to 54 μm square pixels using trilinear interpolation, the presampled MTF at Nyquist frequency of 9.26 cycles/mm was 0.29 and 0.24 along the orthogonal directions and the limiting resolution (10% MTF) occurred at approximately 12 cycles/mm. Visual analysis of a bar pattern image showed the ability to resolve close to 12 line-pairs/mm and qualitative evaluation of a neurovascular nitinol-stent showed the ability to visualize its struts at clinically relevant conditions. Conclusions: Hexagonal pixel array photon-counting CdTe detector provides high spatial resolution in single-photon counting mode. After resampling to optimal square pixel size for distortion-free display, the spatial resolution is preserved. The dual-energy capabilities of the detector could allow for artifact-free subtraction angiography and basis material decomposition. The proposed high-resolution photon-counting detector with energy-resolving capability can be of importance for several image-guided interventional procedures as well as for pediatric applications.« less

Modeling of body tissues for Monte Carlo simulation of radiotherapy treatments planned with conventional x-ray CT systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanematsu, Nobuyuki; Inaniwa, Taku; Nakao, Minoru

2016-07-01

In the conventional procedure for accurate Monte Carlo simulation of radiotherapy, a CT number given to each pixel of a patient image is directly converted to mass density and elemental composition using their respective functions that have been calibrated specifically for the relevant x-ray CT system. We propose an alternative approach that is a conversion in two steps: the first from CT number to density and the second from density to composition. Based on the latest compilation of standard tissues for reference adult male and female phantoms, we sorted the standard tissues into groups by mass density and defined the representative tissues by averaging the material properties per group. With these representative tissues, we formulated polyline relations between mass density and each of the following; electron density, stopping-power ratio and elemental densities. We also revised a procedure of stoichiometric calibration for CT-number conversion and demonstrated the two-step conversion method for a theoretically emulated CT system with hypothetical 80 keV photons. For the standard tissues, high correlation was generally observed between mass density and the other densities excluding those of C and O for the light spongiosa tissues between 1.0 g cm-3 and 1.1 g cm-3 occupying 1% of the human body mass. The polylines fitted to the dominant tissues were generally consistent with similar formulations in the literature. The two-step conversion procedure was demonstrated to be practical and will potentially facilitate Monte Carlo simulation for treatment planning and for retrospective analysis of treatment plans with little impact on the management of planning CT systems.

Spatially resolving the dust properties and submillimetre excess in M 33

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Relaño, M.; De Looze, I.; Kennicutt, R. C.; Lisenfeld, U.; Dariush, A.; Verley, S.; Braine, J.; Tabatabaei, F.; Kramer, C.; Boquien, M.; Xilouris, M.; Gratier, P.

2018-05-01

Context. The relative abundance of the dust grain types in the interstellar medium is directly linked to physical quantities that trace the evolution of galaxies. Because of the poor spatial resolution of the infrared and submillimetre data, we are able to study the dependence of the resolved infrared spectral energy distribution (SED) across regions of the interstellar medium (ISM) with different physical properties in just a few objects. Aims: We aim to study the dust properties of the whole disc of M 33 at spatial scales of 170 pc. This analysis allows us to infer how the relative dust grain abundance changes with the conditions of the ISM, study the existence of a submillimetre excess and look for trends of the gas-to-dust mass ratio (GDR) with other physical properties of the galaxy. Methods: For each pixel in the disc of M 33 we have fitted the infrared SED using a physically motivated dust model that assumes an emissivity index β close to two. We applied a Bayesian statistical method to fit the individual SEDs and derived the best output values from the study of the probability density function of each parameter. We derived the relative amount of the different dust grains in the model, the total dust mass, and the strength of the interstellar radiation field (ISRF) heating the dust at each spatial location. Results: The relative abundance of very small grains tends to increase, and for big grains to decrease, at high values of Hα luminosity. This shows that the dust grains are modified inside the star-forming regions, in agreement with a theoretical framework of dust evolution under different physical conditions. The radial dependence of the GDR is consistent with the shallow metallicity gradient observed in this galaxy. The strength of the ISRF derived in our model correlates with the star formation rate in the galaxy in a pixel by pixel basis. Although this is expected, it is the first time that a correlation between the two quantities has been reported. We have produced a map of submillimetre excess in the 500 μm SPIRE band for the disc of M 33. The excess can be as high as 50% and increases at large galactocentric distances. We further studied the relation of the excess with other physical properties of the galaxy and find that the excess is prominent in zones of diffuse ISM outside the main star-forming regions, where the molecular gas and dust surface density are low.

Favre-Averaged Turbulence Statistics in Variable Density Mixing of Buoyant Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charonko, John; Prestridge, Kathy

2014-11-01

Variable density mixing of a heavy fluid jet with lower density ambient fluid in a subsonic wind tunnel was experimentally studied using Particle Image Velocimetry and Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence to simultaneously measure velocity and density. Flows involving the mixing of fluids with large density ratios are important in a range of physical problems including atmospheric and oceanic flows, industrial processes, and inertial confinement fusion. Here we focus on buoyant jets with coflow. Results from two different Atwood numbers, 0.1 (Boussinesq limit) and 0.6 (non-Boussinesq case), reveal that buoyancy is important for most of the turbulent quantities measured. Statistical characteristics of the mixing important for modeling these flows such as the PDFs of density and density gradients, turbulent kinetic energy, Favre averaged Reynolds stress, turbulent mass flux velocity, density-specific volume correlation, and density power spectra were also examined and compared with previous direct numerical simulations. Additionally, a method for directly estimating Reynolds-averaged velocity statistics on a per-pixel basis is extended to Favre-averages, yielding improved accuracy and spatial resolution as compared to traditional post-processing of velocity and density fields.

Phase Distribution and Selection of Partially Correlated Persistent Scatterers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lien, J.; Zebker, H. A.

2012-12-01

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) time-series methods can effectively estimate temporal surface changes induced by geophysical phenomena. However, such methods are susceptible to decorrelation due to spatial and temporal baselines (radar pass separation), changes in orbital geometries, atmosphere, and noise. These effects limit the number of interferograms that can be used for differential analysis and obscure the deformation signal. InSAR decorrelation effects may be ameliorated by exploiting pixels that exhibit phase stability across the stack of interferograms. These so-called persistent scatterer (PS) pixels are dominated by a single point-like scatterer that remains phase-stable over the spatial and temporal baseline. By identifying a network of PS pixels for use in phase unwrapping, reliable deformation measurements may be obtained even in areas of low correlation, where traditional InSAR techniques fail to produce useful observations. Many additional pixels can be added to the PS list if we are able to identify those in which a dominant scatterer exhibits partial, rather than complete, correlation across all radar scenes. In this work, we quantify and exploit the phase stability of partially correlated PS pixels. We present a new system model for producing interferometric pixel values from a complex surface backscatter function characterized by signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR). From this model, we derive the joint probabilistic distribution for PS pixel phases in a stack of interferograms as a function of SCR and spatial baselines. This PS phase distribution generalizes previous results that assume the clutter phase contribution is uncorrelated between radar passes. We verify the analytic distribution through a series of radar scattering simulations. We use the derived joint PS phase distribution with maximum-likelihood SCR estimation to analyze an area of the Hayward Fault Zone in the San Francisco Bay Area. We obtain a series of 38 interferometric images of the area from C-band ERS radar satellite passes between May 1995 and December 2000. We compare the estimated SCRs to those calculated with previously derived PS phase distributions. Finally, we examine the PS network density resulting from varying selection thresholds of SCR and compare to other PS identification techniques.

Multi-pixel high-resolution three-dimensional imaging radar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Ken B. (Inventor); Dengler, Robert J. (Inventor); Siegel, Peter H. (Inventor); Chattopadhyay, Goutam (Inventor); Ward, John S. (Inventor); Juan, Nuria Llombart (Inventor); Bryllert, Tomas E. (Inventor); Mehdi, Imran (Inventor); Tarsala, Jan A. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A three-dimensional imaging radar operating at high frequency e.g., 670 GHz radar using low phase-noise synthesizers and a fast chirper to generate a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) waveform, is disclosed that operates with a multiplexed beam to obtain range information simultaneously on multiple pixels of a target. A source transmit beam may be divided by a hybrid coupler into multiple transmit beams multiplexed together and directed to be reflected off a target and return as a single receive beam which is demultiplexed and processed to reveal range information of separate pixels of the target associated with each transmit beam simultaneously. The multiple transmit beams may be developed with appropriate optics to be temporally and spatially differentiated before being directed to the target. Temporal differentiation corresponds to a different intermediate frequencies separating the range information of the multiple pixels. Collinear transmit beams having differentiated polarizations may also be implemented.

