Effect of surface roughness and subsurface damage on grazing-incidence x-ray scattering and specular reflectance.

PubMed

Lodha, G S; Yamashita, K; Kunieda, H; Tawara, Y; Yu, J; Namba, Y; Bennett, J M

1998-08-01

Grazing-incidence specular reflectance and near-specular scattering were measured at Al-K(alpha) (1.486-keV, 8.34-?) radiation on uncoated dielectric substrates whose surface topography had been measured with a scanning probe microscope and a mechanical profiler. Grazing-incidence specular reflectance was also measured on selected substrates at the Cu-K(alpha) (8.047-keV, 1.54-?) wavelength. Substrates included superpolished and conventionally polished fused silica; SiO(2) wafers; superpolished and precision-ground Zerodur; conventionally polished, float-polished, and precision-ground BK-7 glass; and superpolished and precision-ground silicon carbide. Roughnesses derived from x-ray specular reflectance and scattering measurements were in good agreement with topographic roughness values measured with a scanning probe microscope (atomic force microscope) and a mechanical profiler that included similar ranges of surface spatial wavelengths. The specular reflectance was also found to be sensitive to the density of polished surface layers and subsurface damage down to the penetration depth of the x rays. Density gradients and subsurface damage were found in the superpolished fused-silica and precision-ground Zerodur samples. These results suggest that one can nondestructively evaluate subsurface damage in transparent materials using grazing-incidence x-ray specular reflectance in the 1.5-8-keV range.

Deviation characteristics of specular reflectivity of micro-rough surface from Fresnel's equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, W. J.; Qiu, J.; Liu, L. H.

2015-07-01

Specular reflectivity is an important radiative property in thermal engineering applications and reflection-based optical constant determinations, yet it will be influenced by surface micro-roughness which cannot be completely removed during the polishing process. In this work, we examined the deviation characteristics of the specular reflectivity of micro-rough surfaces from that predicted by the Fresnel's equation under the assumption of smooth surface. The effects of incident angle and relative roughness were numerically investigated for both 1D and 2D micro randomly rough surfaces using full wave analysis under the condition that the relative roughness is smaller than 0.05. For transverse magnetic (TM) wave incidence, it is observed that the deviation of specular reflectivity dramatically rises as the incident angle approaches to the pseudo Brewster's angle, which violates the prediction based on Rayleigh criterion. While for the transverse electric (TE) wave incidence, the deviation of the specular reflectivity is much smaller and decreases monotonically with the increase of incident angle, which agrees with the predication from Rayleigh criterion. Generally, the deviation of specular reflectivity for both TM and TE increases with the relative roughness as commonly expected.

An improved method to estimate reflectance parameters for high dynamic range imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shiying; Deguchi, Koichiro; Li, Renfa; Manabe, Yoshitsugu; Chihara, Kunihiro

2008-01-01

Two methods are described to accurately estimate diffuse and specular reflectance parameters for colors, gloss intensity and surface roughness, over the dynamic range of the camera used to capture input images. Neither method needs to segment color areas on an image, or to reconstruct a high dynamic range (HDR) image. The second method improves on the first, bypassing the requirement for specific separation of diffuse and specular reflection components. For the latter method, diffuse and specular reflectance parameters are estimated separately, using the least squares method. Reflection values are initially assumed to be diffuse-only reflection components, and are subjected to the least squares method to estimate diffuse reflectance parameters. Specular reflection components, obtained by subtracting the computed diffuse reflection components from reflection values, are then subjected to a logarithmically transformed equation of the Torrance-Sparrow reflection model, and specular reflectance parameters for gloss intensity and surface roughness are finally estimated using the least squares method. Experiments were carried out using both methods, with simulation data at different saturation levels, generated according to the Lambert and Torrance-Sparrow reflection models, and the second method, with spectral images captured by an imaging spectrograph and a moving light source. Our results show that the second method can estimate the diffuse and specular reflectance parameters for colors, gloss intensity and surface roughness more accurately and faster than the first one, so that colors and gloss can be reproduced more efficiently for HDR imaging.

Interface morphology of Mo/Si multilayer systems with varying Mo layer thickness studied by EUV diffuse scattering.

PubMed

Haase, Anton; Soltwisch, Victor; Braun, Stefan; Laubis, Christian; Scholze, Frank

2017-06-26

We investigate the influence of the Mo-layer thickness on the EUV reflectance of Mo/Si mirrors with a set of unpolished and interface-polished Mo/Si/C multilayer mirrors. The Mo-layer thickness is varied in the range from 1.7 nm to 3.05 nm. We use a novel combination of specular and diffuse intensity measurements to determine the interface roughness throughout the multilayer stack and do not rely on scanning probe measurements at the surface only. The combination of EUV and X-ray reflectivity measurements and near-normal incidence EUV diffuse scattering allows to reconstruct the Mo layer thicknesses and to determine the interface roughness power spectral density. The data analysis is conducted by applying a matrix method for the specular reflection and the distorted-wave Born approximation for diffuse scattering. We introduce the Markov-chain Monte Carlo method into the field in order to determine the respective confidence intervals for all reconstructed parameters. We unambiguously detect a threshold thickness for Mo in both sample sets where the specular reflectance goes through a local minimum correlated with a distinct increase in diffuse scatter. We attribute that to the known appearance of an amorphous-to-crystallization transition at a certain thickness threshold which is altered in our sample system by the polishing.

Observations and simulations of specularly reflected He++ at Earth's quasiperpendicular bow shock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Broll, J. M.; Fuselier, S. A.; Trattner, K. J.; Anderson, B. J.; Burch, J. L.; Giles, B. L.

2016-12-01

Specular reflection of protons at Earth's quasiperpendicular bow shock is an important process for supercritical shock dissipation. Previous studies have found evidence of He++ specular reflection from reduced particle distributions downstream from the shock, but confirmation of the process for heavier ions in the shock foot was not possible due to time resolution constraints. We present He++ distributions, observed by MMS in a quasiperpendicular bow shock crossing, that are consistent with specularly reflected He++. We also investigate the He++ dynamics with test-particle simulations in a simulated shock based on this crossing and we conduct wave analysis to determine what processes lead to separate gyrotropization timescales for the transmitted and reflected populations.

Distribution of escaping ions produced by non-specular reflection at the stationary quasi-perpendicular shock front

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gedalin, M.; Liverts, M.; Balikhin, M. A.

2008-05-01

Field-aligned and gyrophase bunched ion beams are observed in the foreshock of the Earth bow shock. One of the mechanisms proposed for their production is non-specular reflection at the shock front. We study the distributions which are formed at the stationary quasi-perpendicular shock front within the same process which is responsible for the generation of reflected ions and transmitted gyrating ions. The test particle motion analysis in a model shock allows one to identify the parameters which control the efficiency of the process and the features of the escaping ion distribution. These parameters are: the angle between the shock normal and the upstream magnetic field, the ratio of the ion thermal velocity to the flow velocity upstream, and the cross-shock potential. A typical distribution of escaping ions exhibits a bimodal pitch angle distribution (in the plasma rest frame).

Specular, diffuse and polarized imagery of an oat canopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderbilt, Vern C.; De Venecia, Kurt J.

1988-01-01

Light, polarized by specular reflection, has been found to be an important part of the light scattered by several measured plant canopies. The authors investigate for one canopy the relative importance of specularly reflected sunlight, specularly reflected light from other sources including skylight, and diffusely upwelling light. Polarization images are used to gain increased understanding of the radiation transfer process in a plant canopy. Analysis of the results suggests that properly analyzed polarized remotely sensed data, acquired under specific atmospheric conditions by a specially designed sensor, potentially provide measures of physiological and morphological states of plants in a canopy.

Specular reflectance of optical-black coatings in the far infrared

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, S. M.

1984-01-01

Far-infrared specular reflectance spectra of seven optically black coatings near normal incidence are presented. Seven photometric spectra were obtained using eleven bandpass transmission filters in the wavelength range between 12 and 500 microns, and three interferometric spectra were obtained for corroboration. Data on the construction, thickness, and rms surface roughness of the coatings are also presented. The chemical composition of three coatings can be distinguished from that of the others by a strong absorption feature between 20 and 40 microns, which can be largely attributed to amorphous silicate material. At 100 microns, the most and least reflective coatings differ by nearly 3 orders of magnitude. Inverse relationships observed between the spectra and the roughness and thickness of the coatings led to development of a reflecting-layer model for the measured reflectance. The model successfully describes the spectra at wavelengths outside the silicate absorption, and optical constants are deduced from a nonlinear least squares fit to the data. Parametric errors are estimated by chi-square analysis, and sensitivity tests are performed to determine which parameters control reflectance in different spectral regions.

Development of a spatially resolved reflectometer to monitor corrosion of solar reflectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sutter, Florian; Meyen, Stephanie; Heller, Peter; Pitz-Paal, Robert

2013-06-01

Solar reflectors for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) concentrators require a high reflectance and high specularity over the whole solar spectrum. During their lifetime of at least 20 years, the reflectors must withstand harsh outdoor conditions without loosing their reflective properties. Currently, there are not many devices available to measure the specular reflectance. In this work a prototype of a specular reflectometer with spatial resolution has been developed. The major advantage of the prototype compared to other reflectometers is the possibility of measuring the specular reflectance on an extended measuring spot of more than 5 cm in diameter with a spatial resolution of 37 pixel/mm. Additionally, measurements can be taken at three different acceptance half angles (φ = 3.5, 6.0, and 12.5 mrad) and at three different wavelengths (λ = 410 nm, 500 nm, and 656 nm). This lab scale instrument can be employed to monitor degradation effects, such as corrosion spots, and evaluate their influence on the specular reflectance of solar mirror materials.

First observations and simulations of specularly reflected He++ at Earth's quasi-perpendicular bow shock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Broll, J. M.; Fuselier, S. A.; Trattner, K. J.; Giles, B. L.; Anderson, B. J.; Burch, J. L.

2017-12-01

Proton specular reflection at quasi-perpendicular shocks provides dissipation in cases where the upstream Mach number is too high for fluid dissipation mechanisms alone - as is almost always the case at Earth's bow shock. Some evidence of He++ specular reflection was found in reduced particle distributions measured by previous spacecraft at the bow shock. However, due to resolution constraints it was not possible to confirm that the bow shock was capable of reflecting solar wind He++. We present MMS observations of quasi-perpendicular bow shock crossing that are consistent with He++ specular reflection. These observations are supported by 1D particle-in- cell simulations demonstrating that a small amount of He++ can be turned back despite having twice the mass-per-charge of the protons.

Wave constraints for Titan's Jingpo Lacus and Kraken Mare from VIMS specular reflection lightcurves

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barnes, J.W.; Soderblom, J.M.; Brown, R.H.; Soderblom, L.A.; Stephan, K.; Jaumann, R.; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Rodriguez, S.; Sotin, Christophe; Buratti, B.J.; Baines, K.H.; Clark, R.N.; Nicholson, P.D.

2011-01-01

Stephan et al. (Stephan, K. et al. [2010]. Geophys. Res. Lett. 37, 7104-+.) first saw the glint of sunlight specularly reflected off of Titan's lakes. We develop a quantitative model for analyzing the photometric lightcurve generated during a flyby in which the specularly reflected light flux depends on the fraction of the solar specular footprint that is covered by liquid. We allow for surface waves that spread out the geographic specular intensity distribution. Applying the model to the VIMS T58 observations shows that the waves on Jingpo Lacus must have slopes of no greater than 0.15??, two orders of magnitude flatter than waves on Earth's oceans. Combining the model with theoretical estimates of the intensity of the specular reflection allows a tighter constraint on the waves: <0.05?? Residual specular signal while the specular point lies on land implies that either the land is wetted, the wave slope distribution is non-Gaussian, or that 5% of the land off the southwest edge of Jingpo Lacus is covered in puddles. Another specular sequence off of Kraken Mare acquired during Cassini's T59 flyby shows rapid flux changes that the static model cannot reproduce. Points just 1. min apart vary in flux by more than a factor of two. The present dataset does not uniquely determine the mechanism causing these rapid changes. We suggest that changing wind conditions, kilometer-wavelength waves, or moving clouds could account for the variability. Future specular observations should be designed with a fast cadence, at least 6 points per minute, in order to differentiate between these hypotheses. Such new data will further constrain the nature of Titan's lakes and their interactions with Titan's atmosphere. ?? 2010 Elsevier Inc.

Key characteristics of specular stereo

PubMed Central

Muryy, Alexander A.; Fleming, Roland W.; Welchman, Andrew E.

2014-01-01

Because specular reflection is view-dependent, shiny surfaces behave radically differently from matte, textured surfaces when viewed with two eyes. As a result, specular reflections pose substantial problems for binocular stereopsis. Here we use a combination of computer graphics and geometrical analysis to characterize the key respects in which specular stereo differs from standard stereo, to identify how and why the human visual system fails to reconstruct depths correctly from specular reflections. We describe rendering of stereoscopic images of specular surfaces in which the disparity information can be varied parametrically and independently of monocular appearance. Using the generated surfaces and images, we explain how stereo correspondence can be established with known and unknown surface geometry. We show that even with known geometry, stereo matching for specular surfaces is nontrivial because points in one eye may have zero, one, or multiple matches in the other eye. Matching features typically yield skew (nonintersecting) rays, leading to substantial ortho-epipolar components to the disparities, which makes deriving depth values from matches nontrivial. We suggest that the human visual system may base its depth estimates solely on the epipolar components of disparities while treating the ortho-epipolar components as a measure of the underlying reliability of the disparity signals. Reconstructing virtual surfaces according to these principles reveals that they are piece-wise smooth with very large discontinuities close to inflection points on the physical surface. Together, these distinctive characteristics lead to cues that the visual system could use to diagnose specular reflections from binocular information. PMID:25540263

Colour Model for Outdoor Machine Vision for Tropical Regions and its Comparison with the CIE Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahragard, Nasrolah; Ramli, Abdul Rahman B.; Hamiruce Marhaban, Mohammad; Mansor, Shattri B.

2011-02-01

Accurate modeling of daylight and surface reflectance are very useful for most outdoor machine vision applications specifically those which are based on color recognition. Existing daylight CIE model has drawbacks that limit its ability to predict the color of incident light. These limitations include lack of considering ambient light, effects of light reflected off the ground, and context specific information. Previously developed color model is only tested for a few geographical places in North America and its accountability is under question for other places in the world. Besides, existing surface reflectance models are not easily applied to outdoor images. A reflectance model with combined diffuse and specular reflection in normalized HSV color space could be used to predict color. In this paper, a new daylight color model showing the color of daylight for a broad range of sky conditions is developed which will suit weather conditions of tropical places such as Malaysia. A comparison of this daylight color model and daylight CIE model will be discussed. The colors of matte and specular surfaces have been estimated by use of the developed color model and surface reflection function in this paper. The results are shown to be highly reliable.

Techniques for estimating Space Station aerodynamic characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Richard E.

1993-01-01

A method was devised and calculations were performed to determine the effects of reflected molecules on the aerodynamic force and moment coefficients for a body in free molecule flow. A procedure was developed for determining the velocity and temperature distributions of molecules reflected from a surface of arbitrary momentum and energy accommodation. A system of equations, based on momentum and energy balances for the surface, incident, and reflected molecules, was solved by a numerical optimization technique. The minimization of a 'cost' function, developed from the set of equations, resulted in the determination of the defining properties of the flow reflected from the arbitrary surface. The properties used to define both the incident and reflected flows were: average temperature of the molecules in the flow, angle of the flow with respect to a vector normal to the surface, and the molecular speed ratio. The properties of the reflected flow were used to calculate the contribution of multiply reflected molecules to the force and moments on a test body in the flow. The test configuration consisted of two flat plates joined along one edge at a right angle to each other. When force and moment coefficients of this 90 deg concave wedge were compared to results that did not include multiple reflections, it was found that multiple reflections could nearly double lift and drag coefficients, with nearly a 50 percent increase in pitching moment for cases with specular or nearly specular accommodation. The cases of diffuse or nearly diffuse accommodation often had minor reductions in axial and normal forces when multiple reflections were included. There were several cases of intermediate accommodation where the addition of multiple reflection effects more than tripled the lift coefficient over the convex technique.

Diffuse and specular characteristics of leaf reflectance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grant, Lois

1987-01-01

In this paper, the evolution of current understanding of the mechanisms of leaf reflectance is reviewed. The use of measurements of polarized reflectance to separate leaf reflectance into diffuse and specular components is discussed. A section on the factors influencing leaf reflectance - leaf structure and physiological disturbances - is included along with discussion on the manner in which these influences are manifested.

Application of the specular and diffuse reflection analysis for in vitro diagnostics of dental erosion: correlation with enamel softening, roughness, and calcium release

PubMed Central

Rakhmatullina, Ekaterina; Bossen, Anke; Höschele, Christoph; Wang, Xiaojie; Beyeler, Barbara; Meier, Christoph; Lussi, Adrian

2011-01-01

We present assembly and application of an optical reflectometer for the analysis of dental erosion. The erosive procedure involved acid-induced softening and initial substance loss phases, which are considered to be difficult for visual diagnosis in a clinic. Change of the specular reflection signal showed the highest sensitivity for the detection of the early softening phase of erosion among tested methods. The exponential decrease of the specular reflection intensity with erosive duration was compared to the increase of enamel roughness. Surface roughness was measured by optical analysis, and the observed tendency was correlated with scanning electron microscopy images of eroded enamel. A high correlation between specular reflection intensity and measurement of enamel softening (r2 ≥ −0.86) as well as calcium release (r2 ≥ −0.86) was found during erosion progression. Measurement of diffuse reflection revealed higher tooth-to-tooth deviation in contrast to the analysis of specular reflection intensity and lower correlation with other applied methods (r2 = 0.42–0.48). The proposed optical method allows simple and fast surface analysis and could be used for further optimization and construction of the first noncontact and cost-effective diagnostic tool for early erosion assessment in vivo. PMID:22029364

Application of the specular and diffuse reflection analysis for in vitro diagnostics of dental erosion: correlation with enamel softening, roughness, and calcium release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rakhmatullina, Ekaterina; Bossen, Anke; Höschele, Christoph; Wang, Xiaojie; Beyeler, Barbara; Meier, Christoph; Lussi, Adrian

2011-10-01

We present assembly and application of an optical reflectometer for the analysis of dental erosion. The erosive procedure involved acid-induced softening and initial substance loss phases, which are considered to be difficult for visual diagnosis in a clinic. Change of the specular reflection signal showed the highest sensitivity for the detection of the early softening phase of erosion among tested methods. The exponential decrease of the specular reflection intensity with erosive duration was compared to the increase of enamel roughness. Surface roughness was measured by optical analysis, and the observed tendency was correlated with scanning electron microscopy images of eroded enamel. A high correlation between specular reflection intensity and measurement of enamel softening (r2 >= -0.86) as well as calcium release (r2 >= -0.86) was found during erosion progression. Measurement of diffuse reflection revealed higher tooth-to-tooth deviation in contrast to the analysis of specular reflection intensity and lower correlation with other applied methods (r2 = 0.42-0.48). The proposed optical method allows simple and fast surface analysis and could be used for further optimization and construction of the first noncontact and cost-effective diagnostic tool for early erosion assessment in vivo.

Defect mapping system

DOEpatents

Sopori, Bhushan L.

1995-01-01

Apparatus for detecting and mapping defects in the surfaces of polycrystalline materials in a manner that distinguishes dislocation pits from grain boundaries includes a laser for illuminating a wide spot on the surface of the material, a light integrating sphere with apertures for capturing light scattered by etched dislocation pits in an intermediate range away from specular reflection while allowing light scattered by etched grain boundaries in a near range from specular reflection to pass through, and optical detection devices for detecting and measuring intensities of the respective intermediate scattered light and near specular scattered light. A center blocking aperture or filter can be used to screen out specular reflected light, which would be reflected by nondefect portions of the polycrystalline material surface. An X-Y translation stage for mounting the polycrystalline material and signal processing and computer equipment accommodate rastor mapping, recording, and displaying of respective dislocation and grain boundary defect densities. A special etch procedure is included, which prepares the polycrystalline material surface to produce distinguishable intermediate and near specular light scattering in patterns that have statistical relevance to the dislocation and grain boundary defect densities.

Defect mapping system

DOEpatents

Sopori, B.L.

1995-04-11

Apparatus for detecting and mapping defects in the surfaces of polycrystalline materials in a manner that distinguishes dislocation pits from grain boundaries includes a laser for illuminating a wide spot on the surface of the material, a light integrating sphere with apertures for capturing light scattered by etched dislocation pits in an intermediate range away from specular reflection while allowing light scattered by etched grain boundaries in a near range from specular reflection to pass through, and optical detection devices for detecting and measuring intensities of the respective intermediate scattered light and near specular scattered light. A center blocking aperture or filter can be used to screen out specular reflected light, which would be reflected by nondefect portions of the polycrystalline material surface. An X-Y translation stage for mounting the polycrystalline material and signal processing and computer equipment accommodate rastor mapping, recording, and displaying of respective dislocation and grain boundary defect densities. A special etch procedure is included, which prepares the polycrystalline material surface to produce distinguishable intermediate and near specular light scattering in patterns that have statistical relevance to the dislocation and grain boundary defect densities. 20 figures.

Light polarization measurements - A method to determine the specular and diffuse light-scattering properties of both leaves and plant canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderbilt, V. C.; Grant, L.

1984-01-01

The contributions of diffuse and specular reflection to the total canopy reflection of sunlight are determined experimentally for wheat at two stages of development using spectroradiometer measurements obtained at 13 wavelengths in the 480-720-nm range with a polarizing film in maximum and minimum signal-amplitude positions. The data and computation techniques are presented in tables, diagrams, and graphs, and the need to take specular reflection into account in constructing models of light/canopy interaction is stressed.

Polarization Signals of Common Spacecraft Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gravseth, Ian; Culp, Robert D.; King, Nicole

1996-01-01

This is the final report documenting the results of the polarization testing of near-planar objects with various reflectance properties. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the portion of the reflected signal which is polarized for materials commonly used in space applications. Tests were conducted on several samples, with surface characteristics ranging from highly reflective to relatively dark. The measurements were obtained by suspending the test object in a beam of collimated light. The amount of light falling on the sample was controlled by a circular aperture placed in the light field. The polarized reflectance at various phase angles was then measured. A nonlinear least squares fitting program was used for analysis. For the specular test objects, the reflected signals were measured in one degree increments near the specular point. Otherwise, measurements were taken every five degrees in phase angle. Generally, the more diffuse surfaces had lower polarized reflectances than their more specular counterparts. The reflected signals for the more diffuse surfaces were spread over a larger phase angle range, while the signals from the more specular samples were reflected almost entirely within five degrees of angular deviation from the specular point. The method used to test all the surfaces is presented. The results of this study will be used to support the NASA Orbital Debris Optical Signature Tests. These tests are intended to help better understand the reflectance properties of materials often used in space applications. This data will then be used to improve the capabilities for identification and tracking of space debris.

Specular Reflection from Rough Surfaces Revisited

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yasuda, Kensei; Kim, Alvin; Cho, Hayley; Timofejev, Timofej; Walecki, Wojciech J.; Klep, James; Edelson, Amy S.; Walecki, Abigail S.; Walecki, Eve S.; Walecki, Peter S.

2016-01-01

In his beautiful paper, Hasan Fakhruddin reported observations of mirror-like reflections in the rough surface of a ground glass plate. Similar effects have been recently employed for metrology of the roughness of optical diffusers used in modern light emitting device illumination systems. We report the observations of specular reflection in…

Specular Reflection of Sunlight from Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varnai, T.; Marshak, A.

2018-02-01

The Deep Space Gateway vantage point offers advantages in observing specular reflection from water surfaces or ice crystals in clouds. Such data can give information on clouds and atmospheric aerosols, and help test algorithms of future exoplanet characterization.

Split off-specular reflection and surface scattering from woven materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pont, Sylvia C.; Koenderink, Jan J.

2003-03-01

We measured radiance distributions for black lining cloth and copper gauze using the convenient technique of wrapping the materials around a circular cylinder, irradiating it with a parallel light source and collecting the scattered radiance by a digital camera. One family of parallel threads (weave or weft) was parallel to the cylinder generator. The most salient features for such glossy plane weaves are a splitting up of the reflection peak due to the wavy variations in local slopes of the threads around the cylinders and a surface scattering lobe due to the threads that run along the cylinder. These scattering characteristics are quite different from the (off-)specular peaks and lobes that were found before for random rough specular surfaces. The split off-specular reflection is due to the regular structures in our samples of man-made materials. We derived simple approximations for these reflectance characteristics using geometrical optics.

A functional equation for the specular reflection of rays.

PubMed

Le Bot, A

2002-10-01

This paper aims to generalize the "radiosity method" when applied to specular reflection. Within the field of thermics, the radiosity method is also called the "standard procedure." The integral equation for incident energy, which is usually derived for diffuse reflection, is replaced by a more appropriate functional equation. The latter is used to solve some specific problems and it is shown that all the classical features of specular reflection, for example, the existence of image sources, are embodied within this equation. This equation can be solved with the ray-tracing technique, despite the implemented mathematics being quite different. Several interesting features of the energy field are presented.

The effects of particle size on the optical properties and surface roughness of a glass-balloon-filled black paint

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heslin, T.; Heaney, J.; Harper, M.

1974-01-01

The effects of particle size on the optical properties and surface roughness of a glass-balloon-filled, carbon-pigmented paint were studied in order to develop a diffuse-reflecting, low-total-reflectance, low-outgassing black paint. Particle sizes ranged between 20 microns and 74 microns. Surface roughness was found to increase with increasing particle size. Relative total reflectance at near-normal incidence (MgO standard) of the filled paints was less than for the unfilled paint between 230 nm and 1800 nm. Total absolute reflectance at 546 nm decreased with increasing particle size at grazing angles of incidence. Near-normal, total emittance was greater for the filled paints than for the unfilled paint. Specularity decreased with increasing particle size over the range studied.

Hazard calculations of diffuse reflected laser radiation for the SELENE program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miner, Gilda A.; Babb, Phillip D.

1993-01-01

The hazards from diffuse laser light reflections off water clouds, ice clouds, and fog and from possible specular reflections off ice clouds were assessed with the American National Standards (ANSI Z136.1-1986) for the free-electron-laser parameters under consideration for the Segmented Efficient Laser Emission for Non-Nuclear Electricity (SELENE) Program. Diffuse laser reflection hazards exist for water cloud surfaces less than 722 m in altitude and ice cloud surfaces less than 850 m in altitude. Specular reflections from ice crystals in cirrus clouds are not probable; however, any specular reflection is a hazard to ground observers. The hazard to the laser operators and any ground observers during heavy fog conditions is of such significant magnitude that the laser should not be operated in fog.

Scattering from Rock and Rock Outcrops

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

orientations and size distributions reflect the internal fault organization of the bedrock. The plot in Fig. 3 displays experimentally determined PFA...mechanisms contributing could be scattering from small scale roughness combined with specular scattering from facets oriented close to normal incidence to...Larvik, Norway made with a stereo photogrammetry system. 7 IMPACT/APPLICATIONS The primary work completed over the course of this project

On specular reflectivity measurements in high and low-contrast relativistic laser-plasma interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kemp, G. E.; Link, A.; Ping, Y.; McLean, H. S.; Patel, P. K.; Freeman, R. R.; Schumacher, D. W.; Tiedje, H. F.; Tsui, Y. Y.; Ramis, R.; Fedosejevs, R.

2015-01-01

Using both experiment and 2D3V particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we describe the use of specular reflectivity measurements to study relativistic (Iλ2 > 1018 W/cm2ṡμm2) laser-plasma interactions for both high and low-contrast 527 nm laser pulses on initially solid density aluminum targets. In the context of hot-electron generation, studies typically rely on diagnostics which, more-often-than-not, represent indirect processes driven by fast electrons transiting through solid density materials. Specular reflectivity measurements, however, can provide a direct measure of the interaction that is highly sensitive to how the EM fields and plasma profiles, critical input parameters for modeling of hot-electron generation, evolve near the interaction region. While the fields of interest occur near the relativistic critical electron density, experimental reflectivity measurements are obtained centimeters away from the interaction region, well after diffraction has fully manifested itself. Using a combination of PIC simulations with experimentally inspired conditions and an analytic, non-paraxial, pulse propagation algorithm, we calculate reflected pulse properties, both near and far from the interaction region, and compare with specular reflectivity measurements. The experiment results and PIC simulations demonstrate that specular reflectivity measurements are an extremely sensitive qualitative, and partially quantitative, indicator of initial laser/target conditions, ionization effects, and other details of intense laser-matter interactions. The techniques described can provide strong constraints on many systems of importance in ultra-intense laser interactions with matter.

Effects of the specular Orbiter forward radiators on a typical Spacelab payload thermal environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, L. D.; Humphries, W. R.; Littles, J. W.

1981-01-01

Orbiter radiators, having a specular reflection, must be considered when determining the design environment for payloads which can view the forward deployed radiators. Unlike most surfaces on the Orbiter, which reflect energy diffusely, the radiators are covered with a highly specular silverized Teflon material, with high emissivity, and have a concave contour, producing a local concentration of reflected energy towards the region of angle incidence. The combined effects of radiator specularity and geometry were analyzed using the Thermal Radiation Analysis System (TRASYS II), a specialized ray trace program, and a generalized Monte-Carlo-based thermal radiation program. Data given for a 0 deg payload inclination angle at orbital noon at 3.454 m indicate that the maximum total flux and average flux can increase 173% and 63%, respectively, when compared to diffuse radiators.

Three dimensional metafilms with dual channel unit cells

DOE PAGES

Burckel, D. Bruce; Campione, Salvatore; Davids, Paul S.; ...

2017-04-04

Three-dimensional (3D) metafilms composed of periodic arrays of silicon unit cells containing single and multiple micrometer-scale vertical split ring resonators (SRRs) per unit cell were fabricated. In contrast to planar and stacked planar structures, these 3D metafilms have a thickness t ~λ d/4, allowing for classical thin film effects in the long wavelength limit. The infrared specular far-field scattering response was measured for metafilms containing one and two resonators per unit cell and compared to numerical simulations. Excellent agreement in the frequency region below the onset of diffractive scattering was obtained. For dense arrays of unit cells containing single SRRs,more » normally incident linearly polarized plane waves which do not excite a resonant response result in thin film interference fringes in the reflected spectra and are virtually indistinguishable from the scattering response of an undecorated array of unit cells. For the resonant linear polarization, the specular reflection for arrays is highly dependent on the SRR orientation on the vertical face for gap-up, gap-down, and gap-right orientations. For dense arrays of unit cells containing two SRRs per unit cell positioned on adjacent faces, the specular reflection spectra are slightly modified due to near-field coupling between the orthogonally oriented SRRs but otherwise exhibit reflection spectra largely representative of the corresponding single-SRR unit cell structures. Lastly, the ability to pack the unit cell with multiple inclusions which can be independently excited by choice of incident polarization suggests the construction of dual-channel films where the scattering response is selected by altering the incident polarization.« less

Determination of refractive indices of opaque rough surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Destouches, Nathalie; Deumié, Carole; Giovannini, Hugues; Amra, Claude

2004-02-01

The refractive indices of optical materials are usually determined from spectrophotometric andellipsometric measurements of specular beams. When the roughness of the interfaces increases, the energy in the specularly reflected and transmitted beams decreases and scattering becomes predominant. For strong roughness (compared to the incident wavelength) a surface does not exhibit specular reflection or transmission, making difficult the determination of the refractive index. We describe two techniques, based on scattering measurements, that one can use to determine the refractive indices of opaque inhomogeneous media.

Radar sea reflection for low-e targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chow, Winston C.; Groves, Gordon W.

1998-09-01

Modeling radar signal reflection from a wavy sea surface uses a realistic characteristic of the large surface features and parameterizes the effect of the small roughness elements. Representation of the reflection coefficient at each point of the sea surface as a function of the Specular Deviation Angle is, to our knowledge, a novel approach. The objective is to achieve enough simplification and retain enough fidelity to obtain a practical multipath model. The 'specular deviation angle' as used in this investigation is defined and explained. Being a function of the sea elevations, which are stochastic in nature, this quantity is also random and has a probability density function. This density function depends on the relative geometry of the antenna and target positions, and together with the beam- broadening effect of the small surface ripples determined the reflectivity of the sea surface at each point. The probability density function of the specular deviation angle is derived. The distribution of the specular deviation angel as function of position on the mean sea surface is described.

Low levels of specularity support operational color constancy, particularly when surface and illumination geometry can be inferred

PubMed Central

Lee, Robert J.; Smithson, Hannah E.

2016-01-01

We tested whether surface specularity alone supports operational color constancy – the ability to discriminate changes in illumination or reflectance. Observers viewed short animations of illuminant or reflectance changes in rendered scenes containing a single spherical surface, and were asked to classify the change. Performance improved with increasing specularity, as predicted from regularities in chromatic statistics. Peak performance was impaired by spatial rearrangements of image pixels that disrupted the perception of illuminated surfaces, but was maintained with increased surface complexity. The characteristic chromatic transformations that are available with non-zero specularity are useful for operational color constancy, particularly if accompanied by appropriate perceptual organisation. PMID:26974938

The reflectance of Ames 24E, Infrablack, and Martin black. [anodizing coatings for far-infrared space telescopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Sheldon M.

1989-01-01

Results are reported from measurements of the specular reflectances (SRs) and bidirectional reflectance distribution functions (BRDFs) of three black optical coatings in the FIR wavelength range. The nonspecular reflectometer apparatus described by Smith (1984) is employed, and the data are presented in tables and graphs and discussed in detail. It is found that Ames 24E has an FIR SR one order of magnitude lower than that of Martin black (MB), with BRDF values characteristic of a nearly Lambertian surface, while Infrablack has SR two orders lower than MB and a specular-diffuse surface; MB itself has a very specular surface.

Specular reflection on Titan: Liquids in Kraken Mare

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephan, Katrin; Jaumann, Ralf; Brown, Robert H.; Soderblom, Jason M.; Soderblom, Laurence A.; Barnes, Jason W.; Sotin, Christophe; Griffith, Caitlin A.; Kirk, Randolph L.; Baines, Kevin H.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Clark, Roger N.; Lytle, Dyer M.; Nelson, Robert M.; Nicholson, Phillip D.

2010-01-01

After more than 50 close flybys of Titan by the Cassini spacecraft, it has become evident that features similar in morphology to terrestrial lakes and seas exist in Titan's polar regions. As Titan progresses into northern spring, the much more numerous and larger lakes and seas in the north-polar region suggested by Cassini RADAR data, are becoming directly illuminated for the first time since the arrival of the Cassini spacecraft. This allows the Cassini optical instruments to search for specular reflections to provide further confirmation that liquids are present in these evident lakes. On July 8, 2009 Cassini VIMS detected a specular reflection in the north-polar region of Titan associated with Kraken Mare, one of Titan's large, presumed seas, indicating the lake's surface is smooth and free of scatterers with respect to the wavelength of 5 μm, where VIMS detected the specular signal, strongly suggesting it is liquid.

Specular reflectance of soiled glass mirrors - Study on the impact of incidence angles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heimsath, Anna; Lindner, Philip; Klimm, Elisabeth; Schmid, Tobias; Moreno, Karolina Ordonez; Elon, Yehonatan; Am-Shallem, Morag; Nitz, Peter

2016-05-01

The accumulation of dust and soil on the surface of solar reflectors is an important factor reducing the power output of solar power plants. Therefore the effect of accumulated dust on the specular reflectance of solar mirrors should be understood well in order to improve the site-dependent performance prediction. Furthermore, an optimization of the CSP System maintenance, in particular the cleaning cycles, can be achieved. Our measurements show a noticeable decrease of specular reflectance when the angle of incidence is increased. This effect may be explained by shading and blocking mechanisms caused by dirt particles. The main physical causes of radiation loss being absorption and scattering, the near-angle scattering leads to a further decrease of specular reflectance for smaller angles of acceptance. Within this study mirror samples were both outdoor exposed and indoor artificially soiled. For indoor soiling, the mirror samples were artificially soiled in an in-house developed dusting device using both artificial-standardized dust and real dust collected from an arid outdoor test field at the Negev desert. A model function is proposed that approximates the observed reduction of specular reflectance with the incidence angle with a sufficient accuracy and by simple means for this soil type. Hence a first step towards a new approach to improve site dependent performance prediction of solar power plants is taken.

Improved classification and visualization of healthy and pathological hard dental tissues by modeling specular reflections in NIR hyperspectral images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Usenik, Peter; Bürmen, Miran; Fidler, Aleš; Pernuš, Franjo; Likar, Boštjan

2012-03-01

Despite major improvements in dental healthcare and technology, dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of modern society. The initial stages of dental caries are characterized by demineralization of enamel crystals, commonly known as white spots, which are difficult to diagnose. Near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging is a new promising technique for early detection of demineralization which can classify healthy and pathological dental tissues. However, due to non-ideal illumination of the tooth surface the hyperspectral images can exhibit specular reflections, in particular around the edges and the ridges of the teeth. These reflections significantly affect the performance of automated classification and visualization methods. Cross polarized imaging setup can effectively remove the specular reflections, however is due to the complexity and other imaging setup limitations not always possible. In this paper, we propose an alternative approach based on modeling the specular reflections of hard dental tissues, which significantly improves the classification accuracy in the presence of specular reflections. The method was evaluated on five extracted human teeth with corresponding gold standard for 6 different healthy and pathological hard dental tissues including enamel, dentin, calculus, dentin caries, enamel caries and demineralized regions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for multivariate local modeling of healthy and pathological dental tissues. The classification was performed by employing multiple discriminant analysis. Based on the obtained results we believe the proposed method can be considered as an effective alternative to the complex cross polarized imaging setups.

Estimation of photosynthetic capacity using MODIS polarization: 1988 proposal to NASA Headquarters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderbilt, Vern C.

1992-01-01

The remote sensing community has clearly identified the utility of NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and SR (simple ratio) and other vegetation indices for estimating such metrics of landscape ecology as green foliar biomass, photosynthetic capacity, and net primary production. Both theoretical and empirical investigations have established cause and effect relationships between the photosynthetic process in plant canopies and these combinations of remotely sensed data. Yet it has also been established that the relationships exhibit considerable variability that appears to be ecosystem-dependent and may represent a source of ecologically important information. The overall hypothesis of this proposal is that the ecosystem-dependent variability in the various vegetation indices is in part attributable to the effects of specular reflection. The polarization channels on MODIS provide the potential to estimate this specularly reflected light and allow the modification of the vegetation indices to better measure the photosynthetic process in plant canopies. In addition, these polarization channels potentially provide additional ecologically important information about the plant canopy.

Ion Acceleration by Multiple Reflections at Martian Bow Shock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamauchi, M.; Futaana, Y.; Fedorov, A.; Frahm, R. A.; Dubinin, E.; Lundin, R.; Sauvaud, J.-A.; Winningham, J. D.; Barabash, S.; Holmström, H.

2012-04-01

The ion mass analyzer (IMA) on board Mars Express revealed bundled structures of ions in the energy domain within a distance of a proton gyroradius from the Martian bow shock. Seven prominent traversals during 2005 were examined when the energy-bunched structure was observed together with pick-up ions of exospheric origin, the latter of which is used to determine the local magnetic field orientation from its circular trajectory in velocity space. These seven traversals include different bow shock configurations: (a) quasi-perpendicular shock with its specular direction of the solar wind more perpendicular to the magnetic field (QT), (b) quasi-perpendicular shock with its specular reflection direction of the solar wind more along the magnetic field (FS), and (c) quasi-parallel (QL) shock. In all seven cases, the velocity components of the energy-bunched structure are consistent with multiple specular reflections of the solar wind at the bow shock up to at least two reflections. The accelerated solar wind ions after two specular reflections have large parallel components with respect to the magnetic field for the QL shock whereas the field-aligned speed is much smaller than the perpendicular speed for the QT shock. The reflected ions escape into the solar wind when and only when the reflection is in the field-aligned direction.

Goniometric measurements of light scattered in the principal plane from leaves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brakke, Thomas W.

1992-01-01

A laboratory goniometer was designed and built by NASA for acquiring bidirectional scattering data in the principal plane from leaves. Goniometric measurements were taken on individual tree leaves of yellow poplar, red maple, and red oak. Reflectance measurements were taken every 5* and transmittance measurements every 10 in the principal plane. The results indicate that light reflected from leaves usually has a significant specular component. Reflectances measured for 60 incident angle were the most specular. The most isotropic scattering occurred with transmitted light and with 0 incident light reflected from the abaxial surface. The most significant difference observed between the species was due to the heavy wax layer found on the abaxial surface of red oak, which caused the abaxial reflectance to be more specular than it was in the other two species.

