Sample records for light collection system

  1. Wide acceptance angle, high concentration ratio, optical collector

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kruer, Mark A. (Inventor)

    1991-01-01

    A cassegrain optical system provides improved collection of off-axis light yet is still characterized by a high concentration ratio. The optical system includes a primary mirror for collecting incoming light and reflecting the light to a secondary mirror which, in turn, reflects the light to a solar cell or other radiation collection device. The primary mirror reflects incoming on-axis light onto an annular section of the secondary mirror and results in the reflection of a substantial amount of incoming off-axis light onto the remainder of the secondary mirror. Thus light which would otherwise be lost to the system will be captured by the collector. Furthermore, the off-axis sections of the secondary mirror may be of a different geometrical shape than the on-axis annular section so as to optimize the amount of off-axis light collected.

  2. Natural light illumination system.

    PubMed

    Whang, Allen Jong-Woei; Chen, Yi-Yung; Yang, Shu-Hua; Pan, Po-Hsuan; Chou, Kao-Hsu; Lee, Yu-Chi; Lee, Zong-Yi; Chen, Chi-An; Chen, Cheng-Nan

    2010-12-10

    In recent years, green energy has undergone a lot of development and has been the subject of many applications. Many research studies have focused on illumination with sunlight as a means of saving energy and creating healthy lighting. Natural light illumination systems have collecting, transmitting, and lighting elements. Today, most daylight collectors use dynamic concentrators; these include Sun tracking systems. However, this design is too expensive to be cost effective. To create a low-cost collector that can be easily installed on a large building, we have designed a static concentrator, which is prismatic and cascadable, to collect sunlight for indoor illumination. The transmission component uses a large number of optical fibers. Because optical fibers are expensive, this means that most of the cost for the system will be related to transmission. In this paper, we also use a prismatic structure to design an optical coupler for coupling n to 1. With the n-to-1 coupler, the number of optical fibers necessary can be greatly reduced. Although this new natural light illumination system can effectively guide collected sunlight and send it to the basement or to other indoor places for healthy lighting, previously there has been no way to manage the collected sunlight when lighting was not desired. To solve this problem, we have designed an optical switch and a beam splitter to control and separate the transmitted light. When replacing traditional sources, the lighting should have similar characteristics, such as intensity distribution and geometric parameters, to those of traditional artificial sources. We have designed, simulated, and optimized an illumination lightpipe with a dot pattern to redistribute the collected sunlight from the natural light illumination system such that it equals the qualities of a traditional lighting system. We also provide an active lighting module that provides lighting from the natural light illumination system or LED auxiliary sources, depending on circumstances. The system is controlled by a light detector. We used optical simulation tools to design and simulate the efficiency of the active module. Finally, we used the natural light illumination system to provide natural illumination for a traffic tunnel. This system will provide a great number of benefits for the people who use it.

  3. A cascadable circular concentrator with parallel compressed structure for increasing the energy density

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ku, Nai-Lun; Chen, Yi-Yung; Hsieh, Wei-Che; Whang, Allen Jong-Woei

    2012-02-01

    Due to the energy crisis, the principle of green energy gains popularity. This leads the increasing interest in renewable energy such as solar energy. Thus, how to collect the sunlight for indoor illumination becomes our ultimate target. With the environmental awareness increasing, we use the nature light as the light source. Then we start to devote the development of solar collecting system. The Natural Light Guiding System includes three parts, collecting, transmitting and lighting part. The idea of our solar collecting system design is a concept for combining the buildings with a combination of collecting modules. Therefore, we can use it anyplace where the sunlight can directly impinges on buildings with collecting elements. In the meantime, while collecting the sunlight with high efficiency, we can transmit the sunlight into indoor through shorter distance zone by light pipe where we needs the light. We proposed a novel design including disk-type collective lens module. With the design, we can let the incident light and exit light be parallel and compressed. By the parallel and compressed design, we make every output light become compressed in the proposed optical structure. In this way, we can increase the ratio about light compression, get the better efficiency and let the energy distribution more uniform for indoor illumination. By the definition of "KPI" as an performance index about light density as following: lm/(mm)2, the simulation results show that the proposed Concentrator is 40,000,000 KPI much better than the 800,000 KPI measured from the traditional ones.

  4. Epifluorescence light collection for multiphoton microscopic endoscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brown, Christopher M.; Rivera, David R.; Xu, Chris; Webb, Watt W.

    2011-03-01

    Multiphoton microscopic endoscopy (MPM-E) is a promising medical in vivo diagnostic imaging technique because it captures intrinsic fluorescence and second harmonic generation signals to reveal anatomical and histological information about disease states in tissue. However, maximizing light collection from multiphoton endoscopes remains a challenge: weak nonlinear emissions from endogenous structures, miniature optics, large imaging depths, and light scattering in tissue all hamper light collection. The quantity of light that may be collected using a dual-clad fiber system from scattering phantoms that mimic the properties of the in vivo environment is measured. In this experiment, 800nm excitation light from a Ti:Sapphire laser is dispersion compensated and focused through a SM800 optical fiber and lens system into the tissue phantom. Emission light from the phantom passes through the lens system, reflects off the dichroic and is then collected by a second optical fiber actuated by a micromanipulator. The lateral position of the collection fiber varies, measuring the distribution of emitted light 2000μm on either side of the focal point reimaged to the object plane. This spatial collection measurement is performed at depths up to 200μm from the phantom surface. The tissue phantoms are composed of a 15.8 μM fluorescein solution mixed with microspheres, approximating the scattering properties of human bladder and dermis tissue. Results show that commercially available dual-clad optical fibers collect more than 47% of the total emission returning to the object plane from both phantoms. Based on these results, initial MPM-E devices will image the surface of epithelial tissues.

  5. The system analysis of light field information collection based on the light field imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Ye; Li, Wenhua; Hao, Chenyang

    2016-10-01

    Augmented reality(AR) technology is becoming the study focus, and the AR effect of the light field imaging makes the research of light field camera attractive. The micro array structure was adopted in most light field information acquisition system(LFIAS) since emergence of light field camera, micro lens array(MLA) and micro pinhole array(MPA) system mainly included. It is reviewed in this paper the structure of the LFIAS that the Light field camera commonly used in recent years. LFIAS has been analyzed based on the theory of geometrical optics. Meanwhile, this paper presents a novel LFIAS, plane grating system, we call it "micro aperture array(MAA." And the LFIAS are analyzed based on the knowledge of information optics; This paper proves that there is a little difference in the multiple image produced by the plane grating system. And the plane grating system can collect and record the amplitude and phase information of the field light.

  6. [Design of high-efficiency double compound parabolic concentrator system in near infrared noninvasive biochemical analysis].

    PubMed

    Gao, Jing; Lu, Qi-Peng; Peng, Zhong-Qi; Ding, Hai-Quan; Gao, Hong-Zhi

    2013-05-01

    High signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of system is necessary to obtain accurate blood components in near infrared noninvasive biochemical analysis. In order to improve SNR of analytical system, high-efficiency double compound parabolic concentrator (DCPC) system was researched, which was aimed at increasing light utilization efficiency. Firstly, with the request of collection efficiency in near infrared noninvasive biochemical analysis, the characteristic of emergent rays through compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) was analyzed. Then the maximum focusing angle range of the first stage CPC was determined. Secondly, the light utilization efficiency of truncated type was compared with standard DCPC, thus the best structure parameters of DCPC system were optimized. Lastly, combined with optical parameters of skin tissue, calculations were operated when incident wavelength is 1 000 nm. The light utilization efficiency of DCPC system, CPC-focusing mirror system, and non-optical collecting system was calculated. The results show that the light utilization efficiency of the three optical systems is 1.46%, 0.84% and 0.26% respectively. So DCPC system enhances collecting ability for human diffuse reflection light, and helps improve SNR of noninvasive biochemical analysis system and overall analysis accuracy effectively.

  7. Increased collection efficiency of LIFI high intensity electrodeless light source

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hafidi, Abdeslam; DeVincentis, Marc; Duelli, Markus; Gilliard, Richard

    2008-02-01

    Recently, RF driven electrodeless high intensity light sources have been implemented successfully in the projection display systems for HDTV and videowall applications. This paper presents advances made in the RF waveguide and electric field concentrator structures with the purpose of reducing effective arc size and increasing light collection. In addition, new optical designs are described that further improve system efficiency. The results of this work demonstrate that projection system light throughput is increased relative to previous implementations and performance is optimized for home theater and other front projector applications that maintain multi-year lifetime without re-lamping, complete spectral range, fast start times and high levels of dynamic contrast due to dimming flexibility in the light source system.

  8. Sample collection system for gel electrophoresis

    DOEpatents

    Olivares, Jose A.; Stark, Peter C.; Dunbar, John M.; Hill, Karen K.; Kuske, Cheryl R.; Roybal, Gustavo

    2004-09-21

    An automatic sample collection system for use with an electrophoretic slab gel system is presented. The collection system can be used with a slab gel have one or more lanes. A detector is used to detect particle bands on the slab gel within a detection zone. Such detectors may use a laser to excite fluorescently labeled particles. The fluorescent light emitted from the excited particles is transmitted to low-level light detection electronics. Upon the detection of a particle of interest within the detection zone, a syringe pump is activated, sending a stream of buffer solution across the lane of the slab gel. The buffer solution collects the sample of interest and carries it through a collection port into a sample collection vial.

  9. Plant Chlorophyll Content Imager with Reference Detection Signals

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Spiering, Bruce A. (Inventor); Carter, Gregory A. (Inventor)

    2000-01-01

    A portable plant chlorophyll imaging system is described which collects light reflected from a target plant and separates the collected light into two different wavelength bands. These wavelength bands, or channels, are described as having center wavelengths of 700 nm and 840 nm. The light collected in these two channels is processed using synchronized video cameras. A controller provided in the system compares the level of light of video images reflected from a target plant with a reference level of light from a source illuminating the plant. The percent of reflection in the two separate wavelength bands from a target plant are compared to provide a ratio video image which indicates a relative level of plant chlorophyll content and physiological stress. Multiple display modes are described for viewing the video images.

  10. A data processing method based on tracking light spot for the laser differential confocal component parameters measurement system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shao, Rongjun; Qiu, Lirong; Yang, Jiamiao; Zhao, Weiqian; Zhang, Xin

    2013-12-01

    We have proposed the component parameters measuring method based on the differential confocal focusing theory. In order to improve the positioning precision of the laser differential confocal component parameters measurement system (LDDCPMS), the paper provides a data processing method based on tracking light spot. To reduce the error caused by the light point moving in collecting the axial intensity signal, the image centroiding algorithm is used to find and track the center of Airy disk of the images collected by the laser differential confocal system. For weakening the influence of higher harmonic noises during the measurement, Gaussian filter is used to process the axial intensity signal. Ultimately the zero point corresponding to the focus of the objective in a differential confocal system is achieved by linear fitting for the differential confocal axial intensity data. Preliminary experiments indicate that the method based on tracking light spot can accurately collect the axial intensity response signal of the virtual pinhole, and improve the anti-interference ability of system. Thus it improves the system positioning accuracy.

  11. Development of the Concept of Recycling of Light

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harmer, Brian

    Environmental and economic issues are the highlights of any new product or system created today. The efficient use of energy helps satisfy both of these concerns as a reduction in energy consumption contributes to a reduction both in fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Illumination efficiency has been one of the main areas of research as luminaires are one of the largest consumers of electricity in the world. The incandescent bulb is one of the oldest pieces of technology still used today, but is being phased out as compact fluorescent lamps and LED light sources have a much lower power consumption for the same amount of light emission. However, the light source design, while very important, is not the only way to improve the efficiency of an illumination system. This thesis proposes a new concept, the recycling of light (ROL). The ROL system collects, transports, and emits unused light from one area to another through the use of optical fibers. To find an optimal ROL system, many variables need to be accounted for. This thesis covers the effect of different luminaires on light collection areas. The collection area for the ROL system needs to be placed in the areas of a room that are of little or no importance, but still receive light, such as the ceiling or the upper section of the walls. The fiber-to-source distance and offset effects on fiber emission are investigated, as well as the length and type of the optical fibers. Additionally, this thesis looks at the possibility of beveling optical fiber ends to be used as a focusing mechanism for the ROL system.

  12. Recycled Thermal Energy from High Power Light Emitting Diode Light Source.

    PubMed

    Ji, Jae-Hoon; Jo, GaeHun; Ha, Jae-Geun; Koo, Sang-Mo; Kamiko, Masao; Hong, JunHee; Koh, Jung-Hyuk

    2018-09-01

    In this research, the recycled electrical energy from wasted thermal energy in high power Light Emitting Diode (LED) system will be investigated. The luminous efficiency of lights has been improved in recent years by employing the high power LED system, therefore energy efficiency was improved compared with that of typical lighting sources. To increase energy efficiency of high power LED system further, wasted thermal energy should be re-considered. Therefore, wasted thermal energy was collected and re-used them as electrical energy. The increased electrical efficiency of high power LED devices was accomplished by considering the recycled heat energy, which is wasted thermal energy from the LED. In this work, increased electrical efficiency will be considered and investigated by employing the high power LED system, which has high thermal loss during the operating time. For this research, well designed thermoelement with heat radiation system was employed to enhance the collecting thermal energy from the LED system, and then convert it as recycled electrical energy.

  13. Fiber optic light collection system for scanning-tunneling-microscope-induced light emission.

    PubMed

    Watkins, Neil J; Long, James P; Kafafi, Zakya H; Mäkinen, Antti J

    2007-05-01

    We report a compact light collection scheme suitable for retrofitting a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) for STM-induced light emission experiments. The approach uses a pair of optical fibers with large core diameters and high numerical apertures to maximize light collection efficiency and to moderate the mechanical precision required for alignment. Bench tests indicate that efficiency reduction is almost entirely due to reflective losses at the fiber ends, while losses due to fiber misalignment have virtually been eliminated. Photon-map imaging with nanometer features is demonstrated on a stepped Au(111) surface with signal rates exceeding 10(4) counts/s.

  14. Population of collective modes in light scattering by many atoms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guerin, William; Kaiser, Robin

    2017-05-01

    The interaction of light with an atomic sample containing a large number of particles gives rise to many collective (or cooperative) effects, such as multiple scattering, superradiance, and subradiance, even if the atomic density is low and the incident optical intensity weak (linear optics regime). Tracing over the degrees of freedom of the light field, the system can be well described by an effective atomic Hamiltonian, which contains the light-mediated dipole-dipole interaction between atoms. This long-range interaction is at the origin of the various collective effects, or of collective excitation modes of the system. Even though an analysis of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of these collective modes does allow distinguishing superradiant modes, for instance, from other collective modes, this is not sufficient to understand the dynamics of a driven system, as not all collective modes are significantly populated. Here, we study how the excitation parameters, i.e., the driving field, determines the population of the collective modes. We investigate in particular the role of the laser detuning from the atomic transition, and demonstrate a simple relation between the detuning and the steady-state population of the modes. This relation allows understanding several properties of cooperative scattering, such as why superradiance and subradiance become independent of the detuning at large enough detuning without vanishing, and why superradiance, but not subradiance, is suppressed near resonance. We also show that the spatial properties of the collective modes allow distinguishing diffusive modes, responsible for radiation trapping, from subradiant modes.

  15. Light Vehicle-Heavy Vehicle Interaction Data Collection and Countermeasure Research Project.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2016-11-01

    The Light Vehicle-Heavy Vehicle Interaction (LV-HV) Data Collection and Countermeasure Research Project : leveraged data from the Drowsy Driver Warning System Field Operational Test (DDWS FOT) to investigate a : set of research issues relating to dri...

  16. Hybrid sunlight/LED illumination and renewable solar energy saving concepts for indoor lighting.

    PubMed

    Tsuei, Chih-Hsuan; Sun, Wen-Shing; Kuo, Chien-Cheng

    2010-11-08

    A hybrid method for using sunlight and light-emitting diode (LED) illumination powered by renewable solar energy for indoor lighting is simulated and presented in this study. We can illuminate an indoor space and collect the solar energy using an optical switching system. When the system is turned off, the full spectrum of the sunlight is concentrated by a concentrator, to be absorbed by solar photovoltaic devices that provide the electricity to power the LEDs. When the system is turned on, the sunlight collected by the concentrator is split into visible and non-visible rays by a beam splitter. The visible rays pass through the light guide into a light box where it is mixed with LED light to ultimately provide uniform illumination by a diffuser. The non-visible rays are absorbed by the solar photovoltaic devices to provide electrical power for the LEDs. Simulation results show that the efficiency of the hybrid sunlight/LED illumination with the renewable solar energy saving design is better than that of LED and traditional lighting systems.

  17. Recommendations for Highway Construction, Maintenance, and Service Equipment Warning Lights and Pavement Data Collection System Safety

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1998-10-01

    This report presents the recommendations to improve the vehicle and equipment warning light policy for the Texas Department of Transportation, and improve the safety of the Department's pavement data collection activities. Research efforts include a ...

  18. Light collection optics for measuring flux and spectrum from light-emitting devices

    DOEpatents

    McCord, Mark A.; DiRegolo, Joseph A.; Gluszczak, Michael R.

    2016-05-24

    Systems and methods for accurately measuring the luminous flux and color (spectra) from light-emitting devices are disclosed. An integrating sphere may be utilized to directly receive a first portion of light emitted by a light-emitting device through an opening defined on the integrating sphere. A light collector may be utilized to collect a second portion of light emitted by the light-emitting device and direct the second portion of light into the integrating sphere through the opening defined on the integrating sphere. A spectrometer may be utilized to measure at least one property of the first portion and the second portion of light received by the integrating sphere.

  19. SU(1,1)-type light-atom-correlated interferometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Hongmei; Li, Dong; Yuan, Chun-Hua; Chen, L. Q.; Ou, Z. Y.; Zhang, Weiping

    2015-08-01

    The quantum correlation of light and atomic collective excitation can be used to compose an SU(1,1)-type hybrid light-atom interferometer, where one arm in the optical SU(1,1) interferometer is replaced by the atomic collective excitation. The phase-sensing probes include not only the photon field but also the atomic collective excitation inside the interferometer. For a coherent squeezed state as the phase-sensing field, the phase sensitivity can approach the Heisenberg limit under the optimal conditions. We also study the effects of the loss of light field and the dephasing of atomic excitation on the phase sensitivity. This kind of active SU(1,1) interferometer can also be realized in other systems, such as circuit quantum electrodynamics in microwave systems, which provides a different method for basic measurement using the hybrid interferometers.

  20. Occulting Light Concentrators in Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Buizza Avanzini, Margherita; Cabrera, Anatael; Dusini, Stefano; Grassi, Marco; He, Miao; Wu, Wenjie

    2017-09-01

    The experimental efforts characterizing the era of precision neutrino physics revolve around collecting high-statistics neutrino samples and attaining an excellent energy and position resolution. Next generation liquid-based neutrino detectors, such as JUNO, HyperKamiokande, etc, share the use of a large target mass, and the need of pushing light collection to the edge for maximal calorimetric information. Achieving high light collection implies considerable costs, especially when considering detector masses of several kt. A traditional strategy to maximize the effective photo-coverage with the minimum number of PMTs relies on Light Concentrators (LC), such as Winston Cones. In this paper, the authors introduce a novel concept called Occulting Light Concentrators (OLC), whereby a traditional LC gets tailored to a conventional PMT, by taking into account its single-photoelectron collection efficiency profile and thus occulting the worst performing portion of the photocathode. Thus, the OLC shape optimization takes into account not only the optical interface of the PMT, but also the maximization of the PMT detection performances. The light collection uniformity across the detector is another advantage of the OLC system. By considering the case of JUNO, we will show OLC capabilities in terms of light collection and energy resolution.

  1. Using axicons for depth discrimination in excitation-emission laser scanning imaging systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iglesias, Ignacio

    2017-10-01

    Besides generating good approximations to zero-order Bessel beams, an axicon lens coupled to a spatial filter can be used to collect light while preserving information on the depth coordinate of the source location. To demonstrate the principle, we describe an experimental excitation-emission fluorescence imaging system that uses an axicon twice: to generate an excitation Bessel beam and to collect the emitted light.

  2. Snapshot advantage: a review of the light collection improvement for parallel high-dimensional measurement systems

    PubMed Central

    Hagen, Nathan; Kester, Robert T.; Gao, Liang; Tkaczyk, Tomasz S.

    2012-01-01

    The snapshot advantage is a large increase in light collection efficiency available to high-dimensional measurement systems that avoid filtering and scanning. After discussing this advantage in the context of imaging spectrometry, where the greatest effort towards developing snapshot systems has been made, we describe the types of measurements where it is applicable. We then generalize it to the larger context of high-dimensional measurements, where the advantage increases geometrically with measurement dimensionality. PMID:22791926

  3. Effect of dividing daylight in symmetric prismatic daylight collector

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yeh, Shih-Chuan; Lu, Ju-Lin; Cheng, Yu-Chin

    2017-04-01

    This paper presented a symmetric prismatic daylight collector to collect daylight for the natural light illumination system. We analyzed the characteristics of the emerging light when the parallel light beam illuminate on the horizontally placed symmetric prismatic daylight collector. The ratio of the relative intensities of collected daylight that emerging from each surface of the daylight collector shown that the ratio is varied with the incident angle during a day. The simulation of the emerging light of the daylight collector shown that the ratio of emerging light is varied with the tilted angle when sunshine illuminated on a symmetric prismatic daylight collector which was not placed horizontally. The integration of normalized intensity is also varied with the tilted angle. The symmetric prismatic daylight collector with the benefits of reducing glare and dividing intensity of incident daylight, it is applicable to using in the natural light illumination system and hybrid system for improving the efficiency of utilizing of solar energy.

  4. Observation of two-beam collective scattering phenomena in a Bose-Einstein condensate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dimitrova, Ivana; Lunden, William; Amato-Grill, Jesse; Jepsen, Niklas; Yu, Yichao; Messer, Michael; Rigaldo, Thomas; Puentes, Graciana; Weld, David; Ketterle, Wolfgang

    2017-11-01

    Different regimes of collective light scattering are observed when an elongated Bose-Einstein condensate is pumped by two noninterfering beams counterpropagating along its long axis. In the limit of small Rayleigh scattering rates, the presence of a second pump beam suppresses superradiance, whereas at large Rayleigh scattering rates it lowers the effective threshold power for collective light scattering. In the latter regime, the quench dynamics of the two-beam system are oscillatory, compared to monotonic in the single-beam case. In addition, the dependence on power, detuning, and atom number is explored. The observed features of the two-beam system qualitatively agree with the recent theoretical prediction of a supersolid crystalline phase of light and matter at large Rayleigh scattering rates.

  5. SU-G-JeP3-10: Update On a Real-Time Treatment Guidance System Using An IR Navigation System for Pleural PDT

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

    Kim, M; Penjweini, R; Zhu, T

    Purpose: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used in conjunction with surgical debulking of tumorous tissue during treatment for pleural mesothelioma. One of the key components of effective PDT is uniform light distribution. Currently, light is monitored with 8 isotropic light detectors that are placed at specific locations inside the pleural cavity. A tracking system with real-time feedback software can be utilized to improve the uniformity of light in addition to the existing detectors. Methods: An infrared (IR) tracking camera is used to monitor the movement of the light source. The same system determines the pleural geometry of the treatment area. Softwaremore » upgrades allow visualization of the pleural cavity as a two-dimensional volume. The treatment delivery wand was upgraded for ease of light delivery while incorporating the IR system. Isotropic detector locations are also displayed. Data from the tracking system is used to calculate the light fluence rate delivered. This data is also compared with in vivo data collected via the isotropic detectors. Furthermore, treatment volume information will be used to form light dose volume histograms of the pleural cavity. Results: In a phantom study, the light distribution was improved by using real-time guidance compared to the distribution when using detectors without guidance. With the tracking system, 2D data can be collected regarding light fluence rather than just the 8 discrete locations inside the pleural cavity. Light fluence distribution on the entire cavity can be calculated at every time in the treatment. Conclusion: The IR camera has been used successfully during pleural PDT patient treatment to track the motion of the light source and provide real-time display of 2D light fluence. It is possible to use the feedback system to deliver a more uniform dose of light throughout the pleural cavity.« less

  6. Laser illumination of multiple capillaries that form a waveguide

    DOEpatents

    Dhadwal, Harbans S.; Quesada, Mark A.; Studier, F. William

    1998-08-04

    A system and method are disclosed for efficient laser illumination of the interiors of multiple capillaries simultaneously, and collection of light emitted from them. Capillaries in a parallel array can form an optical waveguide wherein refraction at the cylindrical surfaces confines side-on illuminating light to the core of each successive capillary in the array. Methods are provided for determining conditions where capillaries will form a waveguide and for assessing and minimizing losses due to reflection. Light can be delivered to the arrayed capillaries through an integrated fiber optic transmitter or through a pair of such transmitters aligned coaxially at opposite sides of the array. Light emitted from materials within the capillaries can be carried to a detection system through optical fibers, each of which collects light from a single capillary, with little cross talk between the capillaries. The collection ends of the optical fibers can be in a parallel array with the same spacing as the capillary array, so that the collection fibers can all be aligned to the capillaries simultaneously. Applicability includes improving the efficiency of many analytical methods that use capillaries, including particularly high-throughput DNA sequencing and diagnostic methods based on capillary electrophoresis.

  7. Laser illumination of multiple capillaries that form a waveguide

    DOEpatents

    Dhadwal, H.S.; Quesada, M.A.; Studier, F.W.

    1998-08-04

    A system and method are disclosed for efficient laser illumination of the interiors of multiple capillaries simultaneously, and collection of light emitted from them. Capillaries in a parallel array can form an optical waveguide wherein refraction at the cylindrical surfaces confines side-on illuminating light to the core of each successive capillary in the array. Methods are provided for determining conditions where capillaries will form a waveguide and for assessing and minimizing losses due to reflection. Light can be delivered to the arrayed capillaries through an integrated fiber optic transmitter or through a pair of such transmitters aligned coaxially at opposite sides of the array. Light emitted from materials within the capillaries can be carried to a detection system through optical fibers, each of which collects light from a single capillary, with little cross talk between the capillaries. The collection ends of the optical fibers can be in a parallel array with the same spacing as the capillary array, so that the collection fibers can all be aligned to the capillaries simultaneously. Applicability includes improving the efficiency of many analytical methods that use capillaries, including particularly high-throughput DNA sequencing and diagnostic methods based on capillary electrophoresis. 35 figs.

  8. Study of data collection platform concepts: Data collection system user requirements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1973-01-01

    The overall purpose of the survey was to provide real world data on user requirements. The intent was to assess data collection system user requirements by questioning actual potential users rather than speculating on requirements. The end results of the survey are baseline requirements models for both a data collection platform and a data collection system. These models were derived from the survey results. The real value of these models lies in the fact that they are based on actual user requirements as delineated in the survey questionnaires. Some users desire data collection platforms of small size and light weight. These sizes and weights are beyond the present state of the art. Also, the survey provided a wealth of information on the nature and constituency of the data collection user community as well as information on user applications for data collection systems. Finally, the data sheds light on the generalized platform concept. That is, the diversity of user requirements shown in the data indicates the difficulty that can be anticipated in attempting to implement such a concept.

  9. Integrated vehicle-based safety systems (IVBSS) : light vehicle platform field operational test data analysis plan.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-12-22

    This document presents the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institutes plan to : perform analysis of data collected from the light vehicle platform field operational test of the : Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems (IVBSS) progr...

  10. Light Duty Truck Characteristics, Historical Data Base

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1979-12-01

    The report is a collection of data concerning physical, operating, performance, and market characteristics of light duty trucks for the model years 1972 and 1975 thru 1977. The data is stored on tape in DOT/TSC DEC System 10 computer system. Informat...

  11. Double-cladding-fiber-based detection system for intravascular mapping of fluorescent molecular probes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Razansky, R. Nika; Rozental, Amir; Mueller, Mathias S.; Deliolanis, Nikolaos; Jaffer, Farouc A.; Koch, Alexander W.; Ntziachristos, Vasilis

    2011-03-01

    Early detection of high-risk coronary atherosclerosis remains an unmet clinical challenge. We have previously demonstrated a near-infrared fluorescence catheter system for two-dimensional intravascular detection of fluorescence molecular probes [1]. In this work we improve the system performance by introducing a novel high resolution sensor. The main challenge of the intravascular sensor is to provide a highly focused spot at an application relevant distance on one hand and a highly efficient collection of emitted light on the other. We suggest employing a double cladding optical fiber (DCF) in combination with focusing optics to provide a sensor with both highly focused excitation light and highly efficient fluorescent light collection. The excitation laser is coupled into the single mode core of DCF and guided through a focusing element and a right angle prism. The resulting side-fired beam exhibits a small spot diameter (50 μm) throughout a distance of up to 2 mm from the sensor. This is the distance of interest for intravascular coronary imaging application, determined by an average human coronary artery diameter. At the blood vessel wall, an activatable fluorescence molecular probe is excited in the diseased lesions. Next light of slightly shifted wavelength emits only in the places of the inflammations, associated with dangerous plaques [2]. The emitted light is collected by the cladding of the DCF, with a large collection angle (NA=0.4). The doublecladding acts as multimodal fiber and guides the collected light to the photo detection elements. The sensor automatically rotates and pulled-back, while each scanned point is mapped according to the amount of detected fluorescent emission. The resulting map of fluorescence activity helps to associate the atherosclerotic plaques with the inflammation process. The presented detection system is a valuable tool in the intravascular plaque detection and can help to differentiate the atherosclerotic plaques based on their biological activity, identify the ones that prone to rupture and therefore require more medical attention.

  12. X-Ray Structure determination of the Glycine Cleavage System Protein H of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Using An Inverse Compton Synchrotron X-Ray Source

    PubMed Central

    Abendroth, Jan; McCormick, Michael S.; Edwards, Thomas E.; Staker, Bart; Loewen, Roderick; Gifford, Martin; Rifkin, Jeff; Mayer, Chad; Guo, Wenjin; Zhang, Yang; Myler, Peter; Kelley, Angela; Analau, Erwin; Hewitt, Stephen Nakazawa; Napuli, Alberto J.; Kuhn, Peter; Ruth, Ronald D.; Stewart, Lance J.

    2010-01-01

    Structural genomics discovery projects require ready access to both X-ray and NMR instrumentation which support the collection of experimental data needed to solve large numbers of novel protein structures. The most productive X-ray crystal structure determination laboratories make extensive frequent use of tunable synchrotron X-ray light to solve novel structures by anomalous diffraction methods. This requires that frozen cryo-protected crystals be shipped to large government-run synchrotron facilities for data collection. In an effort to eliminate the need to ship crystals for data collection, we have developed the first laboratory-scale synchrotron light source capable of performing many of the state-of-the-art synchrotron applications in X-ray science. This Compact Light Source is a first-in-class device that uses inverse Compton scattering to generate X-rays of sufficient flux, tunable wavelength and beam size to allow high-resolution X-ray diffraction data collection from protein crystals. We report on benchmarking tests of X-ray diffraction data collection with hen egg white lysozyme, and the successful high-resolution X-ray structure determination of the Glycine cleavage system protein H from Mycobacterium tuberculosis using diffraction data collected with the Compact Light Source X-ray beam. PMID:20364333

  13. Light collection device for flame emission detectors

    DOEpatents

    Woodruff, Stephen D.; Logan, Ronald G.; Pineault, Richard L.

    1990-01-01

    A light collection device for use in a flame emission detection system such as an on-line, real-time alkali concentration process stream monitor is disclosed which comprises a sphere coated on its interior with a highly diffuse reflective paint which is positioned over a flame emission source, and one or more fiber optic cables which transfer the light generated at the interior of the sphere to a detecting device. The diffuse scattering of the light emitted by the flame uniformly distributes the light in the sphere, and the collection efficiency of the device is greater than that obtainable in the prior art. The device of the present invention thus provides enhanced sensitivity and reduces the noise associated with flame emission detectors, and can achieve substantial improvements in alkali detection levels.

  14. Nonimaging light concentrator with uniform irradiance

    DOEpatents

    Winston, Roland; Gee, Randy C.

    2003-04-01

    A nonimaging light concentrator system including a primary collector of light, an optical mixer disposed near the focal zone for collecting light from the primary collector, the optical mixer having a transparent entrance aperture, an internally reflective housing for substantially total internal reflection of light, a transparent exit aperture and an array of photovoltaic cells disposed near the transparent exit aperture.

  15. Stretched Lens Array (SLA) for Collection and Conversion of Infrared Laser Light: 45% Efficiency Demonstrated for Near-Term 800 W/kg Space Power System

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    O'Neill, Mark; Howell, Joe; Fikes, John; Fork, Richard; Phillips, Dane; Aiken, Dan; McDanal, A. J.

    2006-01-01

    For the past 2% years, our team has been developing a unique photovoltaic concentrator array for collection and conversion of infrared laser light. This laser-receiving array has evolved from the solar-receiving Stretched Lens Array (SLA). The laser-receiving version of SLA is being developed for space power applications when or where sunlight is not available (e.g., the eternally dark lunar polar craters). The laser-receiving SLA can efficiently collect and convert beamed laser power from orbiting spacecraft or other sources (e.g., solar-powered lasers on the permanently illuminated ridges of lunar polar craters). A dual-use version of SLA can produce power from sunlight during sunlit portions of the mission, and from beamed laser light during dark portions of the mission. SLA minimizes the cost and mass of photovoltaic cells by using gossamer-like Fresnel lenses to capture and focus incoming light (solar or laser) by a factor of 8.5X, thereby providing a cost-effective, ultra-light space power system.

  16. ARIES: Enabling Visual Exploration and Organization of Art Image Collections.

    PubMed

    Crissaff, Lhaylla; Wood Ruby, Louisa; Deutch, Samantha; DuBois, R Luke; Fekete, Jean-Daniel; Freire, Juliana; Silva, Claudio

    2018-01-01

    Art historians have traditionally used physical light boxes to prepare exhibits or curate collections. On a light box, they can place slides or printed images, move the images around at will, group them as desired, and visual-ly compare them. The transition to digital images has rendered this workflow obsolete. Now, art historians lack well-designed, unified interactive software tools that effectively support the operations they perform with physi-cal light boxes. To address this problem, we designed ARIES (ARt Image Exploration Space), an interactive image manipulation system that enables the exploration and organization of fine digital art. The system allows images to be compared in multiple ways, offering dynamic overlays analogous to a physical light box, and sup-porting advanced image comparisons and feature-matching functions, available through computational image processing. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our system to support art historians tasks through real use cases.

  17. Investigation on RGB laser source applied to dynamic photoelastic experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Songgang; Yang, Guobiao; Zeng, Weiming

    2014-06-01

    When the elastomer sustains the shock load or the blast load, its internal stress state of every point will change rapidly over time. Dynamic photoelasticity method is an experimental stress analysis method, which researches the dynamic stress and the stress wave propagation. Light source is one of very important device in dynamic photoelastic experiment system, and the RGB laser light source applied in dynamic photoelastic experiment system is innovative and evolutive to the system. RGB laser is synthesized by red laser, green laser and blue laser, either as a single wavelength laser light source, also as synthesized white laser light source. RGB laser as a light source for dynamic photoelastic experiment system, the colored isochromatic can be captured in dynamic photoelastic experiment, and even the black zero-level stripe can be collected, and the isoclinics can also be collected, which conducively analysis and study of transient stress and stress wave propagation. RGB laser is highly stable and continuous output, and its power can be adjusted. The three wavelengths laser can be synthesized by different power ratio. RGB laser light source used in dynamic photoelastic experiment has overcome a number of deficiencies and shortcomings of other light sources, and simplifies dynamic photoelastic experiment, which has achieved good results.

  18. Topographic data of selected areas along the Alabama River near Montgomery, Alabama, collected using mobile terrestrial light detection and ranging (T-LiDAR) technology

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Kimbrow, D.R.

    2014-01-01

    Topographic data at selected areas within the Alabama River flood plain near Montgomery, Alabama, were collected using a truck-mounted mobile terrestrial light detection and ranging system. These data were collected for inclusion in a flood inundation model developed by the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama. Data are presented as ArcGIS point shapefiles with the extension .shp.

  19. Segregation of colloidal swimmers by their activity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferrari, Melissa; Youssef, Mena; Driscoll, Michelle; Sacanna, Stefano; Pine, David; Chaikin, Paul

    We study a system of micron sized self-propelled colloidal swimmers whose activity can be switched on or off with the flick of a light switch. We have designed a system where an external LED source reflects light off of an array with hundreds of thousands of independently controlled tiny mirrors, through an optical microscope, and onto the plane of the swimmers. By exposing a collection of particles to a spatial or dynamic light field, we have the ability to control the speed of a particle based on its position, and therefore the density of the collection of particles in space. Theoreticians in the field have been building a framework that describes systems which are out-of-equilibrium and we will show how our system can be useful tool in mapping these theories to experiment. Center for Bio-inspired Energy Science.

  20. Tissue oxygen measurement system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Soller, Babs R. (Inventor)

    2004-01-01

    A device and method in accordance with the invention for determining the oxygen partial pressure (PO.sub.2) of a tissue by irradiating the tissue with optical radiation such that the light is emitted from the tissue, and by collecting the reflected or transmitted light from the tissue to form an optical spectrum. A spectral processor determines the PO.sub.2 level in tissue by processing this spectrum with a previously-constructed spectral calibration model. The tissue may, for example, be disposed underneath a covering tissue, such as skin, of a patient, and the tissue illuminated and light collected through the skin. Alternatively, direct tissue illumination and collection may be effected with a hand-held or endoscopic probe. A preferred system also determines pH from the same spectrum, and the processor may determine critical conditions and issue warnings based on parameter values.

  1. Diffraction spectral filter for use in extreme-UV lithography condenser

    DOEpatents

    Sweatt, William C.; Tichenor, Daniel A.; Bernardez, Luis J.

    2002-01-01

    A condenser system for generating a beam of radiation includes a source of radiation light that generates a continuous spectrum of radiation light; a condenser comprising one or more first optical elements for collecting radiation from the source of radiation light and for generating a beam of radiation; and a diffractive spectral filter for separating first radiation light having a particular wavelength from the continuous spectrum of radiation light. Cooling devices can be employed to remove heat generated. The condenser system can be used with a ringfield camera in projection lithography.

  2. System for determining position of normal shock in supersonic flow

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Iverson, Jr., Donald G. (Inventor); Daiber, Troy D. (Inventor)

    1991-01-01

    Light from a plurality of light emitting diodes is transmitted through optical cables (12) to a lens system. The lenses (56, 58) expand and collimate the light and project it in a sheet (16) across the supersonic inlet of an aircraft power plant perpendicular to incoming airflow. A normal shock bends a portion of the sheet of light (16). A linear array of a multiplicity of optical fiber ends collects discrete samples of light. The samples are processed and compared to a predetermined profile to determine the shock location.

  3. Principles of light energy management

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

    Davis, N.

    1994-12-31

    A review is presented on methods to minimize the effects of excess energy associated with lighting systems for plant growth. Information on lamp efficiencies and methods for separating and collecting unwanted heat is included.

  4. Covert laser remote sensing and vibrometry

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maleki, Lutfollah (Inventor); Yu, Nan (Inventor); Matsko, Andrey B. (Inventor); Savchenkov, Anatoliy (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    Designs of single-beam laser vibrometry systems and methods. For example, a method for detecting vibrations of a target based on optical sensing is provided to include operating a laser to produce a laser probe beam at a laser frequency and modulated at a modulation frequency onto a target; collecting light at or near the laser to collect light from the target while the target is being illuminated by the laser probe beam through an optical receiver aperture; using a narrow-band optical filter centered at the laser frequency to filter light collected from the optical receiver aperture to transmit light at the laser frequency while blocking light at other frequencies; using an optical detector to convert filtered light from the narrow-band optical filter to produce a receiver electrical signal; using a lock-in amplifier to detect and amplify the receiver electrical signal at the modulation frequency while rejecting signal components at other frequencies to produce an amplified receiver electrical signal; processing the amplified receiver electrical signal to extract information on vibrations of the target carried by reflected laser probe beam in the collected light; and controlling optical power of the laser probe beam at the target to follow optical power of background illumination at the target.

  5. Allelic variations of a light harvesting chlorophyll A/B protein gene (Lhcb1) associated with agronomic traits in Barley

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (LHCP) is one of the most abundant chloroplast proteins in plants. Its main function is to collect and transfer light energy to photosynthetic reaction centers. However, the roles of different LHCPs in light-harvesting antenna systems remain obscure. ...

  6. Optical Design Considerations for Efficient Light Collection from Liquid Scintillation Counters

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

    Bernacki, Bruce E.; Douglas, Matthew; Erchinger, Jennifer L.

    2015-01-01

    Liquid scintillation counters measure charged particle-emitting radioactive isotopes and are used for environmental studies, nuclear chemistry, and life science. Alpha and beta emissions arising from the material under study interact with the scintillation cocktail to produce light. The prototypical liquid scintillation counter employs low-level photon-counting detectors to measure the arrival of the scintillation light produced as a result of the dissolved material under study interacting with the scintillation cocktail. For reliable operation the counting instrument must convey the scintillation light to the detectors efficiently and predictably. Current best practices employ the use of two or more detectors for coincidence processingmore » to discriminate true scintillation events from background events due to instrumental effects such as photomultiplier tube dark rates, tube flashing, or other light emission not generated in the scintillation cocktail vial. In low background liquid scintillation counters additional attention is paid to shielding the scintillation cocktail from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) present in the laboratory and within the instruments construction materials. Low background design is generally at odds with optimal light collection. This study presents the evolution of a light collection design for liquid scintillation counting in a low background shield. The basic approach to achieve both good light collection and a low background measurement is described. The baseline signals arising from the scintillation vial are modeled and methods to efficiently collect scintillation light are presented as part of the development of a customized low-background, high sensitivity liquid scintillation counting system.« less

  7. Development of a wearable CMOS-based contact imaging system for real-time skin condition diagnosis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petitdidier, Nils; Koenig, Anne; Gerbelot, Rémi; Gioux, Sylvain; Dinten, Jean-Marc

    2017-07-01

    Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy has been widely used in the field of biological tissue characterization with various modalities [1-5,6]. One of these modalities consists in measuring the spatially resolved diffuse reflectance (SRDR). In this technique, light is collected at multiple distances from the excitation point. The obtained reflectance decay curve is used to determine scattering and absorption properties of the tissue [7], which are directly related to tissue content and structure. Existing systems usually use fiber optics to collect light reflected from the tissue and transfer it to an optical sensor [1,6]. Such devices make it possible to perform SRDR measurements directly in contact with the tissue. However, they offer poor spatial sampling of the reflectance and low light collection efficiency. We propose to overcome these limitations by using a CMOS sensor placed in contact with the tissue to achieve light collection with high spatial sampling over several millimeters and with increased fill factor. Our objective in this paper is to demonstrate the potential of our instrument to determine the optical properties of tissues from SRDR measurements. We first describe the instrument and the employed methodology. Then, preliminary results obtained on optical phantoms are presented. Finally, the potential of our system for SRDR measurements is evaluated through comparison with a fiber-optic probe previously developed in our laboratory [6,8].

  8. Increasing the efficiency of photon collection in LArTPCs: the ARAPUCA light trap

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cancelo, G.; Cavanna, F.; Escobar, C. O.; Kemp, E.; Machado, A. A.; Para, A.; Segreto, E.; Totani, D.; Warner, D.

    2018-03-01

    The Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs) are a choice for the next generation of large neutrino detectors due to their optimal performance in particle tracking and calorimetry. The detection of Argon scintillation light plays a crucial role in the event reconstruction as well as the time reference for non-beam physics such as supernovae neutrino detection and baryon number violation studies. In this contribution, we present the current R&D work on the ARAPUCA (Argon R&D Advanced Program at UNICAMP), a light trap device to enhance Ar scintillation light collection and thus the overall performance of LArTPCs. The ARAPUCA working principle is based on a suitable combination of dichroic filters and wavelength shifters to achieve a high efficiency in light collection. We discuss the operational principles, the last results of laboratory tests and the application of the ARAPUCA as the alternative photon detection system in the protoDUNE detector.

  9. Conjugation of fiber-coupled wide-band light sources and acousto-optical spectral elements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Machikhin, Alexander; Batshev, Vladislav; Polschikova, Olga; Khokhlov, Demid; Pozhar, Vitold; Gorevoy, Alexey

    2017-12-01

    Endoscopic instrumentation is widely used for diagnostics and surgery. The imaging systems, which provide the hyperspectral information of the tissues accessible by endoscopes, are particularly interesting and promising for in vivo photoluminescence diagnostics and therapy of tumour and inflammatory diseases. To add the spectral imaging feature to standard video endoscopes, we propose to implement acousto-optical (AO) filtration of wide-band illumination of incandescent-lamp-based light sources. To collect maximum light and direct it to the fiber-optic light guide inside the endoscopic probe, we have developed and tested the optical system for coupling the light source, the acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF) and the light guide. The system is compact and compatible with the standard endoscopic components.

  10. Scanned Image Projection System Employing Intermediate Image Plane

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    DeJong, Christian Dean (Inventor); Hudman, Joshua M. (Inventor)

    2014-01-01

    In imaging system, a spatial light modulator is configured to produce images by scanning a plurality light beams. A first optical element is configured to cause the plurality of light beams to converge along an optical path defined between the first optical element and the spatial light modulator. A second optical element is disposed between the spatial light modulator and a waveguide. The first optical element and the spatial light modulator are arranged such that an image plane is created between the spatial light modulator and the second optical element. The second optical element is configured to collect the diverging light from the image plane and collimate it. The second optical element then delivers the collimated light to a pupil at an input of the waveguide.

  11. Project Physics Reader 4, Light and Electromagnetism.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA. Harvard Project Physics.

    As a supplement to Project Physics Unit 4, a collection of articles is presented in this reader for student browsing. The 21 articles are included under the following headings: Letter from Thomas Jefferson; On the Method of Theoretical Physics; Systems, Feedback, Cybernetics; Velocity of Light; Popular Applications of Polarized Light; Eye and…

  12. Quantifying the movement of multiple insects using an optical insect counter

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    An optical insect counter (OIC) was designed and tested. The new system integrated a line-scan camera and a vertical light sheet along with data collection and image processing software to count numbers of flying insects crossing a vertical plane defined by the light sheet. The system also allows ...

  13. Method and systems for collecting data from multiple fields of view

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schwemmer, Geary K. (Inventor)

    2002-01-01

    Systems and methods for processing light from multiple fields (48, 54, 55) of view without excessive machinery for scanning optical elements. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, multiple holographic optical elements (41, 42, 43, 44, 45), integrated on a common film (4), diffract and project light from respective fields of view.

  14. Optimization of a Light Collection System for use in the Neutron Lifetime Project

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Taylor, C.; O'Shaughnessy, C.; Mumm, P.; Thompson, A.; Huffman, P.

    2007-10-01

    The Ultracold Neutron (UCN) Lifetime Project is an ongoing experiment with the objective of improving the average measurement of the neutron beta-decay lifetime. A more accurate measurement may increase our understanding of the electroweak interaction and improve astrophysical/cosmological theories on Big Bang nucleosynthesis. The current apparatus uses 0.89 nm cold neutrons to produce UCN through inelastic collisions with superfluid 4He in the superthermal process. The lifetime of the UCN is measured by detection of scintillation light from superfluid 4He created by electrons produced in neutron decay. Competing criteria of high detection efficiency outside of the apparatus and minimum heating of the experimental cell has led to the design of an acrylic light collection system. Initial designs were based on previous generations of the apparatus. ANSYS was used to optimize the cooling system for the light guide by checking simulated end conditions based on width of contact area, number of contact points, and location on the guide itself. SolidWorks and AutoCAD were used for design. The current system is in the production process.

  15. Compound parabolic concentrator probe for efficient light collection in spectroscopy of biological tissue

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tanaka, Kazunori; Pacheco, Marcos T. T.; Brennan, James F., III; Itzkan, Irving; Berger, Andrew J.; Dasari, Ramachandra R.; Feld, Michael S.

    1996-02-01

    We describe a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC)-based probe for enhanced signal collection in the spectroscopy of biological tissues. Theoretical considerations governing signal enhancement compared with conventional collection methods are given. A ray-tracing program was used to analyze the throughput of CPC's with shape deviations and surface imperfections. A modified CPC shape with 99% throughput was discovered. A 4.4-mm-long CPC was manufactured and incorporated into an optical fiber-based near-infrared Raman spectrometer system. For human tissue samples, light collection was enhanced by a factor of 7 compared with collection with 0.29-NA optical fibers.

  16. Fiber optic lighting system for plant production

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    St. George, Dennis R.; Feddes, John J. R.

    1991-02-01

    Dennis St. George John Feddes (Dept. of Agricultural Engineering University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada T6G 2Hl) A prototype light collection and transmission device was developed and evaluated for the potential of irradiating plants grown in an opague growth chamber. Results indicated that the device transmitted light with a photon flux of 130 1amol/s/m2 (4000-7000 nm) to the bottom of the growth chamber when direct solar radiation was 800 W/m2 (300-2500 nm) outside. The overall collection and transmission efficiency for photosynthetically active radiation is 19. 2. A growth trial with plants indicated that artificial lighting is required during cloudy periods. 1.

  17. Greenhouse design for a Martian colony: Structural, solar collection and light distribution systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1990-01-01

    The inflatable structure serves as an ideal greenhouse while being feasible to transport and easy to assemble on Mars. Locating the structure underground protects it from the extreme environmental variations on the surface. The proposed lighting system provides all the necessary light for photosynthesis with little external power demand. These considerations make the proposed greenhouse design a viable means of providing an ongoing food supply for a Martian colony.

  18. COMPACT NON-CONTACT TOTAL EMISSION DETECTION FOR IN-VIVO MULTI-PHOTON EXCITATION MICROSCOPY

    PubMed Central

    Glancy, Brian; Karamzadeh, Nader S.; Gandjbakhche, Amir H.; Redford, Glen; Kilborn, Karl; Knutson, Jay R.; Balaban, Robert S.

    2014-01-01

    Summary We describe a compact, non-contact design for a Total Emission Detection (c-TED) system for intra-vital multi-photon imaging. To conform to a standard upright two-photon microscope design, this system uses a parabolic mirror surrounding a standard microscope objective in concert with an optical path that does not interfere with normal microscope operation. The non-contact design of this device allows for maximal light collection without disrupting the physiology of the specimen being examined. Tests were conducted on exposed tissues in live animals to examine the emission collection enhancement of the c-TED device compared to heavily optimized objective-based emission collection. The best light collection enhancement was seen from murine fat (5×-2× gains as a function of depth), while murine skeletal muscle and rat kidney showed gains of over two and just under two-fold near the surface, respectively. Gains decreased with imaging depth (particularly in the kidney). Zebrafish imaging on a reflective substrate showed close to a two-fold gain throughout the entire volume of an intact embryo (approximately 150 μm deep). Direct measurement of bleaching rates confirmed that the lower laser powers (enabled by greater light collection efficiency) yielded reduced photobleaching in vivo. The potential benefits of increased light collection in terms of speed of imaging and reduced photo-damage, as well as the applicability of this device to other multi-photon imaging methods is discussed. PMID:24251437

  19. Analysis of the waste selective collection at drop-off systems: Case study including the income level and the seasonal variation.

    PubMed

    Gallardo, A; Carlos, M; Colomer, F J; Edo-Alcón, N

    2018-01-01

    There are several factors which have an influence in the selective collection of the municipal waste. To define a selective collection system, the waste generation pattern should be firstly determined and these factors should be analyzed in depth. This paper tries to analyze the economic income level and the seasonal variation on the collection and the purity of light-packaging waste to determine actions to improve the waste management plan of a town. In the first stage of the work, waste samples of the light-packaging containers were collected in two zones of the town with different economic characteristics in different seasons during one year. In the second stage, the samples were characterized to analyze the composition and purity of the waste. They were firstly separated into four fractions: metals; plastic; beverage cartons; and misplaced materials. The misplaced fraction was in its turn separated into cardboard, rubber and leather, inert waste, organic matter, paper, hazardous waste, clothes and shoes, glass and others. The plastic fraction was separated into five types of plastics and the metal fraction into three. In the third stage, the data have been analyzed and conclusions have been extracted. The main result is that the quality of the light-packaging fraction collected in these zones during both seasons were similar. This methodology can be extrapolated to towns with similar characteristics. It will be useful when implementing a system to collect the waste selectively and to develop actions to achieve a good participation in the selective collection of the waste.

  20. Space and time resolved representation of a vacuum arc light emission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Georgescu, N.; Sandolache, G.; Zoita, V.

    1999-04-01

    An optoelectronic multichannel detection system for the study of the visible light emission of a vacuum circuit breaker arc is described. The system consists of two multiple slit collimator assemblies coupled directly to the arc discharge chamber and an electronic detection part. The light emitted by the arc is collected by the two collimator assemblies and is transmitted through optical fibres to the electronic detection part. By using a new, simple computational method two-dimensional plots of the vacuum arc light emission at different times are obtained.

  1. Photoluminescence-based quality control for thin film absorber layers of photovoltaic devices

    DOEpatents

    Repins, Ingrid L.; Kuciauskas, Darius

    2015-07-07

    A time-resolved photoluminescence-based system providing quality control during manufacture of thin film absorber layers for photovoltaic devices. The system includes a laser generating excitation beams and an optical fiber with an end used both for directing each excitation beam onto a thin film absorber layer and for collecting photoluminescence from the absorber layer. The system includes a processor determining a quality control parameter such as minority carrier lifetime of the thin film absorber layer based on the collected photoluminescence. In some implementations, the laser is a low power, pulsed diode laser having photon energy at least great enough to excite electron hole pairs in the thin film absorber layer. The scattered light may be filterable from the collected photoluminescence, and the system may include a dichroic beam splitter and a filter that transmit the photoluminescence and remove scattered laser light prior to delivery to a photodetector and a digital oscilloscope.

  2. Setting up a Rayleigh Scattering Based Flow Measuring System in a Large Nozzle Testing Facility

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Panda, Jayanta; Gomez, Carlos R.

    2002-01-01

    A molecular Rayleigh scattering based air density measurement system has been built in a large nozzle testing facility at NASA Glenn Research Center. The technique depends on the light scattering by gas molecules present in air; no artificial seeding is required. Light from a single mode, continuous wave laser was transmitted to the nozzle facility by optical fiber, and light scattered by gas molecules, at various points along the laser beam, is collected and measured by photon-counting electronics. By placing the laser beam and collection optics on synchronized traversing units, the point measurement technique is made effective for surveying density variation over a cross-section of the nozzle plume. Various difficulties associated with dust particles, stray light, high noise level and vibration are discussed. Finally, a limited amount of data from an underexpanded jet are presented and compared with expected variations to validate the technique.

  3. Broadband Light Collection Efficiency Enhancement of Carbon Nanotube Excitons Coupled to Metallo-Dielectric Antenna Arrays

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

    Shayan, Kamran; Rabut, Claire; Kong, Xiaoqing

    The realization of on-chip quantum networks ideally requires lossless interfaces between photons and solid-state quantum emitters. We propose and demonstrate on-chip arrays of metallo-dielectric antennas (MDA) that are tailored toward efficient and broadband light collection from individual embedded carbon nanotube quantum emitters by trapping air gaps on chip that form cavity modes. Scalable implementation is realized by employing polymer layer dry-transfer techniques that avoid solvent incompatibility issues, as well as a planar design that avoids solid-immersion lenses. Cryogenic measurements demonstrate 7-fold enhanced exciton intensity when compared to emitters located on bare wafers, corresponding to a light collection efficiency (LCE) upmore » to 92% in the best case (average LCE of 69%) into a narrow output cone of +/-15 degrees that enables a priori fiber-to-chip butt coupling. The demonstrated MDA arrays are directly compatible with other quantum systems, particularly 2D materials, toward enabling efficient on-chip quantum light sources or spin-photon interfaces requiring unity light collection, both at cryogenic or room temperature.« less

  4. Hyperspectral stimulated emission depletion microscopy and methods of use thereof

    DOEpatents

    Timlin, Jerilyn A; Aaron, Jesse S

    2014-04-01

    A hyperspectral stimulated emission depletion ("STED") microscope system for high-resolution imaging of samples labeled with multiple fluorophores (e.g., two to ten fluorophores). The hyperspectral STED microscope includes a light source, optical systems configured for generating an excitation light beam and a depletion light beam, optical systems configured for focusing the excitation and depletion light beams on a sample, and systems for collecting and processing data generated by interaction of the excitation and depletion light beams with the sample. Hyperspectral STED data may be analyzed using multivariate curve resolution analysis techniques to deconvolute emission from the multiple fluorophores. The hyperspectral STED microscope described herein can be used for multi-color, subdiffraction imaging of samples (e.g., materials and biological materials) and for analyzing a tissue by Forster Resonance Energy Transfer ("FRET").

  5. The Effect of Load Carriage on Trunk Coordination during Treadmill Walking at Increasing Walking Speed

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2001-05-01

    Kinematic and Kinetic Data Collection Systems. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected at 100 Hz through an Optotrak 3020 System (Northern...regardless of load. The Optotrak system unit provides an external trigger that was used to trigger the start of the force plate data collection, thereby...synchronizing the kinematic and kinetic data. Optotrak required the use of infrared light emitting diodes (IREDS), which were placed bilaterally on the

  6. Improved light collection and wavelet de-noising enable quantification of cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism by a low-cost, off-the-shelf spectrometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Diop, Mamadou; Wright, Eric; Toronov, Vladislav; Lee, Ting-Yim; St. Lawrence, Keith

    2014-05-01

    Broadband continuous-wave near-infrared spectroscopy (CW-NIRS) is an attractive alternative to time-resolved and frequency-domain techniques for quantifying cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygen metabolism in newborns. However, efficient light collection is critical to broadband CW-NIRS since only a small fraction of the injected light emerges from any given area of the scalp. Light collection is typically improved by optimizing the contact area between the detection system and the skin by means of light guides with large detection surface. Since the form-factor of these light guides do not match the entrance of commercial spectrometers, which are usually equipped with a narrow slit to improve their spectral resolution, broadband NIRS spectrometers are typically custom-built. Nonetheless, off-the-shelf spectrometers have attractive advantages compared to custom-made units, such as low cost, small footprint, and wide availability. We demonstrate that off-the-shelf spectrometers can be easily converted into suitable instruments for deep tissue spectroscopy by improving light collection, while maintaining good spectral resolution, and reducing measurement noise. The ability of this approach to provide reliable cerebral hemodynamics was illustrated in a piglet by measuring CBF and oxygen metabolism under different anesthetic regimens.

  7. A novel optical system design of light field camera

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Ye; Li, Wenhua; Hao, Chenyang

    2016-01-01

    The structure of main lens - Micro Lens Array (MLA) - imaging sensor is usually adopted in optical system of light field camera, and the MLA is the most important part in the optical system, which has the function of collecting and recording the amplitude and phase information of the field light. In this paper, a novel optical system structure is proposed. The novel optical system is based on the 4f optical structure, and the micro-aperture array (MAA) is used to instead of the MLA for realizing the information acquisition of the 4D light field. We analyze the principle that the novel optical system could realize the information acquisition of the light field. At the same time, a simple MAA, line grating optical system, is designed by ZEMAX software in this paper. The novel optical system is simulated by a line grating optical system, and multiple images are obtained in the image plane. The imaging quality of the novel optical system is analyzed.

  8. Efficient optical probes for fast surface velocimetry: multiple frequency issues for Fabry and VISAR methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goosman, David R.; Avara, George R.; Perry, Stephen J.

    2001-04-01

    We have in the past used several types of optical probe lenses for delivering and collecting laser light to an experiment for laser velocimetry. When the test surface was in focus, however, the collected light would fill mostly the laser fiber rather than the collection fiber(s). We have designed, developed and used for 8 years nested-lens probe assemblies that solve this problem. Our first version used a commercial AR-coated glass achromat, which we cored to remove the inner fourth of its area. The core was then reinserted with its optical center offset from that of annulus by an amount slightly less than the separation between the laser and collector fibers. The laser and collector fibers are placed in contact with each other behind the lens and have NA values of 0.11 and 0.22, respectively. Because most of the collected light now focused on the collection fiber, this system was far superior to the single lens systems, but was laborious. For the last five years we used injection-molded acrylic aspheric nested lenses, which are inexpensive in quantity and require little labor to install into a probe. Only an azimuthal rotation and positioning of the fiber plane are needed to incorporate the plastic lens into a probe. Special ray-trace codes were written and used to design the lens, and many iterations by the molder were required to develop the injection processing parameters to produce a good lens, since it was thick for its diameter. These probes have real light collection efficiencies of 75% of theoretical, work well over a wide range of distances, with collection depths of field matching theory. The lenses can take 100 watts of pulsed power many times without damage, since the lens is designed so that reflections from the lens surface do not focus within the lens. The collection fiber size is designed to work with our manybeam velocimeter facility reported in a previous Congress, where the collection NA times collection fiber size exceeds the acceptance of the velocimeter. The Doppler-shifted light enters the collection fiber with angles between 0.11 and 0.2, with little light in the 0 to 0.11 NA region. However, the manybeam velocimeter uses just the light in the 0 to 0.11 NA range, except when we link two analyzer tables together. A slight amount of mode scrambling of the Doppler shifted light converts the light into a uniformly filled NA equals 0.2 angular range before entering the velocimeter analyzer table. We have expended seven hundred plastic nested lenses in various experiments. The most recent version of the fiber cable assembly will be shown. Six situations will be discussed where multiple reflected frequencies were observed in experiments, illustrating an advantage of the Fabry-Perot vs. the VISAR method.

  9. Waveguide detection of right-angle-scattered light in flow cytometry

    DOEpatents

    Mariella, Jr., Raymond P.

    2000-01-01

    A transparent flow cell is used as an index-guided optical waveguide. A detector for the flow cell but not the liquid stream detects the Right-Angle-Scattered (RAS) Light exiting from one end of the flow cell. The detector(s) could view the trapped RAS light from the flow cell either directly or through intermediate optical light guides. If the light exits one end of the flow cell, then the other end of the flow cell can be given a high-reflectivity coating to approximately double the amount of light collected. This system is more robust in its alignment than the traditional flow cytometry systems which use imaging optics, such as microscope objectives.

  10. Data transmission options for VMT data and fee collection centers.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2002-11-01

    The Oregon Road User Fee Task Force (RUFTF) is charged with developing a design for revenue collection for Oregon's roads and highways that will replace the current system for revenue collection for all light vehicles in the state. One option under c...

  11. A novel non-imaging optics based Raman spectroscopy device for transdermal blood analyte measurement

    PubMed Central

    Kong, Chae-Ryon; Barman, Ishan; Dingari, Narahara Chari; Kang, Jeon Woong; Galindo, Luis; Dasari, Ramachandra R.; Feld, Michael S.

    2011-01-01

    Due to its high chemical specificity, Raman spectroscopy has been considered to be a promising technique for non-invasive disease diagnosis. However, during Raman excitation, less than one out of a million photons undergo spontaneous Raman scattering and such weakness in Raman scattered light often require highly efficient collection of Raman scattered light for the analysis of biological tissues. We present a novel non-imaging optics based portable Raman spectroscopy instrument designed for enhanced light collection. While the instrument was demonstrated on transdermal blood glucose measurement, it can also be used for detection of other clinically relevant blood analytes such as creatinine, urea and cholesterol, as well as other tissue diagnosis applications. For enhanced light collection, a non-imaging optical element called compound hyperbolic concentrator (CHC) converts the wide angular range of scattered photons (numerical aperture (NA) of 1.0) from the tissue into a limited range of angles accommodated by the acceptance angles of the collection system (e.g., an optical fiber with NA of 0.22). A CHC enables collimation of scattered light directions to within extremely narrow range of angles while also maintaining practical physical dimensions. Such a design allows for the development of a very efficient and compact spectroscopy system for analyzing highly scattering biological tissues. Using the CHC-based portable Raman instrument in a clinical research setting, we demonstrate successful transdermal blood glucose predictions in human subjects undergoing oral glucose tolerance tests. PMID:22125761

  12. Increasing the efficiency of photon collection in LArTPCs: the ARAPUCA light trap

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

    Cancelo, G.; Cavanna, F.; Escobar, C. O.

    The Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs) are a choice for the next generation of large neutrino detectors due to their optimal performance in particle tracking and calorimetry. The detection of Argon scintillation light plays a crucial role in the event reconstruction as well as the time reference for non-beam physics such as supernovae neutrino detection and baryon number violation studies. Here in this contribution, we present the current R&D work on the ARAPUCA (Argon R&D Advanced Program at UNICAMP), a light trap device to enhance Ar scintillation light collection and thus the overall performance of LArTPCs. The ARAPUCA workingmore » principle is based on a suitable combination of dichroic filters and wavelength shifters to achieve a high efficiency in light collection. We discuss the operational principles, the last results of laboratory tests and the application of the ARAPUCA as the alternative photon detection system in the protoDUNE detector.« less

  13. Increasing the efficiency of photon collection in LArTPCs: the ARAPUCA light trap

    DOE PAGES

    Cancelo, G.; Cavanna, F.; Escobar, C. O.; ...

    2018-03-26

    The Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs) are a choice for the next generation of large neutrino detectors due to their optimal performance in particle tracking and calorimetry. The detection of Argon scintillation light plays a crucial role in the event reconstruction as well as the time reference for non-beam physics such as supernovae neutrino detection and baryon number violation studies. Here in this contribution, we present the current R&D work on the ARAPUCA (Argon R&D Advanced Program at UNICAMP), a light trap device to enhance Ar scintillation light collection and thus the overall performance of LArTPCs. The ARAPUCA workingmore » principle is based on a suitable combination of dichroic filters and wavelength shifters to achieve a high efficiency in light collection. We discuss the operational principles, the last results of laboratory tests and the application of the ARAPUCA as the alternative photon detection system in the protoDUNE detector.« less

  14. Holographic lens spectrum splitting photovoltaic system for increased diffuse collection and annual energy yield

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vorndran, Shelby D.; Wu, Yuechen; Ayala, Silvana; Kostuk, Raymond K.

    2015-09-01

    Concentrating and spectrum splitting photovoltaic (PV) modules have a limited acceptance angle and thus suffer from optical loss under off-axis illumination. This loss manifests itself as a substantial reduction in energy yield in locations where a significant portion of insulation is diffuse. In this work, a spectrum splitting PV system is designed to efficiently collect and convert light in a range of illumination conditions. The system uses a holographic lens to concentrate shortwavelength light onto a smaller, more expensive indium gallium phosphide (InGaP) PV cell. The high efficiency PV cell near the axis is surrounded with silicon (Si), a less expensive material that collects a broader portion of the solar spectrum. Under direct illumination, the device achieves increased conversion efficiency from spectrum splitting. Under diffuse illumination, the device collects light with efficiency comparable to a flat-panel Si module. Design of the holographic lens is discussed. Optical efficiency and power output of the module under a range of illumination conditions from direct to diffuse are simulated with non-sequential raytracing software. Using direct and diffuse Typical Metrological Year (TMY3) irradiance measurements, annual energy yield of the module is calculated for several installation sites. Energy yield of the spectrum splitting module is compared to that of a full flat-panel Si reference module.