Mapping wood density globally using remote sensing and climatological data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno, A.; Camps-Valls, G.; Carvalhais, N.; Kattge, J.; Robinson, N.; Reichstein, M.; Allred, B. W.; Running, S. W.

2017-12-01

Wood density (WD) is defined as the oven-dry mass divided by fresh volume, varies between individuals, and describes the carbon investment per unit volume of stem. WD has been proven to be a key functional trait in carbon cycle research and correlates with numerous morphological, mechanical, physiological, and ecological properties. In spite of the utility and importance of this trait, there is a lack of an operational framework to spatialize plant WD measurements at a global scale. In this work, we present a consistent modular processing chain to derive global maps (500 m) of WD using modern machine learning techniques along with optical remote sensing data (MODIS/Landsat) and climate data using the Google Earth Engine platform. The developed approach uses a hierarchical Bayesian approach to fill in gaps in the plant measured WD data set to maximize its global representativeness. WD plant species are then aggregated to Plant Functional Types (PFT). The spatial abundance of PFT at 500 m spatial resolution (MODIS) is calculated using a high resolution (30 m) PFT map developed using Landsat data. Based on these PFT abundances, representative WD values are estimated for each MODIS pixel with nearby measured data. Finally, random forests are used to globally estimate WD from these MODIS pixels using remote sensing and climate. The validation and assessment of the applied methods indicate that the model explains more than 72% of the spatial variance of the calculated community aggregated WD estimates with virtually unbiased estimates and low RMSE (<15%). The maps thus offer new opportunities to study and analyze the global patterns of variation of WD at an unprecedented spatial coverage and spatial resolution.

Single Particle Damage Events in Candidate Star Camera Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshall, Paul; Marshall, Cheryl; Polidan, Elizabeth; Wacyznski, Augustyn; Johnson, Scott

2005-01-01

Si charge coupled devices (CCDs) are currently the preeminent detector in star cameras as well as in the near ultraviolet (uv) to visible wavelength region for astronomical observations in space and in earth-observing space missions. Unfortunately, the performance of CCDs is permanently degraded by total ionizing dose (TID) and displacement damage effects. TID produces threshold voltage shifts on the CCD gates and displacement damage reduces the charge transfer efficiency (CTE), increases the dark current, produces dark current nonuniformities and creates random telegraph noise in individual pixels. In addition to these long term effects, cosmic ray and trapped proton transients also interfere with device operation on orbit. In the present paper, we investigate the dark current behavior of CCDs - in particular the formation and annealing of hot pixels. Such pixels degrade the ability of a CCD to perform science and also can present problems to the performance of star camera functions (especially if their numbers are not correctly anticipated). To date, most dark current radiation studies have been performed by irradiating the CCDs at room temperature but this can result in a significantly optimistic picture of the hot pixel count. We know from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) that high dark current pixels (so-called hot pixels or hot spikes) accumulate as a function of time on orbit. For example, the HST Advanced Camera for Surveys/Wide Field Camera instrument performs monthly anneals despite the loss of observational time, in order to partially anneal the hot pixels. Note that the fact that significant reduction in hot pixel populations occurs for room temperature anneals is not presently understood since none of the commonly expected defects in Si (e.g. divacancy, E center, and A-center) anneal at such a low temperature. A HST Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) CCD manufactured by E2V was irradiated while operating at -83C and the dark current studied as a function of temperature while the CCD was warmed to a sequence of temperatures up to a maximum of +30C. The device was then cooled back down to -83 and re-measured. Hot pixel populations were tracked during the warm-up and cool-down. Hot pixel annealing began below 40C and the anneal process was largely completed before the detector reached +3OC. There was no apparent sharp temperature dependence in the annealing. Although a large fraction of the hot pixels fell below the threshold to be counted as a hot pixel, they nevertheless remained warmer than the remaining population. The details of the mechanism for the formation and annealing of hot pixels is not presently understood, but it appears likely that hot pixels are associated with displacement damage occurring in high electric field regions.

Downsampling Photodetector Array with Windowing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patawaran, Ferze D.; Farr, William H.; Nguyen, Danh H.; Quirk, Kevin J.; Sahasrabudhe, Adit

2012-01-01

In a photon counting detector array, each pixel in the array produces an electrical pulse when an incident photon on that pixel is detected. Detection and demodulation of an optical communication signal that modulated the intensity of the optical signal requires counting the number of photon arrivals over a given interval. As the size of photon counting photodetector arrays increases, parallel processing of all the pixels exceeds the resources available in current application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and gate array (GA) technology; the desire for a high fill factor in avalanche photodiode (APD) detector arrays also precludes this. Through the use of downsampling and windowing portions of the detector array, the processing is distributed between the ASIC and GA. This allows demodulation of the optical communication signal incident on a large photon counting detector array, as well as providing architecture amenable to algorithmic changes. The detector array readout ASIC functions as a parallel-to-serial converter, serializing the photodetector array output for subsequent processing. Additional downsampling functionality for each pixel is added to this ASIC. Due to the large number of pixels in the array, the readout time of the entire photodetector is greater than the time between photon arrivals; therefore, a downsampling pre-processing step is done in order to increase the time allowed for the readout to occur. Each pixel drives a small counter that is incremented at every detected photon arrival or, equivalently, the charge in a storage capacitor is incremented. At the end of a user-configurable counting period (calculated independently from the ASIC), the counters are sampled and cleared. This downsampled photon count information is then sent one counter word at a time to the GA. For a large array, processing even the downsampled pixel counts exceeds the capabilities of the GA. Windowing of the array, whereby several subsets of pixels are designated for processing, is used to further reduce the computational requirements. The grouping of the designated pixel frame as the photon count information is sent one word at a time to the GA, the aggregation of the pixels in a window can be achieved by selecting only the designated pixel counts from the serial stream of photon counts, thereby obviating the need to store the entire frame of pixel count in the gate array. The pixel count se quence from each window can then be processed, forming lower-rate pixel statistics for each window. By having this processing occur in the GA rather than in the ASIC, future changes to the processing algorithm can be readily implemented. The high-bandwidth requirements of a photon counting array combined with the properties of the optical modulation being detected by the array present a unique problem that has not been addressed by current CCD or CMOS sensor array solutions.

Status and Plan for The Upgrade of The CMS Pixel Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Rong-Shyang; CMS Collaboration

2016-04-01

The silicon pixel detector is the innermost component of the CMS tracking system and plays a crucial role in the all-silicon CMS tracker. While the current pixel tracker is designed for and performing well at an instantaneous luminosity of up to 1 ×1034cm-2s-1, it can no longer be operated efficiently at significantly higher values. Based on the strong performance of the LHC accelerator, it is anticipated that peak luminosities of two times the design luminosity are likely to be reached before 2018 and perhaps significantly exceeded in the running period until 2022, referred to as LHC Run 3. Therefore, an upgraded pixel detector, referred to as the phase 1 upgrade, is planned for the year-end technical stop in 2016. With a new pixel readout chip (ROC), an additional fourth layer, two additional endcap disks, and a significantly reduced material budget the upgraded pixel detector will be able to sustain the efficiency of the pixel tracker at the increased requirements imposed by high luminosities and pile-up. The main new features of the upgraded pixel detector will be an ultra-light mechanical design, a digital readout chip with higher rate capability and a new cooling system. These and other design improvements, along with results of Monte Carlo simulation studies for the expected performance of the new pixel detector, will be discussed and compared to those of the current CMS detector.

Miniature Wide-Angle Lens for Small-Pixel Electronic Camera

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mouroulils, Pantazis; Blazejewski, Edward

2009-01-01

A proposed wideangle lens is shown that would be especially well suited for an electronic camera in which the focal plane is occupied by an image sensor that has small pixels. The design of the lens is intended to satisfy requirements for compactness, high image quality, and reasonably low cost, while addressing issues peculiar to the operation of small-pixel image sensors. Hence, this design is expected to enable the development of a new generation of compact, high-performance electronic cameras. The lens example shown has a 60 degree field of view and a relative aperture (f-number) of 3.2. The main issues affecting the design are also shown.