Quantum transport in new two-dimensional heterostructures: Thin films of topological insulators, phosphorene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majidi, Leyla; Zare, Moslem; Asgari, Reza

2018-06-01

The unusual features of the charge and spin transport characteristics are investigated in new two-dimensional heterostructures. Intraband specular Andreev reflection is realized in a topological insulator thin film normal/superconducting junction in the presence of a gate electric field. Perfect specular electron-hole conversion is shown for different excitation energy values in a wide experimentally available range of the electric field and also for all angles of incidence when the excitation energy has a particular value. It is further demonstrated that the transmission probabilities of the incoming electrons from different spin subbands to the monolayer phosphorene ferromagnetic/normal/ferromagnetic (F/N/F) hybrid structure have different behavior with the angle of incidence and perfect transmission occurs at defined angles of incidence to the proposed structure with different length of the N region, and different alignments of magnetization vectors. Moreover, the sign change of the spin-current density is demonstrated by tuning the chemical potential and exchange field of the F region.

Shading of a computer-generated hologram by zone plate modulation.

PubMed

Kurihara, Takayuki; Takaki, Yasuhiro

2012-02-13

We propose a hologram calculation technique that enables reconstructing a shaded three-dimensional (3D) image. The amplitude distributions of zone plates, which generate the object points that constitute a 3D object, were two-dimensionally modulated. Two-dimensional (2D) amplitude modulation was determined on the basis of the Phong reflection model developed for computer graphics, which considers the specular, diffuse, and ambient reflection light components. The 2D amplitude modulation added variable and constant modulations: the former controlled the specular light component and the latter controlled the diffuse and ambient components. The proposed calculation technique was experimentally verified. The reconstructed image showed specular reflection that varied depending on the viewing position.

Ion acceleration by multiple reflections at Martian bow shock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamauchi, M.; Futaana, Y.; Fedorov, A.; Frahm, R. A.; Dubinin, E.; Lundin, R.; Sauvaud, J.-A.; Winningham, J. D.; Barabash, S.; Holmström, M.

2012-02-01

The ion mass analyzer (IMA) on board Mars Express revealed bundled structures of ions in the energy domain within a distance of a proton gyroradius from the Martian bow shock. Seven prominent traversals during 2005 were examined when the energy-bunched structure was observed together with pick-up ions of exospheric origin, the latter of which is used to determine the local magnetic field orientation from its circular trajectory in velocity space. These seven traversals include different bow shock configurations: (a) quasi-perpendicular shock with its specular direction of the solar wind more perpendicular to the magnetic field (QT), (b) quasi-perpendicular shock with its specular reflection direction of the solar wind more along the magnetic field (FS), and (c) quasi-parallel (QL) shock. In all seven cases, the velocity components of the energy-bunched structure are consistent with multiple specular reflections of the solar wind at the bow shock up to at least two reflections. The accelerated solar wind ions after two specular reflections have large parallel components with respect to the magnetic field for both QL cases whereas the field-aligned speed is much smaller than the perpendicular speed for all QT cases.

Separation of specular and diffuse components using tensor voting in color images.

PubMed

Nguyen, Tam; Vo, Quang Nhat; Yang, Hyung-Jeong; Kim, Soo-Hyung; Lee, Guee-Sang

2014-11-20

Most methods for the detection and removal of specular reflections suffer from nonuniform highlight regions and/or nonconverged artifacts induced by discontinuities in the surface colors, especially when dealing with highly textured, multicolored images. In this paper, a novel noniterative and predefined constraint-free method based on tensor voting is proposed to detect and remove the highlight components of a single color image. The distribution of diffuse and specular pixels in the original image is determined using tensors' saliency analysis, instead of comparing color information among neighbor pixels. The achieved diffuse reflectance distribution is used to remove specularity components. The proposed method is evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively over a dataset of highly textured, multicolor images. The experimental results show that our result outperforms other state-of-the-art techniques.

Lateral uniformity in chemical composition along a buried reaction front in polymers using off-specular reflectivity.

PubMed

Lavery, Kristopher A; Prabhu, Vivek M; Satija, Sushil; Wu, Wen-Li

2010-12-01

Off-specular neutron reflectometry was applied to characterize the form and amplitude of lateral compositional variations at a buried reaction-diffusion front. In this work, off-specular neutron measurements were first calibrated using off-specular x-ray reflectivity and atomic force microscopy via a roughened glass surface, both as a free surface and as a buried interface that was prepared by spin coating thin polymer films upon the glass surface. All three methods provided consistent roughness values despite the difference in their detection mechanism. Our neutron results demonstrated, for the first time, that the compositional heterogeneity at a buried reaction front can be measured; the model system used in this study mimics the deprotection reaction that occurs during the photolithographic process necessary for manufacturing integrated circuits.

SuperADAM: Upgraded polarized neutron reflectometer at the Institut Laue-Langevin

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

Devishvili, A.; Zhernenkov, K.; Institut Laue-Langevin, BP 156, 38042 Grenoble

2013-02-15

A new neutron reflectometer SuperADAM has recently been built and commissioned at the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France. It replaces the previous neutron reflectometer ADAM. The new instrument uses a solid state polarizer/wavelength filter providing a highly polarized (up to 98.6%) monochromatic neutron flux of 8 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 4} n cm{sup -2} s{sup -1} with monochromatization {Delta}{lambda}/{lambda}= 0.7% and angular divergence {Delta}{alpha}= 0.2 mrad. The instrument includes both single and position sensitive detectors. The position sensitive detector allows simultaneous measurement of specular reflection and off-specular scattering. Polarization analysis for both specular reflection and off-specular scattering is achieved using either mirror analyzersmore » or a {sup 3}He spin filter cell. High efficiency detectors, low background, and high flux provides a dynamic range of up to seven decades in reflectivity. Detailed specifications and the instrument capabilities are illustrated with examples of recently collected data in the fields of thin film magnetism and thin polymer films.« less

SuperADAM: Upgraded polarized neutron reflectometer at the Institut Laue-Langevin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devishvili, A.; Zhernenkov, K.; Dennison, A. J. C.; Toperverg, B. P.; Wolff, M.; Hjörvarsson, B.; Zabel, H.

2013-02-01

A new neutron reflectometer SuperADAM has recently been built and commissioned at the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France. It replaces the previous neutron reflectometer ADAM. The new instrument uses a solid state polarizer/wavelength filter providing a highly polarized (up to 98.6%) monochromatic neutron flux of 8 × 104 n cm-2 s-1 with monochromatization Δλ/λ = 0.7% and angular divergence Δα = 0.2 mrad. The instrument includes both single and position sensitive detectors. The position sensitive detector allows simultaneous measurement of specular reflection and off-specular scattering. Polarization analysis for both specular reflection and off-specular scattering is achieved using either mirror analyzers or a 3He spin filter cell. High efficiency detectors, low background, and high flux provides a dynamic range of up to seven decades in reflectivity. Detailed specifications and the instrument capabilities are illustrated with examples of recently collected data in the fields of thin film magnetism and thin polymer films.

SuperADAM: upgraded polarized neutron reflectometer at the Institut Laue-Langevin.

PubMed

Devishvili, A; Zhernenkov, K; Dennison, A J C; Toperverg, B P; Wolff, M; Hjörvarsson, B; Zabel, H

2013-02-01

A new neutron reflectometer SuperADAM has recently been built and commissioned at the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France. It replaces the previous neutron reflectometer ADAM. The new instrument uses a solid state polarizer/wavelength filter providing a highly polarized (up to 98.6%) monochromatic neutron flux of 8 × 10(4) n cm(-2) s(-1) with monochromatization Δλ∕λ = 0.7% and angular divergence Δα = 0.2 mrad. The instrument includes both single and position sensitive detectors. The position sensitive detector allows simultaneous measurement of specular reflection and off-specular scattering. Polarization analysis for both specular reflection and off-specular scattering is achieved using either mirror analyzers or a (3)He spin filter cell. High efficiency detectors, low background, and high flux provides a dynamic range of up to seven decades in reflectivity. Detailed specifications and the instrument capabilities are illustrated with examples of recently collected data in the fields of thin film magnetism and thin polymer films.

Model of bidirectional reflectance distribution function for metallic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Kai; Zhu, Jing-Ping; Liu, Hong; Hou, Xun

2016-09-01

Based on the three-component assumption that the reflection is divided into specular reflection, directional diffuse reflection, and ideal diffuse reflection, a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model of metallic materials is presented. Compared with the two-component assumption that the reflection is composed of specular reflection and diffuse reflection, the three-component assumption divides the diffuse reflection into directional diffuse and ideal diffuse reflection. This model effectively resolves the problem that constant diffuse reflection leads to considerable error for metallic materials. Simulation and measurement results validate that this three-component BRDF model can improve the modeling accuracy significantly and describe the reflection properties in the hemisphere space precisely for the metallic materials.

Near specular scatter analysis method with a new goniophotometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyen, Stephanie; Sutter, Florian; Heller, Peter

2014-09-01

The challenge of improving component quality and reducing cost has focused the attention of the solar thermal power industry on reliable component characterization methods. Since the reflector plays a key role in the energy conversion chain, the analysis of its reflectance properties has become a lively discussed issue in recent years. State of the art measurement instruments for specular reflectance do not give satisfying results, because they do not resolve sufficiently the near specular scatter of possible low cost mirror material candidates. The measurement of the BRDF offers a better solution than the traditional approach of placing a detector in the specular reflected beam path. However, due to the requirement of high angular resolution in the range of 1 mrad (0.057°) or better and the challenge of measuring high dynamic differences between the specular peak and the scatter signal, typical commercial scanning goniophotometers capable of this are rare. These instruments also face the disadvantages of impractically long acquisition times and, to reach the high angular resolution, occupy a large space (several meters side length). We have taken on the appealing idea of a parallel imaging goniophotometer and designed a prototype based on this principle. A mirrored ellipsoid is used to redirect the reflected light coming from a sample towards a camera with a fisheye lens. This way the complete light distribution is captured simultaneously. A key feature allows the distinction of the high intensity specular peak and the low intensity scatter. In this article we explain the prototype design and demonstrate its functionality based on comparison measurements done with a commercial scanning goniophotometer. We identify limitations related in part to the concept and in part to the specific prototype and suggest improvements. Finally we conclude that the concept is well suitable for the analysis of near specular scatter of mirror materials, although less adequate for the analysis of rough surfaces that require a full 180° view angle. Results obtained with this instrument are useful to evaluate the performance of a reflector material for a specific concentrating solar collector design and also serve in other applications that require near specular scatter analysis like degradation and soiling research.

Broadband diffuse terahertz wave scattering by flexible metasurface with randomized phase distribution

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yin; Liang, Lanju; Yang, Jing; Feng, Yijun; Zhu, Bo; Zhao, Junming; Jiang, Tian; Jin, Biaobing; Liu, Weiwei

2016-01-01

Suppressing specular electromagnetic wave reflection or backward radar cross section is important and of broad interests in practical electromagnetic engineering. Here, we present a scheme to achieve broadband backward scattering reduction through diffuse terahertz wave reflection by a flexible metasurface. The diffuse scattering of terahertz wave is caused by the randomized reflection phase distribution on the metasurface, which consists of meta-particles of differently sized metallic patches arranged on top of a grounded polyimide substrate simply through a certain computer generated pseudorandom sequence. Both numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrate the ultralow specular reflection over a broad frequency band and wide angle of incidence due to the re-distribution of the incident energy into various directions. The diffuse scattering property is also polarization insensitive and can be well preserved when the flexible metasurface is conformably wrapped on a curved reflective object. The proposed design opens up a new route for specular reflection suppression, and may be applicable in stealth and other technology in the terahertz spectrum. PMID:27225031

Broadband diffuse terahertz wave scattering by flexible metasurface with randomized phase distribution.

PubMed

Zhang, Yin; Liang, Lanju; Yang, Jing; Feng, Yijun; Zhu, Bo; Zhao, Junming; Jiang, Tian; Jin, Biaobing; Liu, Weiwei

2016-05-26

Suppressing specular electromagnetic wave reflection or backward radar cross section is important and of broad interests in practical electromagnetic engineering. Here, we present a scheme to achieve broadband backward scattering reduction through diffuse terahertz wave reflection by a flexible metasurface. The diffuse scattering of terahertz wave is caused by the randomized reflection phase distribution on the metasurface, which consists of meta-particles of differently sized metallic patches arranged on top of a grounded polyimide substrate simply through a certain computer generated pseudorandom sequence. Both numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrate the ultralow specular reflection over a broad frequency band and wide angle of incidence due to the re-distribution of the incident energy into various directions. The diffuse scattering property is also polarization insensitive and can be well preserved when the flexible metasurface is conformably wrapped on a curved reflective object. The proposed design opens up a new route for specular reflection suppression, and may be applicable in stealth and other technology in the terahertz spectrum.

Optical and adhesive properties of dust deposits on solar mirrors and their effects on specular reflectivity and electrodynamic cleaning for mitigating energy-yield loss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazumder, Malay; Yellowhair, Julius; Stark, Jeremy; Heiling, Calvin; Hudelson, John; Hao, Fang; Gibson, Hannah; Horenstein, Mark

2014-10-01

Large-scale solar plants are mostly installed in semi-arid and desert areas. In those areas, dust layer buildup on solar collectors becomes a major cause for energy yield loss. Development of transparent electrodynamic screens (EDS) and their applications for self-cleaning operation of solar mirrors are presented with a primary focus on the removal dust particles smaller than 30 µm in diameter while maintaining specular reflection efficiency < 90%. An EDS consists of thin rectangular array of parallel transparent conducting electrodes deposited on a transparent dielectric surface. The electrodes are insulated from each other and are embedded within a thin transparent dielectric film. The electrodes are activated using three-phase high-voltage pulses at low current (< 1 mA/m2 ). The three-phase electric field charges the deposited particles, lifts them form the substrate by electrostatic forces and propels the dust layer off of the collector's surface by a traveling wave. The cleaning process takes less than 2 minutes; needs energy less than 1 Wh/m2 without requiring any water or manual labor. The reflection efficiency can be restored > 95% of the original clean-mirror efficiency. We briefly present (1) loss of specular reflection efficiency as a function of particle size distribution of deposited dust, and (2) the effects of the electrode design and materials used for minimizing initial loss of specular reflectivity in producing EDS-integrated solar mirrors. Optimization of EDS by using a figure of merit defined by the ratio of dust removal efficiency to the initial loss of specular reflection efficiency is discussed.

Determination of the effective transverse coherence of the neutron wave packet as employed in reflectivity investigations of condensed-matter structures. I. Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majkrzak, Charles F.; Metting, Christopher; Maranville, Brian B.; Dura, Joseph A.; Satija, Sushil; Udovic, Terrence; Berk, Norman F.

2014-03-01

The primary purpose of this investigation is to determine the effective coherent extent of the neutron wave packet transverse to its mean propagation vector k when it is prepared in a typical instrument used to study the structure of materials in thin film form via specular reflection. There are two principal reasons for doing so. One has to do with the fundamental physical interest in the characteristics of a free neutron as a quantum object, while the other is of a more practical nature, relating to the understanding of how to interpret elastic scattering data when the neutron is employed as a probe of condensed-matter structure on an atomic or nanometer scale. Knowing such a basic physical characteristic as the neutron's effective transverse coherence can dictate how to properly analyze specular reflectivity data obtained for material film structures possessing some amount of in-plane inhomogeneity. In this study we describe a means of measuring the effective transverse coherence length of the neutron wave packet by specular reflection from a series of diffraction gratings of different spacings. Complementary nonspecular measurements of the widths of grating reflections were also performed, which corroborate the specular results. (This paper principally describes measurements interpreted according to the theoretical picture presented in a companion paper.) Each grating was fabricated by lift-off photolithography patterning of a nickel film (approximately 1000 Å thick) formed by physical vapor deposition on a flat silicon crystal surface. The grating periods ranged from 10 μm (5 μm Ni stripe, 5 μm intervening space) to several hundred microns. The transverse coherence length, modeled as the width of the wave packet, was determined from an analysis of the specular reflectivity curves of the set of gratings.

Detection and Purging of Specular Reflective and Transparent Object Influences in 3d Range Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koch, R.; May, S.; Nüchter, A.

2017-02-01

3D laser scanners are favoured sensors for mapping in mobile service robotics at indoor and outdoor applications, since they deliver precise measurements at a wide scanning range. The resulting maps are detailed since they have a high resolution. Based on these maps robots navigate through rough terrain, fulfil advanced manipulation, and inspection tasks. In case of specular reflective and transparent objects, e.g., mirrors, windows, shiny metals, the laser measurements get corrupted. Based on the type of object and the incident angle of the incoming laser beam there are three results possible: a measurement point on the object plane, a measurement behind the object plane, and a measurement of a reflected object. It is important to detect such situations to be able to handle these corrupted points. This paper describes why it is difficult to distinguish between specular reflective and transparent surfaces. It presents a 3DReflection- Pre-Filter Approach to identify specular reflective and transparent objects in point clouds of a multi-echo laser scanner. Furthermore, it filters point clouds from influences of such objects and extract the object properties for further investigations. Based on an Iterative-Closest-Point-algorithm reflective objects are identified. Object surfaces and points behind surfaces are masked according to their location. Finally, the processed point cloud is forwarded to a mapping module. Furthermore, the object surface corners and the type of the surface is broadcasted. Four experiments demonstrate the usability of the 3D-Reflection-Pre-Filter. The first experiment was made in a empty room containing a mirror, the second experiment was made in a stairway containing a glass door, the third experiment was made in a empty room containing two mirrors, the fourth experiment was made in an office room containing a mirror. This paper demonstrate that for single scans the detection of specular reflective and transparent objects in 3D is possible. It is more reliable in 3D as in 2D. Nevertheless, collect the data of multiple scans and post-filter them as soon as the object was bypassed should pursued. This is why future work concentrates on implementing a post-filter module. Besides, it is the aim to improve the discrimination between specular reflective and transparent objects.

A simultaneous multiple angle-wavelength dispersive X-ray reflectometer using a bent-twisted polychromator crystal

PubMed Central

Matsushita, Tadashi; Arakawa, Etsuo; Voegeli, Wolfgang; Yano, Yohko F.

2013-01-01

An X-ray reflectometer has been developed, which can simultaneously measure the whole specular X-ray reflectivity curve with no need for rotation of the sample, detector or monochromator crystal during the measurement. A bent-twisted crystal polychromator is used to realise a convergent X-ray beam which has continuously varying energy E (wavelength λ) and glancing angle α to the sample surface as a function of horizontal direction. This convergent beam is reflected in the vertical direction by the sample placed horizontally at the focus and then diverges horizontally and vertically. The normalized intensity distribution of the reflected beam measured downstream of the specimen with a two-dimensional pixel array detector (PILATUS 100K) represents the reflectivity curve. Specular X-ray reflectivity curves were measured from a commercially available silicon (100) wafer, a thin gold film coated on a silicon single-crystal substrate and the surface of liquid ethylene glycol with data collection times of 0.01 to 1000 s using synchrotron radiation from a bending-magnet source of a 6.5 GeV electron storage ring. A typical value of the simultaneously covered range of the momentum transfer was 0.01–0.45 Å−1 for the silicon wafer sample. The potential of this reflectometer for time-resolved X-ray studies of irreversible structural changes is discussed. PMID:23254659

High-efficiency polarization conversion phase gradient metasurface for wideband anomalous reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jiameng; Yang, Lan; Li, Linpeng; Zhang, Tong; Li, Haihong; Wang, Qingmin; Hao, Yanan; Lei, Ming; Bi, Ke

2017-07-01

An ultra-wideband polarization conversion metasurface based on S-shaped metallic structure is designed and prepared. The simulation results show that the polarization conversion bandwidth is 14 GHz for linearly polarized normally incident electromagnetic waves and the cross-polarized reflectance is more than 99% in the range of 10.3 GHz-20.5 GHz. On the premise of high reflection efficiency, the reflective phase can be regulated by changing the geometrical parameter of the S-shaped metallic structure. A phase gradient metasurface composed of six periodically arrayed S-shaped unit cells is proposed and further demonstrated both numerically and experimentally. The specular cross-polarization reflection of the phase gradient metasurface is below -10 dB, which shows a good performance on manipulating the direction of the reflected electromagnetic waves.

X-ray off-specular reflectivity studies of electrochemical pitting of Cu surfaces in sodium bicarbonate solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Y. P.; Sinha, S. K.; Melendres, C. A.; Lee, D. D.

1996-02-01

We have studied the electrochemically-induced pitting process on a Cu electrode in NaHCO 3 solution using in-situ X-ray off-specular reflectivity measurements. The morphology and growth dynamics of the localized corrosion sites or pits were studied as the applied potential was varied from the cathodic region where the Cu surface is relatively free of oxide films to the anodic region where surface roughening occurs by general corrosion with concomitant formation of an oxide film. Quantitative analysis of the experimental results indicates that early pitting proceeds in favor of nucleation of pit clusters over individual pit growth. It was found that the lateral distribution of the pits is not random but exhibits a short-range order as evidenced by the appearance of a side peak in the transverse off-specular reflectivity. The position, height, and width of the peak was modeled to yield the average size, nearest-neighbor distance (within any one of the clusters), and over-all density of the pits averaged over the entire illuminated surface. In addition, measurements of the longitudinal off-specular reflectivity indicate a bimodal depth distribution for the pits, suggesting a “film breaking” type of pitting mechanism.

Optical fringe-reflection deflectometry with sparse representation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Yong-Liang; Li, Sikun; Zhang, Qican; Zhong, Jianxin; Su, Xianyu; You, Zhisheng

2018-05-01

Optical fringe-reflection deflectometry is a surprisingly attractive scratch detection technique for specular surfaces owing to its unparalleled local sensibility. Full-field surface topography is obtained from a measured normal field using gradient integration. However, there may not be an ideal measured gradient field for deflectometry reconstruction in practice. Both the non-integrability condition and various kinds of image noise distributions, which are present in the indirect measured gradient field, may lead to ambiguity about the scratches on specular surfaces. In order to reduce misjudgment of scratches, sparse representation is introduced into the Southwell curl equation for deflectometry. The curl can be represented as a linear combination of the given redundant dictionary for curl and the sparsest solution for gradient refinement. The non-integrability condition and noise permutation can be overcome with sparse representation for gradient refinement. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the accuracy rate of judgment of scratches can be enhanced with sparse representation compared to the standard least-squares integration. Preliminary experiments are performed with the application of practical measured deflectometric data to verify the validity of the algorithm.

An efficient approach for computing the geometrical optics field reflected from a numerically specified surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mittra, R.; Rushdi, A.

1979-01-01

An approach for computing the geometrical optic fields reflected from a numerically specified surface is presented. The approach includes the step of deriving a specular point and begins with computing the reflected rays off the surface at the points where their coordinates, as well as the partial derivatives (or equivalently, the direction of the normal), are numerically specified. Then, a cluster of three adjacent rays are chosen to define a 'mean ray' and the divergence factor associated with this mean ray. Finally, the ampilitude, phase, and vector direction of the reflected field at a given observation point are derived by associating this point with the nearest mean ray and determining its position relative to such a ray.

Far-infrared reflectance spectra of optical black coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, S. M.

1983-01-01

Far-infrared specular reflectance spectra of six optically black coatings near normal incidence are presented. The spectra were obtained using nine bandpass transmission filters in the wavelength range between 12 and 300 microns. Data on the construction, thickness, and rms surface roughness of the coatings are also presented. The chemical composition of two coatings can be distinguished from that of the others by a strong absorption feature between 20 and 40 microns which is attributed to amorphous silicate material. Inverse relationships between these spectra and coating roughness and thickness are noted and lead to development of a reflecting-layer model for the measured reflectance. The model is applied to the spectra of several coatings whose construction falls within its constraints.

Observations of specular reflective particles and layers in crystal clouds.

PubMed

Balin, Yurii S; Kaul, Bruno V; Kokhanenko, Grigorii P; Penner, Ioganes E

2011-03-28

In the present article, results of observations of high crystal clouds with high spatial and temporal resolution using the ground-based polarization LOSA-S lidar are described. Cases of occurrence of specularly reflective layers formed by particles oriented predominantly in the horizontal plane are demonstrated. Results of measuring echo-signal depolarization are compared for linear and circular polarization states of the initial laser beam.

Separation and correlation of structural and magnetic roughness in a Ni thin film by polarized off-specular neutron reflectometry.

PubMed

Singh, Surendra; Basu, Saibal

2009-02-04

Diffuse (off-specular) neutron and x-ray reflectometry has been used extensively for the determination of interface morphology in solids and liquids. For neutrons, a novel possibility is off-specular reflectometry with polarized neutrons to determine the morphology of a magnetic interface. There have been few such attempts due to the lower brilliance of neutron sources, though magnetic interaction of neutrons with atomic magnetic moments is much easier to comprehend and easily tractable theoretically. We have obtained a simple and physically meaningful expression, under the Born approximation, for analyzing polarized diffuse (off-specular) neutron reflectivity (PDNR) data. For the first time PDNR data from a Ni film have been analyzed and separate chemical and magnetic morphologies have been quantified. Also specular polarized neutron reflectivity measurements have been carried out to measure the magnetic moment density profile of the Ni film. The fit to PDNR data results in a longer correlation length for in-plane magnetic roughness than for chemical (structural) roughness. The magnetic interface is smoother than the chemical interface.

Multiple View Zenith Angle Observations of Reflectance From Ponderosa Pine Stands

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Lee F.; Lawless, James G. (Technical Monitor)

1994-01-01

Reflectance factors (RF(lambda)) from dense and sparse ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) stands, derived from radiance data collected in the solar principal plane by the Advanced Solid-State Array Spectro-radiometer (ASAS), were examined as a function of view zenith angle (theta(sub v)). RF(lambda) was maximized with theta(sub v) nearest the solar retrodirection, and minimized near the specular direction throughout the ASAS spectral region. The dense stand had much higher RF anisotropy (ma)dmurn RF is minimum RF) in the red region than did the sparse stand (relative differences of 5.3 vs. 2.75, respectively), as a function of theta(sub v), due to the shadow component in the canopy. Anisotropy in the near-infrared (NIR) was more similar between the two stands (2.5 in the dense stand and 2.25 in the sparse stand); the dense stand exhibited a greater hotspot effect than 20 the sparse stand in this spectral region. Two common vegetation transforms, the NIR/red ratio and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), both showed a theta(sub v) dependence for the dense stand. Minimum values occurred near the retrodirection and maximum values occurred near the specular direction. Greater relative differences were noted for the NIR/red ratio (2.1) than for the NDVI (1.3). The sparse stand showed no obvious dependence on theta(sub v) for either transform, except for slightly elevated values toward the specular direction.

System for characterizing semiconductor materials and photovoltaic device

DOEpatents

Sopori, B.L.

1996-12-03

Apparatus for detecting and mapping defects in the surfaces of polycrystalline material in a manner that distinguishes dislocation pits from grain boundaries includes a first laser of a first wavelength for illuminating a wide spot on the surface of the material, a second laser of a second relatively shorter wavelength for illuminating a relatively narrower spot on the surface of the material, a light integrating sphere with apertures for capturing light scattered by etched dislocation pits in an intermediate range away from specular reflection while allowing light scattered by etched grain boundaries in a near range from specular reflection to pass through, and optical detection devices for detecting and measuring intensities of the respective intermediate scattered light and near specular scattered light. A center blocking aperture or filter can be used to screen out specular reflected light, which would be reflected by nondefect portions of the polycrystalline material surface. An X-Y translation stage for mounting the polycrystalline material and signal processing and computer equipment accommodate raster mapping, recording, and displaying of respective dislocation and grain boundary defect densities. A special etch procedure is included, which prepares the polycrystalline material surface to produce distinguishable intermediate and near specular light scattering in patterns that have statistical relevance to the dislocation and grain boundary defect densities. A reflectance measurement of the piece of material is obtained by adding together the signals from the optical detection devices. In the case where the piece of material includes a photovoltaic device, the current induced in the device by the illuminating light can be measured with a current sensing amplifier after the light integrating sphere is moved away from the device. 22 figs.

System for characterizing semiconductor materials and photovoltaic device

DOEpatents

Sopori, Bhushan L.

1996-01-01

Apparatus for detecting and mapping defects in the surfaces of polycrystalline material in a manner that distinguishes dislocation pits from grain boundaries includes a first laser of a first wavelength for illuminating a wide spot on the surface of the material, a second laser of a second relatively shorter wavelength for illuminating a relatively narrower spot on the surface of the material, a light integrating sphere with apertures for capturing light scattered by etched dislocation pits in an intermediate range away from specular reflection while allowing light scattered by etched grain boundaries in a near range from specular reflection to pass through, and optical detection devices for detecting and measuring intensities of the respective intermediate scattered light and near specular scattered light. A center blocking aperture or filter can be used to screen out specular reflected light, which would be reflected by nondefect portions of the polycrystalline material surface. An X-Y translation stage for mounting the polycrystalline material and signal processing and computer equipment accommodate raster mapping, recording, and displaying of respective dislocation and grain boundary defect densities. A special etch procedure is included, which prepares the polycrystalline material surface to produce distinguishable intermediate and near specular light scattering in patterns that have statistical relevance to the dislocation and grain boundary defect densities. A reflectance measurement of the piece of material is obtained by adding together the signals from the optical detection devices. In the case where the piece of material includes a photovoltaic device, the current induced in the device by the illuminating light can be measured with a current sensing amplifier after the light integrating sphere is moved away from the device.

Tracking Solar Energy Conersion Unit Adapted For Field Assembly

DOEpatents

Kaminar, Neil R.; Ross, III, James G.; Carrie, Peter J.

2000-02-01

A modular solar energy collector having elongated V-shaped side walls formed by a pair of coplanar panels for each side wall. The upper panels, occupying most of the wall area are diffusely reflective, but the lower panels are specularly reflective. A Fresnel lens, having a snap fit relation to the side walls focuses some light on the lower specularly reflective panels which direct light to the solar cells at the base of the V-shaped walls. A heat sink provides support for the two panels with two opposed, upwardly extending wings terminating in opposed linear clips located near the lengthwise seam of the coplanar panels, each clip holding two coplanar panels in parallel alignment. The clips not only provide support for the panels, but also transfer heat to the remainder of the heat sink. The clips are shaped so that edges of the panels engage each clip by a snap fit, outside of the clip in one embodiment and inside of the clip in another embodiment. End caps are also formed with structures which snap to the wall panels. Since all junctions of components snap together, the collector of the present invention is easily assembled without specialized tools. Using side walls which are only partly specularly reflective permits a large angle of acceptance, yet provides an economical wall design because the entire wall need not be specularly reflective.

Suits reflectance models for wheat and cotton - Theoretical and experimental tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chance, J. E.; Lemaster, E. W.

1977-01-01

Plant canopy reflectance models developed by Suits are tested for cotton and Penjamo winter wheat. Properties of the models are discussed, and the concept of model depth is developed. The models' predicted exchange symmetry for specular irradiance with respect to sun polar angle and observer polar angle agreed with field data for cotton and wheat. Model calculations and experimental data for wheat reflectance vs sun angle disagreed. Specular reflectance from 0.50 to 1.10 micron shows fair agreement between the model and wheat measurements. An Appendix includes the physical and optical parameters for wheat necessary to apply Suits' models.

Metrological issues related to BRDF measurements around the specular direction in the particular case of glossy surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obein, Gaël.; Audenaert, Jan; Ged, Guillaume; Leloup, Frédéric B.

2015-03-01

Among the complete bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), visual gloss is principally related to physical reflection characteristics located around the specular reflection direction. This particular part of the BRDF is usually referred to as the specular peak. A good starting point for the physical description of gloss could be to measure the reflection properties around this specular peak. Unfortunately, such a characterization is not trivial, since for glossy surfaces the width of the specular peak can become very narrow (typically a full width at half maximum inferior to 0.5° is encountered). In result, new BRDF measurement devices with a very small solid angle of detection are being introduced. Yet, differences in the optical design of BRDF measurement instruments engender different measurement results for the same specimen, complicating direct comparison of the measurement results. This issue is addressed in this paper. By way of example, BRDF measurement results of two samples, one being matte and the other one glossy, obtained by use of two high level goniospectrophotometers with a different optical design, are described. Important discrepancies in the results of the glossy sample are discussed. Finally, luminance maps obtained from renderings with the acquired BRDF data are presented, exemplifying the large visual differences that might be obtained. This stresses the metrological aspects that must be known for using BRDF data. Indeed, the comprehension of parameters affecting the measurement results is an inevitable step towards progress in the metrology of surface gloss, and thus towards a better metrology of appearance in general.

Polarized BRDF for coatings based on three-component assumption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hong; Zhu, Jingping; Wang, Kai; Xu, Rong

2017-02-01

A pBRDF(polarized bidirectional reflection distribution function) model for coatings is given based on three-component reflection assumption in order to improve the polarized scattering simulation capability for space objects. In this model, the specular reflection is given based on microfacet theory, the multiple reflection and volume scattering are given separately according to experimental results. The polarization of specular reflection is considered from Fresnel's law, and both multiple reflection and volume scattering are assumed depolarized. Simulation and measurement results of two satellite coating samples SR107 and S781 are given to validate that the pBRDF modeling accuracy can be significantly improved by the three-component model given in this paper.

Color analysis and image rendering of woodblock prints with oil-based ink

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horiuchi, Takahiko; Tanimoto, Tetsushi; Tominaga, Shoji

2012-01-01

This paper proposes a method for analyzing the color characteristics of woodblock prints having oil-based ink and rendering realistic images based on camera data. The analysis results of woodblock prints show some characteristic features in comparison with oil paintings: 1) A woodblock print can be divided into several cluster areas, each with similar surface spectral reflectance; and 2) strong specular reflection from the influence of overlapping paints arises only in specific cluster areas. By considering these properties, we develop an effective rendering algorithm by modifying our previous algorithm for oil paintings. A set of surface spectral reflectances of a woodblock print is represented by using only a small number of average surface spectral reflectances and the registered scaling coefficients, whereas the previous algorithm for oil paintings required surface spectral reflectances of high dimension at all pixels. In the rendering process, in order to reproduce the strong specular reflection in specific cluster areas, we use two sets of parameters in the Torrance-Sparrow model for cluster areas with or without strong specular reflection. An experiment on a woodblock printing with oil-based ink was performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.

Increased clutter level in echocardiography due to specular reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fatemi, Ali; Torp, Hans; Aakhus, Svend; Rodriguez-Molares, Alfonso

2017-03-01

State-of-the-art echocardiography allows to correctly diagnose most of cardiovascular diseases. An unknown source of clutter, however, hinders the visualization of the heart in some cases. We believe this clutter is caused by the ultrasound beam being partially reflected by the ribs into the elevation direction, so that structures outside the imaging plane are displayed on top of the heart image as clutter noise. We conducted in vitro experiments in a water tank using a synthetic ventricle and pig ribs. By partially blocking the probe with the ribs in the elevation direction, objects outside the imaging plane were rendered in the B-mode image, which confirms that the ribs can behave as specular reflectors. In addition, we succeeded in reproducing clutter noise using a piece of polystyrene to simulate the reflections from the lungs. This indicates that the origin of the clutter noise in echocardiograms can be reverberation coming from the lungs via specular reflection at the ribs.

Reflectance of metallic indium for solar energy applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bouquet, F. L.; Hasegawa, T.

1984-01-01

An investigation has been conducted in order to compile quantitative data on the reflective properties of metallic indium. The fabricated samples were of sufficiently high quality that differences from similar second-surface silvered mirrors were not apparent to the human eye. Three second-surface mirror samples were prepared by means of vacuum deposition techniques, yielding indium thicknesses of approximately 1000 A. Both hemispherical and specular measurements were made. It is concluded that metallic indium possesses a sufficiently high specular reflectance to be potentially useful in many solar energy applications.

Collisionless dissipation processes in quasi-parallel shocks. [in solar wind

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quest, K. B.; Forslund, D. W.; Brackbill, J. U.; Lee, K.

1983-01-01

The evolution of collisionless, quasi-parallel shocks (the angle between the shock normal and the upstream magnetic field being less than 45 deg) is examined using two dimensional particle simulations. Reflected ions upstream from the shock are observed with average guiding center velocity and gyrational energy which agree well with the prediction of simple specular reflection. Strong ion heating through the shock ramp is apparently caused by large amplitude whistler turbulence. A flux of suprathermal electrons is also the magnetic field direction. Much stronger ion heating occurs in the shock than electron heating. The relevance of this work to the earth's bow shock is discussed.

Design Rules for Tailoring Antireflection Properties of Hierarchical Optical Structures

DOE PAGES

Leon, Juan J. Diaz; Hiszpanski, Anna M.; Bond, Tiziana C.; ...

2017-05-18

Hierarchical structures consisting of small sub-wavelength features stacked atop larger structures have been demonstrated as an effective means of reducing the reflectance of surfaces. However, optical devices require different antireflective properties depending on the application, and general unifying guidelines on hierarchical structures' design to attain a desired antireflection spectral response are still lacking. The type of reflectivity (diffuse, specular, or total/hemispherical) and its angular- and spectral-dependence are all dictated by the structural parameters. Through computational and experimental studies, guidelines have been devised to modify these various aspects of reflectivity across the solar spectrum by proper selection of the features ofmore » hierarchical structures. In this wavelength regime, micrometer-scale substructures dictate the long-wavelength spectral response and effectively reduce specular reflectance, whereas nanometer-scale substructures dictate primarily the visible wavelength spectral response and reduce diffuse reflectance. Coupling structures having these two length scales into hierarchical arrays impressively reduces surfaces' hemispherical reflectance across a broad spectrum of wavelengths and angles. Furthermore, such hierarchical structures in silicon are demonstrated having an average total reflectance across the solar spectrum of 1.1% (average weighted reflectance of 1% in the 280–2500 nm range of the AM 1.5 G spectrum) and specular reflectance <1% even at angles of incidence as high as 67°.« less

Atmospheric optical depth effects on angular anisotropy of plant canopy reflectance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deering, Donald W.; Eck, Thomas F.

1987-01-01

The effects of varying atmospheric aerosol optical depth on the bidirectional reflectance distribution of vegetation canopies is investigated. The reflectance distributions of two pasture grass canopies and one soya bean canopy under different sky irradiance distributions were measured, and the data were analyzed in the visible and IR spectral bands. It is observed that, for the pasture grass canopies, the change in reflectance is due to the percentage of shadowed area viewed by the sensor, and for the soya bean, the specular reflection effect and increased diffuse irradiance penetration into the canopy cause reflectance changes. It is detected that the reflectivity for the soya bean canopy on a hazy day is lower than on a clear day; however, the opposite change is observed for the pasture grass. It is also detected that the normalized difference vegetation index values differ under clear and hazy conditions for the same vegetation canopy conditions.

Surface roughness effects on bidirectional reflectance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, T. F.; Hering, R. G.

1972-01-01

An experimental study of surface roughness effects on bidirectional reflectance of metallic surfaces is presented. A facility capable of irradiating a sample from normal to grazing incidence and recording plane of incidence bidirectional reflectance measurements was developed. Samples consisting of glass, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel materials were selected for examination. Samples were roughened using standard grinding techniques and coated with a radiatively opaque layer of pure aluminum. Mechanical surface roughness parameters, rms heights and rms slopes, evaluated from digitized surface profile measurements are less than 1.0 micrometers and 0.28, respectively. Rough surface specular, bidirectional, and directional reflectance measurements for selected values of polar angle of incidence and wavelength of incident energy within the spectral range of 1 to 14 micrometers are reported. The Beckmann bidirectional reflectance model is compared with reflectance measurements to establish its usefulness in describing the magnitude and spatial distribution of energy reflected from rough surfaces.

Quasi-resonant enhancement of a grazing diffracted wave and deep suppression of specular reflection on shallow metal gratings in terahertz

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

Tymchenko, M., E-mail: mtymchenko@utexas.edu; Gavrikov, V. K.; Spevak, I. S.