  15. Triboluminescent indicator system

    DOEpatents

    Goods, Steven H.; Dentinger, Paul M.; Whinnery, Jr., Leroy L.

    2003-06-24

    There is provided a light emitting device comprising a plurality of triboluminescent particles dispersed throughout a low density, frangible body and activated by rapidly crushing the body in order to transfer mechanical energy to some portion of the particles. The light emitted by these mechanically excited particles is collected and directed into a light conduit and transmitted to a detector/indicator means.

  16. System and Method for Null-Lens Wavefront Sensing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hill, Peter C. (Inventor); Thompson, Patrick L. (Inventor); Aronstein, David L. (Inventor); Bolcar, Matthew R. (Inventor); Smith, Jeffrey S. (Inventor)

    2015-01-01

    A method of measuring aberrations in a null-lens including assembly and alignment aberrations. The null-lens may be used for measuring aberrations in an aspheric optic with the null-lens. Light propagates from the aspheric optic location through the null-lens, while sweeping a detector through the null-lens focal plane. Image data being is collected at locations about said focal plane. Light is simulated propagating to the collection locations for each collected image. Null-lens aberrations may extracted, e.g., applying image-based wavefront-sensing to collected images and simulation results. The null-lens aberrations improve accuracy in measuring aspheric optic aberrations.

  17. Efficient light collection from crystal scintillators using a compound parabolic concentrator coupled to an avalanche photodiode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jenke, P. A.; Briggs, M. S.; Bhat, P. N.; Reardon, P.; Connaughton, V.; Wilson-Hodge, C.

    2013-09-01

    In support of improved gamma-ray detectors for astrophysics and observations of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs), we have designed a new approach for the collection and detection of optical photons from scintillators such as Sodium Iodide and Lanthanum Bromide using a light concentrator coupled to an Avalanche photodiode (APD). The APD has many advantages over traditional photomultiplier tubes such as their low power consumption, their compact size, their durability, and their very high quantum efficiency. The difficulty in using these devices in gamma-ray astronomy has been coupling their relatively small active area to the large scintillators necessary for gamma-ray science. Our solution is to use an acrylic Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) to match the large output area of the scintillation crystal to the smaller photodiode. These non-imaging light concentrators exceed the light concentration of focused optics and are light and inexpensive to produce. We present our results from the analysis and testing of such a system including gains in light collecting efficiency, energy resolution of nuclear decay lines, as well as our design for a new, fast TGF detector.

  18. Innovative design of parabolic reflector light guiding structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Whang, Allen J.; Tso, Chun-Hsien; Chen, Yi-Yung

    2008-02-01

    Due to the idea of everlasting green architecture, it is of increasing importance to guild natural light into indoors. The advantages are multifold - to have better color rendering index, excellent energy savings from environments viewpoints and make humans more healthy, etc. Our search is to design an innovative structure, to convert outdoor sun light impinges on larger surfaces, into near linear light beam sources, later convert this light beam into near point sources which enters the indoor spaces then can be used as lighting sources indoors. We are not involved with the opto-electrical transformation, to the guild light into to the building, to perform the illumination, as well as the imaging function. Because non-imaging optics, well known for apply to the solar concentrators, that can use non-imaging structures to fulfill our needs, which can also be used as energy collectors in solar energy devices. Here, we have designed a pair of large and small parabolic reflector, which can be used to collect daylight and change area from large to small. Then we make a light-guide system that is been designed by us use of this parabolic reflector to guide the collection light, can pick up the performance for large surface source change to near linear source and a larger collection area.

  19. Eternal triangle: the interaction of light source, electrical control gear, and optics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    S'heeren, Griet

    1998-04-01

    In this particular 'affair' the participants are less than human but have individual personalities they bring to their relationship with each other. High pressure metal halide lamps such as BriteArc lamps have the highest luminance and radiance of all continuously operating practical light source. Since these lamps have short arcs and are available in power ratings from about 30W to 30kW they have found applications with various optical systems. Besides the lamps, such systems include an electrical control device and an optical system. To fulfil the user's requirements for a specific application, it is not only important to choose the right lamp, but crucial to achieve a harmonious marriage between the light source, electrical control device and the optics. To run a high pressure discharge lamp an ignitor/ballast system is essential This stabilizes the lamp parameters. The chemical components inside the lamp determine the lamp voltage and the gear determines, via the current, the lamp power. These are directly related in the luminance and color temperature of the emitted light. Therefore lamp performance and effective life are dependent on the ignitor, control gear and lamp combination. Since the lamp emits radiation in all directions, collection of the light from a lamp can be improved by using reflectors to deliver the light into a lens system. Since lamps with short arc gaps approach a point source they appear ideal for optical system applications. The shape of the reflector and the focusing of the lamp determine which part of the light is collected out of the light-arc. In the case of an LCD projector, the final light output also depends on the transmission characteristics of the LCD panels. Their nonlinearity causes the color of the emitted light to be different from the lamp color. All these parameters have to be optimized to obtain the highest performance. This leads to the conclusion that a carefully matched combination of lamp, ignitor/ballast and optics should guarantee the best system performance. This paper sets out to provide some guidelines on attempting to achieve a harmonious relationship between the three partners in this particular eternal triangle.

  20. Residential area streetlight intelligent monitoring management system based on ZigBee and GPRS

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Guozhuang; Xu, Xiaoyu

    2017-05-01

    According to current situation of green environmental protection lighting policy and traditional residential lighting system automation degree, low energy efficiency, difficult to management and other problems, the residential area streetlight monitoring management system based on ZigBee and GPRS is proposed. This design is put forward by using sensor technology, ZigBee and GPRS wireless communication technology network. To realize intelligent lighting parameters adjustment, coordination control method of various kinds of sensors is used. The system through multiple ZigBee nodes topology network to collect street light's information, each subnet through the ZigBee coordinator and GPRS network to transmit data. The street lamps can be put on or off, or be adjusted the brightness automatic ally according to the surrounding environmental illumination.

  1. Greenhouse intelligent control system based on microcontroller

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Congwei

    2018-04-01

    As one of the hallmarks of agricultural modernization, intelligent greenhouse has the advantages of high yield, excellent quality, no pollution and continuous planting. Taking AT89S52 microcontroller as the main controller, the greenhouse intelligent control system uses soil moisture sensor, temperature and humidity sensors, light intensity sensor and CO2 concentration sensor to collect measurements and display them on the 12864 LCD screen real-time. Meantime, climate parameter values can be manually set online. The collected measured values are compared with the set standard values, and then the lighting, ventilation fans, warming lamps, water pumps and other facilities automatically start to adjust the climate such as light intensity, CO2 concentration, temperature, air humidity and soil moisture of the greenhouse parameter. So, the state of the environment in the greenhouse Stabilizes and the crop grows in a suitable environment.

  2. Chamber study of PCBemissions from caulking materials and light ballasts

    EPA Science Inventory

    The emissions of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners from 13 caulk samples were tested in a micro-chamber system. Twelve samples were from PCB-contaminated buildings and one was prepared in the laboratory. Nineteen light ballasts collected from buildings that represent 13 di...

  3. LED lighting for use in multispectral and hyperspectral imaging

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Lighting for machine vision and hyperspectral imaging is an important component for collecting high quality imagery. However, it is often given minimal consideration in the overall design of an imaging system. Tungsten-halogens lamps are the most common source of illumination for broad spectrum appl...

  4. How to harvest efficient laser from solar light

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Changming; Guan, Zhe; Zhang, Haiyang

    2018-02-01

    Solar Pumped Solid State Lasers (SPSSL) is a kind of solid state lasers that can transform solar light into laser directly, with the advantages of least energy transform procedure, higher energy transform efficiency, simpler structure, higher reliability, and longer lifetime, which is suitable for use in unmanned space system, for solar light is the only form of energy source in space. In order to increase the output power and improve the efficiency of SPSSL, we conducted intensive studies on the suitable laser material selection for solar pump, high efficiency/large aperture focusing optical system, the optimization of concave cavity as the second focusing system, laser material bonding and surface processing. Using bonded and grooved Nd:YAG rod as laser material, large aperture Fresnel lens as the first stage focusing element, concave cavity as the second stage focusing element, we finally got 32.1W/m2 collection efficiency, which is the highest collection efficiency in the world up to now.

  5. Fresnel Lenses for Wide-Aperture Optical Receivers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hemmati, Hamid

    2004-01-01

    Wide-aperture receivers for freespace optical communication systems would utilize Fresnel lenses instead of conventional telescope lenses, according to a proposal. Fresnel lenses weigh and cost much less than conventional lenses having equal aperture widths. Plastic Fresnel lenses are commercially available in diameters up to 5 m large enough to satisfy requirements for aperture widths of the order of meters for collecting sufficient light in typical long-distance free-space optical communication systems. Fresnel lenses are not yet suitable for high-quality diffraction-limited imaging, especially in polychromatic light. However, optical communication systems utilize monochromatic light, and there is no requirement for high-quality imaging; instead, the basic requirement for an optical receiver is to collect the incoming monochromatic light over a wide aperture and concentrate the light onto a photodetector. Because of lens aberrations and diffraction, the light passing through any lens is focused to a blur circle rather than to a point. Calculations for some representative cases of wide-aperture non-diffraction-limited Fresnel lenses have shown that it should be possible to attain blur-circle diameters of less than 2 mm. Preferably, the blur-circle diameter should match the width of the photodetector. For most high-bandwidth communication applications, the required photodetector diameters would be about 1 mm. In a less-preferable case in which the blur circle was wider than a single photodetector, it would be possible to occupy the blur circle with an array of photodetectors. As an alternative to using a single large Fresnel lens, one could use an array of somewhat smaller lenses to synthesize the equivalent aperture area. Such a configuration might be preferable in a case in which a single Fresnel lens of the requisite large size would be impractical to manufacture, and the blur circle could not be made small enough. For example one could construct a square array of four 5-m-diameter Fresnel lenses to obtain the same light-collecting area as that of a single 10-m-diameter lens. In that case (see figure), the light collected by each Fresnel lens could be collimated, the collimated beams from the four Fresnel lenses could be reflected onto a common offaxis paraboloidal reflector, and the paraboloidal reflector would focus the four beams onto a single photodetector. Alternatively, detected signal from each detector behind each lens would be digitized before summing the signals.

  6. Lasing by driven atoms-cavity system in collective strong coupling regime.

    PubMed

    Sawant, Rahul; Rangwala, S A

    2017-09-12

    The interaction of laser cooled atoms with resonant light is determined by the natural linewidth of the excited state. An optical cavity is another optically resonant system where the loss from the cavity determines the resonant optical response of the system. The near resonant combination of an optical Fabry-Pérot cavity with laser cooled and trapped atoms couples two distinct optical resonators via light and has great potential for precision measurements and the creation of versatile quantum optics systems. Here we show how driven magneto-optically trapped atoms in collective strong coupling regime with the cavity leads to lasing at a frequency red detuned from the atomic transition. Lasing is demonstrated experimentally by the observation of a lasing threshold accompanied by polarization and spatial mode purity, and line-narrowing in the outcoupled light. Spontaneous emission into the cavity mode by the driven atoms stimulates lasing action, which is capable of operating as a continuous wave laser in steady state, without a seed laser. The system is modeled theoretically, and qualitative agreement with experimentally observed lasing is seen. Our result opens up a range of new measurement possibilities with this system.

  7. Benefits of glass fibers in solar fiber optic lighting systems.

    PubMed

    Volotinen, Tarja T; Lingfors, David H S

    2013-09-20

    The transmission properties and coupling of solar light have been studied for glass core multimode fibers in order to verify their benefits for a solar fiber optic lighting system. The light transportation distance can be extended from 20 m with plastic fibers to over 100 m with the kind of glass fibers studied here. A high luminous flux, full visible spectrum, as well as an outstanding color rendering index (98) and correlated color temperature similar to the direct sun light outside have been obtained. Thus the outstanding quality of solar light transmitted through these fibers would improve the visibility of all kinds of objects compared to fluorescent and other artificial lighting. Annual relative lighting energy savings of 36% in Uppsala, Sweden, and 76% in Dubai were estimated in an office environment. The absolute savings can be doubled by using glass optical fibers, and are estimated to be in the order of 550 kWh/year in Sweden and 1160 kWh/year in Dubai for one system of only 0.159 m(2) total light collecting area. The savings are dependent on the fiber length, the daily usage time of the interior, the type of artificial lighting substituted, the system light output flux, and the available time of sunny weather at the geographic location.

  8. Lighting and perceptual cues: Effects on gait measures of older adults at high and low risk for falls

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background The visual system plays an important role in maintaining balance. As a person ages, gait becomes slower and stride becomes shorter, especially in dimly lighted environments. Falls risk has been associated with reduced speed and increased gait variability. Methods Twenty-four older adults (half identified at risk for falls) experienced three lighting conditions: pathway illuminated by 1) general ceiling-mounted fixtures, 2) conventional plug-in night lights and 3) plug-in night lights supplemented by laser lines outlining the pathway. Gait measures were collected using the GAITRite© walkway system. Results Participants performed best under the general ceiling-mounted light system and worst under the night light alone. The pathway plus night lights increased gait velocity and reduced step length variability compared to the night lights alone in those at greater risk of falling. Conclusions Practically, when navigating in more challenging environments, such as in low-level ambient illumination, the addition of perceptual cues that define the horizontal walking plane can potentially reduce falls risks in older adults. PMID:21864387

  9. 75 FR 5370 - Notice of Request for Clearance of an Information Collection: Omnibus Household Survey Program

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-02

    ... transportation system in light of the DOT's strategic goals (safety, reduced congestion, global connectivity... transportation issues, and provide national estimates of transportation mode usage. Each version of the OHS will... transit (subway, streetcar, or light rail) Commuter rail Water transportation (taxis, ferries, ships...

  10. Real-time intraoperative fluorescence imaging system using light-absorption correction.

    PubMed

    Themelis, George; Yoo, Jung Sun; Soh, Kwang-Sup; Schulz, Ralf; Ntziachristos, Vasilis

    2009-01-01

    We present a novel fluorescence imaging system developed for real-time interventional imaging applications. The system implements a correction scheme that improves the accuracy of epi-illumination fluorescence images for light intensity variation in tissues. The implementation is based on the use of three cameras operating in parallel, utilizing a common lens, which allows for the concurrent collection of color, fluorescence, and light attenuation images at the excitation wavelength from the same field of view. The correction is based on a ratio approach of fluorescence over light attenuation images. Color images and video is used for surgical guidance and for registration with the corrected fluorescence images. We showcase the performance metrics of this system on phantoms and animals, and discuss the advantages over conventional epi-illumination systems developed for real-time applications and the limits of validity of corrected epi-illumination fluorescence imaging.

  11. Optical diagnostics integrated with laser spark delivery system

    DOEpatents

    Yalin, Azer [Fort Collins, CO; Willson, Bryan [Fort Collins, CO; Defoort, Morgan [Fort Collins, CO; Joshi, Sachin [Fort Collins, CO; Reynolds, Adam [Fort Collins, CO

    2008-09-02

    A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, and includes a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. The laser delivery assembly further includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. Other embodiments use a fiber laser to generate a spark. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to create a spark in an engine. Yet other embodiments include collecting light from the spark or a flame resulting from the spark and conveying the light for diagnostics. Methods of using the spark delivery systems and diagnostic systems are provided.

  12. Fiber laser coupled optical spark delivery system

    DOEpatents

    Yalin, Azer [Fort Collins, CO; Willson, Bryan [Fort Collins, CO; Defoort, Morgan [Fort Collins, CO; Joshi, Sachin [Fort Collins, CO; Reynolds, Adam [Fort Collins, CO

    2008-03-04

    A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, and includes a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. The laser delivery assembly further includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. Other embodiments use a fiber laser to generate a spark. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to create a spark in an engine. Yet other embodiments include collecting light from the spark or a flame resulting from the spark and conveying the light for diagnostics. Methods of using the spark delivery systems and diagnostic systems are provided.

  13. Virtual targeting in three-dimensional space with sound and light interference

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chua, Florence B.; DeMarco, Robert M.; Bergen, Michael T.; Short, Kenneth R.; Servatius, Richard J.

    2006-05-01

    Law enforcement and the military are critically concerned with the targeting and firing accuracy of opponents. Stimuli which impede opponent targeting and firing accuracy can be incorporated into defense systems. An automated virtual firing range was developed to assess human targeting accuracy under conditions of sound and light interference, while avoiding dangers associated with live fire. This system has the ability to quantify sound and light interference effects on targeting and firing accuracy in three dimensions. This was achieved by development of a hardware and software system that presents the subject with a sound or light target, preceded by a sound or light interference. SonyXplod. TM 4-way speakers present sound interference and sound targeting. The Martin ® MiniMAC TM Profile operates as a source of light interference, while a red laser light serves as a target. A tracking system was created to monitor toy gun movement and firing in three-dimensional space. Data are collected via the Ascension ® Flock of Birds TM tracking system and a custom National Instrument ® LabVIEW TM 7.0 program to monitor gun movement and firing. A test protocol examined system parameters. Results confirm that the system enables tracking of virtual shots from a fired simulation gun to determine shot accuracy and location in three dimensions.

  14. Semi-classical dynamics of superradiant Rayleigh scattering in a Bose-Einstein condensate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Müller, J. H.; Witthaut, D.; le Targat, R.; Arlt, J. J.; Polzik, E. S.; Hilliard, A. J.

    2016-10-01

    Due to its coherence properties and high optical depth, a Bose-Einstein condensate [BEC] provides an ideal setting to investigate collective atom-light interactions. Superradiant light scattering [SLS] in a BEC is a fascinating example of such an interaction. It is an analogous process to Dicke superradiance, in which an electronically inverted sample decays collectively, leading to the emission of one or more light pulses in a well-defined direction. Through time-resolved measurements of the superradiant light pulses emitted by an end-pumped BEC, we study the close connection of SLS with Dicke superradiance. A 1D model of the system yields good agreement with the experimental data and shows that the dynamics result from the structures that build up in the light and matter-wave fields along the BEC. This paves the way for exploiting the atom-photon correlations generated by the superradiance.

  15. Development of a rapid immunoassay system: Luminescent detection of antigen-associated antibody-luciferase in the presence of a dye that absorbs light from free antibody-luciferase.

    PubMed

    Mori, Akihiro; Ojima-Kato, Teruyo; Fuchi, Shingo; Kaiya, Shinichi; Kojima, Takaaki; Nakano, Hideo

    2017-12-01

    In this report, we developed a rapid immunoassay system, designated the bioluminescent interference gathering optical (BINGO) assay, which required no time-consuming washing steps for removal of unbound antibodies. This system employed a luciferase (Luc)-conjugated antibody (LucAb) and a dye that absorbed light from the LucAb. The antigen-associated LucAb was localized by transfer of an antigen to the detector-side of a chamber where a detector photomultiplier tube (PMT) was installed. In contrast, the free LucAb was distributed throughout the solution, and the light emitted by the free LucAb was absorbed by the dye. Therefore, only light from LucAb associated with antigen could be detected by the PMT. The new system could be used to rapidly detect the amount of antigen-antibody-Luc complex by collecting steps, such as centrifugation or magnetic collection of antibody-coated magnetic beads. Proof-of-principle experiments were performed using a model system with streptavidin beads and biotinylated Luc. The feasibility of the system was demonstrated using magnetic beads coated with anti-Escherichia coli O157 antibody, enabling detection of 4 × 10 3  cells in only 15 min. Thus, this system may have applications in a variety of biomedical fields. Copyright © 2017 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Relativistic collective diffusion in one-dimensional systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Gui-Wu; Lam, Yu-Yiu; Zheng, Dong-Qin; Zhong, Wei-Rong

    2018-05-01

    The relativistic collective diffusion in one-dimensional molecular system is investigated through nonequilibrium molecular dynamics with Monte Carlo methods. We have proposed the relationship among the speed, the temperature, the density distribution and the collective diffusion coefficient of particles in a relativistic moving system. It is found that the relativistic speed of the system has no effect on the temperature, but the collective diffusion coefficient decreases to zero as the velocity of the system approaches to the speed of light. The collective diffusion coefficient is modified as D‧ = D(1 ‑w2 c2 )3 2 for satisfying the relativistic circumstances. The present results may contribute to the understanding of the behavior of the particles transport diffusion in a high speed system, as well as enlighten the study of biological metabolism at relativistic high speed situation.

  17. Thomson scattering diagnostic on the Compact Toroidal Hybrid Experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Traverso, P. J.; Ennis, D. A.; Hartwell, G. J.; Kring, J. D.; Maurer, D. A.

    2017-10-01

    A Thomson scattering system is being commissioned for the non-axisymmetric plasmas of the Compact Toroidal Hybrid (CTH), a five-field period current-carrying torsatron. The system takes a single point measurement at the magnetic axis to both calibrate the two-color soft x-ray Te system and serve as an additional diagnostic for the V3FIT 3D equilibrium reconstruction code. A single point measurement will reduce the uncertainty in the reconstructed peak pressure by an order of magnitude for both current-carrying plasmas and future gyrotron-heated stellarator plasmas. The beam, generated by a frequency doubled Continuum 2 J, Nd:YAG laser, is passed vertically through an entrance Brewster window and a two-aperture optical baffle system to minimize stray light. Thomson scattered light is collected by two adjacent f/2 plano-convex condenser lenses and routed via a fiber bundle through a Holospec f/1.8 spectrograph. The red-shifted scattered light from 533-563 nm will be collected by an array of Hamamatsu H11706-40 PMTs. The system has been designed to measure plasmas with core Te of 100 to 200 eV and densities of 5 ×1018 to 5 ×1019 m-3. Stray light and calibration data for a single wavelength channel will be presented. This work is supported by U.S. Department of Energy Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER54610.

  18. Design of a Programmable Star Tracker-Based Reference System for a Simulated Spacecraft

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-03-27

    This reduces the overall light intensity hitting the sensor, as indicated by the darker color. However, the red and green circles are also forming...may be beneficial on SimSat since we can control the light output depending on the source chosen. It is possible to sacrifice some star light intensity ...could be done to improve accuracy based on what could be controlled and changed easily. 3.2.3.1 Focal Length. The optics portion of the light collection

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

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

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

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

  20. Reduction of background clutter in structured lighting systems

    DOEpatents

    Carlson, Jeffrey J.; Giles, Michael K.; Padilla, Denise D.; Davidson, Jr., Patrick A.; Novick, David K.; Wilson, Christopher W.

    2010-06-22

    Methods for segmenting the reflected light of an illumination source having a characteristic wavelength from background illumination (i.e. clutter) in structured lighting systems can comprise pulsing the light source used to illuminate a scene, pulsing the light source synchronously with the opening of a shutter in an imaging device, estimating the contribution of background clutter by interpolation of images of the scene collected at multiple spectral bands not including the characteristic wavelength and subtracting the estimated background contribution from an image of the scene comprising the wavelength of the light source and, placing a polarizing filter between the imaging device and the scene, where the illumination source can be polarized in the same orientation as the polarizing filter. Apparatus for segmenting the light of an illumination source from background illumination can comprise an illuminator, an image receiver for receiving images of multiple spectral bands, a processor for calculations and interpolations, and a polarizing filter.

  1. A time-domain fluorescence diffusion optical tomography system for breast tumor diagnosis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Wei; Gao, Feng; Wu, LinHui; Ma, Wenjuan; Yang, Fang; Zhou, Zhongxing; Zhang, Limin; Zhao, Huijuan

    2011-02-01

    A prototype time-domain fluorescence diffusion optical tomography (FDOT) system using near-infrared light is presented. The system employs two pulsed light sources, 32 source fibers and 32 detection channels, working separately for acquiring the temporal distribution of the photon flux on the tissue surface. The light sources are provided by low power picosecond pulsed diode lasers at wavelengths of 780 nm and 830 nm, and a 1×32-fiber-optic-switch sequentially directs light sources to the object surface through 32 source fibers. The light signals re-emitted from the object are collected by 32 detection fibers connected to four 8×1 fiber-optic-switch and then routed to four time-resolved measuring channels, each of which consists of a collimator, a filter wheel, a photomultiplier tube (PMT) photon-counting head and a time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) channel. The performance and efficacy of the designed multi-channel PMT-TCSPC system are assessed by reconstructing the fluorescent yield and lifetime images of a solid phantom.

  2. Laser light scattering review

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schaetzel, Klaus

    1989-01-01

    Since the development of laser light sources and fast digital electronics for signal processing, the classical discipline of light scattering on liquid systems experienced a strong revival plus an enormous expansion, mainly due to new dynamic light scattering techniques. While a large number of liquid systems can be investigated, ranging from pure liquids to multicomponent microemulsions, this review is largely restricted to applications on Brownian particles, typically in the submicron range. Static light scattering, the careful recording of the angular dependence of scattered light, is a valuable tool for the analysis of particle size and shape, or of their spatial ordering due to mutual interactions. Dynamic techniques, most notably photon correlation spectroscopy, give direct access to particle motion. This may be Brownian motion, which allows the determination of particle size, or some collective motion, e.g., electrophoresis, which yields particle mobility data. Suitable optical systems as well as the necessary data processing schemes are presented in some detail. Special attention is devoted to topics of current interest, like correlation over very large lag time ranges or multiple scattering.

  3. Optical systems fabricated by printing-based assembly

    DOEpatents

    Rogers, John; Nuzzo, Ralph; Meitl, Matthew; Menard, Etienne; Baca, Alfred J; Motala, Michael; Ahn, Jong-Hyun; Park, Sang-Il; Yu, Chang-Jae; Ko, Heung Cho; Stoykovich, Mark; Yoon, Jongseung

    2014-05-13

    Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities. Optical systems of the present invention include devices and device arrays exhibiting a range of useful physical and mechanical properties including flexibility, shapeability, conformability and stretchablity.

  4. Optical systems fabricated by printing-based assembly

    DOEpatents

    Rogers, John [Champaign, IL; Nuzzo, Ralph [Champaign, IL; Meitl, Matthew [Durham, NC; Menard, Etienne [Durham, NC; Baca, Alfred J [Urbana, IL; Motala, Michael [Champaign, IL; Ahn, Jong-Hyun [Suwon, KR; Park, Sang-II [Savoy, IL; Yu,; Chang-Jae, [Urbana, IL; Ko, Heung-Cho [Gwangju, KR; Stoykovich,; Mark, [Dover, NH; Yoon, Jongseung [Urbana, IL

    2011-07-05

    Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities. Optical systems of the present invention include devices and device arrays exhibiting a range of useful physical and mechanical properties including flexibility, shapeability, conformability and stretchablity.

  5. Optical systems fabricated by printing-based assembly

    DOEpatents

    Rogers, John; Nuzzo, Ralph; Meitl, Matthew; Menard, Etienne; Baca, Alfred; Motala, Michael; Ahn, Jong -Hyun; Park, Sang -Il; Yu, Chang -Jae; Ko, Heung Cho; Stoykovich, Mark; Yoon, Jongseung

    2015-08-25

    Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities. Optical systems of the present invention include devices and device arrays exhibiting a range of useful physical and mechanical properties including flexibility, shapeability, conformability and stretchablity.

  6. Optical systems fabricated by printing-based assembly

    DOEpatents

    Rogers, John; Nuzzo, Ralph; Meitl, Matthew; Menard, Etienne; Baca, Alfred; Motala, Michael; Ahn, Jong-Hyun; Park, Sang-Il; Yu, Chang-Jae; Ko, Heung Cho; Stoykovich, Mark; Yoon, Jongseung

    2017-03-21

    Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities. Optical systems of the present invention include devices and device arrays exhibiting a range of useful physical and mechanical properties including flexibility, shapeability, conformability and stretchablity.

  7. Intelligent rear light for compensation of environmental effects on car visibility

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gruner, Roman; Schubert, Jorg

    2004-01-01

    LIDAR remote sensing technology has not only applications in geographical, atmospheric or biological sciences but it can also play an important role in the everyday life. Within the last 10 years statistics of European car traffic has shown that about one third of all accidents go back to darkness and poor road conditions. A system collecting information about visibility and distance to following vehicles and setting appropriate rear light intensities could provide a much safer road travel under various environmental conditions. The system that is being developed co-operates with a dirt and brightness sensor to take into account these various external influences on an automobile and applies them to the operation of the rear light. The developed sensors are integrated in an advanced micro-system and capable of providing external environmental data for automatic brightness control within a requested range of light output for constant perceptibility of light signals to the following traffic. This conference gives further information about: (1) construction, optical and laser parameters, (2) application in rear light systems, (3) measurement characteristics, (4) test equipment (LIDAR_Probe), (5) measurement results, test rides, raw data.

  8. Optical detection dental disease using polarized light

    DOEpatents

    Everett, Matthew J.; Colston, Jr., Billy W.; Sathyam, Ujwal S.; Da Silva, Luiz B.; Fried, Daniel

    2003-01-01

    A polarization sensitive optical imaging system is used to detect changes in polarization in dental tissues to aid the diagnosis of dental disease such as caries. The degree of depolarization is measured by illuminating the dental tissue with polarized light and measuring the polarization state of the backscattered light. The polarization state of this reflected light is analyzed using optical polarimetric imaging techniques. A hand-held fiber optic dental probe is used in vivo to direct the incident beam to the dental tissue and collect the reflected light. To provide depth-resolved characterization of the dental tissue, the polarization diagnostics may be incorporated into optical coherence domain reflectometry and optical coherence tomography (OCDR/OCT) systems, which enables identification of subsurface depolarization sites associated with demineralization of enamel or bone.

  9. Use of a supercontinuum white light in evaluating the spectral sensitivity of the pupil light reflex

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chin, Catherine; Leick, Lasse; Podoleanu, Adrian; Lall, Gurprit S.

    2018-03-01

    We assessed the spectral sensitivity of the pupillary light reflex in mice using a high power super continuum white light (SCWL) source in a dual wavelength configuration. This novel approach was compared to data collected from a more traditional setup using a Xenon arc lamp fitted with monochromatic interference filters. Irradiance response curves were constructed using both systems, with the added benefit of a two-wavelength, equivocal power, output using the SCWL. The variables applied to the light source were intensity, wavelength and stimulus duration through which the physiological output measured was the minimum pupil size attained under such conditions. We show that by implementing the SCWL as our novel stimulus we were able to dramatically increase the physiological usefulness of our pupillometry system.

  10. Advances in detection of diffuse seafloor venting using structured light imaging.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smart, C.; Roman, C.; Carey, S.

    2016-12-01

    Systematic, remote detection and high resolution mapping of low temperature diffuse hydrothermal venting is inefficient and not currently tractable using traditional remotely operated vehicle (ROV) mounted sensors. Preliminary results for hydrothermal vent detection using a structured light laser sensor were presented in 2011 and published in 2013 (Smart) with continual advancements occurring in the interim. As the structured light laser passes over active venting, the projected laser line effectively blurs due to the associated turbulence and density anomalies in the vent fluid. The degree laser disturbance is captured by a camera collecting images of the laser line at 20 Hz. Advancements in the detection of the laser and fluid interaction have included extensive normalization of the collected laser data and the implementation of a support vector machine algorithm to develop a classification routine. The image data collected over a hydrothermal vent field is then labeled as seafloor, bacteria or a location of venting. The results can then be correlated with stereo images, bathymetry and backscatter data. This sensor is a component of an ROV mounted imaging suite which also includes stereo cameras and a multibeam sonar system. Originally developed for bathymetric mapping, the structured light laser sensor, and other imaging suite components, are capable of creating visual and bathymetric maps with centimeter level resolution. Surveys are completed in a standard mowing the lawn pattern completing a 30m x 30m survey with centimeter level resolution in under an hour. Resulting co-registered data includes, multibeam and structured light laser bathymetry and backscatter, stereo images and vent detection. This system allows for efficient exploration of areas with diffuse and small point source hydrothermal venting increasing the effectiveness of scientific sampling and observation. Recent vent detection results collected during the 2013-2015 E/V Nautilus seasons will be presented. Smart, C. J. and Roman, C. and Carey, S. N. (2013) Detection of diffuse seafloor venting using structured light imaging, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 14, 4743-4757

  11. Sleep deficits in the High Arctic summer in relation to light exposure and behaviour: use of melatonin as a countermeasure.

    PubMed

    Paul, Michel A; Love, Ryan J; Hawton, Andrea; Brett, Kaighley; McCreary, Donald R; Arendt, Josephine

    2015-03-01

    There are conflicting reports regarding seasonal sleep difficulties in polar regions. Herein we report differences in actigraphic sleep measures between two summer trials (collected at Canadian Forces Station Alert, 82.5°N, in 2012 and 2014) and evaluate exogenous melatonin for preventing/treating circadian phase delay due to nocturnal light exposure. Subjects wore actigraphs continuously to obtain sleep data. Following seven days of actigraphic recording the subjects filled out questionnaires regarding sleep difficulty and psychosocial parameters and subsequently remained in dim light conditions for 24 hours, during which saliva was collected bihourly to measure melatonin. During Trial 2, individuals who reported difficulty sleeping were prescribed melatonin, and a second saliva collection was conducted to evaluate the effect of melatonin on the circadian system. Trial 1 subjects collectively had late dim light melatonin onsets and difficulty sleeping; however, the Trial 2 subjects had normally timed melatonin rhythms, and obtained a good quantity of high-quality sleep. Nocturnal light exposure was significantly different between the trials, with Trial 1 subjects exposed to significantly more light between 2200 and 0200h. Melatonin treatment during Trial 2 led to an improvement in the subjective sleep difficulty between the pre- and post-treatment surveys; however there were no significant differences in the objective measures of sleep. The difference in sleep and melatonin rhythms between research participants in June 2012 and June 2014 is attributed to the higher levels of nocturnal light exposure in 2012. The avoidance of nocturnal light is likely to improve sleep during the Arctic summer. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Scandinavian systems monitoring the oral health in children and adolescents; an evaluation of their quality and utility in the light of modern perspectives of caries management.

    PubMed

    Skeie, Marit S; Klock, Kristin S

    2014-04-30

    Recording reliable oral health data is a challenge. The aims were a) to outline different Scandinavian systems of oral health monitoring, b) to evaluate the quality and utility of the collected data in the light of modern concepts of disease management and to suggest improvements. The information for in this study was related to (a) children and adolescents, (b) oral health data and (c) routines for monitoring such data. This meant information available in the official web sites of the "KOSTRA-data" (Municipality-State-Report) in Norway, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare ("Socialstyrelsen") and Oral Health Register (the SCOR system, National Board of Health) in Denmark. A potential for increasing the reliability and validity of the data existed. Routines for monitoring other oral diseases than caries were limited. Compared with the other Scandinavian countries, the data collection system in Denmark appeared more functional and had adopted more modern concepts of disease management than other systems. In the light of modern concepts of caries management, data collected elsewhere had limited utility. The Scandinavian systems of health reporting had much in common, but some essential differences existed. If the quality of epidemiological data were enhanced, it would be possible to use the data for planning oral health care. Routines and procedures should be improved and updated in accordance with the modern ideas about caries prevention and therapy. For appropriate oral health planning in an organised dental service, reporting of enamel caries is essential.

  13. Compact fluorescent lights and the impact of convenience and knowledge on household recycling rates.

    PubMed

    Wagner, Travis P

    2011-06-01

    Increased energy costs, social marketing campaigns, public subsidies, and reduced retail prices have dramatically increased the number of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) installed worldwide. CFLs provide many benefits, but they contain a very small amount of mercury. Given the billions of CFLs in use worldwide, they represent a significant source of mercury unless CFLs are recycled and the mercury recovered in an environmentally sound manner. In the state of Maine (northeast United States), despite mandated recycling of CFLs and availability of free CFL recycling, the household CFL recycling rate is very low. A study was undertaken to identify the primary factors responsible for low recycling. The first step was to survey householders who use CFLs. The 520 survey responses indicated that insufficient knowledge regarding recycling and inconvenience of the collection system are the two primary factors for the low recycling rate. To validate these findings, the second step was an examination of the current collection system to assess (a) the knowledge requirements necessary for recycling and (b) the convenience of the collection system. The results of this examination validated that knowledge requirements were excessively difficult to fulfill and the collection system is not sufficiently convenient. Based on these results, waste managers should focus on increasing convenience and simplifying access to information when designing or improving household collection and recycling of CFLs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. A beam splitter of natural light guiding system based on dichroic prism for ecological illumination

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Yu-Chi; Chen, Yi-Yung; Whang, Allen Jong-Woei

    2009-08-01

    In thremmatology, many researches focus on ecological illumination for improving the growing speed of animal or plant. According to the Trichromatic theory, any specific color can be made up of red, green, and blue light. Sunlight has full spectrum so it is the most applicable source. A Natural Light Guiding System includes collecting, transmitting, and lighting parts. In our research, we would like to design a beam splitter in the transmitting part to separate the sunlight into red, green, and blue light for ecological illumination. We use high pass and low pass dichroic coatings in a prism, called dichroic prism, to be the beam splitter to separate the wavelength. For measuring the spectra of the exit beams, we build a space with the Natural Light Guiding System. In the space, the spectra of sunlight outside and inside the space and the exit beams of the beam splitter are measured. Finally, we use prismatic structure to design the beam splitter, and optimize the surface of the element with aspheric surface and Fresnel surface to reduce the beam angle of exit light.

  15. Thomson scattering diagnostic system design for the Compact Toroidal Hybrid experiment

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

    Traverso, P. J., E-mail: pjt0002@auburn.edu; Maurer, D. A.; Ennis, D. A.

    2014-11-15

    A new Thomson scattering system using standard commercially available components has been designed for the non-axisymmetric plasmas of the Compact Toroidal Hybrid (CTH). The beam, generated by a frequency doubled Continuum PL DLS 2 J Nd:YAG laser, is passed vertically through an entrance Brewster window and an aperturing baffle system to minimize the stray laser light that could enter the collection optics. The beam line has been designed with an 8 m propagation distance to the mid-plane of the CTH device with the beam diameter kept less than 3 mm inside the plasma volume. The beam exits the vacuum systemmore » through another Brewster window and enters a beam dump, again to minimize the stray light in the vacuum chamber. Light collection, spectral processing, and signal detection are accomplished with an f/#∼ 1 aspheric lens, a commercially available Holospec f/1.8 spectrometer, and an Andor iStar DH740-18U-C3 image intensified camera. Spectral rejection of stray laser light, if needed, can be performed with the use of an optional interference filter at the spectrometer input. The system has been developed for initial single point measurements of plasmas with core electron temperatures of approximately 20–300 eV and densities of 5 × 10{sup 18} to 5 × 10{sup 19} m{sup −3} dependent upon operational scenario.« less

  16. Novel aplanatic designs for LED concentration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ricketts, Melissa; Winston, Roland; Jiang, Lun

    2014-09-01

    Aplanats make great concentrators because of their near perfect imaging. Aplanatic conditions can be satisfied using two surface curves (generally mirrored surfaces) in two dimensions (see Figure 1) which are constructed by successive approximation to create a highly efficient concentrator for both concentration and illumination. For concentration purposes, having a two mirror system would be impossible because the front mirror would block incoming light (see figure 2) so the idea is to replace the front mirror with a "one-way" mirror. Light from a lower index can be transmitted, so if the aplanat surface is a higher index light is allowed to enter, and be trapped. In the Jellyfish design, TIR takes place except for light striking the surface within the range of critical angles. To combat that, a small area of reflective coating is applied to the central top part of the Jellyfish, where TIR fails (In the middle) to keep the light there from directly escaping (see figure 3). The design works in both forwards and reverse. Light entering can be focused to a collecter, or the collecter can be replaced with a light source to concentrate light out. In this case, LEDs are used for their highly efficienct properties.

  17. Optimal integration of daylighting and electric lighting systems using non-imaging optics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Scartezzini, J.-L.; Linhart, F.; Kaegi-Kolisnychenko, E.

    2007-09-01

    Electric lighting is responsible for a significant fraction of electricity consumption within non-residential buildings. Making daylight more available in office and commercial buildings can lead as a consequence to important electricity savings, as well as to the improvement of occupants' visual performance and wellbeing. Over the last decades, daylighting technologies have been developed for that purpose, some of them having proven to be highly efficient such as anidolic daylighting systems. Based on non-imaging optics these optical devices were designed to achieve an efficient collection and redistribution of daylight within deep office rooms. However in order to benefit from the substantial daylight provision obtained through these systems and convert it into effective electricity savings, novel electric lighting strategies are required. An optimal integration of high efficacy light sources and efficient luminaries based on non-imaging optics with anidolic daylighting systems can lead to such novel strategies. Starting from the experience gained through the development of an Anidolic Integrated Ceiling (AIC), this paper presents an optimal integrated daylighting and electric lighting system. Computer simulations based on ray-tracing techniques were used to achieve the integration of 36W fluorescent tubes and non-imaging reflectors with an advanced daylighting system. Lighting power densities lower than 4 W/m2 can be achieved in this way within the corresponding office room. On-site monitoring of an integrated daylighting and electric lighting system carried out on a solar experimental building confirmed the energy and visual performance of such a system: it showed that low lighting power densities can be achieved by combining an anidolic daylighting system with very efficient electric light sources and luminaries.

  18. Characterization of single particle aerosols by elastic light scattering at multiple wavelengths

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lane, P. A.; Hart, M. B.; Jain, V.; Tucker, J. E.; Eversole, J. D.

    2018-03-01

    We describe a system to characterize individual aerosol particles using stable and repeatable measurement of elastic light scattering. The method employs a linear electrodynamic quadrupole (LEQ) particle trap. Charged particles, continuously injected by electrospray into this system, are confined to move vertically along the stability line in the center of the LEQ past a point where they are optically interrogated. Light scattered in the near forward direction was measured at three different wavelengths using time-division multiplexed collinear laser beams. We validated our method by comparing measured silica microsphere data for four selected diameters (0.7, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 μm) to a model of collected scattered light intensities based upon Lorenz-Mie scattering theory. Scattered light measurements at the different wavelengths are correlated, allowing us to distinguish and classify inhomogeneous particles.

  19. Cylindrically symmetric Fresnel lens for high concentration photovoltaic

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hung, Yu-Ting; Su, Guo-Dung

    2009-08-01

    High concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) utilizes point-focus cost-effective plastic Fresnel lens. And a millimeter-sized Ill-V compound multi-junction solar cell is placed underneath focusing optics which can achieve cell efficiency potential of up to 40.7 %. The advantage of HCPV makes less solar cell area and higher efficiency; however, the acceptance angle of HCPV is about +/-1°, which is very small and the mechanical tracking of the sun is necessary. In order to reduce the power consumption and the angle tracking error of tracking systems, a light collector model with larger acceptance angle is designed with ZEMAX®. In this model, the original radially symmetric Fresnel lens of HCPV is replaced by cylindrically symmetric Fresnel lens and a parabolic reflective surface. Light is collected in two dimensions separately. And a couple of lenses and a light pipe are added before the solar cell chip in order to collect more light when sun light deviates from incident angle of 00. An acceptance angle of +/-10° is achieved with GCR 400.

  20. Using compressive measurement to obtain images at ultra low-light-level

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ke, Jun; Wei, Ping

    2013-08-01

    In this paper, a compressive imaging architecture is used for ultra low-light-level imaging. In such a system, features, instead of object pixels, are imaged onto a photocathode, and then magnified by an image intensifier. By doing so, system measurement SNR is increased significantly. Therefore, the new system can image objects at ultra low-ligh-level, while a conventional system has difficulty. PCA projection is used to collect feature measurements in this work. Linear Wiener operator and nonlinear method based on FoE model are used to reconstruct objects. Root mean square error (RMSE) is used to quantify system reconstruction quality.

  1. TOMS Validation Based on Profiles of Aerosol Properties in the Lower Troposphere as Obtained with Light Aircraft Systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Prospero, Joseph M.; Maring, Hal; Savoie, Dennis

    2003-01-01

    The goal of the University of Miami Aerosol Group (UMAG) in this project was to make measurements of vertical profiles of aerosol properties and aerosol optical depth using a light aircraft. The UMAG developed a light aircraft aerosol package (LAAP) that was used in light aircraft (Cessna 172) during the Puerto Rico Dust Experiment (PRIDE). This field campaign took place on Puerto Rico during July 2000. Design details and results from the use of the LAAP were presented at TOMS Science team meetings on April 1998, April 1999, and May 2000. Results from the LAAP collected during the PRIDE Experiment were presented at the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, December 2000. Some of the results from the LAAP collected during the PRIDE Experiment have been accepted for publication in the Journal of Geophysical Research in a "topical section" made up of papers from the PRIDE Program.

  2. Evaluation of Light Collection System for Pion and Kaon Experiments in Hall C at Jefferson Lab

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roustom, Salim

    2017-09-01

    The neutral pion and the kaon are opportune to study the hadron structure through General Parton Distributions, which can be viewed as spatial densities at different momenta of the quarks inside the proton. To study hadron structure with pion or kaon experiments in Hall C at 12 GeV Jefferson Lab, one must analyze the final state neutral pions and kaons and their decay products. For the analysis of these particles, dedicated detectors based on the Cherenkov or scintillation mechanism are used, e.g. the HMS and SHMS aerogel detectors and the PbWO4-based Neutral Particle Spectrometer. A critical part of these detectors is the light collection system. Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs) have many advantages, however, they are sensitive to magnetic fields and can get damaged by elevated helium levels in the atmosphere. An alternative to PMTs are Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs). APDs are sensitive to background noise, temperature, and radiation. It is thus important to evaluate the benefits of each light collection system and optimize operating conditions to ensure performance over a reasonably long time. I will present a performance study of PMTs exposed to elevated levels of helium and a comparison of APDs as alternatives, as well as new, compact readout methods. Supported in part by NSF Grants PHY-1714133, PHY-1530874, PHY-1306227 and PHY-1306418.

  3. Sensitivity of nonlinear photoionization to resonance substructure in collective excitation

    PubMed Central

    Mazza, T.; Karamatskou, A.; Ilchen, M.; Bakhtiarzadeh, S.; Rafipoor, A. J.; O'Keeffe, P.; Kelly, T. J.; Walsh, N.; Costello, J. T.; Meyer, M.; Santra, R.

    2015-01-01

    Collective behaviour is a characteristic feature in many-body systems, important for developments in fields such as magnetism, superconductivity, photonics and electronics. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the optically nonlinear response of collective excitations. Here we demonstrate how the nonlinear interaction of a many-body system with intense XUV radiation can be used as an effective probe for characterizing otherwise unresolved features of its collective response. Resonant photoionization of atomic xenon was chosen as a case study. The excellent agreement between experiment and theory strongly supports the prediction that two distinct poles underlie the giant dipole resonance. Our results pave the way towards a deeper understanding of collective behaviour in atoms, molecules and solid-state systems using nonlinear spectroscopic techniques enabled by modern short-wavelength light sources. PMID:25854939

  4. Feasibility analysis on integration of luminous environment measuring and design based on exposure curve calibration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zou, Yuan; Shen, Tianxing

    2013-03-01

    Besides illumination calculating during architecture and luminous environment design, to provide more varieties of photometric data, the paper presents combining relation between luminous environment design and SM light environment measuring system, which contains a set of experiment devices including light information collecting and processing modules, and can offer us various types of photometric data. During the research process, we introduced a simulation method for calibration, which mainly includes rebuilding experiment scenes in 3ds Max Design, calibrating this computer aid design software in simulated environment under conditions of various typical light sources, and fitting the exposure curves of rendered images. As analytical research went on, the operation sequence and points for attention during the simulated calibration were concluded, connections between Mental Ray renderer and SM light environment measuring system were established as well. From the paper, valuable reference conception for coordination between luminous environment design and SM light environment measuring system was pointed out.

  5. Optimization of illumination for a diffuse-spectroscopy-based early melanoma diagnostic imager

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rawicz, Andrew H.; Melnyk, Ivan; Oldham, Bradley

    2004-10-01

    An optical system injecting light directly to the skin and collecting the backscattered portion of the light that has been spectrally modified within the skin has been designed and fabricated. This method reduces the noise generated by the specular component practically to zero. The initial device involved a single channel, optical-fibre-based illuminator and collector connected with a spectroscope. The single channel probing head scanned the skin using a mechanical shifting device. Seven clinical tests performed on patients with suspect skin lesions have been tested with our device, and later biopsy was taken as a "gold standard" procedure. Three cases proved to be melanoma and our spectra indicated differences from those collected from non-melanoma lesions. The process of collecting spectral data was time consuming (about 30 min) and thus not acceptable for a medical procedure. To accelerate the process of data collection from the skin, using the same principle of diffuse spectroscopy, an imaging device was conceived which is able to collect the skin spectral response at once from a relatively sizeable skin area. The requirement of negligible specular component was considered of paramount importance. Two possible approaches are feasible to satisfy this requirement: 1. Collection of backscattered light directly from the skin 2. Injection of illuminating light directly to the skin without creating reflections directly from skin. We decided to use the second approach and construct a circular, circumferential illuminator with angled light injection. Before fabricating this illuminator, a thorough analysis was performed to optimize its radius and angle of injection in order to receive the highest uniformity of diffuse light in the skin. Monte-Carlo simulation was applied to a three layer skin approximation. Only three layers were considered due to the assumption that the device must be able to diagnose early melanoma before reaching metastasis. The results of the simulation are presented.

  6. Design of axisymmetrical tailored concentrators for LED light source applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Van Giel, Bart; Meuret, Youri; Thienpont, Hugo

    2006-04-01

    In our contribution we present a solution to an important question in the design of a LED-based illumination engine for projection systems: the collimation of the LED light. We tested the principle in the modification of a common device in non-imaging optics, the compound Parabolic Concentrator. This CPC-like achieves a collection of 72% (ideal reflective coating presumed). This CPC-like was tailored by numerically solving an differential equation. This approach has some serious drawbacks. For a compact collection device with high collimation, an other approach is required. A more elegant design strategy will rely fully on geometrical principles. The result of our work is a compound collection lens that achieves a collection efficiency of 87%, assuming an ideal reflective coating and neglecting Fresnel losses. We study the performance of this device in detail. Further enhancements are suggested.

  7. Control and automation of the Pegasus multi-point Thomson scattering system

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

    Bodner, G. M., E-mail: gbodner@wisc.edu; Bongard, M. W.; Fonck, R. J.

    A new control system for the Pegasus Thomson scattering diagnostic has recently been deployed to automate the laser operation, data collection process, and interface with the system-wide Pegasus control code. Automation has been extended to areas outside of data collection, such as manipulation of beamline cameras and remotely controlled turning mirror actuators to enable intra-shot beam alignment. Additionally, the system has been upgraded with a set of fast (∼1 ms) mechanical shutters to mitigate contamination from background light. Modification and automation of the Thomson system have improved both data quality and diagnostic reliability.

  8. Control and automation of the Pegasus multi-point Thomson scattering system

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

    Bodner, Grant M.; Bongard, Michael W.; Fonck, Raymond J.

    A new control system for the Pegasus Thomson scattering diagnostic has recently been deployed to automate the laser operation, data collection process, and interface with the system-wide Pegasus control code. Automation has been extended to areas outside of data collection, such as manipulation of beamline cameras and remotely controlled turning mirror actuators to enable intra-shot beam alignment. In addition, the system has been upgraded with a set of fast (~1 ms) mechanical shutters to mitigate contamination from background light. Modification and automation of the Thomson system have improved both data quality and diagnostic reliability.

  9. Control and automation of the Pegasus multi-point Thomson scattering system

    DOE PAGES

    Bodner, Grant M.; Bongard, Michael W.; Fonck, Raymond J.; ...

    2016-08-12

    A new control system for the Pegasus Thomson scattering diagnostic has recently been deployed to automate the laser operation, data collection process, and interface with the system-wide Pegasus control code. Automation has been extended to areas outside of data collection, such as manipulation of beamline cameras and remotely controlled turning mirror actuators to enable intra-shot beam alignment. In addition, the system has been upgraded with a set of fast (~1 ms) mechanical shutters to mitigate contamination from background light. Modification and automation of the Thomson system have improved both data quality and diagnostic reliability.

  10. The cervical cancer detection system based on an endoscopic rotary probe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Yanshuang; Hou, Qiang; Zhao, Huijuan; Qin, Zhuanping; Gao, Feng

    2012-03-01

    To acquire the optical diffuse tomographic image of the cervix, a novel endoscopic rotary probe is designed and the frequency domain measurement system is developed. The finite element method and Gauss-Newton method are proposed to reconstruct the image of the phantom. In the optical diffuse tomographic imaging of the cervix, an endoscopic probe is needed and the detection of light at different separation to the irradiation spot is necessary. To simplify the system, only two optical fibers are adopted for light irradiation and collection, respectively. Two small stepper motors are employed to control the rotation of the incident fiber and the detection fiber, respectively. For one position of source fiber, the position of the detection fiber is changed from -61.875° to -50.625° and 50.625° to 61.875° to the source fiber, respectively. Then, the position of the source fiber is changed to another preconcerted position, which deviates the precious source position in an angle of 11.25°, and the detection fiber rotates within the above angles. To acquire the efficient irradiation and collection of the light, a gradient-index (GRIN) lens is connected at the head of the optical fiber. The other end of the GRIN lens is cut to 45°. With this design, light from optical fiber is reflected to the cervix wall, which is perpendicular to the optical fiber or vice versa. Considering the cervical size, the external diameter of the endoscopic probe is made to 20mm. A frequency domain (FD) near-infrared diffuse system is developed aiming at the detection of early cervical cancer, which modulates the light intensity in radio frequency and measures the amplitude attenuation and the phase delay of the diffused light using heterodyne detection. Phantom experiment results demonstrate that the endoscopic rotary scan probe and the system perform well in the endoscopic measurement.

  11. A three-dimensional orthogonal laser velocimeter for the NASA Ames 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dunagan, Stephen E.; Cooper, Donald L.

    1995-01-01

    A three-component dual-beam laser-velocimeter system has been designed, fabricated, and implemented in the 7-by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. The instrument utilizes optical access from both sides and the top of the test section, and is configured for uncoupled orthogonal measurements of the three Cartesian coordinates of velocity. Bragg cell optics are used to provide fringe velocity bias. Modular system design provides great flexibility in the location of sending and receiving optics to adapt to specific experimental requirements. Near-focus Schmidt-Cassegrain optic modules may be positioned for collection of forward or backward scattered light over a large solid angle, and may be clustered to further increase collection solid angle. Multimode fiber optics transmit collected light to the photomultiplier tubes for processing. Counters are used to process the photomultiplier signals and transfer the processed data digitally via buffered interface controller to the host MS-DOS computer. Considerable data reduction and graphical display programming permit on-line control of data acquisition and evaluation of the incoming data. This paper describes this system in detail and presents sample data illustrating the system's capability.

  12. Scandinavian systems monitoring the oral health in children and adolescents; an evaluation of their quality and utility in the light of modern perspectives of caries management

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Recording reliable oral health data is a challenge. The aims were a) to outline different Scandinavian systems of oral health monitoring, b) to evaluate the quality and utility of the collected data in the light of modern concepts of disease management and to suggest improvements. Material and methods The information for in this study was related to (a) children and adolescents, (b) oral health data and (c) routines for monitoring such data. This meant information available in the official web sites of the “KOSTRA-data” (Municipality-State-Report) in Norway, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (“Socialstyrelsen”) and Oral Health Register (the SCOR system, National Board of Health) in Denmark. Results A potential for increasing the reliability and validity of the data existed. Routines for monitoring other oral diseases than caries were limited. Compared with the other Scandinavian countries, the data collection system in Denmark appeared more functional and had adopted more modern concepts of disease management than other systems. In the light of modern concepts of caries management, data collected elsewhere had limited utility. Conclusions The Scandinavian systems of health reporting had much in common, but some essential differences existed. If the quality of epidemiological data were enhanced, it would be possible to use the data for planning oral health care. Routines and procedures should be improved and updated in accordance with the modern ideas about caries prevention and therapy. For appropriate oral health planning in an organised dental service, reporting of enamel caries is essential. PMID:24885243

  13. Improved Emergency Egress Lighting System for the ISS

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Eaton, Leslie L.; Barr, Don A.

    2005-01-01

    Emergency lights provide illumination in corridors, stairwells, ramps, escalators, aisles, and exit passageways during power failures. Safety and visibility are critical during a power outage. If emergency lights fail to operate properly, the building occupants can become disoriented. Four documents in a collection discuss different topics relating to a proposed improved emergency egress lighting system (EELS) for the International Space Station (ISS). While the present EELS is designed around rows of green-light-emitting diodes, the proposed system contains strips of electroluminescent tape using different colors for each egress path. The proposed EELS can be powered by the same battery currently used by the present EELS, but would require an inverter because electroluminescent devices require AC. Electroluminescent devices also require significantly less current and, depending on the color, would emit 3 to 8 times the light of the present EELS. In addition, they could operate for up to 75 hours (versus .20 minutes for the present system). The first document contains a one-page summary of the proposal and an evaluation of technical merit. The second document summarizes the motivation for, and the design of, the proposed EELS. The third document addresses relevant aspects of the measurement of spectral sensitivity and the psychophysics of perception of light. The fourth document presents additional background information and technical specifications for the electroluminescent tapes.

  14. Video and thermal imaging system for monitoring interiors of high temperature reaction vessels

    DOEpatents

    Saveliev, Alexei V [Chicago, IL; Zelepouga, Serguei A [Hoffman Estates, IL; Rue, David M [Chicago, IL

    2012-01-10

    A system and method for real-time monitoring of the interior of a combustor or gasifier wherein light emitted by the interior surface of a refractory wall of the combustor or gasifier is collected using an imaging fiber optic bundle having a light receiving end and a light output end. Color information in the light is captured with primary color (RGB) filters or complimentary color (GMCY) filters placed over individual pixels of color sensors disposed within a digital color camera in a BAYER mosaic layout, producing RGB signal outputs or GMCY signal outputs. The signal outputs are processed using intensity ratios of the primary color filters or the complimentary color filters, producing video images and/or thermal images of the interior of the combustor or gasifier.

  15. Improved aethalometer

    DOEpatents

    Hansen, A.D.

    1988-01-25

    An improved aethalometer having a single light source and a single light detector and two light paths from the light source to the light detector. A quartz fiber filter is inserted in the device, the filter having a collection area in one light path and a reference area in the other light path. A gas flow path through the aethalometer housing allows ambient air to flow through the collection area of the filter so that aerosol particles can be collected on the filter. A rotating disk with an opening therethrough allows light for the light source to pass alternately through the two light paths. The voltage output of the detector is applied to a VCO and the VCO pulses for light transmission separately through the two light paths, are counted and compared to determine the absorption coefficient of the collected aerosol particles. 5 figs.

  16. Advances in photon counting for bioluminescence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ingle, Martin B.; Powell, Ralph

    1998-11-01

    Photon counting systems were originally developed for astronomy, initially by the astronomical community. However, a major application area is in the study of luminescent probes in living plants, fishes and cell cultures. For these applications, it has been necessary to develop camera system capability at very low light levels -- a few photons occasionally -- and also at reasonably high light levels to enable the systems to be focused and to collect quality images of the object under study. The paper presents new data on MTF at extremely low photon flux and conventional ICCD illumination, counting efficiency and dark noise as a function of temperature.

  17. Sensitivity of housekeeping genes in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the mouse brain to diet and the daily light-dark cycle.

    PubMed

    Cleal, Jane K; Shepherd, James N; Shearer, Jasmine L; Bruce, Kimberley D; Cagampang, Felino R

    2014-08-05

    The endogenous timing system within the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus drives the cyclic expression of the clock molecules across the 24h day-night cycle controlling downstream molecular pathways and physiological processes. The developing fetal clock system is sensitive to the environment and physiology of the pregnant mother and as such disruption of this system could lead to altered physiology in the offspring. Characterizing the gene profiles of the endogenous molecular clock system by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction is dependent on normalization by appropriate housekeeping genes (HKGs). However, many HKGs commonly used as internal controls, although stably expressed under control conditions, can vary significantly in their expression under certain experimental conditions. Here we analyzed the expression of 10 classic HKG across the 24h light-dark cycle in the SCN of mouse offspring exposed to normal chow or a high fat diet during early development and in postnatal life. We found that the HKGs glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, beta actin and adenosine triphosphate synthase subunit to be the most stably expressed genes in the SCN regardless of diet or time within the 24h light-dark cycle, and are therefore suitable to be used as internal controls. However SCN samples collected during the light and dark periods did show differences in expression and as such the timing of collection should be considered when carrying out gene expression studies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Smart Optical Material Characterization System and Method

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Choi, Sang Hyouk (Inventor); Park, Yeonjoon (Inventor)

    2015-01-01

    Disclosed is a system and method for characterizing optical materials, using steps and equipment for generating a coherent laser light, filtering the light to remove high order spatial components, collecting the filtered light and forming a parallel light beam, splitting the parallel beam into a first direction and a second direction wherein the parallel beam travelling in the second direction travels toward the material sample so that the parallel beam passes through the sample, applying various physical quantities to the sample, reflecting the beam travelling in the first direction to produce a first reflected beam, reflecting the beam that passes through the sample to produce a second reflected beam that travels back through the sample, combining the second reflected beam after it travels back though the sample with the first reflected beam, sensing the light beam produced by combining the first and second reflected beams, and processing the sensed beam to determine sample characteristics and properties.

  19. Tuning the light in senior care: Evaluating a trial LED lighting system at the ACC Care Center in Sacramento, CA

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

    Davis, Robert G.; Wilkerson, Andrea M.

    This report summarizes the results from a trial installation of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems in several spaces within the ACC Care Center in Sacramento, CA. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) coordinated the project and invited the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to document the performance of the LED lighting systems as part of a GATEWAY evaluation. DOE tasked the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to conduct the investigation. SMUD and ACC staff coordinated and completed the design and installation of the LED systems, while PNNL and SMUD staff evaluated the photometric performance of the systems. ACC staff alsomore » track behavioral and health measures of the residents; some of those results are reported here, although PNNL staff were not directly involved in collecting or interpreting those data. The trial installation took place in a double resident room and a single resident room, and the corridor that connects those (and other) rooms to the central nurse station. Other spaces in the trial included the nurse station, a common room called the family room located near the nurse station, and the ACC administrator’s private office.« less

  20. Catadioptric Optics for laser Doppler velocimeter applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dunagan, Stephen E.

    1989-01-01

    In the design of a laser velocimeter system, attention must be given to the performance of the optical elements in their two principal tasks: focusing laser radiation into the probe volume, and collecting the scattered light. For large aperture applications, custom lens design and fabrication costs, long optical path requirements, and chromatic aberration (for two color operation) can be problematic. The adaptation of low cost Schmidt-Cassegrain astronomical telescopes to perform these laser beam manipulation and scattered light collection tasks is examined. A generic telescope design is analyzed using ray tracing and Gaussian beam propagation theory, and a simple modification procedure for converting from infinite to near unity conjugate ratio operation with image quality near the diffraction limit was identified. Modification requirements and performance are predicted for a range of geometries. Finally, a 200-mm-aperture telescope was modified for f/10 operation; performance data for this modified optic for both laser beam focusing and scattered light collection tasks agree well with predictions.

  1. Dynamic data driven bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurement system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nauyoks, Stephen E.; Freda, Sam; Marciniak, Michael A.

    2014-09-01

    The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) is a fitted distribution function that defines the scatter of light off of a surface. The BRDF is dependent on the directions of both the incident and scattered light. Because of the vastness of the measurement space of all possible incident and reflected directions, the calculation of BRDF is usually performed using a minimal amount of measured data. This may lead to poor fits and uncertainty in certain regions of incidence or reflection. A dynamic data driven application system (DDDAS) is a concept that uses an algorithm on collected data to influence the collection space of future data acquisition. The authors propose a DDD-BRDF algorithm that fits BRDF data as it is being acquired and uses on-the-fly fittings of various BRDF models to adjust the potential measurement space. In doing so, it is hoped to find the best model to fit a surface and the best global fit of the BRDF with a minimum amount of collection space.

  2. SU-E-J-197: A Novel Optical Interstitial Fiber Spectroscopic System for Real-Time Tissue Micro-Vascular Hemodynamics Monitoring.

    PubMed

    Zhao, D; Campos, D; Yan, Y; Kimple, R; Jacques, S; van der Kogel, A; Kissick, M

    2012-06-01

    To demonstrate a novel interstitial optical fiber spectroscopic system, based on diffuse optical spectroscopies with spectral fitting, for the simultaneous monitoring of tumor blood volume and oxygen tension. The technique provides real-time, minimally-invasive and quantification of tissue micro-vascular hemodynamics. An optical fiber prototype probe characterizesthe optical transport in tissue between two large Numerical Aperture (NA) fibers of 200μm core diameter (BFH37-200, ThorLabs) spaced 3-mm apart. Two 21-Ga medical needles are used to protect fiber ends and to facilitate tissue penetration with minimum local blunt trauma in nude mice with xenografts. A 20W white light source (HL-2000-HP, Ocean Optics) is coupled to one fiber with SMA adapter. The other fiber is used to collect light, which is coupled into the spectrometer (QE65000 with Spectrasuite Operating software and OmniDriver, Ocean Optics). The wavelength response of the probe depends on the wavelength dependence of the light source, and of the light signal collection that includes considerable scatter, modeled with Monte-Carlo techniques (S. Jacques 2010 J. of Innov. Opt. Health Sci. 2 123-9). Measured spectra of tissue are normalized by a measured spectrum of a white standard, yielding the transmission spectrum. A head-and-neck xenograft on the flank of a live mouse is used for development. The optical fiber probe delivers and collects light at an arbitrary depth in the tumor. By spectral fitting of the measured transmission spectrum, an analysis of blood volume and oxygen tension is obtained from the fitting parameters in real time. A newly developed optical fiber spectroscopic system with an optical fiber probe takes spectroscopic techniques to a much deeper level in a tumor, which has potential applications for real-time monitoring hypoxic cell population dynamics for an eventual adaptive therapy metric of particular use in hypofractionated radiotherapy. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

  3. Sensitivity of nonlinear photoionization to resonance substructure in collective excitation

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

    Mazza, T.; Karamatskou, A.; Ilchen, M.