Design and fabrication of reflective spatial light modulator for high-dynamic-range wavefront control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Hao; Bierden, Paul; Cornelissen, Steven; Bifano, Thomas; Kim, Jin-Hong

2004-10-01

This paper describes design and fabrication of a microelectromechanical metal spatial light modulator (SLM) integrated with complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electronics, for high-dynamic-range wavefront control. The metal SLM consists of a large array of piston-motion MEMS mirror segments (pixels) which can deflect up to 0.78 µm each. Both 32x32 and 150x150 arrays of the actuators (1024 and 22500 elements respectively) were fabricated onto the CMOS driver electronics and individual pixels were addressed. A new process has been developed to reduce the topography during the metal MEMS processing to fabricate mirror pixels with improved optical quality.

Status of two-color and large format HgCdTe FPA technology at Raytheon Vision Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, E. P. G.; Bornfreund, R. E.; Kasai, I.; Pham, L. T.; Patten, E. A.; Peterson, J. M.; Roth, J. A.; Nosho, B. Z.; De Lyon, T. J.; Jensen, J. E.; Bangs, J. W.; Johnson, S. M.; Radford, W. A.

2006-02-01

Raytheon Vision Systems (RVS) is developing two-color and large format single color FPAs fabricated from molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) grown HgCdTe triple layer heterojunction (TLHJ) wafers on CdZnTe substrates and double layer heterojunction (DLHJ) wafers on Si substrates, respectively. MBE material growth development has resulted in scaling TLHJ growth on CdZnTe substrates from 10cm2 to 50cm2, long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) DLHJ growth on 4-inch Si substrates and the first demonstration of mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) DLHJ growth on 6-inch Si substrates with low defect density (<1000cm -2) and excellent uniformity (composition<0.1%, cut-off wavelength Δcenter-edge<0.1μm). Advanced FPA fabrication techniques such as inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching are being used to achieve high aspect ratio mesa delineation of individual detector elements with benefits to detector performance. Recent two-color detectors with MWIR and LWIR cut-off wavelengths of 5.5μm and 10.5μm, respectively, exhibit significant improvement in 78K LW performance with >70% quantum efficiency, diffusion limited reverse bias dark currents below 300pA and RA products (zero field-of-view, +150mV bias) in excess of 1×103 Ωcm2. Two-color 20μm unit-cell 1280×720 MWIR/LWIR FPAs with pixel response operability approaching 99% have been produced and high quality simultaneous imaging of the spectral bands has been achieved by mating the FPA to a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) with Time Division Multiplexed Integration (TDMI). Large format mega pixel 20μm unit-cell 2048×2048 and 25μm unit-cell 2560×512 FPAs have been demonstrated using DLHJ HgCdTe growth on Si substrates in the short wavelength infrared (SWIR) and MWIR spectral range. Recent imaging of 30μm unit-cell 256×256 LWIR FPAs with 10.0-10.7μm 78K cut-off wavelength and pixel response operability as high as 99.7% show the potential for extending HgCdTe/Si technology to LWIR wavelengths.

A new AC driving circuit for a top emission AMOLED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yongwen, Zhang; Wenbin, Chen; Haohan, Liu

2013-05-01

A new voltage programmed pixel circuit with top emission design for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays is presented and verified by HSPICE simulations. The proposed pixel circuit consists of five poly-Si TFTs, and can effectively compensate for the threshold voltage variation of the driving TFT. Meanwhile, the proposed pixel circuit offers an AC driving mode for the OLED by the two adjacent pulse voltage sources, which can suppress the degradation of the OLED. Moreover, a high contrast ratio can be achieved by the proposed pixel circuit since the OLED does not emit any light except for the emission period.

FIR Detector Sensitivity, Dynamic Range, and Multiplexing Requirements for the Origins Space Telescope (OST)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staguhn, Johannes G.

2018-05-01

Spectroscopic, cold, space-based mid-to-far-infrared (FIR) missions, such as the Origins Space Telescope, will require large (tens of kilopixels), ultra-sensitive FIR detector arrays with sufficient dynamic range and high-density multiplexing schemes for the readout, in order to optimize the scientific return while staying within a realistic cost range. Issues like power consumption of multiplexers and their readout are significantly more important for space missions than they are for ground-based or suborbital applications. In terms of the detectors and their configuration into large arrays, significant development efforts are needed even for both of the most mature candidate superconducting detector technologies, namely transition edge sensors and (microwave) kinetic inductance detectors. Here we explore both practical and fundamental limits for those technologies in order to lay out a realistic path forward for both technologies. We conclude that beyond the need to enhance the detector sensitivities and pixel numbers by about an order of magnitude over currently existing devices, improved concepts for larger dynamic range and multiplexing density will be needed in order to optimize the scientific return of future cold FIR space missions. Background-limited, very high spectral resolution instruments will require photon-counting detectors.

Three-dimensional imaging for large LArTPCs

DOE PAGES

Qian, X.; Zhang, Chao; Viren, B.; ...

2018-05-29

High-performance event reconstruction is critical for current and future massive liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs) to realize their full scientific potential. LArTPCs with readout using wire planes provide a limited number of 2D projections. In general, without a pixel- type readout it is challenging to achieve unambiguous 3D event reconstruction. As a remedy, we present a novel 3D imaging method, Wire-Cell, which incorporates the charge and sparsity information in addition to the time and geometry through simple and robust mathematics. Furthermore, the resulting 3D image of ionization density provides an excellent starting point for further reconstruction and enables themore » true power of 3D tracking calorimetry in LArTPCs.« less

Three-dimensional imaging for large LArTPCs

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

Qian, X.; Zhang, Chao; Viren, B.

High-performance event reconstruction is critical for current and future massive liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs) to realize their full scientific potential. LArTPCs with readout using wire planes provide a limited number of 2D projections. In general, without a pixel- type readout it is challenging to achieve unambiguous 3D event reconstruction. As a remedy, we present a novel 3D imaging method, Wire-Cell, which incorporates the charge and sparsity information in addition to the time and geometry through simple and robust mathematics. Furthermore, the resulting 3D image of ionization density provides an excellent starting point for further reconstruction and enables themore » true power of 3D tracking calorimetry in LArTPCs.« less

Experimental power spectral density analysis for mid- to high-spatial frequency surface error control.

PubMed

Hoyo, Javier Del; Choi, Heejoo; Burge, James H; Kim, Geon-Hee; Kim, Dae Wook

2017-06-20

The control of surface errors as a function of spatial frequency is critical during the fabrication of modern optical systems. A large-scale surface figure error is controlled by a guided removal process, such as computer-controlled optical surfacing. Smaller-scale surface errors are controlled by polishing process parameters. Surface errors of only a few millimeters may degrade the performance of an optical system, causing background noise from scattered light and reducing imaging contrast for large optical systems. Conventionally, the microsurface roughness is often given by the root mean square at a high spatial frequency range, with errors within a 0.5×0.5  mm local surface map with 500×500 pixels. This surface specification is not adequate to fully describe the characteristics for advanced optical systems. The process for controlling and minimizing mid- to high-spatial frequency surface errors with periods of up to ∼2-3  mm was investigated for many optical fabrication conditions using the measured surface power spectral density (PSD) of a finished Zerodur optical surface. Then, the surface PSD was systematically related to various fabrication process parameters, such as the grinding methods, polishing interface materials, and polishing compounds. The retraceable experimental polishing conditions and processes used to produce an optimal optical surface PSD are presented.