2015-06-29

We report on a previously unexamined anomaly at diffraction of THz radiation on metal gratings. This anomaly consists in a nearly complete redirection of energy to a non-specular homogeneous diffraction order propagating at a specific grazing angle and deep suppression of the specular reflection. We show that this anomaly is located far enough from the well-known one caused by the resonant excitation of the surface plasmon-polariton. The effect under consideration is of general nature and can exist in all spectrum regions; however, it is especially pronounced in THz region, where it should be taken into account when analyzing relevant experimentalmore » results.« less

Application of Sol-Gel Method as a Protective Layer on a Specular Reflective Surface for Secondary Reflector in a Solar Receiver

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

Afrin, Samia; Dagdelen, John; Ma, Zhiwen

Highly-specular reflective surfaces that can withstand elevated-temperatures are desirable for many applications including reflective heat shielding in solar receivers and secondary reflectors, which can be used between primary concentrators and heat collectors. A high-efficiency, high-temperature solar receiver design based on arrays of cavities needs a highly-specular reflective surface on its front section to help sunlight penetrate into the absorber tubes for effective flux spreading. Since this application is for high-temperature solar receivers, this surface needs to be durable and to maintain its optical properties through the usable life. Degradation mechanisms associated with elevated temperatures and thermal cycling, which include cracking,more » delamination, corrosion/oxidation, and environmental effects, could cause the optical properties of surfaces to degrade rapidly in these conditions. Protected mirror surfaces for these applications have been tested by depositing a thin layer of SiO2 on top of electrodeposited silver by means of the sol-gel method. To obtain an effective thin film structure, this sol-gel procedure has been investigated extensively by varying process parameters that affect film porosity and thickness. Endurance tests have been performed in a furnace at 150 degrees C for thousands of hours. This paper presents the sol-gel process for intermediate-temperature specular reflective coatings and provides the long-term reliability test results of sol-gel protected silver-coated surfaces.« less

Optical fringe-reflection deflectometry with bundle adjustment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Yong-Liang; Li, Sikun; Zhang, Qican; Zhong, Jianxin; Su, Xianyu; You, Zhisheng

2018-06-01

Liquid crystal display (LCD) screens are located outside of a camera's field of view in fringe-reflection deflectometry. Therefore, fringes that are displayed on LCD screens are obtained through specular reflection by a fixed camera. Thus, the pose calibration between the camera and LCD screen is one of the main challenges in fringe-reflection deflectometry. A markerless planar mirror is used to reflect the LCD screen more than three times, and the fringes are mapped into the fixed camera. The geometrical calibration can be accomplished by estimating the pose between the camera and the virtual image of fringes. Considering the relation between their pose, the incidence and reflection rays can be unified in the camera frame, and a forward triangulation intersection can be operated in the camera frame to measure three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of the specular surface. In the final optimization, constraint-bundle adjustment is operated to refine simultaneously the camera intrinsic parameters, including distortion coefficients, estimated geometrical pose between the LCD screen and camera, and 3D coordinates of the specular surface, with the help of the absolute phase collinear constraint. Simulation and experiment results demonstrate that the pose calibration with planar mirror reflection is simple and feasible, and the constraint-bundle adjustment can enhance the 3D coordinate measurement accuracy in fringe-reflection deflectometry.

Effective emissivities of isothermal blackbody cavities calculated by the Monte Carlo method using the three-component bidirectional reflectance distribution function model.

PubMed

Prokhorov, Alexander

2012-05-01

This paper proposes a three-component bidirectional reflectance distribution function (3C BRDF) model consisting of diffuse, quasi-specular, and glossy components for calculation of effective emissivities of blackbody cavities and then investigates the properties of the new reflection model. The particle swarm optimization method is applied for fitting a 3C BRDF model to measured BRDFs. The model is incorporated into the Monte Carlo ray-tracing algorithm for isothermal cavities. Finally, the paper compares the results obtained using the 3C model and the conventional specular-diffuse model of reflection.

Polarimetric phenomenology in the reflective regime: a case study using polarized hyperspectral data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibney, Mark

2016-05-01

Understanding the phenomenology of polarimetric data is necessary if we want to obtain the maximum benefit when we exploit that data. To first order, polarimetric phenomenology is driven by two things; the target material type (specular or diffuse) and the illuminating source (point (sun) or extended (body emission)). Polarimetric phenomenology can then be broken into three basic categories; ([specular material/sun source], [diffuse/sun], [specular/body]) where we have assigned body emission to the IR passband where materials are generally specular. The task of interest determines the category of interest since the task determines the dominant target material and the illuminating source (eg detecting diffuse targets under trees in VNIR = [diffuse/sun] category). In this paper, a specific case study for the important [diffuse/sun] category will be presented. For the reflective regime (0.3 - 3.0um), the largest polarimetric signal is obtained when the sun illuminates a significant portion of the material BRDF lobe. This naturally points us to problems whose primary target materials are diffuse since the BRDF lobe for specular materials is tiny (low probability of acquiring on the BRDF lobe) and glinty (high probability of saturating the sensor when on lobe). In this case study, we investigated signatures of solar illuminated diffuse paints acquired by a polarimetric hyperspectral sensor. We will discuss the acquisition, reduction and exploitation of that data, and use it to illustrate the primary characteristics of reflective polarimetric phenomenology.

Electromagnetic Whistler Precursors at Supercritical Interplanetary Shocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, L. B., III

2012-01-01

We present observations of electromagnetic precursor waves, identified as whistler mode waves, at supercritical interplanetary shocks using the Wind search coil magnetometer. The precursors propagate obliquely with respect to the local magnetic field, shock normal vector, solar wind velocity, and they are not phase standing structures. All are right-hand polarized with respect to the magnetic field (spacecraft frame), and all but one are right-hand polarized with respect to the shock normal vector in the normal incidence frame. Particle distributions show signatures of specularly reflected gyrating ions, which may be a source of free energy for the observed modes. In one event, we simultaneously observe perpendicular ion heating and parallel electron acceleration, consistent with wave heating/acceleration due to these waves.

The Search for Nanobubbles by Using Specular and Off-Specular Neutron Reflectometry.

PubMed

Gutfreund, Philipp; Maccarini, Marco; Dennison, Andrew J C; Wolff, Max

2016-09-06

We apply specular and off-specular neutron reflection at the hydrophobic silicon/water interface to check for evidence of nanoscopic air bubbles whose presence is claimed after an ad hoc procedure of solvent exchange. Nanobubbles and/or a depletion layer at the hydrophobic/water interface have long been discussed and generated a plethora of controversial scientific results. By combining neutron reflectometry (NR), off-specular reflectometry (OSS), and grazing incidence small angle neutron scattering (GISANS), we studied the interface between hydrophobized silicon and heavy water before and after saturation with nitrogen gas. Our specular reflectometry results can be interpreted by assuming a submolecular sized depletion layer and the off-specular measurements show no change with nitrogen super saturated water. This picture is consistent with the assumption that, following the solvent exchange, no additional nanobubbles are introduced at significant concentrations (if present at all). Furthermore, we discuss the results in terms of the maximum surface coverage of nanobubbles that could be present on the hydrophobic surface compatibly with the sensitivity limit of these techniques.

Influence of the domain structure of nano-oxide layers on the transport properties of specular spin valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ventura, J.; Sousa, J. B.; Veloso, A.; Freitas, P. P.

2007-05-01

Specular spin valves show enhanced giant magnetoresistive ratio when compared to other simpler, spin valve structures as a result of specular reflection in nano-oxide layers (NOLs) formed by the partial oxidation of the CoFe pinned and free layers. The oxides forming the NOL were recently shown to order antiferromagnetically below T ˜175K. Here we study the training effect in MnIr /CoFe/NOL/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/NOL specular spin valves at low temperatures (15K). We observed that the training effect is related to the nano-oxide layer antiferromagnet ordering and to the evolution of the corresponding domain structure with the number of cycles performed. This allowed us to study the influence of the NOL domain structure on the magnetotransport of specular spin valves.

Light Field Imaging Based Accurate Image Specular Highlight Removal

PubMed Central

Wang, Haoqian; Xu, Chenxue; Wang, Xingzheng; Zhang, Yongbing; Peng, Bo

2016-01-01

Specular reflection removal is indispensable to many computer vision tasks. However, most existing methods fail or degrade in complex real scenarios for their individual drawbacks. Benefiting from the light field imaging technology, this paper proposes a novel and accurate approach to remove specularity and improve image quality. We first capture images with specularity by the light field camera (Lytro ILLUM). After accurately estimating the image depth, a simple and concise threshold strategy is adopted to cluster the specular pixels into “unsaturated” and “saturated” category. Finally, a color variance analysis of multiple views and a local color refinement are individually conducted on the two categories to recover diffuse color information. Experimental evaluation by comparison with existed methods based on our light field dataset together with Stanford light field archive verifies the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm. PMID:27253083

Specular gloss scales comparison between the SIMT and the NIST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Dejin; Li, Tiecheng; Huang, Biyong; Cheng, Weihai; Lin, Fangsheng

2016-09-01

Specular gloss is the fraction of light reflected in the specular direction for specified incident and receptor apertures, it is the perception by an observer of the mirror-like appearance of a surface. The measurement of specular gloss consists of comparing the luminous reflectance from a test sample to that from a calibrated gloss standard which generally is a polished piece of black glass, under the same experimental conditions. Gloss is a dimensionless quantity whose accurate determination requires standardized experimental conditions such as spectral distribution of the incident beam of light, incident and viewing angles, and a gloss standard. The Shanghai Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology (SIMT) provides test service to calibrate gloss reference standards. This facility is built around a reference goniophotometer, containing an instrument that measures flux as a function of angles of illumination or observation and a primary gloss standard, which is a piece of three wedges of highly polished, high-quality optical glass. The system has an overall (k=2) uncertainty of 0.5 Gloss Unit(GU). The service offers calibration measurements of working gloss standards at the geometries of 20°, 60°, and 85°, in compliance with the ISO 2813 and the ASTM D523 documentary standards. This article describes a bilateral comparison of specular gloss scales between SIMT and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that has been performed. The results of this comparison show agreement within the combined uncertainties for the measurement of specular gloss of highly polished black glass.

A proposed experimental diagnosing of specular Andreev reflection using the spin orbit interaction

PubMed Central

Yang, Yanling; Zhao, Bing; Zhang, Ziyu; Bai, Chunxu; Xu, Xiaoguang; Jiang, Yong

2016-01-01

Based on the Dirac-Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation, we theoretically investigate the chirality-resolved transport properties through a superconducting heterojunction in the presence of both the Rashba spin orbit interaction (RSOI) and the Dresselhaus spin orbit interaction (DSOI). Our results show that, if only the RSOI is present, the chirality-resolved Andreev tunneling conductance can be enhanced in the superconducting gap, while it always shows a suppression effect for the case of the DSOI alone. In contrast to the similar dependence of the specular Andreev zero bias tunneling conductance on the SOI, the retro-Andreev zero bias tunneling conductance exhibit the distinct dependence on the RSOI and the DSOI. Moreover, the zero-bias tunneling conductances for the retro-Andreev reflection (RAR) and the specular Andreev reflection (SAR) also show a qualitative difference with respect to the barrier parameters. When the RSOI and the DSOI are finite, three orders of magnitude enhancement of specular Andreev tunneling conductance is revealed. Furthermore, by analyzing the balanced SOI case, we find that the RAR is in favor of a parabolic dispersion, but a linear dispersion is highly desired for the SAR. These results shed light on the diagnosing of the SAR in graphene when subjected to both kinds of SOI. PMID:27388426

Luminance-based specular gloss characterization.

PubMed

Leloup, Frédéric B; Pointer, Michael R; Dutré, Philip; Hanselaer, Peter

2011-06-01

Gloss is a feature of visual appearance that arises from the directionally selective reflection of light incident on a surface. Especially when a distinct reflected image is perceptible, the luminance distribution of the illumination scene above the sample can strongly influence the gloss perception. For this reason, industrial glossmeters do not provide a satisfactory gloss estimation of high-gloss surfaces. In this study, the influence of the conditions of illumination on specular gloss perception was examined through a magnitude estimation experiment in which 10 observers took part. A light booth with two light sources was utilized: the mirror image of only one source being visible in reflection by the observer. The luminance of both the reflected image and the adjacent sample surface could be independently varied by separate adjustment of the intensity of the two light sources. A psychophysical scaling function was derived, relating the visual gloss estimations to the measured luminance of both the reflected image and the off-specular sample background. The generalization error of the model was estimated through a validation experiment performed by 10 other observers. In result, a metric including both surface and illumination properties is provided. Based on this metric, improved gloss evaluation methods and instruments could be developed.

Analysis of Specular Reflections Off Geostationary Satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jolley, A.

2016-09-01

Many photometric studies of artificial satellites have attempted to define procedures that minimise the size of datasets required to infer information about satellites. However, it is unclear whether deliberately limiting the size of datasets significantly reduces the potential for information to be derived from them. In 2013 an experiment was conducted using a 14 inch Celestron CG-14 telescope to gain multiple night-long, high temporal resolution datasets of six geostationary satellites [1]. This experiment produced evidence of complex variations in the spectral energy distribution (SED) of reflections off satellite surface materials, particularly during specular reflections. Importantly, specific features relating to the SED variations could only be detected with high temporal resolution data. An update is provided regarding the nature of SED and colour variations during specular reflections, including how some of the variables involved contribute to these variations. Results show that care must be taken when comparing observed spectra to a spectral library for the purpose of material identification; a spectral library that uses wavelength as the only variable will be unable to capture changes that occur to a material's reflected spectra with changing illumination and observation geometry. Conversely, colour variations with changing illumination and observation geometry might provide an alternative means of determining material types.

Local surface curvature analysis based on reflection estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Qinglin; Laligant, Olivier; Fauvet, Eric; Zakharova, Anastasia

2015-07-01

In this paper, we propose a novel reflection based method to estimate the local orientation of a specular surface. For a calibrated scene with a fixed light band, the band is reflected by the surface to the image plane of a camera. Then the local geometry between the surface and reflected band is estimated. Firstly, in order to find the relationship relying the object position, the object surface orientation and the band reflection, we study the fundamental theory of the geometry between a specular mirror surface and a band source. Then we extend our approach to the spherical surface with arbitrary curvature. Experiments are conducted with mirror surface and spherical surface. Results show that our method is able to obtain the local surface orientation merely by measuring the displacement and the form of the reflection.

Three-Dimensional Shape Measurements of Specular Objects Using Phase-Measuring Deflectometry

PubMed Central

Wang, Yuemin; Huang, Shujun; Liu, Yue; Chang, Caixia; Gao, Feng; Jiang, Xiangqian

2017-01-01

The fast development in the fields of integrated circuits, photovoltaics, the automobile industry, advanced manufacturing, and astronomy have led to the importance and necessity of quickly and accurately obtaining three-dimensional (3D) shape data of specular surfaces for quality control and function evaluation. Owing to the advantages of a large dynamic range, non-contact operation, full-field and fast acquisition, high accuracy, and automatic data processing, phase-measuring deflectometry (PMD, also called fringe reflection profilometry) has been widely studied and applied in many fields. Phase information coded in the reflected fringe patterns relates to the local slope and height of the measured specular objects. The 3D shape is obtained by integrating the local gradient data or directly calculating the depth data from the phase information. We present a review of the relevant techniques regarding classical PMD. The improved PMD technique is then used to measure specular objects having discontinuous and/or isolated surfaces. Some influential factors on the measured results are presented. The challenges and future research directions are discussed to further advance PMD techniques. Finally, the application fields of PMD are briefly introduced. PMID:29215600

Three-Dimensional Shape Measurements of Specular Objects Using Phase-Measuring Deflectometry.

PubMed

Zhang, Zonghua; Wang, Yuemin; Huang, Shujun; Liu, Yue; Chang, Caixia; Gao, Feng; Jiang, Xiangqian

2017-12-07

The fast development in the fields of integrated circuits, photovoltaics, the automobile industry, advanced manufacturing, and astronomy have led to the importance and necessity of quickly and accurately obtaining three-dimensional (3D) shape data of specular surfaces for quality control and function evaluation. Owing to the advantages of a large dynamic range, non-contact operation, full-field and fast acquisition, high accuracy, and automatic data processing, phase-measuring deflectometry (PMD, also called fringe reflection profilometry) has been widely studied and applied in many fields. Phase information coded in the reflected fringe patterns relates to the local slope and height of the measured specular objects. The 3D shape is obtained by integrating the local gradient data or directly calculating the depth data from the phase information. We present a review of the relevant techniques regarding classical PMD. The improved PMD technique is then used to measure specular objects having discontinuous and/or isolated surfaces. Some influential factors on the measured results are presented. The challenges and future research directions are discussed to further advance PMD techniques. Finally, the application fields of PMD are briefly introduced.

Evaluation of non-specular reflecting silvered Teflon and filled adhesives

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bourland, G.; Cox, R. L.

1981-01-01

A non-specular silver-Teflon tape thermal control coating was tested to provide the data necessary to qualify it for use on the Space Shuttle Orbiter radiators. Effects of cure cycle temperature and pressure on optical and mechanical properties on the silver-Teflon tape were evaluated. The baseline Permacel P-223 adhesive, used with the specular silver-Teflon tape initially qualified for the Orbiter radiators, and four alternate metal-filled and unfilled adhesives were evaluated. Tests showed the cure process has no effect on the silver-Teflon optical properties, and that the baseline adhesive cure cycle gives best results. In addition the P-223 adhesive bond is more reproducible than the alternates, and the non-specular tape meets both the mechanical and the optical requirements of the Orbiter radiator coating specification. Existing Orbiter coating techniques were demonstrated to be effective in aplying the non-specular tape to a curved panel simulating the radiators. Author

Magnetic domain formation in monolayer nanoparticle films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maranville, Brian; Krycka, Kathryn; Borchers, Julie; Hogg, Charles; Majetich, Sara; Ijiri, Yumi

2009-03-01

Self-assembled magnetic nanoparticle films offer promise as data storage media, but an understanding of the interactions is missing. Modified Langmuir-Blodgett methods were used to prepare monolayer films of 7 and 11 nm diameter Fe3O4 nanoparticles with large structural domains. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) shows a peak at a wavevector Q corresponding to the particle size and spacing, and scattering at intermediate Q indicating possible long-range correlations. We extend to lower Q with off-specular neutron reflectivity, achieving high intensity by sacrificing resolution along one in-plane direction y while retaining high resolution in the other in-plane direction x and the normal direction z. We measure in saturation and zero field to extract magnetic scattering. In high fields, the specular scattering (Qx=0) is increased, consistent with aligned moments. Preliminary results show weak magnetic scattering for nonzero Qx . Since the maximal Qx roughly corresponds to the lowest Q in SANS, the combination of these techniques allows us to quantify field-dependent magnetic domain size.

Evaluation of the shape of the specular peak for high glossy surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obein, Gaël.; Ouarets, Shiraz; Ged, Guillaume

2014-02-01

Gloss is the second most relevant visual attribute of a surface beside its colour. While the colour originates from the wavelength repartition of the reflected light, gloss originates from its angular distribution. When an observer is asked to evaluate the gloss of a surface, he always first orientate his eyes along the specular direction before lightly tilting the examined sample. This means that gloss is located in and around the specular direction, in a peak that is called the specular peak. On the one hand, this peak is flat and broad on matte surfaces on the other hand, it is narrow and sharp on high gloss surfaces. For the late ones, the FWHM of the specular peak is less than 2° which can be quite difficult to measure. We developed a dedicated facility capable of measuring specular peak with a FWHM up to 0,1 °. We measured the evolution of the peak according to the angle of illumination and the specular gloss of the sample in the restricted field of very glossy surface. The facility and peaks measured are presented in the paper. The next step will be to identify the correlations between the peak and the roughness of the sample.

Optical Reflectance Measurements for Commonly Used Reflectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janecek, Martin; Moses, William W.

2008-08-01

When simulating light collection in scintillators, modeling the angular distribution of optical light reflectance from surfaces is very important. Since light reflectance is poorly understood, either purely specular or purely diffuse reflectance is generally assumed. In this paper we measure the optical reflectance distribution for eleven commonly used reflectors. A 440 nm, output power stabilized, un-polarized laser is shone onto a reflector at a fixed angle of incidence. The reflected light's angular distribution is measured by an array of silicon photodiodes. The photodiodes are movable to cover 2pi of solid angle. The light-induced current is, through a multiplexer, read out with a digital multimeter. A LabVIEW program controls the motion of the laser and the photodiode array, the multiplexer, and the data collection. The laser can be positioned at any angle with a position accuracy of 10 arc minutes. Each photodiode subtends 6.3deg, and the photodiode array can be positioned at any angle with up to 10 arc minute angular resolution. The dynamic range for the current measurements is 10 5:1. The measured light reflectance distribution was measured to be specular for several ESR films as well as for aluminum foil, mostly diffuse for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape and titanium dioxide paint, and neither specular nor diffuse for Lumirrorreg, Melinexreg and Tyvekreg. Instead, a more complicated light distribution was measured for these three materials.

Study of the adsorbed layer on a solid electrode surface by specular reflection measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusu, Fumiyo; Takamura, Kiyoko

1985-07-01

Specular reflection measurements were carried out to study the adsorbed layers of certain heterocyclic compounds such as adenine, barbital, 2'-deoxyadenosine, phenobarbital, pyridine and thymine. When pyridine was present in 0.1M NaClO 4, a marked decrease in the reflectivity of a gold electrode was observed. In the potential range near the point of zero charge on the reflectivity-potential curve, the decrease was due to the adsorption of pyridine. Assuming the reflectivity change to be proportional to the surface coverage, the potential and concentration dependence of pyridine adsorption was determined and analysed on the basis of a Langmuir-type adsorption isotherm. The refractive indices and extinction coefficients for the adsorbed layers of the compounds investigated were evaluated using the observed reflectivity change, according to relations proposed by McIntyre and Aspnes.

Optical reflectivity study of silicon ion implanted poly(methyl methacrylate)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadjichristov, Georgi B.; Stefanov, Ivan L.; Florian, Bojana I.; Blaskova, Gergana D.; Ivanov, Victor G.; Faulques, Eric

2009-11-01

The optical reflectivity (both specular and off-specular) of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) implanted with silicon ions (Si +) at energy of 50 keV, is studied in the spectral range 0.25-25 μm. The effect from the Si + implantation on the reflectivity of two PMMA materials is examined in the dose range from 10 14 to 10 17 ions/cm 2 and is linked to the structure formed in this ion implanted plastic. As compared to the pristine PMMA, an enhancement of the reflectivity of Si + implanted PMMA is observed, that is attributed to the modification of the subsurface region of PMMA upon the ion implantation. The ion-produced subsurface organic interface is also probed by laser-induced thermo-lens.

Calibration of a laboratory spectrophotometer for specular light by means of stacked glass plates.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, W. A.; Richardson, A. J.

1971-01-01

Stacked glass plates have been used to calibrate a laboratory spectrophotometer, over the spectral range 0.5-2.5 microns, for specular light. The uncalibrated instrument was characterized by systematic errors when used to measure the reflectance and transmittance of stacked glass plates. Calibration included first, a determination of the reflectance of a standard composed of barium sulfate paint deposited on an aluminum plate; second, the approximation of the reflectance and transmittance residuals between observed and computed values by means of cubic equations; and, finally, the removal of the systematic errors by a computer. The instrument, after calibration, was accurate to 1% when used to measure the reflectance and transmittance of stacked glass plates.

Conformal Membrane Reflectors for Deployable Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hood, Patrick J.; Keys, Andrew S. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

This presentation reports the Phase I results on NASA's Gossamer Spacecraft Exploratory Research and Technology Program. Cornerstone Research Group, Inc., the University of Rochester, and International Photonics Consultants collaborated to investigate the feasibility of free-standing, liquid-crystal-polymer (LCP) reflectors for integration into space-based optical systems. The goal of the program was to achieve large-diameter, broadband. reflective membranes that are resistant to the effects of space, specifically cryogenic environments and gamma-ray irradiation. Additionally, we assessed the applicability of utilizing the technology as tight sails, since, by their very nature, these films offer high-reflectivity at specified wavelengths. Previous research programs have demonstrated all-polymer, narrow-band Specular reflectors and diffuse membrane reflectors. The feasibility of fabricating an all-polymer broadband specular reflector and a narrow-band specular membrane reflector was assessed in the Phase I Gossamer program. In addition, preliminary gamma irradiation studies were conducted to determine the stability of the polymer reflectors to radiation. Materials and process technology were developed to fabricate coupon-scale reflectors of both broad- and narrow-band specular reflectors in Phase 1. This presentation will report the results of these studies, including, the performance of a narrow-band specular membrane. Gamma irradiation exposures indicate limited impact on the optical performance although additional exposure studies are warranted. Plans to scale up the membrane fabrication process will be presented.

Comparative performance analysis of cervix ROI extraction and specular reflection removal algorithms for uterine cervix image analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Zhiyun; Antani, Sameer; Long, L. Rodney; Jeronimo, Jose; Thoma, George R.

2007-03-01

Cervicography is a technique for visual screening of uterine cervix images for cervical cancer. One of our research goals is the automated detection in these images of acetowhite (AW) lesions, which are sometimes correlated with cervical cancer. These lesions are characterized by the whitening of regions along the squamocolumnar junction on the cervix when treated with 5% acetic acid. Image preprocessing is required prior to invoking AW detection algorithms on cervicographic images for two reasons: (1) to remove Specular Reflections (SR) caused by camera flash, and (2) to isolate the cervix region-of-interest (ROI) from image regions that are irrelevant to the analysis. These image regions may contain medical instruments, film markup, or other non-cervix anatomy or regions, such as vaginal walls. We have qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated the performance of alternative preprocessing algorithms on a test set of 120 images. For cervix ROI detection, all approaches use a common feature set, but with varying combinations of feature weights, normalization, and clustering methods. For SR detection, while one approach uses a Gaussian Mixture Model on an intensity/saturation feature set, a second approach uses Otsu thresholding on a top-hat transformed input image. Empirical results are analyzed to derive conclusions on the performance of each approach.

Acquisition and analysis of coastal ground-truth data for correlation with ERTS-1 imagery. [surface radiance data for Santa Monica Bay and Santa Barbara Channel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anikouchine, W. A. (Principal Investigator)

1973-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Radiance profiles drawn along cruise tracks have been examined for use in correlating digital radiance levels with ground truth data. Preliminary examination results are encouraging. Adding weighted levels from the 4 MSS bands appears to enhance specular surface reflections while rendering sensor noise white. Comparing each band signature to the added specular signature ought to enhance non-specular effects caused by ocean turbidity. Preliminary examination of radiance profiles and ground truth turbidity measurements revealed substantial correlation.

Neutron reflectometry as a tool to study magnetism.

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

Felcher, G. P.

1999-09-21

Polarized-neutron specular reflectometry (PNR) was developed in the 1980's as a means of measuring magnetic depth profiles in flat films. Starting from simple profiles, and gradually solving structures of greater complexity, PNR has been used to observe or clarify a variety of magnetic phenomena. It has been used to measure the absolute magnetization of films of thickness not exceeding a few atomic planes, the penetration of magnetic fields in micron-thick superconductors, and the detailed magnetic coupling across non-magnetic spacers in multilayers and superlattices. Although PNR is considered a probe of depth dependent magnetic structure, laterally averaged in the plane ofmore » the film, the development of new scattering techniques promises to enable the characterization of lateral magnetic structures. Retaining the depth-sensitivity of specular reflectivity, off-specular reflectivity may be brought to resolve in-plane structures over nanometer to micron length scales.« less

A comparison of radiosity with current methods of sound level prediction in commercial spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beamer, C. Walter, IV; Muehleisen, Ralph T.

2002-11-01

The ray tracing and image methods (and variations thereof) are widely used for the computation of sound fields in architectural spaces. The ray tracing and image methods are best suited for spaces with mostly specular reflecting surfaces. The radiosity method, a method based on solving a system of energy balance equations, is best applied to spaces with mainly diffusely reflective surfaces. Because very few spaces are either purely specular or purely diffuse, all methods must deal with both types of reflecting surfaces. A comparison of the radiosity method to other methods for the prediction of sound levels in commercial environments is presented. [Work supported by NSF.

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

Pirozhkov, A. S.; Mori, M.; Yogo, A.

High-power laser contrast is challenging to measure, especially in the real target irradiation conditions. We present a convenient and relatively simple contrast diagnostic technique based on the measurement of target specular reflectivity at full laser power. The reflectivity remains high even at intensities above 10{sup 19} W/cm{sup 2} in the case of a high-contrast prepulse-free laser. On the contrary, the specular reflectivity drops in the case of lower contrast, due to the beam break-up and increased absorption caused by the preformed plasma. The technique was demonstrated using three different laser systems with several contrast conditions: Astra (CLF, RAL), TiS lasermore » at APRI, GIST, and J-KAREN (APRC, JAEA).« less

Bright color optical switching device by polymer network liquid crystal with a specular reflector.

PubMed

Lee, Gae Hwang; Hwang, Kyu Young; Jang, Jae Eun; Jin, Yong Wan; Lee, Sang Yoon; Jung, Jae Eun

2011-07-04

The color optical switching device by polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) with color filter on a specular reflector shows excellent performance; white reflectance of 22%, color gamut of 32%, and contrast ratio up to 50:1 in reflective mode measurement. The view-angle dependence of the reflectance can be adjusted by changing the PNLC thickness. The color chromaticity shown by the device is close to the limit value of color filters, and its value nearly remains with respect to the operating voltage. These optical properties of the device can be explained from the prediction based on multiple interactions between the light and the droplets of liquid crystal. The high reflectance, vivid color image, and moderate responds time allow the PNLC device to drive good color moving image. It can widely extend the applications of the reflective device.

Spectral data of specular reflectance, narrow-angle transmittance and angle-resolved surface scattering of materials for solar concentrators.

PubMed

Good, Philipp; Cooper, Thomas; Querci, Marco; Wiik, Nicolay; Ambrosetti, Gianluca; Steinfeld, Aldo

2016-03-01

The spectral specular reflectance of conventional and novel reflective materials for solar concentrators is measured with an acceptance angle of 17.5 mrad over the wavelength range 300-2500 nm at incidence angles 15-60° using a spectroscopic goniometry system. The same experimental setup is used to determine the spectral narrow-angle transmittance of semi-transparent materials for solar collector covers at incidence angles 0-60°. In addition, the angle-resolved surface scattering of reflective materials is recorded by an area-scan CCD detector over the spectral range 350-1050 nm. A comprehensive summary, discussion, and interpretation of the results are included in the associated research article "Spectral reflectance, transmittance, and angular scattering of materials for solar concentrators" in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.

Detection of reflecting surfaces by a statistical model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Qiang; Chu, Chee-Hung H.

2009-02-01

Remote sensing is widely used assess the destruction from natural disasters and to plan relief and recovery operations. How to automatically extract useful features and segment interesting objects from digital images, including remote sensing imagery, becomes a critical task for image understanding. Unfortunately, current research on automated feature extraction is ignorant of contextual information. As a result, the fidelity of populating attributes corresponding to interesting features and objects cannot be satisfied. In this paper, we present an exploration on meaningful object extraction integrating reflecting surfaces. Detection of specular reflecting surfaces can be useful in target identification and then can be applied to environmental monitoring, disaster prediction and analysis, military, and counter-terrorism. Our method is based on a statistical model to capture the statistical properties of specular reflecting surfaces. And then the reflecting surfaces are detected through cluster analysis.

Specular reflection treatment for the 3D radiative transfer equation solved with the discrete ordinates method

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

Le Hardy, D.; Favennec, Y., E-mail: yann.favennec@univ-nantes.fr; Rousseau, B.

The contribution of this paper relies in the development of numerical algorithms for the mathematical treatment of specular reflection on borders when dealing with the numerical solution of radiative transfer problems. The radiative transfer equation being integro-differential, the discrete ordinates method allows to write down a set of semi-discrete equations in which weights are to be calculated. The calculation of these weights is well known to be based on either a quadrature or on angular discretization, making the use of such method straightforward for the state equation. Also, the diffuse contribution of reflection on borders is usually well taken intomore » account. However, the calculation of accurate partition ratio coefficients is much more tricky for the specular condition applied on arbitrary geometrical borders. This paper presents algorithms that calculate analytically partition ratio coefficients needed in numerical treatments. The developed algorithms, combined with a decentered finite element scheme, are validated with the help of comparisons with analytical solutions before being applied on complex geometries.« less

Biomimetic artificial Si compound eye surface structures with broadband and wide-angle antireflection properties for Si-based optoelectronic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leem, Jung Woo; Song, Young Min; Yu, Jae Su

2013-10-01

We report the biomimetic artificial silicon (Si) compound eye structures for broadband and wide-angle antireflection by integrating nanostructures (NSs) into periodically patterned microstructures (p-MSs) via thermal dewetting of gold and subsequent dry etching. The truncated cone microstructures with a two-dimensional hexagonal symmetry pattern were fabricated by photolithography and dry etching processes. The desirable shape and density of the nanostructures were obtained by controlled dewetting. The incorporation of p-MSs into the NS/Si surface further reduced the surface total reflectance over a wide wavelength range of 300-1030 nm at near normal incidence, indicating the average reflectance (Ravg) and solar weighted reflectance (RSWR) values of ~2.5% and 2%, respectively, compared to the only NSs on the flat Si surface (i.e., Ravg ~ 4.9% and RSWR ~ 4.5%). Additionally, the resulting structure improved the angle-dependent antireflection property due to its relatively omnidirectional shape, which exhibited the Ravg < 4.3% and RSWR < 3.7% in the wavelength region of 300-1100 nm even at a high incident light angle of 70° in the specular reflectance.We report the biomimetic artificial silicon (Si) compound eye structures for broadband and wide-angle antireflection by integrating nanostructures (NSs) into periodically patterned microstructures (p-MSs) via thermal dewetting of gold and subsequent dry etching. The truncated cone microstructures with a two-dimensional hexagonal symmetry pattern were fabricated by photolithography and dry etching processes. The desirable shape and density of the nanostructures were obtained by controlled dewetting. The incorporation of p-MSs into the NS/Si surface further reduced the surface total reflectance over a wide wavelength range of 300-1030 nm at near normal incidence, indicating the average reflectance (Ravg) and solar weighted reflectance (RSWR) values of ~2.5% and 2%, respectively, compared to the only NSs on the flat Si surface (i.e., Ravg ~ 4.9% and RSWR ~ 4.5%). Additionally, the resulting structure improved the angle-dependent antireflection property due to its relatively omnidirectional shape, which exhibited the Ravg < 4.3% and RSWR < 3.7% in the wavelength region of 300-1100 nm even at a high incident light angle of 70° in the specular reflectance. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr02806b

Milne problem for non-absorbing medium with extremely anisotropic scattering kernel in the case of specular and diffuse reflecting boundaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Güleçyüz, M. Ç.; Şenyiğit, M.; Ersoy, A.

2018-01-01

The Milne problem is studied in one speed neutron transport theory using the linearly anisotropic scattering kernel which combines forward and backward scatterings (extremely anisotropic scattering) for a non-absorbing medium with specular and diffuse reflection boundary conditions. In order to calculate the extrapolated endpoint for the Milne problem, Legendre polynomial approximation (PN method) is applied and numerical results are tabulated for selected cases as a function of different degrees of anisotropic scattering. Finally, some results are discussed and compared with the existing results in literature.

The calibration of specular gloss meters and gloss plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tiecheng; Lai, Lei; Yin, Dejin; Ji, Muyao; Lin, Fangsheng; Shi, Leibing; Xia, Ming; Fu, Yi

2017-10-01

Specular gloss is the perception by an observer of the mirror-like appearance of a surface. Specular gloss is usually measured by a glossmeter, which can be calibrated by a group of gloss plates according to JJG 696-2015. The characteristics of a gloss meter include stability, zero error, and error of indication. The characteristics of a gloss plate include roughness and spectral transmissivity of a high gloss plate, spectral reflectivity of a ceramic gloss plate. The experiment results indicate that calibration of both gloss meters and gloss plates should be carefully performed according to the latest verification regulation in order to reduce the measurement error.

Bidirectional reflectance modeling of non-homogeneous plant canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norman, John M.

1986-01-01

The objective of this research is to develop a 3-dimensional radiative transfer model for predicting the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) for heterogeneous vegetation canopies. Leaf bidirectional reflectance and transmittance distribution functions were measured for corn and soybean leaves. The measurements clearly show that leaves are complex scatterers and considerable specular reflectance is possible. Because of the character of leaf reflectance, true leaf reflectance is larger than the nadir reflectances that are normally used to represent leaves. A 3-dimensional reflectance model, named BIGAR (Bidirectional General Array Model), was developed and compared with measurements from corn and soybean. The model is based on the concept that heterogeneous canopies can be described by a combination of many subcanopies, which contain all the foliage, and these subcanopy envelopes can be characterized by ellipsoids of various sizes and shapes. The model/measurement comparison results indicate that this relatively simple model captures the essential character of row crop BRDF's. Finally, two soil BDRF models were developed: one represents soil particles as rectangular blocks and the other represents soil particles as spheres. The sphere model was found to be superior.

GPS Multipath Fade Measurements to Determine L-Band Ground Reflectivity Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kavak, Adnan; Xu, Guanghan; Vogel, W. J.

1996-01-01

In personal satellite communications, especially when the line-of-sight is clear, ground specular reflected signals along with direct signals are received by low gain, almost omni-directional subscriber antennas. A six-channel, C/A code processing, global positioning system (GPS) receiver with an almost omni-directional patch antenna was used to take measurements over three types of ground to characterize 1.575 GHz specular ground reflections and ground dielectric properties. Fade measurements were taken over grass, asphalt, and lake water surfaces by placing the antenna in a vertical position at a fixed height from the ground. Electrical characteristics (conductivity and dielectric constant) of these surfaces (grass, asphalt, lake water) were obtained by matching computer simulations to the experimental results.

GPS Multipath Fade Measurements to Determine L-Band Ground Reflectivity Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kavak, Adnan; Xu, Guang-Han; Vogel, Wolfhard J.

1996-01-01

In personal satellite communications, especially when the line-of-sight is clear, ground specular reflected signals along with direct signals are received by low gain, almost omni-directional subscriber antennas. A six-channel, C/A code processing, GPS receiver with an almost omni-directional patch antenna was used to take measurements over three types of ground to characterize 1.575 GHz specular ground reflections and ground dielectric properties. Fade measurements were taken over grass, asphalt, and lake water surfaces by placing the antenna in a vertical position at a fixed height from the ground. Electrical characteristics (conductivity and dielectric constant) of these surfaces (grass, asphalt, lake water) were obtained by matching computer simulations to the experimental results.

Solution of the 2-D steady-state radiative transfer equation in participating media with specular reflections using SUPG and DG finite elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Hardy, D.; Favennec, Y.; Rousseau, B.

2016-08-01

The 2D radiative transfer equation coupled with specular reflection boundary conditions is solved using finite element schemes. Both Discontinuous Galerkin and Streamline-Upwind Petrov-Galerkin variational formulations are fully developed. These two schemes are validated step-by-step for all involved operators (transport, scattering, reflection) using analytical formulations. Numerical comparisons of the two schemes, in terms of convergence rate, reveal that the quadratic SUPG scheme proves efficient for solving such problems. This comparison constitutes the main issue of the paper. Moreover, the solution process is accelerated using block SOR-type iterative methods, for which the determination of the optimal parameter is found in a very cheap way.

Reflective properties of randomly rough surfaces under large incidence angles.

PubMed

Qiu, J; Zhang, W J; Liu, L H; Hsu, P-f; Liu, L J

2014-06-01

The reflective properties of randomly rough surfaces at large incidence angles have been reported due to their potential applications in some of the radiative heat transfer research areas. The main purpose of this work is to investigate the formation mechanism of the specular reflection peak of rough surfaces at large incidence angles. The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of rough aluminum surfaces with different roughnesses at different incident angles is measured by a three-axis automated scatterometer. This study used a validated and accurate computational model, the rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) method, to compare and analyze the measurement BRDF results. It is found that the RCWA results show the same trend of specular peak as the measurement. This paper mainly focuses on the relative roughness at the range of 0.16<σ/λ<5.35. As the relative roughness decreases, the specular peak enhancement dramatically increases and the scattering region significantly reduces, especially under large incidence angles. The RCWA and the Rayleigh criterion results have been compared, showing that the relative error of the total integrated scatter increases as the roughness of the surface increases at large incidence angles. In addition, the zero-order diffractive power calculated by RCWA and the reflectance calculated by Fresnel equations are compared. The comparison shows that the relative error declines sharply when the incident angle is large and the roughness is small.

Numerical reproduction and explanation of road surface mirages under grazing-angle scattering.