    Collective behaviour is a characteristic feature in many-body systems, important for developments in fields such as magnetism, superconductivity, photonics and electronics. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the optically nonlinear response of collective excitations. Here we demonstrate how the nonlinear interaction of a many-body system with intense XUV radiation can be used as an effective probe for characterizing otherwise unresolved features of its collective response. Resonant photoionization of atomic xenon was chosen as a case study. The excellent agreement between experiment and theory strongly supports the prediction that two distinct poles underlie the giant dipole resonance. Our results pavemore » the way towards a deeper understanding of collective behaviour in atoms, molecules and solid-state systems using nonlinear spectroscopic techniques enabled by modern short-wavelength light sources.« less

  4. Sensitivity of nonlinear photoionization to resonance substructure in collective excitation

    DOE PAGES

    Mazza, T.; Karamatskou, A.; Ilchen, M.; ...

    2015-04-09

    Collective behaviour is a characteristic feature in many-body systems, important for developments in fields such as magnetism, superconductivity, photonics and electronics. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the optically nonlinear response of collective excitations. Here we demonstrate how the nonlinear interaction of a many-body system with intense XUV radiation can be used as an effective probe for characterizing otherwise unresolved features of its collective response. Resonant photoionization of atomic xenon was chosen as a case study. The excellent agreement between experiment and theory strongly supports the prediction that two distinct poles underlie the giant dipole resonance. Our results pavemore » the way towards a deeper understanding of collective behaviour in atoms, molecules and solid-state systems using nonlinear spectroscopic techniques enabled by modern short-wavelength light sources.« less

  5. Use of a Reflective Ultraviolet Imaging System (RUVIS) on Two-Dimensional Dust Impressions Created with Footwear on Multiple Substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Engelson, Brian Aaron

    Footwear impression evidence in dust is often difficult to locate in ambient light and is a fragile medium that both collection and enhancement techniques can destroy or distort. The collection of footwear impression evidence always begins with non-destructive photographic techniques; however, current methods are limited to oblique lighting of the impression followed by an attempt to photograph in situ. For the vast majority of footwear impressions, an interactive collection method, and thus a potentially destructive procedure, is subsequently carried out to gather the evidence. Therefore, alternative non-destructive means for the preservation and enhancement of footwear impressions in dust merits further attention. Previous research performed with reflected ultraviolet (UV) photography and reflected ultraviolet imaging systems (RUVIS) has shown that there are additional non-destructive methodologies that can be applied to the search for and documentation of footwear impressions in dust. Unfortunately, these prior studies did not include robust comparisons to traditional oblique white light, instead choosing to focus on different UV wavelengths. This study, however, seeks to evaluate the use of a RUVIS device paired with a 254 nanometer (nm) UV light source to locate 2-D footwear impressions in dust on multiple substrates against standard oblique white light techniques and assess the visibility of the impression and amount of background interference present. The optimal angle of incident UV light for each substrate was also investigated. Finally, this study applied an image enhancement technique in order to evaluate its usefulness when looking at the visibility of a footwear impression and the amount of background interference present for enhanced white light and RUVIS pictures of footwear impressions in dust. A collection of eight different substrate types was gathered for investigation, including vinyl composition tile (VCT), ceramic tile, marble tile, magazine paper, steel sheet metal, vinyl flooring, wood flooring, and carpet. Heel impressions were applied to the various substrates utilizing vacuum collected dust and normal walking pressure. Each substrate was then explored and photographed in ambient fluorescent light, oblique white light at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 0° with the light source below the surface plane of the substrate, and 254 nm UV light at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90° and 0° with the light source below the surface plane of the substrate. All pictures were evaluated for clarity and visible detail of the footwear impression and the amount of background interference present, selecting for the best images within a lighting condition group. Additional intra- and intergroup comparisons were carried out to explore differences created by the various lighting conditions. Enhanced images were then created with the best scored pictures and evaluated for additional modifications in impression visibility and background interference. Photographs of footwear impressions in dust illuminated with ambient fluorescent light proved to be the most difficult conditions under which a footwear impression could be visualized. However, both oblique white light and 254 nm UV light lighting conditions showed improvements in either visualization or background dropout, or both, over ambient light conditions. An assessment of the white light and 254 nm UV light RUVIS images also demonstrated that the best angles for the light source for all substrates were oblique 0 and oblique 0° below the surface plane of the substrate lighting. It was found that white light photographs generally provided higher visibility ratings, while RUVIS 254 nm UV light photographs provided better grades for reducing background interference. Enhanced images of white light conditions provided generally poorer quality and quantity of details, while enhanced RUVIS images seemed to improve upon these areas. The use of a RUVIS to capture photographs of footwear impression evidence in dust was found to be a successful secondary non-destructive technique that can be paired with traditional oblique white light procedures. Additionally, the use of below the surface plane of the substrate lighting techniques were found to improve either visibility or background dropout, or both, over standard 0 oblique lighting, depending on the light source, and should be employed, when applicable. Finally, further investigation into digital photo-editing enhancement techniques for footwear impression evidence in dust is needed.

  6. Preliminary greenhouse design for a Martian colony: Structural, solar collection, and light distribution systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1990-01-01

    The design of a greenhouse that will be a component of a long-term habitat on Mars is presented. The greenhouse will be the primary food source for people stationed on Mars. The food will be grown in three identical underground modules, pressurized at 1 atm to allow a shirt-sleeve environment within the greenhouse. The underground location will support the structure, moderate the large environmental variations on the surface, and protect the crops from cosmic radiation. The design effort is concentrated on the outer structure and the lighting system for the greenhouse. The structure is inflatable and made of a Kevlar 49/Epoxy composite and a pipe-arched system that is corrugated to increase stiffness. This composite is pliable in an uncured state, which allows it to be efficiently packaged for transport. The lighting system consists of several flat-plate fiber optic solar collectors with dual-axis tracking systems that will continually track the sun. This design is modeled after the Himawari collector, which was designed by Dr. Kei Mori and is currently in use in Japan. The light will pass through Fresnel lenses that filter out undesirable wavelengths and send the light into the greenhouses by way of fiber optic cables. When the light arrives at the greenhouse, it is dispersed to the plants via a waveguide and diffuser system.

  7. Apparatus and method for monitoring of gas having stable isotopes

    DOEpatents

    Clegg, Samuel M; Fessenden-Rahn, Julianna E

    2013-03-05

    Gas having stable isotopes is monitored continuously by using a system that sends a modulated laser beam to the gas and collects and transmits the light not absorbed by the gas to a detector. Gas from geological storage, or from the atmosphere can be monitored continuously without collecting samples and transporting them to a lab.

  8. Spectral and Polarimetric Analysis of Hyperspectral Data Collected by an Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter System

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-09-23

    dioxide ( TeO2 ) crystal which splits a beam of light entering the sensor into a set of two narrow band, orthogonally polarized images for each...See Figure 3) These laws hold true for Light ry V m .Li t ray , &o r air RefairRefractive lade: a, )’i i .- t 1 V Refractive inaex n’ Glass or

  9. Identification and mitigation of stray laser light in the Thomson scattering system on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST).

    PubMed

    Jacobson, C M; Borchardt, M T; Den Hartog, D J; Falkowski, A F; Morton, L A; Thomas, M A

    2016-11-01

    The Thomson scattering diagnostic on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) records excessive levels of stray Nd:YAG laser light. Stray light saturates the 1064 nm spectral channel in all polychromators, which prevents absolute electron density measurements via Rayleigh scattering calibration. Furthermore, stray light contaminates adjacent spectral channels for r/a ≥ 0.75, which renders the diagnostic unable to make electron temperature measurements at these radii. In situ measurements of stray light levels during a vacuum vessel vent are used to identify stray light sources and strategies for reduction of stray light levels. Numerical modeling using Zemax OpticStudio supports these measurements. The model of the vacuum vessel and diagnostic includes synthetic collection optics to enable direct comparison of measured and simulated stray light levels. Modeling produces qualitatively similar stray light distributions to MST measurements, and quantifies the mitigation effects of stray light mitigation strategies prior to implementation.

  10. Identification and mitigation of stray laser light in the Thomson scattering system on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jacobson, C. M.; Borchardt, M. T.; Den Hartog, D. J.; Falkowski, A. F.; Morton, L. A.; Thomas, M. A.

    2016-11-01

    The Thomson scattering diagnostic on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) records excessive levels of stray Nd:YAG laser light. Stray light saturates the 1064 nm spectral channel in all polychromators, which prevents absolute electron density measurements via Rayleigh scattering calibration. Furthermore, stray light contaminates adjacent spectral channels for r/a ≥ 0.75, which renders the diagnostic unable to make electron temperature measurements at these radii. In situ measurements of stray light levels during a vacuum vessel vent are used to identify stray light sources and strategies for reduction of stray light levels. Numerical modeling using Zemax OpticStudio supports these measurements. The model of the vacuum vessel and diagnostic includes synthetic collection optics to enable direct comparison of measured and simulated stray light levels. Modeling produces qualitatively similar stray light distributions to MST measurements, and quantifies the mitigation effects of stray light mitigation strategies prior to implementation.

  11. High sensitivity optical molecular imaging system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    An, Yu; Yuan, Gao; Huang, Chao; Jiang, Shixin; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Kun; Tian, Jie

    2018-02-01

    Optical Molecular Imaging (OMI) has the advantages of high sensitivity, low cost and ease of use. By labeling the regions of interest with fluorescent or bioluminescence probes, OMI can noninvasively obtain the distribution of the probes in vivo, which play the key role in cancer research, pharmacokinetics and other biological studies. In preclinical and clinical application, the image depth, resolution and sensitivity are the key factors for researchers to use OMI. In this paper, we report a high sensitivity optical molecular imaging system developed by our group, which can improve the imaging depth in phantom to nearly 5cm, high resolution at 2cm depth, and high image sensitivity. To validate the performance of the system, special designed phantom experiments and weak light detection experiment were implemented. The results shows that cooperated with high performance electron-multiplying charge coupled device (EMCCD) camera, precision design of light path system and high efficient image techniques, our OMI system can simultaneously collect the light-emitted signals generated by fluorescence molecular imaging, bioluminescence imaging, Cherenkov luminance and other optical imaging modality, and observe the internal distribution of light-emitting agents fast and accurately.

  12. Flow cytometer acquisition and detection system

    DOEpatents

    Casstevens, Martin K.; Burzynski, Ryszard; Weibel, John; Kachynski, Alexander

    2010-05-04

    A flow cytometer has a flow cell through which a sample flows and at least one laser emitting an excitation beam for illuminating a corresponding interrogation region in the flow cell. Scattered and fluorescence light from each interrogation region is collected by one or more input fibers for that region, and the input fiber(s) are fed to a dispersion module for that interrogation region that disperses the incoming light into different spectral regions. The dispersed light is conveyed, such as by a plurality of output fibers, to one or more photosensitive detectors. Thus, time multiplexed light signals may be delivered to a detector whereby several unique light signals can be measured by a single detector.

  13. Thomson scattering diagnostic on the Compact Toroidal Hybrid Experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Traverso, Peter; Maurer, D. A.; Ennis, D. A.; Hartwell, G. J.

    2016-10-01

    A Thomson scattering system is being commissioned for the non-axisymmetric plasmas of the Compact Toroidal Hybrid (CTH), a five-field period current-carrying torsatron. The system takes a single point measurement at the magnetic axis to both calibrate the two- color soft x-ray Te system and serve as an additional diagnostic for the V3FIT 3D equilibrium reconstruction code. A single point measurement will reduce the uncertainty in the reconstructed peak pressure by an order of magnitude for both current-carrying plasmas and future gyrotron-heated stellarator plasmas. The beam, generated by a frequency doubled Continuum 2 J, Nd:YaG laser, is passed vertically through an entrance Brewster window and a two-aperture optical baffle system to minimize stray light. The beam line propagates 8 m to the CTH device mid-plane with the beam diameter < 3 mm inside the plasma volume. Thomson scattered light is collected by two adjacent f/2 plano-convex condenser lenses and focused onto a custom fiber bundle. The fiber is then re-bundled and routed to a Holospec f/1.8 spectrograph to collect the red-shifted scattered light from 535-565 nm. The system has been designed to measure plasmas with core Te of 100 to 200 eV and densities of 5 ×1018 to 5 ×1019 m-3. Work supported by USDOE Grant DE-FG02-00ER54610.

  14. Aluminum-nanodisc-induced collective lattice resonances: Controlling the light extraction in organic light emitting diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Auer-Berger, Manuel; Tretnak, Veronika; Wenzl, Franz-Peter; Krenn, Joachim R.; List-Kratochvil, Emil J. W.

    2017-10-01

    We examine aluminum-nanodisc-induced collective lattice resonances as a means to enhance the efficiency of organic light emitting diodes. Thus, nanodisc arrays were embedded in the hole transporting layer of a solution-processed phosphorescent organic blue-light emitting diode. Through extinction spectroscopy, we confirm the emergence of array-induced collective lattice resonances within the organic light emitting diode. Through finite-difference time domain simulations, we show that the collective lattice resonances yield an enhancement of the electric field intensity within the emissive layer. The effectiveness for improving the light generation and light outcoupling is demonstrated by electro-optical characterization, realizing a gain in a current efficiency of 35%.

  15. Lifelog-based lighting design for biofied building

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kake, Fumika; Mita, Akira

    2016-04-01

    A design tool is proposed for lighting control system that reflects histories of residents' past life using a genetic mechanism. There are many previous researches which show the preference of lighting design differs depending on people and their behaviors. And recently, due to the appearance of LED which can change light color easily, the number of lighting scenes have drastically increased. It is difficult for residents to grasp all patterns of lighting and understand what pattern of lighting design fits for their behaviors. So if we can extract lighting preferences and demands of each resident from histories of past life and reflect these information in next lighting control, it's possible to make living space more comfortable. An evolutionally adaptation mechanism learnt from living organisms is proposed in this research to extract the information from lifelog, especially focusing on methylation and mutation. Methylation is one of the epigenetic algorithms making a difference in phenotype without changing DNA sequence. Mutation is one of the genetic algorithms making a difference in phenotype by changing DNA sequence. Those two mechanisms are applied in the system. First, the lifelog of residents and using hysteresis of lighting equipment are collected. Then the lifelog is converted into the genetic information and stored. When the lifelog is stored enough, the superior genes will be picked up from the stored genetic information to be reflected in lighting control in next generation. Simulations to verify the versatility of the system were conducted.

  16. Multi-Filter Photometric Analysis of Three β Lyrae-type Eclipsing Binary Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gardner, T.; Hahs, G.; Gokhale, V.

    2015-12-01

    We present light curve analysis of three variable stars, ASAS J105855+1722.2, NSVS 5066754, and NSVS 9091101. These objects are selected from a list of β- Lyrae candidates published by Hoffman et al. (2008). Light curves are generated using data collected at the the 31-inch NURO telescope at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona in three filters: Bessell B, V, and R. Additional observations were made using the 14-inch Meade telescope at the Truman State Observatory in Kirksville, Missouri using Baader R, G, and B filters. In this paper, we present the light curves for these three objects and generate a truncated eight-term Fourier fit to these light curves. We use the Fourier coefficients from this fit to confirm ASAS J105855+1722.2 and NSVS 5066754 as β Lyrae type systems, and NSVS 9091101 to possibly be a RR Lyrae-type system. We measure the O'Connell effect observed in two of these systems (ASAS J105855+1722.2 and NSVS 5066754), and quantify this effect by calculating the "Light Curve Asymmetry" (LCA) and the "O'Connell Effect Ratio" (OER).

  17. Aethalometer

    DOEpatents

    Hansen, Anthony D.

    1990-01-01

    An improved aethalometer (10) having a single light source (18) and a single light detector (20) and two light paths (21, 22) from the light source (18) to the light detector (20). A quartz fiber filter (13) is inserted in the device, the filter (13) having a collection area (23) in one light path (21) and a reference area (24) in the other light path (22). A gas flow path (46) through the aethalometer housing (11) allows ambient air to flow through the collection area (23) of the filter (13) so that aerosol particles can be collected on the filter. A rotating disk (31) with an opening (33) therethrough allows light for the light source (18) to pass alternately through the two light paths (21, 22). The voltage output of the detector (20) is applied to a VCO (52) and the VCO pulses for light transmission separately through the two light paths (21, 22 ) are counted and compared to determine the absorption coefficient of the collected aerosol particles.

  18. VEGAS-SSS: A VST Early-Type GAlaxy Survey: Analysis of Small Stellar System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cantiello, M.

    VEGAS-SSS is a program devoted to study the properties of small stellar systems (SSSs) around bright galaxies, built on the VEGAS survey. At completion, the survey will have collected detailed photometric information of ˜ 100 bright early-type galaxies to study the properties of diffuse light (surface brightness, colours, SBF, etc.) and the clustered light (compact stellar systems) out to previously unreached projected galactocentric radii. VEGAS-SSS will define an accurate and homogeneous dataset that will have an important legacy value for studies of the evolution and transformation processes taking place in galaxies through the fossil information provided by SSSs.

  19. Design considerations for highly effective fluorescence excitation and detection optical systems for molecular diagnostics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kasper, Axel; Van Hille, Herbert; Kuk, Sola

    2018-02-01

    Modern instruments for molecular diagnostics are continuously optimized for diagnostic accuracy, versatility and throughput. The latest progress in LED technology together with tailored optics solutions allows developing highly efficient photonics engines perfectly adapted to the sample under test. Super-bright chip-on-board LED light sources are a key component for such instruments providing maximum luminous intensities in a multitude of narrow spectral bands. In particular the combination of white LEDs with other narrow band LEDs allows achieving optimum efficiency outperforming traditional Xenon light sources in terms of energy consumption, heat dissipation in the system, and switching time between spectral channels. Maximum sensitivity of the diagnostic system can only be achieved with an optimized optics system for the illumination and imaging of the sample. The illumination beam path must be designed for optimum homogeneity across the field while precisely limiting the angular distribution of the excitation light. This is a necessity for avoiding spill-over to the detection beam path and guaranteeing the efficiency of the spectral filtering. The imaging optics must combine high spatial resolution, high light collection efficiency and optimized suppression of excitation light for good signal-to-noise ratio. In order to achieve minimum cross-talk between individual wells in the sample, the optics design must also consider the generation of stray light and the formation of ghost images. We discuss what parameters and limitations have to be considered in an integrated system design approach covering the full path from the light source to the detector.

  20. 77 FR 1934 - Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-01-12

    ... technology; and (e) ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with... shall be retained for a period of two years. 47 CFR 78.69 requires each licensee of a CARS station shall... proper operation of the tower lights was made, if an automatic alarm system is not employed. (3) In the...

  1. Engineered disorder and light propagation in a planar photonic glass

    PubMed Central

    Romanov, Sergei G.; Orlov, Sergej; Ploss, Daniel; Weiss, Clemens K.; Vogel, Nicolas; Peschel, Ulf

    2016-01-01

    The interaction of light with matter strongly depends on the structure of the latter at wavelength scale. Ordered systems interact with light via collective modes, giving rise to diffraction. In contrast, completely disordered systems are dominated by Mie resonances of individual particles and random scattering. However, less clear is the transition regime in between these two extremes, where diffraction, Mie resonances and near-field interaction between individual scatterers interplay. Here, we probe this transitional regime by creating colloidal crystals with controlled disorder from two-dimensional self-assembly of bidisperse spheres. Choosing the particle size in a way that the small particles are transparent in the spectral region of interest enables us to probe in detail the effect of increasing positional disorder on the optical properties of the large spheres. With increasing disorder a transition from a collective optical response characterized by diffractive resonances to single particles scattering represented by Mie resonances occurs. In between these extremes, we identify an intermediate, hopping-like light transport regime mediated by resonant interactions between individual spheres. These results suggest that different levels of disorder, characterized not only by absence of long range order but also by differences in short-range correlation and interparticle distance, exist in colloidal glasses. PMID:27277521

  2. Enhanced retinal vasculature imaging with a rapidly configurable aperture

    PubMed Central

    Sapoznik, Kaitlyn A.; Luo, Ting; de Castro, Alberto; Sawides, Lucie; Warner, Raymond L.; Burns, Stephen A.

    2018-01-01

    In adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) systems, capturing multiply scattered light can increase the contrast of the retinal microvasculature structure, cone inner segments, and retinal ganglion cells. Current systems generally use either a split detector or offset aperture approach to collect this light. We tested the ability of a spatial light modulator (SLM) as a rapidly configurable aperture to use more complex shapes to enhance the contrast of retinal structure. Particularly, we varied the orientation of a split detector aperture and explored the use of a more complex shape, the half annulus, to enhance the contrast of the retinal vasculature. We used the new approach to investigate the influence of scattering distance and orientation on vascular imaging. PMID:29541524

  3. [Light and hens as attraction factors of Nyssomyia whitmani in a rural area, Southern Brazil].

    PubMed

    Teodoro, Ueslei; Lonardoni, Maria Valdrinez Campana; Silveira, Thaís Gomes Verzignassi; Dias, Alessandra de Cassia; Abbas, Milia; Alberton, Dayane; Santos, Demilson Rodrigues dos

    2007-06-01

    To verify the influence of traps with electric light and hens as factors that attract sandflies and compare results between capture methods. The study was conducted in the Palmital Farm, Southern Brazil. Sandfly collections were conducted with Falcão traps and an electric aspirator, fortnightly, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. in the presence or absence of light and hens in peridomiciliary areas, from September 1998 to June 1999. A total of 43,767 specimens from eight species of sandflies were collected: Nyssomyia whitmani, N. neivai and Migonemyia migonei constituting 99.9% of the total collected, with predominance of N. whitmani. The number of this species collected inside the hen's shed in the presence of hens (21,045) was greater than in their absence (10,434). In the presence of hens, with distinct intensities of light, a larger number of N. whitmani samples were collected with 3W light. In the presence of hens and light (3W), the number of N. whitmani collected with the electric aspirator (5,141) was superior to that collected with the Falcão trap (1,675). In the absence of light, with or without the presence hens, there was no difference between the numbers of N. whitmani collected with the electric aspirator or the Falcão trap. Hens and electric light together attract more N. whitmani to peridomicilary areas. The number of N. whitmani collected with an electric aspirator inside a hen's shed with the presence of hens and light is greater than those collected with a Falcão trap in the same conditions.

  4. Multiple pass reimaging optical system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gunter, W. D., Jr.; Brown, R. M. (Inventor)

    1973-01-01

    An optical imaging system for enabling nonabsorbed light imaged onto a photodetective surface to be collected and reimaged one or more times onto that surface in register with the original image. The system includes an objective lens, one or more imaging lenses, one or more retroreflectors and perhaps a prism for providing optical matching of the imaging lens focal planes to the photo detective surface.

  5. Hydrologic data collected in Maumelle and Winona reservoir systems, central Arkansas, May 1989 through October 1992

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Green, W. Reed; Louthian, Bobbie L.

    1993-01-01

    Physical, chemical, and biological water-quality data were collected and compiled for sites located in the Lakes Maumelle and Winona reservoir systems May 5, 1989, to October 30, 1992. Data were collected in order to establish a comprehensive water-quality data base for the two systems and will be used in water-quality interpretive chemical variables (temperature, pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, light transparency, and penetration); solids, and major cations and anions); trace metals; organics (pesticides and industrial organic chemicals); and biological components (bacteria and chlorophyll-a); and nutrients, trace metals, and organic contaminants in bed material. Reservoir sedimentation was measured by comparing fathometry measurements taken during the study to pre-impoundment tophographic maps.

  6. 'Repel all biters': an enhanced collection of endophilic Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis in CDC light-traps, from the Kagera Region of Tanzania, in the presence of a combination mosquito net impregnated with piperonyl butoxide and permethrin.

    PubMed

    LeClair, Corey; Cronery, Judith; Kessy, Enock; Tomás, Elsa V E; Kulwa, Yohannes; Mosha, Franklin W; Rowland, Mark; Protopopoff, Natacha; Derek Charlwood, J

    2017-08-15

    Mosquito nets containing synergists designed to overcome metabolic resistance mechanisms in vectors have been developed. These may enhance excitability in the mosquitoes and affect how they respond to CDC light-traps. Investigating the behaviour of vectors of disease in relation to novel mosquito nets is, therefore, essential for the design of sampling and surveillance systems. In an initial experiment in Muleba, Tanzania, nine bedrooms from three housing clusters were sampled. CDC light-traps were operated indoors next to occupied untreated nets (UTN), Olyset ® long lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) and Olyset Plus ® LLIN containing piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergist. Nets were rotated daily between the nine rooms over nine nights. A further series of experiments using the nets on alternate nights in a single room was undertaken during the short rains. Anopheles gambiae s.l. were collected in CDC light-traps, a window-trap and Furvela tent-trap. Anopheles gambiae s.l. were identified to species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the initial experiment 97.7% of the 310 An. gambiae s.l. were An. gambiae s.s., the remainder being Anopheles arabiensis. The number of mosquitoes collected from 81 light-trap collections was greater in the presence of an Olyset [density rate ratio 1.81, 95% CI (1.22-2.67), p = 0.003] relative to an UTN. In a second experiment, in the wet season 84% of the 180 An. gambiae s.l. identified were An. arabiensis. The number of An. gambiae s.l. collected from a light-trap compared to a tent-trap was significantly higher when an Olyset Plus net was used compared to an UTN. Survival of the mosquitoes in the window trap was not reduced by the use of an Olyset Plus net in the bedroom relative to an Olyset net. Mosquitoes entering bedrooms, even those susceptible to pyrethroids, were not killed by contact with an Olyset Plus LLIN. The enhanced numbers of An. gambiae or An. arabiensis collected in light-traps when a treated net is used requires further experimentation and may be because of a heightened escape reaction on the part of the mosquito.

  7. A precise laboratory goniometer system to collect spectral BRDF data of materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiao, Guangping; Jiao, Ziti; Wang, Jie; Zhang, Hu; Dong, Yadong

    2014-11-01

    This paper presents a precise laboratory goniometer system to quickly collect bidirectional reflectance distribution factor(BRDF)of typical materials such soil, canopy and artificial materials in the laboratory. The system consists of the goniometer, SVC HR1024 spectroradiometer, and xenon long-arc lamp as light source. the innovation of cantilever slab can reduce the shadow of the goniometer in the principle plane. The geometric precision of the footprint centre is better than +/-4cm in most azimuth directions, and the angle-controlling accuracy is better than 0.5°. The light source keeps good stability, with 0.8% irradiance decrease in 3 hours. But the large areal heterogeneity of the light source increase the data processing difficulty to capture the accurate BRDF. First measurements are taken from soil in a resolution of 15° and 30° in zenith and azimuth direction respectively, with the +/-50° biggest view angle. More observations are taken in the hot-spot direction. The system takes about 40 minutes to complete all measurements. A spectralon panel is measured at the beginning and end of the whole period. A simple interactive interface on the computer can automatically control all operations of the goniometer and data-processing. The laboratory experiment of soil layer and grass lawn shows that the goniometer can capture the the multi-angle variation of BRDF.

  8. Investigation of thermomechanical effects of lighting conditions on canvas paintings by laser shearography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meybodi, M. K.; Dobrev, I.; Klausmeyer, P.; Harrington, E. J.; Furlong, C.

    Quantitative techniques to characterize thermomechanical effects of light on canvas paintings are necessary in order to better understand the deleterious effects that light has on precious art collections in museum exhibitions. In this paper, we present advances in the development of a customized laser shearography system for temporal characterization of inplane displacements of canvas paintings when subjected to specific lighting conditions. The shearography system is synchronized with a thermal IR camera and concomitant measurements of derivatives of displacements along two orthogonal shearing directions as well as thermal fields are performed. Due to the nature of the measurements, we have developed real-time temporal phase unwrapping algorithms and high-resolution Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) methods to calibrate applied shearing levels. In addition, we are developing methods to isolate thermally-induced components from randomly-induced mechanical vibrations that occur in museum environments by application of IR imaging data. Representative examples are shown, which illustrate capabilities to measure, detect, and map crack propagation as a function of lighting conditions and time.

  9. 75 FR 56558 - Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Safety...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-16

    ... various primary operating systems that affect safety, such as brakes, lights, horn, seatbelts, tires... Hours: 1,223,104 Total Hour Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $47,719,917 Comments submitted in...

  10. Visual perception system and method for a humanoid robot

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chelian, Suhas E. (Inventor); Linn, Douglas Martin (Inventor); Wampler, II, Charles W. (Inventor); Bridgwater, Lyndon (Inventor); Wells, James W. (Inventor); Mc Kay, Neil David (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    A robotic system includes a humanoid robot with robotic joints each moveable using an actuator(s), and a distributed controller for controlling the movement of each of the robotic joints. The controller includes a visual perception module (VPM) for visually identifying and tracking an object in the field of view of the robot under threshold lighting conditions. The VPM includes optical devices for collecting an image of the object, a positional extraction device, and a host machine having an algorithm for processing the image and positional information. The algorithm visually identifies and tracks the object, and automatically adapts an exposure time of the optical devices to prevent feature data loss of the image under the threshold lighting conditions. A method of identifying and tracking the object includes collecting the image, extracting positional information of the object, and automatically adapting the exposure time to thereby prevent feature data loss of the image.

  11. Lighting Control Systems Handbook.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-06-01

    cost, both initial and operating. Initially, the control system designer must collect in- formation and then study and weigh several areas including...8217odLe 045. Pearl Harbor. III: Code 11 Pearl Harbor ar ho I ir I L ’ odk 402. R IYI& [’. Plearl II arbor I II: Li bra ry. Pearl HaIitrbor. I ai

  12. 77 FR 2077 - Intent To Request Renewal From OMB of One Current Public Collection of Information: Rail...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-01-13

    ... carriers, including each carrier operating light rail or heavy rail transit service on track that is part of the general railroad system of transportation and rail transit systems. Also, these persons are... any threat information. In addition, freight railroad carriers and the affected shippers and receivers...

  13. 77 FR 19680 - Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Rail Transportation Security

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-04-02

    ... receivers of certain hazardous materials; and passenger railroad carriers, including each carrier operating light rail or heavy rail transit service on track that is part of the general railroad system of transportation and rail transit systems. Also, these persons are required to report significant security concerns...

  14. Ultrawidefield microscope for high-speed fluorescence imaging and targeted optogenetic stimulation.

    PubMed

    Werley, Christopher A; Chien, Miao-Ping; Cohen, Adam E

    2017-12-01

    The rapid increase in the number and quality of fluorescent reporters and optogenetic actuators has yielded a powerful set of tools for recording and controlling cellular state and function. To achieve the full benefit of these tools requires improved optical systems with high light collection efficiency, high spatial and temporal resolution, and patterned optical stimulation, in a wide field of view (FOV). Here we describe our 'Firefly' microscope, which achieves these goals in a Ø6 mm FOV. The Firefly optical system is optimized for simultaneous photostimulation and fluorescence imaging in cultured cells. All but one of the optical elements are commercially available, yet the microscope achieves 10-fold higher light collection efficiency at its design magnification than the comparable commercially available microscope using the same objective. The Firefly microscope enables all-optical electrophysiology ('Optopatch') in cultured neurons with a throughput and information content unmatched by other neuronal phenotyping systems. This capability opens possibilities in disease modeling and phenotypic drug screening. We also demonstrate applications of the system to voltage and calcium recordings in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes.

  15. Ultrawidefield microscope for high-speed fluorescence imaging and targeted optogenetic stimulation

    PubMed Central

    Werley, Christopher A.; Chien, Miao-Ping; Cohen, Adam E.

    2017-01-01

    The rapid increase in the number and quality of fluorescent reporters and optogenetic actuators has yielded a powerful set of tools for recording and controlling cellular state and function. To achieve the full benefit of these tools requires improved optical systems with high light collection efficiency, high spatial and temporal resolution, and patterned optical stimulation, in a wide field of view (FOV). Here we describe our ‘Firefly’ microscope, which achieves these goals in a Ø6 mm FOV. The Firefly optical system is optimized for simultaneous photostimulation and fluorescence imaging in cultured cells. All but one of the optical elements are commercially available, yet the microscope achieves 10-fold higher light collection efficiency at its design magnification than the comparable commercially available microscope using the same objective. The Firefly microscope enables all-optical electrophysiology (‘Optopatch’) in cultured neurons with a throughput and information content unmatched by other neuronal phenotyping systems. This capability opens possibilities in disease modeling and phenotypic drug screening. We also demonstrate applications of the system to voltage and calcium recordings in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes. PMID:29296505

  16. Design of a tubular skylight system

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

    Chao, B.L.

    1996-10-01

    Since its introduction to the US market in 1991, tubular skylight provides a solution to the problem of lighting up dark corners in a house. Over the years, design of similar products has emphasized on quantity alone and attention to a range of other equally important issues: efficient collecting system, selection of higher specular reflectance material, seals, distribution and quality of light, was not noted. In this paper, the fundamental design concept of an efficient tubular skylight and the possibility of collimating diffuse light is reviewed. The importance of specular reflectance of the tube material on the performance of tubularmore » skylight is demonstrated. Visual appearance (quality) of transmitted light down the tube is related in part to the yellowness index of various materials. Discussion of adequacy of current building and energy code requirements on tubular skylights is briefly touched on and energy simulation results based on a numerical code are presented.« less

  17. Identification and mitigation of stray laser light in the Thomson scattering system on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST)

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

    Jacobson, C. M., E-mail: cjacobson@wisc.edu; Borchardt, M. T.; Den Hartog, D. J.

    The Thomson scattering diagnostic on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) records excessive levels of stray Nd:YAG laser light. Stray light saturates the 1064 nm spectral channel in all polychromators, which prevents absolute electron density measurements via Rayleigh scattering calibration. Furthermore, stray light contaminates adjacent spectral channels for r/a ≥ 0.75, which renders the diagnostic unable to make electron temperature measurements at these radii. In situ measurements of stray light levels during a vacuum vessel vent are used to identify stray light sources and strategies for reduction of stray light levels. Numerical modeling using Zemax OpticStudio supports these measurements. The modelmore » of the vacuum vessel and diagnostic includes synthetic collection optics to enable direct comparison of measured and simulated stray light levels. Modeling produces qualitatively similar stray light distributions to MST measurements, and quantifies the mitigation effects of stray light mitigation strategies prior to implementation.« less

  18. Study on and the implementation of solar powered street lighting in SEEE, USM

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arshad, M. S.; Ain, M. F.; Ishak, D.; Rahman, A. L. A.; Nazri, A. S.; Abdullah, M. N.; Kaharuddin, S.; Hussin, R.

    2017-10-01

    Solar Powered Street Lights is a project that can be served to School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (SEEE), Universiti Sains Malaysia in electricity cost savings by implementing the existing solar Photovoltaic (PV) system used for a green technology of energy efficiency. Due to the electricity of the national grid Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) continue to increases, perhaps this system is able to maximize cost savings for SEEE. Solar energy collected during the day will be converted into electricity to charge the battery. Electricity charged the battery then will be connected and used to power the lights around the SEEE parking area at night. After taking all important aspects into accounts that help to optimize energy saving, this system has been proven to reduce electricity costs. System data such as the power consumption of the load, battery charging rates, and other relevant data is measured. From the measured data, calculations and analysis were performed to determine the actual performance of the system. Proper wiring connections between solar PV systems and light poles grid around the SEEE parking lot have been executed. As a result, the implementation of this system could save as much as RM 462.86 for the cost of monthly electricity bills incurred by the SEEE.

  19. A Portable Farmland Information Collection System with Multiple Sensors.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jianfeng; Hu, Jinyang; Huang, Lvwen; Zhang, Zhiyong; Ma, Yimian

    2016-10-22

    Precision agriculture is the trend of modern agriculture, and it is also one of the important ways to realize the sustainable development of agriculture. In order to meet the production requirements of precision agriculture-efficient use of agricultural resources, and improving the crop yields and quality-some necessary field information in crop growth environment needs to be collected and monitored. In this paper, a farmland information collection system is developed, which includes a portable farmland information collection device based on STM32 (a 32-bit comprehensive range of microcontrollers based on ARM Crotex-M3), a remote server and a mobile phone APP. The device realizes the function of portable and mobile collecting of multiple parameters farmland information, such as chlorophyll content of crop leaves, air temperature, air humidity, and light intensity. UM220-III (Unicore Communication Inc., Beijing, China) is used to realize the positioning based on BDS/GPS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, BDS/Global Positioning System, GPS) dual-mode navigation and positioning system, and the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA) wireless communication module is adopted to realize the real-time remote transmission. The portable multi-function farmland information collection system is real-time, accurate, and easy to use to collect farmland information and multiple information parameters of crops.

  20. A Portable Farmland Information Collection System with Multiple Sensors

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Jianfeng; Hu, Jinyang; Huang, Lvwen; Zhang, Zhiyong; Ma, Yimian

    2016-01-01

    Precision agriculture is the trend of modern agriculture, and it is also one of the important ways to realize the sustainable development of agriculture. In order to meet the production requirements of precision agriculture—efficient use of agricultural resources, and improving the crop yields and quality—some necessary field information in crop growth environment needs to be collected and monitored. In this paper, a farmland information collection system is developed, which includes a portable farmland information collection device based on STM32 (a 32-bit comprehensive range of microcontrollers based on ARM Crotex-M3), a remote server and a mobile phone APP. The device realizes the function of portable and mobile collecting of multiple parameters farmland information, such as chlorophyll content of crop leaves, air temperature, air humidity, and light intensity. UM220-III (Unicore Communication Inc., Beijing, China) is used to realize the positioning based on BDS/GPS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, BDS/Global Positioning System, GPS) dual-mode navigation and positioning system, and the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA) wireless communication module is adopted to realize the real-time remote transmission. The portable multi-function farmland information collection system is real-time, accurate, and easy to use to collect farmland information and multiple information parameters of crops. PMID:27782076

  1. Phase-factor-dependent symmetries and quantum phases in a three-level cavity QED system.

    PubMed

    Fan, Jingtao; Yu, Lixian; Chen, Gang; Jia, Suotang

    2016-05-03

    Unlike conventional two-level particles, three-level particles may support some unitary-invariant phase factors when they interact coherently with a single-mode quantized light field. To gain a better understanding of light-matter interaction, it is thus necessary to explore the phase-factor-dependent physics in such a system. In this report, we consider the collective interaction between degenerate V-type three-level particles and a single-mode quantized light field, whose different components are labeled by different phase factors. We mainly establish an important relation between the phase factors and the symmetry or symmetry-broken physics. Specifically, we find that the phase factors affect dramatically the system symmetry. When these symmetries are breaking separately, rich quantum phases emerge. Finally, we propose a possible scheme to experimentally probe the predicted physics of our model. Our work provides a way to explore phase-factor-induced nontrivial physics by introducing additional particle levels.

  2. Rectangular Relief Diffraction Gratings for Coherent Lidar Beam Deflection

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cole, H. J.; Dixit, S. N.; Shore, B. W.; Chambers, D. M.; Britten, J. A.; Kavaya, M. J.

    1999-01-01

    LIDAR systems require a light transmitting system for sending a laser light pulse into space and a receiving system for collecting the retro-scattered light, separating it from the outgoing beam and analyzing the received signal for calculating wind velocities. Currently, a shuttle manifested coherent LIDAR experiment called SPARCLE (SPAce Readiness Coherent Lidar Experiment) includes a silicon wedge (or prism) in its design in order to deflect the outgoing beam 30 degrees relative to the incident direction. The intent of this paper is to present two optical design approaches that may enable the replacement of the optical wedge component (in future, larger aperture, post-SPARCLE missions) with a surface relief transmission diffraction grating. Such a grating could be etched into a lightweight, flat, fused quartz substrate. The potential advantages of a diffractive beam deflector include reduced weight, reduced power requirements for the driving scanning motor, reduced optical sensitivity to thermal gradients, and increased dynamic stability.

  3. Phase Sensitive Demodulation in Multiphoton Microscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fisher, Walt G.; Piston, David W.; Wachter, Eric A.

    2002-06-01

    Multiphoton laser scanning microscopy offers advantages in depth of penetration into intact samples over other optical sectioning techniques. To achieve these advantages it is necessary to detect the emitted light without spatial filtering. In this nondescanned (nonconfocal) approach, ambient room light can easily contaminate the signal, forcing experiments to be performed in absolute darkness. For multiphoton microscope systems employing mode-locked lasers, signal processing can be used to reduce such problems by taking advantage of the pulsed characteristics of such lasers. Specifically, by recovering fluorescence generated at the mode-locked frequency, interference from stray light and other ambient noise sources can be significantly reduced. This technology can be adapted to existing microscopes by inserting demodulation circuitry between the detector and data collection system. The improvement in signal-to-noise ratio afforded by this approach yields a more robust microscope system and opens the possibility of moving multiphoton microscopy from the research lab to more demanding settings, such as the clinic.

  4. Simulation of a fast diffuse optical tomography system based on radiative transfer equation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Motevalli, S. M.; Payani, A.

    2016-12-01

    Studies show that near-infrared (NIR) light (light with wavelength between 700nm and 1300nm) undergoes two interactions, absorption and scattering, when it penetrates a tissue. Since scattering is the predominant interaction, the calculation of light distribution in the tissue and the image reconstruction of absorption and scattering coefficients are very complicated. Some analytical and numerical methods, such as radiative transport equation and Monte Carlo method, have been used for the simulation of light penetration in tissue. Recently, some investigators in the world have tried to develop a diffuse optical tomography system. In these systems, NIR light penetrates the tissue and passes through the tissue. Then, light exiting the tissue is measured by NIR detectors placed around the tissue. These data are collected from all the detectors and transferred to the computational parts (including hardware and software), which make a cross-sectional image of the tissue after performing some computational processes. In this paper, the results of the simulation of an optical diffuse tomography system are presented. This simulation involves two stages: a) Simulation of the forward problem (or light penetration in the tissue), which is performed by solving the diffusion approximation equation in the stationary state using FEM. b) Simulation of the inverse problem (or image reconstruction), which is performed by the optimization algorithm called Broyden quasi-Newton. This method of image reconstruction is faster compared to the other Newton-based optimization algorithms, such as the Levenberg-Marquardt one.

  5. Comparison of carbon dioxide-baited trapping systems for sampling outdoor mosquito populations in Tanzania.

    PubMed

    Mboera LEG; Knols BGJ; Braks MAH; Takken, W

    2000-09-01

    For collecting mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) the outdoor catching efficiency of four types of trapping devices baited with carbon dioxide (CO2, 300 ml/ min) was evaluated and compared in two areas of Tanzania. The types of traps employed were: the CDC miniature trap with the incandescent light bulb switched on or off; electric nets (ENT) and a Counterflow Geometry (CFG) trap. In Njage, southeast Tanzania, Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto was the most abundant of the seven mosquito species obtained, comprising of 74.3% of the total number caught (n=2,171). In Muheza, north-east Tanzania, Culex quinquefasciatus Say was the predominant species (90.9%) among 1,080 caught. At both localities the CFG trap was superior to the CDC trap with light-on or light-off for sampling both An. gambiae and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Efficiency of the CFG trap and ENT were similar for sampling these species of mosquitoes (P > 0.05). However, ENT was superior to the CDC trap with light-off for collecting both species. Significantly more (P < 0.05) Cx. quinquefasciatus were obtained by the CDC trap with light-off than with light-on, especially outdoors. It is concluded that both ENT and the CFG are effective tools for sampling populations of An. gambiae and Cx. quinquefasciatus outdoors.

  6. A smartphone-based introductory astronomy experiment: Seasons investigation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Durelle, Jeremy; Jones, Jennifer; Merriman, Steven; Balan, Aurelian

    2017-02-01

    Light sensor probes are useful in experiments that investigate seasonal variations and the nature of light. However, having a dedicated light probe is not always possible or even convenient for many instructors. Modern smartphone technology gives instructors the ability to use built-in light sensors as an inexpensive alternative. This introductory experiment will have students use a smartphone loaded with a light detection app to quantitatively determine how changing latitude on Earth changes flux received. The purpose is to have students discover how the different seasons arise from the Earth-Sun system. While performing the experiment and analyzing the data, students will also discover the following important and relevant physical relationships: distance from light source and light brightness (flux), latitude and flux, and Earth's orientation and location (latitude) of maximum flux. By piecing all of these relationships together, students are able to explain the origins of the different seasons based on the data they collected.

  7. Micro-LiDAR velocity, temperature, density, concentration sensor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dorrington, Adrian A. (Inventor); Danehy, Paul M. (Inventor)

    2010-01-01

    A light scatter sensor includes a sensor body in which are positioned a plurality of optical fibers. The sensor body includes a surface, in one end of each of the optical fibers terminates at the surface of the sensor body. One of the optical fibers is an illumination fiber for emitting light. A plurality of second optical fibers are collection fibers for collecting scattered light signals. A light sensor processor is connected to the collection fibers to detect the scattered light signals.

  8. A cylindrical quadrupole ion trap in combination with an electrospray ion source for gas-phase luminescence and absorption spectroscopy

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

    Stockett, Mark H., E-mail: stockett@phys.au.dk; Houmøller, Jørgen; Støchkel, Kristian

    2016-05-15

    A relatively simple setup for collection and detection of light emitted from isolated photo-excited molecular ions has been constructed. It benefits from a high collection efficiency of photons, which is accomplished by using a cylindrical ion trap where one end-cap electrode is a mesh grid combined with an aspheric condenser lens. The geometry permits nearly 10% of the emitted light to be collected and, after transmission losses, approximately 5% to be delivered to the entrance of a grating spectrometer equipped with a detector array. The high collection efficiency enables the use of pulsed tunable lasers with low repetition rates (e.g.,more » 20 Hz) instead of continuous wave (cw) lasers or very high repetition rate (e.g., MHz) lasers that are typically used as light sources for gas-phase fluorescence experiments on molecular ions. A hole has been drilled in the cylinder electrode so that a light pulse can interact with the ion cloud in the center of the trap. Simulations indicate that these modifications to the trap do not significantly affect the storage capability and the overall shape of the ion cloud. The overlap between the ion cloud and the laser light is basically 100%, and experimentally >50% of negatively charged chromophore ions are routinely photodepleted. The performance of the setup is illustrated based on fluorescence spectra of several laser dyes, and the quality of these spectra is comparable to those reported by other groups. Finally, by replacing the optical system with a channeltron detector, we demonstrate that the setup can also be used for gas-phase action spectroscopy where either depletion or fragmentation is monitored to provide an indirect measurement on the absorption spectrum of the ion.« less

  9. A cylindrical quadrupole ion trap in combination with an electrospray ion source for gas-phase luminescence and absorption spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Stockett, Mark H; Houmøller, Jørgen; Støchkel, Kristian; Svendsen, Annette; Brøndsted Nielsen, Steen

    2016-05-01

    A relatively simple setup for collection and detection of light emitted from isolated photo-excited molecular ions has been constructed. It benefits from a high collection efficiency of photons, which is accomplished by using a cylindrical ion trap where one end-cap electrode is a mesh grid combined with an aspheric condenser lens. The geometry permits nearly 10% of the emitted light to be collected and, after transmission losses, approximately 5% to be delivered to the entrance of a grating spectrometer equipped with a detector array. The high collection efficiency enables the use of pulsed tunable lasers with low repetition rates (e.g., 20 Hz) instead of continuous wave (cw) lasers or very high repetition rate (e.g., MHz) lasers that are typically used as light sources for gas-phase fluorescence experiments on molecular ions. A hole has been drilled in the cylinder electrode so that a light pulse can interact with the ion cloud in the center of the trap. Simulations indicate that these modifications to the trap do not significantly affect the storage capability and the overall shape of the ion cloud. The overlap between the ion cloud and the laser light is basically 100%, and experimentally >50% of negatively charged chromophore ions are routinely photodepleted. The performance of the setup is illustrated based on fluorescence spectra of several laser dyes, and the quality of these spectra is comparable to those reported by other groups. Finally, by replacing the optical system with a channeltron detector, we demonstrate that the setup can also be used for gas-phase action spectroscopy where either depletion or fragmentation is monitored to provide an indirect measurement on the absorption spectrum of the ion.

  10. Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering

    PubMed Central

    Higgins, K. D. B.; Benjamin, S. C.; Stace, T. M.; Milburn, G. J.; Lovett, B. W.; Gauger, E. M.

    2014-01-01

    Almost 60 years ago Dicke introduced the term superradiance to describe a signature quantum effect: N atoms can collectively emit light at a rate proportional to N2. Structures that superradiate must also have enhanced absorption, but the former always dominates in natural systems. Here we show that this restriction can be overcome by combining several well-established quantum control techniques. Our analytical and numerical calculations show that superabsorption can then be achieved and sustained in certain simple nanostructures, by trapping the system in a highly excited state through transition rate engineering. This opens the prospect of a new class of quantum nanotechnology with potential applications including photon detection and light-based power transmission. An array of quantum dots or a molecular ring structure could provide a suitable platform for an experimental demonstration. PMID:25146588

  11. Quantum illumination with Gaussian states.

    PubMed

    Tan, Si-Hui; Erkmen, Baris I; Giovannetti, Vittorio; Guha, Saikat; Lloyd, Seth; Maccone, Lorenzo; Pirandola, Stefano; Shapiro, Jeffrey H

    2008-12-19

    An optical transmitter irradiates a target region containing a bright thermal-noise bath in which a low-reflectivity object might be embedded. The light received from this region is used to decide whether the object is present or absent. The performance achieved using a coherent-state transmitter is compared with that of a quantum-illumination transmitter, i.e., one that employs the signal beam obtained from spontaneous parametric down-conversion. By making the optimum joint measurement on the light received from the target region together with the retained spontaneous parametric down-conversion idler beam, the quantum-illumination system realizes a 6 dB advantage in the error-probability exponent over the optimum reception coherent-state system. This advantage accrues despite there being no entanglement between the light collected from the target region and the retained idler beam.

  12. Opacity meter for monitoring exhaust emissions from non-stationary sources

    DOEpatents

    Dec, John Edward

    2000-01-01

    Method and apparatus for determining the opacity of exhaust plumes from moving emissions sources. In operation, a light source is activated at a time prior to the arrival of a diesel locomotive at a measurement point, by means of a track trigger switch or the Automatic Equipment Identification system, such that the opacity measurement is synchronized with the passage of an exhaust plume past the measurement point. A beam of light from the light source passes through the exhaust plume of the locomotive and is detected by a suitable detector, preferably a high-rate photodiode. The light beam is well-collimated and is preferably monochromatic, permitting the use of a narrowband pass filter to discriminate against background light. In order to span a double railroad track and provide a beam which is substantially stronger than background, the light source, preferably a diode laser, must provide a locally intense beam. A high intensity light source is also desirable in order to increase accuracy at the high sampling rates required. Also included is a computer control system useful for data acquisition, manipulation, storage and transmission of opacity data and the identification of the associated diesel engine to a central data collection center.

  13. Low-picomolar limits of detection using high-power light-emitting diodes for fluorescence.

    PubMed

    de Jong, Ebbing P; Lucy, Charles A

    2006-05-01

    Fluorescence detectors are ever more frequently being used with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source. Technological advances in the solid-state lighting industry have produced LEDs which are also suitable tools in analytical measurements. LEDs are now available which deliver 700 mW of radiometric power. While this greater light power can increase the fluorescence signal, it is not trivial to make proper use of this light. This new generation of LEDs has a large emitting area and a highly divergent beam. This presents a classic problem in optics where one must choose between either a small focused light spot, or high light collection efficiency. We have selected for light collection efficiency, which yields a light spot somewhat larger than the emitting area of the LED. This light is focused onto a flow cell. Increasing the detector cell internal diameter (i.d.) produces gains in (sensitivity)3. However, since the detector cell i.d. is smaller than the LED spot size, scattering of excitation light towards the detector remains a significant source of background signal. This can be minimized through the use of spectral filters and spatial filters in the form of pinholes. The detector produced a limit of detection (LOD) of 3 pM, which is roughly three orders of magnitude lower than other reports of LED-based fluorescence detectors. Furthermore, this LOD comes within a factor of six of much more expensive laser-based fluorescence systems. This detector has been used to monitor a separation from a gel filtration column of fluorescently labeled BSA from residual labeling reagent. The LOD of fluorescently labeled BSA is 25 pM.

  14. Continuous optical monitoring of a near-shore sea-water column

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bensky, T. J.; Neff, B.

    2006-12-01

    Cal Poly San Luis Obispo runs the Central Coast Marine Sciences Center, south-facing, 1-km-long pier in San Luis Bay, on the west coast of California, midway between Los Angeles and San Fransisco. The facility is secure and dedicated to marine science research. We have constructed an automated optical profiling system that collects sunlight samples, in half-foot increments, from a 30 foot vertical column of sea-water below the pier. Our implementation lowers a high quality, optically pure fiber cable into the water at 30 minute intervals. Light collected by the submersed fiber aperture is routed to the pier surface where it is spectrally analyzed using an Ocean Optics HR2000 spectrometer. The spectrometer instantly yields the spectrum of the light collected at a given depth. The "spectrum" here is light intensity as a function of wavelength between 200 and 1100 nm in increments of 0.1 nm. Each dive of the instrument takes approximately 80 seconds, lowers the fiber from the surface to a depth of 30 feet, and yields approximately 60 spectra, each one taken at a such successively larger depth. A computer logs each spectra as a function of depth. From such data, we are able to extract total downward photon flux, quantify ocean color, and compute attenuation coefficients. The system is entirely autonomous, includes an integrated data-browser, and can be checked-on, or even controlled over the Internet, using a web-browser. Linux runs the computer, data is logged directly to a mySQL database for easy extraction, and a PHP-script ties the system together. Current work involves studying light-energy deposition trends and effects of surface action on downward photon flux. This work has been funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the California Central Coast Research Park Initiative (C3RP).

  15. Improvements to the MST Thomson Scattering Diagnostic

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adams, D. T.; Borchardt, M. T.; den Hartog, D. J.; Holly, D. J.; Kile, T.; Kubala, S. Z.; Jacobson, C. M.; Thomas, M. A.; Wallace, J. P.; Young, W. C.; MST Thomson Scattering Team

    2017-10-01

    Multiple upgrades to the MST Thomson Scattering diagnostic have been implemented to expand capabilities of the system. In the past, stray laser light prevented electron density measurements everywhere and temperature measurements for -z/a >0.75. To mitigate stray light, a new laser beamline is being commissioned that includes a longer entrance flight tube, close-fitting apertures, and baffles. A polarizer has been added to the collection optics to further reduce stray light. An absolute density calibration using Rayleigh scattering in argon will be performed. An insertable integrating sphere will provide a full-system spectral calibration as well as maps optical fibers to machine coordinates. Reduced transmission of the collection optics due to coatings from plasma-surface interactions is regularly monitored to inform timely replacements of the first lens. Long-wavelength filters have been installed to better characterize non-Maxwellian electron distribution features. Previous work has identified residual photons not described by a Maxwellian distribution during m =0 magnetic bursts. Further effort to characterize the distribution function will be described. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences program under Award No. DE-FC02-05ER54814.

  16. High precision dual-axis tracking solar wireless charging system based on the four quadrant photoelectric sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Zhilong; Wang, Biao; Tong, Weichao

    2015-08-01

    This paper designs a solar automatic tracking wireless charging system based on the four quadrant photoelectric sensor. The system track the sun's rays automatically in real time to received the maximum energy and wireless charging to the load through electromagnetic coupling. Four quadrant photoelectric sensor responsive to the solar spectrum, the system could get the current azimuth and elevation angle of the light by calculating the solar energy incident on the sensor profile. System driver the solar panels by the biaxial movement mechanism to rotate and tilt movement until the battery plate and light perpendicular to each other. Maximize the use of solar energy, and does not require external power supply to achieve energy self-sufficiency. Solar energy can be collected for portable devices and load wireless charging by close electromagnetic field coupling. Experimental data show that: Four quadrant photoelectric sensor more sensitive to light angle measurement. when track positioning solar light, Azimuth deviation is less than 0.8°, Elevation angle deviation is less than 0.6°. Use efficiency of a conventional solar cell is only 10% -20%.The system uses a Four quadrant dual-axis tracking to raise the utilization rate of 25% -35%.Wireless charging electromagnetic coupling efficiency reached 60%.

  17. The LArIAT experiment at Fermilab

    DOE PAGES

    Nutini, Irene

    2016-03-01

    The LArIAT experiment at Fermilab is part of the International Neutrino program recently approved in the US. LArIAT aims to measure the main features of charged particles interactions in argon in the energy range (0.2 - 2.0 GeV) corresponding to the energy spectrum of the same particles when produced in a neutrino-argon interaction (neutrino energies of few GeV) typical of the short- and long-baseline neutrino beams of the Neutrino Program. Data collected from the 1 st Run are being analyzed for both Physics studies and a technical characterization of the scintillation light collection system. Furthermore, two analysis topics are reported:more » the method developed for charged pion cross section measurement, based on the specific features of the LArTPC, and the development and test of the LArIAT custom-designed cold front-end electronics for SiPM devices to collect LAr scintillation light.« less

  18. Variation of linear and circular polarization persistence for changing field of view and collection area in a forward scattering environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    van der Laan, John D.; Wright, Jeremy B.; Scrymgeour, David A.; Kemme, Shanalyn A.; Dereniak, Eustace L.

    2016-05-01

    We present experimental and simulation results for a laboratory-based forward-scattering environment, where 1 μm diameter polystyrene spheres are suspended in water to model the optical scattering properties of fog. Circular polarization maintains its degree of polarization better than linear polarization as the optical thickness of the scattering environment increases. Both simulation and experiment quantify circular polarization's superior persistence, compared to that of linear polarization, and show that it is much less affected by variations in the field of view and collection area of the optical system. Our experimental environment's lateral extent was physically finite, causing a significant difference between measured and simulated degree of polarization values for incident linearly polarized light, but not for circularly polarized light. Through simulation we demonstrate that circular polarization is less susceptible to the finite environmental extent as well as the collection optic's limiting configuration.

  19. Development of two-channel prototype ITER vacuum ultraviolet spectrometer with back-illuminated charge-coupled device and microchannel plate detectors.

    PubMed

    Seon, C R; Choi, S H; Cheon, M S; Pak, S; Lee, H G; Biel, W; Barnsley, R

    2010-10-01

    A vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectrometer of a five-channel spectral system is designed for ITER main plasma impurity measurement. To develop and verify the system design, a two-channel prototype system is fabricated with No. 3 (14.4-31.8 nm) and No. 4 (29.0-60.0 nm) among the five channels. The optical system consists of a collimating mirror to collect the light from source to slit, two holographic diffraction gratings with toroidal geometry, and two different electronic detectors. For the test of the prototype system, a hollow cathode lamp is used as a light source. To find the appropriate detector for ITER VUV system, two kinds of detectors of the back-illuminated charge-coupled device and the microchannel plate electron multiplier are tested, and their performance has been investigated.

  20. A dynamic system with digital lock-in-photon-counting for pharmacokinetic diffuse fluorescence tomography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yin, Guoyan; Zhang, Limin; Zhang, Yanqi; Liu, Han; Du, Wenwen; Ma, Wenjuan; Zhao, Huijuan; Gao, Feng

    2018-02-01

    Pharmacokinetic diffuse fluorescence tomography (DFT) can describe the metabolic processes of fluorescent agents in biomedical tissue and provide helpful information for tumor differentiation. In this paper, a dynamic DFT system was developed by employing digital lock-in-photon-counting with square wave modulation, which predominates in ultra-high sensitivity and measurement parallelism. In this system, 16 frequency-encoded laser diodes (LDs) driven by self-designed light source system were distributed evenly in the imaging plane and irradiated simultaneously. Meanwhile, 16 detection fibers collected emission light in parallel by the digital lock-in-photon-counting module. The fundamental performances of the proposed system were assessed with phantom experiments in terms of stability, linearity, anti-crosstalk as well as images reconstruction. The results validated the availability of the proposed dynamic DFT system.

  1. Mobile terrestrial light detection and ranging (T-LiDAR) survey of areas on Dauphin Island, Alabama, in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac, 2012

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Kimbrow, Dustin R.

    2014-01-01

    Topographic survey data of areas on Dauphin Island on the Alabama coast were collected using a truck-mounted mobile terrestrial light detection and ranging system. This system is composed of a high frequency laser scanner in conjunction with an inertial measurement unit and a position and orientation computer to produce highly accurate topographic datasets. A global positioning system base station was set up on a nearby benchmark and logged vertical and horizontal position information during the survey for post-processing. Survey control points were also collected throughout the study area to determine residual errors. Data were collected 5 days after Hurricane Isaac made landfall in early September 2012 to document sediment deposits prior to clean-up efforts. Three data files in ASCII text format with the extension .xyz are included in this report, and each file is named according to both the acquisition date and the relative geographic location on Dauphin Island (for example, 20120903_Central.xyz). Metadata are also included for each of the files in both Extensible Markup Language with the extension .xml and ASCII text formats. These topographic data can be used to analyze the effects of storm surge on barrier island environments and also serve as a baseline dataset for future change detection analyses.

  2. Programmable Illumination and High-Speed, Multi-Wavelength, Confocal Microscopy Using a Digital Micromirror

    PubMed Central

    Martial, Franck P.; Hartell, Nicholas A.

    2012-01-01

    Confocal microscopy is routinely used for high-resolution fluorescence imaging of biological specimens. Most standard confocal systems scan a laser across a specimen and collect emitted light passing through a single pinhole to produce an optical section of the sample. Sequential scanning on a point-by-point basis limits the speed of image acquisition and even the fastest commercial instruments struggle to resolve the temporal dynamics of rapid cellular events such as calcium signals. Various approaches have been introduced that increase the speed of confocal imaging. Nipkov disk microscopes, for example, use arrays of pinholes or slits on a spinning disk to achieve parallel scanning which significantly increases the speed of acquisition. Here we report the development of a microscope module that utilises a digital micromirror device as a spatial light modulator to provide programmable confocal optical sectioning with a single camera, at high spatial and axial resolution at speeds limited by the frame rate of the camera. The digital micromirror acts as a solid state Nipkov disk but with the added ability to change the pinholes size and separation and to control the light intensity on a mirror-by-mirror basis. The use of an arrangement of concave and convex mirrors in the emission pathway instead of lenses overcomes the astigmatism inherent with DMD devices, increases light collection efficiency and ensures image collection is achromatic so that images are perfectly aligned at different wavelengths. Combined with non-laser light sources, this allows low cost, high-speed, multi-wavelength image acquisition without the need for complex wavelength-dependent image alignment. The micromirror can also be used for programmable illumination allowing spatially defined photoactivation of fluorescent proteins. We demonstrate the use of this system for high-speed calcium imaging using both a single wavelength calcium indicator and a genetically encoded, ratiometric, calcium sensor. PMID:22937130

  3. Programmable illumination and high-speed, multi-wavelength, confocal microscopy using a digital micromirror.

    PubMed

    Martial, Franck P; Hartell, Nicholas A

    2012-01-01

    Confocal microscopy is routinely used for high-resolution fluorescence imaging of biological specimens. Most standard confocal systems scan a laser across a specimen and collect emitted light passing through a single pinhole to produce an optical section of the sample. Sequential scanning on a point-by-point basis limits the speed of image acquisition and even the fastest commercial instruments struggle to resolve the temporal dynamics of rapid cellular events such as calcium signals. Various approaches have been introduced that increase the speed of confocal imaging. Nipkov disk microscopes, for example, use arrays of pinholes or slits on a spinning disk to achieve parallel scanning which significantly increases the speed of acquisition. Here we report the development of a microscope module that utilises a digital micromirror device as a spatial light modulator to provide programmable confocal optical sectioning with a single camera, at high spatial and axial resolution at speeds limited by the frame rate of the camera. The digital micromirror acts as a solid state Nipkov disk but with the added ability to change the pinholes size and separation and to control the light intensity on a mirror-by-mirror basis. The use of an arrangement of concave and convex mirrors in the emission pathway instead of lenses overcomes the astigmatism inherent with DMD devices, increases light collection efficiency and ensures image collection is achromatic so that images are perfectly aligned at different wavelengths. Combined with non-laser light sources, this allows low cost, high-speed, multi-wavelength image acquisition without the need for complex wavelength-dependent image alignment. The micromirror can also be used for programmable illumination allowing spatially defined photoactivation of fluorescent proteins. We demonstrate the use of this system for high-speed calcium imaging using both a single wavelength calcium indicator and a genetically encoded, ratiometric, calcium sensor.

  4. Efficacy of on-farm use of ultraviolet light for inactivation of bacteria in milk for calves.

    PubMed

    Gelsinger, S L; Heinrichs, A J; Jones, C M; Van Saun, R J; Wolfgang, D R; Burns, C M; Lysczek, H R

    2014-05-01

    Ultraviolet light is being employed for bacterial inactivation in milk for calves; however, limited evidence is available to support the claim that UV light effectively inactivates bacteria found in milk. Thus, the objective of this observational study was to investigate the efficacy of on-farm UV light treatment in reducing bacteria populations in waste milk used for feeding calves. Samples of nonsaleable milk were collected from 9 Pennsylvania herds, twice daily for 15 d, both before and after UV light treatment (n=60 samples per farm), and analyzed for standard plate count, coliforms, noncoliform, gram-negative bacteria, environmental and contagious streptococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus count, and total solids percentage, and log reduction and percentage log reduction were calculated. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure in SAS. In all bacteria types, samples collected after UV treatment contained significantly fewer bacteria compared with samples collected before UV treatment. Weighted least squares means for log reduction (percentage log reduction) were 1.34 (29%), 1.27 (58%), 1.48 (53%), 1.85 (55%), 1.37 (72%), 1.92 (63%), 1.07 (33%), and 1.67 (82%) for standard plate count, coliforms, noncoliform, gram-negative bacteria, environmental and contagious streptococci, Strep. agalactiae, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Staph. aureus, respectively. A percentage log reduction greater than 50% was achieved in 6 of 8 bacteria types, and 43 and 94% of samples collected after UV treatment met recommended bacterial standards for milk for feeding calves. Based on these results, UV light treatment may be effective for some, but not all bacteria types found in nonsaleable waste milk. Thus, farmers should take into account the bacteria types that may need to be reduced when considering the purchase of a UV-treatment system. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. A Tool for the Automated Collection of Space Utilization Data: Three Dimensional Space Utilization Monitor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vos, Gordon A.; Fink, Patrick; Ngo, Phong H.; Morency, Richard; Simon, Cory; Williams, Robert E.; Perez, Lance C.

    2015-01-01

    Space Human Factors and Habitability (SHFH) Element within the Human Research Program (HRP), in collaboration with the Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) Element, is conducting research regarding Net Habitable Volume (NHV), the internal volume within a spacecraft or habitat that is available to crew for required activities, as well as layout and accommodations within that volume. NASA is looking for innovative methods to unobtrusively collect NHV data without impacting crew time. Data required includes metrics such as location and orientation of crew, volume used to complete tasks, internal translation paths, flow of work, and task completion times. In less constrained environments methods for collecting such data exist yet many are obtrusive and require significant post-processing. Example technologies used in terrestrial settings include infrared (IR) retro-reflective marker based motion capture, GPS sensor tracking, inertial tracking, and multiple camera filmography. However due to constraints of space operations many such methods are infeasible, such as inertial tracking systems which typically rely upon a gravity vector to normalize sensor readings, and traditional IR systems which are large and require extensive calibration. However multiple technologies have not yet been applied to space operations for these explicit purposes. Two of these include 3-Dimensional Radio Frequency Identification Real-Time Localization Systems (3D RFID-RTLS) and depth imaging systems which allow for 3D motion capture and volumetric scanning (such as those using IR-depth cameras like the Microsoft Kinect or Light Detection and Ranging / Light-Radar systems, referred to as LIDAR).