New Methods of Spectral-Density Based Graph Construction and Their Application to Hyperspectral Image Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stevens, Jeffrey

The past decade has seen the emergence of many hyperspectral image (HSI) analysis algorithms based on graph theory and derived manifold-coordinates. Yet, despite the growing number of algorithms, there has been limited study of the graphs constructed from spectral data themselves. Which graphs are appropriate for various HSI analyses--and why? This research aims to begin addressing these questions as the performance of graph-based techniques is inextricably tied to the graphical model constructed from the spectral data. We begin with a literature review providing a survey of spectral graph construction techniques currently used by the hyperspectral community, starting with simple constructs demonstrating basic concepts and then incrementally adding components to derive more complex approaches. Throughout this development, we discuss algorithm advantages and disadvantages for different types of hyperspectral analysis. A focus is provided on techniques influenced by spectral density through which the concept of community structure arises. Through the use of simulated and real HSI data, we demonstrate density-based edge allocation produces more uniform nearest neighbor lists than non-density based techniques through increasing the number of intracluster edges, facilitating higher k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) classification performance. Imposing the common mutuality constraint to symmetrify adjacency matrices is demonstrated to be beneficial in most circumstances, especially in rural (less cluttered) scenes. Many complex adaptive edge-reweighting techniques are shown to slightly degrade nearest-neighbor list characteristics. Analysis suggests this condition is possibly attributable to the validity of characterizing spectral density by a single variable representing data scale for each pixel. Additionally, it is shown that imposing mutuality hurts the performance of adaptive edge-allocation techniques or any technique that aims to assign a low number of edges (<10) to any pixel. A simple k bias addresses this problem. Many of the adaptive edge-reweighting techniques are based on the concept of codensity, so we explore codensity properties as they relate to density-based edge reweighting. We find that codensity may not be the best estimator of local scale due to variations in cluster density, so we introduce and compare two inherently density-weighted graph construction techniques from the data mining literature: shared nearest neighbors (SNN) and mutual proximity (MP). MP and SNN are not reliant upon a codensity measure, hence are not susceptible to its shortcomings. Neither has been used for hyperspectral analyses, so this presents the first study of these techniques on HSI data. We demonstrate MP and SNN can offer better performance, but in general none of the reweighting techniques improve the quality of these spectral graphs in our neighborhood structure tests. As such, these complex adaptive edge-reweighting techniques may need to be modified to increase their effectiveness. During this investigation, we probe deeper into properties of high-dimensional data and introduce the concept of concentration of measure (CoM)--the degradation in the efficacy of many common distance measures with increasing dimensionality--as it relates to spectral graph construction. CoM exists in pairwise distances between HSI pixels, but not to the degree experienced in random data of the same extrinsic dimension; a characteristic we demonstrate is due to the rich correlation and cluster structure present in HSI data. CoM can lead to hubness--a condition wherein some nodes have short distances (high similarities) to an exceptionally large number of nodes. We study hub presence in 49 HSI datasets of varying resolutions, altitudes, and spectral bands to demonstrate hubness effects are negligible in a k-NN classification example (generalized counting scenarios), but we note its impact on methods that use edge weights to derive manifold coordinates or splitting clusters based on spectral graph theory requires more investigation. Many of these new graph-related quantities can be exploited to demonstrate new techniques for HSI classification and anomaly detection. We present an initial exploration into this relatively new and exciting field based on an enhanced Schroedinger Eigenmap classification example and compare results to the current state-of-the-art approach. We produce equivalent results, but demonstrate different types of misclassifications, opening the door to combine the best of both approaches to achieve truly superior performance. A separate less mature hubness-assisted anomaly detector (HAAD) is also presented.

Development of CD3 cell quantitation algorithms for renal allograft biopsy rejection assessment utilizing open source image analysis software.

PubMed

Moon, Andres; Smith, Geoffrey H; Kong, Jun; Rogers, Thomas E; Ellis, Carla L; Farris, Alton B Brad

2018-02-01

Renal allograft rejection diagnosis depends on assessment of parameters such as interstitial inflammation; however, studies have shown interobserver variability regarding interstitial inflammation assessment. Since automated image analysis quantitation can be reproducible, we devised customized analysis methods for CD3+ T-cell staining density as a measure of rejection severity and compared them with established commercial methods along with visual assessment. Renal biopsy CD3 immunohistochemistry slides (n = 45), including renal allografts with various degrees of acute cellular rejection (ACR) were scanned for whole slide images (WSIs). Inflammation was quantitated in the WSIs using pathologist visual assessment, commercial algorithms (Aperio nuclear algorithm for CD3+ cells/mm 2 and Aperio positive pixel count algorithm), and customized open source algorithms developed in ImageJ with thresholding/positive pixel counting (custom CD3+%) and identification of pixels fulfilling "maxima" criteria for CD3 expression (custom CD3+ cells/mm 2 ). Based on visual inspections of "markup" images, CD3 quantitation algorithms produced adequate accuracy. Additionally, CD3 quantitation algorithms correlated between each other and also with visual assessment in a statistically significant manner (r = 0.44 to 0.94, p = 0.003 to < 0.0001). Methods for assessing inflammation suggested a progression through the tubulointerstitial ACR grades, with statistically different results in borderline versus other ACR types, in all but the custom methods. Assessment of CD3-stained slides using various open source image analysis algorithms presents salient correlations with established methods of CD3 quantitation. These analysis techniques are promising and highly customizable, providing a form of on-slide "flow cytometry" that can facilitate additional diagnostic accuracy in tissue-based assessments.

A 7 ke-SD-FWC 1.2 e-RMS Temporal Random Noise 128×256 Time-Resolved CMOS Image Sensor With Two In-Pixel SDs for Biomedical Applications.

PubMed

Seo, Min-Woong; Kawahito, Shoji

2017-12-01

A large full well capacity (FWC) for wide signal detection range and low temporal random noise for high sensitivity lock-in pixel CMOS image sensor (CIS) embedded with two in-pixel storage diodes (SDs) has been developed and presented in this paper. For fast charge transfer from photodiode to SDs, a lateral electric field charge modulator (LEFM) is used for the developed lock-in pixel. As a result, the time-resolved CIS achieves a very large SD-FWC of approximately 7ke-, low temporal random noise of 1.2e-rms at 20 fps with true correlated double sampling operation and fast intrinsic response less than 500 ps at 635 nm. The proposed imager has an effective pixel array of and a pixel size of . The sensor chip is fabricated by Dongbu HiTek 1P4M 0.11 CIS process.

Visual mining business service using pixel bar charts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hao, Ming C.; Dayal, Umeshwar; Casati, Fabio

2004-06-01

Basic bar charts have been commonly available, but they only show highly aggregated data. Finding the valuable information hidden in the data is essential to the success of business. We describe a new visualization technique called pixel bar charts, which are derived from regular bar charts. The basic idea of a pixel bar chart is to present all data values directly instead of aggregating them into a few data values. Pixel bar charts provide data distribution and exceptions besides aggregated data. The approach is to represent each data item (e.g. a business transaction) by a single pixel in the bar chart. The attribute of each data item is encoded into the pixel color and can be accessed and drilled down to the detail information as needed. Different color mappings are used to represent multiple attributes. This technique has been prototyped in three business service applications-Business Operation Analysis, Sales Analysis, and Service Level Agreement Analysis at Hewlett Packard Laboratories. Our applications show the wide applicability and usefulness of this new idea.

The pixel tracking telescope at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility

DOE PAGES

Kwan, Simon; Lei, CM; Menasce, Dario; ...

2016-03-01

An all silicon pixel telescope has been assembled and used at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility (FTBF) since 2009 to provide precise tracking information for different test beam experiments with a wide range of Detectors Under Test (DUTs) requiring high resolution measurement of the track impact point. The telescope is based on CMS pixel modules left over from the CMS forward pixel production. Eight planes are arranged to achieve a resolution of less than 8 μm on the 120 GeV proton beam transverse coordinate at the DUT position. In order to achieve such resolution with 100 × 150 μm 2more » pixel cells, the planes were tilted to 25 degrees to maximize charge sharing between pixels. Crucial for obtaining this performance is the alignment software, called Monicelli, specifically designed and optimized for this system. This paper will describe the telescope hardware, the data acquisition system and the alignment software constituting this particle tracking system for test beam users.« less

Highly Reflective Multi-stable Electrofluidic Display Pixels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Shu