PubMed

Lu, Jia; Zhou, Huaichun

2017-07-01

The mirror-like reflection image of the road surface under grazing-angle scattering can be easily observed in daily life. It was suggested that road surface mirages may occur due to a light-enhancing effect of the rough surface under grazing-angle scattering. The main purpose of this work is to explain the light-enhancing mechanism of rough surfaces under grazing-angle scattering. The off-specular reflection from a random rough magnesium oxide ceramic surface is analyzed by using the geometric optics approximation method. Then, the geometric optics approximation method is employed to develop a theoretical model to predict the observation effect of the grazing-angle scattering phenomenon of the road surface. The rough surface is assumed to consist of small-scale rough surface facets. The road surface mirage is reproduced from a large number of small-scale rough surface facets within the eye's resolution limit at grazing scattering angles, as the average bidirectional reflectance distribution function value at the bright location is about twice that of the surface in front of the mirage. It is suggested that the light-enhancing effect of the rough surface under grazing-angle scattering is not proper to be termed as "off-specular reflection," since it has nothing to do with the "specular" direction with respect to the incident direction.

Wide-band/angle Blazed Surfaces using Multiple Coupled Blazing Resonances

PubMed Central

Memarian, Mohammad; Li, Xiaoqiang; Morimoto, Yasuo; Itoh, Tatsuo

2017-01-01

Blazed gratings can reflect an oblique incident wave back in the path of incidence, unlike mirrors and metal plates that only reflect specular waves. Perfect blazing (and zero specular scattering) is a type of Wood’s anomaly that has been observed when a resonance condition occurs in the unit-cell of the blazed grating. Such elusive anomalies have been studied thus far as individual perfect blazing points. In this work, we present reflective blazed surfaces that, by design, have multiple coupled blazing resonances per cell. This enables an unprecedented way of tailoring the blazing operation, for widening and/or controlling of blazing bandwidth and incident angle range of operation. The surface can thus achieve blazing at multiple wavelengths, each corresponding to different incident wavenumbers. The multiple blazing resonances are combined similar to the case of coupled resonator filters, forming a blazing passband between the incident wave and the first grating order. Blazed gratings with single and multi-pole blazing passbands are fabricated and measured showing increase in the bandwidth of blazing/specular-reflection-rejection, demonstrated here at X-band for convenience. If translated to appropriate frequencies, such technique can impact various applications such as Littrow cavities and lasers, spectroscopy, radar, and frequency scanned antenna reflectors. PMID:28211506

Implementation of cost-effective diffuse light source mechanism to reduce specular reflection and halo effects for resistor-image processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yung-Sheng; Wang, Jeng-Yau

2015-09-01

Light source plays a significant role to acquire a qualified image from objects for facilitating the image processing and pattern recognition. For objects possessing specular surface, the phenomena of reflection and halo appearing in the acquired image will increase the difficulty of information processing. Such a situation may be improved by the assistance of valuable diffuse light source. Consider reading resistor via computer vision, due to the resistor's specular reflective surface it will face with a severe non-uniform luminous intensity on image yielding a higher error rate in recognition without a well-controlled light source. A measurement system including mainly a digital microscope embedded in a replaceable diffuse cover, a ring-type LED embedded onto a small pad carrying a resistor for evaluation, and Arduino microcontrollers connected with PC, is presented in this paper. Several replaceable cost-effective diffuse covers made by paper bowl, cup and box inside pasted with white paper are presented for reducing specular reflection and halo effects and compared with a commercial diffuse some. The ring-type LED can be flexibly configured to be a full or partial lighting based on the application. For each self-made diffuse cover, a set of resistors with 4 or 5 color bands are captured via digital microscope for experiments. The signal-to-noise ratio from the segmented resistor-image is used for performance evaluation. The detected principal axis of resistor body is used for the partial LED configuration to further improve the lighting condition. Experimental results confirm that the proposed mechanism can not only evaluate the cost-effective diffuse light source but also be extended as an automatic recognition system for resistor reading.

Comparative study of radiometric and calorimetric methods for total hemispherical emissivity measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monchau, Jean-Pierre; Hameury, Jacques; Ausset, Patrick; Hay, Bruno; Ibos, Laurent; Candau, Yves

2018-05-01

Accurate knowledge of infrared emissivity is important in applications such as surface temperature measurements by infrared thermography or thermal balance for building walls. A comparison of total hemispherical emissivity measurement was performed by two laboratories: the Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais (LNE) and the Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Thermique, Environnement et Systèmes (CERTES). Both laboratories performed emissivity measurements on four samples, chosen to cover a large range of emissivity values and angular reflectance behaviors. The samples were polished aluminum (highly specular, low emissivity), bulk PVC (slightly specular, high emissivity), sandblasted aluminum (diffuse surface, medium emissivity), and aluminum paint (slightly specular surface, medium emissivity). Results obtained using five measurement techniques were compared. LNE used a calorimetric method for direct total hemispherical emissivity measurement [1], an absolute reflectometric measurement method [2], and a relative reflectometric measurement method. CERTES used two total hemispherical directional reflectometric measurement methods [3, 4]. For indirect techniques by reflectance measurements, the total hemispherical emissivity values were calculated from directional hemispherical reflectance measurement results using spectral integration when required and directional to hemispherical extrapolation. Results were compared, taking into account measurement uncertainties; an added uncertainty was introduced to account for heterogeneity over the surfaces of the samples and between samples. All techniques gave large relative uncertainties for a low emissive and very specular material (polished aluminum), and results were quite scattered. All the indirect techniques by reflectance measurement gave results within ±0.01 for a high emissivity material. A commercial aluminum paint appears to be a good candidate for producing samples with medium level of emissivity (about 0.4) and with good uniformity of emissivity values (within ±0.015).

Non-destructive Techniques for Classifying Aircraft Coating Degradation

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-26

model is bidirectional reflectance distribution func- tions ( BRDF ) which describes how much radiation is reflected for each solid angle and each...incident angle. An intermediate model between ideal reflectors and BRDF is to assume all reflectance is a combination of diffuse and specular reflectance...19 K-Fold Cross Validation

Polarized iridescence of the multilayered elytra of the Japanese jewel beetle, Chrysochroa fulgidissima

PubMed Central

Stavenga, Doekele G.; Wilts, Bodo D.; Leertouwer, Hein L.; Hariyama, Takahiko

2011-01-01

The elytra of the Japanese jewel beetle Chrysochroa fulgidissima are metallic green with purple stripes. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy demonstrated that the elytral surface is approximately flat. The accordingly specular green and purple areas have, with normal illumination, 100–150 nm broad reflectance bands, peaking at about 530 and 700 nm. The bands shift progressively towards shorter wavelengths with increasing oblique illumination, and the reflection then becomes highly polarized. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the epicuticle of the green and purple areas consists of stacks of 16 and 12 layers, respectively. Assuming gradient refractive index values of the layers between 1.6 and 1.7 and applying the classical multilayer theory allowed modelling of the measured polarization- and angle-dependent reflectance spectra. The extreme polarized iridescence exhibited by the elytra of the jewel beetle may have a function in intraspecific recognition. PMID:21282175

Transmission Magnitude and Phase Control for Polarization-Preserving Reflectionless Metasurfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Do-Hoon; Ptitcyn, Grigorii; Díaz-Rubio, Ana; Tretyakov, Sergei A.

2018-03-01

For transmissive applications of electromagnetic metasurfaces, an array of subwavelength Huygens' meta-atoms are typically used to eliminate reflection and achieve a high-transmission power efficiency together with a wide transmission phase coverage. We show that the underlying principle of low reflection and full control over transmission is asymmetric scattering into the specular reflection and transmission directions that results from a superposition of symmetric and antisymmetric scattering components, with Huygens' meta-atoms being one example configuration. Available for oblique illumination in TM polarization, a meta-atom configuration comprising normal and tangential electric polarizations is presented, which is capable of reflectionless, full-power transmission and a 2 π transmission phase coverage as well as full absorption. For lossy metasurfaces, we show that a complete phase coverage is still available for reflectionless designs for any value of absorptance. Numerical examples in the microwave and optical regimes are provided.

Optical and electrical properties of organic dye crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eckhardt, C. J.

1984-02-01

Crystal spectra of three dyes were studied. The dyes are: 3,3'-diethylthiacyanine bromide, pseudoisocyanine and the squarylium dye, 2,4-bis (2-hydroxy-4-diethylaminophenyl)-1, 3-cyclobutadienediylium-1, 3-diolate (HBAPS). Polymorphs were discovered for the latter two dyes and their spectra were investigated. HBAPS showed markedly different spectra for its monoclinic and triclinic forms. The specular reflection spectra of the two crystal forms were successfully fit using molecular exciton-polariton theory employing lattice sums based on a point-charge appproximation. A three-oscillator model for a Gaussian frequency-dependent damping was successful in fitting the spectra. The thiacyanine and pseudoisocyanine dye crystals showed normal quasi-metallic reflection spectra. That of the thiacyanine was found to closely resemble the H-band (dimer) spectra of the dye aggregate in solution.

Pore-level determination of spectral reflection behaviors of high-porosity metal foam sheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yang; Xia, Xin-Lin; Ai, Qing; Sun, Chuang; Tan, He-Ping

2018-03-01

Open cell metal foams are currently attracting attention and their radiative behaviors are of primary importance in high temperature applications. The spectral reflection behaviors of high-porosity metal foam sheets, bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) and directional-hemispherical reflectivity were numerically investigated. A set of realistic nickel foams with porosity from 0.87 to 0.97 and pore density from 10 to 40 pores per inch were tomographied to obtain their 3-D digital cell network. A Monte Carlo ray-tracing method was employed in order to compute the pore-level radiative transfer inside the network within the limit of geometrical optics. The apparent reflection behaviors and their dependency on the textural parameters and strut optical properties were comprehensively computed and analysed. The results show a backward scattering of the reflected energy at the foam sheet surface. Except in the cases of large incident angles, an energy peak is located almost along the incident direction and increases with increasing incident angles. Through an analytical relation established, the directional-hemispherical reflectivity can be related directly to the porosity of the foam sheet and to the complex refractive index of the solid phase as well as the specularity parameter which characterizes the local reflection model. The computations show that a linear decrease in normal-hemispherical reflectivity occurs with increasing porosity. The rate of this decrease is directly proportional to the strut normal reflectivity. In addition, the hemispherical reflectivity increases as a power function of the incident angle cosine.

Attitude Estimation for Unresolved Agile Space Objects with Shape Model Uncertainty

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

Simulated lightcurve data using the Cook-Torrance [8] Bidirectional Reflectivity Distribution Function ( BRDF ) model was first applied in a batch estimation...framework to ellipsoidal SO models in geostationary orbits [9]. The Ashikhmin-Shirley [10] BRDF has also been used to study estimation of specular...non-convex 300 facet model and simulated lightcurves using a combination of Lambertian and Cook-Torrance (specular) BRDF models with an Unscented

Nano-oxide-layer insertion and specular effects in spin valves: Experiment and theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, L.; Qiu, J. J.; McMahon, W. J.; Li, K. B.; Wu, Y. H.

2004-06-01

We report a systematic study of NOL (nano-oxide-layer) insertion and specular effects on the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) of single, synthetic, and dual spin valves, using a semiclassical Boltzmann theory. It is confirmed that the GMR ratio is enhanced by NOL insertion inside the pinned layer or after the free layer. The enhancements are primarily due to the contribution of the majority carriers. The NOL insertions inside the inactive layers of spin valves such as the seed, under, and capping layers reduce the GMR ratio. Though introducing a NOL before or after the Cu spacer would, in principle, significantly suppress the GMR ratio due to the blocking effect or the average effect of different spin channels, large positive or negative (inverse) GMR is found by assuming spin-dependent NOL specular reflections. We have also demonstrated that specular reflection, even beyond a capping layer, may result in reduction of GMR. Upon appropriate NOL insertion, the amplitude of curve of GMR versus thickness of individual layer of spin valves may be generally enhanced, but the shape may change, depending on whether the distance of the NOL to the layer is small or large (distance effect). Finally, it is found that most results obtained for the single realistic spin valves are applicable to synthetic and dual spin valves.

Distribution of blocking temperatures in nano-oxide layers of specular spin valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ventura, J.; Araujo, J. P.; Sousa, J. B.; Veloso, A.; Freitas, P. P.

2007-06-01

Specular spin valves show enhanced giant magnetoresistive (GMR) ratio when compared to other, simpler, spin valve structures. The enhancement of GMR results from specular reflection in nano-oxide layers (NOLs) formed by the partial oxidation of the pinned and free layer. These oxides forming the NOL order antiferromagnetically (AFM) below a temperature T ˜175 K. Here, we study the effects of the pinned layer magnetization and its domain structure on the AFM ordering of the NOL by performing field cooling measurements with different cooling fields (H0). We observe enhanced (reduced) exchange field and magnetoresistive ratio for H0>0(<0), i.e., parallel (antiparallel) to the pinned magnetization. These measurements allowed us to confirm the existence of a wide distribution of blocking temperatures (TB) in the NOL of specular spin valves, having a maximum at T ≈175 K, and extending to NOL regions with TB as low as 15 K.

A FALSE POSITIVE FOR OCEAN GLINT ON EXOPLANETS: THE LATITUDE-ALBEDO EFFECT

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

Cowan, Nicolas B.; Abbot, Dorian S.; Voigt, Aiko

2012-06-10

Identifying liquid water on the surface of planets is a high priority, as this traditionally defines habitability. One proposed signature of oceans is specular reflection ('glint'), which increases the apparent albedo of a planet at crescent phases. We post-process a global climate model of an Earth-like planet to simulate reflected light curves. Significantly, we obtain glint-like phase variations even though we do not include specular reflection in our model. This false positive is the product of two generic properties: (1) for modest obliquities, a planet's poles receive less orbit-averaged stellar flux than its equator, so the poles are more likelymore » to be covered in highly reflective snow and ice; and (2) we show that reflected light from a modest-obliquity planet at crescent phases probes higher latitudes than at gibbous phases, therefore a planet's apparent albedo will naturally increase at crescent phase. We suggest that this 'latitude-albedo effect' will operate even for large obliquities: in that case the equator receives less orbit-averaged flux than the poles, and the equator is preferentially sampled at crescent phase. Using rotational and orbital color variations to map the surfaces of directly imaged planets and estimate their obliquity will therefore be a necessary pre-condition for properly interpreting their reflected phase variations. The latitude-albedo effect is a particularly convincing glint false positive for zero-obliquity planets, and such worlds are not amenable to latitudinal mapping. This effect severely limits the utility of specular reflection for detecting oceans on exoplanets.« less

Scanning laser reflection tool for alignment and period measurement of critical-angle transmission gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Jungki; Heilmann, Ralf K.; Bruccoleri, Alexander R.; Hertz, Edward; Schatternburg, Mark L.

2017-08-01

We report progress toward developing a scanning laser reflection (LR) tool for alignment and period measurement of critical-angle transmission (CAT) gratings. It operates on a similar measurement principle as a tool built in 1994 which characterized period variations of grating facets for the Chandra X-ray Observatory. A specularly reflected beam and a first-order diffracted beam were used to record local period variations, surface slope variations, and grating line orientation. In this work, a normal-incidence beam was added to measure slope variations (instead of the angled-incidence beam). Since normal incidence reflection is not coupled with surface height change, it enables measurement of slope variations more accurately and, along with the angled-incidence beam, helps to reconstruct the surface figure (or tilt) map. The measurement capability of in-grating period variations was demonstrated by measuring test reflection grating (RG) samples that show only intrinsic period variations of the interference lithography process. Experimental demonstration for angular alignment of CAT gratings is also presented along with a custom-designed grating alignment assembly (GAA) testbed. All three angles were aligned to satisfy requirements for the proposed Arcus mission. The final measurement of roll misalignment agrees with the roll measurements performed at the PANTER x-ray test facility.

Application of Diamond Nanoparticles in Low-Energy Neutron Physics

PubMed Central

Nesvizhevsky, Valery; Cubitt, Robert; Lychagin, Egor; Muzychka, Alexei; Nekhaev, Grigory; Pignol, Guillaume; Protasov, Konstantin; Strelkov, Alexander

2010-01-01

Diamond, with its exceptionally high optical nuclear potential and low absorption cross-section, is a unique material for a series of applications in VCN (very cold neutron) physics and techniques. In particular, powder of diamond nanoparticles provides the best reflector for neutrons in the complete VCN energy range. It allowed also the first observation of quasi-specular reflection of cold neutrons (CN) from disordered medium. Effective critical velocity for such a quasi-specular reflection is higher than that for the best super-mirror. Nano-diamonds survive in high radiation fluxes; therefore they could be used, under certain conditions, in the vicinity of intense neutron sources.

The New Horizons Bistatic Radio Science Experiment to Measure Pluto's Surface Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linscott, I.; Hinson, D. P.; Tyler, G. L.; Vincent, M.

2014-12-01

The New Horizons (NH) payload includes a Radio Science Experiment (REX) for principally occultation and radiometric measurement of Pluto and Charon during the flyby in July 2015. The REX subsystem is contained, together with the NH X-Band radio, in the Integrated Electronics Module (IEM) in the New Horizons spacecraft. REX samples and records in two polarizations both total RF power in a 4.5 MHz bandwidth, and radio signal waveforms in a narrow, 1.25 kHz band. During the encounter, and at closest approach to Pluto, the spacecraft's high gain antenna (HGA) will scan Pluto's equatorial latitudes, intercepting the specular zone, a region near Pluto's limb that geometrically favors reflection from the earth's direction. At the same time, a powerful 80 kW uplink beacon will have been transmitted from earth by the DSN to arrive at Pluto during spacecraft closest approach. Reflection from the specular zone is expected to be sufficiently strong to observe the bistatic uplink in the REX narrowband record. Measurements in both polarizations will then be combined to yield surface reflectivity, roughness and limits on the dielectric constant in the specular zone.

Sequential fitting-and-separating reflectance components for analytical bidirectional reflectance distribution function estimation.

PubMed

Lee, Yu; Yu, Chanki; Lee, Sang Wook

2018-01-10

We present a sequential fitting-and-separating algorithm for surface reflectance components that separates individual dominant reflectance components and simultaneously estimates the corresponding bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) parameters from the separated reflectance values. We tackle the estimation of a Lafortune BRDF model, which combines a nonLambertian diffuse reflection and multiple specular reflectance components with a different specular lobe. Our proposed method infers the appropriate number of BRDF lobes and their parameters by separating and estimating each of the reflectance components using an interval analysis-based branch-and-bound method in conjunction with iterative K-ordered scale estimation. The focus of this paper is the estimation of the Lafortune BRDF model. Nevertheless, our proposed method can be applied to other analytical BRDF models such as the Cook-Torrance and Ward models. Experiments were carried out to validate the proposed method using isotropic materials from the Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MERL-MIT) BRDF database, and the results show that our method is superior to a conventional minimization algorithm.

Galerkin methods for Boltzmann-Poisson transport with reflection conditions on rough boundaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morales Escalante, José A.; Gamba, Irene M.

2018-06-01

We consider in this paper the mathematical and numerical modeling of reflective boundary conditions (BC) associated to Boltzmann-Poisson systems, including diffusive reflection in addition to specularity, in the context of electron transport in semiconductor device modeling at nano scales, and their implementation in Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) schemes. We study these BC on the physical boundaries of the device and develop a numerical approximation to model an insulating boundary condition, or equivalently, a pointwise zero flux mathematical condition for the electron transport equation. Such condition balances the incident and reflective momentum flux at the microscopic level, pointwise at the boundary, in the case of a more general mixed reflection with momentum dependant specularity probability p (k →). We compare the computational prediction of physical observables given by the numerical implementation of these different reflection conditions in our DG scheme for BP models, and observe that the diffusive condition influences the kinetic moments over the whole domain in position space.

Interface-based two-way tuning of the in-plane thermal transport in nanofilms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hua, Yu-Chao; Cao, Bing-Yang

2018-03-01

Here, the two-way tuning of in-plane thermal transport is obtained in the bi-layer nanofilms with an interfacial effect by using the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) and the phonon Monte Carlo (MC) technique. A thermal conductivity model was derived from the BTE and verified by the MC simulations. Both the model and the MC simulations indicate that the tuning of the thermal transport can be bidirectional (reduced or enhanced), depending on the interface conditions (i.e., roughness and adhesion energy) and the phonon property dissimilarity at the interface. For the identical-material interface, the emergence of thermal conductivity variation requires two conditions: (a) the interface is not completely specular and (b) the transmission specularity parameter differs from the reflection specularity parameter at the interface. When the transmission specularity parameter is larger than the reflection specularity parameter at the interface, the thermal conductivity improvement effect emerges, whereas the thermal conductivity reduction effect occurs. For the disparate-material interface, the phonon property perturbation near the interface causes the thermal conductivity variation, even when neither the above two conditions are satisfied. The mean free path ratio (γ) between the disparate materials was defined to characterize the phonon property dissimilarity. γ > 1 can lead to the thermal conductivity improvement effect, while γ < 1 corresponds to the thermal conductivity reduction effect. Our work provides a more in-depth understanding of the interfacial effect on the nanoscale thermal transport, with an applicable predictive model, which can be helpful for predicting and manipulating phonon transport in nanofilms.

Analysis of specular resonance in dielectric bispheres using rigorous and geometrical-optics theories.

PubMed

Miyazaki, Hideki T; Miyazaki, Hiroshi; Miyano, Kenjiro

2003-09-01

We have recently identified the resonant scattering from dielectric bispheres in the specular direction, which has long been known as the specular resonance, to be a type of rainbow (a caustic) and a general phenomenon for bispheres. We discuss the details of the specular resonance on the basis of systematic calculations. In addition to the rigorous theory, which precisely describes the scattering even in the resonance regime, the ray-tracing method, which gives the scattering in the geometrical-optics limit, is used. Specular resonance is explicitly defined as strong scattering in the direction of the specular reflection from the symmetrical axis of the bisphere whose intensity exceeds that of the scattering from noninteracting bispheres. Then the range of parameters for computing a particular specular resonance is specified. This resonance becomes prominent in a wide range of refractive indices (from 1.2 to 2.2) in a wide range of size parameters (from five to infinity) and for an arbitrarily polarized light incident within an angle of 40 degrees to the symmetrical axis. This particular scattering can stay evident even when the spheres are not in contact or the sizes of the spheres are different. Thus specular resonance is a common and robust phenomenon in dielectric bispheres. Furthermore, we demonstrate that various characteristic features in the scattering from bispheres can be explained successfully by using intuitive and simple representations. Most of the significant scatterings other than the specular resonance are also understandable as caustics in geometrical-optics theory. The specular resonance becomes striking at the smallest size parameter among these caustics because its optical trajectory is composed of only the refractions at the surfaces and has an exceptionally large intensity. However, some characteristics are not accounted for by geometrical optics. In particular, the oscillatory behaviors of their scattering intensity are well described by simple two-wave interference models.

Specular Reflection from Rough Surfaces Revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasuda, Kensei; Kim, Alvin; Cho, Hayley; Timofejev, Timofej; Walecki, Wojciech J.; Klep, James; Edelson, Amy S.; Walecki, Abigail S.; Walecki, Eve S.; Walecki, Peter S.

2016-10-01

In his beautiful paper, Hasan Fakhruddin reported observations of mirror-like reflections in the rough surface of a ground glass plate. Similar effects have been recently employed for metrology of the roughness of optical diffusers used in modern light emitting device illumination systems. We report the observations of specular reflection in nontransparent rough surfaces at oblique angles, where roughness was treated as a variable. We present a simple trigonometry-based model explaining the observed phenomenon, which we experimentally validated using aluminum surfaces that have controlled roughness. The reported demonstration requires no special equipment, other than cellphone cameras, dielectric or metal plate, and sandpaper, and serves as an introduction to wave optics. This activity can be used to get further insight into everyday applications of wave optics for students already familiar with wave optics fundamentals.

Radiant exchange in partially specular architectural environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beamer, C. Walter; Muehleisen, Ralph T.

2003-10-01

The radiant exchange method, also known as radiosity, was originally developed for thermal radiative heat transfer applications. Later it was used to model architectural lighting systems, and more recently it has been extended to model acoustic systems. While there are subtle differences in these applications, the basic method is based on solving a system of energy balance equations, and it is best applied to spaces with mainly diffuse reflecting surfaces. The obvious drawback to this method is that it is based around the assumption that all surfaces in the system are diffuse reflectors. Because almost all architectural systems have at least some partially specular reflecting surfaces in the system it is important to extend the radiant exchange method to deal with this type of surface reflection. [Work supported by NSF.

Wrinkles enhance the diffuse reflection from the dragonfly Rhyothemis resplendens

PubMed Central

Nixon, M. R.; Orr, A. G.; Vukusic, P.

2015-01-01

The dorsal surfaces of the hindwings of the dragonfly Rhyothemis resplendens (Odonata: Libellulidae) reflect a deep blue from the multilayer structure in its wing membrane. The layers within this structure are not flat, but distinctly ‘wrinkled’, with a thickness of several hundred nanometres and interwrinkle crest distances of 5 µm and greater. A comparison between the backscattered light from R. resplendens and a similar, but un-‘wrinkled’ multilayer in the damselfly Matronoides cyaneipennis (Odonata: Calopterygidae) shows that the angle over which incident light is backscattered is increased by the wrinkling in the R. resplendens structure. Whereas the reflection from the flat multilayer of M. cyaneipennis is effectively specular, the reflection from the wrinkled R. resplendens multilayer spans 1.47 steradians (equivalent to ±40° for all azimuthal angles). This property enhances the visibility of the static wing over a broader angle range than is normally associated with a smooth multilayer, thereby markedly increasing its conspicuousness. PMID:25540236

Polarized radiative transfer considering thermal emission in semitransparent media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ben, Xun; Yi, Hong-Liang; Tan, He-Ping

2014-09-01

The characteristics of the polarization must be considered for a complete and correct description of radiation transfer in a scattering medium. Observing and identifying the polarizition characteristics of the thermal emission of a hot semitransparent medium have a major significance to analyze the optical responses of the medium for different temperatures. In this paper, a Monte Carlo method is developed for polarzied radiative transfer in a semitransparent medium. There are mainly two kinds of mechanisms leading to polarization of light: specular reflection on the Fresnel boundary and scattering by particles. The determination of scattering direction is the key to solve polarized radiative transfer problem using the Monte Carlo method. An optimized rejection method is used to calculate the scattering angles. In the model, the treatment of specular reflection is also considered, and in the process of tracing photons, the normalization must be applied to the Stokes vector when scattering, reflection, or transmission occurs. The vector radiative transfer matrix (VRTM) is defined and solved using Monte Carlo strategy, by which all four Stokes elements can be determined. Our results for Rayleigh scattering and Mie scattering are compared well with published data. The accuracy of the developed Monte Carlo method is shown to be good enough for the solution to vector radiative transfer. Polarization characteristics of thermal emission in a hot semitransparent medium is investigated, and results show that the U and V parameters of Stokes vector are equal to zero, an obvious peak always appear in the Q curve instead of the I curve, and refractive index has a completely different effect on I from Q.

Combination of acoustical radiosity and the image source method.

PubMed

Koutsouris, Georgios I; Brunskog, Jonas; Jeong, Cheol-Ho; Jacobsen, Finn

2013-06-01

A combined model for room acoustic predictions is developed, aiming to treat both diffuse and specular reflections in a unified way. Two established methods are incorporated: acoustical radiosity, accounting for the diffuse part, and the image source method, accounting for the specular part. The model is based on conservation of acoustical energy. Losses are taken into account by the energy absorption coefficient, and the diffuse reflections are controlled via the scattering coefficient, which defines the portion of energy that has been diffusely reflected. The way the model is formulated allows for a dynamic control of the image source production, so that no fixed maximum reflection order is required. The model is optimized for energy impulse response predictions in arbitrary polyhedral rooms. The predictions are validated by comparison with published measured data for a real music studio hall. The proposed model turns out to be promising for acoustic predictions providing a high level of detail and accuracy.

Optimizing Waveform Maximum Determination for Specular Point Tracking in Airborne GNSS-R.

PubMed

Motte, Erwan; Zribi, Mehrez

2017-08-16

Airborne GNSS-R campaigns are crucial to the understanding of signal interactions with the Earth's surface. As a consequence of the specific geometric configurations arising during measurements from aircraft, the reflected signals can be difficult to interpret under certain conditions like over strongly attenuating media such as forests, or when the reflected signal is contaminated by the direct signal. For these reasons, there are many cases where the reflectivity is overestimated, or a portion of the dataset has to be flagged as unusable. In this study we present techniques that have been developed to optimize the processing of airborne GNSS-R data, with the goal of improving its accuracy and robustness under non-optimal conditions. This approach is based on the detailed analysis of data produced by the instrument GLORI, which was recorded during an airborne campaign in the south west of France in June 2015. Our technique relies on the improved determination of reflected waveform peaks in the delay dimension, which is related to the loci of the signals contributed by the zone surrounding the specular point. It is shown that when developing techniques for the correct localization of waveform maxima under conditions of surfaces of low reflectivity, and/or contamination from the direct signal, it is possible to correct and extract values corresponding to the real reflectivity of the zone in the neighborhood of the specular point. This algorithm was applied to a reanalysis of the complete campaign dataset, following which the accuracy and sensitivity improved, and the usability of the dataset was improved by 30%.

Optical losses of solar mirrors due to atmospheric contamination at Liberal, Kansas and Oologah, Oklahoma

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

Dake, L.S.; Lind, M.A.

An assessment is presented of the effect of outdoor exposure on mirrors located at two sites selected for potential solar cogeneration/repowering facilities: Liberal, Kansas and Oologah, Oklahoma. Mirror coupons were placed on tracking heliostat simulators located in the proposed heliostat fields and were removed periodically. The spectral hemispherical and diffuse reflectances of these coupons were measured. Representative samples were analyzed for the chemical composition of the dust particulates using SEM/EDX. Other samples were washed with a high pressure spray and recharacterized to determine the effects of the residual dust. Average specular reflectance losses over the entire test period (up tomore » 504 days) were 6 to 12%, with a range of 1 to 30%. Specular reflectance losses varied widely from day to day depending on local weather conditions. The losses due to scattering were 2 to 5 times greater than the losses due to absorptance. The average degradation rate over the first thirty days was an order of magnitude larger than the average degradation rate over the entire sampling period. Specular reflectance loss rates averaged 0.5% per day and greater between periods of natural cleaning. The chemical composition of the dust on the mirrors was characteristic of the indigenous soil, with some samples also showing the presence of sulfur and chlorine, possibly from cooling tower drift.« less

Broadband moth-eye antireflection coatings on silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Chih-Hung; Jiang, Peng; Jiang, Bin

2008-02-01

We report a bioinspired templating technique for fabricating broadband antireflection coatings that mimic antireflective moth eyes. Wafer-scale, subwavelength-structured nipple arrays are directly patterned on silicon using spin-coated silica colloidal monolayers as etching masks. The templated gratings exhibit excellent broadband antireflection properties and the normal-incidence specular reflection matches with the theoretical prediction using a rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) model. We further demonstrate that two common simulation methods, RCWA and thin-film multilayer models, generate almost identical prediction for the templated nipple arrays. This simple bottom-up technique is compatible with standard microfabrication, promising for reducing the manufacturing cost of crystalline silicon solar cells.

Nonimaging light concentration using total internal reflection films.

PubMed

Ouellette, G; Waltham, C E; Drees, R M; Poon, A; Schubank, R; Whitehead, L A

1992-05-01

We present a method of fabricating nonimaging light concentrators from total internal reflection film. A prototype has been made and tested and found to operate in agreement with predictions of ray-tracing codes. The performance of the prototype is comparable with that of concentrators made from specular reflecting materials.

Is There Ecological Information in Optical Polarization Data?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderbilt, Vern; Daughtry, Craig; Dahlgren, Robert

2015-01-01

Optical linear polarization? In remote sensing it's due to specular reflection. The first surface that incident light encounters - a smooth water surface or the waxy first surface of a leaf's cuticle, if it's even somewhat smooth (i.e. shiny) - will specularly reflect and linearly polarize the incident light. We provide three examples of the types of ecological information contained in remotely sensed optical linear polarization measurements. Remove the surface reflection to better see the interior. The linearly polarized light reflected by leaf surfaces contains no information about cellular pigments, metabolites, or water contained in the leaf interiors of a plant canopy, because it never enters the leaf interior to interact with them. Thus, for purposes of remotely sensing the leaf interiors of a plant canopy, the linearly polarized light should be subtracted from the total reflected light, because including it would add noise to the measurement. In particular 'minus specular' vegetation indices should allow improved monitoring of a plant canopy's physiological processes. Estimate plant development stage and yield. Wheat and sorghum grain heads, following emergence, rapidly extend upward and very quickly tower over nearby leaves, partially blocking our view of the sunlight reflected by those leaf surfaces. The resulting decrease in the amount of surface reflected and polarized sunlight, if monitored over time, potentially allows per-field estimates of the dates of the heading and flowering development stages to be interleaved with weather data in models, which is key to better estimating per-field grain yield. Similar polarization changes may occur in other grasses, such as oats, barley, corn and rice, each a crop so widely grown that it potentially affects climate at the regional scale. Wetlands Mapping. The sunlight specularly reflected by surface waters is blindingly bright, spectrally flat and polarized - all of which telegraphs that the ground area is inundated. Inundated soils exchange methane with the atmosphere; non-inundated soils, carbon dioxide. Aquatic plants growing through the water surface pipe the soil-produced methane via the stomata to the atmosphere, enhancing exchanges rates by factors of 10-20 compared to ebullition (bubbling) or diffusion through the water column to the atmosphere. Thus, mapping wetland areas into three community types - inundated areas with emergent vegetation, open water and uplands - provides potentially key information to water, carbon and energy budgets at landscape to global scales.

Methods for quantitative infrared directional-hemispherical and diffuse reflectance measurements using an FTIR and a commercial integrating sphere

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

Blake, Thomas A.; Johnson, Timothy J.; Tonkyn, Russell G.

Infrared integrating sphere measurements of solid samples are important in providing reference data for contact, standoff and remote sensing applications. At the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) we have developed protocols to measure both the directional-hemispherical ( and diffuse (d) reflectances of powders, liquids, and disks of powders and solid materials using a commercially available, matte gold-coated integrating sphere and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Detailed descriptions of the sphere alignment and its use for making these reflectance measurements are given. Diffuse reflectance values were found to be dependent on the bidirectional reflection distribution function (BRDF) of the sample and themore » solid angle intercepted by the sphere’s specular exclusion port. To determine how well the sphere and protocols produce quantitative reflectance data, measurements were made of three diffuse and two specular standards prepared by the National institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, USA), LabSphere Infragold and Spectralon standards, hand-loaded sulfur and talc powder samples, and water. The five NIST standards behaved as expected: the three diffuse standards had a high degree of “diffuseness,” d/ = D > 0.9, whereas the two specular standards had D ≤ 0.03. The average absolute differences between the NIST and PNNL measurements of the NIST standards for both directional-hemispherical and diffuse reflectances are on the order of 0.01 reflectance units. Other quantitative differences between the PNNL-measured and calibration (where available) or literature reflectance values for these standards and materials are given and the possible origins of discrepancies are discussed. Random uncertainties and estimates of systematic uncertainties are presented. Corrections necessary to provide better agreement between the PNNL reflectance values as measured for the NIST standards and the NIST reflectance values for these same standards are also discussed.« less

Prototyping hexagonal light concentrators using high-reflectance specular films for the Large-Sized Telescopes of the Cherenkov Telescope Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okumura, A.; Dang, T. V.; Ono, S.; Tanaka, S.; Hayashida, M.; Hinton, J.; Katagiri, H.; Noda, K.; Teshima, M.; Yamamoto, T.; Yoshida, T.

2017-12-01

We have developed a prototype hexagonal light concentrator for the Large-Sized Telescopes of the Cherenkov Telescope Array. To maximize the photodetection efficiency of the focal-plane camera pixels for atmospheric Cherenkov photons and to lower the energy threshold, a specular film with a very high reflectance of 92-99% has been developed to cover the inner surfaces of the light concentrators. The prototype has a relative anode sensitivity (which can be roughly regarded as collection efficiency) of about 95 to 105% at the most important angles of incidence. The design, simulation, production procedure, and performance measurements of the light-concentrator prototype are reported.

When beauty is only skin deep; optimizing the sensitivity of specular neutron reflectivity for probing structure beneath the surface of thin filmsa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majkrzak, Charles F.; Carpenter, Elisabeth; Heinrich, Frank; Berk, Norman F.

2011-11-01

Specular neutron reflectometry has become an established probe of the nanometer scale structure of materials in thin film and multilayered form. It has contributed especially to our understanding of soft condensed matter of interest in polymer science, organic chemistry, and biology and of magnetic hard condensed matter systems. In this paper we examine a number of key factors which have emerged that can limit the sensitivity of neutron reflection as such a probe. Among these is loss of phase information, and we discuss how knowledge about material surrounding a film of interest can be applied to help resolve the problem. In this context we also consider what role the quantum phenomenon of interaction-free measurement might play in enhancing the statistical efficiency for obtaining reflectivity or transmission data.

An analytical two-flow model to simulate the distribution of irradiance in coastal waters with a wind-roughed surface and bottom reflectance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Wei-Ming

1997-06-01

An analytical two-flow model is derived from the radiative transfer equation to simulate the distribution of irradiance in coastal waters with a wind-roughed surface and bottom reflectance. The model utilizes unique boundary conditions, including the surface slope of the downwelling and upwelling irradiance as well as the influence of wind and bottom reflectance on simulated surface reflectance. The developed model provides a simple mathematical concept for understanding the irradiant light flux and associated processes in coastal or fresh water as well as turbid estuarine waters. The model is applied to data from the Banana River and coastal Atlantic Ocean water off the east coast of central Florida, USA. The two-flow irradiance model is capable of simulating realistic above-surface reflectance signatures under wind-roughened air-water surface given realistic input parameters including a specular flux conversion coefficient, absorption coefficient, backscattering coefficient, atmospheric visibility, bottom reflectance, and water depth. The root-mean-squared error of the calculated above-surface reflectances is approximately 3% in the Banana River and is less than 15% in coastal Atlantic Ocean off the east of Florida. Result of the subsurface reflectance sensitivity analysis indicates that the specular conversion coefficient is the most sensitive parameter in the model, followed by the beam attenuation coefficient, absorption coefficient, water depth, backscattering coefficient, specular irradiance, diffuse irradiance, bottom reflectance, and wind speed. On the other hand, result of the above-surface reflectance sensitivity analysis indicates that the wind speed is the most important parameter, followed by bottom reflectance, attenuation coefficient, water depth, conversion coefficient, specular irradiance, downwelling irradiance, absorption coefficient, and backscattering coefficient. Model results depend on the accuracy of these parameters to a large degree and more important the water depth and value of the bottom reflectance. The results of this work indicates little change of subsurface or in-water reflectances, due to variations of wind speed and observation angle. Simulations of the wind effect on the total downwelling irradiance from the two- flow model indicates that the total downwelling irradiance just below a wind-roughened water surface increases to about 1% of the total downwelling irradiance on a calm water surface when the sun is near zenith and increases to about 3% when the sun is near the horizon. This analytically based model, solved or developed utilizing the unique boundary conditions, can be applied to remote sensing of oceanic upper mixed layer dynamics, plant canopies, primary production, and shallow water environments with different bottom type reflectances. Future applications may include determining effects of sediment resuspension of bottom sediments in the bottom boundary layer on remotely sensed data.

Study of interface correlation in W/C multilayer structure by specular and non-specular grazing incidence X-ray reflectivity measurements

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

Biswas, A., E-mail: arupb@barc.gov.in; Bhattacharyya, D.; Sahoo, N. K.