  6. Developing a clinically viable angle-resolved low coherence interferometry optical biopsy system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pyhtila, John W.

    2007-12-01

    Non-invasive optical biopsy techniques, which interrogate tissue in situ, offer a potential method to improve the detection of dysplasia, a pre-cancerous tissue state. Specifically, monitoring of Barrett's esophagus (BE) patients for dysplasia, currently done through systematic biopsy, can be improved by increasing the proportion of at-risk tissue examined. Angle-resolved low coherence interferometry (a/LCI) is an optical spectroscopic technique which measures the depth resolved nuclear morphology of tissue, a key biomarker for identifying dysplasia. Using an animal carcinogenesis model, it was shown that a/LCI can detect dysplasia with great sensitivity and specificity. However, for the clinical application of a/LCI, numerous hurdles must be overcome. This dissertation presents the development of three new a/LCI systems which incrementally address the three main obstacles preventing the clinical application of a/LCI. First, data acquisition time is reduced by implementing a frequency-domain detection scheme using an imaging spectrograph that collects the complete depth resolved angular scattering distribution in parallel. This advance reduces data collection time to a clinically acceptable 40 ms. Second, a fiber probe is developed to enable the endoscopic application of a/LCI. The probe incorporates a single fiber for delivering light and a coherent fiber bundle for collecting the angular distribution of scattered light. Third, a portable device is created through miniaturization of the optical design, and a flexible fiber probe is created using polarization maintaining fiber to deliver the light. These advances allow for the clinical application of the system to ex vivo human tissue samples. The performance of each described system is evaluated through a number of validation studies, including the sizing of polystyrene microspheres, a typical model used in light scattering studies, and the measurement of in vitro cell nuclear diameters, accomplished with sub-wavelength precision and accuracy. The culmination of this work is the first human study using a/LCI in which it is demonstrated that a/LCI depth resolved nuclear morphology measurements provide an excellent means to identify dysplasia in BE patients. The described results demonstrate the great potential for the in vivo application of a/LCI as a targeting mechanism for the detection of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus patients.

  7. Active tracking system for visible light communication using a GaN-based micro-LED and NRZ-OOK.

    PubMed

    Lu, Zhijian; Tian, Pengfei; Chen, Hong; Baranowski, Izak; Fu, Houqiang; Huang, Xuanqi; Montes, Jossue; Fan, Youyou; Wang, Hongyi; Liu, Xiaoyan; Liu, Ran; Zhao, Yuji

    2017-07-24

    Visible light communication (VLC) holds the promise of a high-speed wireless network for indoor applications and competes with 5G radio frequency (RF) system. Although the breakthrough of gallium nitride (GaN) based micro-light-emitting-diodes (micro-LEDs) increases the -3dB modulation bandwidth exceptionally from tens of MHz to hundreds of MHz, the light collected onto a fast photo receiver drops dramatically, which determines the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of VLC. To fully implement the practical high data-rate VLC link enabled by a GaN-based micro-LED, it requires focusing optics and a tracking system. In this paper, we demonstrate an active on-chip tracking system for VLC using a GaN-based micro-LED and none-return-to-zero on-off keying (NRZ-OOK). Using this novel technique, the field of view (FOV) was enlarged to 120° and data rates up to 600 Mbps at a bit error rate (BER) of 2.1×10 -4 were achieved without manual focusing. This paper demonstrates the establishment of a VLC physical link that shows enhanced communication quality by orders of magnitude, making it optimized for practical communication applications.

  8. Aqueous carrier waveguide in a flow cytometer

    DOEpatents

    Mariella, Jr., Raymond P.; van den Engh, Gerrit; Northrup, M. Allen

    1995-01-01

    The liquid of a flow cytometer itself acts as an optical waveguide, thus transmitting the light to an optical filter/detector combination. This alternative apparatus and method for detecting scattered light in a flow cytometer is provided by a device which views and detects the light trapped within the optical waveguide formed by the flow stream. A fiber optic or other light collecting device is positioned within the flow stream. This provides enormous advantages over the standard light collection technique which uses a microscope objective. The signal-to-noise ratio is greatly increased over that for right-angle-scattered light collected by a microscope objective, and the alignment requirements are simplified.

  9. Plant chlorophyll content meter

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Spiering, Bruce A. (Inventor); Carter, Gregory A. (Inventor)

    2000-01-01

    A plant chlorophyll content meter is described which collects light reflected from a target plant and separates the collected light into two different wavelength bands. These wavelength bands, or channels, are described as having center wavelengths of 700 nm and 840 nm. The light collected in these two channels are processed using photo detectors and amplifiers. An analog to digital converter is described which provides a digital representation of the level of light collected by the lens and falling within the two channels. A controller provided in the meter device compares the level of light reflected from a target plant with a level of light detected from a light source, such as light reflected by a target having 100% reflectance, or transmitted through a diffusion receptor. The percent of reflection in the two separate wavelength bands from a target plant are compared to provide a ratio which indicates a relative level of plant physiological stress. A method of compensating for electronic drift is described where a sample is taken when a collection lens is covered to prevent light from entering the device. This compensation method allows for a more accurate reading by reducing error contributions due to electronic drift from environmental conditions at the location where a hand-held unit is used.

  10. Stable Isotope Measurements of Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Using Frequency Modulation Spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nowak-Lovato, K.

    2014-12-01

    Seepage from enhanced oil recovery, carbon storage, and natural gas sites can emit trace gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide. Trace gas emission at these locations demonstrate unique light stable isotope signatures that provide information to enable source identification of the material. Light stable isotope detection through surface monitoring, offers the ability to distinguish between trace gases emitted from sources such as, biological (fertilizers and wastes), mineral (coal or seams), or liquid organic systems (oil and gas reservoirs). To make light stable isotope measurements, we employ the ultra-sensitive technique, frequency modulation spectroscopy (FMS). FMS is an absorption technique with sensitivity enhancements approximately 100-1000x more than standard absorption spectroscopy with the advantage of providing stable isotope signature information. We have developed an integrated in situ (point source) system that measures carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide with isotopic resolution and enhanced sensitivity. The in situ instrument involves the continuous collection of air and records the stable isotope ratio for the gas being detected. We have included in-line flask collection points to obtain gas samples for validation of isotopic concentrations using our in-house isotope ratio mass spectroscopy (IRMS). We present calibration curves for each species addressed above to demonstrate the sensitivity and accuracy of the system. We also show field deployment data demonstrating the capabilities of the system in making live dynamic measurements from an active source.

  11. A pH sensing system using fluorescence-based fibre optical sensor capable of small volume sample measurement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deng, Shijie; McAuliffe, Michael A. P.; Salaj-Kosla, Urszula; Wolfe, Raymond; Lewis, Liam; Huyet, Guillaume

    2017-02-01

    In this work, a low cost optical pH sensing system that allows for small volume sample measurements was developed. The system operates without the requirement of laboratory instruments (e.g. laser source, spectrometer and CCD camera), this lowers the cost and enhances the portability. In the system, an optical arrangement employing a dichroic filter was used which allows the excitation and emission light to be transmitted using a single fibre thus improving the collection efficiency of the fluorescence signal and also the ability of inserting measurement. The pH sensor in the system uses bromocresol purple as the indicator which is immobilised by sol-gel technology through a dip-coating process. The sensor material was coated on the tip of a 1 mm diameter optical fibre which makes it possible for inserting into very small volume samples to measure the pH. In the system, a LED with a peak emission wavelength of 465 nm is used as the light source and a silicon photo-detector is used to detect the uorescence signal. Optical filters are applied after the LED and in front of the photo-detector to separate the excitation and emission light. The fluorescence signal collected is transferred to a PC through a DAQ and processed by a Labview-based graphic-user-interface (GUI). Experimental results show that the system is capable of sensing pH values from 5.3 to 8.7 with a linear response of R2=0.969. Results also show that the response times for a pH changes from 5.3 to 8.7 is approximately 150 s and for a 0.5 pH changes is approximately 50 s.

  12. Optical design of laser transmission system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yulan; Feng, Jinliang; Li, Yongliang; Yang, Jiandong

    1998-08-01

    This paper discusses a design of optical transfer system used in carbon-dioxide laser therapeutic machine. The design of this system is according to the requirement of the therapeutic machine. The therapeutic machine requires the movement of laser transfer system is similar to the movement of human beings arms, which possesses 7 rotating hinges. We use optical hinges, which is composed of 45 degree mirrors. Because the carbon-dioxide laser mode is not good, light beam diameter at focus and divergence angle dissemination are big, we use a collecting lens at the transfer system output part in order to make the light beam diameter at focus in 0.2 to approximately 0.3 mm. For whole system the focus off-axis error is less than 0.5 mm, the transfer power consumption is smaller than 10%. The system can move in three dimension space freely and satisfies the therapeutic machine requirement.

  13. Proximity fuze

    DOEpatents

    Harrison, Thomas R.

    1989-08-22

    A proximity fuze system includes an optical ranging apparatus, a detonation circuit controlled by the optical ranging apparatus, and an explosive charge detonated by the detonation cirtcuit. The optical ranging apparatus includes a pulsed laser light source for generating target ranging light pulses and optical reference light pulses. A single lens directs ranging pulses to a target and collects reflected light from the target. An optical fiber bundle is used for delaying the optical reference pulses to correspond to a predetermined distance from the target. The optical ranging apparatus includes circuitry for providing a first signal depending upon the light pulses reflected from the target, a second signal depending upon the light pulses from the optical delay fiber bundle, and an output signal when the first and second signals coincide with each other. The output signal occurs when the distance from the target is equal to the predetermined distance form the target. Additional circuitry distinguishes pulses reflected from the target from background solar radiation.

  14. Design and validation of a portable, inexpensive and multi-beam timing light system using the Nintendo Wii hand controllers.

    PubMed

    Clark, Ross A; Paterson, Kade; Ritchie, Callan; Blundell, Simon; Bryant, Adam L

    2011-03-01

    Commercial timing light systems (CTLS) provide precise measurement of athletes running velocity, however they are often expensive and difficult to transport. In this study an inexpensive, wireless and portable timing light system was created using the infrared camera in Nintendo Wii hand controllers (NWHC). System creation with gold-standard validation. A Windows-based software program using NWHC to replicate a dual-beam timing gate was created. Firstly, data collected during 2m walking and running trials were validated against a 3D kinematic system. Secondly, data recorded during 5m running trials at various intensities from standing or flying starts were compared to a single beam CTLS and the independent and average scores of three handheld stopwatch (HS) operators. Intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess validity. Absolute error quartiles and percentage of trials in absolute error threshold ranges were used to determine accuracy. The NWHC system was valid when compared against the 3D kinematic system (ICC=0.99, median absolute error (MAR)=2.95%). For the flying 5m trials the NWHC system possessed excellent validity and precision (ICC=0.97, MAR<3%) when compared with the CTLS. In contrast, the NWHC system and the HS values during standing start trials possessed only modest validity (ICC<0.75) and accuracy (MAR>8%). A NWHC timing light system is inexpensive, portable and valid for assessing running velocity. Errors in the 5m standing start trials may have been due to erroneous event detection by either the commercial or NWHC-based timing light systems. Copyright © 2010 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Upgraded divertor Thomson scattering system on DIII-D

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Glass, F.; Carlstrom, T. N.; Du, D.; McLean, A. G.; Taussig, D. A.; Boivin, R. L.

    2016-11-01

    A design to extend the unique divertor Thomson scattering system on DIII-D to allow measurements of electron temperature and density in high triangularity plasmas is presented. Access to this region is selectable on a shot-by-shot basis by redirecting the laser beam of the existing divertor Thomson system inboard — beneath the lower floor using a moveable, high-damage threshold, in-vacuum mirror — and then redirecting again vertically. The currently measured divertor region remains available with this mirror retracted. Scattered light is collected from viewchords near the divertor floor using in-vacuum, high temperature optical elements and relayed through the port window, before being coupled into optical fiber bundles. At higher elevations from the floor, measurements are made by dynamically re-focusing the existing divertor system collection optics. Nd:YAG laser timing, analysis of the scattered light spectrum via polychromators, data acquisition, and calibration are all handled by existing systems or methods of the current multi-pulse Thomson scattering system. Existing filtered polychromators with 7 spectral channels are employed to provide maximum measurement breadth (Te in the range of 0.5 eV-2 keV, ne in the range of 5 × 1018-1 × 1021 m3) for both low Te in detachment and high Te measurement up beyond the separatrix.

  16. Upgraded divertor Thomson scattering system on DIII-D.

    PubMed

    Glass, F; Carlstrom, T N; Du, D; McLean, A G; Taussig, D A; Boivin, R L

    2016-11-01

    A design to extend the unique divertor Thomson scattering system on DIII-D to allow measurements of electron temperature and density in high triangularity plasmas is presented. Access to this region is selectable on a shot-by-shot basis by redirecting the laser beam of the existing divertor Thomson system inboard - beneath the lower floor using a moveable, high-damage threshold, in-vacuum mirror - and then redirecting again vertically. The currently measured divertor region remains available with this mirror retracted. Scattered light is collected from viewchords near the divertor floor using in-vacuum, high temperature optical elements and relayed through the port window, before being coupled into optical fiber bundles. At higher elevations from the floor, measurements are made by dynamically re-focusing the existing divertor system collection optics. Nd:YAG laser timing, analysis of the scattered light spectrum via polychromators, data acquisition, and calibration are all handled by existing systems or methods of the current multi-pulse Thomson scattering system. Existing filtered polychromators with 7 spectral channels are employed to provide maximum measurement breadth (T e in the range of 0.5 eV-2 keV, n e in the range of 5 × 10 18 -1 × 10 21 m 3 ) for both low T e in detachment and high T e measurement up beyond the separatrix.

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

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

    2018-02-01

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

  18. A Comparison of Trap Types for Assessing Diversity of Scarabaeoidea on South Carolina Golf Courses.

    PubMed

    Chong, Juang-Horng; Hinson, Kevin R

    2015-10-01

    A 2-yr survey was conducted on golf courses in South Carolina to 1) document the species richness and seasonal activity of Scarabaeoidea; 2) assess any species compositional differences among three trap types (ultraviolet light, unbaited flight-intercept, and unbaited pitfall); and 3) identify any dominant taxa in each trap type. A total of 74,326 scarabaeoid beetles were captured, of which 77.4% were Aphodiinae (not identified to species). The remaining specimens belong to 104 species in 47 genera and 6 families. The most abundant species were Cyclocephala lurida Bland, Dyscinetus morator (F.), Euetheola humilis (Burmeister), Hybosorus illigeri Reiche, and Maladera castanea (Arrow). In all trap types, >90% of all specimens and taxa were collected between April and August. Ultraviolet light traps collected ∼94% of total specimens consisting of 83 taxa (of which 51 were unique to this trap type), whereas flight-intercept traps captured ∼2% of all specimens representing 53 taxa (18 of which were unique), and pitfall traps captured ∼4% of all specimens representing 15 taxa (no unique species; all species also captured by ultraviolet light traps). Indicator species analysis identified 2-3 and 10-13 taxa that were most frequently collected by flight-intercept and ultraviolet light traps, respectively. Flight-intercept traps complemented ultraviolet light traps by capturing more species of dung and carrion beetles and diurnal phytophagous scarab beetles. Results suggested that a similar survey for domestic or exotic scarabaeoid beetles in turfgrass systems should be conducted between April and August using ultraviolet light and flight-intercept traps at 13-58 sites. © The Authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  19. Miniature probe for the delivery and monitoring of a photopolymerizable material

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmocker, Andreas; Khoushabi, Azadeh; Schizas, Constantin; Bourban, Pierre-Etienne; Pioletti, Dominique P.; Moser, Christophe

    2015-12-01

    Photopolymerization is a common method to cure materials initially in a liquid state, such as dental implants or bone or tissue fillers. Recent advances in the development of biocompatible gel- and cement-systems open up an avenue for in situ photopolymerization. For minimally invasive surgery, such procedures require miniaturized surgical endoscopic probes to activate and control photopolymerization in situ. We present a miniaturized light probe in which a photoactive material can be (1) mixed, pressurized, and injected, (2) photopolymerized/photoactivated, and (3) monitored during the chemical reaction. The device is used to implant and cure poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate-hydrogel-precursor in situ with ultraviolet A (UVA) light (365 nm) while the polymerization reaction is monitored in real time by collecting the fluorescence and Raman signals generated by the 532-nm excitation light source. Hydrogels could be delivered, photopolymerized, and monitored by the probe up to a curing depth of 4 cm. The size of the photopolymerized samples could be correlated to the fluorescent signal collected by the probe, and the reproducibility of the procedure could be demonstrated. The position of the probe tip inside a bovine caudal intervertebral disc could be estimated in vitro based on the collected fluorescence and Raman signal.

  20. Analysis of red light violation data collected from intersections equipped with red light photo enforcement cameras

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2006-03-01

    This report presents results from an analysis of about 47,000 red light violation records collected from 11 intersections in the : City of Sacramento, California, by red light photo enforcement cameras between May 1999 and June 2003. The goal of this...

  1. Photonic structures in biology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vukusic, Pete; Sambles, J. Roy

    2003-08-01

    Millions of years before we began to manipulate the flow of light using synthetic structures, biological systems were using nanometre-scale architectures to produce striking optical effects. An astonishing variety of natural photonic structures exists: a species of Brittlestar uses photonic elements composed of calcite to collect light, Morpho butterflies use multiple layers of cuticle and air to produce their striking blue colour and some insects use arrays of elements, known as nipple arrays, to reduce reflectivity in their compound eyes. Natural photonic structures are providing inspiration for technological applications.

  2. Metallized Capillaries as Probes for Raman Spectroscopy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pelletier, Michael

    2003-01-01

    A class of miniature probes has been proposed to supplant the fiber-optic probes used heretofore in some Raman and fluorescence spectroscopic systems. A probe according to the proposal would include a capillary tube coated with metal on its inside to make it reflective. A microlens would be hermetically sealed onto one end of the tube. A spectroscopic probe head would contain a single such probe, which would both deliver laser light to a sample and collect Raman or fluorescent light emitted by the sample.

  3. An LED-based UV-B irradiation system for tiny organisms: System description and demonstration experiment to determine the hatchability of eggs from four Tetranychus spider mite species from Okinawa.

    PubMed

    Suzuki, Takeshi; Yoshioka, Yoshio; Tsarsitalidou, Olga; Ntalia, Vivi; Ohno, Suguru; Ohyama, Katsumi; Kitashima, Yasuki; Gotoh, Tetsuo; Takeda, Makio; Koveos, Dimitris S

    2014-03-01

    We developed a computer-based system for controlling the photoperiod and irradiance of UV-B and white light from a 5×5 light-emitting diode (LED) matrix (100×100mm). In this system, the LED matrix was installed in each of four irradiation boxes and controlled by pulse-width modulators so that each box can independently emit UV-B and white light at irradiances of up to 1.5 and 4.0Wm(-2), respectively, or a combination of both light types. We used this system to examine the hatchabilities of the eggs of four Tetranychus spider mite species (T. urticae, T. kanzawai, T. piercei and T. okinawanus) collected from Okinawa Island under UV-B irradiation alone or simultaneous irradiation with white light for 12hd(-1) at 25°C. Although no eggs of any species hatched under the UV-B irradiation, even when the irradiance was as low as 0.02Wm(-2), the hatchabilities increased to >90% under simultaneous irradiation with 4.0Wm(-2) white light. At 0.06Wm(-2) UV-B, T. okinawanus eggs hatched (15% hatchability) under simultaneous irradiation with white light, whereas other species showed hatchabilities <1%. These results suggest that photolyases activated by white light may reduce UV-B-induced DNA damage in spider mite eggs and that the greater UV-B tolerance of T. okinawanus may explain its dominance on plants in seashore environments, which have a higher risk of exposure to reflected UV-B even on the undersurface of leaves. Our system will be useful for further examination of photophysiological responses of tiny organisms because of its ability to precisely control radiation conditions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Hybrid catadioptric system for advanced optical cavity velocimetry

    DOEpatents

    Frayer, Daniel K.

    2018-02-06

    A probe including reflector is disclosed to measure the velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the surface by the probe and then reflected back from the surface, is Doppler shifted by the moving surface, collected into probe, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to one or more lens groups and a reflector, such as a parabolic reflector having a mirrored interior surface.

  5. The family of light-harvesting-related proteins (LHCs, ELIPs, HLIPs): was the harvesting of light their primary function?

    PubMed

    Montané, M H; Kloppstech, K

    2000-11-27

    Light-harvesting complex proteins (LHCs) and early light-induced proteins (ELIPs) are essential pigment-binding components of the thylakoid membrane and are encoded by one of the largest and most complex higher plant gene families. The functional diversification of these proteins corresponded to the transition from extrinsic (phycobilisome-based) to intrinsic (LHC-based) light-harvesting antenna systems during the evolution of chloroplasts from cyanobacteria, yet the functional basis of this diversification has been elusive. Here, we propose that the original function of LHCs and ELIPs was not to collect light and to transfer its energy content to the reaction centers but to disperse the absorbed energy of light in the form of heat or fluorescence. These energy-dispersing proteins are believed to have originated in cyanobacteria as one-helix, highly light-inducible proteins (HLIPs) that later acquired four helices through two successive gene duplication steps. We suggest that the ELIPs arose first in this succession, with a primary function in energy dispersion for protection of photosynthetic pigments from photo-oxidation. We consider the LHC I and II families as more recent and very successful evolutionary additions to this family that ultimately attained a new function, thereby replacing the ancestral extrinsic light-harvesting system. Our model accounts for the non-photochemical quenching role recently shown for higher plant psbS proteins.

  6. A Wave Theory for Non-Imaging Concentrators

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-04-01

    the radiance function over the z = 0 plane, as defined by Walther (W), 6 W. T. Welford and R. Winston , High Collection Nonimaging Optics , Academic...Laurel, Maryland 2072&-6099 REFERENCES IW. T. Welford and R. Winston , High Collection Nonimaging Optics , Academic Press, New York (1989). 2 W. Welford and...radiance function is invariant for a large class of optical systems. It is also shown that fundamental limitations for the concentration of light follow

  7. Flow cytometry without alignment of collection optics.

    PubMed

    Sitton, Greg; Srienc, Friedrich

    2009-12-01

    This study describes the performance of a new waveguide flow cell constructed from Teflon AF (TFC) and the potential use of fiber optic splitters to replace collection objectives and dichroic mirrors. The TFC has the unique optical property that the refractive index of the polymer is lower than water and therefore, water filled TFC behaves and functions as a liquid core waveguide. Thus, as cells flow through the TFC and are illuminated by a laser orthogonal to the flow direction, scattered and fluorescent light is directed down the axis of the TFC to a fiber optic. The total signal in the fiber optic is then split into multiple fibers by fiber optic splitters to enable measurement of signal intensities at different wavelengths. Optical filters are placed at the terminus of each fiber before measurement of specific wavelengths by a PMT. The constructed system was used to measure DNA content of CHO and yeast cells. Polystyrene beads were used for alignment and to assess the performance of the system. Polystyrene beads were observed to produce light scattering signals with unique bimodal characteristics dependent on the direction of flow relative to the collecting fiber optic.

  8. Design of LED projector based on gradient-index lens

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qian, Liyong; Zhu, Xiangbing; Cui, Haitian; Wang, Yuanhang

    2018-01-01

    In this study, a new type of projector light path is designed to eliminate the deficits of existing projection systems, such as complex structure and low collection efficiency. Using a three-color LED array as the lighting source, by means of the special optical properties of a gradient-index lens, the complex structure of the traditional projector is simplified. Traditional components, such as the color wheel, relay lens, and mirror, become unnecessary. In this way, traditional problems, such as low utilization of light energy and loss of light energy, are solved. With the help of Zemax software, the projection lens is optimized. The optimized projection lens, LED, gradient-index lens, and digital micromirror device are imported into Tracepro. The ray tracing results show that both the utilization of light energy and the uniformity are improved significantly.

  9. Aqueous carrier waveguide in a flow cytometer

    DOEpatents

    Mariella, R.P. Jr.; Engh, G. van den; Northrup, M.A.

    1995-12-12

    The liquid of a flow cytometer itself acts as an optical waveguide, thus transmitting the light to an optical filter/detector combination. This alternative apparatus and method for detecting scattered light in a flow cytometer is provided by a device which views and detects the light trapped within the optical waveguide formed by the flow stream. A fiber optic or other light collecting device is positioned within the flow stream. This provides enormous advantages over the standard light collection technique which uses a microscope objective. The signal-to-noise ratio is greatly increased over that for right-angle-scattered light collected by a microscope objective, and the alignment requirements are simplified. 6 figs.

  10. Photometric study and orbital period analysis of the W UMa type contact binary VZ Psc

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, S.; Li, K.; Li, Q.-C.; Gao, H.-Y.

    2018-02-01

    VZ Psc is a W-type contact binary system with a short period of 0.26125897 days. B, V, Rc and Ic light curves of the eclipsing binary system were obtained by using the 1.0 m reflecting telescope at Weihai Observatory of Shandong University. By collecting 136 times of minimum light, we studied the orbital period change of VZ Psc. A sinusoidal variation was discovered in the O - C diagram, and the amplitude of 0.d0023 and the period of 17.7 year were obtained. This can be caused by Applegate mechanism or light-time effect. Both the mechanisms are suited according to our investigation, but we prefer the latter that the light-time effect due to the presence of a third body results in the cyclic variation. By using the W-D program, we analyzed the four color light curves. Because of the asymmetric light curves and the possible third body, we used the spot mode of W-D program with and without L3. We found that a hot spot on the primary component with the third light leads to the best result. A very high filling factor of 94.4% ± 2.8% and orbit inclination of 53.2° were obtained.

  11. Light collection optimization for composite photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells: Towards higher efficiency

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

    Guo, X. Z.; Shen, W. Z., E-mail: wzshen@sjtu.edu.cn; Laboratory of Condensed Matter Spectroscopy and Opto-Electronic Physics, and Key Laboratory of Artificial Structures and Quantum Control

    2015-06-14

    Composite photoanode comprising nanoparticles and one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure is a promising alternative to conventional photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Besides fast electron transport channels, the 1D nanostructure also plays as light scattering centers. Here, we theoretically investigate the light scattering properties of capsule-shaped 1D nanostructure and their influence on the light collection of DSCs. It is found that the far-field light scattering of a single capsule depends on its volume, shape, and orientation: capsules with bigger equivalent spherical diameter, smaller aspect ratio, and horizontal orientation demonstrate stronger light scattering especially at large scattering angle. Using Monte Carlo approach, wemore » simulated and optimized the light harvesting efficiency of the cell. Two multilayer composite photoanodes containing orderly or randomly oriented capsules are proposed. DSCs composed of these two photoanodes are promising for higher efficiencies because of their efficient light collection and superior electron collection. These results will provide practical guidance to the design and optimization of the photoanodes for DSCs.« less

  12. Light collection and pulse-shape discrimination in elongated scintillator cells for the PROSPECT reactor antineutrino experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ashenfelter, J.; Balantekin, B.; Band, H. R.; Barclay, G.; Bass, C. D.; Berish, D.; Bowden, N. S.; Bowes, A.; Brodsky, J. P.; Bryan, C. D.; Cherwinka, J. J.; Chu, R.; Classen, T.; Commeford, K.; Davee, D.; Dean, D.; Deichert, G.; Diwan, M. V.; Dolinski, M. J.; Dolph, J.; Dwyer, D. A.; Gaison, J. K.; Galindo-Uribarri, A.; Gilje, K.; Glenn, A.; Goddard, B. W.; Green, M.; Han, K.; Hans, S.; Heeger, K. M.; Heffron, B.; Jaffe, D. E.; Langford, T. J.; Littlejohn, B. R.; Martinez Caicedo, D. A.; McKeown, R. D.; Mendenhall, M. P.; Mueller, P.; Mumm, H. P.; Napolitano, J.; Neilson, R.; Norcini, D.; Pushin, D.; Qian, X.; Romero, E.; Rosero, R.; Saldana, L.; Seilhan, B. S.; Sharma, R.; Sheets, S.; Stemen, N. T.; Surukuchi, P. T.; Varner, R. L.; Viren, B.; Wang, W.; White, B.; White, C.; Wilhelmi, J.; Williams, C.; Wise, T.; Yao, H.; Yeh, M.; Yen, Y. R.; Zangakis, G.; Zhang, C.; Zhang, X.

    2015-11-01

    A meter-long, 23-liter EJ-309 liquid scintillator detector has been constructed to study the light collection and pulse-shape discrimination performance of elongated scintillator cells for the PROSPECT reactor antineutrino experiment. The magnitude and uniformity of light collection and neutron-gamma discrimination power in the energy range of antineutrino inverse beta decay products have been studied using gamma and spontaneous fission calibration sources deployed along the cell axis. We also study neutron-gamma discrimination and light collection abilities for differing PMT and reflector configurations. Key design features for optimizing MeV-scale response and background rejection capabilities are identified.

  13. A system and methodology for measuring volatile organic compounds produced by hydroponic lettuce in a controlled environment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Charron, C. S.; Cantliffe, D. J.; Wheeler, R. M.; Manukian, A.; Heath, R. R.

    1996-01-01

    A system and methodology were developed for the nondestructive qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile emissions from hydroponically grown 'Waldmann's Green' leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), photoperiod, and temperature were automatically controlled and monitored in a growth chamber modified for the collection of plant volatiles. The lipoxygenase pathway products (Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenol, and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate were emitted by lettuce plants after the transition from the light period to the dark period. The volatile collection system developed in this study enabled measurements of volatiles emitted by intact plants, from planting to harvest, under controlled environmental conditions.

  14. Light distribution modulated diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Huang, Pin-Yuan; Chien, Chun-Yu; Sheu, Chia-Rong; Chen, Yu-Wen; Tseng, Sheng-Hao

    2016-06-01

    Typically, a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system employing a continuous wave light source would need to acquire diffuse reflectances measured at multiple source-detector separations for determining the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of turbid samples. This results in a multi-fiber probe structure and an indefinite probing depth. Here we present a novel DRS method that can utilize a few diffuse reflectances measured at one source-detector separation for recovering the optical properties of samples. The core of innovation is a liquid crystal (LC) cell whose scattering property can be modulated by the bias voltage. By placing the LC cell between the light source and the sample, the spatial distribution of light in the sample can be varied as the scattering property of the LC cell modulated by the bias voltage, and this would induce intensity variation of the collected diffuse reflectance. From a series of Monte Carlo simulations and phantom measurements, we found that this new light distribution modulated DRS (LDM DRS) system was capable of accurately recover the absorption and scattering coefficients of turbid samples and its probing depth only varied by less than 3% over the full bias voltage variation range. Our results suggest that this LDM DRS platform could be developed to various low-cost, efficient, and compact systems for in-vivo superficial tissue investigation.

  15. Light distribution modulated diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Pin-Yuan; Chien, Chun-Yu; Sheu, Chia-Rong; Chen, Yu-Wen; Tseng, Sheng-Hao

    2016-01-01

    Typically, a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system employing a continuous wave light source would need to acquire diffuse reflectances measured at multiple source-detector separations for determining the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of turbid samples. This results in a multi-fiber probe structure and an indefinite probing depth. Here we present a novel DRS method that can utilize a few diffuse reflectances measured at one source-detector separation for recovering the optical properties of samples. The core of innovation is a liquid crystal (LC) cell whose scattering property can be modulated by the bias voltage. By placing the LC cell between the light source and the sample, the spatial distribution of light in the sample can be varied as the scattering property of the LC cell modulated by the bias voltage, and this would induce intensity variation of the collected diffuse reflectance. From a series of Monte Carlo simulations and phantom measurements, we found that this new light distribution modulated DRS (LDM DRS) system was capable of accurately recover the absorption and scattering coefficients of turbid samples and its probing depth only varied by less than 3% over the full bias voltage variation range. Our results suggest that this LDM DRS platform could be developed to various low-cost, efficient, and compact systems for in-vivo superficial tissue investigation. PMID:27375931

  16. Theoretical solution for light transmission of a bended hollow light guide

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

    Kocifaj, Miroslav; Darula, Stanislav; Kittler, Richard

    2010-08-15

    Hollow light guides with very high reflective inner surfaces are novel daylight systems that collect sunlight and skylight available on the roof of buildings transporting it into deep or windowless interiors in building cores. Thus the better utilization of daylight can result in energy savings and wellbeing in these enclosed indoor spaces. An analytical complex solution of a straight tube system was solved in the HOLIGILM method with a user-friendly tool available on the http://www.holigilm.info. An even more difficult light flow transport is to be determined in bended tubes usually placed on sloped roofs where a bend is necessary tomore » adjust the vertical pass through the ceilings. This paper presents the theoretical derivation of the model with its graphical representation and coordinate system respecting backward ray-tracing bend distortions. To imagine the resulting illuminance on the horizontal plane element in the interior, the virtual ray (i.e. luminance in an elementary solid angle) has to pass the ceiling diffuser interface, the inner mirror like tube with a bend, through a roof cupola attachment to the element of the sky and sun light source. Due to this complexity and the lengthy derivation and explanations more practical applications will be published later in a separate contribution. (author)« less

  17. Robust Behavior Recognition in Intelligent Surveillance Environments.

    PubMed

    Batchuluun, Ganbayar; Kim, Yeong Gon; Kim, Jong Hyun; Hong, Hyung Gil; Park, Kang Ryoung

    2016-06-30

    Intelligent surveillance systems have been studied by many researchers. These systems should be operated in both daytime and nighttime, but objects are invisible in images captured by visible light camera during the night. Therefore, near infrared (NIR) cameras, thermal cameras (based on medium-wavelength infrared (MWIR), and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) light) have been considered for usage during the nighttime as an alternative. Due to the usage during both daytime and nighttime, and the limitation of requiring an additional NIR illuminator (which should illuminate a wide area over a great distance) for NIR cameras during the nighttime, a dual system of visible light and thermal cameras is used in our research, and we propose a new behavior recognition in intelligent surveillance environments. Twelve datasets were compiled by collecting data in various environments, and they were used to obtain experimental results. The recognition accuracy of our method was found to be 97.6%, thereby confirming the ability of our method to outperform previous methods.

  18. Stand-off detection of explosives vapors by resonance-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johansson, Ida; Ceco, Ema; Ehlerding, Anneli; Östmark, Henric

    2013-06-01

    This paper describes a system for stand-off vapor detection based on Resonant Raman spectroscopy, RRS. The system is a step towards a RRS LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) system, capable of detecting vapors from explosives and explosives precursors at long distances. The current system was used to detect the vapor of nitromethane and mononitrotoluene outdoors in the open air, at a stand-off distance of 11-13 meters. Also, the signal dependence upon irradiation wavelength and sample concentration was studied in controlled laboratory conditions. A tunable Optical Parametric Oscillator pumped by an Nd:YAG laser, with a pulse length of 6 ns, was operated in the UV range of interest, 210-400 nm, illuminating the sample vapor. The backscattered Raman signal was collected by a telescope and a roundto- slit optical fiber was used to transmit collected light to the spectrometer with minimum losses. A gated intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) registered the spectra. The nitromethane cross section was resonance enhanced more than a factor 30 700, when measured at 220 nm, compared to the 532 nm value. The results show that a decrease in concentration can have a positive effect on the sensitivity of the system, due to a decrease in absorption and selfabsorption in the sample.

  19. Tailored lighting intervention improves measures of sleep, depression, and agitation in persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia living in long-term care facilities

    PubMed Central

    Figueiro, Mariana G; Plitnick, Barbara A; Lok, Anna; Jones, Geoffrey E; Higgins, Patricia; Hornick, Thomas R; Rea, Mark S

    2014-01-01

    Background Light therapy has shown great promise as a nonpharmacological method to improve symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), with preliminary studies demonstrating that appropriately timed light exposure can improve nighttime sleep efficiency, reduce nocturnal wandering, and alleviate evening agitation. Since the human circadian system is maximally sensitive to short-wavelength (blue) light, lower, more targeted lighting interventions for therapeutic purposes, can be used. Methods The present study investigated the effectiveness of a tailored lighting intervention for individuals with ADRD living in nursing homes. Low-level “bluish-white” lighting designed to deliver high circadian stimulation during the daytime was installed in 14 nursing home resident rooms for a period of 4 weeks. Light–dark and rest–activity patterns were collected using a Daysimeter. Sleep time and sleep efficiency measures were obtained using the rest–activity data. Measures of sleep quality, depression, and agitation were collected using standardized questionnaires, at baseline, at the end of the 4-week lighting intervention, and 4 weeks after the lighting intervention was removed. Results The lighting intervention significantly (P<0.05) decreased global sleep scores from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and increased total sleep time and sleep efficiency. The lighting intervention also increased phasor magnitude, a measure of the 24-hour resonance between light–dark and rest–activity patterns, suggesting an increase in circadian entrainment. The lighting intervention significantly (P<0.05) reduced depression scores from the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and agitation scores from the Cohen–Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Conclusion A lighting intervention, tailored to increase daytime circadian stimulation, can be used to increase sleep quality and improve behavior in patients with ADRD. The present field study, while promising for application, should be replicated using a larger sample size and perhaps using longer treatment duration. PMID:25246779

  20. Novel technique for solar power illumination using plastic optical fibres

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Munisami, J.; Kalymnios, D.

    2008-09-01

    Plastic Optical Fibres (POF) were developed almost 3 decades ago. They are mainly used for short haul data communications (up to 1 km with data rates up to 1 Gbps). Over the years, POF has found applications in many other areas including solar energy transport for illumination. In such an application, light is collected from the sun and is directed into a space which needs to be illuminated. The use of fibres and more specifically POF, in daylighting systems, started only a few years ago. Several approaches have been investigated and we have seen the development of a few commercial products. The market however, has not really taken off for these technologies simply because of their enormous price tags. It is important to note that the use of POF in these designs has been limited to the function of POF as the transmission medium only. We propose a novel solar illumination technique using POF as both the light collecting/concentrating mechanism and the transmission medium. By modifying the structure of the fibre, solar light can be directed into the fibre by using an analogous process to fibre side emission but, in the reverse. We shall report on the solar light capturing efficiency of POF as modified by several types of external imperfections introduced onto the fibre. One major advantage of our proposed approach lies in the fact that we aim to eliminate at least one of the two axes of sun tracking that is currently used in existing solar illumination systems.

  1. General method for simultaneous optimization of light trapping and carrier collection in an ultra-thin film organic photovoltaic cell

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

    Tsai, Cheng-Chia, E-mail: ct2443@columbia.edu; Grote, Richard R.; Beck, Jonathan H.

    2014-07-14

    We describe a general method for maximizing the short-circuit current in thin planar organic photovoltaic (OPV) heterojunction cells by simultaneous optimization of light absorption and carrier collection. Based on the experimentally obtained complex refractive indices of the OPV materials and the thickness-dependence of the internal quantum efficiency of the OPV active layer, we analyze the potential benefits of light trapping strategies for maximizing the overall power conversion efficiency of the cell. This approach provides a general strategy for optimizing the power conversion efficiency of a wide range of OPV structures. In particular, as an experimental trial system, the approach ismore » applied here to a ultra-thin film solar cell with a SubPc/C{sub 60} photovoltaic structure. Using a patterned indium tin oxide (ITO) top contact, the numerically optimized designs achieve short-circuit currents of 0.790 and 0.980 mA/cm{sup 2} for 30 nm and 45 nm SubPc/C{sub 60} heterojunction layer thicknesses, respectively. These values correspond to a power conversion efficiency enhancement of 78% for the 30 nm thick cell, but only of 32% for a 45 nm thick cell, for which the overall photocurrent is actually higher. Applied to other material systems, the general optimization method can elucidate if light trapping strategies can improve a given cell architecture.« less

  2. The Command Operations Dashboard: A Common Operating Picture of the Operators

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-06-01

    applications in order to collect data: it utilizes Apache Camel as a light-weight enterprise system bus for routing communications through...Mesmer-Magnus & DeChurch, 2009) to focus their limited resources on those teams needing more support. In terms of productivity , new information

  3. A fiber-based quasi-continuous-wave quantum key distribution system

    PubMed Central

    Shen, Yong; Chen, Yan; Zou, Hongxin; Yuan, Jianmin

    2014-01-01

    We report a fiber-based quasi-continuous-wave (CW) quantum key distribution (QKD) system with continuous variables (CV). This system employs coherent light pulses and time multiplexing to maximally reduce cross talk in the fiber. No-switching detection scheme is adopted to optimize the repetition rate. Information is encoded on the sideband of the pulsed coherent light to fully exploit the continuous wave nature of laser field. With this configuration, high secret key rate can be achieved. For the 50 MHz detected bandwidth in our experiment, when the multidimensional reconciliation protocol is applied, a secret key rate of 187 kb/s can be achieved over 50 km of optical fiber against collective attacks, which have been shown to be asymptotically optimal. Moreover, recently studied loopholes have been fixed in our system. PMID:24691409

  4. Self-Organized Lattices of Nonlinear Optochemical Waves in Photopolymerizable Fluids: The Spontaneous Emergence of 3-D Order in a Weakly Correlated System.

    PubMed

    Ponte, Matthew R; Hudson, Alexander D; Saravanamuttu, Kalaichelvi

    2018-03-01

    Many of the extraordinary three-dimensional architectures that pattern our physical world emerge from complex nonlinear systems or dynamic populations whose individual constituents are only weakly correlated to each other. Shoals of fish, murmuration behaviors in birds, congestion patterns in traffic, and even networks of social conventions are examples of spontaneous pattern formation, which cannot be predicted from the properties of individual elements alone. Pattern formation at a different scale has been observed or predicted in weakly correlated systems including superconductors, atomic gases near Bose Einstein condensation, and incoherent optical fields. Understanding pattern formation in nonlinear weakly correlated systems, which are often unified through mathematical expression, could pave intelligent self-organizing pathways to functional materials, architectures, and computing technologies. However, it is experimentally difficult to directly visualize the nonlinear dynamics of pattern formation in most populations-especially in three dimensions. Here, we describe the collective behavior of large populations of nonlinear optochemical waves, which are poorly correlated in both space and time. The optochemical waves-microscopic filaments of white light entrapped within polymer channels-originate from the modulation instability of incandescent light traveling in photopolymerizable fluids. By tracing the three-dimensional distribution of optical intensity in the nascent polymerizing system, we find that populations of randomly distributed, optochemical waves synergistically and collectively shift in space to form highly ordered lattices of specific symmetries. These, to our knowledge, are the first three-dimensionally periodic structures to emerge from a system of weakly correlated waves. Their spontaneous formation in an incoherent and effectively chaotic field is counterintuitive, but the apparent contradiction of known behaviors of light including the laws of optical interference can be explained through the soliton-like interactions of optochemical waves with nearest neighbors. Critically, this work casts fundamentally new insight into the collective behaviors of poorly correlated nonlinear waves in higher dimensions and provides a rare, accessible platform for further experimental studies of these previously unexplored behaviors. Furthermore, it defines a self-organization paradigm that, unlike conventional counterparts, could generate polymer microstructures with symmetries spanning all the Bravais lattices.

  5. Developing LAr Scintillation Light Collection Ideas in the Short Baseline Neutrino Detector

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

    Szelc, A. M.

    2016-02-08

    Scintillation light is becoming the most rapidly developing feature of Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) neutrino detectors due to its capability to enhance and expand their physics reach traditionally based on charge readout. The SBND detector, set to be built on the Booster Neutrino Beam Line at Fermilab, is in a unique position to test novel liquid argon scintillation light readout systems in a detector with physics neutrino events. The different ideas under consideration by the collaboration are described, including an array of PMTs detecting direct light, SiPM coupled lightguide bars and a setup which uses PMTs/SiPMS and wavelengthmore » shifter covered reflector foils, as well as their respective strengths and physics foci and the benchmarks used to compare them.« less

  6. Laser-induced photo emission detection: data acquisition based on light intensity counting

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yulianto, N.; Yudasari, N.; Putri, K. Y.

    2017-04-01

    Laser Induced Breakdown Detection (LIBD) is one of the quantification techniques for colloids. There are two ways of detection in LIBD: optical detection and acoustic detection. LIBD is based on the detection of plasma emission due to the interaction between particle and laser beam. In this research, the changing of light intensity during plasma formations was detected by a photodiode sensor. A photo emission data acquisition system was built to collect and transform them into digital counts. The real-time system used data acquisition device National Instrument DAQ 6009 and LABVIEW software. The system has been tested on distilled water and tap water samples. The result showed 99.8% accuracy by using counting technique in comparison to the acoustic detection with sample rate of 10 Hz, thus the acquisition system can be applied as an alternative method to the existing LIBD acquisition system.

  7. Air-mass flux measurement system using Doppler-shifted filtered Rayleigh scattering

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shirley, John A.; Winter, Michael

    1993-01-01

    An optical system has been investigated to measure mass flux distributions in the inlet of a high speed air-breathing propulsion system. Rayleigh scattered light from air is proportional to the number density of molecules and hence can be used to ascertain the gas density in a calibrated system. Velocity field measurements are achieved by spectrally filtering the elastically-scattered Doppler-shifted light with an absorbing molecular filter. A novel anamorphic optical collection system is used which allows optical rays from different scattering angles, that have different Doppler shifts, to be recorded separately. This is shown to obviate the need to tune the laser through the absorption to determine velocities, while retaining the ability to make spatially-resolved measurements along a line. By properly selecting the laser tuning and filter parameters, simultaneous density measurements can be made. These properties are discussed in the paper and experiments demonstrating the velocimetry capability are described.

  8. Cooperative light-induced molecular movements of highly ordered azobenzene self-assembled monolayers.

    PubMed

    Pace, Giuseppina; Ferri, Violetta; Grave, Christian; Elbing, Mark; von Hänisch, Carsten; Zharnikov, Michael; Mayor, Marcel; Rampi, Maria Anita; Samorì, Paolo

    2007-06-12

    Photochromic systems can convert light energy into mechanical energy, thus they can be used as building blocks for the fabrication of prototypes of molecular devices that are based on the photomechanical effect. Hitherto a controlled photochromic switch on surfaces has been achieved either on isolated chromophores or within assemblies of randomly arranged molecules. Here we show by scanning tunneling microscopy imaging the photochemical switching of a new terminally thiolated azobiphenyl rigid rod molecule. Interestingly, the switching of entire molecular 2D crystalline domains is observed, which is ruled by the interactions between nearest neighbors. This observation of azobenzene-based systems displaying collective switching might be of interest for applications in high-density data storage.

  9. Flocking ferromagnetic colloids

    PubMed Central

    Kaiser, Andreas; Snezhko, Alexey; Aranson, Igor S.

    2017-01-01

    Assemblages of microscopic colloidal particles exhibit fascinating collective motion when energized by electric or magnetic fields. The behaviors range from coherent vortical motion to phase separation and dynamic self-assembly. Although colloidal systems are relatively simple, understanding their collective response, especially under out-of-equilibrium conditions, remains elusive. We report on the emergence of flocking and global rotation in the system of rolling ferromagnetic microparticles energized by a vertical alternating magnetic field. By combing experiments and discrete particle simulations, we have identified primary physical mechanisms, leading to the emergence of large-scale collective motion: spontaneous symmetry breaking of the clockwise/counterclockwise particle rotation, collisional alignment of particle velocities, and random particle reorientations due to shape imperfections. We have also shown that hydrodynamic interactions between the particles do not have a qualitative effect on the collective dynamics. Our findings shed light on the onset of spatial and temporal coherence in a large class of active systems, both synthetic (colloids, swarms of robots, and biopolymers) and living (suspensions of bacteria, cell colonies, and bird flocks). PMID:28246633

  10. Flocking ferromagnetic colloids

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

    Kaiser, Andreas; Snezhko, Alexey; Aranson, Igor S.

    Assemblages of microscopic colloidal particles exhibit fascinating collective motion when energized by electric or magnetic fields. The behaviors range from coherent vortical motion to phase separation and dynamic self-assembly. While colloidal systems are relatively simple, understanding their collective response, especially in out of equilibrium conditions, remains elusive. Here, we report on the emergence of flocking and global rotation in the system of rolling ferromagnetic microparticles energized by a vertical alternating magnetic field. By combing experiments and discrete particle simulations, we have identified primary physical mechanisms leading to the emergence of largescale collective motion: spontaneous symmetry breaking of the clock /more » counterclockwise particle rotation, collisional alignment of particle velocities, and random particle re-orientations due to shape imperfections. We have also shown that hydrodynamic interactions between the particles do not have a qualitative effect on the collective dynamics. Lastly, our findings shed light on the onset of spatial and temporal coherence in a large class of active systems, both synthetic (colloids, swarms of robots, biopolymers) and living (suspensions of bacteria, cell colonies, bird flocks).« less

  11. Flocking ferromagnetic colloids

    DOE PAGES

    Kaiser, Andreas; Snezhko, Alexey; Aranson, Igor S.

    2017-02-15

    Assemblages of microscopic colloidal particles exhibit fascinating collective motion when energized by electric or magnetic fields. The behaviors range from coherent vortical motion to phase separation and dynamic self-assembly. While colloidal systems are relatively simple, understanding their collective response, especially in out of equilibrium conditions, remains elusive. Here, we report on the emergence of flocking and global rotation in the system of rolling ferromagnetic microparticles energized by a vertical alternating magnetic field. By combing experiments and discrete particle simulations, we have identified primary physical mechanisms leading to the emergence of largescale collective motion: spontaneous symmetry breaking of the clock /more » counterclockwise particle rotation, collisional alignment of particle velocities, and random particle re-orientations due to shape imperfections. We have also shown that hydrodynamic interactions between the particles do not have a qualitative effect on the collective dynamics. Lastly, our findings shed light on the onset of spatial and temporal coherence in a large class of active systems, both synthetic (colloids, swarms of robots, biopolymers) and living (suspensions of bacteria, cell colonies, bird flocks).« less

  12. Complex collective dynamics of active torque-driven colloids at interfaces

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

    Snezhko, Alexey

    Modern self-assembly techniques aiming to produce complex structural order or functional diversity often rely on non-equilibrium conditions in the system. Light, electric, or magnetic fields are predominantly used to modify interaction profiles of colloidal particles during self-assembly or induce complex out-of-equilibrium dynamic ordering. The energy injection rate, properties of the environment are important control parameters that influence the outcome of active (dynamic) self-assembly. The current review is focused on a case of collective dynamics and self-assembly of particles with externally driven torques coupled to a liquid or solid interface. The complexity of interactions in such systems is further enriched bymore » strong hydrodynamic coupling between particles. Unconventionally ordered dynamic self-assembled patterns, spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomena, self-propulsion, and collective transport have been reported in torque-driven colloids. Some of the features of the complex collective behavior and dynamic pattern formation in those active systems have been successfully captured in simulations.« less

  13. Multicolor Fluorescence Detection for Droplet Microfluidics Using Optical Fibers

    PubMed Central

    Cole, Russell H.; Gartner, Zev J.; Abate, Adam R.

    2016-01-01

    Fluorescence assays are the most common readouts used in droplet microfluidics due to their bright signals and fast time response. Applications such as multiplex assays, enzyme evolution, and molecular biology enhanced cell sorting require the detection of two or more colors of fluorescence. Standard multicolor detection systems that couple free space lasers to epifluorescence microscopes are bulky, expensive, and difficult to maintain. In this paper, we describe a scheme to perform multicolor detection by exciting discrete regions of a microfluidic channel with lasers coupled to optical fibers. Emitted light is collected by an optical fiber coupled to a single photodetector. Because the excitation occurs at different spatial locations, the identity of emitted light can be encoded as a temporal shift, eliminating the need for more complicated light filtering schemes. The system has been used to detect droplet populations containing four unique combinations of dyes and to detect sub-nanomolar concentrations of fluorescein. PMID:27214249

  14. Detection of endometrial lesions by degree of linear polarization maps

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Jihoon; Fazleabas, Asgerally; Walsh, Joseph T.

    2010-02-01

    Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of chronic pelvic pain and infertility and is characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterine cavity. A novel laparoscopic polarization imaging system was designed to detect endometriosis by imaging endometrial lesions. Linearly polarized light with varying incident polarization angles illuminated endometrial lesions. Degree of linear polarization image maps of endometrial lesions were constructed by using remitted polarized light. The image maps were compared with regular laparoscopy image. The degree of linear polarization map contributed to the detection of endometriosis by revealing structures inside the lesion. The utilization of rotating incident polarization angle (IPA) for the linearly polarized light provides extended understanding of endometrial lesions. The developed polarization system with varying IPA and the collected image maps could provide improved characterization of endometrial lesions via higher visibility of the structure of the lesions and thereby improve diagnosis of endometriosis.

  15. Light collection and pulse-shape discrimination in elongated scintillator cells for the PROSPECT reactor antineutrino experiment

    DOE PAGES

    Ashenfelter, J.; Jaffe, D.; Diwan, M. V.; ...

    2015-11-06

    A meter-long, 23-liter EJ-309 liquid scintillator detector has been constructed to study the light collection and pulse-shape discrimination performance of elongated scintillator cells for the PROSPECT reactor antineutrino experiment. The magnitude and uniformity of light collection and neutron-gamma discrimination power in the energy range of antineutrino inverse beta decay products have been studied using gamma and spontaneous fission calibration sources deployed along the cell axis. We also study neutron-gamma discrimination and light collection abilities for differing PMT and reflector configurations. As a result, key design features for optimizing MeV-scale response and background rejection capabilities are identified.

  16. Spatially modulated interferometer and beam shearing device therefor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reininger, Francis M. (Inventor)

    2004-01-01

    A spatially modulated interferometer incorporates a beam shearing system having a plurality of reflective surfaces defining separate light paths of equal optical path length for two separate output beams. The reflective surfaces are arranged such that when the two beams emerge from the beam shearing system they contain more than 50 percent of the photon flux within the selected spectral pass band. In one embodiment, the reflective surfaces are located on a number of prism elements combined to form a beam shearing prism structure. The interferometer utilizing the beam sharing system of the invention includes fore-optics for collecting light and focusing it into a beam to be sheared, and a detector located at an exit pupil of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the interferometer has no moving parts.

  17. VEGAS-SSS: A VST Programme to Study the Satellite Stellar Systems around Bright Early-type Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cantiello, M.; Capaccioli, M.; Napolitano, N.; Grado, A.; Limatola, L.; Paolillo, M.; Iodice, E.; Romanowsky, A. J.; Forbes, D. A.; Raimondo, G.; Spavone, M.; La Barbera, F.; Puzia, T. H.; Schipani, P.

    2015-03-01

    The VEGAS-SSS programme is devoted to studying the properties of small stellar systems (SSSs) in and around bright galaxies, built on the VLT Survey Telescope early-type galaxy survey (VEGAS), an ongoing guaranteed time imaging survey distributed over many semesters (Principal Investigator: Capaccioli). On completion, the VEGAS survey will have collected detailed photometric information of ~ 100 bright early-type galaxies to study the properties of diffuse light (surface brightness, colours, surface brightness fluctuations, etc.) and the distribution of clustered light (compact ''small'' stellar systems) out to previously unreached projected galactocentric radii. VEGAS-SSS will define an accurate and homogeneous dataset that will have an important legacy value for studies of the evolution and transformation processes taking place in galaxies through the fossil information provided by SSSs.

  18. Effects of turbulence on the geodynamic laser ranging system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Churnside, James H.

    1993-01-01

    The Geodynamic Laser Ranging System (GLRS) is one of several instruments being developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for implementation as part of the Earth Observing System in the mid-1990s (Cohen et al., 1987; Bruno et al., 1988). It consists of a laser transmitter and receiver in space and an array of retroreflectors on the ground. The transmitter produces short (100 ps) pulses of light at two harmonics (0.532 and 0.355 microns) of the Nd:YAG laser. These propagate to a retroreflector on the ground and return. The receiver collects the reflected light and measures the round-trip transit time. Ranging from several angles accurately determines the position of the retroreflector, and changes in position caused by geophysical processes can be monitored.

  19. Application of Spectroscopic Doppler Velocimetry for Measurement of Streamwise Vorticity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fagan, Amy; Zaman, Khairul B.; Elam, Kristie A.; Clem, Michelle M.

    2013-01-01

    A spectroscopic Doppler velocimetry technique has been developed for measuring two transverse components of velocity and hence streamwise vorticity in free jet flows. The nonintrusive optical measurement system uses Mie scattering from a 200 mW green continuous-wave laser interacting with dust and other tracer particulates naturally present in the air flow to measure the velocities. Scattered light is collected in two opposing directions to provide measurements of two orthogonal velocity components. An air-spaced Fabry-Perot interferometer is used for spectral analysis to determine the optical frequency shift between the incident laser light and the Mie scattered light. This frequency shift is directly proportional to the velocity component in the direction of the bisector of the incident and scattered light wave propagation vectors. Data were acquired for jet Mach numbers of 1.73 and 0.99 using a convergent 1.27-cm diameter round nozzle fitted with a single triangular "delta-tab". The velocity components and the streamwise vorticity calculated from the measurements are presented. The results demonstrate the ability of this novel optical system to obtain velocity and vorticity data without any artificial seeding and using a low power laser system.

  20. Comparison of Methods for Xenomonitoring in Vectors of Lymphatic Filariasis in Northeastern Tanzania

    PubMed Central

    Irish, Seth R.; Stevens, William M. B.; Derua, Yahya A.; Walker, Thomas; Cameron, Mary M.

    2015-01-01

    Monitoring Wuchereria bancrofti infection in mosquitoes (xenomonitoring) can play an important role in determining when lymphatic filariasis has been eliminated, or in focusing control efforts. As mosquito infection rates can be low, a method for collecting large numbers of mosquitoes is necessary. Gravid traps collected large numbers of Culex quinquefasciatus in Tanzania, and a collection method that targets mosquitoes that have already fed could result in increased sensitivity in detecting W. bancrofti-infected mosquitoes. The aim of this experiment was to test this hypothesis by comparing U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps with CDC gravid traps in northeastern Tanzania, where Cx. quinquefasciatus is a vector of lymphatic filariasis. After an initial study where small numbers of mosquitoes were collected, a second study collected 16,316 Cx. quinquefasciatus in 60 gravid trap-nights and 240 light trap-nights. Mosquitoes were pooled and tested for presence of W. bancrofti DNA. Light and gravid traps collected similar numbers of mosquitoes per trap-night, but the physiological status of the mosquitoes was different. The estimated infection rate in mosquitoes collected in light traps was considerably higher than in mosquitoes collected in gravid traps, so light traps can be a useful tool for xenomonitoring work in Tanzania. PMID:26350454

  1. Duration and timing of daily light exposure influence the rapid shifting of BALB/cJ mouse circadian locomotor rhythms.

    PubMed

    Vajtay, Thomas J; St Thomas, Jeremy J; Takacs, Tyrus E; McGann, Eric G; Weber, E Todd

    2017-10-01

    Photic entrainment of the murine circadian system can typically be explained with a discrete model in which light exposures near dusk and dawn can either advance or delay free-running rhythms to match the external light cycle period. In most mouse strains, the magnitude of those phase shifts is limited to several hours per day; however, the BALB/cJ mouse can re-entrain to large (6-8hour) phase advances of the light/dark cycle. In this study, we demonstrate that the circadian responses of BALB/cJ mice are dependent on duration as well as timing of light exposure, with significantly larger phase shifts resulting from >6-hour light exposures, yet loss of entrainment to photoperiods of <2-3hours per day or to skeleton photoperiods. Intermittent light exposures of the same total duration but distributed differentially over the same period of time as that of a 6-hour phase advance of the light cycle yielded phase shifts of different magnitudes depending on the pattern of exposure. Both negative and positive masking responses to light and darkness, respectively, were exaggerated in BALB/cJ mice under a T7 light cycle, but were not responsible for their rapid re-entrainment to chronic phase shifting of the light dark cycle. These results collectively suggest that the innately jetlag-resistant BALB/cJ mouse circadian system provides an alternative murine model in which to elucidate the limitations of photic entrainment observed in other commonly used strains of mice. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. The implementation of intelligent home controller

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Biqing; Li, Zhao

    2018-04-01

    This paper mainly talks about the working way of smart home terminal controller and the design of hardware and software. Controlling the lights and by simulating the lamp and the test of the curtain, destroy the light of lamp ON-OFF and the curtain's UP-DOWN by simulating the lamp and the test of the cuetain. Through the sensor collects the ambient information and sends to the network, such as light, temperature and humidity. Besides, it can realise the control of intelligent home control by PCS. Terminal controller of intelligent home which is based on ZiBee technology has into the intelligent home system, it provides people with convenient, safe and intelligent household experience.

  3. DANSS Neutrino Spectrometer: Detector Calibration, Response Stability, and Light Yield

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alekseev, I. G.; Belov, V. V.; Danilov, M. V.; Zhitnikov, I. V.; Kobyakin, A. S.; Kuznetsov, A. S.; Machikhiliyan, I. V.; Medvedev, D. V.; Rusinov, V. Yu.; Svirida, D. N.; Skrobova, N. A.; Starostin, A. S.; Tarkovsky, E. I.; Fomina, M. V.; Shevchik, E. A.; Shirchenko, M. V.

    2018-05-01

    Apart from monitoring nuclear reactor parameters, the DANSS neutrino experiment is aimed at searching for sterile neutrinos through a detailed analysis of the ratio of reactor antineutrino spectra measured at different distances from the reactor core. The light collection system of the detector is dual, comprising both the vacuum photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). In this paper, the techniques developed to calibrate the responses of these photodetectors are discussed in detail. The long-term stability of the key parameters of the detector and their dependences on the ambient temperature are investigated. The results of detector light yield measurements, performed independently with PMTs and SiPMs are reported.

  4. Multi-channel Scaler Cards Improve Data Collection

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2004-01-01

    Scientists interested in exploring the intricacies and dynamics of Earth's climate and ecosystems continually need smaller, lighter instrumentation that can be placed onboard various sensing platforms, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Responding to a need for improved data collection for remote atmospheric measurement systems, ASRC Aerospace Corporation, of Greenbelt, Maryland, developed a series of low-power, highly integrated, multichannel scaler (MCS) cards. The cards were designed to meet the needs of NASA's ground-based and airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) photoncounting programs. They can rapidly collect thousands of data points during a continuous scan of the atmosphere.

  5. FluoSTIC: miniaturized fluorescence image-guided surgery system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gioux, Sylvain; Coutard, Jean-Guillaume; Berger, Michel; Grateau, Henri; Josserand, Véronique; Keramidas, Michelle; Righini, Christian; Coll, Jean-Luc; Dinten, Jean-Marc

    2012-10-01

    Over the last few years, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has witnessed rapid growth and is already used in clinical trials for various procedures. However, most clinically compatible imaging systems are optimized for large, open-surgery procedures. Such systems cannot be employed during head and neck oncologic surgeries because the system is not able to image inside deep cavities or allow the surgeon access to certain tumors due to the large footprint of the system. We describe a miniaturized, low-cost, NIR fluorescence system optimized for clinical use during oral oncologic surgeries. The system, termed FluoSTIC, employs a miniature, high-quality, consumer-grade lipstick camera for collecting fluorescence light and a novel custom circular optical fiber array for illumination that combines both white light and NIR excitation. FluoSTIC maintains fluorescence imaging quality similar to that of current large-size imaging systems and is 22 mm in diameter and 200 mm in height and weighs less than 200 g.

  6. Condenser for illuminating a ringfield camera with synchrotron emission light

    DOEpatents

    Sweatt, W.C.

    1996-04-30

    The present invention relates generally to the field of condensers for collecting light from a synchrotron radiation source and directing the light into a ringfield of a lithography camera. The present invention discloses a condenser comprising collecting, processing, and imaging optics. The collecting optics are comprised of concave and convex spherical mirrors that collect the light beams. The processing optics, which receive the light beams, are comprised of flat mirrors that converge and direct the light beams into a real entrance pupil of the camera in a symmetrical pattern. In the real entrance pupil are located flat mirrors, common to the beams emitted from the preceding mirrors, for generating substantially parallel light beams and for directing the beams toward the ringfield of a camera. Finally, the imaging optics are comprised of a spherical mirror, also common to the beams emitted from the preceding mirrors, images the real entrance pupil through the resistive mask and into the virtual entrance pupil of the camera. Thus, the condenser is comprised of a plurality of beams with four mirrors corresponding to a single beam plus two common mirrors. 9 figs.

  7. Condenser for illuminating a ringfield camera with synchrotron emission light

    DOEpatents

    Sweatt, William C.

    1996-01-01

    The present invention relates generally to the field of condensers for collecting light from a synchrotron radiation source and directing the light into a ringfield of a lithography camera. The present invention discloses a condenser comprising collecting, processing, and imaging optics. The collecting optics are comprised of concave and convex spherical mirrors that collect the light beams. The processing optics, which receive the light beams, are comprised of flat mirrors that converge and direct the light beams into a real entrance pupil of the camera in a symmetrical pattern. In the real entrance pupil are located flat mirrors, common to the beams emitted from the preceding mirrors, for generating substantially parallel light beams and for directing the beams toward the ringfield of a camera. Finally, the imaging optics are comprised of a spherical mirror, also common to the beams emitted from the preceding mirrors, images the real entrance pupil through the resistive mask and into the virtual entrance pupil of the camera. Thus, the condenser is comprised of a plurality of beams with four mirrors corresponding to a single beam plus two common mirrors.

  8. Road safety enhancement: an investigation on the visibility of on-road image projections using DMD-based pixel light systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rizvi, Sadiq; Ley, Peer-Phillip; Knöchelmann, Marvin; Lachmayer, Roland

    2018-02-01

    Research reveals that visual information forms the major portion of the received data for driving. At night -owing to the, sometimes scarcity, sometime inhomogeneity of light- the human physiology and psychology experiences a dramatic alteration. It is found that although the likelihood of accident occurrence is higher during the day due to heavier traffic, the most fatal accidents still occur during night time. How can road safety be improved in limited lighting conditions using DMD-based high resolution headlamps? DMD-based pixel light systems, utilizing HID and LED light sources, are able to address hundreds of thousands of pixels individually. Using camera information, this capability allows 'glare-free' light distributions that perfectly adapt to the needs of all road users. What really enables these systems to stand out however, is their on-road image projection capability. This projection functionality may be used in co-operation with other driver assistance systems as an assist feature for the projection of navigation data, warning signs, car status information etc. Since contrast sensitivity constitutes a decisive measure of the human visual function, here is then a core question: what distributions of luminance in the projection space produce highly visible on-road image projections? This work seeks to address this question. Responses on sets of differently illuminated projections are collected from a group of participants and later interpreted using statistical data obtained using a luminance camera. Some aspects regarding the correlation between contrast ratio, symbol form and attention capture are also discussed.