Electronic papers (E-papers) refer to the displays that mimic the appearance of printed papers, but still owning the features of conventional electronic displays, such as the abilities of browsing websites and playing videos. The motivation of creating paper-like displays is inspired by the truths that reading on a paper caused least eye fatigue due to the paper's reflective and light diffusive nature, and, unlike the existing commercial displays, there is no cost of any form of energy for sustaining the displayed image. To achieve the equivalent visual effect of a paper print, an ideal E-paper has to be a highly reflective with good contrast ratio and full-color capability. To sustain the image with zero power consumption, the display pixels need to be bistable, which means the "on" and "off" states are both lowest energy states. Pixel can change its state only when sufficient external energy is given. There are many emerging technologies competing to demonstrate the first ideal E-paper device. However, none is able to achieve satisfactory visual effect, bistability and video speed at the same time. Challenges come from either the inherent physical/chemical properties or the fabrication process. Electrofluidic display is one of the most promising E-paper technologies. It has successfully demonstrated high reflectivity, brilliant color and video speed operation by moving colored pigment dispersion between visible and invisible places with electrowetting force. However, the pixel design did not allow the image bistability. Presented in this dissertation are the multi-stable electrofluidic display pixels that are able to sustain grayscale levels without any power consumption, while keeping the favorable features of the previous generation electrofluidic display. The pixel design, fabrication method using multiple layer dry film photoresist lamination, and physical/optical characterizations are discussed in details. Based on the pixel structure, the preliminary results of a simplified design and fabrication method are demonstrated. As advanced research topics regarding the device optical performance, firstly an optical model for evaluating reflective displays' light out-coupling efficiency is established to guide the pixel design; Furthermore, Aluminum surface diffusers are analytically modeled and then fabricated onto multi-stable electrofluidic display pixels to demonstrate truly "white" multi-stable electrofluidic display modules. The achieved results successfully promoted multi-stable electrofluidic display as excellent candidate for the ultimate E-paper device especially for larger scale signage applications.

X-ray CT core imaging of Oman Drilling Project on D/V CHIKYU

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michibayashi, K.; Okazaki, K.; Leong, J. A. M.; Kelemen, P. B.; Johnson, K. T. M.; Greenberger, R. N.; Manning, C. E.; Harris, M.; de Obeso, J. C.; Abe, N.; Hatakeyama, K.; Ildefonse, B.; Takazawa, E.; Teagle, D. A. H.; Coggon, J. A.

2017-12-01

We obtained X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) images for all cores (GT1A, GT2A, GT3A and BT1A) in Oman Drilling Project Phase 1 (OmanDP cores), since X-ray CT scanning is a routine measurement of the IODP measurement plan onboard Chikyu, which enables the non-destructive observation of the internal structure of core samples. X-ray CT images provide information about chemical compositions and densities of the cores and is useful for assessing sample locations and the quality of the whole-round samples. The X-ray CT scanner (Discovery CT 750HD, GE Medical Systems) on Chikyu scans and reconstructs the image of a 1.4 m section in 10 minutes and produces a series of scan images, each 0.625 mm thick. The X-ray tube (as an X-ray source) and the X-ray detector are installed inside of the gantry at an opposing position to each other. The core sample is scanned in the gantry with the scanning rate of 20 mm/sec. The distribution of attenuation values mapped to an individual slice comprises the raw data that are used for subsequent image processing. Successive two-dimensional (2-D) slices of 512 x 512 pixels yield a representation of attenuation values in three-dimensional (3-D) voxels of 512 x 512 by 1600 in length. Data generated for each core consist of core-axis-normal planes (XY planes) of X-ray attenuation values with dimensions of 512 × 512 pixels in 9 cm × 9 cm cross-section, meaning at the dimensions of a core section, the resolution is 0.176 mm/pixel. X-ray intensity varies as a function of X-ray path length and the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of the target material is a function of the chemical composition and density of the target material. The basic measure of attenuation, or radiodensity, is the CT number given in Hounsfield units (HU). CT numbers of air and water are -1000 and 0, respectively. Our preliminary results show that CT numbers of OmanDP cores are well correlated to gamma ray attenuation density (GRA density) as a function of chemical composition and mineral density, so that their profiles with respect to the core depth provide quick lithological information such as mineral identification and phase boundary etc. Moreover, X-ray CT images can be used for 3-D fabric analyses of the whole core even after core cutting into halves for individual analyses.

Fast Fiber-Coupled Imaging Devices

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

Brockington, Samuel; Case, Andrew; Witherspoon, Franklin Douglas

HyperV Technologies Corp. has successfully designed, built and experimentally demonstrated a full scale 1024 pixel 100 MegaFrames/s fiber coupled camera with 12 or 14 bits, and record lengths of 32K frames, exceeding our original performance objectives. This high-pixel-count, fiber optically-coupled, imaging diagnostic can be used for investigating fast, bright plasma events. In Phase 1 of this effort, a 100 pixel fiber-coupled fast streak camera for imaging plasma jet profiles was constructed and successfully demonstrated. The resulting response from outside plasma physics researchers emphasized development of increased pixel performance as a higher priority over increasing pixel count. In this Phase 2more » effort, HyperV therefore focused on increasing the sample rate and bit-depth of the photodiode pixel designed in Phase 1, while still maintaining a long record length and holding the cost per channel to levels which allowed up to 1024 pixels to be constructed. Cost per channel was 53.31 dollars, very close to our original target of $50 per channel. The system consists of an imaging "camera head" coupled to a photodiode bank with an array of optical fibers. The output of these fast photodiodes is then digitized at 100 Megaframes per second and stored in record lengths of 32,768 samples with bit depths of 12 to 14 bits per pixel. Longer record lengths are possible with additional memory. A prototype imaging system with up to 1024 pixels was designed and constructed and used to successfully take movies of very fast moving plasma jets as a demonstration of the camera performance capabilities. Some faulty electrical components on the 64 circuit boards resulted in only 1008 functional channels out of 1024 on this first generation prototype system. We experimentally observed backlit high speed fan blades in initial camera testing and then followed that with full movies and streak images of free flowing high speed plasma jets (at 30-50 km/s). Jet structure and jet collisions onto metal pillars in the path of the plasma jets were recorded in a single shot. This new fast imaging system is an attractive alternative to conventional fast framing cameras for applications and experiments where imaging events using existing techniques are inefficient or impossible. The development of HyperV's new diagnostic was split into two tracks: a next generation camera track, in which HyperV built, tested, and demonstrated a prototype 1024 channel camera at its own facility, and a second plasma community beta test track, where selected plasma physics programs received small systems of a few test pixels to evaluate the expected performance of a full scale camera on their experiments. These evaluations were performed as part of an unfunded collaboration with researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of California at Davis. Results from the prototype 1024-pixel camera are discussed, as well as results from the collaborations with test pixel system deployment sites.« less

Combined statistical analysis of landslide release and propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mergili, Martin; Rohmaneo, Mohammad; Chu, Hone-Jay

2016-04-01

Statistical methods - often coupled with stochastic concepts - are commonly employed to relate areas affected by landslides with environmental layers, and to estimate spatial landslide probabilities by applying these relationships. However, such methods only concern the release of landslides, disregarding their motion. Conceptual models for mass flow routing are used for estimating landslide travel distances and possible impact areas. Automated approaches combining release and impact probabilities are rare. The present work attempts to fill this gap by a fully automated procedure combining statistical and stochastic elements, building on the open source GRASS GIS software: (1) The landslide inventory is subset into release and deposition zones. (2) We employ a traditional statistical approach to estimate the spatial release probability of landslides. (3) We back-calculate the probability distribution of the angle of reach of the observed landslides, employing the software tool r.randomwalk. One set of random walks is routed downslope from each pixel defined as release area. Each random walk stops when leaving the observed impact area of the landslide. (4) The cumulative probability function (cdf) derived in (3) is used as input to route a set of random walks downslope from each pixel in the study area through the DEM, assigning the probability gained from the cdf to each pixel along the path (impact probability). The impact probability of a pixel is defined as the average impact probability of all sets of random walks impacting a pixel. Further, the average release probabilities of the release pixels of all sets of random walks impacting a given pixel are stored along with the area of the possible release zone. (5) We compute the zonal release probability by increasing the release probability according to the size of the release zone - the larger the zone, the larger the probability that a landslide will originate from at least one pixel within this zone. We quantify this relationship by a set of empirical curves. (6) Finally, we multiply the zonal release probability with the impact probability in order to estimate the combined impact probability for each pixel. We demonstrate the model with a 167 km² study area in Taiwan, using an inventory of landslides triggered by the typhoon Morakot. Analyzing the model results leads us to a set of key conclusions: (i) The average composite impact probability over the entire study area corresponds well to the density of observed landside pixels. Therefore we conclude that the method is valid in general, even though the concept of the zonal release probability bears some conceptual issues that have to be kept in mind. (ii) The parameters used as predictors cannot fully explain the observed distribution of landslides. The size of the release zone influences the composite impact probability to a larger degree than the pixel-based release probability. (iii) The prediction rate increases considerably when excluding the largest, deep-seated, landslides from the analysis. We conclude that such landslides are mainly related to geological features hardly reflected in the predictor layers used.