2015-10-28

W/C/W tri-layer thin film samples have been deposited on c-Si substrates in a home-built Ion Beam Sputtering system at 1.5 × 10{sup −3} Torr Ar working pressure and 10 mA grid current. The tri-layer samples have been deposited at different Ar{sup +} ion energies between 0.6 and 1.2 keV for W layer deposition and the samples have been characterized by specular and non-specular grazing incidence X-ray reflectivity (GIXR) measurements. By analyzing the GIXR spectra, various interface parameters have been obtained for both W-on-C and C-on-W interfaces and optimum Ar{sup +} ion energy for obtaining interfaces with low imperfections has been found. Subsequently, multilayermore » W/C samples with 5-layer, 7-layer, 9-layer, and 13-layer have been deposited at this optimum Ar{sup +} ion energy. By fitting the specular and diffused GIXR data of the multilayer samples with the parameters of each interface as fitting variables, different interface parameters, viz., interface width, in-plane correlation length, interface roughness, and interface diffusion have been estimated for each interface and their variation across the depth of the multilayers have been obtained. The information would be useful in realizing W/C multilayers for soft X-ray mirror application in the <100 Å wavelength regime. The applicability of the “restart of the growth at the interface” model in the case of these ion beam sputter deposited W/C multilayers has also been investigated in the course of this study.« less

Interfacial phonon scattering and transmission loss in >1 μm thick silicon-on-insulator thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Puqing; Lindsay, Lucas; Huang, Xi; Koh, Yee Kan

2018-05-01

Scattering of phonons at boundaries of a crystal (grains, surfaces, or solid/solid interfaces) is characterized by the phonon wavelength, the angle of incidence, and the interface roughness, as historically evaluated using a specularity parameter p formulated by Ziman [Electrons and Phonons (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1960)]. This parameter was initially defined to determine the probability of a phonon specularly reflecting or diffusely scattering from the rough surface of a material. The validity of Ziman's theory as extended to solid/solid interfaces has not been previously validated. To better understand the interfacial scattering of phonons and to test the validity of Ziman's theory, we precisely measured the in-plane thermal conductivity of a series of Si films in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers by time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) for a Si film thickness range of 1-10 μm and a temperature range of 100-300 K. The Si /SiO2 interface roughness was determined to be 0.11 ±0.04 nm using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, we compared our in-plane thermal conductivity measurements to theoretical calculations that combine first-principles phonon transport with Ziman's theory. Calculations using Ziman's specularity parameter significantly overestimate values from the TDTR measurements. We attribute this discrepancy to phonon transmission through the solid/solid interface into the substrate, which is not accounted for by Ziman's theory for surfaces. The phonons that are specularly transmitted into an amorphous layer will be sufficiently randomized by the time they come back to the crystalline Si layer, the effect of which is practically equivalent to a diffuse reflection at the interface. We derive a simple expression for the specularity parameter at solid/amorphous interfaces and achieve good agreement between calculations and measurement values.

A Precise Visual Method for Narrow Butt Detection in Specular Reflection Workpiece Welding

PubMed Central

Zeng, Jinle; Chang, Baohua; Du, Dong; Hong, Yuxiang; Chang, Shuhe; Zou, Yirong

2016-01-01

During the complex path workpiece welding, it is important to keep the welding torch aligned with the groove center using a visual seam detection method, so that the deviation between the torch and the groove can be corrected automatically. However, when detecting the narrow butt of a specular reflection workpiece, the existing methods may fail because of the extremely small groove width and the poor imaging quality. This paper proposes a novel detection method to solve these issues. We design a uniform surface light source to get high signal-to-noise ratio images against the specular reflection effect, and a double-line laser light source is used to obtain the workpiece surface equation relative to the torch. Two light sources are switched on alternately and the camera is synchronized to capture images when each light is on; then the position and pose between the torch and the groove can be obtained nearly at the same time. Experimental results show that our method can detect the groove effectively and efficiently during the welding process. The image resolution is 12.5 μm and the processing time is less than 10 ms per frame. This indicates our method can be applied to real-time narrow butt detection during high-speed welding process. PMID:27649173

Motion of glossy objects does not promote separation of lighting and surface colour

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The surface properties of an object, such as texture, glossiness or colour, provide important cues to its identity. However, the actual visual stimulus received by the eye is determined by both the properties of the object and the illumination. We tested whether operational colour constancy for glossy objects (the ability to distinguish changes in spectral reflectance of the object, from changes in the spectrum of the illumination) was affected by rotational motion of either the object or the light source. The different chromatic and geometric properties of the specular and diffuse reflections provide the basis for this discrimination, and we systematically varied specularity to control the available information. Observers viewed animations of isolated objects undergoing either lighting or surface-based spectral transformations accompanied by motion. By varying the axis of rotation, and surface patterning or geometry, we manipulated: (i) motion-related information about the scene, (ii) relative motion between the surface patterning and the specular reflection of the lighting, and (iii) image disruption caused by this motion. Despite large individual differences in performance with static stimuli, motion manipulations neither improved nor degraded performance. As motion significantly disrupts frame-by-frame low-level image statistics, we infer that operational constancy depends on a high-level scene interpretation, which is maintained in all conditions. PMID:29291113

Prototype Development and Evaluation of Self-Cleaning Concentrated Solar Power Collectors

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

Mazumder, Malay K.; Horenstein, Mark N.; Joglekar, Nitin R.

The feasibility of integrating and retrofitting transparent electrodynamic screens (EDS) on the front surfaces of solar collectors was established as a means to provide active self-cleaning properties for parabolic trough and heliostat reflectors, solar panels, and Fresnel lenses. Prototype EDS-integrated solar collectors, including second-surface glass mirrors, metallized Acrylic-film mirrors, and dielectric mirrors, were produced and tested in environmental test chambers for removing the dust layer deposited on the front surface of the mirrors. The evaluation of the prototype EDS-integrated mirrors was conducted using dust and environmental conditions that simulate the field conditions of the Mojave Desert. Test results showed thatmore » the specular reflectivity of the mirrors could be maintained at over 90% over a wide range of dust loadings ranging from 0 to 10 g/m 2, with particle diameter varying from 1 to 50 μm. The measurement of specular reflectivity (SR) was performed using a D&S Reflectometer at wavelength 660 nm. A non-contact reflectometer was designed and constructed for rapid measurement of specular reflectivity at the same wavelength. The use of this new noncontact instrument allowed us to measure SR before and after EDS activation. Several EDS prototypes were constructed and evaluated with different electrode configurations, electrode materials, and encapsulating dielectric materials.« less

A Precise Visual Method for Narrow Butt Detection in Specular Reflection Workpiece Welding.

PubMed

Zeng, Jinle; Chang, Baohua; Du, Dong; Hong, Yuxiang; Chang, Shuhe; Zou, Yirong

2016-09-13

During the complex path workpiece welding, it is important to keep the welding torch aligned with the groove center using a visual seam detection method, so that the deviation between the torch and the groove can be corrected automatically. However, when detecting the narrow butt of a specular reflection workpiece, the existing methods may fail because of the extremely small groove width and the poor imaging quality. This paper proposes a novel detection method to solve these issues. We design a uniform surface light source to get high signal-to-noise ratio images against the specular reflection effect, and a double-line laser light source is used to obtain the workpiece surface equation relative to the torch. Two light sources are switched on alternately and the camera is synchronized to capture images when each light is on; then the position and pose between the torch and the groove can be obtained nearly at the same time. Experimental results show that our method can detect the groove effectively and efficiently during the welding process. The image resolution is 12.5 μm and the processing time is less than 10 ms per frame. This indicates our method can be applied to real-time narrow butt detection during high-speed welding process.

GINA--a polarized neutron reflectometer at the Budapest Neutron Centre.

PubMed

Bottyán, L; Merkel, D G; Nagy, B; Füzi, J; Sajti, Sz; Deák, L; Endrőczi, G; Petrenko, A V; Major, J

2013-01-01

The setup, capabilities, and operation parameters of the neutron reflectometer GINA, the recently installed "Grazing Incidence Neutron Apparatus" at the Budapest Neutron Centre, are introduced. GINA, a dance-floor-type, constant-energy, angle-dispersive reflectometer is equipped with a 2D position-sensitive detector to study specular and off-specular scattering. Wavelength options between 3.2 and 5.7 Å are available for unpolarized and polarized neutrons. Spin polarization and analysis are achieved by magnetized transmission supermirrors and radio-frequency adiabatic spin flippers. As a result of vertical focusing by a five-element pyrolytic graphite monochromator, the reflected intensity from a 20 × 20 mm(2) sample has been doubled. GINA is dedicated to studies of magnetic films and heterostructures, but unpolarized options for non-magnetic films, membranes, and other surfaces are also provided. Shortly after its startup, reflectivity values as low as 3 × 10(-5) have been measured by the instrument. The instrument capabilities are demonstrated by a non-polarized and a polarized reflectivity experiment on a Si wafer and on a magnetic film of [(62)Ni/(nat)Ni](5) isotope-periodic layer composition. The facility is now open for the international user community. Its further development is underway establishing new sample environment options and spin analysis of off-specularly scattered radiation as well as further decreasing the background.

An intelligent system for real time automatic defect inspection on specular coated surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jinhua; Parker, Johné M.; Hou, Zhen

2005-07-01

Product visual inspection is still performed manually or semi automatically in most industries from simple ceramic tile grading to complex automotive body panel paint defect and surface quality inspection. Moreover, specular surfaces present additional challenge to conventional vision systems due to specular reflections, which may mask the true location of objects and lead to incorrect measurements. There are some sophisticated visual inspection methods developed in recent years. Unfortunately, most of them are highly computational. Systems built on those methods are either inapplicable or very costly to achieve real time inspection. In this paper, we describe an integrated low-cost intelligent system developed to automatically capture, extract, and segment defects on specular surfaces with uniform color coatings. The system inspects and locates regular surface defects with lateral dimensions as small as a millimeter. The proposed system is implemented on a group of smart cameras using its on-board processing ability to achieve real time inspection. The experimental results on real test panels demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of proposed system.

The effects of transducer geometry on artifacts common to diagnostic bone imaging with conventional medical ultrasound.

PubMed

Mauldin, F William; Owen, Kevin; Tiouririne, Mohamed; Hossack, John A

2012-06-01

The portability, low cost, and non-ionizing radiation associated with medical ultrasound suggest that it has potential as a superior alternative to X-ray for bone imaging. However, when conventional ultrasound imaging systems are used for bone imaging, clinical acceptance is frequently limited by artifacts derived from reflections occurring away from the main axis of the acoustic beam. In this paper, the physical source of off-axis artifacts and the effect of transducer geometry on these artifacts are investigated in simulation and experimental studies. In agreement with diffraction theory, the sampled linear-array geometry possessed increased off-axis energy compared with single-element piston geometry, and therefore, exhibited greater levels of artifact signal. Simulation and experimental results demonstrated that the linear-array geometry exhibited increased artifact signal when the center frequency increased, when energy off-axis to the main acoustic beam (i.e., grating lobes) was perpendicularly incident upon off-axis surfaces, and when off-axis surfaces were specular rather than diffusive. The simulation model used to simulate specular reflections was validated experimentally and a correlation coefficient of 0.97 between experimental and simulated peak reflection contrast was observed. In ex vivo experiments, the piston geometry yielded 4 and 6.2 dB average contrast improvement compared with the linear array when imaging the spinous process and interlaminar space of an animal spine, respectively. This work indicates that off-axis reflections are a major source of ultrasound image artifacts, particularly in environments comprising specular reflecting (i.e., bone or bone-like) objects. Transducer geometries with reduced sensitivity to off-axis surface reflections, such as a piston transducer geometry, yield significant reductions in image artifact.

Polarization of Light by Leaves and Plant Canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderbilt, V. C.

2006-01-01

This talk will focus first on the information contained in the surface-scattered light from leaves, plant canopies and surface waters. This light is in general polarized and depends upon surface roughness. Thus, for example, - The surface reflection from shiny green leaves measured in the specular direction shows no chlorophyll absorption bands, no 'red edge.' - Conversely, the degree of linear polarization of such light displays marked variation with wavelength having local maxima in the chlorophyll absorption bands and an inverted red edge. - Plant canopies with shiny leaves distributed in angle like the area on a sphere, specularly reflect sunlight in the subsolar or specular direction- but also in every other view direction. - Canopies of green plants may appear white not green when viewed obliquely toward the sun. - In a light to moderate wind, the often blindingly bright glitter of sunlight off smooth water surfaces provides a strong, angularly narrow signature reflection characteristic of inundated vegetated areas that are big sources of atmospheric methane, a climatically important greenhouse gas. (Conversely, a blindingly bright glitter-type reflection is uncharacteristic of upland or wind ruffled open water areas that are poor sources of atmospheric methane.) Because some of these results may be 'head scratchers,' it's always important to properly calibrate ones instruments. Indeed, as the second portion of the talk will show, the characteristics of the light measuring instrument, particularly its entrance aperture, may affect the results and should be taken into account during across-instrument data comparisons.

Geometry of illumination, luminance contrast, and gloss perception.

PubMed

Leloup, Frédéric B; Pointer, Michael R; Dutré, Philip; Hanselaer, Peter

2010-09-01

The influence of both the geometry of illumination and luminance contrast on gloss perception has been examined using the method of paired comparison. Six achromatic glass samples having different lightness were illuminated by two light sources. Only one of these light sources was visible in reflection by the observer. By separate adjustment of the intensity of both light sources, the luminance of both the reflected image and the adjacent off-specular surroundings could be individually varied. It was found that visual gloss appraisal did not correlate with instrumentally measured specular gloss; however, psychometric contrast seemed to be a much better correlate. It has become clear that not only the sample surface characteristics determine gloss perception: the illumination geometry could be an even more important factor.

Refractive index inversion based on Mueller matrix method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Huaxi; Wu, Wenyuan; Huang, Yanhua; Li, Zhaozhao

2016-03-01

Based on Stokes vector and Jones vector, the correlation between Mueller matrix elements and refractive index was studied with the result simplified, and through Mueller matrix way, the expression of refractive index inversion was deduced. The Mueller matrix elements, under different incident angle, are simulated through the expression of specular reflection so as to analyze the influence of the angle of incidence and refractive index on it, which is verified through the measure of the Mueller matrix elements of polished metal surface. Research shows that, under the condition of specular reflection, the result of Mueller matrix inversion is consistent with the experiment and can be used as an index of refraction of inversion method, and it provides a new way for target detection and recognition technology.

Measurement and Modeling of the Optical Scattering Properties of Crop Canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderbilt, V. C.; Grant, L.

1984-01-01

Efforts in measuring, analyzing, and mathematically modeling the specular, polarized, and diffuse light scattering properties of several plant canopies and their component parts (leaves, stems, fruit, soil) as a function of view angle and illumination angle are reported. Specific objectives were: (1) to demonstrate a technique for determining the specular and diffuse components of the reflectance factor of plant canopies; (2) to acquire the measurements and begin assembling a data set for developing and testing canopy reflectance models; (3) to design and build a new optical instrument to measure the light scattering properties of individual leaves; and (4) to use this instrument to survey and investigate the information in the light scattering properties of individual leaves of crops, forests, weeds, and horticulture.

A comparison of partially specular radiosity and ray tracing for room acoustics modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beamer, C. Walter; Muehleisen, Ralph T.

2005-04-01

Partially specular (PS) radiosity is an extended form of the general radiosity method. Acoustic radiosity is a form of bulk transfer of radiant acoustic energy. This bulk transfer is accomplished through a system of energy balance equations that relate the bulk energy transfer of each surface in the system to all other surfaces in the system. Until now acoustic radiosity has been limited to modeling only diffuse surface reflection. The new PS acoustic radiosity method can model all real surface types, diffuse, specular and everything in between. PS acoustic radiosity also models all real source types and distributions, not just point sources. The results of the PS acoustic radiosity method are compared to those of well known ray tracing programs. [Work supported by NSF.

Coupled thermo-elastic and optical performance analyses of a reflective baffle for the BepiColombo laser altimeter (BELA) receiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heesel, E.; Weigel, T.; Lochmatter, P.; Rugi Grond, E.

2017-11-01

For the BepiColombo mission, the extreme thermal environment around Mercury requires good heat shields for the instruments. The BepiColombo Laser altimeter (BELA) Receiver will be equipped with a specular reflective baffle in order to limit the solar power impact. The design uses a Stavroudis geometry with alternating elliptical and hyperbolic vanes to reflect radiation at angles >38° back into space. The thermal loads on the baffle lead to deformations, and the resulting changes in the optical performance can be modeled by ray-tracing. Conventional interfaces, such as Zernike surface fitting, fail to provide a proper import of the mechanical distortions into optical models. We have studied alternative models such as free form surface representations and compared them to a simple modeling approach with straight segments. The performance merit is presented in terms of the power rejection ratio and the absence of specular stray-light.

Method and apparatus for inspecting reflection masks for defects

DOEpatents

Bokor, Jeffrey; Lin, Yun

2003-04-29

An at-wavelength system for extreme ultraviolet lithography mask blank defect detection is provided. When a focused beam of wavelength 13 nm is incident on a defective region of a mask blank, three possible phenomena can occur. The defect will induce an intensity reduction in the specularly reflected beam, scatter incoming photons into an off-specular direction, and change the amplitude and phase of the electric field at the surface which can be monitored through the change in the photoemission current. The magnitude of these changes will depend on the incident beam size, and the nature, extent and size of the defect. Inspection of the mask blank is performed by scanning the mask blank with 13 nm light focused to a spot a few .mu.m in diameter, while measuring the reflected beam intensity (bright field detection), the scattered beam intensity (dark-field detection) and/or the change in the photoemission current.

Application of the three-component bidirectional reflectance distribution function model to Monte Carlo calculation of spectral effective emissivities of nonisothermal blackbody cavities.

PubMed

Prokhorov, Alexander; Prokhorova, Nina I

2012-11-20

We applied the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model consisting of diffuse, quasi-specular, and glossy components to the Monte Carlo modeling of spectral effective emissivities for nonisothermal cavities. A method for extension of a monochromatic three-component (3C) BRDF model to a continuous spectral range is proposed. The initial data for this method are the BRDFs measured in the plane of incidence at a single wavelength and several incidence angles and directional-hemispherical reflectance measured at one incidence angle within a finite spectral range. We proposed the Monte Carlo algorithm for calculation of spectral effective emissivities for nonisothermal cavities whose internal surface is described by the wavelength-dependent 3C BRDF model. The results obtained for a cylindroconical nonisothermal cavity are discussed and compared with results obtained using the conventional specular-diffuse model.

Development of Abrasion-Resistant Coating for Solar Reflective Films. Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-07-247

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

Gray, Matthew

The purpose of this CRADA is to develop an abrasion-resistant coating, suitable for use on polymeric-based reflective films (e.g., the ReflecTech reflective film), that allows for improved scratch resistance and enables the use of aggressive cleaning techniques (e.g., direct contact methods like brushing) without damaging the specular reflectance properties of the reflective film.

Material appearance acquisition from a single image

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xu; Cui, Shulin; Cui, Hanwen; Yang, Lin; Wu, Tao

2017-01-01

The scope of this paper is to present a method of material appearance acquisition(MAA) from a single image. In this paper, material appearance is represented by spatially varying bidirectional reflectance distribution function(SVBRDF). Therefore, MAA can be reduced to the problem of recovery of each pixel's BRDF parameters from an original input image, which include diffuse coefficient, specular coefficient, normal and glossiness based on the Blinn-Phone model. In our method, the workflow of MAA includes five main phases: highlight removal, estimation of intrinsic images, shape from shading(SFS), initialization of glossiness and refining SVBRDF parameters based on IPOPT. The results indicate that the proposed technique can effectively extract the material appearance from a single image.

A novel image-based BRDF measurement system and its application to human skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bintz, Jeffrey R.; Mendenhall, Michael J.; Marciniak, Michael A.; Butler, Samuel D.; Lloyd, James Tommy

2016-09-01

Human skin detection is an important first step in search and rescue (SAR) scenarios. Previous research performed human skin detection through an application specific camera system that ex- ploits the spectral properties of human skin at two visible and two near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. The current theory assumes human skin is diffuse; however, it is observed that human skin exhibits specular and diffuse reflectance properties. This paper presents a novel image-based bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) measurement system, and applies it to the collection of human skin BRDF. The system uses a grid projecting laser and a novel signal processing chain to extract the surface normal from each grid location. Human skin BRDF measurements are shown for a variety of melanin content and hair coverage at the four spectral channels needed for human skin detection. The NIR results represent a novel contribution to the existing body of human skin BRDF measurements.

Broadband angle-independent antireflection coatings on nanostructured light trapping solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vázquez-Guardado, Abraham; Boroumand, Javaneh; Franklin, Daniel; Chanda, Debashis

2018-03-01

Backscattering from nanostructured surfaces greatly diminishes the efficacy of light trapping solar cells. While the analytical design of broadband, angle-independent antireflection coatings on nanostructured surfaces proved inefficient, numerical optimization proves a viable alternative. Here, we numerically design and experimentally verify the performance of single and bilayer antireflection coatings on a 2D hexagonal diffractive light trapping pattern on crystalline silicon substrates. Three well-known antireflection coatings, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxide, which also double as high-quality surface passivation materials, are studied in the 400-1000 nm band. By varying thickness and conformity, the optimal parameters that minimize the broadband total reflectance (specular and scattering) from the nanostructured surface are obtained. The design results in a single-layer antireflection coating with normal-angle wavelength-integrated reflectance below 4% and a bilayer antireflection coating demonstrating reflection down to 1.5%. We show experimentally an angle-averaged reflectance of ˜5.2 % up to 60° incident angle from the optimized bilayer antireflection-coated nanostructured surface, paving the path toward practical implementation of the light trapping solar cells.

A robust motion estimation system for minimal invasive laparoscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcinczak, Jan Marek; von Öhsen, Udo; Grigat, Rolf-Rainer

2012-02-01

Laparoscopy is a reliable imaging method to examine the liver. However, due to the limited field of view, a lot of experience is required from the surgeon to interpret the observed anatomy. Reconstruction of organ surfaces provide valuable additional information to the surgeon for a reliable diagnosis. Without an additional external tracking system the structure can be recovered from feature correspondences between different frames. In laparoscopic images blurred frames, specular reflections and inhomogeneous illumination make feature tracking a challenging task. We propose an ego-motion estimation system for minimal invasive laparoscopy that can cope with specular reflection, inhomogeneous illumination and blurred frames. To obtain robust feature correspondence, the approach combines SIFT and specular reflection segmentation with a multi-frame tracking scheme. The calibrated five-point algorithm is used with the MSAC robust estimator to compute the motion of the endoscope from multi-frame correspondence. The algorithm is evaluated using endoscopic videos of a phantom. The small incisions and the rigid endoscope limit the motion in minimal invasive laparoscopy. These limitations are considered in our evaluation and are used to analyze the accuracy of pose estimation that can be achieved by our approach. The endoscope is moved by a robotic system and the ground truth motion is recorded. The evaluation on typical endoscopic motion gives precise results and demonstrates the practicability of the proposed pose estimation system.

Photometric properties of Titan's surface from Cassini VIMS: Relevance to titan's hemispherical albedo dichotomy and surface stability

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nelson, R.M.; Brown, R.H.; Hapke, B.W.; Smythe, W.D.; Kamp, L.; Boryta, M.D.; Leader, F.; Baines, K.H.; Bellucci, G.; Bibring, J.-P.; Buratti, B.J.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Clark, R.N.; Combes, M.; Coradini, A.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Drossart, P.; Formisano, V.; Jaumann, R.; Langevin, Y.; Matson, D.L.; McCord, T.B.; Mennella, V.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.; Sotin, Christophe

2006-01-01

The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument on the Cassini Saturn Orbiter returned spectral imaging data as the spacecraft undertook six close encounters with Titan beginning 7 July, 2004. Three of these flybys each produced overlapping coverage of two distinct regions of Titan's surface. Twenty-four points were selected on approximately opposite hemispheres to serve as photometric controls. Six points were selected in each of four reflectance classes. On one hemisphere each control point was observed at three distinct phase angles. From the derived phase coefficients, preliminary normal reflectances were derived for each reflectance class. The normal reflectance of Titan's surface units at 2.0178 ??m ranged from 0.079 to 0.185 for the most absorbing to the most reflective units assuming no contribution from absorbing haze. When a modest haze contribution of ??=0.1 is considered these numbers increase to 0.089-0.215. We find that the lowest three reflectance classes have comparable normal reflectance on either hemisphere. However, for the highest brightness class the normal reflectance is higher on the hemisphere encompassing longitude 14-65?? compared to the same high brightness class for the hemisphere encompassing 122-156?? longitude. We conclude that an albedo dichotomy observed in continental sized units on Titan is due not only to one unit having more areal coverage of reflective material than the other but the material on the brighter unit is intrinsically more reflective than the most reflective material on the other unit. This suggests that surface renewal processes are more widespread on Titan's more reflective units than on its less reflective units. We note that one of our photometric control points has increased in reflectance by 12% relative to the surrounding terrain from July of 2004 to April and May of 2005. Possible causes of this effect include atmospheric processes such as ground fog or orographic clouds; the suggestion of active volcanism cannot be ruled out. Several interesting circular features which resembled impact craters were identified on Titan's surface at the time of the initial Titan flyby in July of 2004. We traced photometric profiles through two of these candidate craters and attempted to fit these profiles to the photometric properties expected from model depressions. We find that the best-fit attempt to model these features as craters requires that they be unrealistically deep, approximately 70 km deep. We conclude that despite their appearance, these circular features are not craters, however, the possibility that they are palimpsests cannot be ruled out. We used two methods to test for the presence of vast expanses of liquids on Titan's surface that had been suggested to resemble oceans. Specular reflection of sunlight would be indicative of widespread liquids on the surface; we found no evidence of this. A large liquid body should also show uniformity in photometric profile; we found the profiles to be highly variable. The lack of specular reflection and the high photometric variability in the profiles across candidate oceans is inconsistent with the presence of vast expanses of flat-lying liquids on Titan's surface. While liquid accumulation may be present as small, sub-pixel-sized bodies, or in areas of the surface which still remain to be observed by VIMS, the presence of large ocean-sized accumulations of liquids can be ruled out. The Cassini orbital tour offers the opportunity for VIMS to image the same parts of Titan's surface repeatedly at many different illumination and observation geometries. This creates the possibility of understanding the properties of Titan's atmosphere and haze by iteratively adapting models to create a best fit to the surface reflectance properties. ?? 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Large Angle Reorientation of a Solar Sail Using Gimballed Mass Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sperber, E.; Fu, B.; Eke, F. O.

2016-06-01

This paper proposes a control strategy for the large angle reorientation of a solar sail equipped with a gimballed mass. The algorithm consists of a first stage that manipulates the gimbal angle in order to minimize the attitude error about a single principal axis. Once certain termination conditions are reached, a regulator is employed that selects a single gimbal angle for minimizing both the residual attitude error concomitantly with the body rate. Because the force due to the specular reflection of radiation is always directed along a reflector's surface normal, this form of thrust vector control cannot generate torques about an axis normal to the plane of the sail. Thus, in order to achieve three-axis control authority a 1-2-1 or 2-1-2 sequence of rotations about principal axes is performed. The control algorithm is implemented directly in-line with the nonlinear equations of motion and key performance characteristics are identified.

A Study of Bi-Directional Reflectance Distribution Functions and Their Effect on Infrared Signature Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

66 3.5.1 Specular Reflection Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 3.5.2 Radiosity ...69 3.31. Radiosity Algorithm Flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 3.32. POV...3.5.2 Radiosity . The first algorithm implemented to attempt to hemispher- ically integrate the irradiance contribution was classical radiosity as

Alkylidenediquinocyclopropanes and Diarylcyclopropenes and method for preparation

DOEpatents

West, Robert C.; Beyer, Douglas E.; Komatsu, Koichi

1979-01-01

Alkylidenediquinocyclopropanes and diarylcyclopropenes and the preparation of the former by oxidation of the latter and which are characterized by low energy electronic absorption, pronounced dichroism and characteristic specular reflectance.

Atmospheric radiation model for water surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, R. E.; Gaskill, D. W.; Lierzer, J. R.

1982-01-01

An atmospheric correction model was extended to account for various atmospheric radiation components in remotely sensed data. Components such as the atmospheric path radiance which results from singly scattered sky radiation specularly reflected by the water surface are considered. A component which is referred to as the virtual Sun path radiance, i.e. the singly scattered path radiance which results from the solar radiation which is specularly reflected by the water surface is also considered. These atmospheric radiation components are coded into a computer program for the analysis of multispectral remote sensor data over the Great Lakes of the United States. The user must know certain parameters, such as the visibility or spectral optical thickness of the atmosphere and the geometry of the sensor with respect to the Sun and the target elements under investigation.

General solution for high dynamic range three-dimensional shape measurement using the fringe projection technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Shijie; Zhang, Yuzhen; Chen, Qian; Zuo, Chao; Li, Rubin; Shen, Guochen

2014-08-01

This paper presents a general solution for realizing high dynamic range three-dimensional (3-D) shape measurement based on fringe projection. Three concrete techniques are involved in the solution for measuring object with large range of reflectivity (LRR) or one with shiny specular surface. For the first technique, the measured surface reflectivities are sub-divided into several groups based on its histogram distribution, then the optimal exposure time for each group can be predicted adaptively so that the bright as well as dark areas on the measured surface are able to be handled without any compromise. Phase-shifted images are then captured at the calculated exposure times and a composite phase-shifted image is generated by extracting the optimally exposed pixels in the raw fringes images. For the second technique, it is proposed by introducing two orthogonal polarizers which are placed separately in front of the camera and projector into the first technique and the third one is developed by combining the second technique with the strategy of properly altering the angle between the transmission axes of the two polarizers. Experimental results show that the first technique can effectively improve the measurement accuracy of diffuse objects with LRR, the second one is capable of measuring object with weak specular reflection (WSR: e.g. shiny plastic surface) and the third can inspect surface with strong specular reflection (SSR: e.g. highlight on aluminum alloy) precisely. Further, more complex scene, such as the one with LRR and WSR, or even the one simultaneously involving LRR, WSR and SSR, can be measured accurately by the proposed solution.

Interfacial phonon scattering and transmission loss in > 1 µm thick silicon-on-insulator thin films

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

Jiang, Puqing; Lindsay, Lucas R.; Huang, Xi

Scattering of phonons at boundaries of a crystal (grains, surfaces, or solid/solid interfaces) is characterized by the phonon wavelength, the angle of incidence, and the interface roughness, as historically evaluated using a specularity parameter p formulated by Ziman [Electrons and Phonons (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1960)]. This parameter was initially defined to determine the probability of a phonon specularly reflecting or diffusely scattering from the rough surface of a material. The validity of Ziman's theory as extended to solid/solid interfaces has not been previously validated. Here, to better understand the interfacial scattering of phonons and to test the validity of Ziman'smore » theory, we precisely measured the in-plane thermal conductivity of a series of Si films in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers by time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) for a Si film thickness range of 1–10 μm and a temperature range of 100–300 K. The Si/SiO 2 interface roughness was determined to be 0.11±0.04nm using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, we compared our in-plane thermal conductivity measurements to theoretical calculations that combine first-principles phonon transport with Ziman's theory. Calculations using Ziman's specularity parameter significantly overestimate values from the TDTR measurements. We attribute this discrepancy to phonon transmission through the solid/solid interface into the substrate, which is not accounted for by Ziman's theory for surfaces. The phonons that are specularly transmitted into an amorphous layer will be sufficiently randomized by the time they come back to the crystalline Si layer, the effect of which is practically equivalent to a diffuse reflection at the interface. Finally, we derive a simple expression for the specularity parameter at solid/amorphous interfaces and achieve good agreement between calculations and measurement values.« less

Interfacial phonon scattering and transmission loss in > 1 µm thick silicon-on-insulator thin films

DOE PAGES

Jiang, Puqing; Lindsay, Lucas R.; Huang, Xi; ...

2018-05-17

Scattering of phonons at boundaries of a crystal (grains, surfaces, or solid/solid interfaces) is characterized by the phonon wavelength, the angle of incidence, and the interface roughness, as historically evaluated using a specularity parameter p formulated by Ziman [Electrons and Phonons (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1960)]. This parameter was initially defined to determine the probability of a phonon specularly reflecting or diffusely scattering from the rough surface of a material. The validity of Ziman's theory as extended to solid/solid interfaces has not been previously validated. Here, to better understand the interfacial scattering of phonons and to test the validity of Ziman'smore » theory, we precisely measured the in-plane thermal conductivity of a series of Si films in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers by time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) for a Si film thickness range of 1–10 μm and a temperature range of 100–300 K. The Si/SiO 2 interface roughness was determined to be 0.11±0.04nm using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, we compared our in-plane thermal conductivity measurements to theoretical calculations that combine first-principles phonon transport with Ziman's theory. Calculations using Ziman's specularity parameter significantly overestimate values from the TDTR measurements. We attribute this discrepancy to phonon transmission through the solid/solid interface into the substrate, which is not accounted for by Ziman's theory for surfaces. The phonons that are specularly transmitted into an amorphous layer will be sufficiently randomized by the time they come back to the crystalline Si layer, the effect of which is practically equivalent to a diffuse reflection at the interface. Finally, we derive a simple expression for the specularity parameter at solid/amorphous interfaces and achieve good agreement between calculations and measurement values.« less

Efficient Geometric Sound Propagation Using Visibility Culling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandak, Anish

2011-07-01

Simulating propagation of sound can improve the sense of realism in interactive applications such as video games and can lead to better designs in engineering applications such as architectural acoustics. In this thesis, we present geometric sound propagation techniques which are faster than prior methods and map well to upcoming parallel multi-core CPUs. We model specular reflections by using the image-source method and model finite-edge diffraction by using the well-known Biot-Tolstoy-Medwin (BTM) model. We accelerate the computation of specular reflections by applying novel visibility algorithms, FastV and AD-Frustum, which compute visibility from a point. We accelerate finite-edge diffraction modeling by applying a novel visibility algorithm which computes visibility from a region. Our visibility algorithms are based on frustum tracing and exploit recent advances in fast ray-hierarchy intersections, data-parallel computations, and scalable, multi-core algorithms. The AD-Frustum algorithm adapts its computation to the scene complexity and allows small errors in computing specular reflection paths for higher computational efficiency. FastV and our visibility algorithm from a region are general, object-space, conservative visibility algorithms that together significantly reduce the number of image sources compared to other techniques while preserving the same accuracy. Our geometric propagation algorithms are an order of magnitude faster than prior approaches for modeling specular reflections and two to ten times faster for modeling finite-edge diffraction. Our algorithms are interactive, scale almost linearly on multi-core CPUs, and can handle large, complex, and dynamic scenes. We also compare the accuracy of our sound propagation algorithms with other methods. Once sound propagation is performed, it is desirable to listen to the propagated sound in interactive and engineering applications. We can generate smooth, artifact-free output audio signals by applying efficient audio-processing algorithms. We also present the first efficient audio-processing algorithm for scenarios with simultaneously moving source and moving receiver (MS-MR) which incurs less than 25% overhead compared to static source and moving receiver (SS-MR) or moving source and static receiver (MS-SR) scenario.

Interaction of magnetized electrons with a boundary sheath: investigation of a specular reflection model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krüger, Dennis; Brinkmann, Ralf Peter

2017-11-01

This publication reports analytical and numerical results concerning the interaction of gyrating electrons with a plasma boundary sheath, with focus on partially magnetized technological plasmas. It is assumed that the electron Debye length {λ }{{D}} is much smaller than the electron gyroradius {r}{{L}}, and {r}{{L}} in turn much smaller than the mean free path λ and the gradient length L of the fields. Focusing on the scale of the gyroradius, the sheath is assumed as infinitesimally thin ({λ }{{D}}\\to 0), collisions are neglected (λ \\to ∞ ), the magnetic field is taken as homogeneous, and electric fields (=potential gradients) in the bulk are neglected (L\\to ∞ ). The interaction of an electron with the electric field of the plasma boundary sheath is represented by a specular reflection {v}\\to {v}-2{v}\\cdot {{e}}z {{e}}z of the velocity {v} at the plane z = 0 of a naturally oriented Cartesian coordinate system (x,y,z). The electron trajectory is then given as sequences of helical sections, with the kinetic energy ɛ and the canonical momenta p x and p y conserved, but not the position of the axis (base point {{R}}0), the slope (pitch angle χ), and the phase (gyrophase φ). A ‘virtual interaction’ which directly maps the incoming electrons to the outgoing ones is introduced and studied in dependence of the angle γ between the field and the sheath normal {{e}}z. The corresponding scattering operator is constructed, mathematically characterized, and given as an infinite matrix. An equivalent boundary condition for a transformed kinetic model is derived.

Study of cylindrical optical micro-structure technology used in infrared laser protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yanjun; Liu, Shunrui; Wang, Zhining; Zhao, Yixuan; Wu, Boqi; Leng, Yanbing; Wang, Li

2016-10-01

The paper aimed at the problem that strong absorption in visible wavelengths and equipment or operator injury caused by specular reflection exist in infrared laser protection technology to propose an infrared laser non-specular reflection optical micro-structure formed from optical window surface. It has the function of little effect on visible light transmission and large-angle scattering to 1064nm infrared laser in order to enable laser protection. The paper uses light track method to design double-side micro-cylindrical lens arrays with dislocation construction. Array period T and curvature radius of lens units R should meet the condition:0

Directional reflectance and milli-scale feather morphology of the African Emerald Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus.

PubMed

Harvey, Todd Alan; Bostwick, Kimberly S; Marschner, Steve

2013-09-06

Diverse plumages have evolved among birds through complex morphological modifications. We investigate how the interplay of light with surface and subsurface feather morphology determines the direction of light propagation, an understudied aspect of avian visual signalling. We hypothesize that milli-scale modifications of feathers produce anisotropic reflectance, the direction of which may be predicted by the orientation of the milli-scale structure. The subject of this study is the African Emerald Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus, noted for its shimmering green iridescent appearance. Using a spherical gantry, we measured the change in the directional reflectance across the feather surface and over a hemisphere of incident lighting directions. Using a microCT scanner, we also studied the morphology of the structural branches of the barb. We tracked the changes in the directional reflectance to the orientation of the structural branches as observed in the CT data. We conclude that (i) the far-field signal of the feather consists of multiple specular components, each associated with a different structural branch and (ii) the direction of each specular component is correlated to the orientation of the corresponding structure.

Directional reflectance and milli-scale feather morphology of the African Emerald Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus

PubMed Central

Harvey, Todd Alan; Bostwick, Kimberly S.; Marschner, Steve

2013-01-01

Diverse plumages have evolved among birds through complex morphological modifications. We investigate how the interplay of light with surface and subsurface feather morphology determines the direction of light propagation, an understudied aspect of avian visual signalling. We hypothesize that milli-scale modifications of feathers produce anisotropic reflectance, the direction of which may be predicted by the orientation of the milli-scale structure. The subject of this study is the African Emerald Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus, noted for its shimmering green iridescent appearance. Using a spherical gantry, we measured the change in the directional reflectance across the feather surface and over a hemisphere of incident lighting directions. Using a microCT scanner, we also studied the morphology of the structural branches of the barb. We tracked the changes in the directional reflectance to the orientation of the structural branches as observed in the CT data. We conclude that (i) the far-field signal of the feather consists of multiple specular components, each associated with a different structural branch and (ii) the direction of each specular component is correlated to the orientation of the corresponding structure. PMID:23825113

Industrial inspection of specular surfaces using a new calibration procedure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aswendt, Petra; Hofling, Roland; Gartner, Soren

2005-06-01

The methodology of phase encoded reflection measurements has become a valuable tool for the industrial inspection of components with glossy surfaces. The measuring principle provides outstanding sensitivity for tiny variations of surface curvature so that sub-micron waviness and flaws are reliably detected. Quantitative curvature measurements can be obtained from a simple approach if the object is almost flat. 3D-objects with a high aspect ratio require more effort to determine both coordinates and normal direction of a surface point unambiguously. Stereoscopic solutions have been reported using more than one camera for a certain surface area. This paper will describe the combined double camera steady surface approach (DCSS) that is well suited for the implementation in industrial testing stations

ERTS-1 anomalous dark patches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strong, A. E. (Principal Investigator)

1973-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Through combined use of imagery from ERTS-1 and NOAA-2 satellites was found that when the sun elevation exceeds 55 degrees, the ERTS-1 imagery is subject to considerable contamination by sunlight even though the actual specular point is nearly 300 nautical miles from nadir. Based on sea surface wave slope information, a wind speed of 10 knots will theoretically provide approximately 0.5 percent incident solar reflectance under observed ERTS multispectral scanner detectors. This reflectance nearly doubles under the influence of a 20 knot wind. The most pronounced effect occurs in areas of calm water where anomalous dark patches are observed. Calm water at distances from the specular point found in ERTS scenes will reflect no solar energy to the multispectral scanner, making these regions stand out as dark areas in all bands in an ocean scene otherwise comprosed by a general diffuse sunlight from rougher ocean surfaces. Anomalous dark patches in the outer parts of the glitter zones may explain the unusual appearance of some scenes.