  9. Waveguide-excited fluorescence microarray

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sagarzazu, Gabriel; Bedu, Mélanie; Martinelli, Lucio; Ha, Khoi-Nguyen; Pelletier, Nicolas; Safarov, Viatcheslav I.; Weisbuch, Claude; Gacoin, Thierry; Benisty, Henri

    2008-04-01

    Signal-to-noise ratio is a crucial issue in microarray fluorescence read-out. Several strategies are proposed for its improvement. First, light collection in conventional microarrays scanners is quite limited. It was recently shown that almost full collection can be achieved in an integrated lens-free biosensor, with labelled species hybridizing practically on the surface of a sensitive silicon detector [L. Martinelli et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 083901 (2007)]. However, even with such an improvement, the ultimate goal of real-time measurements during hybridization is challenging: the detector is dazzled by the large fluorescence of labelled species in the solution. In the present paper we show that this unwanted signal can effectively be reduced if the excitation light is confined in a waveguide. Moreover, the concentration of excitation light in a waveguide results in a huge signal gain. In our experiment we realized a structure consisting of a high index sol-gel waveguide deposited on a low-index substrate. The fluorescent molecules deposited on the surface of the waveguide were excited by the evanescent part of a wave travelling in the guide. The comparison with free-space excitation schemes confirms a huge gain (by several orders of magnitude) in favour of waveguide-based excitation. An optical guide deposited onto an integrated biosensor thus combines both advantages of ideal light collection and enhanced surface localized excitation without compromising the imaging properties. Modelling predicts a negligible penalty from spatial cross-talk in practical applications. We believe that such a system would bring microarrays to hitherto unattained sensitivities.

  10. Upgraded divertor Thomson scattering system on DIII-D

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

    Glass, F., E-mail: glassf@fusion.gat.com; Carlstrom, T. N.; Du, D.

    2016-11-15

    A design to extend the unique divertor Thomson scattering system on DIII-D to allow measurements of electron temperature and density in high triangularity plasmas is presented. Access to this region is selectable on a shot-by-shot basis by redirecting the laser beam of the existing divertor Thomson system inboard — beneath the lower floor using a moveable, high-damage threshold, in-vacuum mirror — and then redirecting again vertically. The currently measured divertor region remains available with this mirror retracted. Scattered light is collected from viewchords near the divertor floor using in-vacuum, high temperature optical elements and relayed through the port window, beforemore » being coupled into optical fiber bundles. At higher elevations from the floor, measurements are made by dynamically re-focusing the existing divertor system collection optics. Nd:YAG laser timing, analysis of the scattered light spectrum via polychromators, data acquisition, and calibration are all handled by existing systems or methods of the current multi-pulse Thomson scattering system. Existing filtered polychromators with 7 spectral channels are employed to provide maximum measurement breadth (T{sub e} in the range of 0.5 eV–2 keV, n{sub e} in the range of 5 × 10{sup 18}–1 × 10{sup 21} m{sup 3}) for both low T{sub e} in detachment and high T{sub e} measurement up beyond the separatrix.« less

  11. Collective backscattering of gyrotron radiation by small-scale plasma density fluctuations in large helical device

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

    Kharchev, Nikolay; Batanov, German; Petrov, Alexandr

    2008-10-15

    A version of the collective backscattering diagnostic using gyrotron radiation for small-scale turbulence is described. The diagnostic is used to measure small-scale (k{sub s}{approx_equal}34 cm{sup -1}) plasma density fluctuations in large helical device experiments on the electron cyclotron heating of plasma with the use of 200 kW 82.7 GHz heating gyrotron. A good signal to noise ratio during plasma production phase was obtained, while contamination of stray light increased during plasma build-up phase. The effect of the stray radiation was investigated. The available quasioptical system of the heating system was utilized for this purpose.

  12. Wastewater collection and treatment technologies for semi-urban areas of India: a case study.

    PubMed

    Sundaravadivel, M; Vigneswaran, S

    2001-01-01

    Sanitation and wastewater management problems in small and medium towns in India (referred to as "semi-urban areas"--SUAs) are distinctly different from those of large cities or rural villages. There is an apparent lack of choices of appropriate sanitation options for these semi-urban areas, leading them to adopt on-site sanitation technologies. A field study of four such small towns in India was conducted to evaluate the suitability of available low-cost wastewater collection and treatment technologies, in light of their current practice. Based on the field study, this paper suggests a system comprising "combined surface sewers" and "reed-bed channel" for collection and treatment of wastewater for semi-urban areas, that can utilize all the existing infrastructure to effect better sanitation at lower costs. The suggested system involves converting the existing open wastewater collection drains on the road sides, as "decentralized" networks of covered drains with simple structural modifications to collect both wastewater and stormwater; and, converting the large open drains on the outskirts of SUAs that carry wastewater to agricultural fields, as gravel media filled beds planted with local reeds. Cost estimates for the towns studied indicate this system to be over 70% cheaper compared to conventional collection and treatment systems.

  13. Proximity fuze

    DOEpatents

    Harrison, T.R.

    1987-07-10

    A proximity fuze system includes an optical ranging apparatus, a detonation circuit controlled by the optical ranging apparatus, and an explosive charge detonated by the detonation circuit. The optical ranging apparatus includes a pulsed laser light source for generating target ranging light pulses and optical reference light pulses. A single lens directs ranging pulses to a target and collects reflected light from the target. An optical fiber bundle is used for delaying the optical reference pulses to correspond to a predetermined distance from the target. The optical ranging apparatus includes circuitry for providing a first signal depending upon the light pulses reflected from the target, a second signal depending upon the light pulses from the optical delay fiber bundle, and an output signal when the first and second signals coincide with each other. The output signal occurs when the distance from the target is equal to the predetermined distance from the target. Additional circuitry distinguishes pulses reflected from the target from background solar radiation. 3 figs.

  14. Proximity fuze

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

    Harrison, T.R.

    1989-08-22

    A proximity fuze system is described. It includes an optical ranging apparatus, a detonation circuit controlled by the optical ranging apparatus, and an explosive charge detonated by the detonation circuit. The optical ranging apparatus includes a pulsed laser light source for generating target ranging light pulses and optical reference light pulses. A single lens directs ranging pulses to a target and collects reflected light from the target. An optical fiber bundle is used for delaying the optical reference pulses to correspond to a predetermined distance from the target. The optical ranging apparatus includes circuitry for providing a first signal dependingmore » upon the light pulses reflected from the target, a second signal depending upon the light pulses from the optical delay fiber bundle, and an output signal when the first and second signals coincide with each other. The output signal occurs when the distance from the target is equal to the predetermined distance from the target. Additional circuitry distinguishes pulses reflected from the target from background solar radiation.« less

  15. Self-compression of spatially limited laser pulses in a system of coupled light-guides

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Balakin, A. A.; Litvak, A. G.; Mironov, V. A.; Skobelev, S. A.

    2018-04-01

    The self-action features of wave packets propagating in a 2D system of equidistantly arranged fibers are studied analytically and numerically on the basis of the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Self-consistent equations for the characteristic scales of a Gaussian wave packet are derived on the basis of the variational approach, which are proved numerically for powers P < 10 P_cr , slightly exceeding the critical one for self-focusing. At higher powers, the wave beams become filamented, and their amplitude is limited due to the nonlinear breaking of the interaction between neighboring light-guides. This makes it impossible to collect a powerful wave beam in a single light-guide. Variational analysis shows the possibility of the adiabatic self-compression of soliton-like laser pulses in the process of 3D self-focusing on the central light-guide. However, further increase of the field amplitude during self-compression leads to the development of longitudinal modulation instability and the formation of a set of light bullets in the central fiber. In the regime of hollow wave beams, filamentation instability becomes predominant. As a result, it becomes possible to form a set of light bullets in optical fibers located on the ring.

  16. Analyzing luminescent solar concentrators with front-facing photovoltaic cells using weighted Monte Carlo ray tracing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Woei Leow, Shin; Corrado, Carley; Osborn, Melissa; Isaacson, Michael; Alers, Glenn; Carter, Sue A.

    2013-06-01

    Luminescent solar concentrators (LSC) collect ambient light from a broad range of angles and concentrate the captured light onto photovoltaic (PV) cells. LSCs with front-facing cells collect direct and indirect sunlight ensuring a gain factor greater than one. The flexible placement and percentage coverage of PV cells on the LSC panel allow for layout adjustments to be made in order to balance re-absorption losses and the level of light concentration desired. A weighted Monte Carlo ray tracing program was developed to study the transport of photons and loss mechanisms in the LSC to aid in design optimization. The program imports measured absorption/emission spectra of an organic luminescent dye (LR305), the transmission coefficient, and refractive index of acrylic as parameters that describe the system. Simulations suggest that for LR305, 8-10 cm of luminescent material surrounding the PV cell yields the highest increase in power gain per unit area of LSC added, thereby determining the ideal spacing between PV cells in the panel. For rectangular PV cells, results indicate that for each centimeter of PV cell width, an additional increase of 0.15 mm to the waveguide thickness is required to efficiently transport photon collected by the LSC to the PV cell with minimal loss.

  17. Polarized fluorescence for skin cancer diagnostic with a multi-aperture camera

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kandimalla, Haripriya; Ramella-Roman, Jessica C.

    2008-02-01

    Polarized fluorescence has shown some promising results in assessment of skin cancer margins. Researchers have used tetracycline and cross polarization imaging for nonmelanoma skin cancer demarcation as well as investigating endogenous skin polarized fluorescence. In this paper we present a new instrument for polarized fluorescence imaging, able to calculate the full fluorescence Stokes vector in one snapshot. The core of our system is a multi-aperture camera constructed with a two by two lenslet array. Three of the lenses have polarizing elements in front of them, oriented at 0°, + 45°and 90° with respect to light source polarization. A flash lamp combined with a polarizer parallel to the source-camera-sample plane and a UV filter is used as an excitation source. A blue filter in front of the camera system is used to collect only the fluorescent emission of interest and filter out the incident light. In-vitro tests of endogenous and exogenous polarized fluorescence on collagen rich material like bovine tendon were performed and Stokes vector of polarized fluorescence calculated. The system has the advantage of eliminating moving artifacts with the collection of different polarization states and stoke vector in a single snap shot.

  18. Evaluation of two fiber optic-based solar collection and distribution systems for advanced space life support

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jack, D. A.; Nakamura, T.; Sadler, P.; Cuello, J. L.

    2002-01-01

    Growing plants in an enclosed controlled environment is crucial in developing bioregenerative life-support systems (BLSS) for space applications. The major challenge currently facing a BLSS is the extensive use of highly energy-intensive electric light sources, which leads to substantial energy wastes through heat dissipations by these lamps. An alternative lighting strategy is the use of a solar irradiance collection, transmission, and distribution system (SICTDS). Two types of fiber optic-based SICTDS, a Fresnel-lens Himawari and a parabolic-mirror optical waveguide (OW) lighting system, were evaluated. The overall efficiency for the OW SICTDS of 40.5% exceeded by 75% that for the Himawari of 23.2%. The spectral distributions of the light delivered by the Himawari and the OW SICTDS were almost identical and had practically no difference from that of terrestrial solar radiation. The ratios of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) to total emitted radiation (k) of 0.39 +/- 0.02 for the Himawari and 0.41 +/- 0.04 for the OW SICTDS were statistically indistinguishable, were not significantly different from that of 0.042 +/- 0.01 for terrestrial solar radiation, and were comparable to that of 0.35 for a high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamp. The coefficients of variation (CV) of 0.34 and 0.39 for PPF distributions, both at 50 mm X 50 mm square grid arrays, corresponding to the Himawari and the OW SICTDS, respectively, were comparable with each other but were both significantly greater than the CV of 0.08 corresponding to the HPS lamp. The average fresh weight or dry weight of lettuce grown in the solar chamber with either the Himawari or the OW SICTDS showed no statistical difference from the average fresh weight or dry weight of lettuce grown in the reference chamber with the HPS lamp. The results of this study suggest that an SICTDS could help reduce the electric power demand in a BLSS.

  19. Solar photovoltaic reflective trough collection structure

    DOEpatents

    Anderson, Benjamin J.; Sweatt, William C.; Okandan, Murat; Nielson, Gregory N.

    2015-11-19

    A photovoltaic (PV) solar concentration structure having at least two troughs encapsulated in a rectangular parallelepiped optical plastic structure, with the troughs filled with an optical plastic material, the troughs each having a reflective internal surface and approximately parabolic geometry, and the troughs each including photovoltaic cells situated so that light impinging on the optical plastic material will be concentrated onto the photovoltaic cells. Multiple structures can be connected to provide a solar photovoltaic collection system that provides portable, efficient, low-cost electrical power.

  20. Polish Experimental Light-Conducting Teletransmission System,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-07-26

    7 AD-AuGB 959 FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY DIV WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH F/G 17/2 PLS EPERIMENTAL LIHT-CONDUCTIN , TELETRANSMTSSION SYSTEM,(U) JUL 82 Z SZPIGLER...amplifier; 1) transmitter; 2) transit amplifier; 3) receiver Transmitting facilities E7] When designing the tract, it was decided that the terminal _- ups...connections between exchanges. The described line has an experimental character. It enables one to collect many valuable data concerning both the design

  1. Analysis of the reflection of a micro drop fiber sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Weimin; Liu, Qiang; Zhao, Lei; Li, Yingjuan; Yuan, Libo

    2005-01-01

    Micro drop fiber sensors are effective tools for measuring characters of liquids. These types of sensors are wildly used in biotechnology, beverage and food markets. For a fiber micro drop sensor, the signal of the output light is wavy with two peaks, normally. Carefully analyzing the wavy process can identify the liquid components. Understanding the reason of forming this wavy signal is important to design a suitable sensing head and to choose a suitable signal-processing method. The dripping process of a type of liquids is relative to the characters of the liquid and the shape of the sensing head. The quasi-Gauss model of the light field from the input-fiber end is used to analyse the distribution of the light field in the liquid drop. In addition, considering the characters of the liquid to be measured, the dripping process of the optical signal from the output-fiber end can be expected. The reflection surface of the micro drop varies as serials of spheres with different radiuses and global centers. The intensity of the reflection light changes with the shape of the surface. The varying process of the intensity relates to the tense, refractive index, transmission et al. To support the analyse above, an experimental system is established. In the system, LED is chosen as the light source and the PIN transform the light signal to the electrical signal, which is collected by a data acquisition card. An on-line testing system is made to check the theory discussed above.

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

    Coppens, Philip; Makal, Anna; Fournier, Bertrand

    In picosecond and slower pump–probe diffraction experiments, collection of response–ratio correlation sets prior to full data collection provides an invaluable confirmation of the existence of a light-induced signal prior to full data collection. If a response to light exposure is observed, the quality of the data being collected can be assessed. We present a number of such correlation plots both for synchrotron and in-house pump–probe data collection.

  3. Clinical studies of the High-Intensity Narrow-Spectrum light Environmental Decontamination System (HINS-light EDS), for continuous disinfection in the burn unit inpatient and outpatient settings.

    PubMed

    Bache, Sarah E; Maclean, Michelle; MacGregor, Scott J; Anderson, John G; Gettinby, George; Coia, John E; Taggart, Ian

    2012-02-01

    Infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients and prevention of contamination from exogenous sources including the hospital environment is becoming increasingly emphasised. The High-Intensity Narrow-Spectrum light Environmental Decontamination System (HINS-light EDS) is bactericidal yet safe for humans, allowing continuous disinfection of the environment surrounding burn patients. Environmental samples were collected from inpatient isolation rooms and the outpatient clinic in the burn unit, and comparisons were then made between the bacterial contamination levels observed with and without use of the HINS-light EDS. Over 1000 samples were taken. Inpatient studies, with sampling carried out at 0800 h, demonstrated a significant reduction in the average number of bacterial colonies following HINS-light EDS use of between 27% and 75%, (p<0.05). There was more variation when samples were taken at times of increased activity in the room. Outpatient studies during clinics demonstrated a 61% efficacy in the reduction of bacterial contamination on surfaces throughout the room during the course of a clinic (p=0.02). The results demonstrate that use of the HINS-light EDS allows efficacious bacterial reductions over and above that achieved by standard cleaning and infection control measures in both inpatient and outpatient settings in the burn unit. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  4. Vehicle Transponder for Preemption of Traffic Lights

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Foster, Conrad; Bachelder, Aaron

    2006-01-01

    The purpose of this article is to describe, in more detail, the transponder installed in each vehicle that participates in the emergency traffic-light-preemption system described in the immediately preceding article. The transponder (see figure) is a fully autonomous data--collection, data-processing, information-display, and communication subsystem that performs robustly in preemption of traffic lights and monitoring of the statuses of street intersections. This transponder monitors the condition of the emergency vehicle in which it is installed and determines when the vehicle has been placed in an emergency-response condition with its siren and/or warning lights activated. Upon detection of such a condition, the transponder collects real-time velocity and acceleration data from the onboard diagnostic (OBD) computer of the vehicle. For this purpose, the transponder contains an OBD interface circuit, including a microprocessor that determines the manufacturer and model of the vehicle and then sends the appropriate commands to the OBD computer requesting the speed and acceleration data. At the same time, data from an onboard navigation system are collected to determine the location and the heading of the vehicle. Then acceleration, speed, position, and heading data are processed and combined with a vehicle-identification number and the resulting set of data is transmitted to monitoring and control units located at all intersections within communication range. When the unit at an intersection determines that this vehicle is approaching and has priority to preempt the intersection, it transmits a signal declaring the priority and the preemption to all participating vehicles (including this one) in the vicinity. If the unit at the intersection has determined that other participating vehicles are also approaching the intersection, then this unit also transmits, to the vehicle that has priority, a message that the other vehicles are approaching the same intersection. The texts of these messages, plus graphical symbols that show the directions and numbers of the approaching vehicles, are presented on the display panel of a computer that is part of the transponder.

  5. Advancement of the Wide-angle JEM-EUSO Optical System with Holographic and Fresnel Lenses

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Takizawa, Y.; Adams, J.H.

    2007-01-01

    JEM-EUSO is a space mission to observe extremely high-energy cosmic rays, evolved from the previous design studies of EUSO. It is adjusted for the Japan Experiment Module (JEM) of the International Space Station (ISS). JEM-EUSO uses a wide-angle refractive telescope in near-ultraviolet wavelength region to observe from ISS the time-and-space-resolved atmospheric fluorescence images of the extensive air showers. The JEM-EUSO optics is re-designed after the ESA-Phase A studies to upgrade the light-collecting-power by using a new material CYTOP, and its overall light-collecting power is about 1.5 times higher than the ESA-Phase A baseline optics. We describe in this paper an optimized optics design that maximizes the sensitivity of JEM-EUSO, and the results of the optics manufacturing tests.

  6. Towards combined optical coherence tomography and hyper-spectral imaging for gastrointestinal endoscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Attendu, Xavier; Crunelle, Camille; de Sivry-Houle, Martin Poinsinet; Maubois, Billie; Urbain, Joanie; Turrell, Chloe; Strupler, Mathias; Godbout, Nicolas; Boudoux, Caroline

    2018-04-01

    Previous works have demonstrated feasibility of combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) through a single double-clad fiber (DCF). In this proceeding we present the continued development of a system combining both modalities and capable of rapid imaging. We discuss the development of a rapidly scanning, dual-band, polygonal swept-source system which combines NIR (1260-1340 nm) and visible (450-800 nm) wavelengths. The NIR band is used for OCT imaging while visible light allows HSI. Scanning rates up to 24 kHz are reported. Furthermore, we present and discuss the fiber system used for light transport, delivery and collection, and the custom signal acquisition software. Key points include the use of a double-clad fiber coupler as well as important alignments and back-reflection management. Simultaneous and co-registered imaging with both modalities is presented in a bench-top system

  7. Apparatus and method using a holographic optical element for converting a spectral distribution to image points

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McGill, Matthew J. (Inventor); Scott, Vibart S. (Inventor); Marzouk, Marzouk (Inventor)

    2001-01-01

    A holographic optical element transforms a spectral distribution of light to image points. The element comprises areas, each of which acts as a separate lens to image the light incident in its area to an image point. Each area contains the recorded hologram of a point source object. The image points can be made to lie in a line in the same focal plane so as to align with a linear array detector. A version of the element has been developed that has concentric equal areas to match the circular fringe pattern of a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The element has high transmission efficiency, and when coupled with high quantum efficiency solid state detectors, provides an efficient photon-collecting detection system. The element may be used as part of the detection system in a direct detection Doppler lidar system or multiple field of view lidar system.

  8. Light harvesting for quantum solar energy conversion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Markvart, Tomas

    2000-05-01

    Despite wide structural and functional differences, the laws that govern quantum solar energy conversion to chemical energy or electricity share many similarities. In the photosynthetic membrane, in common with semiconductor solar cells, the conversion process proceeds from the creation of electron-hole pairs by a photon of light, followed by charge separation to produce the required high-energy product. In many cases, however, mechanisms are needed to enhance the optical absorption cross-section and extend the spectral range of operation. A common way of achieving this is by light harvesting: light absorption by a specialised unit which transfers the energy to the conversion apparatus. This paper considers two examples of light harvesting - semiconductor solar cells and the photosynthetic apparatus - to illustrate the basic operation and principles that apply. The existence of a light harvesting unit in photosynthesis has been known since the early 1930's but details of the process - relating, in particular, to the relationship between the structure and spectral properties - are still being unravelled. The excitation energy carriers are excitons but the precise nature of the transport - via the solid state Frenkel-Peierls variety or by Förster's resonant energy transfer - is still subject to debate. In semiconductor solar cells, the energy of the absorbed photon is collected by minority carriers but the broad principles remain the same. In both cases it is shown that the rate of energy conversion is described by a law which parallels the Shockley's solar cell equation, and the light harvesting energy collection is subject to reciprocity relations which resemble Onsager's reciprocity relations between coefficients which couple appropriate forces and flows in non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Differences in the basic atomic make-up in the two systems lead to different energy transport equations. In both cases, however, similar mathematical techniques based on Green's functions can be used to advantage. The Green's function provides a convenient vehicle for the determination of the probability of energy collection - known as the trapping probability in the photosynthetic unit. Using the reciprocity relation, both quantities are shown to be closely related to the distribution of the energy carriers in the dark. The collection probability can then be discussed in detail, by solving the semiconductor device equations in the case of solar cell, and by linking the Green's function formalism to the random walk model in the case of the photosynthetic unit. The concept of resonant energy transfer is beginning to enter the arena of solid-state optoelectronics. It is an aim of this paper to show that similar phenomena - which exist in the domain of bioenergetics - can throw new light on a range of energy transfer and collection processes that are of considerable importance in many modern optoelectronic devices.

  9. Artificial phototropism based on a photo-thermo-responsive hydrogel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gopalakrishna, Hamsini

    Solar energy is leading in renewable energy sources and the aspects surrounding the efforts to harvest light are gaining importance. One such aspect is increasing the light absorption, where heliotropism comes into play. Heliotropism, the ability to track the sun across the sky, can be integrated with solar cells for more efficient photon collection and other optoelectronic systems. Inspired by plants, which optimize incident sunlight in nature, several researchers have made artificial heliotropic and phototropic systems. This project aims to design, synthesize and characterize a material system and evaluate its application in a phototropic system. A gold nanoparticle (Au NP) incorporated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel was synthesized as a photo-thermo-responsive material in our phototropic system. The Au NPs generate heat from the incident via plasmonic resonance to induce a volume phase change of the thermo-responsive hydrogel PNIPAAm. PNIPAAm shrinks or swells at temperature above or below 32°C. Upon irradiation, the Au NP-PNIPAAm micropillar actuates, specifically bending toward the incident light and precisely following the varying incident angle. Swelling ratio tests, bending angle tests with a static incident light and bending tests with varying angles were carried out on hydrogel samples with varying Au NP concentrations. Swelling ratios ranging from 1.45 to 2.9 were recorded for pure hydrogel samples and samples with very low Au NP concentrations. Swelling ratios of 2.41 and 3.37 were calculated for samples with low and high concentrations of Au NPs, respectively. A bending of up to 88° was observed in Au NP-hydrogel pillars with a low Au NP concentration with a 90° incident angle. The light tracking performance was assessed by the slope of the pillar Bending angle (response angle) vs. Incident light angle plot. A slope of 1 indicates ideal tracking with top of the pillar being normal to the incident light, maximizing the photon absorption. Slopes of 0.82 and 0.56 were observed for the low and high Au NP concentration samples. The rapid and precise incident light tracking of our system has shown the promise in phototropic applications.

  10. The relative attractiveness of carbon dioxide and octenol in CDC- and EVS-type light traps for sampling the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti (L.), Aedes polynesiensis Marks, and Culex quinquefasciatus say in Moorea, French Polynesia.

    PubMed

    Russell, Richard C

    2004-12-01

    Two dominant day-biting pests and vector species on the island of Moorea in French Polynesia are Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) and Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis Marks, major vectors of dengue viruses and Wuchereria bancrofti, respectively. Their surveillance is hindered by a relative lack of attraction to light traps, necessitating the undesirable use of human bait collections with the inherent risks of pathogen transmission. The effectiveness of CDC- and EVS-type light traps baited with olfactory attractants was evaluated for these two Aedes species and the nocturnal Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus Say in three sites in urban and semi-rural environments on Moorea in October/November 2003. Firstly, four CDC-type traps with light only, light with octenol, light with carbon dioxide (dry ice), and light with octenol plus carbon dioxide were operated continuously over four days with daily rotation to compensate for position effects. Secondly, two CDC- and two EVS-type traps with carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide plus octenol were operated continuously over four days with similar rotation. Variation was found in the numbers of the three species collected at the different sites, reflecting the relative availability of their preferred larval habitats. With the CDC traps in the first trial, the addition of octenol to the light did not significantly increase the collection of any species, the addition of carbon dioxide did significantly increase collection of all three species, while the addition of octenol to the light plus carbon dioxide did not significantly increase the collections further. In the second trial, there was no significant difference in the mean number of Ae. aegypti or Ae. polynesiensis collected in either EVS or CDC traps when baited with carbon dioxide or with octenol added. For Cx. quinquefasciatus, the supplementation with octenol made no significant difference with EVS traps but resulted in significantly reduced collections in CDC traps. Overall, neither trap, however baited, provided large samples when compared with landing/ biting collections at human bait. Only two other species were collected, Culex (Culex) roseni Belkin and Aedes (Aedimorphus) nocturnus (Theobald), the latter being a first record for the island of Moorea and for French Polynesia.

  11. Application of the balanced scorecard to an academic medical center in Taiwan: the effect of warning systems on improvement of hospital performance.

    PubMed

    Chen, Hsueh-Fen; Hou, Ying-Hui; Chang, Ray-E

    2012-10-01

    The balanced scorecard (BSC) is considered to be a useful tool for management in a variety of business environments. The purpose of this article is to utilize the experimental data produced by the incorporation and implementation of the BSC in hospitals and to investigate the effects of the BSC red light tracking warning system on performance improvement. This research was designed to be a retrospective follow-up study. The linear mixed model was applied for correcting the correlated errors. The data used in this study were secondary data collected by repeated measurements taken between 2004 and 2010 by 67 first-line medical departments of a public academic medical center in Taipei, Taiwan. The linear mixed model of analysis was applied for multilevel analysis. Improvements were observed with various time lags, from the subsequent month to three months after red light warning. During follow-up, the red light warning system more effectively improved controllable costs, infection rates, and the medical records completion rate. This further suggests that follow-up management promotes an enhancing and supportive effect to the red light warning. The red light follow-up management of BSC is an effective and efficient tool where improvement depends on ongoing and consistent attention in a continuing effort to better administer medical care and control costs. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  12. The Investigation of Property of Radiation and Absorbed of Infrared Lights of the Biological Tissues

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pang, Xiao-Feng; Deng, Bo; Xiao, He-Lan; Cai, Guo-Ping

    2010-04-01

    The properties of absorption of infrared light for collagen, hemoglobin, bivine serum albumen (BSA) protein molecules with α- helix structure and water in the living systems as well as the infrared transmission spectra for person’s skins and finger hands of human body in the region of 400-4000 cm-1 (i.e., wavelengths of 2-20 μm) have been collected and determined by using a Nicolet Nexus 670 FT-IR Spectrometer, a Perkin Elmer GX FT-IR spectrometer, an OMA (optical multichannel analysis) and an infrared probe systems, respectively. The experimental results obtained show that the protein molecules and water can all absorb the infrared lights in the ranges of 600-1900 cm-1 and 2900-3900 cm-l, but their properties of absorption are somewhat different due to distinctions of their structure and conformation and molecular weight. We know from the transmission spectra of person’s finger hands and skin that the infrared lights with wavelengths of 2 μm-7 μm can not only transmit over the person’s skin and finger hands, but also be absorbed by the above proteins and water in the living systems. Thus, we can conclude from this study that the human beings and animals can absorb the infrared lights with wavelengths of 2 μm-7 μm.

  13. Connecticut Biodiesel Power Generation Project

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

    Grannis, Lee; York, Carla R.

    Sabre will continue support of the emissions equipment and VARS issues to ensure all are resolved and the system is functioning as expected. The remote data collection to become more automated. Final project reports for data collection and system performance to be generated. Sabre continued to support the emissions equipment and VARS issues to ensure all are resolved and the system is functioning as expected. The remote data collection became more automated. Final project reports for data collection and system performance were generated and are part of this final report. Some Systems Sensors were replaced due to a lightning strike.more » Sample data charts are shown at the end of the report. During the project, Sabre Engineering provided support to the project team with regarding to troubleshooting technical issues and system integration with the local power utility company. The resulting lessons learned through Sabre’s participation in the project have been valuable to the integrity of the data collected as well as in providing BioPur Light & Power valuable insights into future operations and planning for possible expansion. The system monitoring and data collection system has been operating as designed and continues to provide relevant information to the system operators. The information routinely gathered automatically by the system also contributes to the REN and REC validations which are required to secure credit for these items. During the quarter, the remaining work on the operations and safety manual were completed and released for publication after screen shots were verified. The goal of this effort to provide an accurate set of precautions and procedures for the technology system that can be replicated to other similar system.« less

  14. Computational Modeling to Limit the Impact Displays and Indicator Lights Have on Habitable Volume Operational Lighting Constraints

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clark, T. A.; Brainard, G.; Salazar, G.; Johnston, S.; Schwing, B.; Litaker, H.; Kolomenski, A.; Venus, D.; Tran, K.; Hanifin, J.; hide

    2017-01-01

    NASA has demonstrated an interest in improving astronaut health and performance through the installment of a new lighting countermeasure on the International Space Station. The Solid State Lighting Assembly (SSLA) system is designed to positively influence astronaut health by providing a daily change to light spectrum to improve circadian entrainment. Unfortunately, existing NASA standards and requirements define ambient light level requirements for crew sleep and other tasks, yet the number of light-emitting diode (LED) indicators and displays within a habitable volume is currently uncontrolled. Because each of these light sources has its own unique spectral properties, the additive lighting environment ends up becoming something different from what was planned or researched. Restricting the use of displays and indicators is not a solution because these systems provide beneficial feedback to the crew. The research team for this grant used computer-based computational modeling and real-world lighting mockups to document the impact that light sources other than the ambient lighting system contribute to the ambient spectral lighting environment. In particular, the team was focused on understanding the impacts of long-term tasks located in front of avionics or computer displays. The team also wanted to understand options for mitigating the changes to the ambient light spectrum in the interest of maintaining the performance of a lighting countermeasure. The project utilized a variety of physical and computer-based simulations to determine direct relationships between system implementation and light spectrum. Using real-world data, computer models were built in the commercially available optics analysis software Zemax Optics Studio(c). The team also built a mockup test facility that had the same volume and configuration as one of the Zemax models. The team collected over 1200 spectral irradiance measurements, each representing a different configuration of the mockup. Analysis of the data showed a measurable impact on ambient light spectrum. This data showed that obvious design techniques exist that can be used to bind the ambient light spectrum closer to the planned spectral operating environment for the observer's eye point. The following observations should be considered when designing an operational environment that is dominated by computer displays. When more light is directed into the field of view of the observer, the greater the impact it will make on various human factors issues that depend on spectral shape and intensity. Because viewing angle has a large part to play in the amount of light flux on the crewmember's retina, beam shape, combined with light source location is an important factor for determining percent probable incident flux on the observer from any combination of light sources. Computer graphics design and display lumen output are major factors influencing the amount of spectrally intense light projected into the environment and in the viewer's direction. Use of adjustable white point display software was useful only if the predominant background color was white and if it matched the ambient light system's color. Display graphics that used a predominantly black background had the least influence on unplanned spectral energy projected into the environment. Percent reflectance makes a difference in total energy reflected back into an environment, and within certain architectural geometries, reflectance can be used to control the amount of a light spectrum that is allowed to perpetuate in the environment. Data showed that room volume and distance from significant light sources influence the total spectrum in a room. Smaller environments had a homogenizing effect on total light spectrum, whereas light from multiple sources in larger environments was less mixed. The findings indicated above should be considered when making recommendations for practice or standards for architectural systems. The ambient lighting system, surface reflectance, and display and indicator implementation all factor into the users' spectral environment. A variety of low-cost solutions exist to mitigate the impact of light from non-architectural lighting systems, and much potential for system automation and integration of display systems with the ambient environment. This team believes that proper planning can be used to avoid integration problems and also believes that human-in-the-loop evaluations, real-world test and measurement, and computer modeling can be used to determine how changes to a process, display graphics, and architecture will help maintain the planned spectral operating lighting environment.

  15. Raman microspectrometer combined with scattering microscopy and lensless imaging for bacteria identification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Strola, S. A.; Schultz, E.; Allier, C. P.; DesRoches, B.; Lemmonier, J.; Dinten, J.-M.

    2013-03-01

    In this paper, we report on a compact prototype capable both of lensfree imaging, Raman spectrometry and scattering microscopy from bacteria samples. This instrument allows high-throughput real-time characterization without the need of markers, making it potentially suitable to field label-free biomedical and environmental applications. Samples are illuminated from above with a focused-collimated 532nm laser beam and can be x-y-z scanned. The bacteria detection is based on emerging lensfree imaging technology able to localize cells of interest over a large field-of-view of 24mm2. Raman signal and scattered light are then collected by separate measurement arms simultaneously. In the first arm the emission light is fed by a fiber into a prototype spectrometer, developed by Tornado Spectral System based on Tornado's High Throughput Virtual Slit (HTVS) novel technology. The enhanced light throughput in the spectral region of interest (500-1800 cm-1) reduces Raman acquisition time down to few seconds, thus facilitating experimental protocols and avoiding the bacteria deterioration induced by laser thermal heating. Scattered light impinging in the second arm is collected onto a charge-coupled-device. The reconstructed image allows studying the single bacteria diffraction pattern and their specific structural features. The characterization and identification of different bacteria have been performed to validate and optimize the acquisition system and the component setup. The results obtained demonstrate the benefits of these three techniques combination by providing the precise bacteria localization, their chemical composition and a morphology description. The procedure for a rapid identification of particular pathogen bacteria in a sample is illustrated.

  16. A model for the Global Quantum Efficiency for a TPB-based wavelength-shifting system used with photomultiplier tubes in liquid argon in MicroBooNE

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pate, S. F.; Wester, T.; Bugel, L.; Conrad, J.; Henderson, E.; Jones, B. J. P.; McLean, A. I. L.; Moon, J. S.; Toups, M.; Wongjirad, T.

    2018-02-01

    We present a model for the Global Quantum Efficiency (GQE) of the MicroBooNE optical units. An optical unit consists of a flat, circular acrylic plate, coated with tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), positioned near the photocathode of a 20.2-cm diameter photomultiplier tube. The plate converts the ultra-violet scintillation photons from liquid argon into visible-spectrum photons to which the cryogenic phototubes are sensitive. The GQE is the convolution of the efficiency of the plates that convert the 128 nm scintillation light from liquid argon to visible light, the efficiency of the shifted light to reach the photocathode, and the efficiency of the cryogenic photomultiplier tube. We develop a GEANT4-based model of the optical unit, based on first principles, and obtain the range of probable values for the expected number of detected photoelectrons (NPE) given the known systematic errors on the simulation parameters. We compare results from four measurements of the NPE determined using alpha-particle sources placed at two distances from a TPB-coated plate in a liquid argon cryostat test stand. We also directly measured the radial dependence of the quantum efficiency, and find that this has the same shape as predicted by our model. Our model results in a GQE of 0.0055±0.0009 for the MicroBooNE optical units. While the information shown here is MicroBooNE specific, the approach to the model and the collection of simulation parameters will be widely applicable to many liquid-argon-based light collection systems.

  17. Spitzer Sees Water Loud and Clear

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2007-01-01

    This plot of infrared data, called a spectrum, shows the strong signature of water vapor deep within the core of an embryonic star system, called NGC 1333-IRAS 4B.

    The data were captured by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope using an instrument called a spectrograph. A spectrograph collects light and sorts it according to color, or wavelength. In this case, infrared light from NGC 1333-IRAS 4B was broken up into the wavelengths listed on the horizontal axis of the plot. The sharp spikes, called spectral lines, occur at wavelengths at which the stellar object is particularly bright. The signature of water vapor is revealed in the pattern of wavelengths at which the spikes appear.

    By comparing the observed data to a model (lower curve), astronomers can also determine the physical and chemical details of the region. For example, astronomers say these data suggest that ice in a cocoon surrounding the forming star is falling inward. The ice then smacks supersonically into a dusty planet-forming disk surrounding the stellar embryo, heats up and vaporizes quickly, releasing the infrared light that Spitzer collected.

  18. Plane wave analysis of coherent holographic image reconstruction by phase transfer (CHIRPT).

    PubMed

    Field, Jeffrey J; Winters, David G; Bartels, Randy A

    2015-11-01

    Fluorescent imaging plays a critical role in a myriad of scientific endeavors, particularly in the biological sciences. Three-dimensional imaging of fluorescent intensity often requires serial data acquisition, that is, voxel-by-voxel collection of fluorescent light emitted throughout the specimen with a nonimaging single-element detector. While nonimaging fluorescence detection offers some measure of scattering robustness, the rate at which dynamic specimens can be imaged is severely limited. Other fluorescent imaging techniques utilize imaging detection to enhance collection rates. A notable example is light-sheet fluorescence microscopy, also known as selective-plane illumination microscopy, which illuminates a large region within the specimen and collects emitted fluorescent light at an angle either perpendicular or oblique to the illumination light sheet. Unfortunately, scattering of the emitted fluorescent light can cause blurring of the collected images in highly turbid biological media. We recently introduced an imaging technique called coherent holographic image reconstruction by phase transfer (CHIRPT) that combines light-sheet-like illumination with nonimaging fluorescent light detection. By combining the speed of light-sheet illumination with the scattering robustness of nonimaging detection, CHIRPT is poised to have a dramatic impact on biological imaging, particularly for in vivo preparations. Here we present the mathematical formalism for CHIRPT imaging under spatially coherent illumination and present experimental data that verifies the theoretical model.

  19. Quasiparticle engineering and entanglement propagation in a quantum many-body system.

    PubMed

    Jurcevic, P; Lanyon, B P; Hauke, P; Hempel, C; Zoller, P; Blatt, R; Roos, C F

    2014-07-10

    The key to explaining and controlling a range of quantum phenomena is to study how information propagates around many-body systems. Quantum dynamics can be described by particle-like carriers of information that emerge in the collective behaviour of the underlying system, the so-called quasiparticles. These elementary excitations are predicted to distribute quantum information in a fashion determined by the system's interactions. Here we report quasiparticle dynamics observed in a quantum many-body system of trapped atomic ions. First, we observe the entanglement distributed by quasiparticles as they trace out light-cone-like wavefronts. Second, using the ability to tune the interaction range in our system, we observe information propagation in an experimental regime where the effective-light-cone picture does not apply. Our results will enable experimental studies of a range of quantum phenomena, including transport, thermalization, localization and entanglement growth, and represent a first step towards a new quantum-optic regime of engineered quasiparticles with tunable nonlinear interactions.

  20. Process Analyzer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1994-01-01

    The ChemScan UV-6100 is a spectrometry system originally developed by Biotronics Technologies, Inc. under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract. It is marketed to the water and wastewater treatment industries, replacing "grab sampling" with on-line data collection. It analyzes the light absorbance characteristics of a water sample, simultaneously detects hundreds of individual wavelengths absorbed by chemical substances in a process solution, and quantifies the information. Spectral data is then processed by ChemScan analyzer and compared with calibration files in the system's memory in order to calculate concentrations of chemical substances that cause UV light absorbance in specific patterns. Monitored substances can be analyzed for quality and quantity. Applications include detection of a variety of substances, and the information provided enables an operator to control a process more efficiently.

  1. Stabilized high-accuracy correction of ocular aberrations with liquid crystal on silicon spatial light modulator in adaptive optics retinal imaging system.

    PubMed

    Huang, Hongxin; Inoue, Takashi; Tanaka, Hiroshi

    2011-08-01

    We studied the long-term optical performance of an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope that uses a liquid crystal on silicon spatial light modulator to correct ocular aberrations. The system achieved good compensation of aberrations while acquiring images of fine retinal structures, excepting during sudden eye movements. The residual wavefront aberrations collected over several minutes in several situations were statistically analyzed. The mean values of the root-mean-square residual wavefront errors were 23-30 nm, and for around 91-94% of the effective time the errors were below the Marechal criterion for diffraction limited imaging. The ability to axially shift the imaging plane to different retinal depths was also demonstrated.

  2. Cooperative light-induced molecular movements of highly ordered azobenzene self-assembled monolayers

    PubMed Central

    Pace, Giuseppina; Ferri, Violetta; Grave, Christian; Elbing, Mark; von Hänisch, Carsten; Zharnikov, Michael; Mayor, Marcel; Rampi, Maria Anita; Samorì, Paolo

    2007-01-01

    Photochromic systems can convert light energy into mechanical energy, thus they can be used as building blocks for the fabrication of prototypes of molecular devices that are based on the photomechanical effect. Hitherto a controlled photochromic switch on surfaces has been achieved either on isolated chromophores or within assemblies of randomly arranged molecules. Here we show by scanning tunneling microscopy imaging the photochemical switching of a new terminally thiolated azobiphenyl rigid rod molecule. Interestingly, the switching of entire molecular 2D crystalline domains is observed, which is ruled by the interactions between nearest neighbors. This observation of azobenzene-based systems displaying collective switching might be of interest for applications in high-density data storage. PMID:17535889

  3. A Tool for the Automated Collection of Space Utilization Data: Three Dimensional Space Utilization Monitor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vos, Gordon A.; Fink, Patrick; Ngo, Phong H.; Morency, Richard; Simon, Cory; Williams, Robert E.; Perez, Lance C.

    2017-01-01

    Space Human Factors and Habitability (SHFH) Element within the Human Research Program (HRP) and the Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) Element are conducting research regarding Net Habitable Volume (NHV), the internal volume within a spacecraft or habitat that is available to crew for required activities, as well as layout and accommodations within the volume. NASA needs methods to unobtrusively collect NHV data without impacting crew time. Data required includes metrics such as location and orientation of crew, volume used to complete tasks, internal translation paths, flow of work, and task completion times. In less constrained environments methods exist yet many are obtrusive and require significant post-processing. ?Examplesused in terrestrial settings include infrared (IR) retro-reflective marker based motion capture, GPS sensor tracking, inertial tracking, and multi-camera methods ?Due to constraints of space operations many such methods are infeasible. Inertial tracking systems typically rely upon a gravity vector to normalize sensor readings,and traditional IR systems are large and require extensive calibration. ?However, multiple technologies have not been applied to space operations for these purposes. Two of these include: 3D Radio Frequency Identification Real-Time Localization Systems (3D RFID-RTLS) ?Depth imaging systems which allow for 3D motion capture and volumetric scanning (such as those using IR-depth cameras like the Microsoft Kinect or Light Detection and Ranging / Light-Radar systems, referred to as LIDAR)

  4. Surface-enhanced Raman detection of CW agents in water using gold sol gel substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Premasiri, W. Ranjith; Clarke, Richard H.; Womble, M. Edward

    2002-02-01

    The development of a water analysis system capable of detecting both inanimate trace chemical contaminants and viable microbial contaminants has long been a project of interest to our group. The capability of detecting both chemical and biological agent sources in a single device configuration would clearly add to the value of such a product. In the present work, we describe results with chemical warfare agents from our efforts to produce a Raman system for the detection of both chemical and biological warfare agents in water. We utilize laser Raman light scattering and employ Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)on solid state gold sol-gel detectors combined with fiber optic collection of the enhanced light signal in the sampling system to augment the normally low intensity Raman Scattering signal from trace materials.

  5. Tangential System of Thomson Scattering for Tokamak T-15

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Asadulin, G. M.; Bel'bas, I. S.; Gorshkov, A. V.

    2017-12-01

    Two systems of Thomson scattering diagnostics, with vertical and tangential probing, are used in the D-shaped plasma cross section in tokamak T-15. The tangential system allows measuring plasma temperature and density profiles along the major radius of the tokamak. This paper presents the tangential system project. The system is based on a Nd:YAG laser with wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse energy of 3 J, pulse duration of 10 ns, and repetition rate of 100 Hz. The chosen geometry allows collecting light from ten uniformly spaced points. Optimization of the registration system has been accomplished. The collected light will be transmitted through an optical fiber bundle with diameter of 3 mm and quartz fibers (numerical aperture is 0.22). Six-channel polychromators based on high-contrast interference filters have been chosen as spectral equipment. The radiation will be registered by avalanche photodiodes. The technique of electron temperature and density measurement is described, and estimation of its accuracy is carried out. The proposed system allows measuring the electron temperature with accuracy not worse than 10% within the range of 50 eV to 10 keV on the pinch edge over the internal contour, from 20 eV to 9 keV in the plasma central region, and from 2 eV to 400 eV on the pinch edge over the outer contour. The estimation is made for electron density of not less than 2.6 × 1013 cm-3.

  6. Thermalization of a two-dimensional photonic gas in a `white wall' photon box

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klaers, Jan; Vewinger, Frank; Weitz, Martin

    2010-07-01

    Bose-Einstein condensation, the macroscopic accumulation of bosonic particles in the energetic ground state below a critical temperature, has been demonstrated in several physical systems. The perhaps best known example of a bosonic gas, blackbody radiation, however exhibits no Bose-Einstein condensation at low temperatures. Instead of collectively occupying the lowest energy mode, the photons disappear in the cavity walls when the temperature is lowered-corresponding to a vanishing chemical potential. Here we report on evidence for a thermalized two-dimensional photon gas with a freely adjustable chemical potential. Our experiment is based on a dye-filled optical microresonator, acting as a `white wall' box for photons. Thermalization is achieved in a photon-number-conserving way by photon scattering off the dye molecules, and the cavity mirrors provide both an effective photon mass and a confining potential-key prerequisites for the Bose-Einstein condensation of photons. As a striking example of the unusual system properties, we demonstrate a yet unobserved light concentration effect into the centre of the confining potential, an effect with prospects for increasing the efficiency of diffuse solar light collection.

  7. Optical Power Source Derived from Engine Combustion Chambers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baumbick, Robert J. (Inventor)

    1999-01-01

    An optical power source is disclosed that collects the spectra of the light emissions created in a combustion chamber to provide its optical output signals that serve the needs of optical networks. The light spectra is collected by a collection ring serving as an optical waveguide.

  8. Progress on Thomson scattering in the Pegasus Toroidal Experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schlossberg, D. J.; Bongard, M. W.; Fonck, R. J.; Schoenbeck, N. L.; Winz, G. R.

    2013-11-01

    A novel Thomson scattering system has been implemented on the Pegasus Toroidal Experiment where typical densities of 1019 m-3 and electron temperatures of 10 to 500 eV are expected. The system leverages technological advances in high-energy pulsed lasers, volume phase holographic (VPH) diffraction gratings, and gated image intensified (ICCD) cameras to provide a relatively low-maintenance, economical, robust diagnostic system. Scattering is induced by a frequency-doubled, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (2 J at 532 nm, 7 ns FWHM pulse) directed to the plasma over a 7.7 m long beam path, and focused to < 3 mm throughout the collection region. Inter-shot beam alignment is adjustable with less than a 0.01 mm spatial resolution in the collection region. A custom lens system collects scattered photons at radii 15 cm to 85 cm from the machine's center, at ~ F/6 with 14 mm radial resolution. The initial configuration provides scattering measurements at 12 spatial locations and 12 simultaneous background measurements at adjacent locations. If plasma background subtraction proves to be insignificant, these background channels will be used as viewing channels. Each spectrometer supports 8 spatial channels and can provide 8 or more spectral bins each. The spectrometers use high-efficiency VPH transmission gratings (eff. > 80%) and fast-gated ICCDs (gate > 2 ns, Gen III intensifier) with high-throughput (F/1.8), achromatic lensing. A stray light mitigation facility has been implemented, consisting of a multi-aperture optical baffle system and a simple beam dump. Successful stray light reduction has enabled detection of scattered signal, and Rayleigh scattering has been used to provide a relative calibration. Initial temperature measurements have been made and data analysis algorithms are under development.

  9. Plasmons and Polaritons in Low Dimensional Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Zhiyuan

    Nearly everything relies on the electromagnetic (EM) force to be in its current form. Therefore, light-matter interaction is both a fundamental and a practical subject in physics. Focusing on the electromagnetic field, the matter degrees of freedom can be encoded into its response to the EM field in the form of charge density and urrent. Reshaped by the EM response, the photons in condensed matter systems appear as various collective modes. In this doctoral dissertation, I present our investigation of the linear and nonlinear EM response theory especially in the hydrodynamic regime of electron systems. Electrons in pristine solids behave as a hydrodynamic fluid in a certain range of temperatures and frequencies. We show that the response of such a fluid to electromagnetic field is different from what is predicted by the usual kinetic theory. Certain aspects of this response are universal, for example, a direct relation between the linear and second-order nonlinear optical conductivities. Discovery of this relation enriches our understanding of the light-matter interaction in diverse electron systems and new materials such as graphene. Subsequently, I study the properties of the charged collective modes, the plasmons and demons in 2D Dirac fluids, e.g., the electron-hole system in graphene. Under non-equilibrium situation, the amplitudes of these collective modes could possibly grow due to an effect of adiabatic amplification. I also present our study of the hyperbolic polaritons, the EM modes in hyperbolic materials. When confined in cavities, they develop isolated eigen modes which could be efficiently predicted by applying semi-classical quantization rules to fictitious particles. We demonstrate this Hamiltonian Optics analytically for cavities of spheroidal shapes, and predict novel geometric patterns of the electric field distribution due to classical periodic orbits.

  10. Towards in vivo laser coagulation and concurrent optical coherence tomography through double-clad fiber devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beaudette, Kathy; Lo, William; Villiger, Martin; Shishkov, Milen; Godbout, Nicolas; Bouma, Brett E.; Boudoux, Caroline

    2016-03-01

    There is a strong clinical need for an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system capable of delivering concurrent coagulation light enabling image-guided dynamic laser marking for targeted collection of biopsies, as opposed to a random sampling, to reduce false-negative findings. Here, we present a system based on double-clad fiber (DCF) capable of delivering pulsed laser light through the inner cladding while performing OCT through the core. A previously clinically validated commercial OCT system (NVisionVLE, Ninepoint Medical) was adapted to enable in vivo esophageal image-guided dynamic laser marking. An optimized DCF coupler was implemented into the system to couple both modalities into the DCF. A DCF-based rotary joint was used to couple light to the spinning DCF-based catheter for helical scanning. DCF-based OCT catheters, providing a beam waist diameter of 62μm at a working distance of 9.3mm, for use with a 17-mm diameter balloon sheath, were used for ex vivo imaging of a swine esophagus. Imaging results using the DCF-based clinical system show an image quality comparable with a conventional system with minimal crosstalk-induced artifacts. To further optimize DCF catheter optical design in order to achieve single-pulse marking, a Zemax model of the DCF output and its validation are presented.

  11. Measurements of Light Absorbing Particles on Tropical South American Glaciers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmitt, C. G.; All, J.; Schwarz, J. P.; Arnott, W. P.; Warthon, J.; Andrade, M.; Celestian, A. J.; Hoffmann, D.; Cole, R. J.; Lapham, E.; Horodyskyj, U. N.; Froyd, K. D.; Liao, J.

    2014-12-01

    Glaciers in the tropical Andes have been losing mass rapidly in recent decades. In addition to the documented increase in temperature, increases in light absorbing particulates deposited on glaciers could be contributing to the observed glacier loss. Here we present results of measurements of light absorbing particles from glaciers in Peru and Bolivia. Samples have been collected by American Climber Science Program volunteers and scientists at altitudes up to 6770 meters. Collected snow samples were melted and filtered in the field. A new inexpensive technique, the Light Absorption Heating Method (LAHM) has been developed for analysis of light absorbing particles collected on filters. Results from LAHM analysis are calibrated using filters with known amounts of fullerene soot, a common industrial surrogate for black carbon (BC). For snow samples collected at the same field location LAHM analysis and measurements from the Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) instrument are well correlated (r2 = 0.92). Co-located SP2 and LAHM filter analysis suggest that BC could be the dominant absorbing component of the light absorbing particles in some areas.

  12. Mutagenicity of diesel exhaust particles from an engine with differing exhaust after treatments.

    PubMed

    Shi, X-C; Keane, M J; Ong, T; Li, S-Q; Bugarski, A B

    2010-01-01

    This study was conducted to investigate the effects of engine operating conditions and exhaust aftertreatments on the mutagenicity of diesel particulate matter (DPM) collected directly in an underground mine environment. A number of after-treatment devices are currently used on diesel engines in mines, but it is critical to determine whether reductions in DPM concentrations result in a corresponding decrease in adverse health effects. An eddy-current dynamometer was used to operate naturally aspirated mechanically controlled engine at several steady-state conditions. The samples were collected when the engine was equipped with a standard muffler, a diesel oxidation catalytic converter, two types of uncatalyzed diesel particulate filter systems, and three types of disposable diesel particulate filter elements. Bacterial gene mutation activity of DPM was tested on acetone extracts using the Ames Salmonella assay. The results indicated strong correlation between engine operating conditions and mutagenic activity of DPM. When the engine was fitted with muffler, the mutagenic activity was observed for the samples collected from light-load, but not heavy-load operating conditions. When the engine was equipped with a diesel oxidation catalyst, the samples did not exhibit mutagenic activity for any of four engine operating conditions. Mutagenic activity was observed for the samples collected when the engine was retrofitted with three types of disposable filters and sintered metal diesel particulate filter and operated at light load conditions. However, those filtration systems substantially reduced the concentration-normalized mutagenic activity from the levels observed for the muffler.

  13. Reverse photoacoustic standoff spectroscopy

    DOEpatents

    Van Neste, Charles W [Kingston, TN; Senesac, Lawrence R [Knoxville, TN; Thundat, Thomas G [Knoxville, TN

    2011-04-12

    A system and method are disclosed for generating a reversed photoacoustic spectrum at a greater distance. A source may emit a beam to a target and a detector measures signals generated as a result of the beam being emitted on the target. By emitting a chopped/pulsed light beam to the target, it may be possible to determine the target's optical absorbance by monitoring the intensity of light collected at the detector at different wavelengths. As the wavelength of light is changed, the target may absorb or reject each optical frequency. Rejection may increase the intensity at the sensing element and absorption may decrease the intensity. Accordingly, an identifying spectrum of the target may be made with the intensity variation of the detector as a function of illuminating wavelength.

  14. Integrating plug-in electric vehicles into the electric power system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Di

    This dissertation contributes to our understanding of how plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and plug-in battery-only electric vehicles (EVs)---collectively termed plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs)---could be successfully integrated with the electric power system. The research addresses issues at a diverse range of levels pertaining to light-duty vehicles, which account for the majority of highway vehicle miles traveled, energy consumed by highway travel modes, and carbon dioxide emissions from on-road sources. Specifically, the following topics are investigated: (i) On-board power electronics topologies for bidirectional vehicle-to-grid and grid-to-vehicle power transfer; (ii) The estimation of the electric energy and power consumption by fleets of light-duty PEVs; (iii) An operating framework for the scheduling and dispatch of electric power by PEV aggregators; (iv) The pricing of electricity by PHEV aggregators and how it affects the decision-making process of a cost-conscious PHEV owner; (v) The impacts on distribution systems from PEVs under aggregator control; (vi) The modeling of light-duty PEVs for long-term energy and transportation planning at a national scale.

  15. Method for enhanced control of welding processes

    DOEpatents

    Sheaffer, Donald A.; Renzi, Ronald F.; Tung, David M.; Schroder, Kevin

    2000-01-01

    Method and system for producing high quality welds in welding processes, in general, and gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding, in particular by controlling weld penetration. Light emitted from a weld pool is collected from the backside of a workpiece by optical means during welding and transmitted to a digital video camera for further processing, after the emitted light is first passed through a short wavelength pass filter to remove infrared radiation. By filtering out the infrared component of the light emitted from the backside weld pool image, the present invention provides for the accurate determination of the weld pool boundary. Data from the digital camera is fed to an imaging board which focuses on a 100.times.100 pixel portion of the image. The board performs a thresholding operation and provides this information to a digital signal processor to compute the backside weld pool dimensions and area. This information is used by a control system, in a dynamic feedback mode, to automatically adjust appropriate parameters of a welding system, such as the welding current, to control weld penetration and thus, create a uniform weld bead and high quality weld.

  16. Impact of increased collection rates and the use of commingled collection systems on the quality of recovered paper. Part 1: increased collection rates.

    PubMed

    Miranda, Ruben; Monte, M; Blanco, Angeles

    2011-11-01

    The recovery and utilization of recovered paper have increased over past decades all over the world due to economic, environmental, and social issues. However, it is well known that an extended recovered paper collection is detrimental to its quality, either by the exploitation of lower quality sources such as households, or the spreading of commingled systems instead of selective collection systems. The influence of these two factors was assessed by analyzing the quality of different recovered paper grades used as raw material in a mill located in Madrid (Spain) producing newsprint and light weight coated paper from recovered paper. Part 1 of the paper deals with the impact of increased collection rates on the quality of recovered paper and Part 2 with the use of commingled collection systems. Results of Part 1 show that increased collection rates have a large impact on the quality of the recovered paper. The quality, measured as total unusable material and moisture contents, had deteriorated very rapidly in only 4 years (2005-2008) as a consequence of increased collection rates. Collection rates increased in Spain from 58.5% to 68.6% during this period, resulting in more than 50% increase of total unusable material and 25% of moisture content. The downgrading of the quality of recovered paper is one of the major threats for extending the current limits of paper recycling. Therefore, future challenge is to increase its availability but maintaining its quality. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Efficiency of colored modified box traps for sampling of tabanids

    PubMed Central

    Krčmar, Stjepan; Radolić, Vanja; Lajoš, Petar; Lukačević, Igor

    2014-01-01

    The efficiency of ten differently colored modified box traps for collecting tabanids was studied in the Monjoroš Forest in eastern Croatia. A total of 5,436 specimens belonging to 16 species of tabanids grouped into six genera were collected. The genus Tabanus was the most represented with 98% of all collected tabanids. Tabanus bromius comprised 90% of tabanids collected, and was the most abundant species collected in all box traps. The majority of tabanids (74%) were collected from black, brown, bordeaux, red, and blue traps (dark group), whereas 26% were collected from green, light violet, white, orange, and yellow traps (light group). The black modified trap was the most successful and collected 20% of all collected tabanids, whereas the yellow trap was the least effective with 1%. The number of collected specimens of species T. bromius differed significantly between the dark and light group of traps. Traps with lower reflectance from green color collected 77% of T. bromius. The most species of tabanids (12) was collected in the brown trap, whereas the least number of species (6) was collected in the yellow trap. PMID:25514593

  18. BOOK REVIEW: Quantum Squeezing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zubairy, Suhail

    2005-05-01

    Quantum squeezed states are a consequence of uncertainty relations; a state is squeezed when the noise in one variable is reduced below the symmetric limit at the expense of the increased noise in the conjugate variable such that the Heisenberg uncertainty relation is not violated. Such states have been known since the earliest days of quantum mechanics. The realization in the early 80's that quantum squeezed states of the radiation field can have important applications in high precision Michelson interferometry for detecting gravitational waves led to a tremendous amount of activity, both in theoretical and experimental quantum optics. The present volume, edited by two eminent scientists, is a collection of papers by leading experts in the field of squeezed states on different aspects of the field as it stands today. The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, there are three articles that review the fundamentals. The first paper by Knight and Buzek presents an introductory account of squeezed states and their properties. The chapter, which opens with the quantization of the radiation field, goes on to discuss the quantum optical properties of single mode and multimode squeezed states. The second article by Hillery provides a detailed description of field quantization in the presence of a nonlinear dielectric medium, thus providing a rigorous treatment of squeezing in nonlinear media. The third article by Yurke presents a comprehensive discussion of the input-output theory of the squeezed radiation at the dielectric boundaries. The second part of the book, comprising of three articles, deals with the generation of squeezed states. In the first article, Drummond reviews the squeezing properties of light in nonlinear systems such as parametric oscillators. He also discusses squeezed light propagation through waveguides and optical fibers. In the second article, Ralph concentrates on active laser sources of squeezing and presents an analysis based on the Langevin formalism for squeezing in lasing systems. In the last article of this part, Wiseman deals with squeezing systems when the system's environment can be deliberately engineered so that the feedback is important. The third part of the book includes four articles dealing with the applications of quantum squeezing. In the first article, Yuen presents a discussion of communications and measurement using squeezed states and discusses the advantages of using nonclassical light over classical light in communications and measurement. In the second article, Swain deals with the interaction of squeezed light with the atomic systems and presents a review of novel phenomena in spectroscopy. This chapter on two-level atomic system is followed by Ficek's article on squeezed-light based spectroscopy in three-level atomic systems. In the last article, Reid again addresses the advantages of squeezed light in communications, but her emphasis is different from that of Yuen's article. Here she discusses EPR correlations for squeezed light and presents squeezed-light based methods for quantum cryptography. All the authors are leading figures in the field of squeezed states who have made pioneering contributions to various aspects of the field over the years. This is reflected in the authoritative style with which all the articles are written. These articles are rich in content, easy to read and cover a broad base. The emphasis is however on the theoretical aspects with occasional references to experimental work. This book is an excellent collection of articles on quantum squeezing that are highly useful both for beginners who would like to learn about squeezing and its applications, as well as for experts who would like to learn about the frontiers.

  19. Sensitivity enhancement of fluorescence detection in CE by coupling and conducting excitation light with tapered optical fiber.

    PubMed

    Yang, Xiupei; Huo, Feng; Yuan, Hongyan; Zhang, Bo; Xiao, Dan; Choi, Martin M F

    2011-01-01

    This paper reports the enhancement of sensitivity of detection for in-column fiber optic-induced fluorescence detection system in CE by tapered optical fiber (TOF). Two types of optical fiber, TOF and conventional cylindrical optical fiber (COF), were employed to construct the CE (TOF-CE and COF-CE) and were compared for sensitivity to riboflavin (RF). The fluorescence intensities from a RF sample with excitation light sources and fibers at various coupling angles were investigated. The fluorescence signal from TOF-CE was ca. ten times that of COF-CE. In addition, the detection performance of four excitation light source-fiber configurations including Laser-TOF, Laser-COF, LED-TOF, and LED-COF were compared. The LODs for RF were 0.21, 0.82, 0.80, and 7.5 nM, respectively, for the four excitation light source-fiber configurations. The results demonstrate that the sensitivity obtained by LED-TOF is close to that of Laser-COF. Both Laser-TOF and LED-TOF can greatly improve the sensitivity of detection in CE. TOF has the major attribute of collecting and focusing the excitation light intensity. Thus, the sensitivity obtained by LED-TOF without focusing lens is just same as that of LED-COF with a focusing lens. This demonstrates that the CE system can be further simplified by eliminating the focusing lens for excitation light. LED-TOF-CE and LED-COF-CE system were applied to the separation and determination of RF in real sample (green tea), respectively. The tapered fiber optic-induced fluorescence detection system in CE is an ideal tool for trace analysis. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  20. iss051e049152

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-05-24

    iss051e049152 (5/24/2017) --- ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet performs the commissioning of the Gravitational References for Sensimotor Performance (GRASP) experiment, to better understand how the central nervous system (CNS) integrates information from different sensations. The data collected could help researchers better understand the workings of the human vestibular system and how it connects to the other sensory organs. This research hopes to shed light on how to best treat the loss of vestibular function on Earth.

  1. iss051e049147

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-05-24

    iss051e049147 (5/24/2017) --- ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet performs the commissioning of the Gravitational References for Sensimotor Performance (GRASP) experiment, to better understand how the central nervous system (CNS) integrates information from different sensations. The data collected could help researchers better understand the workings of the human vestibular system and how it connects to the other sensory organs. This research hopes to shed light on how to best treat the loss of vestibular function on Earth.

  2. Suppression of Laser Shot Noise Using Laser-Cooled OptoMechanical Systems

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-04-22

    that this device will be able to demonstrate squeezing in a fairly short time . Background: The goal of this effort was to create laser light with...The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing...REPORT Final report on Seedling project: "Suppression of Laser Shot Noise Using Laser -Cooled Opto-Mechanical Systems" 14. ABSTRACT 16. SECURITY

  3. Alternative Fuel Light-Duty Vehicles: Summary of Results From the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Vehicle Evaluation Data Collection Efforts

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1996-05-01

    The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory conducted : a data collection project for light-duty, alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) for : about 4 years. The project has collected data on 10 vehicle models (from the : original ...

  4. Real-time defect detection on highly reflective curved surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosati, G.; Boschetti, G.; Biondi, A.; Rossi, A.

    2009-03-01

    This paper presents an automated defect detection system for coated plastic components for the automotive industry. This research activity came up as an evolution of a previous study which employed a non-flat mirror to illuminate and inspect high reflective curved surfaces. According to this method, the rays emitted from a light source are conveyed on the surface under investigation by means of a suitably curved mirror. After the reflection on the surface, the light rays are collected by a CCD camera, in which the coating defects appear as shadows of various shapes and dimensions. In this paper we present an evolution of the above-mentioned method, introducing a simplified mirror set-up in order to reduce the costs and the complexity of the defect detection system. In fact, a set of plane mirrors is employed instead of the curved one. Moreover, the inspection of multiple bend radius parts is investigated. A prototype of the machine vision system has been developed in order to test this simplified method. This device is made up of a light projector, a set of plane mirrors for light rays reflection, a conveyor belt for handling components, a CCD camera and a desktop PC which performs image acquisition and processing. Like in the previous system, the defects are identified as shadows inside a high brightness image. At the end of the paper, first experimental results are presented.