4.3 μm quantum cascade detector in pixel configuration.

PubMed

Harrer, A; Schwarz, B; Schuler, S; Reininger, P; Wirthmüller, A; Detz, H; MacFarland, D; Zederbauer, T; Andrews, A M; Rothermund, M; Oppermann, H; Schrenk, W; Strasser, G

2016-07-25

We present the design simulation and characterization of a quantum cascade detector operating at 4.3μm wavelength. Array integration and packaging processes were investigated. The device operates in the 4.3μm CO₂ absorption region and consists of 64 pixels. The detector is designed fully compatible to standard processing and material growth methods for scalability to large pixel counts. The detector design is optimized for a high device resistance at elevated temperatures. A QCD simulation model was enhanced for resistance and responsivity optimization. The substrate illuminated pixels utilize a two dimensional Au diffraction grating to couple the light to the active region. A single pixel responsivity of 16mA/W at room temperature with a specific detectivity D^* of 5⋅10⁷ cmHz/W was measured.

A Pixel Readout Chip in 40 nm CMOS Process for High Count Rate Imaging Systems with Minimization of Charge Sharing Effects

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

Maj, Piotr; Grybos, P.; Szczgiel, R.

2013-11-07

We present a prototype chip in 40 nm CMOS technology for readout of hybrid pixel detector. The prototype chip has a matrix of 18x24 pixels with a pixel pitch of 100 μm. It can operate both in single photon counting (SPC) mode and in C8P1 mode. In SPC the measured ENC is 84 e ₋rms (for the peaking time of 48 ns), while the effective offset spread is below 2 mV rms. In the C8P1 mode the chip reconstructs full charge deposited in the detector, even in the case of charge sharing, and it identifies a pixel with the largestmore » charge deposition. The chip architecture and preliminary measurements are reported.« less

Design and fabrication of AlGaInP-based micro-light-emitting-diode array devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Xingzhen; Liang, Jingqiu; Liang, Zhongzhu; Wang, Weibiao; Tian, Chao; Qin, Yuxin; Lü, Jinguang

2016-04-01

An integrated high-resolution (individual pixel size 80 μm×80 μm) solid-state self-emissive active matrix programmed with 320×240 micro-light-emitting-diode arrays structure was designed and fabricated on an AlGaInP semiconductor chip using micro electro-mechanical systems, microstructure and semiconductor fabricating techniques. Row pixels share a p-electrode and line pixels share an n-electrode. We experimentally investigated GaAs substrate thickness affects the electrical and optical characteristics of the pixels. For a 150-μm-thick GaAs substrate, the single pixel output power was 167.4 μW at 5 mA, and increased to 326.4 μW when current increase to 10 mA. The device investigated potentially plays an important role in many fields.

Global geological mapping of Ganymede

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patterson, G. Wesley; Collins, Geoffrey C.; Head, James W.; Pappalardo, Robert T.; Prockter, Louise M.; Lucchitta, Baerbel K.; Kay, Jonathan P.

2010-06-01

We have compiled a global geological map of Ganymede that represents the most recent understanding of the satellite based on Galileo mission results. This contribution builds on important previous accomplishments in the study of Ganymede utilizing Voyager data and incorporates the many new discoveries that were brought about by examination of Galileo data. We discuss the material properties of geological units defined utilizing a global mosaic of the surface with a nominal resolution of 1 km/pixel assembled by the USGS with the best available Voyager and Galileo regional coverage and high resolution imagery (100-200 m/pixel) of characteristic features and terrain types obtained by the Galileo spacecraft. We also use crater density measurements obtained from our mapping efforts to examine age relationships amongst the various defined units. These efforts have resulted in a more complete understanding of the major geological processes operating on Ganymede, especially the roles of cryovolcanic and tectonic processes in the formation of might materials. They have also clarified the characteristics of the geological units that comprise the satellite's surface, the stratigraphic relationships of those geological units and structures, and the geological history inferred from those relationships. For instance, the characteristics and stratigraphic relationships of dark lineated material and reticulate material suggest they represent an intermediate stage between dark cratered material and light material units.

Development of a prototype infrared imaging bolometer for NSTX-U

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Eden, G. G.; Delgado-Aparicio, L. F.; Gray, T. K.; Jaworski, M. A.; Morgan, T. W.; Peterson, B. J.; Reinke, M. L.; Sano, R.; Mukai, K.; Differ/Pppl Collaboration; Nifs/Pppl Collaboration

2015-11-01

Measurements of the radiated power in fusion reactors are of high importance for studying detachment and the overall power balance. A prototype Infrared Video Bolometer (IRVB) is being developed for NSTX-U complementing resistive bolometer and AXUV diode diagnostics. The IRVB has proven to be a powerful tool on LHD and JT-60U for its 2D imaging quality and reactor environment compatibility. For NSTX-U, a poloidal view of the lower center stack and lower divertor are envisaged for the 2016 run campaign. The IRVB concept images radiation from the plasma onto a 2.5 μm thick 9 x 7 cm2 calibrated Pt foil and monitors its temperature evolution using an IR camera (SB focal plane, 2-12 μm, 128x128 pixels, 1.6 kHz). The power incident on the foil is calculated by solving the 2D +time heat diffusion equation. Benchtop characterization is presented, demonstrating a sensitivity of approximately 20 mK and a noise equivalent power density of 71.5 μW cm-2 for 4x20 bolometer super-pixels and a 50 Hz time response. The hardware design, optimization of camera and detector settings as well as first results of both synthetic and experimental origin are discussed.

Absolute photometric calibration of IRAC: lessons learned using nine years of flight data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carey, S.; Ingalls, J.; Hora, J.; Surace, J.; Glaccum, W.; Lowrance, P.; Krick, J.; Cole, D.; Laine, S.; Engelke, C.; Price, S.; Bohlin, R.; Gordon, K.

2012-09-01

Significant improvements in our understanding of various photometric effects have occurred in the more than nine years of flight operations of the Infrared Array Camera aboard the Spitzer Space Telescope. With the accumulation of calibration data, photometric variations that are intrinsic to the instrument can now be mapped with high fidelity. Using all existing data on calibration stars, the array location-dependent photometric correction (the variation of flux with position on the array) and the correction for intra-pixel sensitivity variation (pixel-phase) have been modeled simultaneously. Examination of the warm mission data enabled the characterization of the underlying form of the pixelphase variation in cryogenic data. In addition to the accumulation of calibration data, significant improvements in the calibration of the truth spectra of the calibrators has taken place. Using the work of Engelke et al. (2006), the KIII calibrators have no offset as compared to the AV calibrators, providing a second pillar of the calibration scheme. The current cryogenic calibration is better than 3% in an absolute sense, with most of the uncertainty still in the knowledge of the true flux densities of the primary calibrators. We present the final state of the cryogenic IRAC calibration and a comparison of the IRAC calibration to an independent calibration methodology using the HST primary calibrators.

Rectification of the background potassium current: a determinant of rotor dynamics in ventricular fibrillation.

PubMed

Samie, F H; Berenfeld, O; Anumonwo, J; Mironov, S F; Udassi, S; Beaumont, J; Taffet, S; Pertsov, A M; Jalife, J

2001-12-07

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death. Yet, the mechanisms of VF remain elusive. Pixel-by-pixel spectral analysis of optical signals was carried out in video imaging experiments using a potentiometric dye in the Langendorff-perfused guinea pig heart. Dominant frequencies (peak with maximal power) were distributed throughout the ventricles in clearly demarcated domains. The fastest domain (25 to 32 Hz) was always on the anterior left ventricular (LV) wall and was shown to result from persistent rotor activity. Intermittent block and breakage of wavefronts at specific locations in the periphery of such rotors were responsible for the domain organization. Patch-clamping of ventricular myocytes from the LV and the right ventricle (RV) demonstrated an LV-to-RV drop in the amplitude of the outward component of the background rectifier current (I(B)). Computer simulations suggested that rotor stability in LV resulted from relatively small rectification of I(B) (presumably I(K1)), whereas instability, termination, and wavebreaks in RV were a consequence of strong rectification. This study provides new evidence in the isolated guinea pig heart that a persistent high-frequency rotor in the LV maintains VF, and that spatially distributed gradients in I(K1) density represent a robust ionic mechanism for rotor stabilization and wavefront fragmentation.