Creating photorealistic virtual model with polarization-based vision system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibata, Takushi; Takahashi, Toru; Miyazaki, Daisuke; Sato, Yoichi; Ikeuchi, Katsushi

2005-08-01

Recently, 3D models are used in many fields such as education, medical services, entertainment, art, digital archive, etc., because of the progress of computational time and demand for creating photorealistic virtual model is increasing for higher reality. In computer vision field, a number of techniques have been developed for creating the virtual model by observing the real object in computer vision field. In this paper, we propose the method for creating photorealistic virtual model by using laser range sensor and polarization based image capture system. We capture the range and color images of the object which is rotated on the rotary table. By using the reconstructed object shape and sequence of color images of the object, parameter of a reflection model are estimated in a robust manner. As a result, then, we can make photorealistic 3D model in consideration of surface reflection. The key point of the proposed method is that, first, the diffuse and specular reflection components are separated from the color image sequence, and then, reflectance parameters of each reflection component are estimated separately. In separation of reflection components, we use polarization filter. This approach enables estimation of reflectance properties of real objects whose surfaces show specularity as well as diffusely reflected lights. The recovered object shape and reflectance properties are then used for synthesizing object images with realistic shading effects under arbitrary illumination conditions.

Applicability of a Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform handheld spectrometer to perform in situ analyses on Cultural Heritage materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arrizabalaga, Iker; Gómez-Laserna, Olivia; Aramendia, Julene; Arana, Gorka; Madariaga, Juan Manuel

2014-08-01

This work studies the applicability of a Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform handheld device to perform in situ analyses on Cultural Heritage assets. This portable diffuse reflectance spectrometer has been used to characterise and diagnose the conservation state of (a) building materials of the Guevara Palace (15th century, Segura, Basque Country, Spain) and (b) different 19th century wallpapers manufactured by the Santa Isabel factory (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain) and by the well known Dufour and Leroy manufacturers (Paris, France), all of them belonging to the Torre de los Varona Castle (Villanañe, Basque Country, Spain). In all cases, in situ measurements were carried out and also a few samples were collected and measured in the laboratory by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRIFT) in order to validate the information obtained by the handheld instrument. In the analyses performed in situ, distortions in the diffuse reflectance spectra can be observed due to the presence of specular reflection, showing the inverted bands caused by the Reststrahlen effect, in particular on those IR bands with the highest absorption coefficients. This paper concludes that the results obtained in situ by a diffuse reflectance handheld device are comparable to those obtained with laboratory diffuse reflectance spectroscopy equipment and proposes a few guidelines to acquire good spectra in the field, minimising the influence caused by the specular reflection.

Acoustic radiosity for computation of sound fields in diffuse environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muehleisen, Ralph T.; Beamer, C. Walter

2002-05-01

The use of image and ray tracing methods (and variations thereof) for the computation of sound fields in rooms is relatively well developed. In their regime of validity, both methods work well for prediction in rooms with small amounts of diffraction and mostly specular reflection at the walls. While extensions to the method to include diffuse reflections and diffraction have been made, they are limited at best. In the fields of illumination and computer graphics the ray tracing and image methods are joined by another method called luminous radiative transfer or radiosity. In radiosity, an energy balance between surfaces is computed assuming diffuse reflection at the reflective surfaces. Because the interaction between surfaces is constant, much of the computation required for sound field prediction with multiple or moving source and receiver positions can be reduced. In acoustics the radiosity method has had little attention because of the problems of diffraction and specular reflection. The utility of radiosity in acoustics and an approach to a useful development of the method for acoustics will be presented. The method looks especially useful for sound level prediction in industrial and office environments. [Work supported by NSF.

Numerical modeling of laser assisted tape winding process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaami, Amin; Baran, Ismet; Akkerman, Remko

2017-10-01

Laser assisted tape winding (LATW) has become more and more popular way of producing new thermoplastic products such as ultra-deep sea water riser, gas tanks, structural parts for aerospace applications. Predicting the temperature in LATW has been a source of great interest since the temperature at nip-point plays a key role for mechanical interface performance. Modeling the LATW process includes several challenges such as the interaction of optics and heat transfer. In the current study, numerical modeling of the optical behavior of laser radiation on circular surfaces is investigated based on a ray tracing and non-specular reflection model. The non-specular reflection is implemented considering the anisotropic reflective behavior of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic tape using a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). The proposed model in the present paper includes a three-dimensional circular geometry, in which the effects of reflection from different ranges of the circular surface as well as effect of process parameters on temperature distribution are studied. The heat transfer model is constructed using a fully implicit method. The effect of process parameters on the nip-point temperature is examined. Furthermore, several laser distributions including Gaussian and linear are examined which has not been considered in literature up to now.

Polarization-based and specular-reflection-based noncontact latent fingerprint imaging and lifting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Shih-Schön; Yemelyanov, Konstantin M.; Pugh, Edward N., Jr.; Engheta, Nader

2006-09-01

In forensic science the finger marks left unintentionally by people at a crime scene are referred to as latent fingerprints. Most existing techniques to detect and lift latent fingerprints require application of a certain material directly onto the exhibit. The chemical and physical processing applied to the fingerprint potentially degrades or prevents further forensic testing on the same evidence sample. Many existing methods also have deleterious side effects. We introduce a method to detect and extract latent fingerprint images without applying any powder or chemicals on the object. Our method is based on the optical phenomena of polarization and specular reflection together with the physiology of fingerprint formation. The recovered image quality is comparable to existing methods. In some cases, such as the sticky side of tape, our method shows unique advantages.

Photometric variability in earthshine observations.

PubMed

Langford, Sally V; Wyithe, J Stuart B; Turner, Edwin L

2009-04-01

The identification of an extrasolar planet as Earth-like will depend on the detection of atmospheric signatures or surface non-uniformities. In this paper we present spatially unresolved flux light curves of Earth for the purpose of studying a prototype extrasolar terrestrial planet. Our monitoring of the photometric variability of earthshine revealed changes of up to 23% per hour in the brightness of Earth's scattered light at around 600 nm, due to the removal of specular reflection from the view of the Moon. This variability is accompanied by reddening of the spectrum and results from a change in surface properties across the continental boundary between the Indian Ocean and Africa's east coast. Our results based on earthshine monitoring indicate that specular reflection should provide a useful tool in determining the presence of liquid water on extrasolar planets via photometric observations.

Effect of dry air on interface smoothening in reactive sputter deposited Co/Ti multilayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biswas, A.; Porwal, A.; Bhattacharya, Debarati; Prajapat, C. L.; Ghosh, Arnab; Nand, Mangla; Nayak, C.; Rai, S.; Jha, S. N.; Singh, M. R.; Bhattacharyya, D.; Basu, S.; Sahoo, N. K.

2017-09-01

Top surface roughness and interface roughness are one of the key elements which determine the performance of X-ray and neutron thin film multilayer devices. It has been observed that by mixing air with argon in sputtering ambience during deposition of Co layers, polarized neutron reflectivity (PNR) of Co/Ti supermirror polarizers can be improved substantially. Cross-sectional HRTEM measurement reveals that sharper interfaces in the supermirror can be achieved in case of deposition of the multilayer under mixed ambience of argon and air. In order to investigate this interface modification mechanism further, in this communication two sets of tri-layer Co/Ti/Co samples and 20-layer Co/Ti periodic multilayer samples have been prepared; in one set all the layers are deposited only under argon ambience and in the other set, Co layers are deposited under a mixed ambience of argon and air. These samples have been characterized by measuring specular and non-specular X-ray reflectivities (GIXR) with X-rays of 1.54 Å wavelength and polarized neutron reflectivity (PNR) with neutron of 2.5 Å wavelength at grazing angle of incidence. It has been observed that the X-ray and neutron specular reflectivities at Bragg peaks of 20 layer periodic multilayer increase when Co layers are deposited under mixed ambience of argon and air. The detail information regarding the effect of air on the interfaces and magnetic properties has been obtained by fitting the measured spectra. The above information has subsequently been supplemented by XRD and magnetic measurements on the samples. XPS and XANES measurements have also been carried out to investigate whether cobalt oxide or cobalt nitride layers are being formed due to use of air in sputtering ambience.

Virtual-stereo fringe reflection technique for specular free-form surface testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Suodong; Li, Bo

2016-11-01

Due to their excellent ability to improve the performance of optical systems, free-form optics have attracted extensive interest in many fields, e.g. optical design of astronomical telescopes, laser beam expanders, spectral imagers, etc. However, compared with traditional simple ones, testing for such kind of optics is usually more complex and difficult which has been being a big barrier for the manufacture and the application of these optics. Fortunately, owing to the rapid development of electronic devices and computer vision technology, fringe reflection technique (FRT) with advantages of simple system structure, high measurement accuracy and large dynamic range is becoming a powerful tool for specular free-form surface testing. In order to obtain absolute surface shape distributions of test objects, two or more cameras are often required in the conventional FRT which makes the system structure more complex and the measurement cost much higher. Furthermore, high precision synchronization between each camera is also a troublesome issue. To overcome the aforementioned drawback, a virtual-stereo FRT for specular free-form surface testing is put forward in this paper. It is able to achieve absolute profiles with the help of only one single biprism and a camera meanwhile avoiding the problems of stereo FRT based on binocular or multi-ocular cameras. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed technique.

Experimental evaluation of radiosity for room sound-field prediction.

PubMed

Hodgson, Murray; Nosal, Eva-Marie

2006-08-01

An acoustical radiosity model was evaluated for how it performs in predicting real room sound fields. This was done by comparing radiosity predictions with experimental results for three existing rooms--a squash court, a classroom, and an office. Radiosity predictions were also compared with those by ray tracing--a "reference" prediction model--for both specular and diffuse surface reflection. Comparisons were made for detailed and discretized echograms, sound-decay curves, sound-propagation curves, and the variations with frequency of four room-acoustical parameters--EDT, RT, D50, and C80. In general, radiosity and diffuse ray tracing gave very similar predictions. Predictions by specular ray tracing were often very different. Radiosity agreed well with experiment in some cases, less well in others. Definitive conclusions regarding the accuracy with which the rooms were modeled, or the accuracy of the radiosity approach, were difficult to draw. The results suggest that radiosity predicts room sound fields with some accuracy, at least as well as diffuse ray tracing and, in general, better than specular ray tracing. The predictions of detailed echograms are less accurate, those of derived room-acoustical parameters more accurate. The results underline the need to develop experimental methods for accurately characterizing the absorptive and reflective characteristics of room surfaces, possible including phase.

DETAILED DATA ANALYSIS OF ECHO I, ECHO II AND MOON REFLECTED SIGNALS. VOLUME 2. AUTOCORRELATION FUNCTIONS OF ECHO II REFLECTED SIGNALS,

DTIC Science & Technology

techniques is presented. Two methods for linearizing the data are given. An expression for the specular-to-spattered power ratio is derived, and the inverse ... transform of the autocorrelation function is discussed. The surface roughness of the reflector, the discrete fading rates, and fading frequencies

Experimental demonstration of remote, passive acousto-optic sensing.

PubMed

Antonelli, Lynn; Blackmon, Fletcher

2004-12-01

Passively detecting underwater sound from the air can allow aircraft and surface vessels to monitor the underwater acoustic environment. Experimental research into an optical hydrophone is being conducted for remote, aerial detection of underwater sound. A laser beam is directed onto the water surface to measure the velocity of the vibrations occurring as the underwater acoustic signal reaches the water surface. The acoustically generated surface vibrations modulate the phase of the laser beam. Sound detection occurs when the laser is reflected back towards the sensor. Therefore, laser alignment on the specularly reflecting water surface is critical. As the water surface moves, the laser beam is reflected away from the photodetector and no signal is obtained. One option to mitigate this problem is to continually steer the laser onto a spot on the water surface that provides a direct back-reflection. Results are presented from a laboratory test that investigates the feasibility of the acousto-optic sensor detection on hydrostatic and hydrodynamic surfaces using a laser Doppler vibrometer in combination with a laser-based, surface normal glint tracker for remotely detecting underwater sound. This paper outlines the acousto-optic sensor and tracker concepts and presents experimental results comparing sensor operation under various sea surface conditions.

Towards robust specularity detection and inpainting in cardiac images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alsaleh, Samar M.; Aviles, Angelica I.; Sobrevilla, Pilar; Casals, Alicia; Hahn, James

2016-03-01

Computer-assisted cardiac surgeries had major advances throughout the years and are gaining more popularity over conventional cardiac procedures as they offer many benefits to both patients and surgeons. One obvious advantage is that they enable surgeons to perform delicate tasks on the heart while it is still beating, avoiding the risks associated with cardiac arrest. Consequently, the surgical system needs to accurately compensate the physiological motion of the heart which is a very challenging task in medical robotics since there exist different sources of disturbances. One of which is the bright light reflections, known as specular highlights, that appear on the glossy surface of the heart and partially occlude the field of view. This work is focused on developing a robust approach that accurately detects and removes those highlights to reduce their disturbance to the surgeon and the motion compensation algorithm. As a first step, we exploit both color attributes and Fuzzy edge detector to identify specular regions in each acquired image frame. These two techniques together work as restricted thresholding and are able to accurately identify specular regions. Then, in order to eliminate the specularity artifact and give the surgeon a better perception of the heart, the second part of our solution is dedicated to correct the detected regions using inpainting to propagate and smooth the results. Our experimental results, which we carry out in realistic datasets, reveal how efficient and precise the proposed solution is, as well as demonstrate its robustness and real-time performance.

Dual frequency scatterometer measurement of ocean wave height

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, J. W.; Jones, W. L.; Swift, C. T.; Grantham, W. L.; Weissman, D. E.

1975-01-01

A technique for remotely measuring wave height averaged over an area of the sea surface was developed and verified with a series of aircraft flight experiments. The measurement concept involves the cross correlation of the amplitude fluctuations of two monochromatic reflected signals with variable frequency separation. The signal reflected by the randomly distributed specular points on the surface is observed in the backscatter direction at nadir incidence angle. The measured correlation coefficient is equal to the square of the magnitude of the characteristic function of the specular point height from which RMS wave height can be determined. The flight scatterometer operates at 13.9 GHz and 13.9 - delta f GHz with a maximum delta f of 40 MHz. Measurements were conducted for low and moderate sea states at altitudes of 2, 5, and 10 thousand feet. The experimental results agree with the predicted decorrelation with frequency separation and with off-nadir incidence angle.

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

A unified account of gloss and lightness perception in terms of gamut relativity.

PubMed

Vladusich, Tony

2013-08-01

A recently introduced computational theory of visual surface representation, termed gamut relativity, overturns the classical assumption that brightness, lightness, and transparency constitute perceptual dimensions corresponding to the physical dimensions of luminance, diffuse reflectance, and transmittance, respectively. Here I extend the theory to show how surface gloss and lightness can be understood in a unified manner in terms of the vector computation of "layered representations" of surface and illumination properties, rather than as perceptual dimensions corresponding to diffuse and specular reflectance, respectively. The theory simulates the effects of image histogram skewness on surface gloss/lightness and lightness constancy as a function of specular highlight intensity. More generally, gamut relativity clarifies, unifies, and generalizes a wide body of previous theoretical and experimental work aimed at understanding how the visual system parses the retinal image into layered representations of surface and illumination properties.

Polarized BRDF measurement of the type E235B low carbon structural steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yanlei; Yu, Kun; Zhang, Kaihua; Liu, Yufang

2018-01-01

Bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) offers complete description of the spectral and spatial characteristics of opaque materials. The polarized BRDF contains more information, especially for the painted objects and target recognition. In this letter, we measured the in plane polarized spectral BRDF for the steel E235B in the wavelength range of 450-600 nm. The reliability of our results is verified by comparing the experimental data of polytetrafluoroethylene with the reference data. The measuring results indicates that the wavelength of incident light has a positive effect on the BRDF near the specular direction, and has a negative influence for other direction. BRDF increases slowly with reflected zenith angle and decreases rapidly with peak occurs at specular direction, which may be attributed to the shadowing effect. In addition, the results presents that the polarization of incident light has a slight influence on the BRDF of the sample.

Observations of Electromagnetic Whistler Precursors at Supercritical Interplanetary Shocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, L. B., III; Koval, A.; Szabo, Adam; Breneman, A.; Cattell, C. A.; Goetz, K.; Kellogg, P. J.; Kersten, K.; Kasper, J. C.; Maruca, B. A.;

Volumetric Visualization of Human Skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawai, Toshiyuki; Kurioka, Yoshihiro

We propose a modeling and rendering technique of human skin, which can provide realistic color, gloss and translucency for various applications in computer graphics. Our method is based on volumetric representation of the structure inside of the skin. Our model consists of the stratum corneum and three layers of pigments. The stratum corneum has also layered structure in which the incident light is reflected, refracted and diffused. Each layer of pigment has carotene, melanin or hemoglobin. The density distributions of pigments which define the color of each layer can be supplied as one of the voxel values. Surface normals of upper-side voxels are fluctuated to produce bumps and lines on the skin. We apply ray tracing approach to this model to obtain the rendered image. Multiple scattering in the stratum corneum, reflective and absorptive spectrum of pigments are considered. We also consider Fresnel term to calculate the specular component for glossy surface of skin. Some examples of rendered images are shown, which can successfully visualize a human skin.

Time-of-flight dependency on transducer separation distance in a reflective-path guided-wave ultrasonic flow meter at zero flow conditions.

PubMed

Aanes, Magne; Kippersund, Remi Andre; Lohne, Kjetil Daae; Frøysa, Kjell-Eivind; Lunde, Per

2017-08-01

Transit-time flow meters based on guided ultrasonic wave propagation in the pipe spool have several advantages compared to traditional inline ultrasonic flow metering. The extended interrogation field, obtained by continuous leakage from guided waves traveling in the pipe wall, increases robustness toward entrained particles or gas in the flow. In reflective-path guided-wave ultrasonic flow meters (GW-UFMs), the flow equations are derived from signals propagating solely in the pipe wall and from signals passing twice through the fluid. In addition to the time-of-flight (TOF) through the fluid, the fluid path experiences an additional time delay upon reflection at the opposite pipe wall due to specular and non-specular reflections. The present work investigates the influence of these reflections on the TOF in a reflective-path GW-UFM as a function of transducer separation distance at zero flow conditions. Two models are used to describe the signal propagation through the system: (i) a transient full-wave finite element model, and (ii) a combined plane-wave and ray-tracing model. The study shows that a range-dependent time delay is associated with the reflection of the fluid path, introducing transmitter-receiver distance dependence. Based on these results, the applicability of the flow equations derived using model (ii) is discussed.

Applicability of a Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform handheld spectrometer to perform in situ analyses on Cultural Heritage materials.

PubMed

Arrizabalaga, Iker; Gómez-Laserna, Olivia; Aramendia, Julene; Arana, Gorka; Madariaga, Juan Manuel

2014-08-14

This work studies the applicability of a Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform handheld device to perform in situ analyses on Cultural Heritage assets. This portable diffuse reflectance spectrometer has been used to characterise and diagnose the conservation state of (a) building materials of the Guevara Palace (15th century, Segura, Basque Country, Spain) and (b) different 19th century wallpapers manufactured by the Santa Isabel factory (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain) and by the well known Dufour and Leroy manufacturers (Paris, France), all of them belonging to the Torre de los Varona Castle (Villanañe, Basque Country, Spain). In all cases, in situ measurements were carried out and also a few samples were collected and measured in the laboratory by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRIFT) in order to validate the information obtained by the handheld instrument. In the analyses performed in situ, distortions in the diffuse reflectance spectra can be observed due to the presence of specular reflection, showing the inverted bands caused by the Reststrahlen effect, in particular on those IR bands with the highest absorption coefficients. This paper concludes that the results obtained in situ by a diffuse reflectance handheld device are comparable to those obtained with laboratory diffuse reflectance spectroscopy equipment and proposes a few guidelines to acquire good spectra in the field, minimising the influence caused by the specular reflection. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Physically-Based Models for the Reflection, Transmission and Subsurface Scattering of Light by Smooth and Rough Surfaces, with Applications to Realistic Image Synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Xiao Dong

This thesis studies light scattering processes off rough surfaces. Analytic models for reflection, transmission and subsurface scattering of light are developed. The results are applicable to realistic image generation in computer graphics. The investigation focuses on the basic issue of how light is scattered locally by general surfaces which are neither diffuse nor specular; Physical optics is employed to account for diffraction and interference which play a crucial role in the scattering of light for most surfaces. The thesis presents: (1) A new reflectance model; (2) A new transmittance model; (3) A new subsurface scattering model. All of these models are physically-based, depend on only physical parameters, apply to a wide range of materials and surface finishes and more importantly, provide a smooth transition from diffuse-like to specular reflection as the wavelength and incidence angle are increased or the surface roughness is decreased. The reflectance and transmittance models are based on the Kirchhoff Theory and the subsurface scattering model is based on Energy Transport Theory. They are valid only for surfaces with shallow slopes. The thesis shows that predicted reflectance distributions given by the reflectance model compare favorably with experiment. The thesis also investigates and implements fast ways of computing the reflectance and transmittance models. Furthermore, the thesis demonstrates that a high level of realistic image generation can be achieved due to the physically -correct treatment of the scattering processes by the reflectance model.

A general method for computing the total solar radiation force on complex spacecraft structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, F. K.

1981-01-01

The method circumvents many of the existing difficulties in computational logic presently encountered in the direct analytical or numerical evaluation of the appropriate surface integral. It may be applied to complex spacecraft structures for computing the total force arising from either specular or diffuse reflection or even from non-Lambertian reflection and re-radiation.

Calculating Angle Lambda (λ) Using Zernike Tilt Measurements in Specular Reflection Corneal Topography

PubMed Central

Braaf, Boy; van de Watering, Thomas Christiaan; Spruijt, Kees; van der Heijde, Rob G.L.; Sicam, Victor Arni D.P.

2010-01-01

Purpose To develop a method to calculate the angle λ of the human eye using Zernike tilt measurements in specular reflection corneal topography. Methods The meaning of Zernike tilt in specular reflection corneal topography is demonstrated by measurements on translated artificial surfaces using the VU Topographer. The relationship derived from the translation experiments is used to determine the angle λ. Corneal surfaces are measured for a set of eight different fixation points, for which tilt angles ρ are obtained from the Zernike tilt coefficients. The angles ρ are used with respect to the fixation target angles to determine angle λ by fitting a geometrical model. This method is validated with Orbscan II's angle-κ measurements in 9 eyes. Results The translation experiments show that the Zernike tilt coefficient is directly related to an angle ρ, which describes a tilt orientation of the cornea and can therefore be used to derive a value for angle λ. A significant correlation exists between measured values for angle λ with the VU Topographer and the angle κ with the Orbscan II (r=0.95, P<0.001). A Bland-Altman plot indicates a mean difference of -0.52 degrees between the two instruments, but this is not statistically significant as indicated by a matched-pairs Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P≤0.1748). The mean precision for measuring angle λ using the VU topographer is 0.6±0.3 degrees. Conclusion The method described above to determine angle λ is sufficiently repeatable and performs similarly to the angle-κ measurements made with the Orbscan II.

Non-laser-based scanner for three-dimensional digitization of historical artifacts

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

Hahn, Daniel V.; Baldwin, Kevin C.; Duncan, Donald D

2007-05-20

A 3D scanner, based on incoherent illumination techniques, and associated data-processing algorithms are presented that can be used to scan objects at lateral resolutions ranging from 5 to100 {mu}m (or more) and depth resolutions of approximately 2 {mu}m.The scanner was designed with the specific intent to scan cuneiform tablets but can be utilized for other applications. Photometric stereo techniques are used to obtain both a surface normal map and a parameterized model of the object's bidirectional reflectance distribution function. The normal map is combined with height information,gathered by structured light techniques, to form a consistent 3D surface. Data from Lambertianmore » and specularly diffuse spherical objects are presented and used to quantify the accuracy of the techniques. Scans of a cuneiform tablet are also presented. All presented data are at a lateral resolution of 26.8 {mu}m as this is approximately the minimum resolution deemed necessary to accurately represent cuneiform.« less

Italy

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2013-04-17

... standing water appear in blue or purple-blue hues, because sun glitter (an ensemble of specular reflection points, see below) causes ... to look brighter to a camera that is pointing toward the Sun. The purple-blue areas indicate the extensive irrigation network that ...

Image Registration Using Single Cluster PHD Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, M.; Schlangen, I.; Delande, E.; Clark, D.

Cadets in the Department of Physics at the United States Air Force Academy are using the technique of slitless spectroscopy to analyze the spectra from geostationary satellites during glint season. The equinox periods of the year are particularly favorable for earth-based observers to detect specular reflections off satellites (glints), which have been observed in the past using broadband photometry techniques. Three seasons of glints were observed and analyzed for multiple satellites, as measured across the visible spectrum using a diffraction grating on the Academy’s 16-inch, f/8.2 telescope. It is clear from the results that the glint maximum wavelength decreases relative to the time periods before and after the glint, and that the spectral reflectance during the glint is less like a blackbody. These results are consistent with the presumption that solar panels are the predominant source of specular reflection. The glint spectra are also quantitatively compared to different blackbody curves and the solar spectrum by means of absolute differences and standard deviations. Our initial analysis appears to indicate a potential method of determining relative power capacity.

Comparison of Geosynchronous Satellites Spectral Signatures During Glint Season

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weisz, D.; Dunsmore, A.; Key, J.; Tucker, R.; Weld, E.; Chun, F.; Tippets, R.

2016-09-01

Cadets in the Department of Physics at the United States Air Force Academy are using the technique of slitless spectroscopy to analyze the spectra from geostationary satellites during glint season. The equinox periods of the year are particularly favorable for earth-based observers to detect specular reflections off satellites (glints), which have been observed in the past using broadband photometry techniques. Three seasons of glints were observed and analyzed for multiple satellites, as measured across the visible spectrum using a diffraction grating on the Academy's 16-inch, f/8.2 telescope. It is clear from the results that the glint maximum wavelength decreases relative to the time periods before and after the glint, and that the spectral reflectance during the glint is less like a blackbody. The glint spectra are also quantitatively compared to different blackbody curves and the solar spectrum by means of absolute differences. Our initial analysis appears to indicate a potential method of determining relative power capacity. These results are consistent with the presumption that solar panels are the predominant source of specular reflection.

Structural characterization of nano-oxide layers in PtMn based specular spin valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Min; Chen, Lifan; Diao, Zhitao; Park, Chang-Man; Huai, Yiming

2005-05-01

A systematic structure characterization of nano-oxide layers (NOLs) and specular spin valves using x-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) has been studied. High-angle x-ray diffraction data show almost identical fcc textures for both natural and plasma NOL spin-valves. Low-angle x-ray reflectivity spectrum shows more deteriorated Kiessig fringes at high incident angles for natural oxide sample, indicating rougher interfaces in natural oxidation than in plasma oxidation. Oxygen exposure plays an important role in NOLs process. Fabricating NOLs without any crystal structure degradation is critical to obtain high MR ratio. HRTEM reveals that oxide clusters mixing with insufficiently oxidized CoFe layers prevailed in natural NOL, and the natural oxidation was inhomogeneous. In contrast, plasma NOL has a thinner, more homogeneously oxidized CoFe layers with sharp interfaces. In plasma NOLs, the structures still maintain CoFe crystal structure. The structures and magnetic correlation of the NOL specular spin valves are discussed.

A simple antireflection overcoat for opaque coatings in the submillimeter region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, S. M.

1986-01-01

An antireflection overcoat for opaque baffle coatings in the far infrared (FIR)/submillimeter region was made from a simple Teflon spray-on lubricant. The Teflon overcoat reduced the specular reflectance of four different opaque coatings by nearly a factor of two. Analysis, based on the interference term of a reflecting-layer model, indicates that in the submillimeter region the reduced reflectance depends primarily on the refractive index of the overcoat and very little on its thickness.

A framework for modeling connections between hydraulics, water surface roughness, and surface reflectance in open channel flows

USGS Publications Warehouse

Legleiter, Carl; Mobley, Curtis D.; Overstreet, Brandon

2017-01-01

This paper introduces a framework for examining connections between the flow field, the texture of the air-water interface, and the reflectance of the water surface and thus evaluating the potential to infer hydraulic information from remotely sensed observations of surface reflectance. We used a spatial correlation model describing water surface topography to illustrate the application of our framework. Nondimensional relations between model parameters and flow intensity were established based on a prior flume study. Expressing the model in the spatial frequency domain allowed us to use an efficient Fourier transform-based algorithm for simulating water surfaces. Realizations for both flume and field settings had water surface slope distributions positively correlated with velocity and water surface roughness. However, most surface facets were gently sloped and thus unlikely to yield strong specular reflections; the model exaggerated the extent of water surface features, leading to underestimation of facet slopes. A ray tracing algorithm indicated that reflectance was greatest when solar and view zenith angles were equal and the sensor scanned toward the Sun to capture specular reflections of the solar beam. Reflected energy was concentrated in a small portion of the sky, but rougher water surfaces reflected rays into a broader range of directions. Our framework facilitates flight planning to avoid surface-reflected radiance while mapping other river attributes, or to maximize this component to exploit relationships between hydraulics and surface reflectance. This initial analysis also highlighted the need for improved models of water surface topography in natural rivers.

Stagnation point properties for non-continuum gaseous jet impinging at a flat plate surface from a planar exit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Chunpei

2013-10-01

In this paper, we investigate highly rarefied gaseous jet flows out of a planar exit and impinging at a normally set flat plate. Especially, we concentrate on the plate center stagnation point pressure and heat flux coefficients. For a specular reflective plate, the stagnation point pressure coefficient can be represented using two non-dimensional factors: the characteristic gas exit speed ratio S0 and the geometry ratio of H/L, where H is the planar exit semi-height and L is the center-to-center distance from the exit to the plate. For a diffuse reflective plate, the stagnation point pressure and heat flux coefficients involve an extra factor of T0/Tw, i.e., the ratio of exit gas temperature to the plate wall temperature. These results allow us to develop four diagrams, from which we can conveniently obtain the pressure and heat flux coefficients for the stagnation impingement point, at the collisionless flow limit. After normalization with these maximum coefficients, the pressure and heat flux coefficient distributions along the surface essentially degenerate to almost identical curves. As a result, with known plate surface pressure coefficient distributions and these diagrams, we can conveniently construct the heat flux coefficient distributions along the plate surface, and vice versa.

Crystalisation of aqueous ferrofluids at the free liquid interface investigated by specular and off-specular x-ray reflectometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gapon, I. V.; Petrenko, V. I.; Soltwedel, O.; Khaydukov, Yu N.; Kubovcikova, M.; Kopcansky, P.; Bulavin, L. A.; Avdeev, M. V.

2018-03-01

Structural organization of nanoparticles from aqueous ferrofluids on free liquid surface was studied by X-ray reflectometry. The observed layered structure at interface is associated with the evaporation of the solvent. By orienting an external magnetic during evaporation of the aqueos ferrofluids their structural organization can be manipulated. For a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the surface a more pronounced ordering along the surface normal is observed as in the case of a parallel field. Independent on the orientation of the magantic field a ∼ 20 μm thick surface layer of depleted nanoparticle concentration is found at the interface.

Simulation of the dynamical transmission of several-hundred-keV protons through a conical capillary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, A. X.; Zhu, B. H.; Niu, S. T.; Pan, P.; Han, C. Z.; Song, H. Y.; Shao, J. X.; Chen, X. M.

2018-05-01

The time evolution of the trajectories, angular distributions, and two-dimensional images of intermediate-energy protons being transmitted through a conical capillary was simulated. The simulation results indicate that the charge deposited in the capillary significantly enhances the probability of surface specular scattering and thus greatly enhances the transmission rate. Furthermore, this deposited-charge-assisted specular reflection causes the transmission rate to exhibit an energy dependence proportional to E-1, which is very consistent with the experimental data. After transmission at nonzero tilt angles, the angular distribution of several-hundred-keV protons is far from symmetric, unlike in the case of keV protons.

Specular Reflectivity and Hot-Electron Generation in High-Contrast Relativistic Laser-Plasma Interactions

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

Kemp, Gregory Elijah

2013-01-01

Ultra-intense laser (> 1018 W/cm2) interactions with matter are capable of producing relativistic electrons which have a variety of applications in state-of-the-art scientific and medical research conducted at universities and national laboratories across the world. Control of various aspects of these hot-electron distributions is highly desired to optimize a particular outcome. Hot-electron generation in low-contrast interactions, where significant amounts of under-dense pre-plasma are present, can be plagued by highly non-linear relativistic laser-plasma instabilities and quasi-static magnetic field generation, often resulting in less than desirable and predictable electron source characteristics. High-contrast interactions offer more controlled interactions but often at the costmore » of overall lower coupling and increased sensitivity to initial target conditions. An experiment studying the differences in hot-electron generation between high and low-contrast pulse interactions with solid density targets was performed on the Titan laser platform at the Jupiter Laser Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. To date, these hot-electrons generated in the laboratory are not directly observable at the source of the interaction. Instead, indirect studies are performed using state-of-the-art simulations, constrained by the various experimental measurements. These measurements, more-often-than-not, rely on secondary processes generated by the transport of these electrons through the solid density materials which can susceptible to a variety instabilities and target material/geometry effects. Although often neglected in these types of studies, the specularly reflected light can provide invaluable insight as it is directly influenced by the interaction. In this thesis, I address the use of (personally obtained) experimental specular reflectivity measurements to indirectly study hot-electron generation in the context of high-contrast, relativistic laser-plasma interactions.« less

Specular reflectivity and hot-electron generation in high-contrast relativistic laser-plasma interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kemp, Gregory Elijah

Ultra-intense laser (> 1018 W/cm2) interactions with matter are capable of producing relativistic electrons which have a variety of applications in state-of-the-art scientific and medical research conducted at universities and national laboratories across the world. Control of various aspects of these hot-electron distributions is highly desired to optimize a particular outcome. Hot-electron generation in low-contrast interactions, where significant amounts of under-dense pre-plasma are present, can be plagued by highly non-linear relativistic laser-plasma instabilities and quasi-static magnetic field generation, often resulting in less than desirable and predictable electron source characteristics. High-contrast interactions offer more controlled interactions but often at the cost of overall lower coupling and increased sensitivity to initial target conditions. An experiment studying the differences in hot-electron generation between high and low-contrast pulse interactions with solid density targets was performed on the Titan laser platform at the Jupiter Laser Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. To date, these hot-electrons generated in the laboratory are not directly observable at the source of the interaction. Instead, indirect studies are performed using state-of-the-art simulations, constrained by the various experimental measurements. These measurements, more-often-than-not, rely on secondary processes generated by the transport of these electrons through the solid density materials which can susceptible to a variety instabilities and target material/geometry effects. Although often neglected in these types of studies, the specularly reflected light can provide invaluable insight as it is directly influenced by the interaction. In this thesis, I address the use of (personally obtained) experimental specular reflectivity measurements to indirectly study hot-electron generation in the context of high-contrast, relativistic laser-plasma interactions. Spatial, temporal and spectral properties of the incident and specular pulses, both near and far away from the interaction region where experimental measurements are obtained, are used to benchmark simulations designed to infer dominant hot-electron acceleration mechanisms and their corresponding energy/angular distributions. To handle this highly coupled interaction, I employed particle-in-cell modeling using a wide variety of algorithms (verified to be numerically stable and consistent with analytic expressions) and physical models (validated by experimental results) to reasonably model the interaction's sweeping range of plasma densities, temporal and spatial scales, electromagnetic wave propagation and its interaction with solid density matter. Due to the fluctuations in the experimental conditions and limited computational resources, only a limited number of full-scale simulations were performed under typical experimental conditions to infer the relevant physical phenomena in the interactions. I show the usefulness of the often overlooked specular reflectivity measurements in constraining both high and low-contrast simulations, as well as limitations of their experimental interpretations. Using these experimental measurements to reasonably constrain the simulation results, I discuss the sensitivity of relativistic electron generation in ultra-intense laser plasma interactions to initial target conditions and the dynamic evolution of the interaction region.

Electronic transport close to semi-infinite 2D systems and their interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Fanbing; Wang, Jian; Jian Wang's research Group Team

Transport properties of 2D materials especially close to their boundary has received much attention after the successful fabrication of Graphene. While most previous work is devoted to the conventional lead-device-lead setup with a finite size center area, this project investigates real space transport properties of infinite and semi-infinite 2D systems under the framework of Non-equilibrium Green's function. The commonly used method of calculating Green's function by inverting matrices in the real space can be unstable in dealing with large systems as sometimes it gives non-converging result. By transforming from the real space to momentum space, the author managed to replace the matrix inverting process by Brillouin Zone integral which can be greatly simplified by the application of contour integral. Combining this methodology with Dyson equations, we are able to calculate transport properties of semi-infinite graphene close to its zigzag boundary and its combination with other material including s-wave superconductor. Interference pattern of transmitted and reflected electrons, Graphene lensing effects and difference between Specular Andreev reflection and normal Andreev reflection are verified. We also generalize how to apply this method to a broad range of 2D materials. The University of Hong Kong.

A Detailed Study of Sonar Tomographic Imaging

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

BPA ) to form an object image. As the data is collected radially about the axis of rotation, one computation method computes an inverse Fourier...images are not quite as sharp. It is concluded UNCLASSIFIED iii DSTO–RR–0394 UNCLASSIFIED that polar BPA processing requires an appropriate choice of...attenuation factor to reduce the effect of the specular reflections, while for the 2DIFT BPA approach the degrading effect from these reflections is

Interactive Acoustic Simulation in Urban and Complex Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-21

and validity of the solution given by the two methods. Transfer functions are used to model two-way couplings to allow multiple orders of acoustic...Function ( BRDF )[79, 137]. The ray models have also been applied to inhomogeneous outdoor media by numerical integration of the differential ray...surface, the interaction can be modeled by specular reflection, Snell’s law refraction, or BRDF -based reflection, depending on the surface properties

Simulation of a polarized laser beam reflected at the sea surface: modeling and validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwenger, Frédéric

2015-05-01

A 3-D simulation of the polarization-dependent reflection of a Gaussian shaped laser beam on the dynamic sea surface is presented. The simulation considers polarized or unpolarized laser sources and calculates the polarization states upon reflection at the sea surface. It is suitable for the radiance calculation of the scene in different spectral wavebands (e.g. near-infrared, SWIR, etc.) not including the camera degradations. The simulation also considers a bistatic configuration of laser source and receiver as well as different atmospheric conditions. In the SWIR, the detected total power of reflected laser light is compared with data collected in a field trial. Our computer simulation combines the 3-D simulation of a maritime scene (open sea/clear sky) with the simulation of polarized or unpolarized laser light reflected at the sea surface. The basic sea surface geometry is modeled by a composition of smooth wind driven gravity waves. To predict the input of a camera equipped with a linear polarizer, the polarized sea surface radiance must be calculated for the specific waveband. The s- and p-polarization states are calculated for the emitted sea surface radiance and the specularly reflected sky radiance to determine the total polarized sea surface radiance of each component. The states of polarization and the radiance of laser light specularly reflected at the wind-roughened sea surface are calculated by considering the s- and p- components of the electric field of laser light with respect to the specular plane of incidence. This is done by using the formalism of their coherence matrices according to E. Wolf [1]. Additionally, an analytical statistical sea surface BRDF (bidirectional reflectance distribution function) is considered for the reflection of laser light radiances. Validation of the simulation results is required to ensure model credibility and applicability to maritime laser applications. For validation purposes, field measurement data (images and meteorological data) was analyzed. An infrared laser, with or without a mounted polarizer, produced laser beam reflection at the water surface and images were recorded by a camera equipped with a polarizer with horizontal or vertical alignment. The validation is done by numerical comparison of measured total laser power extracted from recorded images with the corresponding simulation results. The results of the comparison are presented for different incident (zenith/azimuth) angles of the laser beam and different alignment for the laser polarizers (vertical/horizontal/without) and the camera (vertical/horizontal).

The effect of leveling coatings on the atomic oxygen durability of solar concentrator surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Degroh, Kim K.; Dever, Therese M.; Quinn, William F.