  5. Collective behavior of light in vacuum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Briscese, Fabio

    2018-03-01

    Under the action of light-by-light scattering, light beams show collective behaviors in vacuum. For instance, in the case of two counterpropagating laser beams with specific initial helicity, the polarization of each beam oscillates periodically between the left and right helicity. Furthermore, the amplitudes and the corresponding intensities of each polarization propagate like waves. Such polarization waves might be observationally accessible in future laser experiments, in a physical regime complementary to those explored by particle accelerators.

  6. Evaluation of illumination system uniformity for wide-field biomedical hyperspectral imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sawyer, Travis W.; Siri Luthman, A.; E Bohndiek, Sarah

    2017-04-01

    Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems collect both spatial (morphological) and spectral (chemical) information from a sample. HSI can provide sensitive analysis for biological and medical applications, for example, simultaneously measuring reflectance and fluorescence properties of a tissue, which together with structural information could improve early cancer detection and tumour characterisation. Illumination uniformity is a critical pre-condition for quantitative data extraction from an HSI system. Non-uniformity can cause glare, specular reflection and unwanted shading, which negatively impact statistical analysis procedures used to extract abundance of different chemical species. Here, we model and evaluate several illumination systems frequently used in wide-field biomedical imaging to test their potential for HSI. We use the software LightTools and FRED. The analysed systems include: a fibre ring light; a light emitting diode (LED) ring; and a diffuse scattering dome. Each system is characterised for spectral, spatial, and angular uniformity, as well as transfer efficiency. Furthermore, an approach to measure uniformity using the Kullback-Leibler divergence (KLD) is introduced. The KLD is generalisable to arbitrary illumination shapes, making it an attractive approach for characterising illumination distributions. Although the systems are quite comparable in their spatial and spectral uniformity, the most uniform angular distribution is achieved using a diffuse scattering dome, yielding a contrast of 0.503 and average deviation of 0.303 over a ±60° field of view with a 3.9% model error in the angular domain. Our results suggest that conventional illumination sources can be applied in HSI, but in the case of low light levels, bespoke illumination sources may offer improved performance.

  7. Early results from the Array of Things

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jacob, R. L.; Catlett, C.; Beckman, P. H.; Sankaran, R.

    2017-12-01

    The Array of Things (AoT) is an experimental sensor and edge-computing network being deployed in the City of Chicago. An AoT node contains sensors for temperature, pressure, humidty and several trace gases as well as 4-core CPU and full Linux operating system. Custom software called "Waggle" controls the hardware and provides the data collection and transmission services. Each node is attached to a traffic signal light and has power 24/7. Data is sent over the cellular network in near realtime. With Chicago's Department of Transportation, we have been making test deployments of AoT nodes, evaluating their capabilities and comparing collected data with that from other observing systems in the Chicago area.

  8. Spatially-and Temporally-Resolved Multi-Parameter Interferometric Rayleigh Scattering System and Method

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bivolaru, Daniel (Inventor); Cutler, Andrew D. (Inventor); Danehy, Paul M. (Inventor)

    2015-01-01

    A system that simultaneously measures the translational temperature, bulk velocity, and density in gases by collecting, referencing, and analyzing nanosecond time-scale Rayleigh scattered light from molecules is described. A narrow-band pulsed laser source is used to probe two largely separated measurement locations, one of which is used for reference. The elastically scattered photons containing information from both measurement locations are collected at the same time and analyzed spectrally using a planar Fabry-Perot interferometer. A practical means of referencing the measurement of velocity using the laser frequency, and the density and temperature using the information from the reference measurement location maintained at constant properties is provided.

  9. Internal-illumination photoacoustic computed tomography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Mucong; Lan, Bangxin; Liu, Wei; Xia, Jun; Yao, Junjie

    2018-03-01

    We report a photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) system using a customized optical fiber with a cylindrical diffuser to internally illuminate deep targets. The traditional external light illumination in PACT usually limits the penetration depth to a few centimeters from the tissue surface, mainly due to strong optical attenuation along the light propagation path from the outside in. By contrast, internal light illumination, with external ultrasound detection, can potentially detect much deeper targets. Different from previous internal illumination PACT implementations using forward-looking optical fibers, our internal-illumination PACT system uses a customized optical fiber with a 3-cm-long conoid needle diffuser attached to the fiber tip, which can homogeneously illuminate the surrounding space and substantially enlarge the field of view. We characterized the internal illumination distribution and PACT system performance. We performed tissue phantom and in vivo animal studies to further demonstrate the superior imaging depth using internal illumination over external illumination. We imaged a 7.5-cm-deep leaf target embedded in optically scattering medium and the beating heart of a mouse overlaid with 3.7-cm-thick chicken tissue. Our results have collectively demonstrated that the internal light illumination combined with external ultrasound detection might be a useful strategy to improve the penetration depth of PACT in imaging deep organs of large animals and humans.

  10. Dynamics of proteins: Light scattering study of dilute and dense colloidal suspensions of eye lens homogenates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Giannopoulou, A.; Aletras, A. J.; Pharmakakis, N.; Papatheodorou, G. N.; Yannopoulos, S. N.

    2007-11-01

    We report a dynamic light scattering study on protein suspensions of bovine lens homogenates at conditions (pH and ionic strength) similar to the physiological ones. Light scattering data were collected at two temperatures, 20 and 37°C, over a wide range of concentrations from the very dilute limit up to the dense regime approaching the physiological lens concentration. A comparison with experimental data from intact bovine lenses was advanced, revealing differences between dispersions and lenses at similar concentrations. In the dilute regime, two scattering entities were detected and identified with the long-time self-diffusion modes of α-crystallins and their aggregates, which naturally exist in lens nucleus. Upon increasing protein concentration, significant changes in time correlation function were observed starting at ˜75mgml-1, where a new mode originating from collective diffusive motions becomes visible. Self-diffusion coefficients are temperature insensitive, whereas the collective diffusion coefficient depends strongly on temperature revealing a reduction of the net repulsive interparticle forces with decreasing temperature. While there are no rigorous theoretical approaches on particle diffusion properties for multicomponent, nonideal hard sphere polydispersed systems, as the suspensions studied here, a discussion of the volume fraction dependence of the long-time self-diffusion coefficient in the context of existing theoretical approaches was undertaken. This study is purported to provide some insight into the complex light scattering pattern of intact lenses and the interactions between the constituent proteins that are responsible for lens transparency. This would lead to understand basic mechanisms of specific protein interactions that lead to lens opacification (cataract) under pathological conditions.

  11. Skylight: a hollow prismatic CPC

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fernandez-Balbuena, Antonio Alvarez; Vázquez-Moliní, Daniel; Garcia-Fernandez, Berta; Garcia-Botella, Angel; Bernabeu, Eusebio

    2009-08-01

    Many applications involve the use of a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) like, natural lighting, thermal applications, optics for illuminators, optical fibre coupling and solar energy. The use of a CPC in reverse mode for natural lighting gives the chance to use it as a lighting skylight in ceilings because light output is controlled inside the design angle, on the contrary having a low flux transfer ratio because of the reduced area of the entrance pupil regarding exit pupil. The authors propose an innovative 3D hollow prismatic CPC (HPCPC) made of a dielectric material, which has a high efficiency comparing it with aluminium CPC. The basic idea is to use a hollow prismatic light guide with CPC shape. This paper reports 2D, 3D design and numerical analysis by raytracing software, also experimental results are shown. The system works almost like a true CPC when light enters through standard entrance pupil and also collect light that enters outside entrance pupil. Performance and efficiency of the prismatic CPC is in average 300% higher than standard aluminium CPC for collimated light in a range from 0º to 85º. A prototype has been developed and tested.

  12. 75 FR 52326 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; EPA's Light-Duty...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-25

    ... has an ongoing program to evaluate the emission performance of in-use light-duty (passenger car and... number'' of any class or category of vehicles or engines, although properly maintained and used, do not... selects approximately 50 classes of passenger cars and light trucks for in-use testing, at EPA's testing...

  13. Tangible display systems: bringing virtual surfaces into the real world

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferwerda, James A.

    2012-03-01

    We are developing tangible display systems that enable natural interaction with virtual surfaces. Tangible display systems are based on modern mobile devices that incorporate electronic image displays, graphics hardware, tracking systems, and digital cameras. Custom software allows the orientation of a device and the position of the observer to be tracked in real-time. Using this information, realistic images of surfaces with complex textures and material properties illuminated by environment-mapped lighting, can be rendered to the screen at interactive rates. Tilting or moving in front of the device produces realistic changes in surface lighting and material appearance. In this way, tangible displays allow virtual surfaces to be observed and manipulated as naturally as real ones, with the added benefit that surface geometry and material properties can be modified in real-time. We demonstrate the utility of tangible display systems in four application areas: material appearance research; computer-aided appearance design; enhanced access to digital library and museum collections; and new tools for digital artists.

  14. Large Fizeau's light-dragging effect in a moving electromagnetically induced transparent medium.

    PubMed

    Kuan, Pei-Chen; Huang, Chang; Chan, Wei Sheng; Kosen, Sandoko; Lan, Shau-Yu

    2016-10-03

    As one of the most influential experiments on the development of modern macroscopic theory from Newtonian mechanics to Einstein's special theory of relativity, the phenomenon of light dragging in a moving medium has been discussed and observed extensively in different types of systems. To have a significant dragging effect, the long duration of light travelling in the medium is preferred. Here we demonstrate a light-dragging experiment in an electromagnetically induced transparent cold atomic ensemble and enhance the dragging effect by at least three orders of magnitude compared with the previous experiments. With a large enhancement of the dragging effect, we realize an atom-based velocimeter that has a sensitivity two orders of magnitude higher than the velocity width of the atomic medium used. Such a demonstration could pave the way for motional sensing using the collective state of atoms in a room temperature vapour cell or solid state material.

  15. Proximity fuze

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

    Harrison, T.R.

    1987-07-10

    A proximity fuze system includes an optical ranging apparatus, a detonation circuit controlled by the optical ranging apparatus, and an explosive charge detonated by the detonation circuit. The optical ranging apparatus includes a pulsed laser light source for generating target ranging light pulses and optical reference light pulses. A single lens directs ranging pulses to a target and collects reflected light from the target. An optical fiber bundle is used for delaying the optical reference pulses to correspond to a predetermined distance from the target. The optical ranging apparatus includes circuitry for providing a first signal depending upon the lightmore » pulses reflected from the target, a second signal depending upon the light pulses from the optical delay fiber bundle, and an output signal when the first and second signals coincide with each other. The output signal occurs when the distance from the target is equal to the predetermined distance from the target. Additional circuitry distinguishes pulses reflected from the target from background solar radiation. 3 figs.« less

  16. Predicting and Managing Lighting and Visibility for Human Operations in Space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maida, James C.; Peacock, Brian

    2003-01-01

    Lighting is critical to human visual performance. On earth this problem is well understood and solutions are well defined and executed. Because the sun rises and sets on average every 45 minutes during Earth orbit, humans working in space must cope with extremely dynamic lighting conditions varying from very low light conditions to severe glare and contrast conditions. For critical operations, it is essential that lighting conditions be predictable and manageable. Mission planners need to detelmine whether low-light video cameras are required or whether additional luminaires, or lamps, need to be flown . Crew and flight directors need to have up to date daylight orbit time lines showing the best and worst viewing conditions for sunlight and shadowing. Where applicable and possible, lighting conditions need to be part of crew training. In addition, it is desirable to optimize the quantity and quality of light because of the potential impacts on crew safety, delivery costs, electrical power and equipment maintainability for both exterior and interior conditions. Addressing these issues, an illumination modeling system has been developed in the Space Human Factors Laboratory at ASA Johnson Space Center. The system is the integration of a physically based ray-tracing package ("Radiance"), developed at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, a human factors oriented geometric modeling system developed by NASA and an extensive database of humans and their work environments. Measured and published data has been collected for exterior and interior surface reflectivity; luminaire beam spread distribution, color and intensity and video camera light sensitivity and has been associated with their corresponding geometric models. Selecting an eye-point and one or more light sources, including sun and earthshine, a snapshot of the light energy reaching the surfaces or reaching the eye point is computed. This energy map is then used to extract the required information needed for useful predictions. Using a validated, comprehensive illumination model integrated with empirically derived data, predictions of lighting and viewing conditions have been successfully used for Shuttle and Space Station planning and assembly operations. It has successfully balanced the needs for adequate human performance with the utili zation of resources. Keywords: Modeling, ray tracing, luminaires, refl ectivity, luminance, illuminance.

  17. "Smart" nickel oxide based core-shell nanoparticles for combined chemo and photodynamic cancer therapy.

    PubMed

    Bano, Shazia; Nazir, Samina; Munir, Saeeda; AlAjmi, Mohamed Fahad; Afzal, Muhammad; Mazhar, Kehkashan

    2016-01-01

    We report "smart" nickel oxide nanoparticles (NOPs) as multimodal cancer therapy agent. Water-dispersible and light-sensitive NiO core was synthesized with folic acid (FA) connected bovine serum albumin (BSA) shell on entrapped doxorubicin (DOX). The entrapped drug from NOP-DOX@BSA-FA was released in a sustained way (64 hours, pH=5.5, dark conditions) while a robust release was found under red light exposure (in 1/2 hour under λmax=655 nm, 50 mW/cm(2), at pH=5.5). The cell viability, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and diphenylisobenzofuran assays conducted under light and dark conditions revealed a high photodynamic therapy potential of our construct. Furthermore, we found that the combined effect of DOX and NOPs from NOP-DOX@BSA-FA resulted in cell death approximately eightfold high compared to free DOX. We propose that NOP-DOX@BSA-FA is a potential photodynamic therapy agent and a collective drug delivery system for the systemic administration of cancer chemotherapeutics resulting in combination therapy.

  18. Demonstration of a free-space optical communication system using a solar-pumped laser as signal transmitter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guan, Z.; Zhao, C. M.; Yang, S. H.; Wang, Y.; Ke, J. Y.; Zhang, H. Y.

    2017-05-01

    A free-space optical communication system with a sun light directly pumped laser as the signal transmitter was demonstrated. A 0.6  ×  0.6 m Fresnel lens was used as the primary concentrator to collect the solar light. 6.8 W continuous wave laser power was obtained from a 4 mm diameter grooved Nd:YAG rod. The output intensity was modulated with a video signal via a LiNbO3 Mach-Zehnder optoelectronic modulator. The video signal with a resolution of 1920  *  1080/frame and the frame rate of 25 Hz was transmitted over five-meter free-space in real time with high fidelity. The transmission rate was 125 Mbps and bit error rate was lower than 10-6. This research shows the feasibility of applying a solar light directly pumped laser for free-space optical communication, which is significant for telecommunications between satellites.

  19. A trifurcated fiber-optic-probe-based optical system designed for AGEs measurement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Yikun; Zhang, Long; Zhu, Ling; Liu, Yong; Zhang, Gong; Wang, An

    2012-03-01

    Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) are biochemical end-products of non-enzymatic glycation and are formed irreversibly in human serum and skin tissue. AGEs are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and corresponding complications. All conventional methods for measuring AGEs must take sampling and measure in vitro. These methods are invasive and have the problem of relatively time-consuming. AGEs have fluorescent characteristics. Skin AGEs can be assessed noninvasively by collecting the fluorescence emitted from skin tissue when excited with proper light. However, skin tissue has absorption and scattering effects on fluorescence of AGEs, it is not reliable to evaluate the accumulation of AGEs according the emitted fluorescence but not considering optical properties of skin tissue. In this study, a portable system for detecting AGEs fluorescence and skin reflectance spectrum simultaneously has been developed. The system mainly consists of an ultraviolet light source, a broadband light source, a trifurcated fiber-optic probe, and a compact charge coupled device (CCD) spectrometer. The fiber-optic probe consists of 36 optical fibers which are connected to the ultraviolet light source, 6 optical fibers connected to the broadband light source, and a core fiber connected to the CCD spectrometer. Demonstrative test measurements with the system on skin tissue of 40 healthy subjects have been performed. Using parameters that are calculated from skin reflectance spectrum, the distortion effects caused by skin absorption and scattering can be eliminated, and the integral intensity of corrected fluorescence has a strong correlation with the accumulation of AGEs. The system looks very promising for both laboratory and clinical applications to monitor AGEs related diseases, especially for chronic diabetes and complications.

  20. Quantitative analysis of transcranial and intraparenchymal light penetration in human cadaver brain tissue.

    PubMed

    Tedford, Clark E; DeLapp, Scott; Jacques, Steven; Anders, Juanita

    2015-04-01

    Photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level light therapy has been used successfully for the treatment of injury and disease of the nervous system. The use of PBM to treat injury and diseases of the brain requires an in-depth understanding of light propagation through tissues including scalp, skull, meninges, and brain. This study investigated the light penetration gradients in the human cadaver brain using a Transcranial Laser System with a 30 mm diameter beam of 808 nm wavelength light. In addition, the wavelength-dependence of light scatter and absorbance in intraparenchymal brain tissue using 660, 808, and 940 nm wavelengths was investigated. Intact human cadaver heads (n = 8) were obtained for measurement of light propagation through the scalp/skull/meninges and into brain tissue. The cadaver heads were sectioned in either the transverse or mid-sagittal. The sectioned head was mounted into a cranial fixture with an 808 nm wavelength laser system illuminating the head from beneath with either pulsed-wave (PW) or continuous-wave (CW) laser light. A linear array of nine isotropic optical fibers on a 5 mm pitch was inserted into the brain tissue along the optical axis of the beam. Light collected from each fiber was delivered to a multichannel power meter. As the array was lowered into the tissue, the power from each probe was recorded at 5 mm increments until the inner aspect of the dura mater was reached. Intraparenchymal light penetration measurements were made by delivering a series of wavelengths (660, 808, and 940 nm) through a separate optical fiber within the array, which was offset from the array line by 5 mm. Local light penetration was determined and compared across the selected wavelengths. Unfixed cadaver brains provide good anatomical localization and reliable measurements of light scatter and penetration in the CNS tissues. Transcranial application of 808 nm wavelength light penetrated the scalp, skull, meninges, and brain to a depth of approximately 40 mm with an effective attenuation coefficient for the system of 2.22 cm(-1) . No differences were observed in the results between the PW and CW laser light. The intraparenchymal studies demonstrated less absorption and scattering for the 808 nm wavelength light compared to the 660 or 940 nm wavelengths. Transcranial light measurements of unfixed human cadaver brains allowed for determinations of light penetration variables. While unfixed human cadaver studies do not reflect all the conditions seen in the living condition, comparisons of light scatter and penetration and estimates of fluence levels can be used to establish further clinical dosing. The 808 nm wavelength light demonstrated superior CNS tissue penetration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. Research applications of night-time aerial photography, from local to global scales

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hale, J.; Sadler, J.

    2012-12-01

    Artificial lighting of the earth's surface is changing at a global scale, with numerous social, economic and environmental implications. In many regions, the extent, brightness and spectral range of lighting is increasing, reflecting economic and technological development, population growth and urbanization. Its benefits include improving the perception of neighbourhood safety and increasing people's options for when activities can take place. Impacts range from the disruption of sleep patterns by a single street lamp to obscured views of the night sky for tens of kilometers surrounding an urban area. There is therefore a need to secure baseline maps of artificial lighting, and to detect changes in their extent and quality over time. Considerable success has been achieved in generating global lighting datasets from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) data, which have been used to support a broad range of research and policy applications. However, their coarse spatial and spectral resolution and difficulties in radiance calibration have been recognised as barriers to some potential applications. We present the first multi-spectral radiance calibrated lighting data for cities at a fine spatial resolution (10cm). We then illustrate how these data can be effective for exploring relationships between lighting and urban form, and that they can support the radiance calibration of lighting datasets with much greater spatial extents. Color night photography was collected for two major English cities - Birmingham and London. Ground photometry and radiometry surveys were undertaken, permitting the reclassification of the images to represent incident lux and the identification and classification of individual lamps. Total illuminated area and lamp density both correlated positively with percentage built surface cover, although the strength of these relationships differed between cities. This suggests that artificial lighting may not be useful as a consistent predictor of built density, but that some form of collinearity should still be expected in studies that employ built density gradients. The collection of digital color night photography from the International Space Station (ISS) presents an opportunity to rapidly map artificial lighting at a medium resolution and large extent, but radiance calibrated data do not yet exist. We therefore used our ground surveys and aerial night photographs of London to reclassify pixels within an ISS image of SE England to represent upward radiant flux. In addition, we were able to explore whether the estimated radiance values for each pixel resulted from a few bright light sources or multiple dim lamps, raising the possibility of improved estimates of lighting character based on prior probability models. Given the global step-change underway in artificial lighting and the high demand for data on urban systems, our results suggest that a suite of complimentary lighting measurement techniques that includes night-time aerial photography would be beneficial.

  2. Real-time alkali monitoring system

    DOEpatents

    Goff, David R.; Romanosky, Robert R.; Hensel, Peter

    1990-01-01

    A fiber optics based optical emission line monitoring system is provided in which selected spectral emission lines, such as the sodium emission line, may be detected in the presence of interfering background radiation. A combustion flame is fed by a diverted portion of a process stream and the common end of a bifurcated or quadfurcated fiber optic light guide is adapted to collect light from the flame. The light is guided through the branches of the fiber optic cable to bandpass filters, one of which is adapted to each of the branches of the fiber optic light guide. The bandpass filters are centered at wavelengths corresponding to the emission lines to be detected and two separate filters are required for each species being detected. The first filter has a bandwidth of about 3 nms and the second filter has a bandwidth of about 10 nms. Light detectors are located to view the light passing through the bandpass filters and amplifiers are connected to receive signals from the light detectors. The amplifier corresponding to the bandpass filter having the narrower bandwidth is preset to scale the signal by a factor equal to the ratio of the wide and narrow bandwidths of the bandpass filters. This scaling produces a scaled signal from which the difference between the scaled signal on the other signal can be calculated to produce a signal having an amplitude directly proportional to the concentration of the species of interest and independent of background radiation.

  3. Method for measuring changes in light absorption of highly scattering media

    DOEpatents

    Bigio, Irving J.; Johnson, Tamara M.; Mourant, Judith R.

    2002-01-01

    The noninvasive measurement of variations in absorption that are due to changes in concentrations of biochemically relevant compounds in tissue is important in many clinical settings. One problem with such measurements is that the pathlength traveled by the collected light through the tissue depends on the scattering properties of the tissue. It is demonstrated, using both Monte Carlo simulations and experimental measurements, that for an appropriate separation between light-delivery and light-collection fibers, the pathlength of the collected photons is insensitive to scattering parameters for the range of parameters typically found in tissue. This is important for developing rapid, noninvasive, inexpensive, and accurate methods for measuring absorption changes in tissue.

  4. A Hidden State in Light-Harvesting Complex II Revealed By Multipulse Spectroscopy

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) is pivotal both for collecting solar radiation for photosynthesis, and for protection against photodamage under high light intensities (via a process called nonphotochemical quenching, NPQ). Aggregation of LHCII is associated with fluorescence quenching, and is used as an in vitro model system of NPQ. However, there is no agreement on the nature of the quencher and on the validity of aggregation as a model system. Here, we use ultrafast multipulse spectroscopy to populate a quenched state in unquenched (unaggregated) LHCII. The state shows characteristic features of lutein and chlorophyll, suggesting that it is an excitonically coupled state between these two compounds. This state decays in approximately 10 ps, making it a strong competitor for photodamage and photochemical quenching. It is observed in trimeric and monomeric LHCII, upon re-excitation with pulses of different wavelengths and duration. We propose that this state is always present, but is scarcely populated under low light intensities. Under high light intensities it may become more accessible, e.g. by conformational changes, and then form a quenching channel. The same state may be the cause of fluorescence blinking observed in single-molecule spectroscopy of LHCII trimers, where a small subpopulation is in an energetically higher state where the pathway to the quencher opens up. PMID:25815531

  5. Simultaneous CCD Photometry of Two Eclipsing Binary Stars in Pegasus - Part2: BX Peg

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alton, K. B.

    2013-05-01

    BX Peg is an overcontact W UMa binary system (P = 0.280416 d) which has been rather well studied, but not fully understood due to complex changes in eclipse timings and light curve variations attributed to star spots. Photometric data collected in three bandpasses (B, V, and Ic) produced nineteen new times of minimum for BX Peg. These were used to update the linear ephemeris and further analyze potential changes in orbital periodicity by examining long-term changes in eclipse timings. In addition, synthetic fitting of light curves by Roche modeling was accomplished with the assistance of three different programs, two of which employ the Wilson-Devinney code. Different spotted solutions were necessary to achieve the best Roche model fits for BX Peg light curves collected in 2008 and 2011. Overall, the long-;term decrease (9.66 × 10-3 sec y-1) in orbital period defined by the parabolic fit of eclipse timing data could arise from mass transfer or angular momentum loss. The remaining residuals from observed minus predicted eclipse timings for BX Peg exhibit complex but non-random behavior. These may be related to magnetic activity cycles and/or the presence of an unseen mass influencing the times of minimum, however, additional minima need to be collected over a much longer timescale to resolve the nature of these complex changes.

  6. Effects of LED-backlit computer screen and emotional selfregulation on human melatonin production.

    PubMed

    Sroykham, Watchara; Wongsawat, Yodchanan

    2013-01-01

    Melatonin is a circadian hormone transmitted via suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus and sympathetic nervous system to the pineal gland. It is a hormone necessary to many human functions such as immune, cardiovascular, neuron and sleep/awake functions. Since melatonin enhancement or suppression is reported to be closely related to the photic information from retina, in this paper, we aim further to study both the lighting condition and the emotional self-regulation in different lighting conditions together with their effects on the production of human melatonin. In this experiment, five participants are in three light exposure conditions by LED backlit computer screen (No light, Red light (∼650nm) and Blue light (∼470nm)) for 30 minute (8-8:30pm), then they are collected saliva both before and after the experiments. After the experiment, the participants are also asked to answer the emotional self-regulation questionnaire of PANAS and BRUMS regarding each light exposure condition. These results show that positive mood mean difference of PANAS between no light and red light is significant with p=0.001. Tension, depression, fatigue, confusion and vigor from BRUMS are not significantly changed while we can observe the significant change in anger mood. Finally, we can also report that the blue light of LED-backlit computer screen significantly suppress melatonin production (91%) more than red light (78%) and no light (44%).

  7. 76 FR 4452 - Privacy Act of 1974; Report of Modified or Altered System of Records

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-01-25

    ... Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more complete knowledge of the disease/condition in the following... the light of future discoveries and proven associations so that relevant data collected at the time of... professional staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more complete knowledge of the...

  8. Spatiotemporal modeling of ecological and sociological predictors of West Nile virus in Suffolk County, NY, mosquitoes

    EPA Science Inventory

    Suffolk County, New York, is a locus for West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the American northeast that includes the majority of Long Island to the east of New York City. The county has a system of light and gravid traps used for mosquito collection and disease monitoring. In ord...

  9. A spatiotemporal model of ecological and sociological predictors of West Nile virus in Suffolk County, NY mosquitoes

    EPA Science Inventory

    Background/Question/Methods Suffolk County, New York is a locus for West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the American northeast that includes the majority of Long Island to the east of New York City. The county has a robust system of light and gravid traps used for mosquito collect...

  10. A Change Management, Systems Thinking, or Organizational Development Approach to the No Child Left Behind Act

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Galloway, Dominique L.

    2007-01-01

    Problems with implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) can be assessed in light of change management theory. Viewing stakeholders collectively as a corporate entity supports employing change management strategies to make the NCLB work. Examining ways that organizational controls and change management can work together points to…

  11. Airborne Laser Polar Nephelometer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grams, Gerald W.

    1973-01-01

    A polar nephelometer has been developed at NCAR to measure the angular variation of the intensity of light scattered by air molecules and particles. The system has been designed for airborne measurements using outside air ducted through a 5-cm diameter airflow tube; the sample volume is that which is common to the intersection of a collimated source beam and the detector field of view within the airflow tube. The source is a linearly polarized helium-neon laser beam. The optical system defines a collimated field-of-view (0.5deg half-angle) through a series of diaphragms located behind a I72-mm focal length objective lens. A photomultiplier tube is located immediately behind an aperture in the focal plane of the objective lens. The laser beam is mechanically chopped (on-off) at a rate of 5 Hz; a two-channel pulse counter, synchronized to the laser output, measures the photomultiplier pulse rate with the light beam both on and off. The difference in these measured pulse rates is directly proportional to the intensity of the scattered light from the volume common to the intersection of the laser beam and the detector field-of-view. Measurements can be made at scattering angles from 15deg to 165deg with reference to the direction of propagation of the light beam. Intermediate angles are obtained by selecting the angular increments desired between these extreme angles (any multiple of 0.1deg can be selected for the angular increment; 5deg is used in normal operation). Pulses provided by digital circuits control a stepping motor which sequentially rotates the detector by pre-selected angular increments. The synchronous photon-counting system automatically begins measurement of the scattered-light intensity immediately after the rotation to a new angle has been completed. The instrument has been flown on the NASA Convair 990 airborne laboratory to obtain data on the complex index of refraction of atmospheric aerosols. A particle impaction device is operated simultaneously to collect particles from the same airflow tube used to make the scattered-light measurements. A size distribution function is obtained by analysis of the particles collected by the impaction device. Calculated values of the angular variation of the scattered-light intensity are obtained by applying Mie scattering theory to the observed size distribution function and assuming different values of the complex index of refraction of the particles. The calculated values are then compared with data on the actual variation of the scattered-light intensity obtained with the polar nephelometer. The most probable value of the complex refractive index is that which provides the best fit between the experimental light scattering data and the parameters calculated from the observed size distribution function.

  12. Optoelectronic system of online measurements of unburned carbon in coal fly ash

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Golas, Janusz; Jankowski, Henryk; Niewczas, Bogdan; Piechna, Janusz; Skiba, Antoni; Szkutnik, Wojciech; Szkutnik, Zdzislaw P.; Wartak, Ryszarda; Worek, Cezary

    2001-08-01

    Carbon-in-ash level is an important consideration for combustion efficiency as well as ash marketing. The optoelectronic analyzing system for on-line determination and monitoring of the u burned carbon content of ash samples is presented. The apparatus operates on the principle that carbon content is proportional to the reflectance of IR light. Ash samples are collected iso kinetically from the flue gas duct and placed in a sample tube with a flat glass bottom. The same is then exposed to a light. The reflectance intensity is used by the system's computer to determine residual carbon content from correlation curves. The sample is then air purged back to the duct or to the attached sample canister to enable laboratory check analysis. The total cycle time takes between 5 and 10 minutes. Real time result of carbon content with accuracy 0.3-0.7 percent are reported and can be used for boiler controlling.

  13. Atmospheric effects on active illumination

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shaw, Scot E. J.; Kansky, Jan E.

    2005-08-01

    For some beam-control applications, we can rely on the cooperation of the target when gathering information about the target location and the state of the atmosphere between the target and the beam-control system. The typical example is a cooperative point-source beacon on the target. Light from such a beacon allows the beam-control system to track the target accurately, and, if higher-order adaptive optics is to be employed, to make wave-front measurements and apply appropriate corrections with a deformable mirror. In many applications, including directed-energy weapons, the target is not cooperative. In the absence of a cooperative beacon, we must find other ways to collect the relevant information. This can be accomplished with an active-illumination system. Typically, this means shining one or more lasers at the target and observing the reflected light. In this paper, we qualitatively explore a number of difficulties inherent to active illumination, and suggest some possible mitigation techniques.

  14. Collection efficiency of a single optical fiber in turbid media.

    PubMed

    Bargo, Paulo R; Prahl, Scott A; Jacques, Steven L

    2003-06-01

    If a single optical fiber is used for both delivery and collection of light, two major factors affect the measurement of collected light: (1) the light transport in the medium that describes the amount of light that returns to the fiber and (2) the light coupling to the optical fiber that depends on the angular distribution of photons entering the fiber. We focus on the importance of the latter factor and describe how the efficiency of the coupling depends on the optical properties of the medium. For highly scattering tissues, the efficiency is well predicted by the numerical aperture (NA) of the fiber. For lower scattering, such as in soft tissues, photons arrive at the fiber from deeper depths, and the coupling efficiency could increase twofold to threefold above that predicted by the NA.

  15. Solar receiver with integrated optics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Lun; Winston, Roland

    2012-10-01

    The current challenge for PV/Thermal (PV/T) systems is the reduction of radiation heat loss. Compared to solar thermal selective coating, the solar cells cannot be used as an efficient thermal absorber due to their large emissivity of the encapsulation material. Many commercial PV/T products therefore require a high concentration (more than 10x) to reach an acceptable thermal efficiency for their receivers. Such a concentration system inevitably has to track or semi-track, which induces additional cost and collects only the direct radiation from the sun. We propose a new PV/T design using a vacuum encapsulated thin film cell to solve this problem. The proposed design also collects the diffuse sun light efficiently by using an external compound parabolic concentrator (XCPC). Since the transparent electrode (TCO) of thin film cell is inherently transparent in visible light and reflective beyond infrared, this design uses this layer instead of the conventional solar cell encapsulation as the outmost heat loss surface. By integrating such a vacuum design with a tube shaped absorber, we reduce the complexity of conducting the heat energy and electricity out of the device. A low concentration standalone non-tracking solar collector is proposed in this paper. We also analyzed the thermosyphon system configuration using heat transfer and ray tracing models. The economics of such a receiver are presented.

  16. An automated digital data collection and analysis system for the Charpy Impact Tester

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kohne, Glenn S.; Spiegel, F. Xavier

    1994-01-01

    The standard Charpy Impact Tester has been modified by the addition of a system of hardware and software to improve the accuracy and consistency of measurements made during specimen fracturing experiments. An optical disc, light source, and detector generate signals that indicate the pendulum position as a function of time. These signals are used by a computer to calculate the velocity and kinetic energy of the pendulum as a function of its position.

  17. Active Stand-off Detection of Gas Leaks Using a Short Range Hard-target Backscatter Differential Optical Absorption System Based on a Quantum Cascade Laser Transmitter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Diaz, Adrian; Thomas, Benjamin; Castillo, Paulo; Gross, Barry; Moshary, Fred

    2016-06-01

    Fugitive gas emissions from agricultural or industrial plants and gas pipelines are an important environmental concern as they can contribute to the global increase of greenhouse gas concentration. Moreover, they are also a security and safety concern because of possible risk of fire/explosion or toxicity. This study presents gas concentration measurements using a quantum cascade laser open path system (QCLOPS). The system retrieves the pathaveraged concentration of N2O and CH4 by collecting the backscattered light from a scattering target. The gas concentration measurements have a high temporal resolution (68 ms) and are achieved at sufficient range (up to 40 m, ~ 130 feet) with a detection limit of 2.6 ppm CH4 and 0.4 ppm for N2O. Given these characteristics, this system is promising for mobile/multidirectional remote detection and evaluation of gas leaks. The instrument is monostatic with a tunable QCL emitting at ~ 7.7 μm wavelength range. The backscattered radiation is collected by a Newtonian telescope and focused on an infrared light detector. Puffs of N2O and CH4 are released along the optical path to simulate a gas leak. The measured absorption spectrum is obtained using the thermal intra-pulse frequency chirped DFB QCL and is analyzed to obtain path averaged gas concentrations.

  18. Gamma bang time/reaction history diagnostics for the National Ignition Facility using 90 degrees off-axis parabolic mirrors.

    PubMed

    Malone, R M; Herrmann, H W; Stoeffl, W; Mack, J M; Young, C S

    2008-10-01

    Gas Cherenkov detectors (GCDs) have been used to convert fusion gamma into photons to achieve gamma bang time and reaction history measurements. The GCDs designed for OMEGA used Cassegrain reflector optics in order to fit inside a 10 in. manipulator. A novel design for the National Ignition Facility using 90 degrees off-axis parabolic mirrors will increase light collection efficiency from fusion gammas and achieve minimum time dispersion. The broadband Cherenkov light (from 200 to 800 nm) is relayed into a high-speed detector using three parabolic mirrors. Because light is collected from many source planes throughout the CO(2) gas volume, the detector is positioned at the stop position rather than at an image position. The stop diameter and its position are independent of the light-generation location along the gas cell. The current design collects light from a 100 mm diameter by 500 mm long gas volume. Optical ray tracings demonstrate how light can be collected from different angled trajectories of the Compton electrons as they fly through the CO(2) gas volume. A cluster of four channels will allow for increased dynamic range as well as for different gamma energy threshold sensitivities.

  19. Design and implementation of a full profile sub-cm ruby laser based Thomson scattering system for MAST

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    O'Gorman, T.; Mc Carthy, P. J.; Prunty, S.; Walsh, M. J.; Dunstan, M. R.; Huxford, R. B.; Naylor, G.; Maguet, Emmanuel; Scannell, R.; Shibaev, S.

    2010-12-01

    A major upgrade to the ruby Thomson scattering (TS) system has been designed and implemented on the Mega-ampere spherical tokamak (MAST). MAST is equipped with two TS systems, a Nd:YAG laser system and a ruby laser system. Apart from common collection optics each system provides independent measurements of the electron temperature and density profile. This paper focuses on the recent upgrades to the ruby TS system. The upgraded ruby TS system measures 512 points across the major radius of the MAST vessel. The ruby laser can deliver one 10 J 40 ns pulse at 1 Hz or two 5 J pulses separated by 100-800 μs. The Thomson scattered light is collected at F/15 over 1.4 m. This system can resolve small (7 mm) structures at 200 points in both the electron temperature and density channels at high optical contrast; ˜50% modulated transfer function. The system is fully automated for each MAST discharge and requires little adjustment. The estimated measurement error for a 7 mm radial point is <4% of T_e and <3% of n_e in the range of 40 eV to 2 keV, for a density of n_e=2 × 10^{19} m ^{-3}. The photon statistics at lower density can be increased by binning in the radial direction as desired. A new intensified CCD camera design allows the ruby TS system to take two snapshots separated with a minimum time of 230 μs. This is exploited to measure two density and temperature profiles or to measure the plasma background light.

  20. The design of infrared information collection circuit based on embedded technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Haoting; Zhang, Yicong

    2013-07-01

    S3C2410 processor is a 16/32 bit RISC embedded processor which based on ARM920T core and AMNA bus, and mainly for handheld devices, and high cost, low-power applications. This design introduces a design plan of the PIR sensor system, circuit and its assembling, debugging. The Application Circuit of the passive PIR alarm uses the invisibility of the infrared radiation well into the alarm system, and in order to achieve the anti-theft alarm and security purposes. When the body goes into the range of PIR sensor detection, sensors will detect heat sources and then the sensor will output a weak signal. The Signal should be amplified, compared and delayed; finally light emitting diodes emit light, playing the role of a police alarm.

  1. Long term evolution of surface features on the unusual close binary V361 Lyr

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lister, T. A.

    2009-02-01

    V361 Lyr has been recognized as an unusual, possibly unique, pre-contact binary which is though to be evolving from a detached binary system into a W UMa contact binary system due to Angular Momentum Loss (AML) and mass transfer. The mass transfer and resulting hot spot on the secondary star allow the physics of accretion to be studied without the normal difficulties of disks and winds that are present in T Tauri stars. I present light curves obtained over a 10 year period as part of long term monitoring program obtained with a variety of telescopes, collect all available times of minima from the literature along with those determined from the light curves and determine the rate of period change.

  2. An in-Depth Survey of Visible Light Communication Based Positioning Systems

    PubMed Central

    Do, Trong-Hop; Yoo, Myungsik

    2016-01-01

    While visible light communication (VLC) has become the candidate for the wireless technology of the 21st century due to its inherent advantages, VLC based positioning also has a great chance of becoming the standard approach to positioning. Within the last few years, many studies on VLC based positioning have been published, but there are not many survey works in this field. In this paper, an in-depth survey of VLC based positioning systems is provided. More than 100 papers ranging from pioneering papers to the state-of-the-art in the field were collected and classified based on the positioning algorithms, the types of receivers, and the multiplexing techniques. In addition, current issues and research trends in VLC based positioning are discussed. PMID:27187395

  3. Efficiency of colored modified box traps for sampling of tabanids.

    PubMed

    Krčmar, Stjepan; Radolić, Vanja; Lajoš, Petar; Lukačević, Igor

    2014-01-01

    The efficiency of ten differently colored modified box traps for collecting tabanids was studied in the Monjoroš Forest in eastern Croatia. A total of 5,436 specimens belonging to 16 species of tabanids grouped into six genera were collected. The genus Tabanus was the most represented with 98% of all collected tabanids. Tabanus bromius comprised 90% of tabanids collected, and was the most abundant species collected in all box traps. The majority of tabanids (74%) were collected from black, brown, bordeaux, red, and blue traps (dark group), whereas 26% were collected from green, light violet, white, orange, and yellow traps (light group). The black modified trap was the most successful and collected 20% of all collected tabanids, whereas the yellow trap was the least effective with 1%. The number of collected specimens of species T. bromius differed significantly between the dark and light group of traps. Traps with lower reflectance from green color collected 77% of T. bromius. The most species of tabanids (12) was collected in the brown trap, whereas the least number of species (6) was collected in the yellow trap. © S. Krčmar et al., published by EDP Sciences, 2014.

  4. A Multi-year Multi-passband CCD Photometric Study of the W UMa Binary EQ Tauri

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alton, K. B.

    2009-12-01

    A revised ephemeris and updated orbital period for EQ Tau have been determined from newly acquired (2007-2009) CCD-derived photometric data. A Roche-type model based on the Wilson-Devinney code produced simultaneous theoretical fits of light curve data in three passbands by invoking cold spots on the primary component. These new model fits, along with similar light curve data for EQ Tau collected during the previous six seasons (2000-2006), provided a rare opportunity to follow the seasonal appearance of star spots on a W UMa binary system over nine consecutive years. Fixed values for q, ?1,2, T1, T2, and i based upon the mean of eleven separately determined model fits produced for this system are hereafter proposed for future light curve modeling of EQ Tau. With the exception of the 2001 season all other light curves produced since then required a spotted solution to address the flux asymmetry exhibited by this binary system at Max I and Max II. At least one cold spot on the primary appears in seven out of twelve light curves for EQ Tau produced over the last nine years, whereas in six instances two cold spots on the primary star were invoked to improve the model fit. Solutions using a hot spot were less common and involved positioning a single spot on the primary constituent during the 2001-2002, 2002-2003, and 2005-2006 seasons.

  5. History of Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1986-01-01

    This image illustrates the Hubble Space Telescope's (HST's) Optical Telescope Assembly (OTA). One of the three major elements of the HST, the OTA consists of two mirrors (a primary mirror and a secondary mirror), support trusses, and the focal plane structure. The mirrors collect and focus light from selected celestial objects and are housed near the center of the telescope. The primary mirror captures light from objects in space and focuses it toward the secondary mirror. The secondary mirror redirects the light to a focal plane where the Scientific Instruments are located. The primary mirror is 94.5 inches (2.4 meters) in diameter and the secondary mirror is 12.2 inches (0.3 meters) in diameter. The purpose of the HST, the most complex and sensitive optical telescope ever made, is to study the cosmos from a low-Earth Orbit. By placing the telescope in space, astronomers are able to collect data that is free of the Earth's atmosphere. The HST detects objects 25 times fainter than the dimmest objects seen from the Earth and provides astronomers with an observable universe 250 times larger than visible from ground-based telescopes, perhaps as far away as 14 billion light-years. The HST views galaxies, stars, planets, comets, possibly other solar systems, and even unusual phenomena such as quasars, with 10 times the clarity of ground-based telescopes. The spacecraft is 42.5 feet (13 meters) long and weighs 25,000 pounds (11,600 kilograms). The HST was deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31 mission) into Earth orbit in April 1990. The Marshall Space Flight Center had responsibility for design, development, and construction of the HST. The Perkin-Elmer Corporation, in Danbury, Cornecticut, developed the optical system and guidance sensors. The Lockheed Missile and Space Company of Sunnyvale, California produced the protective outer shroud and spacecraft systems, and assembled and tested the finished telescope.

  6. Pressure-sensitive optrode

    DOEpatents

    Hirschfeld, T.B.

    1985-04-09

    An apparatus and method are disclosed for sensing changes in pressure and for generating optical signals related to changes in pressure. Light from a fiber optic is directed to a movable surface which is coated with a light-responsive material, and which moves relative to the end of the fiber optic in response to changes in pressure. The same fiber optic collects a portion of the reflected or emitted light from the movable surface. Changes in pressure are determined by measuring changes in the amount of light collected. 5 figs.

  7. Research into a Single-aperture Light Field Camera System to Obtain Passive Ground-based 3D Imagery of LEO Objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bechis, K.; Pitruzzello, A.

    2014-09-01

    This presentation describes our ongoing research into using a ground-based light field camera to obtain passive, single-aperture 3D imagery of LEO objects. Light field cameras are an emerging and rapidly evolving technology for passive 3D imaging with a single optical sensor. The cameras use an array of lenslets placed in front of the camera focal plane, which provides angle of arrival information for light rays originating from across the target, allowing range to target and 3D image to be obtained from a single image using monocular optics. The technology, which has been commercially available for less than four years, has the potential to replace dual-sensor systems such as stereo cameras, dual radar-optical systems, and optical-LIDAR fused systems, thus reducing size, weight, cost, and complexity. We have developed a prototype system for passive ranging and 3D imaging using a commercial light field camera and custom light field image processing algorithms. Our light field camera system has been demonstrated for ground-target surveillance and threat detection applications, and this paper presents results of our research thus far into applying this technology to the 3D imaging of LEO objects. The prototype 3D imaging camera system developed by Northrop Grumman uses a Raytrix R5 C2GigE light field camera connected to a Windows computer with an nVidia graphics processing unit (GPU). The system has a frame rate of 30 Hz, and a software control interface allows for automated camera triggering and light field image acquisition to disk. Custom image processing software then performs the following steps: (1) image refocusing, (2) change detection, (3) range finding, and (4) 3D reconstruction. In Step (1), a series of 2D images are generated from each light field image; the 2D images can be refocused at up to 100 different depths. Currently, steps (1) through (3) are automated, while step (4) requires some user interaction. A key requirement for light field camera operation is that the target must be within the near-field (Fraunhofer distance) of the collecting optics. For example, in visible light the near-field of a 1-m telescope extends out to about 3,500 km, while the near-field of the AEOS telescope extends out over 46,000 km. For our initial proof of concept, we have integrated our light field camera with a 14-inch Meade LX600 advanced coma-free telescope, to image various surrogate ground targets at up to tens of kilometers range. Our experiments with the 14-inch telescope have assessed factors and requirements that are traceable and scalable to a larger-aperture system that would have the near-field distance needed to obtain 3D images of LEO objects. The next step would be to integrate a light field camera with a 1-m or larger telescope and evaluate its 3D imaging capability against LEO objects. 3D imaging of LEO space objects with light field camera technology can potentially provide a valuable new tool for space situational awareness, especially for those situations where laser or radar illumination of the target objects is not feasible.

  8. A model for the Global Quantum Efficiency for a TPB-based wavelength-shifting system used with photomultiplier tubes in liquid argon in MicroBooNE

    DOE PAGES

    Pate, S. F.; Wester, T.; Bugel, L.; ...

    2018-02-28

    We present a model for the Global Quantum Efficiency (GQE) of the MicroBooNE optical units. An optical unit consists of a flat, circular acrylic plate, coated with tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), positioned near the photocathode of a 20.2-cm diameter photomultiplier tube. The plate converts the ultra-violet scintillation photons from liquid argon into visible-spectrum photons to which the cryogenic phototubes are sensitive. The GQE is the convolution of the efficiency of the plates that convert the 128 nm scintillation light from liquid argon to visible light, the efficiency of the shifted light to reach the photocathode, and the efficiency of the cryogenic photomultiplier tube. We develop a GEANT4-based model of the optical unit, based on first principles, and obtain the range of probable values for the expected number of detected photoelectrons (more » $$N_{\\rm PE}$$) given the known systematic errors on the simulation parameters. We compare results from four measurements of the $$N_{\\rm PE}$$ determined using alpha-particle sources placed at two distances from a TPB-coated plate in a liquid argon cryostat test stand. We also directly measured the radial dependence of the quantum efficiency, and find that this has the same shape as predicted by our model. Our model results in a GQE of $$0.0055\\pm0.0009$$ for the MicroBooNE optical units. While the information shown here is MicroBooNE specific, the approach to the model and the collection of simulation parameters will be widely applicable to many liquid-argon-based light collection systems.« less

  9. A model for the Global Quantum Efficiency for a TPB-based wavelength-shifting system used with photomultiplier tubes in liquid argon in MicroBooNE

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

    Pate, S. F.; Wester, T.; Bugel, L.

    We present a model for the Global Quantum Efficiency (GQE) of the MicroBooNE optical units. An optical unit consists of a flat, circular acrylic plate, coated with tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), positioned near the photocathode of a 20.2-cm diameter photomultiplier tube. The plate converts the ultra-violet scintillation photons from liquid argon into visible-spectrum photons to which the cryogenic phototubes are sensitive. The GQE is the convolution of the efficiency of the plates that convert the 128 nm scintillation light from liquid argon to visible light, the efficiency of the shifted light to reach the photocathode, and the efficiency of the cryogenic photomultiplier tube. We develop a GEANT4-based model of the optical unit, based on first principles, and obtain the range of probable values for the expected number of detected photoelectrons (more » $$N_{\\rm PE}$$) given the known systematic errors on the simulation parameters. We compare results from four measurements of the $$N_{\\rm PE}$$ determined using alpha-particle sources placed at two distances from a TPB-coated plate in a liquid argon cryostat test stand. We also directly measured the radial dependence of the quantum efficiency, and find that this has the same shape as predicted by our model. Our model results in a GQE of $$0.0055\\pm0.0009$$ for the MicroBooNE optical units. While the information shown here is MicroBooNE specific, the approach to the model and the collection of simulation parameters will be widely applicable to many liquid-argon-based light collection systems.« less

  10. Comparative estimates of density and species diversity in adult mosquito populations landing on a human subject and captured using light and suction traps.

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Comparative responses of 21 species of mosquitoes to light traps (LT) and suction traps (ST) and captured using the human landing collection method (HL) varied in accordance with collection technique but data analyses for most species revealed significant interaction between collection method and th...

  11. Individually tailored light intervention through closed eyelids to promote circadian alignment and sleep health

    PubMed Central

    Figueiro, Mariana G.

    2016-01-01

    Background Light is most effective at changing the timing of the circadian clock when applied close to the core body temperature minimum. The present study investigated, in a home setting, if individually tailored light treatment using flashing blue light delivered through closed eyelids during the early part of the sleep period delayed circadian phase and sleep in a population of healthy older adults and in those suffering from early awakening insomnia. Methods Twenty-eight participants (9 early awakening insomniacs) completed an 8-week, within-subjects study. Twice, participants collected data during two baseline weeks and one intervention week. During the intervention week, participants wore a flashing blue (active) or a flashing red (control) light mask during sleep. Light was expected to delay circadian phase. Saliva samples for dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) were collected at the end of each baseline and intervention week. Wrist actigraphy and Daysimeter, a calibrated light and activity meter, data were collected during the entire study. Results Compared to baseline, flashing blue light, but not flashing red light, significantly (p<0.05) delayed DLMO. The mean ± standard deviation phase shift (minutes) was 0:06 ± 0:30 for the flashing red light and 0:34 ± 0:30 for the flashing blue light. Compared to Day 1, sleep start times were significantly delayed (by approximately 46 minutes) at Day 7 after the flashing blue light. The light intervention did not affect sleep efficiency. Conclusions The present study demonstrated the feasibility of using light through closed eyelids during sleep for promoting circadian alignment and sleep health. PMID:26985450

  12. Development of an integrated endoscopic device for multiplexed low coherence interferometry measurements of microbicide gel coating thickness

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Drake, Tyler K.; Robles, Francisco E.; DeSoto, Michael; Henderson, Marcus H.; Katz, David F.; Wax, Adam P.

    2009-02-01

    Microbicide gels are topical products that have recently been developed to combat sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. The extent of gel coverage, thickness, and structure are crucial factors in gel effectiveness. It is necessary to be able to monitor gel distribution and behavior under various circumstances, such as coatis, and over an extended time scale in vivo. We have developed a multiplexed, Fourier-domain low coherence interferometry (LCI) system as a practical method of measuring microbicide gel distribution, with precision and accuracy comparable to currently used fluorometric techniques techniques. The multiplexed system achieved a broad scanning area without the need for a mechanical scanning device, typical of OCT systems, by utilizing six parallel channels with simultaneous data collection. We now propose an imaging module which will allow the integration of the multiplexed LCI system into the current fluorescence system in conjunction with an endoscope. The LCI imaging module will meet several key criteria in order to be compatible with the current system. The fluorescent system features a 4-mm diameter rigid endsoscope enclosed in a 27-mm diameter polycarbonate tube, with a water immersion tip. Therefore, the LCI module must be low-profile as well as water-resistant to fit inside the current design. It also must fulfill its primary function of delivering light from each of the six channels to the gel and collecting backscattered light. The performance of the imaging module will be characterized by scanning a calibration socket which contains grooves of known depths, and comparing these measurements to the fluorometric results.

  13. Development of a wing-beat-modulation scanning lidar system for insect studies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tauc, Martin Jan; Fristrup, Kurt M.; Shaw, Joseph A.

    2017-08-01

    The spatial distributions of flying insects are not well understood since most sampling methods - Malaise traps, sticky traps, vacuum traps, light traps - are not suited to documenting movements or changing distributions of various insects on short time scales. These methods also capture and kill the insects. To noninvasively monitor the spatial distributions of flying insects, we developed and implemented a scanning lidar system that measured wing-beat-modulated scattered laser light. The oscillating signal from wing-beat returns allowed for reliable separation of lidar returns for insects and stationary objects. Transmitting and receiving optics were mounted to a telescope that was attached to a scanning mount. As it scanned, the lidar collected and analyzed the light scattered from insect wings of various species. Mount position and pulse time-of-flight determined spatial location and spectral analysis of the backscattered light provided clues to insect identity. During one day of a four-day field campaign at Grand Teton National Park in June of 2016, 76 very likely insects and 662 somewhat likely insects were detected, with a maximum range to the insect of 87.6 m for very likely insects

  14. Information-efficient spectral imaging sensor

    DOEpatents

    Sweatt, William C.; Gentry, Stephen M.; Boye, Clinton A.; Grotbeck, Carter L.; Stallard, Brian R.; Descour, Michael R.

    2003-01-01

    A programmable optical filter for use in multispectral and hyperspectral imaging. The filter splits the light collected by an optical telescope into two channels for each of the pixels in a row in a scanned image, one channel to handle the positive elements of a spectral basis filter and one for the negative elements of the spectral basis filter. Each channel for each pixel disperses its light into n spectral bins, with the light in each bin being attenuated in accordance with the value of the associated positive or negative element of the spectral basis vector. The spectral basis vector is constructed so that its positive elements emphasize the presence of a target and its negative elements emphasize the presence of the constituents of the background of the imaged scene. The attenuated light in the channels is re-imaged onto separate detectors for each pixel and then the signals from the detectors are combined to give an indication of the presence or not of the target in each pixel of the scanned scene. This system provides for a very efficient optical determination of the presence of the target, as opposed to the very data intensive data manipulations that are required in conventional hyperspectral imaging systems.

  15. Propagation and scattering of optical light beams in free space, in atmosphere and in biological media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sahin, Serkan

    With their first production implemented around 1960's, lasers have afterwards proven to be excellent light sources in building the technology. Subsequently, it has been shown that the extraordinary properties of lasers are related to their coherence properties. Recent developments in optics make it possible to synthesize partially coherent light beams from fully coherent ones. In the last several decades it was seen that using partially coherent light sources may be advantageous, in the areas such as laser surface processing, fiber and free-space optical communications, and medical diagnostics. In this thesis, I study extensively the generation, the propagation in different media, and the scattering of partially coherent light beams with respect to their spectral polarization and coherence states. For instance, I analyze the evolution of recently introduced degree of cross-polarization of light fields in free space; then develop a novel partially coherent light source which acquires and keeps a flat intensity profile around the axis at any distance in the far field; and investigate the interaction of electromagnetic random light with the human eye lens. A part of the thesis treats the effect of atmospheric turbulence on random light beams. Due to random variations in the refractive index, atmospheric turbulence modulates all physical and statistical properties of propagating beams. I have explored the possibility of employing the polarimetric domain of the beam for scintillation reduction, which positively affects the performance of free-space communication systems. I also discuss novel techniques for the sensing of rough targets in the turbulent atmosphere by polarization and coherence properties of light. The other contribution to the thesis is the investigation of light scattering from deterministic or random collections of particles, within the validity of first Born approximation. In the case of a random collection, I introduce and model the new quantity (named pair-structure function) describing correlations among particles, the knowledge of which is necessary for the rigorous predictions of scattered radiation's statistics. Also, by introducing the multi-Gaussian family of functions for scattering potentials, we demonstrate a realistic model for semi-hard edges of particles and bubblelike particles.

  16. STS-93 Flight Day 3 Highlights and Crew Activities

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1999-01-01

    Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot Jeff Ashby, and Mission Specialists Cady Coleman, Steve Hawley and Michael Tognini were awakened with the song "Brave New Girls" performed by Teresa. Steve Hawley, the resident astronomer, continued to work with the Southwest Ultraviolet Imaging System (SWUIS) and collected images of targets associated with Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and the Moon. Collins and Ashby maneuvered Columbia in support of various experiments including observations made with the SWUIS telescope or the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX), which used sophisticated sensors to collect ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light data of firings of the shuttle's orbital maneuvering system engines or primary reaction control system jets. Collins also conducted a conversation with students at the Harbor View Elementary School in Corona Del Mar, California using the Shuttle Amatuer Radio Experiment (SAREX) system. She also checked experiments associated with the Cell Culture Module (CCM) and the Biological Research in Canister (BRIC) payloads.

  17. Nanocomposites for enhancing current collection in organic solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peterson, Eric David

    The enhancement of charge collection in organic photovoltaics by using nanocomposite materials is investigated. Two such approaches are detailed in this thesis. Chapter 1 addresses the addition of metal nanorods to the PEDOT layer of an organic solar cell in an attempt to focus incident light for better absorption by the polymer layer. Composites designed to facilitate charge transfer from nanoparticles to the polymer/fullerene system are the focus of the second chapter. Chapter 3 details a refinement to the research presented in chapter 2, adding fullerenes to the mix and creating ternary systems and providing an analytical framework for evaluating these systems. The material choices are expanded in chapter 4; we investigate a new, lower band gap conjugated polymer (PCPDTBT) as well as core-shell nanoparticles and how they interact in the system. Results are reported and further avenues of research are suggested.

  18. SU-E-J-17: A Study of Accelerator-Induced Cerenkov Radiation as a Beam Diagnostic and Dosimetry Tool

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

    Bateman, F; Tosh, R

    2014-06-01

    Purpose: To investigate accelerator-induced Cerenkov radiation imaging as a possible beam diagnostic and medical dosimetry tool. Methods: Cerenkov emission produced by clinical accelerator beams in a water phantom was imaged using a camera system comprised of a high-sensitivity thermoelectrically-cooled CCD camera coupled to a large aperture (f/0.75) objective lens with 16:1 magnification. This large format lens allows a significant amount of the available Cerenkov light to be collected and focused onto the CCD camera to form the image. Preliminary images, obtained with 6 MV photon beams, used an unshielded camera mounted horizontally with the beam normal to the water surface,more » and confirmed the detection of Cerenkov radiation. Several improvements were subsequently made including the addition of radiation shielding around the camera, and altering of the beam and camera angles to give a more favorable geometry for Cerenkov light collection. A detailed study was then undertaken over a range of electron and photon beam energies and dose rates to investigate the possibility of using this technique for beam diagnostics and dosimetry. Results: A series of images were obtained at a fixed dose rate over a range of electron energies from 6 to 20 MeV. The location of maximum intensity was found to vary linearly with the energy of the beam. A linear relationship was also found between the light observed from a fixed point on the central axis and the dose rate for both photon and electron beams. Conclusion: We have found that the analysis of images of beam-induced Cerenkov light in a water phantom has potential for use as a beam diagnostic and medical dosimetry tool. Our future goals include the calibration of the light output in terms of radiation dose and development of a tomographic system for 3D Cerenkov imaging in water phantoms and other media.« less

  19. Self-Assembly Strategies for Integrating Light Harvesting and Charge Separation in Artificial Photosynthetic Systems

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

    Wasielewski, Michael R.

    In natural photosynthesis, organisms optimize solar energy conversion through organized assemblies of photofunctional chromophores and catalysts within proteins that provide specifically tailored environments for chemical reactions. As with their natural counterparts, artificial photosynthetic systems for practical solar fuels production must collect light energy, separate charge, and transport charge to catalytic sites where multielectron redox processes will occur. While encouraging progress has been made on each aspect of this complex problem, researchers have not yet developed self-ordering and self-assembling components and the tailored environments necessary to realize a fully-functional artificial system. Previously researchers have used complex, covalent molecular systems comprised ofmore » chromophores, electron donors, and electron acceptors to mimic both the light-harvesting and the charge separation functions of photosynthetic proteins. These systems allow for study of the dependencies of electron transfer rate constants on donor?acceptor distance and orientation, electronic interaction, and the free energy of the reaction. The most useful and informative systems are those in which structural constraints control both the distance and the orientation between the electron donors and acceptors. Self-assembly provides a facile means for organizing large numbers of molecules into supramolecular structures that can bridge length scales from nanometers to macroscopic dimensions. The resulting structures must provide pathways for migration of light excitation energy among antenna chromophores, and from antennas to reaction centers. They also must incorporate charge conduits, that is, molecular 'wires' that can efficiently move electrons and holes between reaction centers and catalytic sites. The central scientific challenge is to develop small, functional building blocks with a minimum number of covalent linkages, which also have the appropriate molecular recognition properties to facilitate self-assembly of complete, functional artificial photosynthetic systems. In this Account, we explore how self-assembly strategies involving ?-stacking can be used to integrate light harvesting with charge separation and transport.« less

  20. Development Of Nonimaging Optics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Winston, Roland

    1984-01-01

    This paper is concerned with the new field of nonimaging optics. Roughly this may be defined as the collection and redirection of light (or, more generally, electromagnetic radiation) by means of optical systems which do not make use of image formation concepts in their design. A non-trivial example is the compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) invented in 1965 for collecting Cerenkov radiation from large volumes of gas and concentrating it onto the relatively small area of a photomultiplier cathode. This task would, according to conventional optical practice, be performed by a lens or mirror image-forming system of high numerical aperture, but much greater concentration was achieved by a comparatively simple de-vice, the CPC. The key was to abandon the principle of imaging with high numerical aperture and instead to get the collected rays into as small an area as possible without attempting to produce an image.

  1. The emission function of ground-based light sources: State of the art and research challenges

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Solano Lamphar, Héctor Antonio

    2018-05-01

    To understand the night sky radiance generated by the light emissions of urbanised areas, different researchers are currently proposing various theoretical approaches. The distribution of the radiant intensity as a function of the zenith angle is one of the most unknown properties on modelling skyglow. This is due to the collective effects of the artificial radiation emitted from the ground-based light sources. The emission function is a key property in characterising the sky brightness under arbitrary conditions, therefore it is required by modellers, environmental engineers, urban planners, light pollution researchers, and experimentalists who study the diffuse light of the night sky. As a matter of course, the emission function considers the public lighting system, which is in fact the main generator of the skyglow. Still, another class of light-emitting devices are gaining importance since their overuse and the urban sprawl of recent years. This paper will address the importance of the emission function in modelling skyglow and the factors involved in its characterization. On this subject, the author's intention is to organise, integrate, and evaluate previously published research in order to state the progress of current research toward clarifying this topic.

  2. Tomato seeds maturity detection system based on chlorophyll fluorescence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Cuiling; Wang, Xiu; Meng, Zhijun

    2016-10-01

    Chlorophyll fluorescence intensity can be used as seed maturity and quality evaluation indicator. Chlorophyll fluorescence intensity of seed coats is tested to judge the level of chlorophyll content in seeds, and further to judge the maturity and quality of seeds. This research developed a detection system of tomato seeds maturity based on chlorophyll fluorescence spectrum technology, the system included an excitation light source unit, a fluorescent signal acquisition unit and a data processing unit. The excitation light source unit consisted of two high power LEDs, two radiators and two constant current power supplies, and it was designed to excite chlorophyll fluorescence of tomato seeds. The fluorescent signal acquisition unit was made up of a fluorescence spectrometer, an optical fiber, an optical fiber scaffolds and a narrowband filter. The data processing unit mainly included a computer. Tomato fruits of green ripe stage, discoloration stage, firm ripe stage and full ripe stage were harvested, and their seeds were collected directly. In this research, the developed tomato seeds maturity testing system was used to collect fluorescence spectrums of tomato seeds of different maturities. Principal component analysis (PCA) method was utilized to reduce the dimension of spectral data and extract principal components, and PCA was combined with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to establish discriminant model of tomato seeds maturity, the discriminant accuracy was greater than 90%. Research results show that using chlorophyll fluorescence spectrum technology is feasible for seeds maturity detection, and the developed tomato seeds maturity testing system has high detection accuracy.