Viewing-zone enlargement method for sampled hologram that uses high-order diffraction.

PubMed

Mishina, Tomoyuki; Okui, Makoto; Okano, Fumio

2002-03-10

We demonstrate a method of enlarging the viewing zone for holography that has holograms with a pixel structure. First, aliasing generated by the sampling of a hologram by pixel is described. Next the high-order diffracted beams reproduced from the hologram that contains aliasing are explained. Finally, we show that the viewing zone can be enlarged by combining these high-order reconstructed beams from the hologram with aliasing.

Efficient phase contrast imaging in STEM using a pixelated detector. Part 1: Experimental demonstration at atomic resolution

DOE PAGES

Pennycook, Timothy J.; Lupini, Andrew R.; Yang, Hao; ...

2014-10-15

In this paper, we demonstrate a method to achieve high efficiency phase contrast imaging in aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with a pixelated detector. The pixelated detector is used to record the Ronchigram as a function of probe position which is then analyzed with ptychography. Ptychography has previously been used to provide super-resolution beyond the diffraction limit of the optics, alongside numerically correcting for spherical aberration. Here we rely on a hardware aberration corrector to eliminate aberrations, but use the pixelated detector data set to utilize the largest possible volume of Fourier space to create high efficiency phasemore » contrast images. The use of ptychography to diagnose the effects of chromatic aberration is also demonstrated. In conclusion, the four dimensional dataset is used to compare different bright field detector configurations from the same scan for a sample of bilayer graphene. Our method of high efficiency ptychography produces the clearest images, while annular bright field produces almost no contrast for an in-focus aberration-corrected probe.« less

Design and characterization of the ePix10k: a high dynamic range integrating pixel ASIC for LCLS detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caragiulo, P.; Dragone, A.; Markovic, B.; Herbst, R.; Nishimura, K.; Reese, B.; Herrmann, S.; Hart, P.; Blaj, G.; Segal, J.; Tomada, A.; Hasi, J.; Carini, G.; Kenney, C.; Haller, G.

2015-05-01

ePix10k is a variant of a novel class of integrating pixel ASICs architectures optimized for the processing of signals in second generation LINAC Coherent Light Source (LCLS) X-Ray cameras. The ASIC is optimized for high dynamic range application requiring high spatial resolution and fast frame rates. ePix ASICs are based on a common platform composed of a random access analog matrix of pixel with global shutter, fast parallel column readout, and dedicated sigma-delta analog to digital converters per column. The ePix10k variant has 100um×100um pixels arranged in a 176×192 matrix, a resolution of 140e- r.m.s. and a signal range of 3.5pC (10k photons at 8keV). In its final version it will be able to sustain a frame rate of 2kHz. A first prototype has been fabricated and characterized. Performance in terms of noise, linearity, uniformity, cross-talk, together with preliminary measurements with bump bonded sensors are reported here.

Fast Readout Architectures for Large Arrays of Digital Pixels: Examples and Applications

PubMed Central

Gabrielli, A.

2014-01-01

Modern pixel detectors, particularly those designed and constructed for applications and experiments for high-energy physics, are commonly built implementing general readout architectures, not specifically optimized in terms of speed. High-energy physics experiments use bidimensional matrices of sensitive elements located on a silicon die. Sensors are read out via other integrated circuits bump bonded over the sensor dies. The speed of the readout electronics can significantly increase the overall performance of the system, and so here novel forms of readout architectures are studied and described. These circuits have been investigated in terms of speed and are particularly suited for large monolithic, low-pitch pixel detectors. The idea is to have a small simple structure that may be expanded to fit large matrices without affecting the layout complexity of the chip, while maintaining a reasonably high readout speed. The solutions might be applied to devices for applications not only in physics but also to general-purpose pixel detectors whenever online fast data sparsification is required. The paper presents also simulations on the efficiencies of the systems as proof of concept for the proposed ideas. PMID:24778588

Study of a GaAs:Cr-based Timepix detector using synchrotron facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolyanskiy, P.; Kozhevnikov, D.; Bakina, O.; Chelkov, G.; Dedovich, D.; Kuper, K.; Leyva Fabelo, A.; Zhemchugov, A.

2017-11-01

High resistivity gallium arsenide compensated by chromium fabricated by Tomsk State University has demonstrated a good suitability as a sensor material for hybrid pixel detectors used in X-ray imaging systems with photon energies up to 60 keV. The material is available with a thickness up to 1 mm and due to its Z number a high absorption efficiency in this energy region is provided. However, the performance of thick GaAs:Cr-based detectors in spectroscopic applications is limited by readout electronics with relatively small pixels due to the charge sharing effect. In this paper, we present the experimental investigation of the charge sharing effect contribution in the GaAs:Cr-based Timepix detector. By means of scanning the detector with a pencil photon beam generated by the synchrotron facility, the geometrical mapping of pixel sensitivity is obtained, as well as the energy resolution of a single pixel. The experimental results are supported by numerical simulations. The observed limitation of the GaAs:Cr-based Timepix detector for the high flux X-ray imaging is discussed.

The Belle-II Depfet Pixel Detector at the Superkekb Flavour Factory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heindl, Stefan

2012-08-01

The ongoing upgrade of the asymmetric electron positron collider KEKB also requires extensive detector upgrades to cope with the new design luminosity of 8 · 1035 cm-2 · s-1 · Of critical importance is the new silicon pixel vertex tracker, which will significantly improve the decay vertex resolution, crucial for time dependent CP violation measurements. This new detector will consist of two layers of DEPFET pixel seii8ors very close to the interaction point. These sensors combine both particle detection and amplification of the signal by embedding a field effect transistor into a 75 μm thick fully depleted silicon substrate, providing very high signal to noise ratios and excellent spatial resolution. Using this technology satisfies the given requirements of extremely low material and high radiation tolerance at the new Belle II experiment. The power dissipation due to continuous readout at high rate and spatial constraints also give strict requirements for the mechanical support and cooling of the new detector. We will discuss the overall concept of the pixel vertex tracker, its expected performance and the challenging mechanical integration.

Analysis of LED arrangement in an array with respect to lens geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ley, Peer-Phillip; Held, Marcel Philipp; Lachmayer, Roland

2018-02-01

Highly adaptive light sources such as LED arrays have been surpassing conventional light sources (halogen, xenon) for automotive applications. Individual LED arrangements within the array, high durability and low energy consumption of the LEDs are some of the reasons. With the introduction of Audi's Matrix beam system, efforts to increase the quantity of pixels were already underway and the stage was practically set for pixel light systems. Current efforts are focused towards the exploration of an optimal LED array density and the use of spatial light modulators. In both cases, one question remains - What arrangement of LEDs is the most suitable in terms of light output efficiency for a given lens geometry? The radiation characteristics of an LED usually shows a Lambertian pattern. Following from the definition of luminous efficacy, this characteristic property of LEDs has a decisive impact on the lens geometry in a given array. Due to the proportional correlation between the lens diameter and the distance of LEDs emission surface to the lens surface. Assuming a constant viewing angle an increase of the distance leads to an increase of the lens diameter. In this paper, two different approaches for an optimized LED array with regards to the LED arrangement will be presented. The introduced designs result from one imaging and one non-imaging optical system, which will be investigated. The paper is concluded with a comparative analysis of the LED array design as a function of the LED pitch and the luminous efficacy.