1990-01-01

Space power systems for Space Station Freedom will be exposed to the harsh environment of low earth orbit (LEO). Neutral atomic oxygen is the major constituent in LEO and has the potential of severely reducing the efficiency of solar dynamic power systems through degradation of the concentrator surfaces. Several transparent dielectric thin films have been found to provide atomic oxygen protection, but atomic oxygen undercutting at inherent defect sites is still a threat to solar dynamic power system survivability. Leveling coatings smooth microscopically rough surfaces, thus eliminating potential defect sites prone to oxidation attack on concentrator surfaces. The ability of leveling coatings to improve the atomic oxygen durability of concentrator surfaces was investigated. The application of a EPO-TEK 377 epoxy leveling coating on a graphite epoxy substrate resulted in an increase in solar specular reflectance, a decrease in the atomic oxygen defect density by an order of magnitude and a corresponding order of magnitude decrease in the percent loss of specular reflectance during atomic oxygen plasma ashing.

Thermally induced gas flows in ratchet channels with diffuse and specular boundaries

PubMed Central

Shahabi, Vahid; Baier, Tobias; Roohi, Ehsan; Hardt, Steffen

2017-01-01

A net gas flow can be induced in the gap between periodically structured surfaces held at fixed but different temperatures when the reflection symmetry along the channel axis is broken. Such a situation arises when one surface features a ratchet structure and can be augmented by altering the boundary conditions on different parts of this surface, with some regions reflecting specularly and others diffusely. In order to investigate the physical mechanisms inducing the flow in this configuration at various Knudsen numbers and geometric configurations, direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) simulations are employed using transient adaptive subcells for collision partner selection. At large Knudsen numbers the results compare favorably with analytical expressions, while for small Knudsen numbers a qualitative explanation for the flow in the strong temperature inhomogeneity at the tips of the ratchet is provided. A detailed investigation of the performance for various ratchet geometries suggests optimum working conditions for a Knudsen pump based on this mechanism. PMID:28128309

Reflection high energy electron diffraction study of nitrogen plasma interactions with a GaAs (100) surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hauenstein, R. J.; Collins, D. A.; Cai, X. P.; O'Steen, M. L.; McGill, T. C.

1995-05-01

Effect of a nitrogen electron-cyclotron-resonance (ECR) microwave plasma on near-surface composition, crystal structure, and morphology of the As-stabilized GaAs (100) surface is investigated with the use of digitally image-processed in situ reflection high energy electron diffraction. Nitridation is performed on molecular beam epitaxially (MBE) grown GaAs surfaces near 600 °C under typical conditions for ECR microwave plasma-assisted MBE growth of GaN films on GaAs. Brief plasma exposures (≊3-5 s) are shown to result in a specular, coherently strained, relatively stable, GaN film approximately one monolayer in thickness, which can be commensurately overgrown with GaAs while longer exposures (up to 1 min) result in incommensurate zincblende epitaxial GaN island structures. Specular and nonspecular film formations are explained in terms of N-for-As surface and subsurface anion exchange reactions, respectively. Commensurate growth of ultrathin buried GaN layers in GaAs is achieved.

Cryogenic Pupil Alignment Test Architecture for Aberrated Pupil Images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bos, Brent; Kubalak, David A.; Antonille, Scott; Ohl, Raymond; Hagopian, John G.

2009-01-01

A document describes cryogenic test architecture for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) integrated science instrument module (ISIM). The ISIM element primarily consists of a mechanical metering structure, three science instruments, and a fine guidance sensor. One of the critical optomechanical alignments is the co-registration of the optical telescope element (OTE) exit pupil with the entrance pupils of the ISIM instruments. The test architecture has been developed to verify that the ISIM element will be properly aligned with the nominal OTE exit pupil when the two elements come together. The architecture measures three of the most critical pupil degrees-of-freedom during optical testing of the ISIM element. The pupil measurement scheme makes use of specularly reflective pupil alignment references located inside the JWST instruments, ground support equipment that contains a pupil imaging module, an OTE simulator, and pupil viewing channels in two of the JWST flight instruments. Pupil alignment references (PARs) are introduced into the instrument, and their reflections are checked using the instrument's mirrors. After the pupil imaging module (PIM) captures a reflected PAR image, the image will be analyzed to determine the relative alignment offset. The instrument pupil alignment preferences are specularly reflective mirrors with non-reflective fiducials, which makes the test architecture feasible. The instrument channels have fairly large fields of view, allowing PAR tip/tilt tolerances on the order of 0.5deg.

Measurement of the infrared optical constants for spectral modeling: n and k values for (NH4)2SO4 via single-angle reflectance and ellipsometric methods

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

Blake, Thomas A.; Brauer, Carolyn S.; Kelly-Gorham, Molly Rose K.

The optical constants n and k can be used to model infrared spectra, including refraction, absorption, reflectance, and emissivity, but obtaining reliable values for solid materials (pure or otherwise) presents a challenge: In the past, the best results for n and k have been obtained from bulk, homogeneous materials, free of defects. That is, materials where the Fresnel equations are operant since there is no light scattering. Since it is often not possible to obtain a pure macroscopic (crystalline) material, it may be possible to press the material into a (uniform, void-free) disk. We have recently been able to domore » this with ammonium sulfate powder and then measured the n & k values via two independent methods: 1) Ellipsometry - which measures the changes in amplitude and phase of light reflected from the material of interest as a function of wavelength and angle of incidence, and 2) Single angle specular reflectance with an FT spectrometer using a specular reflectance device within an FT instrument which measures the change in amplitude of light reflected from the material of interest as a function of wavelength and angle of incidence over a wide wavelength range. The quality of the derived n & k values was tested by generating the reflectance spectra of the pellet and comparing to the calculated to measured reflectance spectra of the pure material which has been previously published. The comparison to literature values showed good accuracy and good agreement, indicating promise to measure other materials by such methods.« less

Interface or bulk scattering in the semiclassical theory for spin valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, L.; McMahon, W. J.; Liu, B.; Wu, Y. H.; Chong, C. T.

2004-06-01

By taking into account spin asymmetries of the interface transmissions and the bulk mean free paths, we have treated pure interface, non-pure interface, bulk, and interface plus bulk scattering within the semiclassical Boltzmann theory. First, the optimizations of NOL (nano-oxide-layers) insertions in bottom, synthetic, and dual spin valves and the variations of the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) with the thickness of the free layer have been examined. For non-pure interface, bulk, and interface plus bulk scattering, qualitative trends of GMR versus NOL positions in spin valves are similar to each other. For pure interface scattering, there is no optimized NOL insertion positions and the blocking effect of the NOL inserted in the spacer remains effective as other three kinds of scattering. The GMR ratio for bulk scattering simply approaches zero when the free layer thickness becomes short; in contrast, for interface scattering or interface plus bulk scattering, the GMR ratio is nonzero at zero thickness of the free layer. Second, the relationships between GMR and specular and diffusive scattering have been explored. As far as specular reflection is concerned, our results imply that for a realistic bottom spin filter spin valve, Ta/NiFe/IrMn/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/Cu/Ta, roughness of the surfaces of Ta and the interfaces of Ta/NiFe, NiFe/IrMn, pinned layer/spacer, and spacer/free layer may lead to large GMR. We also find that the enhancement of GMR due to surface specular reflection is only a pure interface effect. The dependences of GMR on the specular transmissions roughly follow square relations. The trends of GMR against the spin-down diffusive scattering depend on the values of the spin-up transmission. Finally, impurity scattering was investigated and our semiclassical results are in qualitative agreement with the experiments and the quantum theory.

Global analysis of the temperature and flow fields in samples heated in multizone resistance furnaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez-Grande, I.; Rivas, D.; de Pablo, V.

The temperature field in samples heated in multizone resistance furnaces will be analyzed, using a global model where the temperature fields in the sample, the furnace and the insulation are coupled; the input thermal data is the electric power supplied to the heaters. The radiation heat exchange between the sample and the furnace is formulated analytically, taking into account specular reflections at the sample; for the solid sample the reflectance is both diffuse and specular, and for the melt it is mostly specular. This behavior is modeled through the exchange view factors, which depend on whether the sample is solid or liquid, and, therefore, they are not known a priori. The effect of this specular behavior in the temperature field will be analyzed, by comparing with the case of diffuse samples. A parameter of great importance is the thermal conductivity of the insulation material; it will be shown that the temperature field depends strongly on it. A careful characterization of the insulation is therefore necessary, here it will be done with the aid of experimental results, which will also serve to validate the model. The heating process in the floating-zone technique in microgravity conditions will be simulated; parameters like the Marangoni number or the temperature gradient at the melt-crystal interface will be estimated. Application to the case of compound samples (graphite-silicon-graphite) will be made; the temperature distribution in the silicon part will be studied, especially the temperature difference between the two graphite rods that hold the silicon, since it drives the thermocapillary flow in the melt. This flow will be studied, after coupling the previous model with the convective effects. The possibility of suppresing this flow by the controlled vibration of the graphite rods will be also analyzed. Numerical results show that the thermocapillary flow can indeed be counterbalanced quite effectively.

Training effect in specular spin valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ventura, J.; Araujo, J. P.; Sousa, J. B.; Veloso, A.; Freitas, P. P.

2008-05-01

Specular spin valves show an enhanced giant magnetoresistive (GMR) ratio due to specular reflection in nano-oxide layers (NOLs) formed by the partial oxidation of CoFe pinned and free layers. The oxides that form the (pinned layer) NOL were recently shown to antiferromagnetically order at Ttilde 175K . Here, we study the training effect (TE) in MnIr/CoFe/NOL/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/NOL/Ta specular spin valves in the 300-15 K temperature range. The exchange bias direction between the MnIr and CoFe layers impressed during annealing is taken as the positive direction. The training effect is observed in antiferromagnetic (AFM)/ferromagnetic (FM) exchange systems and related to the rearrangement of interfacial AFM spin structure with the number of hysteretic cycles performed (n) , resulting in the decrease of the exchange field (Hexch) . Here, in the studied specular spin valve, TE was only observed for T<175K and is thus related to the pinned layer NOL-AFM ordering and to the evolution of the corresponding spin structure with n . We show that FM spins that are strongly coupled to AFM domains do not align with the applied positive magnetic field (H) , giving rise to a residual MR at H≫0 . Such nonsaturating MR will be related with a spin-glass-like behavior of the interfacial magnetism induced by the nano-oxide layer. The observed dependence of the training effect on the field cooling procedure is also likely associated with the existence of different spin configurations available in the magnetically disordered oxide. Furthermore, anomalous magnetoresistance cycles measured after cooling runs under -500Oe are here related to induced NOL exchange bias/applied magnetic field misalignment. The temperature dependence of the training effect was obtained and fitted by using a recent theoretical model.

Gas chromatography/matrix-isolation apparatus

DOEpatents

Reedy, G.T.

1986-06-10

A gas-sample collection device provides matrix isolation of individual gas bands from a gas chromatographic separation and for the spectroscopic analysis of the individual sample bands. The device includes a vacuum chamber containing a rotatably supported, specular carousel having at least one reflecting surface for holding a sample deposited thereon. A gas inlet is provided for depositing a mixture of sample and matrix material on the reflecting surface which is maintained at a sufficiently low temperature to cause solidification. A first parabolic mirror directs an incident beam of electromagnetic radiation, such as in the infrared (IR) spectrum, from a source onto the sample/matrix mixture while a second parabolic mirror directs a second beam of electromagnetic radiation reflected by the specular surface to an IR spectrometer for determining the absorption spectra of the sample material deposited on the reflecting surface. The pair of off-axis parabolic mirrors having a common focal point are positioned outside of the vacuum chamber and may be displaced in combination for improved beam positioning and alignment. The carousel is provided with an aperture for each reflecting surface to facilitate accurate positioning of the incident beam relative to the gas-samples under analysis. Improved gas-sample deposition is insured by the use of a long focal length stereomicroscope positioned outside of the vacuum chamber for monitoring sample formation through a window, while the sample collector is positioned outside of the zone bounded by the incident and reflected electromagnetic beams for improved sample access and monitoring. 10 figs.

Gas chromatography/matrix-isolation apparatus

DOEpatents

Reedy, Gerald T.

1986-01-01

A gas-sample collection device provides matrix isolation of individual gas bands from a gas chromatographic separation and for the spectroscopic analysis of the individual sample bands. The device includes a vacuum chamber containing a rotatably supported, specular carousel having at least one reflecting surface for holding a sample deposited thereon. A gas inlet is provided for depositing a mixture of sample and matrix material on the reflecting surface which is maintained at a sufficiently low temperature to cause solidification. A first parabolic mirror directs an incident beam of electromagnetic radiation, such as in the infrared (IR) spectrum, from a source onto the sample/matrix mixture while a second parabolic mirror directs a second beam of electromagnetic radiation reflected by the specular surface to an IR spectrometer for determining the absorption spectra of the sample material deposited on the reflecting surface. The pair of off-axis parabolic mirrors having a common focal point are positioned outside of the vacuum chamber and may be displaced in combination for improved beam positioning and alignment. The carousel is provided with an aperture for each reflecting surface to facilitate accurate positioning of the incident beam relative to the gas-samples under analysis. Improved gas-sample deposition is insured by the use of a long focal length stereomicroscope positioned outside of the vacuum chamber for monitoring sample formation through a window, while the sample collector is positioned outside of the zone bounded by the incident and reflected electromagnetic beams for improved sample access and monitoring.

Fast software-based volume rendering using multimedia instructions on PC platforms and its application to virtual endoscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mori, Kensaku; Suenaga, Yasuhito; Toriwaki, Jun-ichiro

2003-05-01

This paper describes a software-based fast volume rendering (VolR) method on a PC platform by using multimedia instructions, such as SIMD instructions, which are currently available in PCs' CPUs. This method achieves fast rendering speed through highly optimizing software rather than an improved rendering algorithm. In volume rendering using a ray casting method, the system requires fast execution of the following processes: (a) interpolation of voxel or color values at sample points, (b) computation of normal vectors (gray-level gradient vectors), (c) calculation of shaded values obtained by dot-products of normal vectors and light source direction vectors, (d) memory access to a huge area, and (e) efficient ray skipping at translucent regions. The proposed software implements these fundamental processes in volume rending by using special instruction sets for multimedia processing. The proposed software can generate virtual endoscopic images of a 3-D volume of 512x512x489 voxel size by volume rendering with perspective projection, specular reflection, and on-the-fly normal vector computation on a conventional PC without any special hardware at thirteen frames per second. Semi-translucent display is also possible.

Spectroscopic characterization of PET glycolysis and surface molecular orientation of polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weir, Michael David

This dissertation seeks to develop novel polymer characterization techniques using UV and fluorescence spectroscopy. The first portion of the dissertation consists of monitoring the glycolytic depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, using UV and fluorescence spectroscopy. The primary product of the glycolysis of PET is bis(hydroxyethyl) tereplithalate (BHET), along with other low molecular weight oligomers (degree of polymerization = 1--3). The UV absorption of the glycolized products occurs at 287 nm and is associated with the pi → pi* transition of the tereplithalate moiety. This absorption band shows a linear increase with reaction time that corresponds to an increase in the concentration of glycolized products. BHET was selected as a model compound to represent the glycolized products and was used to calculate the concentration of glycolized products. When using excitation wavelengths of 300 nm and 340 nm, fluorescence emission spectra of the glycolized products were observed at 350 nm and 380 nm respectively. These emission bands also showed an increase in intensity corresponding to the concentration increase. Again, BHET was used as a model compound to simulate and calculate the concentration of the glycolized products. We determined the overall reaction to be second order and that the reaction rate is strongly dependent on the glycol concentration; an increase in the glycol concentration results in an increase in the reaction rate. The second portion of this dissertation consists of the characterization of surface molecular orientation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and Kaptono films by UV reflection dichroism using a specular reflection accessory and a bifurcated fiber optic. The UV reflection peaks for PET and Kapton RTM occur at 257 nm and 310 nm respectively. The orientation function and dichroic ratio calculated using both specular reflection and the fiber optic agreed well with each other. Additionally, correct placement of the polarizer is essential in producing good results. When placed at either the source or detector side of the fiber, there was no evidence of orientation seen. However, placement at the common end shows good agreement with the results from the specular reflection accessory. These different results are a manifestation of the polarization/depolarization characteristics of the fiber optic.

RGB imaging system for monitoring of skin vascular malformation's laser therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jakovels, Dainis; Kuzmina, Ilona; Berzina, Anna; Spigulis, Janis

2012-06-01

A prototype RGB imaging system for mapping of skin chromophores consists of a commercial RGB CMOS sensor, RGB LEDs ring-light illuminator and orthogonally orientated polarizers for reducing specular reflectance. The system was used for monitoring of vascular malformations (hemagiomas and telangiectasias) therapy.

Propagation of specular and anti-specular Gaussian Schell-model beams in oceanic turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Zhaotao; Guo, Mengwen; Zhao, Daomu

2017-01-01

On the basis of the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle and the unified theory of coherence and polarization of light, we investigate the propagation properties of the specular and anti-specular Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beams through oceanic turbulence. It is shown that the specularity of specular GSM beams and the anti-specularity of anti-specular GSM beams are destroyed on propagation in oceanic turbulence. The spectral density and the spectral degree of coherence are also studied in detail. The results may be helpful for underwater communication.

Direct method for imaging elemental distribution profiles with long-period x-ray standing waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohli, Vaibhav; Bedzyk, Michael J.; Fenter, Paul

2010-02-01

A model-independent Fourier-inversion method for imaging elemental profiles from multilayer and total-external reflection x-ray standing wave (XSW) data is developed for the purpose of understanding the assembly of atoms, ions, and molecules at well-defined interfaces in complex environments. The direct-method formalism is derived for the case of a long-period XSW generated by low-angle specular reflection in an attenuating overlayer medium. It is validated through comparison with simulated and experimental data to directly obtain an elemental distribution contained within the overlayer. We demonstrate this formalism by extracting the one-dimensional profile of Ti normal to the surface for a TiO2/Si/Mo trilayer deposited on a Si substrate using the TiKα fluorescence yield measured in air and under an aqueous electrolyte. The model-independent results demonstrate reduced coherent fractions for the in situ results associated with an incoherency of the x-ray beam (which are attributed to fluorescence excitation by diffusely or incoherently scattered x-rays). The uniqueness and limitations of the approach are discussed.

Coherent Detector for Near-Angle Scattering and Polarization Characterization of Telescope Mirror Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macenka, Steven A.; Chipman, Russell A.; Daugherty, Brian J.; McClain, Stephen C.

2012-01-01

A report discusses the difficulty of measuring scattering properties of coated mirrors extremely close to the specular reflection peak. A prototype Optical Hetero dyne Near-angle Scatterometer (OHNS) was developed. Light from a long-coherence-length (>150 m) 532-nm laser is split into two arms. Acousto-optic modulators frequency shift the sample and reference beams, establishing a fixed beat frequency between the beams. The sample beam is directed at very high f/# onto a mirror sample, and the point spread function (PSF) formed after the mirror sample is scanned with a pinhole. This light is recombined by a non-polarizing beam splitter and measured through heterodyne detection with a spectrum analyzer. Polarizers control the illuminated and analyzed polarization states, allowing the polarization dependent scatter to be measured. The bidirectional reflective or scattering distribution function is normally measured through use of a scattering goniometer instrument. The instrumental beam width (collection angle span) over which the scatterometer responds is typically many degrees. The OHNS enables measurement at angles as small as the first Airy disk diameter.

Far-infrared BRDFs and reflectance spectra of candidate SOFIA telescope, cavity, and focal-plane instrument surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, Allan W.; Smith, Sheldon M.; Koerber, Christopher T.

2000-06-01

The far-infrared reflectance and scattering properties of telescope surfaces, surrounding cavity walls, and surfaces within focal-plane instruments can be significant contributors to background noise. Radiation from sources well off-axis, such as the earth, moon or aircraft engines may be multiply scattered by the cavity walls and/or surface facets of a complex telescope structure. The Non-Specular Reflectometer at NASA Ames Research Center was reactivated and upgraded, and used to measure reflectance and Bi- directional Reflectance Distribution Functions for samples of planned telescope system structural materials and associated surface treatments.

Glistening-region model for multipath studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groves, Gordon W.; Chow, Winston C.

1998-07-01

The goal is to achieve a model of radar sea reflection with improved fidelity that is amenable to practical implementation. The geometry of reflection from a wavy surface is formulated. The sea surface is divided into two components: the smooth `chop' consisting of the longer wavelengths, and the `roughness' of the short wavelengths. Ordinary geometric reflection from the chop surface is broadened by the roughness. This same representation serves both for forward scatter and backscatter (sea clutter). The `Road-to-Happiness' approximation, in which the mean sea surface is assumed cylindrical, simplifies the reflection geometry for low-elevation targets. The effect of surface roughness is assumed to make the sea reflection coefficient depending on the `Deviation Angle' between the specular and the scattering directions. The `specular' direction is that into which energy would be reflected by a perfectly smooth facet. Assuming that the ocean waves are linear and random allows use of Gaussian statistics, greatly simplifying the formulation by allowing representation of the sea chop by three parameters. An approximation of `low waves' and retention of the sea-chop slope components only through second order provides further simplification. The simplifying assumptions make it possible to take the predicted 2D ocean wave spectrum into account in the calculation of sea-surface radar reflectivity, to provide algorithms for support of an operational system for dealing with target tracking in the presence of multipath. The product will be of use in simulated studies to evaluate different trade-offs in alternative tracking schemes, and will form the basis of a tactical system for ship defense against low flyers.

Estimated Mid-Infrared (200-2000 cm-1) Optical Constants of Some Silica Polymorphs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glotch, Timothy; Rossman, G. R.; Michalski, J. R.

2006-09-01

We use Lorentz-Lorenz dispersion analysis to model the mid-infrared (200-2000 cm-1) optical constants, of opal-A, opal-CT, and tridymite. These minerals, which are all polymorphs of silica (SiO2), are potentially important in the analysis of thermal emission spectra acquired by the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS-TES) and Mars Exploration Rover Mini-TES instruments in orbit and on the surface of Mars as well as emission spectra acquired by telescopes of planetary disks and dust and debris clouds in young solar systems. Mineral samples were crushed, washed, and sieved and emissivity spectra of the >100; μm size fraction were acquired at Arizona State University's emissivity spectroscopy laboratory. Therefore, the spectra and optical constants are representative of all crystal orientations. Ideally, emissivity or reflectance measurements of single polished crystals or fine powders pressed to compact disks are used for the determination of mid-infrared optical constants. Measurements of these types of surfaces eliminate or minimize multiple reflections, providing a specular surface. Our measurements, however, likely produce a reasonable approximation of specular emissivity or reflectance, as the minimum particle size is greater than the maximum wavelength of light measured. Future work will include measurement of pressed disks of powdered samples in emission and reflection, and when possible, small single crystals under an IR reflectance microscope, which will allow us to assess the variability of spectra and optical constants under different sample preparation and measurement conditions.

Water penetration study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lockwood, H. E.

1973-01-01

Nine film-filter combinations have been tested for effectiveness in recording water subsurface detail when exposed from an aerial platform over a typical water body. An experimental 2-layer positive color film, a 2-layer (minus blue layer) film, a normal 3-layer color film, a panchromatic black-and-white film, and an infrared film with selected filters were tested. Results have been tabulated to show the relative capability of each film-filter combination for: (1) image contrast in shallow water (0 to 5 feet); (2) image contrast at medium depth (5 to 10 feet); (3) image contrast in deep water (10 feet plus); (4) water penetration; maximum depth where detail was discriminated; (5) image color (the spectral range of the image); (6) vegetation visible above a water background; (7) specular reflections visible from the water surface; and (8) visual compatibility; ease of discriminating image detail. Recommendations for future recording over water bodies are included.

Orbiter radiator panel solar focusing test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howell, H. R.; Rankin, J. G.

1983-01-01

Test data are presented which define the area around the Orbiter radiator panels for which the solar reflections are concentrated to one-sun or more. The concave shape of the panels and their specular silver/Teflon coating causes focusing of the reflected solar energy which could have adverse heating effects on equipment or astronaut extravehicular activity (EVA) in the vicinity of the radiator panels. A room ambient test method was utilized with a one-tenth scale model of the radiator panels.

ASTER Waves

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-10-06

The pattern on the right half of this image of the Bay of Bengal is the result of two opposing wave trains colliding. This ASTER sub-scene, acquired on March 29, 2000, covers an area 18 kilometers (13 miles) wide and 15 kilometers (9 miles) long in three bands of the reflected visible and infrared wavelength region. The visible and near-infrared bands highlight surface waves due to specular reflection of sunlight off of the wave faces. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02662

Identification, recognition and misidentification syndromes: a psychoanalytical perspective

PubMed Central

Thibierge, Stéphane; Morin, Catherine

2013-01-01

Misidentification syndromes are currently often understood as cognitive disorders of either the “sense of uniqueness” (Margariti and Kontaxakis, 2006) or the recognition of people (Ellis and Lewis, 2001). It is however, necessary to consider how a normal “sense of uniqueness” or normal person recognition are acquired by normal or neurotic subjects. It will be shown here that the normal conditions of cognition can be considered as one of the possible forms of a complex structure and not as just a setting for our sense and perception data. The consistency and the permanency of the body image in neurosis is what permits the recognition of other people and ourselves as unique beings. This consistency and permanency are related to object repression, as shown by neurological disorders of body image (somatoparaphrenia), which cause the object to come to the foreground in the patient’s words (Thibierge and Morin, 2010). In misidentification syndromes, as in other psychotic syndromes, one can also observe damage to the specular image as well as an absence of object repression. This leads us to question whether, in the psychiatric disorders related to a damaged specular image, disorders of cognition can be studied and managed using the same methods as for neurotic patients. PMID:24298262

Laser material micro-working (LMμW): some new surface processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daurelio, G.; D'Alonzo, M.

2007-05-01

On the last recent years many new Laser Surface Processes have been studied and tested in the field of the L.M. μW. - Laser Material Micro Working. Still today many of these "young" processes are to study and more and more searches are dedicated to they. These are the Marking, Texturing, Fine Texturing, Filling, Polishing, Micro Shot-Penning, Silking and Colouring. This experimental work reports the results obtained in the field of the Laser Surface Fine Texturing on AISI 304 and 430 Stainless Steels by using a Marking System, that is a Nd:YAG Laser, VECTORMARK type by TRUMPH ( D ). So some new laser surface finishes, called by Authors, - Effetto tessuto, con trama e ordito (Woven effect, with weft and warp) - Effetto pelle scamosciata ( Effect shammy leather ) - Effetto pelle uncinata ( Effect hooked skin ) - Effetto pelle unghiata ( Effect skin looking like scratch ) - Effetto pelle damascata ( Effect damask skin ) - Effetto speculare , ottonato ( Specular effect, looking like brass ) Effetto speculare, bronzato ( specular effect looking like bronze ) - Effetto speculare, argenteo ( specular, looking like silver effect ) - Effetto speculare, ramato ( Specular effect, looking like copper ), Effetto Speculare, dorato ( Specular effect, looking like gold ) - Effetto speculare , dorato, a raggiera ( Specular effect, looking like gold, to aureole) , were carried out. The work is still in progress.

Canopy polarized BRDF simulation based on non-stationary Monte Carlo 3-D vector RT modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kallel, Abdelaziz; Gastellu-Etchegorry, Jean Philippe

2017-03-01

Vector radiative transfer (VRT) has been largely used to simulate polarized reflectance of atmosphere and ocean. However it is still not properly used to describe vegetation cover polarized reflectance. In this study, we try to propose a 3-D VRT model based on a modified Monte Carlo (MC) forward ray tracing simulation to analyze vegetation canopy reflectance. Two kinds of leaf scattering are taken into account: (i) Lambertian diffuse reflectance and transmittance and (ii) specular reflection. A new method to estimate the condition on leaf orientation to produce reflection is proposed, and its probability to occur, Pl,max, is computed. It is then shown that Pl,max is low, but when reflection happens, the corresponding radiance Stokes vector, Io, is very high. Such a phenomenon dramatically increases the MC variance and yields to an irregular reflectance distribution function. For better regularization, we propose a non-stationary MC approach that simulates reflection for each sunny leaf assuming that its orientation is randomly chosen according to its angular distribution. It is shown in this case that the average canopy reflection is proportional to Pl,max ·Io which produces a smooth distribution. Two experiments are conducted: (i) assuming leaf light polarization is only due to the Fresnel reflection and (ii) the general polarization case. In the former experiment, our results confirm that in the forward direction, canopy polarizes horizontally light. In addition, they show that in inclined forward direction, diagonal polarization can be observed. In the latter experiment, polarization is produced in all orientations. It is particularly pointed out that specular polarization explains just a part of the forward polarization. Diffuse scattering polarizes light horizontally and vertically in forward and backward directions, respectively. Weak circular polarization signal is also observed near the backscattering direction. Finally, validation of the non-polarized reflectance using the ROMC tool is done, and our model shows good agreement with the ROMC reference.

Correlations of oriented ice and precipitation in marine midlatitude low clouds using collocated CloudSat, CALIOP, and MODIS observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ross, Alexa; Holz, Robert E.; Ackerman, Steven A.

2017-08-01

In April 2006, the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) launched aboard the CALIPSO satellite and into the A-Train constellation of satellites with its transmitter pointed near nadir. This proved problematic due to specular reflection from horizontally oriented ice crystals occurring more frequently than expected. Because the specular backscatter from oriented ice crystals has large attenuated backscatter and almost no depolarization, the standard lidar inversions cannot be applied. To mitigate this issue, the CALIOP transmitter was moved to 3° off nadir in November 2007. Though problematic for global CALIOP retrievals, the sensitivity to oriented ice during the first year of observations provides a unique data set to investigate scenes of this ice crystal signature. This study focuses on the CALIOP-oriented signature that occurs in midlatitude ocean regions whose cloud tops are relatively warm and low, existing below 6 km. A significant seasonal dependence is found in the Northern Hemisphere with up to 19% of clouds below 6 km yielding specular reflection by CALIOP during the colder months. In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere lacks such seasonal dependence and sees fewer oriented ice crystals. Using collocated CloudSat observations with both CALIOP and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), we investigate the correlations of the oriented signature with MODIS cloud properties. Comparing with CloudSat precipitation retrievals, we find that the oriented signature is strongly correlated with surface precipitation with 64% of CALIOP-oriented ice crystal cases precipitating compared to 40% for nonoriented cases.

Delay and Standard Deviation Beamforming to Enhance Specular Reflections in Ultrasound Imaging.

PubMed

Bandaru, Raja Sekhar; Sornes, Anders Rasmus; Hermans, Jeroen; Samset, Eigil; D'hooge, Jan

2016-12-01

Although interventional devices, such as needles, guide wires, and catheters, are best visualized by X-ray, real-time volumetric echography could offer an attractive alternative as it avoids ionizing radiation; it provides good soft tissue contrast, and it is mobile and relatively cheap. Unfortunately, as echography is traditionally used to image soft tissue and blood flow, the appearance of interventional devices in conventional ultrasound images remains relatively poor, which is a major obstacle toward ultrasound-guided interventions. The objective of this paper was therefore to enhance the appearance of interventional devices in ultrasound images. Thereto, a modified ultrasound beamforming process using conventional-focused transmit beams is proposed that exploits the properties of received signals containing specular reflections (as arising from these devices). This new beamforming approach referred to as delay and standard deviation beamforming (DASD) was quantitatively tested using simulated as well as experimental data using a linear array transducer. Furthermore, the influence of different imaging settings (i.e., transmit focus, imaging depth, and scan angle) on the obtained image contrast was evaluated. The study showed that the image contrast of specular regions improved by 5-30 dB using DASD beamforming compared with traditional delay and sum (DAS) beamforming. The highest gain in contrast was observed when the interventional device was tilted away from being orthogonal to the transmit beam, which is a major limitation in standard DAS imaging. As such, the proposed beamforming methodology can offer an improved visualization of interventional devices in the ultrasound image with potential implications for ultrasound-guided interventions.

Polarizing properties and structure of the cuticle of scarab beetles from the Chrysina genus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández del Río, Lía; Arwin, Hans; Järrendahl, Kenneth

2016-07-01

The optical properties of several scarab beetles have been previously studied but few attempts have been made to compare beetles in the same genus. To determine whether there is any relation between specimens of the same genus, we have studied and classified seven species from the Chrysina genus. The polarization properties were analyzed with Mueller-matrix spectroscopic ellipsometry and the structural characteristics with optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Most of the Chrysina beetles are green colored or have a metallic look (gold or silver). The results show that the green-colored beetles polarize reflected light mainly at off-specular angles. The gold-colored beetles polarize light left-handed near circular at specular reflection. The structure of the exoskeleton is a stack of layers that form a cusplike structure in the green beetles whereas the layers are parallel to the surface in the case of the gold-colored beetles. The beetle C. gloriosa is green with gold-colored stripes along the elytras and exhibits both types of effects. The results indicate that Chrysina beetles can be classified according to these two major polarization properties.

Rough surface reconstruction for ultrasonic NDE simulation

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

Choi, Wonjae; Shi, Fan; Lowe, Michael J. S.

2014-02-18

The reflection of ultrasound from rough surfaces is an important topic for the NDE of safety-critical components, such as pressure-containing components in power stations. The specular reflection from a rough surface of a defect is normally lower than it would be from a flat surface, so it is typical to apply a safety factor in order that justification cases for inspection planning are conservative. The study of the statistics of the rough surfaces that might be expected in candidate defects according to materials and loading, and the reflections from them, can be useful to develop arguments for realistic safety factors.more » This paper presents a study of real rough crack surfaces that are representative of the potential defects in pressure-containing power plant. Two-dimensional (area) values of the height of the roughness have been measured and their statistics analysed. Then a means to reconstruct model cases with similar statistics, so as to enable the creation of multiple realistic realizations of the surfaces, has been investigated, using random field theory. Rough surfaces are reconstructed, based on a real surface, and results for these two-dimensional descriptions of the original surface have been compared with those from the conventional model based on a one-dimensional correlation coefficient function. In addition, ultrasonic reflections from them are simulated using a finite element method.« less

Theory, design, and experimental verification of a reflectionless bianisotropic Huygens' metasurface for wide-angle refraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Michael; Abdo-Sánchez, Elena; Epstein, Ariel; Eleftheriades, George V.

2018-03-01

Huygens' metasurfaces are electrically thin devices which allow arbitrary field transformations. Beam refraction is among the first demonstrations of realized metasurfaces. As previously shown for extreme-angle refraction, control over only the electric impedance and magnetic admittance of the Huygens' metasurface proved insufficient to produce the desired reflectionless field transformation. To maintain zero reflections for wide refraction angles, magnetoelectric coupling between the electric and magnetic response of the metasurface, leading to bianisotropy, can be introduced. In this paper, we report the theory, design, and experimental characterization of a reflectionless bianisotropic metasurface for extreme-angle refraction of a normally incident plane wave towards 71.8° at 20 GHz. The theory and design of three-layer asymmetric bianisotropic unit cells are discussed. The realized printed circuit board structure was tested via full-wave simulations as well as experimental characterization. To experimentally verify the prototype, two setups were used. A quasi-optical experiment was conducted to assess the specular reflections of the metasurface, while a far-field antenna measurement characterized its refraction nature. The measurements verify that the fabricated metasurface has negligible reflections and the majority of the scattered power is refracted to the desired Floquet mode. This provides an experimental demonstration of a reflectionless wide-angle refracting metasurface using a bianisotropic Huygens' metasurface at microwave frequencies.

Effect of intermediate layers on atomic layer deposition-aluminum oxide protected silver mirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fryauf, David M.; Diaz Leon, Juan J.; Phillips, Andrew C.; Kobayashi, Nobuhiko P.

2017-07-01

This work investigates intermediate materials deposited between silver (Ag) thin-film mirrors and an aluminum oxide (AlOx) barrier overlayer and compares the effects on mirror durability to environmental stresses. Physical vapor deposition of various fluorides, oxides, and nitrides in combination with AlOx by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used to develop several coating recipes. Ag-AlOx samples with different intermediate materials undergo aggressive high-temperature (80°C), high-humidity (80%) (HTHH) testing for 10 days. Reflectivity of mirror samples is measured before and after HTHH testing, and image processing techniques are used to analyze the specular surface of the samples after HTHH testing. Among the seven intermediate materials used in this work, TiN, MgAl2O4, NiO, and Al2O3 intermediate layers offer more robust protection against chemical corrosion and moisture when compared with samples with no intermediate layer. In addition, results show that the performance of the ALD-AlOx barrier overlayer depends significantly on the ALD-growth process temperature. Because higher durability is observed in samples with less transparent TiN and NiO layers, we propose a figure of merit based on post-HTHH testing reflectivity change and specular reflective mirror surface area remaining after HTHH testing to judge overall barrier performance.

Expression of the degree of polarization based on the geometrical optics pBRDF model.

PubMed

Wang, Kai; Zhu, Jingping; Liu, Hong; Du, Bingzheng

2017-02-01

An expression of the degree of polarization (DOP) based on the geometrical optics polarimetric bidirectional reflectance distribution function model is presented. In this expression, the DOP is related to the surface roughness and decreases at different reflection angles because diffuse reflection is taken into consideration. A shadowing/masking function introduced into the specular reflection expression makes the DOP values decrease as the angle of incidence or observation approaches grazing. Different kinds of materials were measured to validate the accuracy of this DOP expression. The measured results suggest that the errors of the DOP are reduced significantly, and the polarized reflection characteristics can be described more reasonably and accurately.

A fast method for optical simulation of flood maps of light-sharing detector modules.

PubMed

Shi, Han; Du, Dong; Xu, JianFeng; Moses, William W; Peng, Qiyu

2015-12-01

Optical simulation of the detector module level is highly desired for Position Emission Tomography (PET) system design. Commonly used simulation toolkits such as GATE are not efficient in the optical simulation of detector modules with complicated light-sharing configurations, where a vast amount of photons need to be tracked. We present a fast approach based on a simplified specular reflectance model and a structured light-tracking algorithm to speed up the photon tracking in detector modules constructed with polished finish and specular reflector materials. We simulated conventional block detector designs with different slotted light guide patterns using the new approach and compared the outcomes with those from GATE simulations. While the two approaches generated comparable flood maps, the new approach was more than 200-600 times faster. The new approach has also been validated by constructing a prototype detector and comparing the simulated flood map with the experimental flood map. The experimental flood map has nearly uniformly distributed spots similar to those in the simulated flood map. In conclusion, the new approach provides a fast and reliable simulation tool for assisting in the development of light-sharing-based detector modules with a polished surface finish and using specular reflector materials.

Constraining Greenland basal water extent and drainage morphology from radar reflectivity and specularity analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, W.; Schroeder, D. M.; Seroussi, H. L.; Creyts, T. T.; Bell, R. E.; Paden, J. D.

2017-12-01

Subglacial water has been observed and theorized to cause changes in basal sliding. Across Greenland, water drainage can produce massive speed-ups, or conversely, very little responses from the ice sheet. While distinct modes of subglacial drainage have been proposed to cause these different responses, the absence of Greenland-wide hydrological observations makes it difficult to examine where shifts in drainage occur and what controls them. By using routing models and the reflectivity and specularity of radar bed echoes from NASA IceBridge, we provide insight into the character of the subglacial water systems and their variability across Greenland. Specifically, we examine Russell Glacier as a southern Greenland example and Petermann Glacier as a northern example. In the south at Russell Glacier, the distribution of subglacial water varies seasonally depending on the surface melt supply. In winter, water is stored on bedrock ridges but is absent in the sediment-filled troughs. In the summer, water drains to the troughs that focus this water, flooding the bed to intensify sliding locally. The topography and material properties of the bed strongly determine the degree to which subglacial drainage focuses at Russell. Conversely, the drainage systems in northern Greenland are vastly different. In Petermann, radar reflectivity indicates a persistent water distribution beneath the fast moving ice trunk. We observe a widespread water distribution with only a weak drainage focusing along the shear margin. Contrasted to Russell, topography and bed materials exert minor roles in determining Petermann's drainage behavior. Instead, local heat production and heat transfer with the neighboring glaciers strongly determine the water distribution in Petermann. We also interpret the radar reflectivity and routing model results in the context of basal roughness and drainage morphology, which we estimate from a more detailed analysis of the specularity of the bed echoes. Together, our results provide insights into the interaction between subglacial drainage, melt supply, and basal roughness over a wide range of environment. Local conditions often determine how drainage focuses at the bed and thereby play a significant role in controlling individual catchment responses to meltwater supply.

Interpreting Circularly Polarized 75-cm Oblique-Incidence Martian Surface Echoes Received by Mars Odyssey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunnarsdottir, Hrefna M.; Linscott, I. R.; Callas, J. L.; Tyler, G. L.; Cousins, M. D.