  3. Artificial intelligence: Collective behaviors of synthetic micromachines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Duan, Wentao

    Synthetic nano- and micromotors function through the conversion of chemical free energy or forms of energy into mechanical motion. Ever since the first reports, such motors have been the subject of growing interest. In addition to motility in response to gradients, these motors interact with each other, resulting in emergent collective behavior like schooling, exclusion, and predator-prey. However, most of these systems only exhibit a single type of collective behavior in response to a certain stimuli. The research projects in the disseratation aim at designing synthetic micromotors that can exhibit transition between various collective behaviors in response to different stimuli, as well as quantitative understanding on the pairwise interaction and propulsion mechanism of such motors. Chapter 1 offers an overview on development of synthetic micromachines. Interactions and collective behaviors of micromotors are also summarized and included. Chapter 2 presents a silver orthophosphate microparticle system that exhibits collective behaviors. Transition between two collective patterns, clustering and dispersion, can be triggered by shift in chemical equilibrium upon the addition or removal of ammonia, in response to UV light, or under two orthogonal stimuli (UV and acoustic field) and powering mechanisms. The transitions can be explained by the self-diffusiophoresis mechanism resulting from either ionic or neutral solute gradients. Potential applications of the reported system in logic gates, microscale pumping, and hierarchical assembly have been demonstrated. Chapter 3 introduces a self-powered oscillatory micromotor system in which active colloids form clusters whose size changes periodically. The system consists of an aqueous suspension of silver orthophosphate particles under UV radiation, in the presence of a mixture of glucose and hydrogen peroxide. The colloid particles first attract with each other to form clusters. After a lag time of around 5min, chemical oscillation initiates, and triggers periodic change of the associated self-diffusiophoretic effects as well as interactions between particles. As a result, dispersion and clustering of particles take place alternatively, and sizes of colloidal clusters vary periodically together with local colloid concentration, formulating a namely "colloidal clock". In the system, oscillation can propagate from individual clusters to nearby clusters, and there can exist more than one oscillation frequencies in one system, possibly due to different local particle concentrations or cluster size. Chapter 4 quantitatively investigates the influence of pairwise interaction between motors on their diffusional behaviors by analyzing motion of light-powered silver chloride particles. Powered by UV light, nano/micrometer-sized silver chloride (AgCl) particles exhibit autonomous movement and form "schools" in aqueous solution. Motion of these AgCl particles are tracked and analyzed. AgCl particles exhibit ballistic motion at short time intervals that transition to enhanced diffusive motion as the time interval is increased. The onset of this transition was found to occur more quickly for particles with more neighbors. If the active particles became "trapped" in a formed "school", the diffusive behavior further changes to subdiffusion. The correlation between these transitions and the number of neighboring particles was verified by simulation, and confirms the influence of pairwise interaction between motors. Chapter 5 aims at quantitative understanding on the self-diffusiophoresis propulsion mechanism through numerical simulation with COMSOL Multiphysics. A self-powered micropump based on ion-exchange is chosen as the experimental model system. Weakly acidicform ion-exchange resin can function as self-powered micropumps in aqueous solution, manipulating fluid flow at vicinity and transporting inert tracer colloids. Pumping direction in the system can be dynamically altered in response to pH change: lower pH leads to outward pumping, and higer pH results in inward particle motion. A COMSOL Multiphysics model is built with different boundary conditions and parameters, in accordance with the experimental system. The reasonable agreement between experimental and simulation results confirms self-diffusiophoresis as the powering mechanism. By varing parameters, the model also suggests possible routes to tune the performance of the micropump. COMSOL simulations on micropumps that are based on density-driven mechanism are also included.

  4. Advanced topographic laser altimeter system (ATLAS) receiver telescope assembly (RTA) and transmitter alignment and test

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hagopian, John; Bolcar, Matthew; Chambers, John; Crane, Allen; Eegholm, Bente; Evans, Tyler; Hetherington, Samuel; Mentzell, Eric; Thompson, Patrick L.; Ramos-Izquierdo, Luis; Vaughnn, David

    2016-09-01

    The sole instrument on NASA's ICESat-2 spacecraft shown in Figure 1 will be the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS)1. The ATLAS is a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) instrument; it measures the time of flight of the six transmitted laser beams to the Earth and back to determine altitude for geospatial mapping of global ice. The ATLAS laser beam is split into 6 main beams by a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) that are reflected off of the earth and imaged by an 800 mm diameter Receiver Telescope Assembly (RTA). The RTA is composed of a 2-mirror telescope and Aft Optics Assembly (AOA) that collects and focuses the light from the 6 probe beams into 6 science fibers. Each fiber optic has a field of view on the earth that subtends 83 micro Radians. The light collected by each fiber is detected by a photomultiplier and timing related to a master clock to determine time of flight and therefore distance. The collection of the light from the 6 laser spots projected to the ground allows for dense cross track sampling to provide for slope measurements of ice fields. NASA LIDAR instruments typically utilize telescopes that are not diffraction limited since they function as a light collector rather than imaging function. The more challenging requirements of the ATLAS instrument require better performance of the telescope at the ¼ wave level to provide for improved sampling and signal to noise. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) contracted the build of the telescope to General Dynamics (GD). GD fabricated and tested the flight and flight spare telescope and then integrated the government supplied AOA for testing of the RTA before and after vibration qualification. The RTA was then delivered to GSFC for independent verification and testing over expected thermal vacuum conditions. The testing at GSFC included a measurement of the RTA wavefront error and encircled energy in several orientations to determine the expected zero gravity figure, encircled energy, back focal length and plate scale. In addition, the science fibers had to be aligned to within 10 micro Radians of the projected laser spots to provide adequate margin for operations on-orbit. This paper summarizes the independent testing and alignment of the fibers performed at the GSFC.

  5. Stepped inlet optical panel

    DOEpatents

    Veligdan, James T.

    2001-01-01

    An optical panel includes stacked optical waveguides having stepped inlet facets collectively defining an inlet face for receiving image light, and having beveled outlet faces collectively defining a display screen for displaying the image light channeled through the waveguides by internal reflection.

  6. Biomimetric sentinel reef structures for optical sensing and communications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fries, David; Hutcheson, Tim; Josef, Noam; Millie, David; Tate, Connor

    2017-05-01

    Traditional artificial reef structures are designed with uniform cellular architectures and topologies and do not mimic natural reef forms. Strings and ropes are a proven, common fisheries and mariculture construction element throughout the world and using them as artificial reef scaffolding can enable a diversity of ocean sensing, communications systems including the goal of sentinel reefs. The architecture and packaging of electronics is key to enabling such structures and systems. The distributed sensor reef concept leads toward a demonstrable science-engineering-informed framework for 3D smart habitat designs critical to stock fish development and coastal monitoring and protection. These `nature-inspired' reef infrastructures, can enable novel instrumented `reef observatories' capable of collecting real-time ecosystem data. Embedding lighting and electronic elements into artificial reef systems are the first systems conceptualized. This approach of bringing spatial light to the underwater world for optical sensing, communication and even a new breed of underwater robotic vehicle is an interdisciplinary research activity which integrates principles of electronic packaging, and ocean technology with art/design.

  7. A new instrument system to investigate sediment dynamics on continental shelves

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Cacchione, D.A.; Drake, D.E.

    1979-01-01

    A new instrumented tripod, the GEOPROBE system, has been constructed and used to collect time-series data on physical and geological parameters that are important in bottom sediment dynamics on continental shelves. Simultaneous in situ digital recording of pressure, temperature, light scattering, and light transmission, in combination with current velocity profiles measured with a near-bottom vertical array of electromagnetic current meters, is used to correlate bottom shear generated by a variety of oceanic processes (waves, tides, mean flow, etc.) with incipient movement and resuspension of bottom sediment. A bottom camera system that is activated when current speeds exceed preset threshold values provides a unique method to identify initial sediment motion and bed form development. Data from a twenty day deployment of the GEOPROBE system in Norton Sound, Alaska, during the period September 24 - October 14, 1976 show that threshold conditions for sediment movement are commonly exceeded, even in calm weather periods, due to the additive effects of tidal currents, mean circulation, and surface waves. ?? 1979.

  8. Seeing the Light: The Roles of Red- and Blue-Light Sensing in Plant Microbes.

    PubMed

    Beattie, Gwyn A; Hatfield, Bridget M; Dong, Haili; McGrane, Regina S

    2018-05-16

    Plants collect, concentrate, and conduct light throughout their tissues, thus enhancing light availability to their resident microbes. This review explores the role of photosensing in the biology of plant-associated bacteria and fungi, including the molecular mechanisms of red-light sensing by phytochromes and blue-light sensing by LOV (light-oxygen-voltage)-domain proteins in these microbes. Bacteriophytochromes function as major drivers of the bacterial transcriptome and mediate light-regulated suppression of virulence, motility, and conjugation in some phytopathogens and light-regulated induction of the photosynthetic apparatus in a stem-nodulating symbiont. Bacterial LOV proteins also influence light-mediated changes in both symbiotic and pathogenic phenotypes. Although red-light sensing by fungal phytopathogens is poorly understood, fungal LOV proteins contribute to blue-light regulation of traits, including asexual development and virulence. Collectively, these studies highlight that plant microbes have evolved to exploit light cues and that light sensing is often coupled with sensing other environmental signals. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Phytopathology Volume 56 is August 25, 2018. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

  9. The multi-spectral line-polarization MSE system on Alcator C-Mod

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

    Mumgaard, R. T., E-mail: mumgaard@psfc.mit.edu; Khoury, M.; Scott, S. D.

    A multi-spectral line-polarization motional Stark effect (MSE-MSLP) diagnostic has been developed for the Alcator C-Mod tokamak wherein the Stokes vector is measured in multiple wavelength bands simultaneously on the same sightline to enable better polarized background subtraction. A ten-sightline, four wavelength MSE-MSLP detector system was designed, constructed, and qualified. This system consists of a high-throughput polychromator for each sightline designed to provide large étendue and precise spectral filtering in a cost-effective manner. Each polychromator utilizes four narrow bandpass interference filters and four custom large diameter avalanche photodiode detectors. Two filters collect light to the red and blue of the MSEmore » emission spectrum while the remaining two filters collect the beam pi and sigma emission generated at the same viewing volume. The filter wavelengths are temperature tuned using custom ovens in an automated manner. All system functions are remote controllable and the system can be easily retrofitted to existing single-wavelength line-polarization MSE systems.« less

  10. The multi-spectral line-polarization MSE system on Alcator C-Mod

    DOE PAGES

    Mumgaard, R. T.; Scott, S. D.; Khoury, M.

    2016-08-17

    A multi-spectral line-polarization motional Stark effect (MSE-MSLP) diagnostic has been developed for the Alcator C-Mod tokamak wherein the Stokes vector is measured in multiple wavelength bands simultaneously on the same sightline to enable better polarized background subtraction. A ten-sightline, four wavelength MSE-MSLP detector system was designed, constructed, and qualified. This system consists of a high-throughput polychromator for each sightline designed to provide large étendue and precise spectral filtering in a cost-effective manner. Each polychromator utilizes four narrow bandpass interference filters and four custom large diameter avalanche photodiode detectors. Two filters collect light to the red and blue of the MSEmore » emission spectrum while the remaining two filters collect the beam pi and sigma emission generated at the same viewing volume. The filter wavelengths are temperature tuned using custom ovens in an automated manner. Furthermore, all system functions are remote controllable and the system can be easily retrofitted to existing single-wavelength line-polarization MSE systems.« less

  11. FOREX-A Fiber Optics Diagnostic System For Study Of Materials At High Temperatures And Pressures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smith, D. E.; Roeske, F.

    1983-03-01

    We have successfully fielded a Fiber Optics Radiation EXperiment system (FOREX) designed for measuring material properties at high temperatures and pressures on an underground nuclear test. The system collects light from radiating materials and transmits it through several hundred meters of optical fibers to a recording station consisting of a streak camera with film readout. The use of fiber optics provides a faster time response than can presently be obtained with equalized coaxial cables over comparable distances. Fibers also have significant cost and physical size advantages over coax cables. The streak camera achieves a much higher information density than an equivalent oscilloscope system, and it also serves as the light detector. The result is a wide bandwidth high capacity system that can be fielded at a relatively low cost in manpower, space, and materials. For this experiment, the streak camera had a 120 ns time window with a 1.2 ns time resolution. Dynamic range for the system was about 1000. Beam current statistical limitations were approximately 8% for a 0.3 ns wide data point at one decade above the threshold recording intensity.

  12. Antenna concepts for interstellar search systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Basler, R. P.; Johnson, G. L.; Vondrak, R. R.

    1977-01-01

    An evaluation is made of microwave receiving systems designed to search for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence. Specific design concepts are analyzed parametrically to determine whether the optimum antenna system location is on earth, in space, or on the moon. Parameters considered include the hypothesized number of transmitting civilizations, the number of stars that must be searched to give any desired probability of receiving a signal, the antenna collecting area, the search time, the search range, and the cost. This analysis suggests that (1) search systems based on the moon are not cost-competitive, (2) if the search is extended only a few hundred light years from the earth, a Cyclops-type array on earth may be the most cost-effective system, (3) for a search extending to 500 light years or more, a substantial cost and search-time advantage can be achieved with a large spherical reflector in space with multiple feeds, (4) radio frequency interference shields can be provided for space systems, and (5) cost can range from a few hundred million to tens of billions of dollars, depending on the parameter values assumed.

  13. Using Reflectance Measurements to Determine Ecosystem Light Use Efficiency

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huemmrich, K. F.; Middleton, E. M.; Hall, F. G.; Knox, R. G.; Walter-Shea, E.; Verma, S. B.

    2006-05-01

    Understanding the dynamics of the global carbon cycle requires an accurate determination of the spatial and temporal distribution of photosynthetic CO2 uptake by terrestrial vegetation. Remote sensing observations may provide the spatially extensive observations required for this type of analysis. A light use efficiency model is one approach to modeling carbon fluxes driven by remotely sensed inputs. Photosynthetic down-regulation has been associated with changes in the apparent spectral reflectance of leaves and these responses may permit the estimation of ecosystem photosynthetic light use efficiency (LUE). At a prairie site in Oklahoma, CO2 flux measurements from an eddy covariance system along with biophysical data were collected through 1998 and 1999. During the growing seasons hyperspectral reflectance measurements were collected in nearby plots at multiple times in a day at approximately monthly intervals. LUE is calculated as the ratio of carbon uptake by the ecosystem and the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed by green leaves. The LUE values are compared with reflectance indexes examining how relationships vary over hours, months, and years. For this system a number of different reflectance indexes have been found to correlate with LUE; including the Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) and the Structure Independent Pigment Index (SIPI); as well as spectral first derivatives at 460, 550, and 615nm; and second derivatives at 510 and 620nm. This methodology provides a nondestructive, repeatable, direct comparison between ecosystem carbon fluxes and spectral reflectance at scales relevant to remote sensing.

  14. Growing wheat in Biosphere 2 under elevated CO2: observations and modeling

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tubiello, F. N.; Mahato, T.; Morton, T.; Druitt, J. W.; Volk, T.; Marino, B. D.

    1999-01-01

    Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Yecora Rojo) was grown in the intensive agricultural biome (IAB) of Biosphere 2 during the l995-l996 winter/spring season. Environmental conditions were characterized by a day/night temperature regime of 27/17 degrees C, relative humidity (RH) levels around 45%, mean atmospheric CO2 concentration of 450 ppmv, and natural light conditions with mean intensities about half of outside levels. Weekly samples of above-ground plant matter were collected throughout the growing season and phenological events recorded. A computer model, CERES-Wheat, previously tested under both field and controlled conditions, was used to simulate the observed crop growth and to help in data analysis. We found that CERES-Wheat simulated the data collected at Biosphere 2 to within 10% of observed, thus suggesting that wheat growth inside the IAB was comparable to that documented in other environments. The model predicts phenological stages and final dry matter (DM) production within l0% of the observed data. Measured DM production rates, normalized for light absorbed by the crop. suggested photosynthetic efficiencies intermediate between those observed under optimal field conditions and those recorded in NASA-Controlled Ecological Life-Support Systems (CELSS). We suggest that such a difference can be explained primarily in terms of low light levels inside the IAB, with additional effects due to elevated CO2 concentrations and diffuse light fractions.

  15. Multispectral imaging probe

    DOEpatents

    Sandison, David R.; Platzbecker, Mark R.; Descour, Michael R.; Armour, David L.; Craig, Marcus J.; Richards-Kortum, Rebecca

    1999-01-01

    A multispectral imaging probe delivers a range of wavelengths of excitation light to a target and collects a range of expressed light wavelengths. The multispectral imaging probe is adapted for mobile use and use in confined spaces, and is sealed against the effects of hostile environments. The multispectral imaging probe comprises a housing that defines a sealed volume that is substantially sealed from the surrounding environment. A beam splitting device mounts within the sealed volume. Excitation light is directed to the beam splitting device, which directs the excitation light to a target. Expressed light from the target reaches the beam splitting device along a path coaxial with the path traveled by the excitation light from the beam splitting device to the target. The beam splitting device directs expressed light to a collection subsystem for delivery to a detector.

  16. Multispectral imaging probe

    DOEpatents

    Sandison, D.R.; Platzbecker, M.R.; Descour, M.R.; Armour, D.L.; Craig, M.J.; Richards-Kortum, R.

    1999-07-27

    A multispectral imaging probe delivers a range of wavelengths of excitation light to a target and collects a range of expressed light wavelengths. The multispectral imaging probe is adapted for mobile use and use in confined spaces, and is sealed against the effects of hostile environments. The multispectral imaging probe comprises a housing that defines a sealed volume that is substantially sealed from the surrounding environment. A beam splitting device mounts within the sealed volume. Excitation light is directed to the beam splitting device, which directs the excitation light to a target. Expressed light from the target reaches the beam splitting device along a path coaxial with the path traveled by the excitation light from the beam splitting device to the target. The beam splitting device directs expressed light to a collection subsystem for delivery to a detector. 8 figs.

  17. Forest Structure Retrieval From EcoSAR P-Band Single-Pass Interferometry

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Osmanoglu, Batuhan; Rincon, Rafael; Lee, Seung Kuk; Fatoyinbo, Temilola; Bollian, Tobias

    2017-01-01

    EcoSAR is a single-pass (dual antenna) digital beamforming, P-band radar system that is designed for remote sensing of dense forest structure. Forest structure retrievals require the measurement related to the vertical dimension, for which several techniques have been developed over the years. These techniques use polarimetric and interferometric aspects of the SAR data, which can be collected using EcoSAR. In this paper we describe EcoSAR system in light of its interferometric capabilities and investigate forest structure retrieval techniques.

  18. KSC-2009-2252

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-03-19

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, catenary wires are being suspended from the lighting masts on the lightning towers. The catenary wire system under development for the Constellation Program’s next-generation vehicles will significantly increase the shielding level, providing better protection, and further separate the electrical current from vital launch hardware. The system will help avoid delays to the launch schedule by collecting more information on the strike for analysis by launch managers. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

  19. KSC-2009-2251

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-03-19

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, catenary wires are being suspended from the lighting masts on the lightning towers. The catenary wire system under development for the Constellation Program’s next-generation vehicles will significantly increase the shielding level, providing better protection, and further separate the electrical current from vital launch hardware. The system will help avoid delays to the launch schedule by collecting more information on the strike for analysis by launch managers. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

  20. KSC-2009-2255

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-03-19

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, catenary wires are being suspended from the lighting masts on the lightning towers. The catenary wire system under development for the Constellation Program’s next-generation vehicles will significantly increase the shielding level, providing better protection, and further separate the electrical current from vital launch hardware. The system will help avoid delays to the launch schedule by collecting more information on the strike for analysis by launch managers. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

  1. KSC-2009-2254

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-03-19

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, catenary wires are being suspended from the lighting masts on the lightning towers. The catenary wire system under development for the Constellation Program’s next-generation vehicles will significantly increase the shielding level, providing better protection, and further separate the electrical current from vital launch hardware. The system will help avoid delays to the launch schedule by collecting more information on the strike for analysis by launch managers. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

  2. KSC-2009-2253

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-03-19

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, catenary wires are being suspended from the lighting masts on the lightning towers. The catenary wire system under development for the Constellation Program’s next-generation vehicles will significantly increase the shielding level, providing better protection, and further separate the electrical current from vital launch hardware. The system will help avoid delays to the launch schedule by collecting more information on the strike for analysis by launch managers. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

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

    Ashenfelter, J.; Jaffe, D.; Diwan, M. V.

    A meter-long, 23-liter EJ-309 liquid scintillator detector has been constructed to study the light collection and pulse-shape discrimination performance of elongated scintillator cells for the PROSPECT reactor antineutrino experiment. The magnitude and uniformity of light collection and neutron-gamma discrimination power in the energy range of antineutrino inverse beta decay products have been studied using gamma and spontaneous fission calibration sources deployed along the cell axis. We also study neutron-gamma discrimination and light collection abilities for differing PMT and reflector configurations. As a result, key design features for optimizing MeV-scale response and background rejection capabilities are identified.

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

    Leary, T.J.; Lamb, A.

    The Department of Energy`s Office of Arms Control and Non-Proliferation (NN-20) has developed a suite of airborne remote sensing systems that simultaneously collect coincident data from a US Navy P-3 aircraft. The primary objective of the Airborne Multisensor Pod System (AMPS) Program is {open_quotes}to collect multisensor data that can be used for data research, both to reduce interpretation problems associated with data overload and to develop information products more complete than can be obtained from any single sensor.{close_quotes} The sensors are housed in wing-mounted pods and include: a Ku-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar; a CASI Hyperspectral Imager; a Daedalus 3600 Airbornemore » Multispectral Scanner; a Wild Heerbrugg RC-30 motion compensated large format camera; various high resolution, light intensified and thermal video cameras; and several experimental sensors (e.g. the Portable Hyperspectral Imager of Low-Light Spectroscopy (PHILLS)). Over the past year or so, the Coastal Marine Resource Assessment (CAMRA) group at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection`s Marine Research Institute (FMRI) has been working with the Department of Energy through the Naval Research Laboratory to develop applications and products from existing data. Considerable effort has been spent identifying image formats integration parameters. 2 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.« less

  5. Proximal design for a multimodality endoscope with multiphoton microscopy, optical coherence microscopy and visual modalities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kiekens, Kelli C.; Talarico, Olivia; Barton, Jennifer K.

    2018-02-01

    A multimodality endoscope system has been designed for early detection of ovarian cancer. Multiple illumination and detection systems must be integrated in a compact, stable, transportable configuration to meet the requirements of a clinical setting. The proximal configuration presented here supports visible light navigation with a large field of view and low resolution, high resolution multiphoton microscopy (MPM), and high resolution optical coherence microscopy (OCM). All modalities are integrated into a single optical system in the endoscope. The system requires two light sources: a green laser for visible light navigation and a compact fiber based femtosecond laser for MPM and OCM. Using an inline wavelength division multiplexer, the two sources are combined into a single mode fiber. To accomplish OCM, a fiber coupler is used to separate the femtosecond laser into a reference arm and signal arm. The reflected reference arm and the signal from the sample are interfered and wavelength separated by a reflection grating and detected using a linear array. The MPM signal is collimated and goes through a series of filters to separate the 2nd and 3rd harmonics as well as twophoton excitation florescence (2PEF) and 3PEF. Each signal is independently detected on a photo multiplier tube and amplified. The visible light is collected by multiple high numerical aperture fibers at the endoscope tip which are bundled into one SMA adapter at the proximal end and connected to a photodetector. This integrated system design is compact, efficient and meets both optical and mechanical requirements for clinical applications.

  6. Non-classical light generated by quantum-noise-driven cavity optomechanics.

    PubMed

    Brooks, Daniel W C; Botter, Thierry; Schreppler, Sydney; Purdy, Thomas P; Brahms, Nathan; Stamper-Kurn, Dan M

    2012-08-23

    Optomechanical systems, in which light drives and is affected by the motion of a massive object, will comprise a new framework for nonlinear quantum optics, with applications ranging from the storage and transduction of quantum information to enhanced detection sensitivity in gravitational wave detectors. However, quantum optical effects in optomechanical systems have remained obscure, because their detection requires the object’s motion to be dominated by vacuum fluctuations in the optical radiation pressure; so far, direct observations have been stymied by technical and thermal noise. Here we report an implementation of cavity optomechanics using ultracold atoms in which the collective atomic motion is dominantly driven by quantum fluctuations in radiation pressure. The back-action of this motion onto the cavity light field produces ponderomotive squeezing. We detect this quantum phenomenon by measuring sub-shot-noise optical squeezing. Furthermore, the system acts as a low-power, high-gain, nonlinear parametric amplifier for optical fluctuations, demonstrating a gain of 20 dB with a pump corresponding to an average of only seven intracavity photons. These findings may pave the way for low-power quantum optical devices, surpassing quantum limits on position and force sensing, and the control and measurement of motion in quantum gases.

  7. Microphysics of liquid complex plasmas in equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Piel, Alexander; Block, Dietmar; Melzer, André; Mulsow, Matthias; Schablinski, Jan; Schella, André; Wieben, Frank; Wilms, Jochen

    2018-05-01

    The dynamic evolution of the microscopic structure of solid and liquid phases of complex plasmas is studied experimentally and by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In small finite systems, the cooperative motion can be described in terms of discrete modes. These modes are studied with different experimental approaches. Using diffuse scattered laser light, applying laser tweezer forces to individual particles, and periodic laser pulses, the excitation of modes is investigated. The instantaneous normal mode analysis of experimental data from two-dimensional liquid clusters gives access to the local dynamics of the liquid phase. Our investigations shed light on the role of compressional and shear modes as well as the determination of diffusion constants and melting temperatures in finite systems. Special attention is paid to hydrodynamic situations with a stationary inhomogeneous dust flow. MD simulations allow to study the collective motion in the shell of nearest neighbors, which can be linked to smooth and sudden changes of the macroscopic flow. Finally, the observed micro-motion in all situations above allows to shed light on the preference of shear-like over compressional motion in terms of a minimized potential energy and a dynamic incompressibility.

  8. On the period determination of ASAS eclipsing binaries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mayangsari, L.; Priyatikanto, R.; Putra, M.

    2014-03-01

    Variable stars, or particularly eclipsing binaries, are very essential astronomical occurrence. Surveys are the backbone of astronomy, and many discoveries of variable stars are the results of surveys. All-Sky Automated Survey (ASAS) is one of the observing projects whose ultimate goal is photometric monitoring of variable stars. Since its first light in 1997, ASAS has collected 50,099 variable stars, with 11,076 eclipsing binaries among them. In the present work we focus on the period determination of the eclipsing binaries. Since the number of data points in each ASAS eclipsing binary light curve is sparse, period determination of any system is a not straightforward process. For 30 samples of such systems we compare the implementation of Lomb-Scargle algorithm which is an Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) basis and Phase Dispersion Minimization (PDM) method which is non-FFT basis to determine their period. It is demonstrated that PDM gives better performance at handling eclipsing detached (ED) systems whose variability are non-sinusoidal. More over, using semi-automatic recipes, we get better period solution and satisfactorily improve 53% of the selected object's light curves, but failed against another 7% of selected objects. In addition, we also highlight 4 interesting objects for further investigation.

  9. Cross Matching of VIIRS Boat Detection and Vessel Monitoring System Tracks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hsu, F. C.; Elvidge, C.; Zhizhin, M. N.; Baugh, K.; Ghosh, T.

    2016-12-01

    One approach to commercial fishing is to use use bright lights at night to attract catch. This is a widely used practice in East and Southeast Asia, but can also be found in other fisheries. In some cases, the deployed lighting exceeds 100,000 watts. Such lighting is distinctive in dark ocean and can even be seen from space with sensor such as Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day/Night Band (VIIRS-DNB). We have developed a VIIRS Boat Detection (VBD) system, which outputs lists of boat locations in near real time. One of the standard methods fishery agencies use to collect geospatial data on fishing boats is to require boats to carry Vessel Monitoring System beacons. We developed an algorithm to cross-match VBD data with VMS tracks. With this we are able to identify fishing boats that do not carry VMS beacons. In certain situations, this is an indicator of illegal fishing. The other application for this cross-matching is to define the VIIRS detection limits and developing a calibration to estimate deployed wattage. Here we demonstrate results of cross matching VBD and VMS for Indonesia as example to showcase its potential.

  10. Data Collection for Disaster Response from the International Space Station

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stefanov, W. L.; Evans, C. A.

    2015-04-01

    Remotely sensed data acquired by orbital sensor systems has emerged as a vital tool to identify the extent of damage resulting from a natural disaster, as well as providing near-real time mapping support to response efforts on the ground and humanitarian aid efforts. The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique terrestrial remote sensing platform for acquiring disaster response imagery. Unlike automated remote-sensing platforms it has a human crew; is equipped with both internal and externally-mounted remote sensing instruments; and has an inclined, low-Earth orbit that provides variable views and lighting (day and night) over 90 percent of the inhabited surface of the Earth. As such, it provides a useful complement to autonomous sensor systems in higher altitude polar orbits. NASA remote sensing assets on the station began collecting International Charter, Space and Major Disasters, also known informally as the International Disaster Charter (IDC) response data in May 2012. Since the start of IDC response in 2012, and as of late March 2015, there have been 123 IDC activations; NASA sensor systems have collected data for thirty-four of these events. Of the successful data collections, eight involved two or more ISS sensor systems responding to the same event. Data has also been collected by International Partners in response to natural disasters, most notably JAXA and Roscosmos/Energia through the Urugan program.

  11. A multichannel visible spectroscopy system for the ITER-like W divertor on EAST.

    PubMed

    Mao, Hongmin; Ding, Fang; Luo, Guang-Nan; Hu, Zhenhua; Chen, Xiahua; Xu, Feng; Yang, Zhongshi; Chen, Jingbo; Wang, Liang; Ding, Rui; Zhang, Ling; Gao, Wei; Xu, Jichan; Wu, Chengrui

    2017-04-01

    To facilitate long-pulse high power operation, an ITER-like actively cooled tungsten (W) divertor was installed in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) to replace the original upper graphite divertor in 2014. A dedicated multichannel visible spectroscopic diagnostic system has been accordingly developed for the characterization of the plasma and impurities in the W divertor. An array of 22 lines-of-sight (LOSs) provides a profile measurement of the light emitted from the plasma along upper outer divertor, and the other 17 vertical LOSs view the upper inner divertor, achieving a 13 mm poloidal resolution in both regions. The light emitted from the plasma is collected by a specially designed optical lens assembly and then transferred to a Czerny-Turner spectrometer via 40 m quartz fibers. At the end, the spectra dispersed by the spectrometer are recorded with an Electron-Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD). The optical throughput and quantum efficiency of the system are optimized in the wavelength range 350-700 nm. The spectral resolution/coverage can be adjusted from 0.01 nm/3 nm to 0.41 nm/140 nm by switching the grating with suitable groove density. The frame rate depends on the setting of LOS number in EMCCD and can reach nearly 2 kHz for single LOS detection. The light collected by the front optical lens can also be divided and partly transferred to a photomultiplier tube array with specified bandpass filter, which can provide faster sampling rates by up to 200 kHz. The spectroscopic diagnostic is routinely operated in EAST discharges with absolute optical calibrations applied before and after each campaign, monitoring photon fluxes from impurities and H recycling in the upper divertor. This paper presents the technical details of the diagnostic and typical measurements during EAST discharges.

  12. A multichannel visible spectroscopy system for the ITER-like W divertor on EAST

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mao, Hongmin; Ding, Fang; Luo, Guang-Nan; Hu, Zhenhua; Chen, Xiahua; Xu, Feng; Yang, Zhongshi; Chen, Jingbo; Wang, Liang; Ding, Rui; Zhang, Ling; Gao, Wei; Xu, Jichan; Wu, Chengrui

    2017-04-01

    To facilitate long-pulse high power operation, an ITER-like actively cooled tungsten (W) divertor was installed in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) to replace the original upper graphite divertor in 2014. A dedicated multichannel visible spectroscopic diagnostic system has been accordingly developed for the characterization of the plasma and impurities in the W divertor. An array of 22 lines-of-sight (LOSs) provides a profile measurement of the light emitted from the plasma along upper outer divertor, and the other 17 vertical LOSs view the upper inner divertor, achieving a 13 mm poloidal resolution in both regions. The light emitted from the plasma is collected by a specially designed optical lens assembly and then transferred to a Czerny-Turner spectrometer via 40 m quartz fibers. At the end, the spectra dispersed by the spectrometer are recorded with an Electron-Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD). The optical throughput and quantum efficiency of the system are optimized in the wavelength range 350-700 nm. The spectral resolution/coverage can be adjusted from 0.01 nm/3 nm to 0.41 nm/140 nm by switching the grating with suitable groove density. The frame rate depends on the setting of LOS number in EMCCD and can reach nearly 2 kHz for single LOS detection. The light collected by the front optical lens can also be divided and partly transferred to a photomultiplier tube array with specified bandpass filter, which can provide faster sampling rates by up to 200 kHz. The spectroscopic diagnostic is routinely operated in EAST discharges with absolute optical calibrations applied before and after each campaign, monitoring photon fluxes from impurities and H recycling in the upper divertor. This paper presents the technical details of the diagnostic and typical measurements during EAST discharges.

  13. A novel multiwavelength fluorescence image-guided surgery imaging system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Volpi, D.; Tullis, I. D. C.; Laios, A.; Pathiraja, P. N. J.; Haldar, K.; Ahmed, A. A.; Vojnovic, B.

    2014-02-01

    We describe the development and performance analysis of two clinical near-infrared fluorescence image-guided surgery (FIGS) devices that aim to overcome some of the limitations of current FIGS systems. The devices operate in a widefield-imaging mode and can work (1) in conjunction with a laparoscope, during minimally invasive surgery, and (2) as a hand-held, open surgery imaging system. In both cases, narrow-band excitation light, delivered at multiple wavelengths, is efficiently combined with white reflectance light. Light is delivered to ~100 cm2 surgical field at 1-2 mW/cm2 for white light and 3-7 mW/cm2 (depending on wavelength) of red - near infrared excitation, at a typical working distance of 350 mm for the hand-held device and 100 mm for the laparoscope. A single, sensitive, miniaturized color camera collects both fluorescence and white reflectance light. The use of a single imager eliminates image alignment and software overlay complexity. A novel filtering and illumination arrangement allows simultaneous detection of white reflectance and fluorescence emission from multiple dyes in real-time. We will present both fluorescence detection sensitivity modeling and practical performance data. We have demonstrated the efficiency and the advantages of the devices both pre-clinically and during live surgery on humans. Both the hand-held and the laparoscopic systems have proved to be reliable and beneficial in an ongoing clinical trial involving sentinel lymph node detection in gynecological cancers. We will show preliminary results using two clinically approved dyes, Methylene blue and indocyanine green. We anticipate that this technology can be integrated and routinely used in a larger variety of surgical procedures.

  14. Fast method of cross-talk effect reduction in biomedical imaging (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nowakowski, Maciej; Kolenderska, Sylwia M.; Borycki, Dawid; Wojtkowski, Maciej

    2016-03-01

    Optical imaging of biological samples or living tissue structures requires light delivery to a region of interest and then collection of scattered light or fluorescent light in order to reconstruct an image of the object. When the coherent illumination light enters bulky biological object, each of scattering center (single molecule, group of molecules or other sample feature) acts as a secondary light source. As a result, scattered spherical waves from these secondary sources interact with each other, generating cross-talk noise between optical channels (eigenmodes). The cross-talk effect have serious impact on the performance of the imaging systems. In particular it reduces an ability of optical system to transfer high spatial frequencies thereby reducing its resolution. In this work we present a fast method to eliminate all unwanted waves combination, that overlap at image plane, suppressing recovery of high spatial frequencies by using the spatio-temporal optical coherence manipulation (STOC, [1]). In this method a number of phase mask is introduced to illuminating beam by spatial light modulator in a time of single image acquisition. We use a digital mirror device (DMD) in order to rapid cross-talk noise reduction (up to 22kHz modulation frequency) when imaging living biological cells in vivo by using full-field microscopy setup with double pass arrangement. This, to our best knowledge, has never been shown before. [1] D. Borycki, M. Nowakowski, and M. Wojtkowski, Opt. Lett. 38, 4817 (2013).

  15. Building a Rapid Learning Health Care System for Oncology: Why CancerLinQ Collects Identifiable Health Information to Achieve Its Vision.

    PubMed

    Shah, Alaap; Stewart, Andrew K; Kolacevski, Andrej; Michels, Dina; Miller, Robert

    2016-03-01

    The ever-increasing volume of scientific discoveries, clinical knowledge, novel diagnostic tools, and treatment options juxtaposed with rising costs in health care challenge physicians to identify, prioritize, and use new information rapidly to deliver efficient and high-quality care to a growing and aging patient population. CancerLinQ, a rapid learning health care system in oncology, is an initiative of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and its Institute for Quality that addresses these challenges by collecting information from the electronic health records of large numbers of patients with cancer. CancerLinQ is first and foremost a quality measurement and reporting system through which oncologists can harness the depth and power of their patients' clinical records and other data to assess, monitor, and improve the care they deliver. However, in light of privacy and security concerns with regard to collection, use, and disclosure of patient information, this article addresses the need to collect protected health information as defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to drive rapid learning through CancerLinQ. © 2016 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

  16. Robotic vision. [process control applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, D. S.; Wilf, J. M.; Cunningham, R. T.; Eskenazi, R.

    1979-01-01

    Robotic vision, involving the use of a vision system to control a process, is discussed. Design and selection of active sensors employing radiation of radio waves, sound waves, and laser light, respectively, to light up unobservable features in the scene are considered, as are design and selection of passive sensors, which rely on external sources of illumination. The segmentation technique by which an image is separated into different collections of contiguous picture elements having such common characteristics as color, brightness, or texture is examined, with emphasis on the edge detection technique. The IMFEX (image feature extractor) system performing edge detection and thresholding at 30 frames/sec television frame rates is described. The template matching and discrimination approach to recognize objects are noted. Applications of robotic vision in industry for tasks too monotonous or too dangerous for the workers are mentioned.

  17. Quantitation of Cellular Dynamics in Growing Arabidopsis Roots with Light Sheet Microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Birnbaum, Kenneth D.; Leibler, Stanislas

    2011-01-01

    To understand dynamic developmental processes, living tissues have to be imaged frequently and for extended periods of time. Root development is extensively studied at cellular resolution to understand basic mechanisms underlying pattern formation and maintenance in plants. Unfortunately, ensuring continuous specimen access, while preserving physiological conditions and preventing photo-damage, poses major barriers to measurements of cellular dynamics in growing organs such as plant roots. We present a system that integrates optical sectioning through light sheet fluorescence microscopy with hydroponic culture that enables us to image, at cellular resolution, a vertically growing Arabidopsis root every few minutes and for several consecutive days. We describe novel automated routines to track the root tip as it grows, to track cellular nuclei and to identify cell divisions. We demonstrate the system's capabilities by collecting data on divisions and nuclear dynamics. PMID:21731697

  18. Fluorescence endoscopy using fiber speckle illumination

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakano, Shuhei; Katagiri, Takashi; Matsuura, Yuji

    2018-02-01

    An endoscopic fluorescence imaging system based on fiber speckle illumination is proposed. In this system, a multimode fiber for transmission of excitation laser light and collection of fluorescence is inserted into a conventional flexible endoscope. Since the excitation laser light has random speckle structure, one can detect fluorescence signal corresponding to the irradiation pattern if the sample contains fluorophores. The irradiation pattern can be captured by the endoscope camera when the excitation wavelength is within the sensitivity range of the camera. By performing multiple measurements while changing the irradiation pattern, a fluorescence image is reconstructed by solving a norm minimization problem. The principle of our method was experimentally demonstrated. A 2048 pixels image of quantum dots coated on a frosted glass was successfully reconstructed by 32 measurements. We also confirmed that our method can be applied on biological tissues.

  19. PHOTOMETRIC STUDY OF THE VERY SHORT PERIOD SHALLOW CONTACT BINARY DD COMAE BERENICES

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

    Zhu, L.; Qian, S.-B.; Mikulasek, Z.

    2010-07-15

    The first photometric solutions of the very short period (VSP) close binary DD Comae Berenices (P = 0fd26920811) based on our new complete (IR){sub C} light curves are derived by the 2003 version Wilson-Van Hamme code. They show that the system belongs to shallow contact W-type W UMa systems with a degree of overcontact of 8.7%. The observed light curve distortions are explained by employing the spots model due to the late-type nature of both components. We have collected all available photometric data about the system with emphasis on the individual observational data, which we treated simultaneously using our ownmore » method based on the usage of computed model light curves as templates. We recalculated published times of light minimum and added new ones of our own to construct an O - C diagram that spans over 70 years. Using a least squares method orthogonal quadratic model function, we found that the orbital period of DD Com is continuously increasing with P-dot =0.00401(22) s yr{sup -1}. The period increase may be caused by the mass transfer from the less-massive component to the more-massive one. With the period increase, the binary is evolving from the present shallow contact phase to the broken stage predicted by the thermal relaxation oscillation (TRO) theory. Compared with other VSP systems, DD Com is a rare system that lies on the expanding phase of the TRO cycle. Until now, only four such systems including DD Com are found in this stage. Thus, this target is another good observational proof of the TRO theory in a very short period region.« less

  20. Design of polarization imaging system based on CIS and FPGA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zeng, Yan-an; Liu, Li-gang; Yang, Kun-tao; Chang, Da-ding

    2008-02-01

    As polarization is an important characteristic of light, polarization image detecting is a new image detecting technology of combining polarimetric and image processing technology. Contrasting traditional image detecting in ray radiation, polarization image detecting could acquire a lot of very important information which traditional image detecting couldn't. Polarization image detecting will be widely used in civilian field and military field. As polarization image detecting could resolve some problem which couldn't be resolved by traditional image detecting, it has been researched widely around the world. The paper introduces polarization image detecting in physical theory at first, then especially introduces image collecting and polarization image process based on CIS (CMOS image sensor) and FPGA. There are two parts including hardware and software for polarization imaging system. The part of hardware include drive module of CMOS image sensor, VGA display module, SRAM access module and the real-time image data collecting system based on FPGA. The circuit diagram and PCB was designed. Stokes vector and polarization angle computing method are analyzed in the part of software. The float multiply of Stokes vector is optimized into just shift and addition operation. The result of the experiment shows that real time image collecting system could collect and display image data from CMOS image sensor in real-time.

  1. Sand Fly Fauna (Diptera, Pcychodidae, Phlebotominae) in Different Leishmaniasis-Endemic Areas of Ecuador, Surveyed Using a Newly Named Mini-Shannon Trap

    PubMed Central

    Hashiguchi, Kazue; Velez N., Lenin; Kato, Hirotomo; Criollo F., Hipatia; Romero A., Daniel; Gomez L., Eduardo; Martini R., Luiggi; Zambrano C., Flavio; Calvopina H., Manuel; Caceres G., Abraham; Hashiguchi, Yoshihisa

    2014-01-01

    To study the sand fly fauna, surveys were performed at four different leishmaniasis-endemic sites in Ecuador from February 2013 to April 2014. A modified and simplified version of the conventional Shannon trap was named “mini-Shannon trap” and put to multiple uses at the different study sites in limited, forested and narrow spaces. The mini-Shannon, CDC light trap and protected human landing method were employed for sand fly collection. The species identification of sand flies was performed mainly based on the morphology of spermathecae and cibarium, after dissection of fresh samples. In this study, therefore, only female samples were used for analysis. A total of 1,480 female sand flies belonging to 25 Lutzomyia species were collected. The number of female sand flies collected was 417 (28.2%) using the mini-Shannon trap, 259 (17.5%) using the CDC light trap and 804 (54.3%) by human landing. The total number of sand flies per trap collected by the different methods was markedly affected by the study site, probably because of the various composition of species at each locality. Furthermore, as an additional study, the attraction of sand flies to mini-Shannon traps powered with LED white-light and LED black-light was investigated preliminarily, together with the CDC light trap and human landing. As a result, a total of 426 sand flies of nine Lutzomyia species, including seven man-biting and two non-biting species, were collected during three capture trials in May and June 2014 in an area endemic for leishmaniasis (La Ventura). The black-light proved relatively superior to the white-light with regard to capture numbers, but no significant statistical difference was observed between the two traps. PMID:25589880

  2. Sand fly fauna (Diptera, pcychodidae, phlebotominae) in different leishmaniasis-endemic areas of ecuador, surveyed using a newly named mini-shannon trap.

    PubMed

    Hashiguchi, Kazue; Velez N, Lenin; Kato, Hirotomo; Criollo F, Hipatia; Romero A, Daniel; Gomez L, Eduardo; Martini R, Luiggi; Zambrano C, Flavio; Calvopina H, Manuel; Caceres G, Abraham; Hashiguchi, Yoshihisa

    2014-12-01

    To study the sand fly fauna, surveys were performed at four different leishmaniasis-endemic sites in Ecuador from February 2013 to April 2014. A modified and simplified version of the conventional Shannon trap was named "mini-Shannon trap" and put to multiple uses at the different study sites in limited, forested and narrow spaces. The mini-Shannon, CDC light trap and protected human landing method were employed for sand fly collection. The species identification of sand flies was performed mainly based on the morphology of spermathecae and cibarium, after dissection of fresh samples. In this study, therefore, only female samples were used for analysis. A total of 1,480 female sand flies belonging to 25 Lutzomyia species were collected. The number of female sand flies collected was 417 (28.2%) using the mini-Shannon trap, 259 (17.5%) using the CDC light trap and 804 (54.3%) by human landing. The total number of sand flies per trap collected by the different methods was markedly affected by the study site, probably because of the various composition of species at each locality. Furthermore, as an additional study, the attraction of sand flies to mini-Shannon traps powered with LED white-light and LED black-light was investigated preliminarily, together with the CDC light trap and human landing. As a result, a total of 426 sand flies of nine Lutzomyia species, including seven man-biting and two non-biting species, were collected during three capture trials in May and June 2014 in an area endemic for leishmaniasis (La Ventura). The black-light proved relatively superior to the white-light with regard to capture numbers, but no significant statistical difference was observed between the two traps.

  3. Developing methods based on light sheet fluorescence microscopy for biophysical investigations of larval zebrafish

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Taormina, Michael J.

    Adapting the tools of optical microscopy to the large-scale dynamic systems encountered in the development of multicellular organisms provides a path toward understanding the physical processes necessary for complex life to form and function. Obtaining quantitatively meaningful results from such systems has been challenging due to difficulty spanning the spatial and temporal scales representative of the whole, while also observing the many individual members from which complex and collective behavior emerges. A three-dimensional imaging technique known as light sheet fluorescence microscopy provides a number of significant benefits for surmounting these challenges and studying developmental systems. A thin plane of fluorescence excitation light is produced such that it coincides with the focal plane of an imaging system, providing rapid acquisition of optically sectioned images that can be used to construct a three-dimensional rendition of a sample. I discuss the implementation of this technique for use in larva of the model vertebrate Danio rerio (zebrafish). The nature of light sheet imaging makes it especially well suited to the study of large systems while maintaining good spatial resolution and minimizing damage to the specimen from excessive exposure to excitation light. I show the results from a comparative study that demonstrates the ability to image certain developmental processes non-destructively, while in contrast confocal microscopy results in abnormal growth due to phototoxicity. I develop the application of light sheet microscopy to the study of a previously inaccessible system: the bacterial colonization of a host organism. Using the technique, we are able to obtain a survey of the intestinal tract of a larval zebrafish and observe the location of microbes as they grow and establish a stable population in an initially germ free fish. Finally, I describe a new technique to measure the fluid viscosity of this intestinal environment in vivo using magnetically driven particles. By imaging such particles as they are oscillated in a frequency chirped field, it is possible to calculate properties such as the viscosity of the material in which they are embedded. Here I provide the first known measurement of intestinal mucus rheology in vivo.

  4. Conformable large-area position-sensitive photodetectors based on luminescence-collecting silicone waveguides

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bartu, Petr; Koeppe, Robert; Arnold, Nikita; Neulinger, Anton; Fallon, Lisa; Bauer, Siegfried

    2010-06-01

    Position sensitive detection schemes based on the lateral photoeffect rely on inorganic semiconductors. Such position sensitive devices (PSDs) are reliable and robust, but preparation with large active areas is expensive and use on curved substrates is impossible. Here we present a novel route for the fabrication of conformable PSDs which allows easy preparation on large areas, and use on curved surfaces. Our device is based on stretchable silicone waveguides with embedded fluorescent dyes, used in conjunction with small silicon photodiodes. Impinging laser light (e.g., from a laser pointer) is absorbed by the dye in the PSD and re-emitted as fluorescence light at a larger wavelength. Due to the isotropic emission from the fluorescent dye molecules, most of the re-emitted light is coupled into the planar silicone waveguide and directed to the edges of the device. Here the light signals are detected via embedded small silicon photodiodes arranged in a regular pattern. Using a mathematical algorithm derived by extensive using of models from global positioning system (GPS) systems and human activity monitoring, the position of light spots is easily calculated. Additionally, the device shows high durability against mechanical stress, when clamped in an uniaxial stretcher and mechanically loaded up to 15% strain. The ease of fabrication, conformability, and durability of the device suggests its use as interface devices and as sensor skin for future robots.

  5. Effect of fixation positions on perception of lightness

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Toscani, Matteo; Valsecchi, Matteo; Gegenfurtner, Karl R.

    2015-03-01

    Visual acuity, luminance sensitivity, contrast sensitivity, and color sensitivity are maximal in the fovea and decrease with retinal eccentricity. Therefore every scene is perceived by integrating the small, high resolution samples collected by moving the eyes around. Moreover, when viewing ambiguous figures the fixated position influences the dominance of the possible percepts. Therefore fixations could serve as a selection mechanism whose function is not confined to finely resolve the selected detail of the scene. Here this hypothesis is tested in the lightness perception domain. In a first series of experiments we demonstrated that when observers matched the color of natural objects they based their lightness judgments on objects' brightest parts. During this task the observers tended to fixate points with above average luminance, suggesting a relationship between perception and fixations that we causally proved using a gaze contingent display in a subsequent experiment. Simulations with rendered physical lighting show that higher values in an object's luminance distribution are particularly informative about reflectance. In a second series of experiments we considered a high level strategy that the visual system uses to segment the visual scene in a layered representation. We demonstrated that eye movement sampling mediates between the layer segregation and its effects on lightness perception. Together these studies show that eye fixations are partially responsible for the selection of information from a scene that allows the visual system to estimate the reflectance of a surface.

  6. The x-ray light valve: a potentially low-cost, digital radiographic imaging system-concept and implementation considerations.

    PubMed

    Webster, Christie Ann; Koprinarov, Ivaylo; Germann, Stephen; Rowlands, J A

    2008-03-01

    New x-ray radiographic systems based on large-area flat-panel technology have revolutionized our capability to produce digital x-ray images. However, these imagers are extraordinarily expensive compared to the systems they are replacing. Hence, there is a need for a low-cost digital imaging system for general applications in radiology. A novel potentially low-cost radiographic imaging system based on established technologies is proposed-the X-Ray Light Valve (XLV). This is a potentially high-quality digital x-ray detector made of a photoconducting layer and a liquid-crystal cell, physically coupled in a sandwich structure. Upon exposure to x rays, charge is collected on the surface of the photoconductor. This causes a change in the optical properties of the liquid-crystal cell and a visible image is generated. Subsequently, it is digitized by a scanned optical imager. The image formation is based on controlled modulation of light from an external source. The operation and practical implementation of the XLV system are described. The potential performance of the complete system and issues related to sensitivity, spatial resolution, noise, and speed are discussed. The feasibility of clinical use of an XLV device based on amorphous selenium (a-Se) as the photoconductor and a reflective electrically controlled birefringence cell is analyzed. The results of our analysis indicate that the XLV can potentially be adapted to a wide variety of radiographic tasks.

  7. In vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy of the human cornea.

    PubMed

    Bauer, N J; Hendrikse, F; March, W F

    1999-07-01

    To investigate the feasibility of a confocal Raman spectroscopic technique for the noninvasive assessment of corneal hydration in vivo in two legally blind subjects. A laser beam (632.8 nm; 15 mJ) was maintained on the cornea by using a microscope objective lens (x25 magnification, NA = 0.5, f = 10 mm) both for focusing the incident light as well as collecting the Raman backscattered light, in a 180 degrees backscatter configuration. An optical fiber, acting as the confocal pinhole for elimination of light from out-of-focus places, was coupled to a spectrometer that dispersed the collected light onto a sensitive array detector for rapid spectral data acquisition over a range from 2,890 to 3,590/cm(-1). Raman spectra were recorded from the anterior 100-150 microm of the cornea over a period before and after topical application of a mild dehydrating solution. The ratio between the amplitudes of the signals at 3,400/cm(-1) (OH-vibrational mode of water) and 2,940/cm(-1) (CH-vibrational mode of proteins) was used as a measure for corneal hydration. High signal-to-noise ratio (SNR = 25) Raman spectra were obtained from the human corneas by using 15 mJ of laser light energy. Qualitative changes in the hydration of the anteriormost part of the corneas could be observed as a result of the dehydrating agent. With adequate improvements in system safety, confocal Raman spectroscopy could potentially be applied clinically as a noninvasive tool for the assessment of corneal hydration in vivo.

  8. Method and apparatus for calibrating a particle emissions monitor

    DOEpatents

    Flower, W.L.; Renzi, R.F.

    1998-07-07

    The invention discloses a method and apparatus for calibrating particulate emissions monitors, in particular, sampling probes, and in general, without removing the instrument from the system being monitored. A source of one or more specific metals in aerosol (either solid or liquid) or vapor form is housed in the instrument. The calibration operation is initiated by moving a focusing lens, used to focus a light beam onto an analysis location and collect the output light response, from an operating position to a calibration position such that the focal point of the focusing lens is now within a calibration stream issuing from a calibration source. The output light response from the calibration stream can be compared to that derived from an analysis location in the operating position to more accurately monitor emissions within the emissions flow stream. 6 figs.

  9. Method and apparatus for calibrating a particle emissions monitor

    DOEpatents

    Flower, William L.; Renzi, Ronald F.

    1998-07-07

    The instant invention discloses method and apparatus for calibrating particulate emissions monitors, in particular, and sampling probes, in general, without removing the instrument from the system being monitored. A source of one or more specific metals in aerosol (either solid or liquid) or vapor form is housed in the instrument. The calibration operation is initiated by moving a focusing lens, used to focus a light beam onto an analysis location and collect the output light response, from an operating position to a calibration position such that the focal point of the focusing lens is now within a calibration stream issuing from a calibration source. The output light response from the calibration stream can be compared to that derived from an analysis location in the operating position to more accurately monitor emissions within the emissions flow stream.

  10. Eeap-lighting survey study at the Red River Army Depot Texarkana, Texas. Final report, 17 October 1994-14 April 1995

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

    Pieper, C.A.; Luckett, T.

    This energy conservation study was performed by Huitt-Zollars Inc, for the U.S. Army Engineer District (USAED), Fort Worth, under contract number DACAC63-94-D-00l5. The study was conducted at Red River Army Depot (RRAD) in Texarkana, Texas, between October 17, 1994 and April 14, 1995. The site survey and data collection were performed by C.A. Pieper, P.E. and Tom Luckett, Lighting Designer. The purpose of the study was to perform a limited site survey of specific buildings at the facility, identify Conservation Opportunities (ECOs) that exist, and then evaluate these ECOs for technical and economic feasibility. These ECOs were limited to buildingmore » interior lighting and it`s effects on the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.« less

  11. Fine Guidance Sensing for Coronagraphic Observatories

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brugarolas, Paul; Alexander, James W.; Trauger, John T.; Moody, Dwight C.

    2011-01-01

    Three options have been developed for Fine Guidance Sensing (FGS) for coronagraphic observatories using a Fine Guidance Camera within a coronagraphic instrument. Coronagraphic observatories require very fine precision pointing in order to image faint objects at very small distances from a target star. The Fine Guidance Camera measures the direction to the target star. The first option, referred to as Spot, was to collect all of the light reflected from a coronagraph occulter onto a focal plane, producing an Airy-type point spread function (PSF). This would allow almost all of the starlight from the central star to be used for centroiding. The second approach, referred to as Punctured Disk, collects the light that bypasses a central obscuration, producing a PSF with a punctured central disk. The final approach, referred to as Lyot, collects light after passing through the occulter at the Lyot stop. The study includes generation of representative images for each option by the science team, followed by an engineering evaluation of a centroiding or a photometric algorithm for each option. After the alignment of the coronagraph to the fine guidance system, a "nulling" point on the FGS focal point is determined by calibration. This alignment is implemented by a fine alignment mechanism that is part of the fine guidance camera selection mirror. If the star images meet the modeling assumptions, and the star "centroid" can be driven to that nulling point, the contrast for the coronagraph will be maximized.

  12. Apparatus using the FARADAY effect to locate the magnetic axis of quadrupole magnets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Le Bars, Josette

    1994-07-01

    A development using magneto-optic sensors is underway for the location of the magnetic center of long, small aperture, superconducting quadrupole magnets. The paper will describe the measuring methods and the preliminary results which have been obtained with gradients from 2.5 T/m to 10 T/m. The sensors are made of magneto-optic garnets using the Faraday effect which changes an incident beam of linearly polarized light into a transmitted beam of elliptically polarized light. An optical fiber bundle (phi less than 20 micron) carries the incident light to a polarized film, put above the magneto optic sensor. An analyzer film collects the transmitted light. A second optic fiber bundle carries this light toward a visual (microscope, video camera) or analogic data acquisition system. Furthermore, a level is associated with these crystals to determine the gravity direction. The 'mole' is moving along the axis of a warm bore tube when the magnet is superconducting. The present results are promising for measuring quadrupoles of much higher gradients, up to 100 T/m.

  13. Tailored Lighting Intervention for Persons with Dementia and Caregivers Living at Home

    PubMed Central

    Figueiro, Mariana G.; Hunter, Claudia M.; Higgins, Patricia; Hornick, Thomas; Jones, Geoffrey E.; Plitnick, Barbara; Brons, Jennifer; Rea, Mark S.

    2016-01-01

    Objectives Light therapy has shown promise as a nonpharmacological treatment to help regulate abnormal sleep-wake patterns and associated behavioral issues prevalent among individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). The present study investigated the effectiveness of a lighting intervention designed to increase circadian stimulation during the day using light sources that have high short-wavelength content and high light output. Methods Thirty-five persons with ADRD and 34 caregivers completed the 11-week study. During week 1, subjective questionnaires were administered to the study participants. During week 2, baseline data were collected using Daysimeters and actigraphs. Researchers installed the lighting during week 3, followed by 4 weeks of the tailored lighting intervention. During the last week of the lighting intervention, Daysimeter, actigraph and questionnaire data were again collected. Three weeks after the lighting intervention was removed, a third data collection (post-intervention assessment) was performed. Results The lighting intervention significantly increased circadian entrainment, as measured by phasor magnitude and sleep efficiency, as measured by actigraphy data, and significantly reduced symptoms of depression in the participants with ADRD. The caregivers also exhibited an increase in circadian entrainment during the lighting intervention; a seasonal effect of greater sleep efficiency and longer sleep duration was also found for caregivers. Conclusions An ambient lighting intervention designed to increase daytime circadian stimulation can be used to increase sleep efficiency in persons with ADRD and their caregivers, and may also be effective for other populations such as healthy older adults with sleep problems, adolescents, and veterans with traumatic brain injury. PMID:27066526

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

    Smith, D.E.; Roeske, F.

    We have successfully fielded a Fiber Optics Radiation Experiment system (FOREX) designed for measuring material properties at high temperatures and pressures in an underground nuclear test. The system collects light from radiating materials and transmits it through several hundred meters of optical fibers to a recording station consisting of a streak camera with film readout. The use of fiber optics provides a faster time response than can presently be obtained with equalized coaxial cables over comparable distances. Fibers also have significant cost and physical size advantages over coax cables. The streak camera achieves a much higher information density than anmore » equivalent oscilloscope system, and it also serves as the light detector. The result is a wide bandwidth high capacity system that can be fielded at a relatively low cost in manpower, space, and materials. For this experiment, the streak camera had a 120 ns time window with a 1.2 ns time resolution. Dynamic range for the system was about 1000. Beam current statistical limitations were approximately 8% for a 0.3 ns wide data point at one decade above the threshold recording intensity.« less

  15. Red and infrared light distribution in blood

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Magalhães, Ana Carolina; Yoshimura, Elisabeth M.

    2013-02-01

    Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is used in several applications, including the reduction of inflammatory processes. It might be used to prevent the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), which some patients develop after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. The objectives of this study were to investigate light distribution inside blood, in order to implement the LLLT during CPB, and, through this study, to determine the best wavelength and the best way to perform the treatment. The blood, diluted to the same conditions of CPB procedure was contained inside a cuvette and an optical fiber was used to collect the scattered light. Two wavelengths were used: 632.8 nm and 820 nm. Light distribution in blood inside CPB tubes was also evaluated. Compared to the 820 nm light, the 632.8 nm light is scattered further away from the laser beam, turning it possible that a bigger volume of blood be treated. The blood should be illuminated through the smallest diameter CPB tube, using at least four distinct points around it, in only one cross section, because the blood is kept passing through the tube all the time and the whole volume will be illuminated.

  16. Illumination of interior spaces by bended hollow light guides: Application of the theoretical light propagation method

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

    Darula, Stanislav; Kocifaj, Miroslav; Kittler, Richard

    2010-12-15

    To ensure comfort and healthy conditions in interior spaces the thermal, acoustics and daylight factors of the environment have to be considered in the building design. Due to effective energy performance in buildings the new technology and applications also in daylight engineering are sought such as tubular light guides. These allow the transport of natural light into the building core reducing energy consumption. A lot of installations with various geometrical and optical properties can be applied in real buildings. The simplest set of tubular light guide consists of a transparent cupola, direct tube with high reflected inner surface and amore » ceiling cover or diffuser redistributing light into the interior. Such vertical tubular guide is often used on flat roofs. When the roof construction is inclined a bend in the light guide system has to be installed. In this case the cupola is set on the sloped roof which collects sunlight and skylight from the seen part of the sky hemisphere as well as that reflected from the ground and opposite facades. In comparison with the vertical tube some additional light losses and distortions of the propagated light have to be expected in bended tubular light guides. Recently the theoretical model of light propagation was already published and its applications are presented in this study solving illuminance distributions on the ceiling cover interface and further illuminance distribution on the working plane in the interior. (author)« less

  17. Effects of monochromatic light sources on sex hormone levels in serum and on semen quality of ganders.

    PubMed

    Chang, Shen-Chang; Zhuang, Zi-Xuan; Lin, Min-Jung; Cheng, Chuen-Yu; Lin, Tsung-Yi; Jea, Yu-Shine; Huang, San-Yuan

    2016-04-01

    Light is an essential external factor influencing various physiological processes, including reproductive performance, in birds. Although several attempts have been made to understand the effect of light on poultry production, the effect of light of a particular wavelength (color) on the reproductive function in geese remains unclear. This study evaluated the effect of various monochromatic light sources on the levels of sex hormone and on semen quality of ganders. Of 30 male White Roman geese in their third reproductive season (average age=3 years), 27 were divided into three groups receiving monochromatic white or red or blue lights. The birds were kept in an environmentally controlled house with a lighting photoperiod of 7L:17D for six weeks as the adaptation period. The photoperiod was subsequently changed to 9L:15D and maintained for 24 weeks. Three ganders at the beginning of the study and three from each group at the end of the adjusting period and the 20th and 30th week of the study period were sacrificed, and their testes and blood samples were collected for determining the sex hormone levels. Semen samples were collected for determining semen quality parameters, including the semen collection index, sperm concentration, semen volume, sperm motility, sperm viability, sperm morphology, and semen quality factor. The results showed that the testosterone and estradiol levels remained unchanged in all three groups at all time points. The ratio of testosterone to estradiol of ganders exposed to white light was significantly higher than that of ganders exposed to red light at the 30th week (P<0.05). Semen collection index and sperm viability of ganders exposed to blue light were significantly the lowest (P<0.05). Moreover, sperm motility, sperm viability, and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa of ganders in white light were the highest (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that artificial illumination with white light may maintain a better semen quality than that with red or blue lights in ganders. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Predictive assessment of kidney functional recovery following ischemic injury using optical spectroscopy

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

    Raman, Rajesh N.; Pivetti, Christopher D.; Ramsamooj, Rajendra

    Functional changes in rat kidneys during the induced ischemic injury and recovery phases were explored using multimodal autofluorescence and light scattering imaging. We aim to evaluate the use of noncontact optical signatures for rapid assessment of tissue function and viability. Specifically, autofluorescence images were acquired in vivo under 355, 325, and 266 nm illumination while light scattering images were collected at the excitation wavelengths as well as using relatively narrowband light centered at 500 nm. The images were simultaneously recorded using a multimodal optical imaging system. We also analyzed to obtain time constants, which were correlated to kidney dysfunction asmore » determined by a subsequent survival study and histopathological analysis. This analysis of both the light scattering and autofluorescence images suggests that changes in tissue microstructure, fluorophore emission, and blood absorption spectral characteristics, coupled with vascular response, contribute to the behavior of the observed signal, which may be used to obtain tissue functional information and offer the ability to predict posttransplant kidney function.« less

  19. Extracellular Recording of Light Responses from Optic Nerve Fibers and the Caudal Photoreceptor in the Crayfish

    PubMed Central

    Nesbit, Steven C.; Van Hoof, Alexander G.; Le, Chi C.; Dearworth, James R.

    2015-01-01

    Few laboratory exercises have been developed using the crayfish as a model for teaching how neural processing is done by sensory organs that detect light stimuli. This article describes the dissection procedures and methods for conducting extracellular recording from light responses of both the optic nerve fibers found in the animal’s eyestalk and from the caudal photoreceptor located in the ventral nerve cord. Instruction for ADInstruments’ data acquisition system is also featured for the data collection and analysis of responses. The comparison provides students a unique view on how spike activities measured from neurons code image-forming and non-image-forming processes. Results from the exercise show longer latency and lower frequency of firing by the caudal photoreceptor compared to optic nerve fibers to demonstrate evidence of different functions. After students learn the dissection, recording procedure, and the functional anatomy, they can develop their own experiments to learn more about the photoreceptive mechanisms and the sensory integration of modalities by these light-responsive interneurons. PMID:26557793

  20. Predictive assessment of kidney functional recovery following ischemic injury using optical spectroscopy

    DOE PAGES

    Raman, Rajesh N.; Pivetti, Christopher D.; Ramsamooj, Rajendra; ...

    2017-05-03

    Functional changes in rat kidneys during the induced ischemic injury and recovery phases were explored using multimodal autofluorescence and light scattering imaging. We aim to evaluate the use of noncontact optical signatures for rapid assessment of tissue function and viability. Specifically, autofluorescence images were acquired in vivo under 355, 325, and 266 nm illumination while light scattering images were collected at the excitation wavelengths as well as using relatively narrowband light centered at 500 nm. The images were simultaneously recorded using a multimodal optical imaging system. We also analyzed to obtain time constants, which were correlated to kidney dysfunction asmore » determined by a subsequent survival study and histopathological analysis. This analysis of both the light scattering and autofluorescence images suggests that changes in tissue microstructure, fluorophore emission, and blood absorption spectral characteristics, coupled with vascular response, contribute to the behavior of the observed signal, which may be used to obtain tissue functional information and offer the ability to predict posttransplant kidney function.« less

  1. Research and application on imaging technology of line structure light based on confocal microscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Han, Wenfeng; Xiao, Zexin; Wang, Xiaofen

    2009-11-01

    In 2005, the theory of line structure light confocal microscopy was put forward firstly in China by Xingyu Gao and Zexin Xiao in the Institute of Opt-mechatronics of Guilin University of Electronic Technology. Though the lateral resolution of line confocal microscopy can only reach or approach the level of the traditional dot confocal microscopy. But compared with traditional dot confocal microscopy, it has two advantages: first, by substituting line scanning for dot scanning, plane imaging only performs one-dimensional scanning, with imaging velocity greatly improved and scanning mechanism simplified, second, transfer quantity of light is greatly improved by substituting detection hairline for detection pinhole, and low illumination CCD is used directly to collect images instead of photoelectric intensifier. In order to apply the line confocal microscopy to practical system, based on the further research on the theory of the line confocal microscopy, imaging technology of line structure light is put forward on condition of implementation of confocal microscopy. Its validity and reliability are also verified by experiments.