Model-free uncertainty estimation in stochastical optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI) leads to a doubled temporal resolution

PubMed Central

Vandenberg, Wim; Duwé, Sam; Leutenegger, Marcel; Moeyaert, Benjamien; Krajnik, Bartosz; Lasser, Theo; Dedecker, Peter

2016-01-01

Stochastic optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI) is a super-resolution fluorescence imaging technique that makes use of stochastic fluctuations in the emission of the fluorophores. During a SOFI measurement multiple fluorescence images are acquired from the sample, followed by the calculation of the spatiotemporal cumulants of the intensities observed at each position. Compared to other techniques, SOFI works well under conditions of low signal-to-noise, high background, or high emitter densities. However, it can be difficult to unambiguously determine the reliability of images produced by any superresolution imaging technique. In this work we present a strategy that enables the estimation of the variance or uncertainty associated with each pixel in the SOFI image. In addition to estimating the image quality or reliability, we show that this can be used to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of SOFI images by including multiple pixel combinations in the cumulant calculation. We present an algorithm to perform this optimization, which automatically takes all relevant instrumental, sample, and probe parameters into account. Depending on the optical magnification of the system, this strategy can be used to improve the SNR of a SOFI image by 40% to 90%. This gain in information is entirely free, in the sense that it does not require additional efforts or complications. Alternatively our approach can be applied to reduce the number of fluorescence images to meet a particular quality level by about 30% to 50%, strongly improving the temporal resolution of SOFI imaging. PMID:26977356

Trap pumping schemes for the Euclid CCD273 detector: characterisation of electrodes and defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skottfelt, J.; Hall, D. J.; Dryer, B.; Bush, N.; Campa, J.; Gow, J. P. D.; Holland, A. D.; Jordan, D.; Burt, D.

2017-12-01

The VISible imager instrument (VIS) on board the Euclid mission will deliver high resolution shape measurements of galaxies down to very faint limits (R ~ 25 at 10σ) in a large part of the sky, in order to infer the distribution of dark matter in the Universe. To help mitigate radiation damage effects that will accumulate in the detectors over the mission lifetime, the properties of the radiation induced traps needs to be known with as high precision as possible. For this purpose the trap pumping method will be employed as part of the in-orbit calibration routines. Using trap pumping it is possible to identify and characterise single traps in a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD), thus providing information such as the density, emission time constants and sub-pixel positions of the traps in the detectors. This paper presents the trap pumping algorithms used for the radiation testing campaign of the CCD273 detectors, performed by the Centre for Electronic Imaging (CEI) at the Open University, that will be used for the VIS instrument. The CCD273 is a four-phase device with uneven phase widths, which complicates the trap pumping analysis. However, we find that by optimising the trap pumping algorithms and analysis routines, it is possible to obtain sub-pixel and even sub-phase positional information about the traps. Further, by comparing trap pumping data with simulations, it is possible to gain more information about the effective electrode widths of the device.

Toward high-resolution optoelectronic retinal prosthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palanker, Daniel; Huie, Philip; Vankov, Alexander; Asher, Alon; Baccus, Steven

2005-04-01

It has been already demonstrated that electrical stimulation of retina can produce visual percepts in blind patients suffering from macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Current retinal implants provide very low resolution (just a few electrodes), while several thousand pixels are required for functional restoration of sight. We present a design of the optoelectronic retinal prosthetic system that can activate a retinal stimulating array with pixel density up to 2,500 pix/mm2 (geometrically corresponding to a visual acuity of 20/80), and allows for natural eye scanning rather than scanning with a head-mounted camera. The system operates similarly to "virtual reality" imaging devices used in military and medical applications. An image from a video camera is projected by a goggle-mounted infrared LED-LCD display onto the retina, activating an array of powered photodiodes in the retinal implant. Such a system provides a broad field of vision by allowing for natural eye scanning. The goggles are transparent to visible light, thus allowing for simultaneous utilization of remaining natural vision along with prosthetic stimulation. Optical control of the implant allows for simple adjustment of image processing algorithms and for learning. A major prerequisite for high resolution stimulation is the proximity of neural cells to the stimulation sites. This can be achieved with sub-retinal implants constructed in a manner that directs migration of retinal cells to target areas. Two basic implant geometries are described: perforated membranes and protruding electrode arrays. Possibility of the tactile neural stimulation is also examined.

The influence of the cluster environment on the star formation efficiency of 12 Virgo spiral galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vollmer, B.; Wong, O. I.; Braine, J.; Chung, A.; Kenney, J. D. P.

2012-07-01

The influence of the environment on gas surface density and star formation efficiency of cluster spiral galaxies is investigated. We extend previous work on radial profiles by a pixel-to pixel analysis looking for asymmetries due to environmental interactions. The star formation rate is derived from GALEX UV and Spitzer total infrared data based on the 8, 24, 70, and 160 μm data. As in field galaxies, the star formation rate for most Virgo galaxies is approximately proportional to the molecular gas mass. Except for NGC 4438, the cluster environment does not affect the star formation efficiency with respect to the molecular gas. Gas truncation is not associated with major changes in the total gas surface density distribution of the inner disk of Virgo spiral galaxies. In three galaxies (NGC 4430, NGC 4501, and NGC 4522), possible increases in the molecular fraction and the star formation efficiency with respect to the total gas, of factors of 1.5 to 2, are observed on the windward side of the galactic disk. A significant increase of the star formation efficiency with respect to the molecular gas content on the windward side of ram pressure-stripped galaxies is not observed. The ram-pressure stripped extraplanar gas of 3 highly inclined spiral galaxies (NGC 4330, NGC 4438, and NGC 4522) shows a depressed star formation efficiency with respect to the total gas, and one of them (NGC 4438) shows a depressed rate even with respect to the molecular gas. The interpretation is that stripped gas loses the gravitational confinement and associated pressure of the galactic disk, and the gas flow is diverging, so the gas density decreases and the star formation rate drops. We found two such regions of low star formation efficiency in the more face-on galaxies NGC 4501 and NGC 4654 which are both undergoing ram pressure stripping. These regions show low radio continuum emission or unusually steep radio spectral index. However, the stripped extraplanar gas in one highly inclined galaxy (NGC 4569) shows a normal star formation efficiency with respect to the total gas. We propose this galaxy is different because it is observed long after peak pressure, and its extraplanar gas is now in a converging flow as it resettles back into the disk. Appendices are available in electronic form http://www.aanda.org

Study on pixel matching method of the multi-angle observation from airborne AMPR measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Weizhen; Qie, Lili; Li, Zhengqiang; Sun, Xiaobing; Hong, Jin; Chen, Xingfeng; Xu, Hua; Sun, Bin; Wang, Han

2015-10-01

For the along-track scanning mode, the same place along the ground track could be detected by the Advanced Multi-angular Polarized Radiometer (AMPR) with several different scanning angles from -55 to 55 degree, which provides a possible means to get the multi-angular detection for some nearby pixels. However, due to the ground sample spacing and spatial footprint of the detection, the different sizes of footprints cannot guarantee the spatial matching of some partly overlap pixels, which turn into a bottleneck for the effective use of the multi-angular detected information of AMPR to study the aerosol and surface polarized properties. Based on our definition and calculation of t he pixel coincidence rate for the multi-angular detection, an effective multi-angle observation's pixel matching method is presented to solve the spatial matching problem for airborne AMPR. Assuming the shape of AMPR's each pixel is an ellipse, and the major axis and minor axis depends on the flying attitude and each scanning angle. By the definition of coordinate system and origin of coordinate, the latitude and longitude could be transformed into the Euclidian distance, and the pixel coincidence rate of two nearby ellipses could be calculated. Via the traversal of each ground pixel, those pixels with high coincidence rate could be selected and merged, and with the further quality control of observation data, thus the ground pixels dataset with multi-angular detection could be obtained and analyzed, providing the support for the multi-angular and polarized retrieval algorithm research in t he next study.

High responsivity CMOS imager pixel implemented in SOI technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zheng, X.; Wrigley, C.; Yang, G.; Pain, B.

2000-01-01

Availability of mature sub-micron CMOS technology and the advent of the new low noise active pixel sensor (APS) concept have enabled the development of low power, miniature, single-chip, CMOS digital imagers in the decade of the 1990's.

Tests of UFXC32k chip with CdTe pixel detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maj, P.; Taguchi, T.; Nakaye, Y.

2018-02-01

The paper presents the performance of the UFXC32K—a hybrid pixel detector readout chip working with CdTe detectors. The UFXC32K has a pixel pitch of 75 μm and can cope with both input signal polarities. This functionality allows operating with widely used silicon sensors collecting holes and CdTe sensors collecting electrons. This article describes the chip focusing on solving the issues connected to high-Z sensor material, namely high leakage currents, slow charge collection time and thick material resulting in increased charge-sharring effects. The measurements were conducted with higher X-ray energies including 17.4 keV from molybdenum. Conclusions drawn inside the paper show the UFXC32K's usability for CdTe sensors in high X-ray energy applications.