  2. A Real Lorentz-FitzGerald Contraction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barceló, Carlos; Jannes, Gil

    2008-02-01

    Many condensed matter systems are such that their collective excitations at low energies can be described by fields satisfying equations of motion formally indistinguishable from those of relativistic field theory. The finite speed of propagation of the disturbances in the effective fields (in the simplest models, the speed of sound) plays here the role of the speed of light in fundamental physics. However, these apparently relativistic fields are immersed in an external Newtonian world (the condensed matter system itself and the laboratory can be considered Newtonian, since all the velocities involved are much smaller than the velocity of light) which provides a privileged coordinate system and therefore seems to destroy the possibility of having a perfectly defined relativistic emergent world. In this essay we ask ourselves the following question: In a homogeneous condensed matter medium, is there a way for internal observers, dealing exclusively with the low-energy collective phenomena, to detect their state of uniform motion with respect to the medium? By proposing a thought experiment based on the construction of a Michelson-Morley interferometer made of quasi-particles, we show that a real Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction takes place, so that internal observers are unable to find out anything about their ‘absolute’ state of motion. Therefore, we also show that an effective but perfectly defined relativistic world can emerge in a fishbowl world situated inside a Newtonian (laboratory) system. This leads us to reflect on the various levels of description in physics, in particular regarding the quest towards a theory of quantum gravity.

  3. Comparative capture rate responses of mosquito vectors to light trap and human landing collection methods

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Capture rate responses of female Aedes albopictus Skuse, Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say, Culex nigripalpus Theobald, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Ochlerotatus triseriatus (Wiedemann) to CDC-type light trap (LT) and human landing (HL) collection methods were observed and evaluated for congruency wi...

  4. Large Format CMOS-based Detectors for Diffraction Studies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thompson, A. C.; Nix, J. C.; Achterkirchen, T. G.; Westbrook, E. M.

    2013-03-01

    Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) devices are rapidly replacing CCD devices in many commercial and medical applications. Recent developments in CMOS fabrication have improved their radiation hardness, device linearity, readout noise and thermal noise, making them suitable for x-ray crystallography detectors. Large-format (e.g. 10 cm × 15 cm) CMOS devices with a pixel size of 100 μm × 100 μm are now becoming available that can be butted together on three sides so that very large area detector can be made with no dead regions. Like CCD systems our CMOS systems use a GdOS:Tb scintillator plate to convert stopping x-rays into visible light which is then transferred with a fiber-optic plate to the sensitive surface of the CMOS sensor. The amount of light per x-ray on the sensor is much higher in the CMOS system than a CCD system because the fiber optic plate is only 3 mm thick while on a CCD system it is highly tapered and much longer. A CMOS sensor is an active pixel matrix such that every pixel is controlled and readout independently of all other pixels. This allows these devices to be readout while the sensor is collecting charge in all the other pixels. For x-ray diffraction detectors this is a major advantage since image frames can be collected continuously at up 20 Hz while the crystal is rotated. A complete diffraction dataset can be collected over five times faster than with CCD systems with lower radiation exposure to the crystal. In addition, since the data is taken fine-phi slice mode the 3D angular position of diffraction peaks is improved. We have developed a cooled 6 sensor CMOS detector with an active area of 28.2 × 29.5 cm with 100 μm × 100 μm pixels and a readout rate of 20 Hz. The detective quantum efficiency exceeds 60% over the range 8-12 keV. One, two and twelve sensor systems are also being developed for a variety of scientific applications. Since the sensors are butt able on three sides, even larger systems could be built at reasonable cost.

  5. Portable Chemical Agent Detection System: Differential Reflectometer and Light Scattering Approaches

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-02-15

    possible to conduct elemental analysis on modified capillaries because of the polymer coating. Instead, measurements of electroosmotic flow were used...design There are several essential requirements for a sensitive chemiluminescence cell (Figure 1); good reagent/analyte mixing for maximum photon yield...Cutaway of Chemiluminescence cell the cooled pint housing. In our design, the concentric inlets will increase photon collection due to better mixing of

  6. High-Sensitivity Ionization Trace-Species Detector

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bernius, Mark T.; Chutjian, Ara

    1990-01-01

    Features include high ion-extraction efficiency, compactness, and light weight. Improved version of previous ionization detector features in-line geometry that enables extraction of almost every ion from region of formation. Focusing electrodes arranged and shaped into compact system of space-charge-limited reversal electron optics and ion-extraction optics. Provides controllability of ionizing electron energies, greater efficiency of ionization, and nearly 100 percent ion-collection efficiency.

  7. Clustering of Magnetic Swimmers in a Poiseuille Flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meng, Fanlong; Matsunaga, Daiki; Golestanian, Ramin

    2018-05-01

    We investigate the collective behavior of magnetic swimmers, which are suspended in a Poiseuille flow and placed under an external magnetic field, using analytical techniques and Brownian dynamics simulations. We find that the interplay between intrinsic activity, external alignment, and magnetic dipole-dipole interactions leads to longitudinal structure formation. Our work sheds light on a recent experimental observation of a clustering instability in this system.

  8. Field evaluation of a new light trap for phlebotomine sand flies.

    PubMed

    Gaglio, Gabriella; Napoli, Ettore; Falsone, Luigi; Giannetto, Salvatore; Brianti, Emanuele

    2017-10-01

    Light traps are one of the most common attractive method for the collection of nocturnal insects. Although light traps are generally referred to as "CDC light traps", different models, equipped with incandescent or UV lamps, have been developed. A new light trap, named Laika trap 3.0, equipped with LED lamps and featured with a light and handy design, has been recently proposed into the market. In this study we tested and compared the capture performances of this new trap with those of a classical light trap model under field conditions. From May to November 2013, a Laika trap and a classical light trap were placed biweekly in an area endemic for sand flies. A total of 256 sand fly specimens, belonging to 3 species (Sergentomyia minuta, Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus neglectus) were collected during the study period. The Laika trap captured 126 phlebotomine sand flies: P. perniciosus (n=38); S. minuta (n=88), a similar number of specimens (130) and the same species were captured by classical light trap which collected also 3 specimens of P. neglectus. No significant differences in the capture efficiency at each day of trapping, neither in the number of species or in the sex of sand flies were observed. According to results of this study, the Laika trap may be a valid alternative to classical light trap models especially when handy design and low power consumption are key factors in field studies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Electro-optical characterization system develped for ATLIDCAS AIV: flat field and collimated beam injections

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ramos, G.; Laguna, H.; Torres, J.; Belenguer, T.

    2017-11-01

    In the framework of the ESA EarthCare Mission, an atmospheric LIDAR (ATLID) was included as a payload. CAS is the co-alignment system of such a LIDAR instrument, the system responsible of guaranteeing the proper alignment of the projected laser beam and the reflected light collected. Within CAS, in which a consortium leaded by ASTRIUM France is working in, as well as CRISA (electronics) and LIDAX (mechanical engineering), INTA is in charge of the development of the instrumentation to be used on ground (on ground support equipments, OGSEs) needed for the proper electro-optical characterization.

  10. Multisector scintillation detector with fiber-optic light collection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ampilogov, N. V.; Denisov, S. P.; Kokoulin, R. P.; Petrukhin, A. A.; Prokopenko, N. N.; Shulzhenko, I. A.; Unatlokov, I. B.; Yashin, I. I.

    2017-07-01

    A new type of scintillation detector for the use in high energy physics is described. The octagonal detector consists of eight triangular scintillator sectors with total area of 1 m2. Each sector represents two plates of 2 cm thick plastic scintillator. Seven 1 mm thick WLS fibers are laid evenly between the plates. The space between the fibers is filled with silicone compound to provide better light collection. Fiber ends from all eight sectors are gathered in the central part of the detector into a bunch and docked to the cathode of a FEU-115m photomultiplier. The read-out of the counter signals is carried out from 7th and 12th dynodes, providing a wide dynamic range up to about 10000 particles. The front-end electronics of the detector is based on the flash-ADC with a sampling frequency of 200 MHz. The features of detecting and recording systems of the multisector scintillation detector (MSD) and the results of its testing are discussed.

  11. Distributed Space Solar Power

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fork, Richard L.

    2001-01-01

    The objective was to assess the feasibility of safely collecting solar power at geostationary orbit and delivering it to earth. A strategy which could harness a small fraction of the millions of gigawatts of sunlight passing near earth could adequately supply the power needs of earth and those of space exploration far into the future. Light collected and enhanced both spatially and temporally in space and beamed to earth provides probably the only practical means of safe and efficient delivery of this space solar power to earth. In particular, we analyzed the feasibility of delivering power to sites on earth at a comparable intensity, after conversion to a usable form, to existing power needs. Two major obstacles in the delivery of space solar power to earth are safety and the development of a source suitable for space. We focused our approach on: (1) identifying system requirements and designing a strategy satisfying current eye and skin safety requirements; and (2) identifying a concept for a potential space-based source for producing the enhanced light.

  12. Utilizing a Tower Based System for Optical Sensing of Ecosystem Carbon Fluxes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huemmrich, K. F.; Corp, L. A.; Middleton, E.; Campbell, P. K. E.; Landis, D.; Kustas, W. P.

    2015-12-01

    Optical sampling of spectral reflectance and solar induced fluorescence provide information on the physiological status of vegetation that can be used to infer stress responses and estimates of production. Multiple repeated observations are required to observe the effects of changing environmental conditions on vegetation. This study examines the use of optical signals to determine inputs to a light use efficiency (LUE) model describing productivity of a cornfield where repeated observations of carbon flux, spectral reflectance and fluorescence were collected. Data were collected at the Optimizing Production Inputs for Economic and Environmental Enhancement (OPE3) fields (39.03°N, 76.85°W) at USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Agricultural Research Service researchers measured CO2 fluxes using eddy covariance methods throughout the growing season. Optical measurements were made from the nearby tower supporting the NASA FUSION sensors. The sensor system consists of two dual channel, upward and downward looking, spectrometers used to simultaneously collect high spectral resolution measurements of reflected and fluoresced light from vegetation canopies at multiple view angles. Estimates of chlorophyll fluorescence, combined with measures of vegetation pigment content and the Photosynthetic Reflectance Index (PRI) derived from the spectral reflectance are compared with CO2 fluxes over diurnal periods for multiple days. The relationships among the different optical measurements indicate that they are providing different types of information on the vegetation and that combinations of these measurements provide improved retrievals of CO2 fluxes than any index alone

  13. Observations, Roche Lobe Analysis, and Period Study of the Eclipsing Contact Binary System GM Canum Venaticorum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alton, K. B.; Nelson, R. H.

    2018-06-01

    GM CVn is an eclipsing W UMa binary system (P = 0.366984 d) which has been largely neglected since its variability was first detected during the ROTSE campaign (1999-2000). Other than a single unfiltered light curve (LC) no other photometric data have been published. LC data collected in three bandpasses (B, V, and Rc) at UnderOak Observatory (UO) produced three new times of minimum for GM CVn. These along with other eclipse timings from the literature were used to update the linear ephemeris. Roche modeling to produce synthetic LC fits to the observed data was accomplished using binary maker 3, wdwint56a, and phoebe v.31a. Newly acquired radial velocity data were pivotal to defining the absolute and geometric parameters for this partially eclipsing binary system. An unspotted solution achieved the best Roche model fits for the multi-color LCs collected in 2013.

  14. Application of 3D reconstruction system in diabetic foot ulcer injury assessment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Jun; Jiang, Li; Li, Tianjian; Liang, Xiaoyao

    2018-04-01

    To deal with the considerable deviation of transparency tracing method and digital planimetry method used in current clinical diabetic foot ulcer injury assessment, this paper proposes a 3D reconstruction system which can be used to get foot model with good quality texture, then injury assessment is done by measuring the reconstructed model. The system uses the Intel RealSense SR300 depth camera which is based on infrared structured-light as input device, the required data from different view is collected by moving the camera around the scanned object. The geometry model is reconstructed by fusing the collected data, then the mesh is sub-divided to increase the number of mesh vertices and the color of each vertex is determined using a non-linear optimization, all colored vertices compose the surface texture of the reconstructed model. Experimental results indicate that the reconstructed model has millimeter-level geometric accuracy and texture with few artificial effect.

  15. Automated Generation of Geo-Referenced Mosaics From Video Data Collected by Deep-Submergence Vehicles: Preliminary Results

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rhzanov, Y.; Beaulieu, S.; Soule, S. A.; Shank, T.; Fornari, D.; Mayer, L. A.

    2005-12-01

    Many advances in understanding geologic, tectonic, biologic, and sedimentologic processes in the deep ocean are facilitated by direct observation of the seafloor. However, making such observations is both difficult and expensive. Optical systems (e.g., video, still camera, or direct observation) will always be constrained by the severe attenuation of light in the deep ocean, limiting the field of view to distances that are typically less than 10 meters. Acoustic systems can 'see' much larger areas, but at the cost of spatial resolution. Ultimately, scientists want to study and observe deep-sea processes in the same way we do land-based phenomena so that the spatial distribution and juxtaposition of processes and features can be resolved. We have begun development of algorithms that will, in near real-time, generate mosaics from video collected by deep-submergence vehicles. Mosaics consist of >>10 video frames and can cover 100's of square-meters. This work builds on a publicly available still and video mosaicking software package developed by Rzhanov and Mayer. Here we present the results of initial tests of data collection methodologies (e.g., transects across the seafloor and panoramas across features of interest), algorithm application, and GIS integration conducted during a recent cruise to the Eastern Galapagos Spreading Center (0 deg N, 86 deg W). We have developed a GIS database for the region that will act as a means to access and display mosaics within a geospatially-referenced framework. We have constructed numerous mosaics using both video and still imagery and assessed the quality of the mosaics (including registration errors) under different lighting conditions and with different navigation procedures. We have begun to develop algorithms for efficient and timely mosaicking of collected video as well as integration with navigation data for georeferencing the mosaics. Initial results indicate that operators must be properly versed in the control of the video systems as well as maintaining vehicle attitude and altitude in order to achieve the best results possible.

  16. Engineering Sensorial Delay to Control Phototaxis and Emergent Collective Behaviors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mijalkov, Mite; McDaniel, Austin; Wehr, Jan; Volpe, Giovanni

    2016-01-01

    Collective motions emerging from the interaction of autonomous mobile individuals play a key role in many phenomena, from the growth of bacterial colonies to the coordination of robotic swarms. For these collective behaviors to take hold, the individuals must be able to emit, sense, and react to signals. When dealing with simple organisms and robots, these signals are necessarily very elementary; e.g., a cell might signal its presence by releasing chemicals and a robot by shining light. An additional challenge arises because the motion of the individuals is often noisy; e.g., the orientation of cells can be altered by Brownian motion and that of robots by an uneven terrain. Therefore, the emphasis is on achieving complex and tunable behaviors from simple autonomous agents communicating with each other in robust ways. Here, we show that the delay between sensing and reacting to a signal can determine the individual and collective long-term behavior of autonomous agents whose motion is intrinsically noisy. We experimentally demonstrate that the collective behavior of a group of phototactic robots capable of emitting a radially decaying light field can be tuned from segregation to aggregation and clustering by controlling the delay with which they change their propulsion speed in response to the light intensity they measure. We track this transition to the underlying dynamics of this system, in particular, to the ratio between the robots' sensorial delay time and the characteristic time of the robots' random reorientation. Supported by numerics, we discuss how the same mechanism can be applied to control active agents, e.g., airborne drones, moving in a three-dimensional space. Given the simplicity of this mechanism, the engineering of sensorial delay provides a potentially powerful tool to engineer and dynamically tune the behavior of large ensembles of autonomous mobile agents; furthermore, this mechanism might already be at work within living organisms such as chemotactic cells.

  17. Switching speeds in NCAP displays: dependence on collection angle and wavelength

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reamey, Robert H.; Montoya, Wayne; Wartenberg, Mark

    1991-06-01

    The on and off switching speeds of nematic droplet-polymer films (NCAP) are shown to depend on the collection angle (f/#) and the wavelength of the light used in the measurement. Conventional twisted nematic liquid crystal displays have switching speeds which depend little on these factors. The switching speed dependence on collection angle (f/#) and wavelength for nematic droplet-polymer films is inherent to the mechanism by which light is modulated in these films. This mechanism is the scattering of light by the nematic droplets. The on times become faster and the off times become slower as the collection angle of detection is increased. The overall change in switching speed can be large. Greater than 100X changes in off time have been observed. As the wavelength of the light used to interrogate the sample is increased (blue yields green yields red) the on times become faster and the off times become slower. This dependence of switching speed on wavelength is apparent at all collection angles. An awareness of these effects is necessary when developing nematic droplet-polymer films for display applications and when comparing switching speed data from different sources.

  18. Multi-color light curves and orbital period research of eclipsing binary V1073 Cyg

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tian, Xiao-Man; Zhu, Li-Ying; Qian, Sheng-Bang; Li, Lin-Jia; Jiang, Lin-Qiao

    2018-02-01

    New multi-color BV RcIc photometric observations are presented for the W UMa type eclipsing binary V1073 Cyg. The multi-color light curve analysis with the Wilson-Devinney procedure yielded the absolute parameters of this system, showing that V1073 Cyg is a shallow contact binary system with a fill-out factor f = 0.124(±0.011). We collected all available times of light minima spanning 119 yr, including CCD data to construct the O ‑ C curve, and performed detailed O ‑ C analysis. The O ‑ C diagram shows that the period change is complex. A long-term continuous decrease and a cyclic variation exist. The period is decreasing at a rate of Ṗ = ‑1.04(±0.18) × 10‑10 d cycle‑1 and, with the period decrease, V1073 Cyg will evolve to the deep contact stage. The cyclic variation with a period of P 3 = 82.7(±3.6) yr and an amplitude of A = 0.028(±0.002)d may be explained by magnetic activity of one or both components or the light travel time effect caused by a distant third companion with M 3(i‧ = 90°) = 0.511 M⊙.

  19. A comparative study of optical concentrators for visible light communications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mulyawan, Rahmat; Gomez, Ariel; Chun, Hyunchae; Rajbhandari, Sujan; Manousiadis, Pavlos P.; Vithanage, Dimali A.; Faulkner, Grahame; Turnbull, Graham A.; Samuel, Ifor D. W.; Collins, Stephen; O'Brien, Dominic

    2017-01-01

    Given the imminent radio frequency spectrum crunch, Visible Light Communication (VLC) is being proposed as an alternative wireless technology allowing for scalable connectivity to potentially millions of mobile and Internet-of- Things (IoT) devices. A VLC system uses a photo-detector (PD) receiver that converts the optically modulated light from a light source into a modulated electrical signal. The corresponding receiver electrical bandwidth is typically inversely proportional to the PD active area. Consequently, to construct a high-speed VLC link, the PD active area is often substantially reduced and an optical concentrator is used to enhance the receiver collection area. However, to achieve high concentrating factor, the link field-of-view (FOV) needs to be narrow due to the étendue conservation in linear passive optical systems. This paper studies a Fluorescent Concentrator (FC) that breaks this étendue conservation. The FC is not only based on reflective and refractive principles but also makes use of fluorescence process. A comparison between the FC and conventional optical concentrators, namely Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) is also investigated. The trade-off between received signal strength and incoming link angle is demonstrated over 60° coverage. Experimental results show that performance degradation as the link angle increases using FC-based receivers is significantly lower than for conventional CPC.

  20. A comparison of commercial light-emitting diode baited suction traps for surveillance of Culicoides in northern Europe.

    PubMed

    Hope, Andrew; Gubbins, Simon; Sanders, Christopher; Denison, Eric; Barber, James; Stubbins, Francesca; Baylis, Matthew; Carpenter, Simon

    2015-04-22

    The response of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to artificial light sources has led to the use of light-suction traps in surveillance programmes. Recent integration of light emitting diodes (LED) in traps improves flexibility in trapping through reduced power requirements and also allows the wavelength of light used for trapping to be customized. This study investigates the responses of Culicoides to LED light-suction traps emitting different wavelengths of light to make recommendations for use in surveillance. The abundance and diversity of Culicoides collected using commercially available traps fitted with Light Emitting Diode (LED) platforms emitting ultraviolet (UV) (390 nm wavelength), blue (430 nm), green (570 nm), yellow (590 nm), red (660 nm) or white light (425 nm - 750 nm with peaks at 450 nm and 580 nm) were compared. A Centre for Disease Control (CDC) UV light-suction trap was also included within the experimental design which was fitted with a 4 watt UV tube (320-420 nm). Generalised linear models with negative binomial error structure and log-link function were used to compare trap abundance according to LED colour, meteorological conditions and seasonality. The experiment was conducted over 49 nights with 42,766 Culicoides caught in 329 collections. Culicoides obsoletus Meigen and Culicoides scoticus Downes and Kettle responded indiscriminately to all wavelengths of LED used with the exception of red which was significantly less attractive. In contrast, Culicoides dewulfi Goetghebuer and Culicoides pulicaris Linnaeus were found in significantly greater numbers in the green LED trap than in the UV LED trap. The LED traps collected significantly fewer Culicoides than the standard CDC UV light-suction trap. Catches of Culicoides were reduced in LED traps when compared to the standard CDC UV trap, however, their reduced power requirement and small size fulfils a requirement for trapping in logistically challenging areas or where many traps are deployed at a single site. Future work should combine light wavelengths to improve trapping sensitivity and potentially enable direct comparisons with collections from hosts, although this may ultimately require different forms of baits to be developed.

  1. Evening daylight may cause adolescents to sleep less in spring than in winter

    PubMed Central

    Figueiro, Mariana G.; Rea, Mark S.

    2012-01-01

    Sleep restriction commonly experienced by adolescents can stem from greater sleep pressure by the homeostatic processes and from phase delays of the circadian system. With regard to the latter potential cause, we hypothesized that because there is more natural evening light during the spring than winter, a sample of adolescent students would be more phase delayed in spring than in winter, would have later sleep onset times and, because of fixed school schedules, would have shorter sleep durations. Sixteen eighth-grade subjects were recruited for the study. We collected sleep logs and saliva samples to determine their dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), a well-established circadian marker. Actual circadian light exposures experienced by a subset of twelve subjects over the course of seven days in winter and in spring using a personal, head-worn, circadian light measurement device are also reported here. Results showed that this sample of adolescents was exposed to significantly more circadian light in spring than in winter, especially in the evening hours when light exposure would likely delay circadian phase. Consistent with the light data, DLMO and sleep onset times were significantly more delayed, and sleep durations were significantly shorter in spring than in winter. The present ecological study of light, circadian phase, and self-reported sleep suggests that greater access to evening daylight in the spring may lead to sleep restriction in adolescents while attending school. Therefore, lighting schemes that reduce evening light in the spring may encourage longer sleep times in adolescents. PMID:20653452

  2. Evaluation and modification of off-host flea collection techniques used in northwest Uganda: laboratory and field studies.

    PubMed

    Borchert, Jeff N; Eisen, Rebecca J; Holmes, Jennifer L; Atiku, Linda A; Mpanga, Joseph T; Brown, Heidi E; Graham, Christine B; Babi, Nackson; Montenieri, John A; Enscore, Russell E; Gage, Kenneth L

    2012-01-01

    Quantifying the abundance of host-seeking fleas is critical for assessing risk of human exposure to flea-borne disease agents, including Yersinia pestis, the etiological agent of plague. Yet, reliable measures of the efficacy of existing host-seeking flea collection methods are lacking. In this study, we compare the efficacy of passive and active methods for the collection of host-seeking fleas in both the laboratory and human habitations in a plague-endemic region of northwest Uganda. In the laboratory, lighted "Kilonzo" flea traps modified with either blinking lights, the creation of shadows or the generation of carbon dioxide were less efficient at collecting Xenopsylla cheopis Rothchild and Ctenocephalides felis Bouché fleas than an active collection method using white cotton socks or cotton flannel. Passive collection using Kilonzo light traps in the laboratory collected significantly more X. cheopis than C. felis and active collection, using white socks and flannel, collected significantly more C. felis than X. cheopis. In field studies conducted in Uganda, Kilonzo traps using a flashlight were similar in their collection efficacy to Kilonzo traps using kerosene lamps. However, in contrast to laboratory studies, Kilonzo flea traps using flashlights collected a greater number of fleas than swabbing. Within human habitations in Uganda, Kilonzo traps were especially useful for collecting C. felis, the dominant species found in human habitations in this area.

  3. NASA’s Hubble Sees a Cosmic Caterpillar

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2013-08-29

    This light-year-long knot of interstellar gas and dust resembles a caterpillar on its way to a feast. But the meat of the story is not only what this cosmic caterpillar eats for lunch, but also what's eating it. Harsh winds from extremely bright stars are blasting ultraviolet radiation at this "wanna-be" star and sculpting the gas and dust into its long shape. The culprits are 65 of the hottest, brightest known stars, classified as O-type stars, located 15 light-years away from the knot, towards the right edge of the image. These stars, along with 500 less bright, but still highly luminous B-type stars make up what is called the Cygnus OB2 association. Collectively, the association is thought to have a mass more than 30,000 times that of our sun. The caterpillar-shaped knot, called IRAS 20324+4057, is a protostar in a very early evolutionary stage. It is still in the process of collecting material from an envelope of gas surrounding it. However, that envelope is being eroded by the radiation from Cygnus OB2. Protostars in this region should eventually become young stars with final masses about one to ten times that of our sun, but if the eroding radiation from the nearby bright stars destroys the gas envelope before the protostars finish collecting mass, their final masses may be reduced. Spectroscopic observations of the central star within IRAS 20324+4057 show that it is still collecting material quite heavily from its outer envelope, hoping to bulk up in mass. Only time will tell if the formed star will be a "heavy-weight" or a "light-weight" with respect to its mass. This image of IRAS 20324+4057 is a composite of Hubble Advanced Camera for Surveys data taken in green and infrared light in 2006, and ground-based hydrogen data from the Isaac Newton Telescope in 2003. The object lies 4,500 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

  4. Protection of horses against Culicoides biting midges in different housing systems in Switzerland.

    PubMed

    Lincoln, V J; Page, P C; Kopp, C; Mathis, A; von Niederhäusern, R; Burger, D; Herholz, C

    2015-06-15

    Species belonging to the Culicoides complexes (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), obsoletus and pulicaris, in Switzerland, are potential vectors of both bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV). The epidemic of BTV in 2006 and 2007 in Europe has highlighted the risk of introduction and spread of vector-borne diseases in previously non-endemic areas. As a measure of prevention, as part of an integrated control programme in the event of an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS), it is of utmost importance to prevent, or substantially reduce, contact between horses and Culicoides. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of three protection systems, net, fan, repellent, or combinations thereof, with regard to their potential to reduce contact between horses and Culicoides. Three different equine housing systems, including individual boxes (BX), group housing systems (GR), and individual boxes with permanently accessible paddock (BP) were used. The efficacy of the protection systems were evaluated by comparing the total number counts of collected female Culicoides, of non-blood-fed and blood-fed Culicoides, respectively, with UV black light traps. The study was conducted over 3 summer months during 2012 and 2013 each and focused on the efficacy and practicality of the protection systems. The repellent was tested in 2012 only and not further investigated in 2013, as it showed no significant effect in reducing Culicoides collected in the light traps. Net protection system provided the best overall protection for the total number of female Culicoides, non-blood-fed and blood-fed Culicoides in all tested housing systems. The net, with a pore size of 0.1825 mm(2), reduced the total number of Culicoides collected in the housing systems BP, GR and BX by 98%, 85% and 67%, respectively. However, in the GR housing system, no significant difference between the effectiveness of the fan and the net were determined for any of the three Culicoides categories. The results of the present study demonstrated that horse owners can substantially reduce their horses' exposure to Culicoides, by using net protection in the housing systems BX, BP and GR. In GR housing systems, protection against Culicoides using a fan is also recommended. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Ice Fog and Light Snow Measurements Using a High-Resolution Camera System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kuhn, Thomas; Gultepe, Ismail

    2016-09-01

    Ice fog, diamond dust, and light snow usually form over extremely cold weather conditions, and they affect both visibility and Earth's radiative energy budget. Prediction of these hydrometeors using models is difficult because of limited knowledge of the microphysical properties at the small size ranges due to measurement issues. These phenomena need to be better represented in forecast and climate models; therefore, in addition to remote sensing accurate measurements using ground-based instrumentation are required. An imaging instrument, aimed at measuring ice fog and light snow particles, has been built and is presented here. The ice crystal imaging (ICI) probe samples ice particles into a vertical, tapered inlet with an inlet flow rate of 11 L min-1. A laser beam across the vertical air flow containing the ice crystals allows for their detection by a photodetector collecting the scattered light. Detected particles are then imaged with high optical resolution. An illuminating LED flash and image capturing are triggered by the photodetector. In this work, ICI measurements collected during the fog remote sensing and modeling (FRAM) project, which took place during Winter of 2010-2011 in Yellowknife, NWT, Canada, are summarized and challenges related to measuring small ice particles are described. The majority of ice particles during the 2-month-long campaign had sizes between 300 and 800 μm. During ice fog events the size distribution measured had a lower mode diameter of 300 μm compared to the overall campaign average with mode at 500 μm.

  6. Material science lesson from the biological photosystem.

    PubMed

    Kim, Younghye; Lee, Jun Ho; Ha, Heonjin; Im, Sang Won; Nam, Ki Tae

    2016-01-01

    Inspired by photosynthesis, artificial systems for a sustainable energy supply are being designed. Each sequential energy conversion process from light to biomass in natural photosynthesis is a valuable model for an energy collection, transport and conversion system. Notwithstanding the numerous lessons of nature that provide inspiration for new developments, the features of natural photosynthesis need to be reengineered to meet man's demands. This review describes recent strategies toward adapting key lessons from natural photosynthesis to artificial systems. We focus on the underlying material science in photosynthesis that combines photosystems as pivotal functional materials and a range of materials into an integrated system. Finally, a perspective on the future development of photosynthesis mimetic energy systems is proposed.

  7. Organizing and Typing Persistent Objects Within an Object-Oriented Framework

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Madany, Peter W.; Campbell, Roy H.

    1991-01-01

    Conventional operating systems provide little or no direct support for the services required for an efficient persistent object system implementation. We have built a persistent object scheme using a customization and extension of an object-oriented operating system called Choices. Choices includes a framework for the storage of persistent data that is suited to the construction of both conventional file system and persistent object system. In this paper we describe three areas in which persistent object support differs from file system support: storage organization, storage management, and typing. Persistent object systems must support various sizes of objects efficiently. Customizable containers, which are themselves persistent objects and can be nested, support a wide range of object sizes in Choices. Collections of persistent objects that are accessed as an aggregate and collections of light-weight persistent objects can be clustered in containers that are nested within containers for larger objects. Automated garbage collection schemes are added to storage management and have a major impact on persistent object applications. The Choices persistent object store provides extensible sets of persistent object types. The store contains not only the data for persistent objects but also the names of the classes to which they belong and the code for the operation of the classes. Besides presenting persistent object storage organization, storage management, and typing, this paper discusses how persistent objects are named and used within the Choices persistent data/file system framework.

  8. System and method for controlling depth of imaging in tissues using fluorescence microscopy under ultraviolet excitation following staining with fluorescing agents

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

    Levenson, Richard; Demos, Stavros

    A method is disclosed for analyzing a thin tissue sample and adapted to be supported on a slide. The tissue sample may be placed on a slide and exposed to one or more different exogenous fluorophores excitable in a range of about 300 nm-200 nm, and having a useful emission band from about 350 nm-900 nm, and including one or more fluorescent dyes or fluorescently labeled molecular probes that accumulate in tissue or cellular components. The fluorophores may be excited with a first wavelength of UV light between about 200 nm-290 nm. An optical system collects emissions from the fluorophoresmore » at a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, which are generated in response to the first wavelength of UV light, to produce an image for analysis.« less

  9. Non-invasive light-weight integration engine for building EHR from autonomous distributed systems.

    PubMed

    Crespo Molina, Pere; Angulo Fernández, Carlos; Maldonado Segura, José A; Moner Cano, David; Robles Viejo, Montserrat

    2006-01-01

    Pangea-LE is a message oriented light-weight integration engine, allowing concurrent access to clinical information from disperse and heterogeneous data sources. The engine extracts the information and serves it to the requester client applications in a flexible XML format. This XML response message can be formatted on demand by the appropriate XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language) transformation in order to fit client application needs. In this article we present a real use case sample where Pangea-LE collects and generates "on the fly" a structured view of all the patient clinical information available in a healthcare organisation. This information is presented to healthcare professionals in an EHR (Electronic Health Record) viewer Web application with patient search and EHR browsing capabilities. Implantation in a real environment has been a notable success due to the non-invasive method which extremely respects the existing information systems.

  10. Spectral analysis of stellar light curves by means of neural networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tagliaferri, R.; Ciaramella, A.; Milano, L.; Barone, F.; Longo, G.

    1999-06-01

    Periodicity analysis of unevenly collected data is a relevant issue in several scientific fields. In astrophysics, for example, we have to find the fundamental period of light or radial velocity curves which are unevenly sampled observations of stars. Classical spectral analysis methods are unsatisfactory to solve the problem. In this paper we present a neural network based estimator system which performs well the frequency extraction in unevenly sampled signals. It uses an unsupervised Hebbian nonlinear neural algorithm to extract, from the interpolated signal, the principal components which, in turn, are used by the MUSIC frequency estimator algorithm to extract the frequencies. The neural network is tolerant to noise and works well also with few points in the sequence. We benchmark the system on synthetic and real signals with the Periodogram and with the Cramer-Rao lower bound. This work was been partially supported by IIASS, by MURST 40\\% and by the Italian Space Agency.

  11. Architecture in outer space. [multilayer shell systems filled with gas

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pokrovskiy, G. I.

    1974-01-01

    Mulilayer thin film structures consisting of systems of shells filled with gas at some pressure are recommended for outer space structures: Large mirrors to collect light and radio waves, protection against meteoric impact and damage, and for connectors between state space stations in the form of orbital rings. It is projected that individual orbital rings will multiply and completely seal a star trapping its high temperature radiation and transforming it into low temperature infrared and short wave radio emission; this radiation energy could be utilized for technological and biological processes.

  12. Unmanned Aircraft Systems For CryoSat-2 Validation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Crocker, Roger Ian; Maslanik, James A.

    2011-02-01

    A suite of sensors has been assembled to map surface elevation with fine-resolution from small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The sensor package consists of a light detecting and ranging (LIDAR) instrument, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a GPS module, and digital still and video cameras. It has been utilized to map ice sheet topography in Greenland and to measure sea ice freeboard and roughness in Fram Strait. Data collected during these campaigns illustrate its potential to compliment ongoing CryoSat-2 (CS-2) calibration and validation efforts.

  13. Surface Tension Mediated Conversion of Light to Work

    PubMed Central

    Okawa, David; Pastine, Stefan J.; Zettl, Alex; Fréchet, Jean M. J.

    2009-01-01

    As energy demands increase, new, more direct, energy collection and utilization processes must be explored. We present a system that intrinsically combines the absorption of sunlight with the production of useful work in the form of locomotion of objects on liquids. Focused sunlight is locally absorbed by a nanostructured composite, creating a thermal surface tension gradient and, subsequently, motion. Controlled linear motion and rotational motion are demonstrated. The system is scale independent, with remotely powered and controlled motion shown for objects in the milligram to tens of grams range. PMID:20560635

  14. Method for improving product yields in an anionic metalloporphyrin-based artificial photosynthesis system

    DOEpatents

    Shelnutt, John A.

    1986-01-01

    A method for improving product yields in an anionic metalloporphyrin-based artificial photosynthesis system for hydrogen generation which comprises forming an aqueous solution comprising an electron donor, methylviologen, and certain metalloporphyrins and metallochlorins, and irradiating said aqueous solution with light in the presence of a catalyst. In the photosynthesis process, solar energy is collected and stored in the form of a gas hydrogen. Ligands attached above and below the metalloporphyrin and metallochlorin plane are capable of sterically blocking photochemically inactive electrostatically bound .pi.--.pi. complexes which can develop.

  15. Method for improving product yields in an anionic metalloporphyrin-based artificial photosynthesis system

    DOEpatents

    Shelnutt, J.A.

    1984-11-29

    A method is disclosed improving product yields in an anionic metalloporphyrin-based artificial photosynthesis system for hydrogen generation. The method comprises forming an aqueous solution comprising an electron donor, methylviologen, and certain metalloporphyrins and metallochlorins, and irradiating said aqueous solution with light in the presence of a catalyst. In the photosynthesis process, solar energy is collected and stored in the form of a hydrogen. Ligands attached above and below the metalloporphyrin and metallochlorin plane are capable of sterically blocking photochemically inactive electrostatically bound ..pi..-..pi.. complexes which can develop.

  16. Biting Midges of the Genus Culicoides in South Carolina Zoos

    PubMed Central

    Nelder, Mark P.; Swanson, Dustin A.; Adler, Peter H.; Grogan, William L.

    2010-01-01

    Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were collected during the summer of 2007 at the Greenville and Riverbanks Zoos in South Carolina with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traps equipped with ultraviolet or incandescent lights and baited with carbon dioxide. Sixteen species of Culicoides were collected, four of which represented more than 80%. They were Culicoides guttipennis (Coquillett), Culicoides mulrenanni Beck, Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen), and Culicoides sanguisuga (Coquillett). C. guttipennis was found on a dead colobus monkey and a dead golden-headed lion tamarin; Culicoides husseyi Wirth & Blanton was collected from an unidentified, abandoned bird's nest. Ultraviolet light-equipped traps captured significantly more Culicoides specimens than traps with incandescent light. Half of the collected species previously have been associated with vertebrate pathogens, indicating a potential risk to captive animals. PMID:20569132

  17. International Space Station Data Collection for Disaster Response

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stefanov, William L.; Evans, Cynthia A.

    2015-01-01

    Remotely sensed data acquired by orbital sensor systems has emerged as a vital tool to identify the extent of damage resulting from a natural disaster, as well as providing near-real time mapping support to response efforts on the ground and humanitarian aid efforts. The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique terrestrial remote sensing platform for acquiring disaster response imagery. Unlike automated remote-sensing platforms it has a human crew; is equipped with both internal and externally-mounted remote sensing instruments; and has an inclined, low-Earth orbit that provides variable views and lighting (day and night) over 95 percent of the inhabited surface of the Earth. As such, it provides a useful complement to autonomous sensor systems in higher altitude polar orbits. NASA remote sensing assets on the station began collecting International Disaster Charter (IDC) response data in May 2012. The initial NASA ISS sensor systems responding to IDC activations included the ISS Agricultural Camera (ISSAC), mounted in the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF); the Crew Earth Observations (CEO) Facility, where the crew collects imagery using off-the-shelf handheld digital cameras; and the Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO), a visible to near-infrared system mounted externally on the Japan Experiment Module Exposed Facility. The ISSAC completed its primary mission in January 2013. It was replaced by the very high resolution ISS SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System (ISERV) Pathfinder, a visible-wavelength digital camera, telescope, and pointing system. Since the start of IDC response in 2012 there have been 108 IDC activations; NASA sensor systems have collected data for thirty-two of these events. Of the successful data collections, eight involved two or more ISS sensor systems responding to the same event. Data has also been collected by International Partners in response to natural disasters, most notably JAXA and Roscosmos/Energia through the Urugan program.

  18. The cytometric future: it ain't necessarily flow!

    PubMed

    Shapiro, Howard M

    2011-01-01

    Initial approaches to cytometry for classifying and characterizing cells were based on microscopy; it was necessary to collect relatively high-resolution images of cells because only a few specific reagents usable for cell identification were available. Although flow cytometry, now the dominant cytometric technology, typically utilizes lenses similar to microscope lenses for light collection, improved, more quantitative reagents allow the necessary information to be acquired in the form of whole-cell measurements of the intensities of light transmission, scattering, and/or fluorescence.Much of the cost and complexity of both automated microscopes and flow cytometers arises from the necessity for them to measure one cell at a time. Recent developments in digital camera technology now offer an alternative in which one or more low-magnification, low-resolution images are made of a wide field containing many cells, using inexpensive light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for illumination. Minimalist widefield imaging cytometers can provide a smaller, less complex, and substantially less expensive alternative to flow cytometry, critical in systems intended for in resource-poor areas. Minimalism is, likewise, a good philosophy in developing instrumentation and methodology for both clinical and large-scale research use; it simplifies quality assurance and compliance with regulatory requirements, as well as reduces capital outlays, material costs, and personnel training requirements. Also, importantly, it yields "greener" technology.

  19. Non-uniform refractive index field measurement based on light field imaging technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Du, Xiaokun; Zhang, Yumin; Zhou, Mengjie; Xu, Dong

    2018-02-01

    In this paper, a method for measuring the non-uniform refractive index field based on the light field imaging technique is proposed. First, the light field camera is used to collect the four-dimensional light field data, and then the light field data is decoded according to the light field imaging principle to obtain image sequences with different acquisition angles of the refractive index field. Subsequently PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) technique is used to extract ray offset of each image. Finally, the distribution of non-uniform refractive index field can be calculated by inversing the deflection of light rays. Compared with traditional optical methods which require multiple optical detectors from multiple angles to synchronously collect data, the method proposed in this paper only needs a light field camera and shoot once. The effectiveness of the method has been verified by the experiment which quantitatively measures the distribution of the refractive index field above the flame of the alcohol lamp.

  20. The efficacy of (+)-Naltrexone on alcohol preference and seeking behaviour is dependent on light-cycle.

    PubMed

    Jacobsen, Jonathan Henry W; Buisman-Pijlman, Femke T A; Mustafa, Sanam; Rice, Kenner C; Hutchinson, Mark R

    2018-01-01

    Circadian rhythm affects drug-induced reward behaviour and the innate immune system. Peaks in reward-associated behaviour and immune responses typically occur during the active (dark) phase of rodents. While the role of the immune system, specifically, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4, an innate immune receptor) in drug-induced reward is becoming increasingly appreciated, it is unclear whether its effects vary according to light-cycle. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterise the effects of the phase of the light-cycle and the state of the innate immune system on alcohol reward behaviour and subsequently determine whether the efficacy of targeting the immune component of drug reward depends upon the light-cycle. This study demonstrates that mice exhibit greater alcohol-induced conditioned place preference and alcohol two-bottle choice preference during the dark cycle. This effect overlapped with elevations in reward-, thirst- and immune-related genes. Administration of (+)-Naltrexone, a TLR4 antagonist, reduced immune-related gene mRNA expression and alcohol preference with its effects most pronounced during the dark cycle. However, (+)-Naltrexone, like other TLR4 antagonists exhibited off-target side effects, with a significant reduction in overall saccharin intake - an effect likely attributable to a reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) mRNA expression levels. Collectively, the study highlights a link between a time-of-day dependent influence of TLR4 on natural and alcohol reward-like behaviour in mice. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Configuration and Specifications of AN Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Precision Agriculture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Erena, M.; Montesinos, S.; Portillo, D.; Alvarez, J.; Marin, C.; Fernandez, L.; Henarejos, J. M.; Ruiz, L. A.

    2016-06-01

    Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with multispectral sensors are increasingly attractive in geosciences for data capture and map updating at high spatial and temporal resolutions. These autonomously-flying systems can be equipped with different sensors, such as a six-band multispectral camera (Tetracam mini-MCA-6), GPS Ublox M8N, and MEMS gyroscopes, and miniaturized sensor systems for navigation, positioning, and mapping purposes. These systems can be used for data collection in precision viticulture. In this study, the efficiency of a light UAV system for data collection, processing, and map updating in small areas is evaluated, generating correlations between classification maps derived from remote sensing and production maps. Based on the comparison of the indices derived from UAVs incorporating infrared sensors with those obtained by satellites (Sentinel 2A and Landsat 8), UAVs show promise for the characterization of vineyard plots with high spatial variability, despite the low vegetative coverage of these crops. Consequently, a procedure for zoning map production based on UAV/UV images could provide important information for farmers.

  2. History of Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1980-01-01

    This illustration shows the Hubble Space Telescope's (HST's) major configuration elements. The spacecraft has three interacting systems: The Support System Module (SSM), an outer structure that houses the other systems and provides services such as power, communication, and control; The Optical Telescope Assembly (OTA), which collects and concentrates the incoming light in the focal plane for use by the Scientific Instruments (SI); and five SIs. The SI Control and Data Handling (CDH) unit controls the five SI's, four that are housed in an aft section focal plane structure and one that is placed along the circumference of the spacecraft. The purpose of the HST, the most complex and sensitive optical telescope ever made, is to study the cosmos from a low-Earth orbit. By placing the telescope in space, astronomers are able to collect data that is free of the Earth's atmosphere. The HST detects objects 25 times fainter than the dimmest objects seen from Earth and provides astronomers with an observable universe 250 times larger than visible from ground-based telescopes, perhaps as far away as 14 billion light-years. The HST views galaxies, stars, planets, comets, possibly other solar systems, and even unusual phenomena such as quasars, with 10 times the clarity of ground-based telescopes. The HST was deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31 mission) into Earth orbit in April 1990. The Marshall Space Flight Center had responsibility for design, development, and construction of the HST. The Perkin-Elmer Corporation, in Danbury, Cornecticut, developed the optical system and guidance sensors. The Lockheed Missile and Space Company of Sunnyvale, California produced the protective outer shroud and spacecraft systems, and assembled and tested the finished telescope.

  3. Photometric and Spectroscopic Analysis for the Determination of Physical Parameters of an Eclipsing Binary Star System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reid, Piper

    2013-01-01

    A binary star system is a pair of stars that are bound together by gravity. Most of the stars that we see in the night sky are members of multiple star systems. A system of stars where one star passes in front of the other (as observed from Earth) on a periodic basis is called an eclipsing binary. Eclipsing binaries can have very short rotational periods and in all cases these pairs of stars are so far away that they can only be resolved from Earth as a single point of light. The interaction of the two stars serves to produce physical phenomena that can be observed and used to study stellar properties. By careful data collection and analysis is it possible for an amateur astronomer using commercial, low cost equipment (including a home built spectroscope) to gather photometric (brightness versus time) and spectroscopic (brightness versus wavelength) data, analyze the data, and calculate the physical properties of a binary star system? Using a CCD camera, tracking mount and telescope photometric data of BB Pegasi was collected and a light curve produced. 57 Cygni was also studied using a spectroscope, tracking mount and telescope to prove that Doppler shift of Hydrogen Balmer absorption lines can be used to determine radial velocity. The orbital period, orbital velocity, radius of each star, separation of the two stars and mass of each star was calculated for the eclipsing binary BB Pegasi using photometric and spectroscopic data and Kepler’s 3rd Law. These data were then compared to published data. By careful use of consumer grade astronomical equipment it is possible for an amateur astronomer to determine an array of physical parameters of a distant binary star system from a suburban setting.

  4. Integral freeform illumination lens design of LED based pico-projector.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Shuang; Wang, Kai; Chen, Fei; Qin, Zong; Liu, Sheng

    2013-05-01

    In this paper, an illumination lens design for a LED-based pico-projector is presented. Different from the traditional illumination systems composed by lens group, the integral illumination lens consists of a total internal reflector (TIR) and a freeform surface. TIR acts as collimation lens and its top surface formed by a freeform surface reshapes the nonuniform circular light pattern generated by TIR to be rectangular and uniform. Diameter and height of the lens are 16 and 10 mm, respectively. An optimization method to deal with the problem of extended light source is also presented in detail in this paper. According to the simulation results of the final optimized lens, 77% (neglecting the effect of polarization) of the power of light source is collected on liquid crystal on silicon panel with a 16∶9 ratio and illumination uniformity achieves 92%.

  5. Coupling between graphene and intersubband collective excitations in quantum wells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gonzalez de la Cruz, G.

    2017-08-01

    Recently, strong light-matter coupling between the electromagnetic modes in plasmonic metasurfaces with quantum-engineering electronic intersubband transitions in quantum wells has been demonstrated experimentally (Benz et al., [14], Lee et al., [15]). These novel materials combining different two-dimensional electronic systems offer new opportunities for tunable optical devices and fundamental studies of collective excitations driven by interlayer Coulomb interactions. In this work, our aim is to study the plasmon spectra of a hybrid structure consisting of conventional two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in a semiconductor quantum well and a graphene sheet with an interlayer separation of a. This electronic bilayer structure is immersed in a nonhomgeneous dielectric background of the system. We use a simple model in which the graphene surface plasmons and both; the intrasubband and intersubband collective electron excitations in the quantum well are coupled via screened Coulomb interaction. Here we calculate the dispersion of these relativistic/nonrelativistic new plasmon modes taking into account the thickness of the quantum well providing analytical expressions in the long-wavelength limit.

  6. Development of a microbial high-throughput screening instrument based on elastic light scatter patterns

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bae, Euiwon; Patsekin, Valery; Rajwa, Bartek; Bhunia, Arun K.; Holdman, Cheryl; Davisson, V. Jo; Hirleman, E. Daniel; Robinson, J. Paul

    2012-04-01

    A microbial high-throughput screening (HTS) system was developed that enabled high-speed combinatorial studies directly on bacterial colonies. The system consists of a forward scatterometer for elastic light scatter (ELS) detection, a plate transporter for sample handling, and a robotic incubator for automatic incubation. To minimize the ELS pattern-capturing time, a new calibration plate and correction algorithms were both designed, which dramatically reduced correction steps during acquisition of the circularly symmetric ELS patterns. Integration of three different control software programs was implemented, and the performance of the system was demonstrated with single-species detection for library generation and with time-resolved measurement for understanding ELS colony growth correlation, using Escherichia coli and Listeria. An in-house colony-tracking module enabled researchers to easily understand the time-dependent variation of the ELS from identical colony, which enabled further analysis in other biochemical experiments. The microbial HTS system provided an average scan time of 4.9 s per colony and the capability of automatically collecting more than 4000 ELS patterns within a 7-h time span.

  7. Acousto-optic RF signal acquisition system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bloxham, Laurence H.

    1990-09-01

    This paper describes the architecture and performance of a prototype Acousto-Optic RF Signal Acquisition System designed to intercept, automatically identify, and track communication signals in the VHF band. The system covers 28.0 to 92.0 MHz with five manually selectable, dual conversion; 12.8 MHZ bandwidth front ends. An acousto-optic spectrum analyzer (AOSA) implemented using a tellurium dioxide (Te02) Bragg cell is used to channelize the 12.8 MHz pass band into 512 25 KHz channels. Polarization switching is used to suppress optical noise. Excellent isolation and dynamic range are achieved by using a linear array of 512 custom 40/50 micron fiber optic cables to collect the light at the focal plane of the AOSA and route the light to individual photodetectors. The photodetectors are operated in the photovoltaic mode to compress the greater than 60 dB input optical dynamic range into an easily processed electrical signal. The 512 signals are multiplexed and processed as a line in a video image by a customized digital image processing system. The image processor simultaneously analyzes the channelized signal data and produces a classical waterfall display.

  8. Measurement of vortex flow fields

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mcdevitt, T. Kevin; Ambur, Todd A.; Orngard, Gary M.; Owen, F. Kevin

    1992-01-01

    A 3-D laser fluorescence anemometer (LFA) was designed, built, and demonstrated for use in the Langley 16 x 24 inch Water Tunnel. Innovative optical design flexibility combined with compact and portable data acquisition and control systems were incorporated into the instrument. This will allow its use by NASA in other test facilities. A versatile fiber optic system facilities normal and off-axis laser beam alignment, removes mirror losses and improves laser safety. This added optical flexibility will also enable simple adaptation for use in the adjacent jet facility. New proprietary concepts in transmitting color separation, light collection, and novel prism separation of the scattered light was also designed and built into the system. Off-axis beam traverse and alignment complexity led to the requirement for a specialized, programmable transverse controller, and the inclusion of an additional traverse for the off-axis arm. To meet this challenge, an 'in-house' prototype unit was designed and built and traverse control software developed specifically for the water tunnel traverse applications. A specialized data acquisition interface was also required. This was designed and built for the LFA system.

  9. Multi-Wavelength Photomagnetic Imaging for Oral Cancer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marks, Michael

    In this study, a multi-wavelength Photomagnetic Imaging (PMI) system is developed and evaluated with experimental studies.. PMI measures temperature increases in samples illuminated by near-infrared light sources using magnetic resonance thermometry. A multiphysics solver combining light and heat transfer models the spatiotemporal distribution of the temperature change. The PMI system develop in this work uses three lasers of varying wavelength (785 nm, 808 nm, 860 nm) to heat the sample. By using multiple wavelengths, we enable the PMI system to quantify the relative concentrations of optical contrast in turbid media and monitor their distribution, at a higher resolution than conventional diffuse optical imaging. The data collected from agarose phantoms with multiple embedded contrast agents designed to simulate the optical properties of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin is presented. The reconstructed images demonstrate that multi-wavelength PMI can resolve this complex inclusion structure with high resolution and recover the concentration of each contrast agent with high quantitative accuracy. The modified multi-wavelength PMI system operates under the maximum skin exposure limits defined by the American National Standards Institute, to enable future clinical applications.

  10. Field evaluation of two commercial mosquito traps baited with different attractants and colored lights for malaria vector surveillance in Thailand.

    PubMed

    Ponlawat, Alongkot; Khongtak, Patcharee; Jaichapor, Boonsong; Pongsiri, Arissara; Evans, Brian P

    2017-08-07

    Sampling for adult mosquito populations is a means of evaluating the efficacy of vector control operations. The goal of this study was to evaluate and identify the most efficacious mosquito traps and combinations of attractants for malaria vector surveillance along the Thai-Myanmar border. In the first part of the study, the BG-Sentinel™ Trap (BGS Trap) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention miniature light trap (CDC LT) baited with different attractants (BG-lure® and CO 2 ) were evaluated using a Latin square experimental design. The six configurations were BGS Trap with BG-lure, BGS Trap with BG-lure plus CO 2 , BGS Trap with CO 2 , CDC LT with BG-lure, CDC LT with BG lure plus CO 2 , and CDC LT with CO 2 . The second half of the study evaluated the impact of light color on malaria vector collections. Colors included the incandescent bulb, ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED), green light stick, red light stick, green LED, and red LED. A total of 8638 mosquitoes consisting of 42 species were captured over 708 trap-nights. The trap types, attractants, and colored lights affected numbers of female anopheline and Anopheles minimus collected (GLM, P < 0.01). Results revealed that BGS Trap captured many anophelines but was significantly less than the CDC LT. The CDC LT, when baited with BG-lure plus CO 2 captured the greatest number of anopheline females with a catch rate significantly higher than the CDC LT baited with BG-lure or CO 2 alone (P < 0.05). The number of anopheline females collected from the CDC LT baited with CO 2 was greater than the CDC LT baited with BG-lure (646 vs 409 females). None of the alternative lights evaluated exceeded the performance of the incandescent light bulb in terms of the numbers of anopheline and An. minimus collected. We conclude that the CDC LT augmented with an incandescent light shows high potential for malaria vector surveillance when baited with CO 2 and the BG-lure in combination and can be effectively used as the new gold standard technique for collecting malaria vectors in Thailand.

  11. 78 FR 35279 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Electronic Products

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-12

    ... Lasers and Products Containing Lasers'' FDA Form 3633 ``General Variance Request'' FDA Form 3634 ``Television Products Annual Report'' FDA Form 3635 ``Laser Light Show Notification'' FDA Form 3636 ``Guide for Preparing Annual Reports on Radiation Safety Testing of Laser and Laser Light Show Products'' FDA Form 3637...

  12. Topics in Complexity: From Physical to Life Science Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Charry, Pedro David Manrique

    Complexity seeks to unwrap the mechanisms responsible for collective phenomena across the physical, biological, chemical, economic and social sciences. This thesis investigates real-world complex dynamical systems ranging from the quantum/natural domain to the social domain. The following novel understandings are developed concerning these systems' out-of-equilibrium and nonlinear behavior. Standard quantum techniques show divergent outcomes when a quantum system comprising more than one subunit is far from thermodynamic equilibrium. Abnormal photon inter-arrival times help fulfill the metabolic needs of a terrestrial photosynthetic bacterium. Spatial correlations within incident light can act as a driving mechanism for an organism's adaptation toward more ordered structures. The group dynamics of non-identical objects, whose assembly rules depend on mutual heterogeneity, yield rich transition dynamics between isolation and cohesion, with the cohesion regime reproducing a particular universal pattern commonly found in many real-world systems. Analyses of covert networks reveal collective gender superiority in the connectivity that provides benefits for system robustness and survival. Nodal migration in a network generates complex contagion profiles that lie beyond traditional approaches and yet resemble many modern-day outbreaks.

  13. Digital photorefraction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Costa, Manuel F. M.; Jorge, Jorge M.

    1998-01-01

    The early evaluation of the visual status of human infants is of a critical importance. It is of utmost importance to the development of the child's visual system that she perceives clear, focused, retinal images. Furthermore if the refractive problems are not corrected in due time amblyopia may occur. Photorefraction is a non-invasive clinical tool rather convenient for application to this kind of population. A qualitative or semi-quantitative information about refractive errors, accommodation, strabismus, amblyogenic factors and some pathologies (cataracts) can the easily obtained. The photorefraction experimental setup we established using new technological breakthroughs on the fields of imaging devices, image processing and fiber optics, allows the implementation of both the isotropic and eccentric photorefraction approaches. Essentially both methods consist on delivering a light beam into the eyes. It is refracted by the ocular media, strikes the retina, focusing or not, reflects off and is collected by a camera. The system is formed by one CCD color camera and a light source. A beam splitter in front of the camera's objective allows coaxial illumination and observation. An optomechanical system also allows eccentric illumination. The light source is a flash type one and is synchronized with the camera's image acquisition. The camera's image is digitized displayed in real time. Image processing routines are applied for image's enhancement and feature extraction.

  14. Digital photorefraction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Costa, Manuel F.; Jorge, Jorge M.

    1997-12-01

    The early evaluation of the visual status of human infants is of a critical importance. It is of utmost importance to the development of the child's visual system that she perceives clear, focused, retinal images. Furthermore if the refractive problems are not corrected in due time amblyopia may occur. Photorefraction is a non-invasive clinical tool rather convenient for application to this kind of population. A qualitative or semi-quantitative information about refractive errors, accommodation, strabismus, amblyogenic factors and some pathologies (cataracts) can the easily obtained. The photorefraction experimental setup we established using new technological breakthroughs on the fields of imaging devices, image processing and fiber optics, allows the implementation of both the isotropic and eccentric photorefraction approaches. Essentially both methods consist on delivering a light beam into the eyes. It is refracted by the ocular media, strikes the retina, focusing or not, reflects off and is collected by a camera. The system is formed by one CCD color camera and a light source. A beam splitter in front of the camera's objective allows coaxial illumination and observation. An optomechanical system also allows eccentric illumination. The light source is a flash type one and is synchronized with the camera's image acquisition. The camera's image is digitized displayed in real time. Image processing routines are applied for image's enhancement and feature extraction.

  15. Multi-Component, Multi-Point Interferometric Rayleigh/Mie Doppler Velocimeter

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Danehy, Paul M.; Lee, Joseph W.; Bivolaru, Daniel

    2012-01-01

    An interferometric Rayleigh scattering system was developed to enable the measurement of multiple, orthogonal velocity components at several points within very-high-speed or high-temperature flows. The velocity of a gaseous flow can be optically measured by sending laser light into the gas flow, and then measuring the scattered light signal that is returned from matter within the flow. Scattering can arise from either gas molecules within the flow itself, known as Rayleigh scattering, or from particles within the flow, known as Mie scattering. Measuring Mie scattering is the basis of all commercial laser Doppler and particle imaging velocimetry systems, but particle seeding is problematic when measuring high-speed and high-temperature flows. The velocimeter is designed to measure the Doppler shift from only Rayleigh scattering, and does not require, but can also measure, particles within the flow. The system combines a direct-view, large-optic interferometric setup that calculates the Doppler shift from fringe patterns collected with a digital camera, and a subsystem to capture and re-circulate scattered light to maximize signal density. By measuring two orthogonal components of the velocity at multiple positions in the flow volume, the accuracy and usefulness of the flow measurement increase significantly over single or nonorthogonal component approaches.

  16. Design of free space optical omnidirectional transceivers for indoor applications using non-imaging optical devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agrawal, Navik; Davis, Christopher C.

    2008-08-01

    Omnidirectional free space optical communication receivers can employ multiple non-imaging collectors, such as compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs), in an array-like fashion to increase the amount of possible light collection. CPCs can effectively channel light collected over a large aperture to a small area photodiode. The aperture to length ratio of such devices can increase the overall size of the transceiver unit, which may limit the practicality of such systems, especially when small size is desired. New non-imaging collector designs with smaller sizes, larger field of view (FOV), and comparable transmission curves to CPCs, offer alternative transceiver designs. This paper examines how transceiver performance is affected by the use of different non-imaging collector shapes that are designed for wide FOV with reduced efficiency compared with shapes such as the CPC that are designed for small FOV with optimal efficiency. Theoretical results provide evidence indicating that array-like transceiver designs using various non-imaging collector shapes with less efficient transmission curves, but a larger FOV will be an effective means for the design of omnidirectional optical transceiver units. The results also incorporate the effects of Fresnel loss at the collector exit aperture-photodiode interface, which is an important consideration for indoor omnidirectional FSO systems.

  17. CdSe quantum dot-fullerene hybrid nanocomposite for solar energy conversion: electron transfer and photoelectrochemistry.

    PubMed

    Bang, Jin Ho; Kamat, Prashant V

    2011-12-27

    The development of organic/inorganic hybrid nanocomposite systems that enable efficient solar energy conversion has been important for applications in solar cell research. Nanostructured carbon-based systems, in particular C(60), offer attractive strategies to collect and transport electrons generated in a light harvesting assembly. We have assembled CdSe-C(60) nanocomposites by chemically linking CdSe quantum dots (QDs) with thiol-functionalized C(60). The photoinduced charge separation and collection of electrons in CdSe QD-C(60) nanocomposites have been evaluated using transient absorption spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical measurements. The rate constant for electron transfer between excited CdSe QD and C(60) increased with the decreasing size of the CdSe QD (7.9 × 10(9) s(-1) (4.5 nm), 1.7 × 10(10) s(-1) (3.2 nm), and 9.0 × 10(10) s(-1) (2.6 nm)). Slower hole transfer and faster charge recombination and transport events were found to dominate over the forward electron injection process, thus limiting the deliverance of maximum power in CdSe QD-C(60)-based solar cells. The photoinduced charge separation between CdSe QDs and C(60) opens up new design strategies for developing light harvesting assemblies.

  18. Robust Deterministic Controlled Phase-Flip Gate and Controlled-Not Gate Based on Atomic Ensembles Embedded in Double-Sided Optical Cavities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, A.-Peng; Cheng, Liu-Yong; Guo, Qi; Zhang, Shou

    2018-02-01

    We first propose a scheme for controlled phase-flip gate between a flying photon qubit and the collective spin wave (magnon) of an atomic ensemble assisted by double-sided cavity quantum systems. Then we propose a deterministic controlled-not gate on magnon qubits with parity-check building blocks. Both the gates can be accomplished with 100% success probability in principle. Atomic ensemble is employed so that light-matter coupling is remarkably improved by collective enhancement. We assess the performance of the gates and the results show that they can be faithfully constituted with current experimental techniques.

  19. A comparison of two collection methods for estimating abundance and parity of Anopheles albimanus in breeding sites and villages of southern Mexico.

    PubMed

    Ulloa, A; Rodríguez, M H; Rodríguez, A D; Roberts, D R

    1997-09-01

    The abundance and age structure of Anopheles albimanus populations were estimated by UV updraft light traps and human landing catches within villages and in nearby breeding sites of southern México. Four villages and 5 breeding sites were selected for the study. Light trap and human landing catches were simultaneously carried out in each breeding site and each village. Anopheles albimanus was the most abundant malaria vector caught in breeding sites and in villages. Significant differences in overall An. albimanus abundance among villages and among breeding sites were detected only by human landing catches. In both villages and breeding sites, more mosquitoes were captured by 1 human bait (34.3 +/- 6.3 and 14.6 +/- 2.9, respectively) than by one light trap (15.9 +/- 3.3 and 2.4 +/- 0.3 respectively) collection. After pooling, no significant differences were detected in the abundance estimated by each method in breeding sites and villages. A significant correlation of numbers of specimens between methods was detected. Age structure was different between samples from breeding sites and villages, with more gravid females collected in breeding sites, whereas more nulipars were collected in villages. By collection method, age structure was also different both in breeding sites and in villages. In breeding sites, the percentage of parous females was significantly higher in human landing catches, whereas the percentage of gravid females was significantly higher in light traps. In villages, only the percentage of gravid females was significantly higher in light traps. Our results suggests that UV light traps could be used to measure several entomological parameters of An. albimanus populations because both abundance variations and parity rates were similarly detected by both methods.

  20. A study of response of a LuYAP:Ce array with innovative assembling for PET

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pani, Roberto; Cinti, Maria Nerina; Scafè, Raffaele; Bennati, Paolo; Lo Meo, Sergio; Preziosi, Enrico; Pellegrini, Rosanna; De Vincentis, Giuseppe; Sacco, Donatella; Fabbri, Andrea

    2015-09-01

    We propose the characterization of a first array of 10×10 Lutetium Yttrium Orthoaluminate Perovskite (LuYAP:Ce) crystals, 2 mm×2 mm×10 mm pixel size, with an innovative assembling designed to enhance light output, uniformity and detection efficiency. The innovation consists of the use of 0.015 mm thick dielectric coating as inter-pixel light-insulators, manufactured by Crytur (Czech Republic) intended to improve crystal insulation and then light collection. Respect to the traditional treatment with 0.2 mm of white epoxy, a thinner pixel gap enhances packing fraction up to 98% with a consequent improvement of detection efficiency. Spectroscopic characterization of the array was performed by a Hamamatsu R6231 photomultiplier tube. A pixel-by-pixel scanning with a collimated 99mTc radioisotope (140 keV photon energy) highlighted a deviation in pulse height close to 3.5% respect to the overall mean value. Meanwhile, in term of energy resolution a difference between the response of single pixel and the array of about 10% was measured. Results were also supported and validated by Monte Carlo simulations performed with GEANT4. Although the dielectric coating pixel insulator cannot overcome the inherent limitations of LuYAP crystal due to its self-absorption of light (still present), this study demonstrated that the new coating treatment allows better light collection (nearly close to the expected one) with in addition a very good uniformity between different pixels. These results confirm the high potentiality of this coating for any other crystal array suited for imaging application and new expectations for the use of LuYAP for PET systems.

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