2006-09-01

Between August and December 2005, we conducted 76 oblique-incidence scattering experiments using the SRI 46-m antenna in the Stanford foothills to illuminate Mars for 20 min. periods with an unmodulated 75 cm-λ, circularly polarized wave. The direct signal and a Martian surface echo, which are separated by Doppler frequency, were received simultaneously by the one-bit receiver on board the Mars Odyssey spacecraft. Out of 45 experiments with high signal-to-noise ratios, 27 were in the northern hemisphere, while 18 were in the southern hemisphere, where preliminary data analysis is available. The surface echoes are characterized by both fluctuating amplitude and varying spectral width, which correspond roughly to the surface reflectivity and roughness, respectively. Analysis of the data is based on quasi-specular scattering theory, but interpretation of the echoes is complicated by Odyssey's reception of only the right-circular polarized (RCP) wave component, and by the high incidence angles involved (f > 60 deg.), for which the scattering theory is not well developed. Our analysis of the echoes makes use of MOLA topographic maps at a resolution of 128 points per deg. of longitude and latitude, to model the scattering surface in three dimensions along the specular track. We can account for most of the echo amplitude fluctuations by the variation in number of surface-model facets tilted to produce a specular reflection towards Odyssey, indicating that MOLA scale topography is sufficient to capture an important scattering mechanism at this wavelength. With this we have accomplished a first step in differentiating between changes in echo signal strength due to surface reflectivity and surface shape. At the same time, we obtain a measure of the small scale surface roughness by finding the maximum tilt angle away from a perfectly mirroring surface facet which contributes significantly to the echo at each time step.

Transfer matrix method for four-flux radiative transfer.

PubMed

Slovick, Brian; Flom, Zachary; Zipp, Lucas; Krishnamurthy, Srini

2017-07-20

We develop a transfer matrix method for four-flux radiative transfer, which is ideally suited for studying transport through multiple scattering layers. The model predicts the specular and diffuse reflection and transmission of multilayer composite films, including interface reflections, for diffuse or collimated incidence. For spherical particles in the diffusion approximation, we derive closed-form expressions for the matrix coefficients and show remarkable agreement with numerical Monte Carlo simulations for a range of absorption values and film thicknesses, and for an example multilayer slab.

Further tests of plant canopy reflectance models and investigation of non-Lambertian properties of plant canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lemaster, E. W.

1975-01-01

The experimental bidirectional reflectance of cotton is presented and compared to the Suits vegetation model. Some wheat reflectance data are presented for a Mexican dwarf wheat. The general results are that the exchange of source position and detector position gives the same reflectance measurement if the irradiance is purely specular. This agrees with Suites. The reflectance versus sun angle and reflectance versus detector angle do not agree with the Suits predictions. There is qualitative agreement between the Suits model and reflectance versus wavelength, but quantitative agreement has not been observed. Reflectance of a vegetation canopy with detector azimuth shows a change of 10 to 40% for even sun angles near zenith, so it seems advisable to include azimuthal angles into models of vegetation.

Contamination effects study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

The in-situ optical surface measurement system is a facility designed to study the deleterious effects of particulate materials on the surface reflectivities of optical materials in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV). This arrangement is designed to simulate the on-orbit effects of contamination and degradation of optical surfaces. This simulation is accomplished through the use of non-coherent VUV sources illuminating optical surfaces located in a high vacuum chamber. Several sources of contamination are employed. The reflectivity is measured both at the specular reflection as well as at two scattered positions, forward and reverse. The system components are described and an operating procedure is given.

Utilizing Calibrated GPS Reflected Signals to Estimate Soil Reflectivity and Dielectric Constant: Results from SMEX02

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katzberg, Stephen J.; Torres, Omar; Grant, Michael S.; Masters, Dallas

2006-01-01

Extensive reflected GPS data was collected using a GPS reflectometer installed on an HC130 aircraft during the Soil Moisture Experiment 2002 (SMEX02) near Ames, Iowa. At the same time, widespread surface truth data was acquired in the form of point soil moisture profiles, areal sampling of near-surface soil moisture, total green biomass and precipitation history, among others. Previously, there have been no reported efforts to calibrate reflected GPS data sets acquired over land. This paper reports the results of two approaches to calibration of the data that yield consistent results. It is shown that estimating the strength of the reflected signals by either (1) assuming an approximately specular surface reflection or (2) inferring the surface slope probability density and associated normalization constants give essentially the same results for the conditions encountered in SMEX02. The corrected data is converted to surface reflectivity and then to dielectric constant as a test of the calibration approaches. Utilizing the extensive in-situ soil moisture related data this paper also presents the results of comparing the GPS-inferred relative dielectric constant with the Wang-Schmugge model frequently used to relate volume moisture content to dielectric constant. It is shown that the calibrated GPS reflectivity estimates follow the expected dependence of permittivity with volume moisture, but with the following qualification: The soil moisture value governing the reflectivity appears to come from only the top 1-2 centimeters of soil, a result consistent with results found for other microwave techniques operating at L-band. Nevertheless, the experimentally derived dielectric constant is generally lower than predicted. Possible explanations are presented to explain this result.

Coherent gradient sensing method and system for measuring surface curvature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosakis, Ares J. (Inventor); Moore, Jr., Nicholas R. (Inventor); Singh, Ramen P. (Inventor); Kolawa, Elizabeth (Inventor)

2000-01-01

A system and method for determining a curvature of a specularly reflective surface based on optical interference. Two optical gratings are used to produce a spatial displacement in an interference field of two different diffraction components produced by one grating from different diffraction components produced by another grating. Thus, the curvature of the surface can be determined.

Dark Endothelial Spots After Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty May Appear as Recurrent Fuchs Dystrophy or Herald Graft Failure or Rejection.

PubMed

Zygoura, Vasiliki; Baydoun, Lamis; Monnereau, Claire; Satué, Maria; Oellerich, Silke; Melles, Gerrit R J

2017-12-01

To evaluate the clinical significance of dark spots in the donor endothelial cell layer as observed with specular microscopy, in patients who underwent Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED). Specular microscopy images of 83 consecutive eyes up to 7 years after DMEK were retrospectively reviewed in a masked fashion for the presence of dark spots and morphologic changes in the endothelial cell layer and processed for endothelial cell density (ECD) measurements. A normal endothelial cell layer was found in 52/83 eyes (62.7%) (group 0). In the remaining 31/83 eyes, various dark discolorations with or without altered endothelial cell morphology were categorized into 4 groups. Dark spots were classified as artifacts in 10/83 (12.0%) eyes (group I) and as "superimposed" dots in 10/83 (12.0%) eyes (group II), that is, optical irregularities slightly anterior to a healthy endothelial cell layer. In 11/83 (13.3%) eyes, endothelial stress was characterized by dark grayish discolorations and/or nuclear activation (group III). Most of the latter eyes also had a significant ECD decrease; 3 of these eyes later developed secondary graft failure, of which one was preceded by allograft rejection. None of the eyes showed recurrent guttae typical for FED (group IV). Dark endothelial spots after DMEK for FED may not represent a recurrent disease, but tissue irregularities just anterior to the graft. However, if associated with changes in endothelial cell morphology, nuclear activation and/or ECD decrease, dark discolorations may reflect "cellular stress" heralding secondary graft failure or (subclinical) allograft rejection.

Waco investigation: analysis of FLIR videotapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klasen, Lena M.

2001-09-01

This paper presents some of the image processing techniques that were applied to seek an answer to the question whether agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) directed gunfired against the Branch Davidian complex in the tragic event that took place in Waco, Texas, U.S., 1993. The task for this investigation was to provide a scientific opinion that clarified the cause of the questioned events, or flashes, that can be seen on one of the surveillance videotapes. These flashes were by several experts, concluded to be evidence of gunfire. However, there were many reasons to question the correctness of that conclusion, such as the fact that some of the flashes appeared on a regular basis. The main hypothesis for this work was that the flashes instead were caused by specular solar reflections. The technical approach for this work was to analyze and compare the flashes appearance. By reconstructing the spatial and temporal position of the sensor, the complex and the sun, the geometrical properties was compared to the theoretical appearance of specular solar reflections. The result showed that the flashes seen on the FLIR videotape, were caused by solar or heat reflections from single or multiple objects. Consequently, they could not form evidence of gunfire. Further, the result highlights the importance of considering the characteristics of the imaging system within investigations that utilizes images as information source. This is due to the need of separating real data from other phenomena (such as solar reflections), distortions and artifacts in a correct manner.

Measuring Light Reflectance of BGO Crystal Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janecek, Martin; Moses, William W.

2008-10-01

A scintillating crystal's surface reflectance has to be well understood in order to accurately predict and optimize the crystal's light collection through Monte Carlo simulations. In this paper, we measure the inner surface reflectance properties for BGO. The measurements include BGO crystals with a mechanically polished surface, rough-cut surface, and chemically etched surface, and with various reflectors attached, both air-coupled and with coupling compound. The measurements are performed with a laser aimed at the center of a hemispherical shaped BGO crystal. The hemispherical shape eliminates any non-perpendicular angles for light entering and exiting the crystal. The reflected light is collected with an array of photodiodes. The laser can be set at an arbitrary angle, and the photodiode array is rotated to fully cover 2pi of solid angle. The current produced in the photodiodes is readout with a digital multimeter connected through a multiplexer. The two rows of photodiodes achieve 5-degree by 4-degree resolution, and the current measurement has a dynamic range of 105:1. The acquired data was not described by the commonly assumed linear combination of specular and diffuse (Lambertian) distributions, except for a very few surfaces. Surface roughness proved to be the most important parameter when choosing crystal setup. The reflector choice was of less importance and of almost no consequence for rough-cut surfaces. Pure specular reflection distribution for all incidence angles was measured for polished surfaces with VM2000 film, while the most Lambertian distribution for any surface finish was measured for titanium dioxide paint. The distributions acquired in this paper will be used to create more accurate Monte Carlo models for light reflection distribution within BGO crystals.

A radiometric model of an earth radiation budget radiometer optical system with diffuse-specular surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luther, M. R.

1981-01-01

The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) is to fly on NASA's Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) and on NOAA F and NOAA G. Large spatial scale earth energy budget data will be derived primarily from measurements made by the ERBE nonscanning instrument (ERBE-NS). A description is given of a mathematical model capable of simulating the radiometric response of any of the ERBE-NS earth viewing channels. The model uses a Monte Carlo method to accurately account for directional distributions of emission and reflection from optical surfaces which are neither strictly diffuse nor strictly specular. The model computes radiation exchange factors among optical system components, and determines the distribution in the optical system of energy from an outside source. Attention is also given to an approach for implementing the model and results obtained from the implementation.

Cassini/VIMS observes rough surfaces on Titan's Punga Mare in specular reflection.

PubMed

Barnes, Jason W; Sotin, Christophe; Soderblom, Jason M; Brown, Robert H; Hayes, Alexander G; Donelan, Mark; Rodriguez, Sebastien; Mouélic, Stéphane Le; Baines, Kevin H; McCord, Thomas B

Cassini /VIMS high-phase specular observations of Titan's north pole during the T85 flyby show evidence for isolated patches of rough liquid surface within the boundaries of the sea Punga Mare. The roughness shows typical slopes of 6°±1°. These rough areas could be either wet mudflats or a wavy sea. Because of their large areal extent, patchy geographic distribution, and uniform appearance at low phase, we prefer a waves interpretation. Applying theoretical wave calculations based on Titan conditions our slope determination allows us to infer winds of 0.76±0.09 m/s and significant wave heights of [Formula: see text] cm at the time and locations of the observation. If correct, these would represent the first waves seen on Titan's seas, and also the first extraterrestrial sea-surface waves in general.

The determination of acoustic reflection coefficients by using cepstral techniques, II: Extensions of the technique and considerations of accuracy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolton, J. S.; Gold, E.

1986-10-01

In a companion paper the cepstral technique for the measurement of reflection coefficients was described. In particular the concepts of extraction noise and extraction delay were introduced. They are considered further here, and, in addition, a means of extending the cepstral technique to accommodate surfaces having lengthy impulse responses is described. The character of extraction noise, a cepstral component which interferes with reflection measurements, is largely determined by the spectrum of the signal radiated from the source loudspeaker. Here the origin and effects of extraction noise are discussed and it is shown that inverse filtering techniques may be used to reduce extraction noise without making impractical demands of the electrical test signal or the source loudspeaker. The extraction delay, a factor which is introduced when removing the reflector impulse response from the power cepstrum, has previously been estimated by a cross-correlation technique. Here the importance of estimating the extraction delay accurately is emphasized by showing the effect of small spurious delays on the calculation of the normal impedance of a reflecting surface. The effects are shown to accord with theory, and it was found that the real part of the estimated surface normal impedance is very nearly maximized when the spurious delay is eliminated; this has suggested a new way of determining the extraction delay itself. Finally, the basic cepstral technique is suited only to the measurement of surfaces whose impulse responses are shorter than τ, the delay between the arrival of the direct and specularly reflected components at the measurement position. Here it is shown that this restriction can be eliminated, by using a process known as cepstral inversion, when the direct cepstrum has a duration less than τ and cepstral aliasing is insignificant. It is also possible to use this technique to deconvolve a signal from an echo sequence in the time domain, an operation previously associated with the complex cepstrum rather than with the power cepstrum as used here.

Improved Atmospheric Correction for AVIRIS Spectra from Inland Waters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gastil, Mary; Melack, John M.

1998-01-01

Remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) cannot be measured directly. Comparison of Rrs calculated from field measurements to Rrs calculated from AVIRIS spectra and the atmospheric radiative transfer model modtran provides a measure of the accuracy of our method. That and other comparisons are presented here as a validation of a method of retrieving Rrs from inland waters from AVIRIS radiance. The method of collecting field measurements for Rrs is described in Hamilton, 1993. Retrieval of Rrs from AVIRIS using modtran was developed from Carder, 1993. AVIRIS radiance is reduced by the path radiance modeled by modtran and divided by one-way transmission. Skylight, modeled by modtran, specularly reflected from the lake surface, is then subtracted from this radiance, leaving only that radiance which has come from under water. This water-leaving radiance is then normalized by the downwelling irradiance incident at the surface as modeled by modtran. Our improved retrieval of Rrs has allowed us to fit a single curve to a set of 134 pairs of AVIRIS Rrs and measured chlorophyll gathered on eight experiments at Mono Lake. Previously, spectra from different surveys varied more due to lingering atmospheric effects and/or radiometric calibration imprecision than they varied due to chlorophyll.

Experimental and rendering-based investigation of laser radar cross sections of small unmanned aerial vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laurenzis, Martin; Bacher, Emmanuel; Christnacher, Frank

2017-12-01

Laser imaging systems are prominent candidates for detection and tracking of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in current and future security scenarios. Laser reflection characteristics for laser imaging (e.g., laser gated viewing) of small UAVs are investigated to determine their laser radar cross section (LRCS) by analyzing the intensity distribution of laser reflection in high resolution images. For the first time, LRCSs are determined in a combined experimental and computational approaches by high resolution laser gated viewing and three-dimensional rendering. An optimized simple surface model is calculated taking into account diffuse and specular reflectance properties based on the Oren-Nayar and the Cook-Torrance reflectance models, respectively.

MMS Observation of Shock-Reflected He++ at Earth's Quasi-Perpendicular Bow Shock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Broll, Jeffrey Michael; Fuselier, S. A.; Trattner, K. J.; Schwartz, S. J.; Burch, J. L.; Giles, B. L.; Anderson, B. J.

2018-01-01

Specular reflection of protons at Earth's supercritical quasi-perpendicular bow shock has long been known to lead to the thermalization of solar wind particles by velocity-space dispersion. The same process has been proposed for He++ but could not be confirmed previously due to insufficient time resolution for velocity distribution measurements. We present observations and simulations of a bow shock crossing by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission on 20 November 2015 indicating that a very similar reflection process for He++ is possible, and further that the part of the incoming distribution with the highest probability of reflecting is the same for H+ and He++. However, the reflection process for He++ is accomplished by deeper penetration into the downstream magnetic fields.

Bidirectional reflectance distribution function of Spectralon white reflectance standard illuminated by incoherent unpolarized and plane-polarized light.

PubMed

Bhandari, Anak; Hamre, Børge; Frette, Øvynd; Zhao, Lu; Stamnes, Jakob J; Kildemo, Morten

2011-06-01

A Lambert surface would appear equally bright from all observation directions regardless of the illumination direction. However, the reflection from a randomly scattering object generally has directional variation, which can be described in terms of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). We measured the BRDF of a Spectralon white reflectance standard for incoherent illumination at 405 and 680 nm with unpolarized and plane-polarized light from different directions of incidence. Our measurements show deviations of the BRDF for the Spectralon white reflectance standard from that of a Lambertian reflector that depend both on the angle of incidence and the polarization states of the incident light and detected light. The non-Lambertian reflection characteristics were found to increase more toward the direction of specular reflection as the angle of incidence gets larger.

Reflectance degradation of a secondary concentrator by nitrate salt vapor deposition in an open volumetric receiver configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lahlou, Radia; Armstrong, Peter R.; Calvet, Nicolas; Shamim, Tariq

2017-06-01

Nitrate salt vapor deposition on the reflecting surface of a secondary concentrator placed on top of an open molten salt tank at 500 °C is investigated using a lab-scale setup over an 8h-exposure cycle. Deposition, consisting of mostly spherical particles, is characterized in terms of chemical composition using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The corresponding specular reflectance degradation both temporary (before washing off the salt deposits) and permanent (residual reflectance loss after cleaning), is measured at different incidence angles and at reference points located at different heights. Reflectance drop due to salt deposits is compared to the one resulting from dust deposition. Long-term reflectance degradation by means of corrosion needs to be further studied through suitable accelerated aging tests.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of Roman coins from photometric image sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacDonald, Lindsay; Moitinho de Almeida, Vera; Hess, Mona

2017-01-01

A method is presented for increasing the spatial resolution of the three-dimensional (3-D) digital representation of coins by combining fine photometric detail derived from a set of photographic images with accurate geometric data from a 3-D laser scanner. 3-D reconstructions were made of the obverse and reverse sides of two ancient Roman denarii by processing sets of images captured under directional lighting in an illumination dome. Surface normal vectors were calculated by a "bounded regression" technique, excluding both shadow and specular components of reflection from the metallic surface. Because of the known difficulty in achieving geometric accuracy when integrating photometric normals to produce a digital elevation model, the low spatial frequencies were replaced by those derived from the point cloud produced by a 3-D laser scanner. The two datasets were scaled and registered by matching the outlines and correlating the surface gradients. The final result was a realistic rendering of the coins at a spatial resolution of 75 pixels/mm (13-μm spacing), in which the fine detail modulated the underlying geometric form of the surface relief. The method opens the way to obtain high quality 3-D representations of coins in collections to enable interactive online viewing.

Synchronous scattering and diffraction from gold nanotextured surfaces with structure factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Min-Jhong; Lee, Ming-Tsang; Huang, Chien-Hsun; Wu, Chi-Chun; Chen, Yu-Bin

2018-05-01

Synchronous scattering and diffraction were demonstrated using reflectance from gold nanotextured surfaces at oblique (θi = 15° and 60°) incidence of wavelength λ = 405 nm. Two samples of unique auto-correlation functions were cost-effectively fabricated. Multiple structure factors of their profiles were confirmed with Fourier expansions. Bi-directional reflectance function (BRDF) from these samples provided experimental proofs. On the other hand, standard deviation of height and unique auto-correlation function of each sample were used to generate surfaces numerically. Comparing their BRDF with those of totally random rough surfaces further suggested that structure factors in profile could reduce specular reflection more than totally random roughness.

Comparison between semiconducting and oxide layers as a reflection layer in spin-valve films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dinia, A.; Schmerber, G.; Ulhaq, C.

2003-07-01

It is well established that appropriate oxide capping is effective in forming nano-oxide layers (NOL) in spin-valve films for specular enhancement of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. However, the beneficial effect of a NOL is strongly dependent on its process of formation. Therefore, we are interested to use a nano-semiconducting layer (NSL) for specular reflection instead of oxide layers because its achievement is easier since no specific growth conditions are needed. Moreover, we intend to compare the efficiency of the electronic confinement inside the spin valve induced either by NSL or NOLs for structures with the same stack. We have prepared hard-soft spin valve structures by sputtering on glass substrates with the following stacking sequence: Fe6 nm/Cu3 nm/CoFe1.8 nmRu0.8 nmCoFe3 nmCu2 nmRu2 nm. The reflecting layers have been inserted in the middle of the Fe soft layer and on the top of the spin valve. The GMR effect is enhanced by 60% and 75% respectively for the NSL and the NOL. This shows that the NOL is more efficient in term of electronic confinement. To understand the origin of the difference between the NOL and NSL magnetization measurements as well as transmission electron microscopy are presented.

Measurement of an Evaporating Drop on a Reflective Substrate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chao, David F.; Zhang, Nengli

2004-01-01

A figure depicts an apparatus that simultaneously records magnified ordinary top-view video images and laser shadowgraph video images of a sessile drop on a flat, horizontal substrate that can be opaque or translucent and is at least partially specularly reflective. The diameter, contact angle, and rate of evaporation of the drop as functions of time can be calculated from the apparent diameters of the drop in sequences of the images acquired at known time intervals, and the shadowgrams that contain flow patterns indicative of thermocapillary convection (if any) within the drop. These time-dependent parameters and flow patterns are important for understanding the physical processes involved in the spreading and evaporation of drops. The apparatus includes a source of white light and a laser (both omitted from the figure), which are used to form the ordinary image and the shadowgram, respectively. Charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera 1 (with zoom) acquires the ordinary video images, while CCD camera 2 acquires the shadowgrams. With respect to the portion of laser light specularly reflected from the substrate, the drop acts as a plano-convex lens, focusing the laser beam to a shadowgram on the projection screen in front of CCD camera 2. The equations for calculating the diameter, contact angle, and rate of evaporation of the drop are readily derived on the basis of Snell s law of refraction and the geometry of the optics.

Measurement of Far-Infrared Paint Emissivity for Reference Blackbody Modeling and Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaplan, S. G.; Hanssen, L. M.; Mekhontsev, S. N.

2008-12-01

Blackbody sources are typically used for both ground-based and on-orbit calibration of infrared radiometers for atmospheric sounding. Accurate knowledge of the emissivity (or reflectivity) of the painted cavity surfaces is important for the design and modeling of the blackbody performance. Devices designed for the mid- to long-wave infrared (2 μm to 100 μm) generally use specular black paint and multiple (4 to 6) bounces to achieve high emissivity and uniform radiance over the required optical extent. To meet the CLARREO goal of long-term climate monitoring with an absolute uncertainty of < 0.1 K (3 σ), it will be necessary to calibrate radiance measurements to < 0.1 % uncertainty, which could require knowledge of paint emissivity with < 0.005 uncertainty at long wavelength. Critical material parameters include the dependence of emissivity on wavelength, angle of incidence, polarization, and temperature (200 K to 350 K), as well as contributions of scattered light. We present measurement methods and results in support of the CORSAIR SI-traceable far-infrared blackbody design, including temperature-dependent specular reflectance measurements out to 100 μm and angle-dependent data out to 25 μm. In addition, we describe the design for a proposed new facility at NIST (CBS3) that will enable hemispherical-directional emittance and reflectance measurements versus temperature and angle out to 100 μm.

Interfaces in Si/Ge atomic layer superlattices on (001)Si: Effect of growth temperature and wafer misorientation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baribeau, J.-M.; Lockwood, D. J.; Syme, R. W. G.

1996-08-01

We have used x-ray diffraction, specular reflectivity, and diffuse scattering, complemented by Raman spectroscopy, to study the interfaces in a series of (0.5 nm Ge/2 nm Si)50 atomic layer superlattices on (001)Si grown by molecular beam epitaxy in the temperature range 150-650 °C. X-ray specular reflectivity revealed that the structures have a well-defined periodicity with interface widths of about 0.2-0.3 nm in the 300-590 °C temperature range. Offset reflectivity scans showed that the diffuse scattering peaks at values of perpendicular wave vector transfer corresponding to the superlattice satellite peaks, indicating that the interfaces are vertically correlated. Transverse rocking scans of satellite peaks showed a diffuse component corresponding to an interface corrugation of typical length scale of ˜0.5 μm. The wavelength of the undulations is a minimum along the miscut direction and is typically 30-40 times larger than the surface average terrace width assuming monolayer steps, independently of the magnitude of the wafer misorientation. The amplitude of the undulation evolves with growth temperature and is minimum for growth at ˜460 °C and peaks at ˜520 °C. Raman scattering showed the chemical abruptness of the interfaces at low growth temperatures and indicated a change in the growth mode near 450 °C.

Comparison of manual & automated analysis methods for corneal endothelial cell density measurements by specular microscopy.

PubMed

Huang, Jianyan; Maram, Jyotsna; Tepelus, Tudor C; Modak, Cristina; Marion, Ken; Sadda, SriniVas R; Chopra, Vikas; Lee, Olivia L

2017-08-07

To determine the reliability of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) obtained by automated specular microscopy versus that of validated manual methods and factors that predict such reliability. Sharp central images from 94 control and 106 glaucomatous eyes were captured with Konan specular microscope NSP-9900. All images were analyzed by trained graders using Konan CellChek Software, employing the fully- and semi-automated methods as well as Center Method. Images with low cell count (input cells number <100) and/or guttata were compared with the Center and Flex-Center Methods. ECDs were compared and absolute error was used to assess variation. The effect on ECD of age, cell count, cell size, and cell size variation was evaluated. No significant difference was observed between the Center and Flex-Center Methods in corneas with guttata (p=0.48) or low ECD (p=0.11). No difference (p=0.32) was observed in ECD of normal controls <40 yrs old between the fully-automated method and manual Center Method. However, in older controls and glaucomatous eyes, ECD was overestimated by the fully-automated method (p=0.034) and semi-automated method (p=0.025) as compared to manual method. Our findings show that automated analysis significantly overestimates ECD in the eyes with high polymegathism and/or large cell size, compared to the manual method. Therefore, we discourage reliance upon the fully-automated method alone to perform specular microscopy analysis, particularly if an accurate ECD value is imperative. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.

Modern Display Technologies for Airborne Applications.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-04-01

the case of LED head-down direct view displays, this requires that special attention be paid to the optical filtering , the electrical drive/address...effectively attenuates the LED specular reflectance component, the colour and neutral density filtering attentuate the diffuse component and the... filter techniques are planned for use with video, multi- colour and advanced versions of numeric, alphanumeric and graphic displays; this technique

Interference of conically scattered light in surface plasmon resonance.

PubMed

Webster, Aaron; Vollmer, Frank

2013-02-01

Surface plasmon polaritons on thin metal films are a well studied phenomena when excited using prism coupled geometries such as the Kretschmann attenuated total reflection configuration. Here we describe a novel interference pattern in the conically scattered light emanating from such a configuration when illuminated by a focused beam. We observe conditions indicating only self-interference of scattered surface plasmon polaritions without any contributions from specular reflection. The spatial evolution of this field is described in the context of Fourier optics and has applications in highly sensitive surface plasmon based biosensing.

A Solar Receiver-Reactor with Specularly Reflecting Walls for High-Temperature Thermoelectrochemical and Thermochemical Processes

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-10-27

on the radiosity concept1 2 - t and was simply and quickly formulated when we assumed that the power distribution across each surface was uniform. Our...power per unit area leaving A,, its radiosity B,, consists of two components. The direct emission is kIwT1 4 . The diffusely t reflected portion of the...leaving Am, the radiosity Ba, is the radiation power arriving at the aperture from the concentrator. It is given by B2 = P/A 2 = IAA4-/A 2 , (5) where

A fundamental approach to adhesion: Synthesis, surface analysis, thermodynamics and mechanics. [acid-base properties of titanium 6-4 surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siriwardane, R.; Wightman, J. P.

1980-01-01

The acid-base properties of titanium 6-4 plates (low surface area) were investigated after three different pretreatments, namely Turco, phosphate-fluoride and Pasa-Jell. A series of indicators was used and color changes were detected using diffuse reflectance visible spectroscopy. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis was used to examine the indicator on the Ti 6-4 surface. Specular reflectance infra-red spectroscopy was used to study the adsorption of stearic acid from cyclohexane solutions on the Ti 6-4 surface.

Solar power conversion system with directionally- and spectrally-selective properties based on a reflective cavity

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

Boriskina, Svetlana; Kraemer, Daniel; McEnaney, Kenneth

Solar power conversion system. The system includes a cavity formed within an enclosure having highly specularly reflecting in the IR spectrum inside walls, the enclosure having an opening to receive solar radiation. An absorber is positioned within the cavity for receiving the solar radiation resulting in heating of the absorber structure. In a preferred embodiment, the system further contains an energy conversion and storage devices thermally-linked to the absorber by heat conduction, convection, far-field or near-field thermal radiation.

NIST High Accuracy Reference Reflectometer-Spectrophotometer

PubMed Central

Proctor, James E.; Yvonne Barnes, P.

1996-01-01

A new reflectometer-spectrophotometer has been designed and constructed using state-of-the-art technology to enhance optical properties of materials measurements over the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) wavelength range (200 nm to 2500 nm). The instrument, Spectral Tri-function Automated Reference Reflectometer (STARR), is capable of measuring specular and diffuse reflectance, bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of diffuse samples, and both diffuse and non-diffuse transmittance. Samples up to 30 cm by 30 cm can be measured. The instrument and its characterization are described. PMID:27805081

Mid-latitude spread-F structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meehan, D. H.; From, W. R.

1988-07-01

Observations of spread-F at frequencies of 1.98, 3.84, and 5.80 MHz and multiple angles of arrival have been obtained with an HF radar near Brisbane. It is suggested that the spreading of the ionogram trace is due to a spread in the arrival angles of echoes, and that the reflection process may involve total specular reflection rather than scattering. The results indicate that the structure cannot be purely frontal with purely linear movement. The velocities are found to be much less than for coexisting traveling ionospheric disturbances.

[Development and application of electroanalytical methods in biomedical fields].

PubMed

Kusu, Fumiyo

2015-01-01

To summarize our electroanalytical research in the biomedical field over the past 43 years, this review describes studies on specular reflection measurement, redox potential determination, amperometric acid sensing, HPLC with electrochemical detection, and potential oscillation across a liquid membrane. The specular reflection method was used for clarifying the adsorption of neurotransmitters and their related drugs onto a gold electrode and the interaction between dental alloys and compound iodine glycerin. A voltammetric screening test using a redox potential for the antioxidative effect of flavonoids was proposed. Amperometric acid sensing based on the measurement of the reduction prepeak current of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (VK3) or 3,5-di-tert-buty1-1,2-benzoquinone (DBBQ) was applied to determine acid values of fats and oils, titrable acidity of coffee, and enzyme activity of lipase, free fatty acids (FFAs) in serum, short-chain fatty acids in feces, etc. The electrode reactions of phenothiazines, catechins, and cholesterol were applied to biomedical analysis using HPLC with electrochemical detection. A three-channel electrochemical detection system was utilized for the sensitive determination of redox compounds in Chinese herbal medicines. The behavior of barbituric acid derivatives was examined based on potential oscillation measurements.

A fast method for optical simulation of flood maps of light-sharing detector modules

PubMed Central

Shi, Han; Du, Dong; Xu, JianFeng; Moses, William W.; Peng, Qiyu

2016-01-01

Optical simulation of the detector module level is highly desired for Position Emission Tomography (PET) system design. Commonly used simulation toolkits such as GATE are not efficient in the optical simulation of detector modules with complicated light-sharing configurations, where a vast amount of photons need to be tracked. We present a fast approach based on a simplified specular reflectance model and a structured light-tracking algorithm to speed up the photon tracking in detector modules constructed with polished finish and specular reflector materials. We simulated conventional block detector designs with different slotted light guide patterns using the new approach and compared the outcomes with those from GATE simulations. While the two approaches generated comparable flood maps, the new approach was more than 200–600 times faster. The new approach has also been validated by constructing a prototype detector and comparing the simulated flood map with the experimental flood map. The experimental flood map has nearly uniformly distributed spots similar to those in the simulated flood map. In conclusion, the new approach provides a fast and reliable simulation tool for assisting in the development of light-sharing-based detector modules with a polished surface finish and using specular reflector materials. PMID:27660376

Thermal stability and specular reflection behaviour of CoNbZr-based bottom spin valves with nano-oxide layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jong Soo; Lee, Seong-Rae

2004-06-01

The thermal stability and specularity aspects of a CoNbZr-based bottom spin valve (SV) employing a nano-oxide layer (NOL) were investigated. The magnetoresistance (MR) ratio of the as-deposited CoNbZr-based bottom SV increased by 62% (from 6.3 to 10.2%) with incorporation of the NOL. The enhancement of the MR ratio was considered to be due to the specular effect ( increased from 0.722 to 1.363 cm) of the NOL. The MR ratio of a Ta-based bottom SV decreased by about 45% (from 6.9 to 3.8%) when the samples were annealed at 300 °C for 240 min. By contrast, the MR ratio of the CoNbZr-based bottom SV with NOL increase d by 14 % (from 10.2 to 11.7%). The root mean square roughness value of the CoNbZr layer (0.07 nm) was superior to that of the Ta layer (0.43 nm). Although Mn in IrMn diffused out to the surface through the active layers resulting in the formation of Mn oxide at the surface in the CoNbZr-based bottom SV, no trace of Mn was found in the active layers and no significant degradation occurred.

A fast method for optical simulation of flood maps of light-sharing detector modules

DOE PAGES

Shi, Han; Du, Dong; Xu, JianFeng; ...

2015-09-03

Optical simulation of the detector module level is highly desired for Position Emission Tomography (PET) system design. Commonly used simulation toolkits such as GATE are not efficient in the optical simulation of detector modules with complicated light-sharing configurations, where a vast amount of photons need to be tracked. Here, we present a fast approach based on a simplified specular reflectance model and a structured light-tracking algorithm to speed up the photon tracking in detector modules constructed with polished finish and specular reflector materials. We also simulated conventional block detector designs with different slotted light guide patterns using the new approachmore » and compared the outcomes with those from GATE simulations. And while the two approaches generated comparable flood maps, the new approach was more than 200–600 times faster. The new approach has also been validated by constructing a prototype detector and comparing the simulated flood map with the experimental flood map. The experimental flood map has nearly uniformly distributed spots similar to those in the simulated flood map. In conclusion, the new approach provides a fast and reliable simulation tool for assisting in the development of light-sharing-based detector modules with a polished surface finish and using specular reflector materials.« less

Use of specular microscopy to determine corneal endothelial cell morphology and morphometry in enucleated cat eyes.

PubMed

Franzen, Angela A; Pigatto, João A T; Abib, Fernando C; Albuquerque, Luciane; Laus, José L

2010-07-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of age on endothelial morphology and morphometry in cats. The corneal endothelium was studied using a contact specular microscope. A total of 18 cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) were evaluated in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups of six cats each in function of age: G1 (1 to 3 months old), G2 (5 to 12 months old), and G3 (24 to 40 months old). The examination presented data as endothelial cell density (ECD), average cell area, corneal thickness, polymegathism, and pleomorphism. Results revealed ECD decrease in corneas of normal cats with age, as well as a corresponding increase in endothelial cell area and pleomorphism. The present work suggests that the endothelial parameters evaluated change with advancing age.

Bidirectional reflectance distribution function effects in ladar-based reflection tomography.

PubMed

Jin, Xuemin; Levine, Robert Y

2009-07-20

Light reflection from a surface is described by the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). In this paper, BRDF effects in reflection tomography are studied using modeled range-resolved reflection from well-characterized geometrical surfaces. It is demonstrated that BRDF effects can cause a darkening at the interior boundary of the reconstructed surface analogous to the well-known beam hardening artifact in x-ray transmission computed tomography (CT). This artifact arises from reduced reflection at glancing incidence angles to the surface. It is shown that a purely Lambertian surface without shadowed components is perfectly reconstructed from range-resolved measurements. This result is relevant to newly fabricated carbon nanotube materials. Shadowing is shown to cause crossed streak artifacts similar to limited-angle effects in CT reconstruction. In tomographic reconstruction, these effects can overwhelm highly diffuse components in proximity to specularly reflecting elements. Diffuse components can be recovered by specialized processing, such as reducing glints via thresholded measurements.

Bidirectional reflection functions from surface bump maps

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

Cabral, B.; Max, N.; Springmeyer, R.

1987-04-29

The Torrance-Sparrow model for calculating bidirectional reflection functions contains a geometrical attenuation factor to account for shadowing and occlusions in a hypothetical distribution of grooves on a rough surface. Using an efficient table-based method for determining the shadows and occlusions, we calculate the geometric attenuation factor for surfaces defined by a specific table of bump heights. Diffuse and glossy specular reflection of the environment can be handled in a unified manner by using an integral of the bidirectional reflection function times the environmental illumination, over the hemisphere of solid angle above a surface. We present a method of estimating themore » integral, by expanding the bidirectional reflection coefficient in spherical harmonics, and show how the coefficients in this expansion can be determined efficiently by reorganizing our geometric attenuation calculation.« less

Planar optics with patterned chiral liquid crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobashi, Junji; Yoshida, Hiroyuki; Ozaki, Masanori

2016-06-01

Reflective metasurfaces based on metallic and dielectric nanoscatterers have attracted interest owing to their ability to control the phase of light. However, because such nanoscatterers require subwavelength features, the fabrication of elements that operate in the visible range is challenging. Here, we show that chiral liquid crystals with a self-organized helical structure enable metasurface-like, non-specular reflection in the visible region. The phase of light that is Bragg-reflected off the helical structure can be controlled over 0-2π depending on the spatial phase of the helical structure; thus planar elements with arbitrary reflected wavefronts can be created via orientation control. The circular polarization selectivity and external field tunability of Bragg reflection open a wide variety of potential applications for this family of functional devices, from optical isolators to wearable displays.

Nanofabrication of ultra-low reflectivity black silicon surfaces and devices (Presentation Recording)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Victor E.; Yee, Karl Y.; Balasubramanian, Kunjithapatham; Echternach, Pierre M.; Muller, Richard E.; Dickie, Matthew R.; Cady, Eric; Ryan, Daniel J.; Eastwood, Michael; van Gorp, Byron; Riggs, A. J. Eldorado; Zimmerman, Niel; Kasdin, N. Jeremy

2015-08-01

Optical devices with features exhibiting ultra low reflectivity on the order of 10-7 specular reflectance in the visible spectrum are required for coronagraph instruments and some spectrometers employed in space research. Nanofabrication technologies have been developed to produce such devices with various shapes and feature dimensions to meet these requirements. Infrared reflection is also suppressed significantly with chosen wafers and processes. Particularly, devices with very high (>0.9) and very low reflectivity (<10-7) on adjacent areas have been fabricated and characterized. Significantly increased surface area due to the long needle like nano structures also provides some unique applications in other technology areas. We present some of the approaches, challenges and achieved results in producing and characterizing such devices currently employed in laboratory testbeds and instruments.

Effect of nano-oxide layers on giant magnetoresistance in pseudo-spin-valves using Co 2FeAl electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, D. L.; Xu, X. G.; Wu, Y.; Miao, J.; Jiang, Y.

2011-03-01

We studied the pseudo-spin-valves (PSVs) with a structure of Ta/Co 2FeAl/NOL 1/Co 2FeAl/Cu/Co 2FeAl/NOL 2/Ta, where NOL represents the nano-oxide layer. Compared with the normal Co 2FeAl (CFA) PSV with a structure of Ta/Co 2FeAl/Cu/Co 2FeAl/Ta, which shows only a current-in-plane (CIP) giant magnetoresistance (GMR) of 0.03%, the CFA PSV with NOLs shows a large CIP-GMR of 5.84%. The enhanced GMR by the NOLs inserted in the CFA PSV is due to the large specular reflection caused by [(CoO)(Fe 2O 3)(Al 2O 3)] in NOL 1 and [(Fe 2O 3)(Al 2O 3)(Ta 2O 5)] in NOL 2. Another reason is that the roughness of the interface between Ta and CFA is improved by the oxidation procedure.

Intercomparison of wind speeds inferred by the SASS, altimeter, and SMMR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wentz, F. J.; Cardone, V. J.; Fedor, L. S.

1982-01-01

The operational theory, control algorithms, and comparisons with surface-determined wind speeds for the scatterometer (SASS), altimeter (ALT), and passive microwave radiometer (SMMR) on board the Seasat satellite are presented. Radiative scattering combining specular reflections and Bragg resonance scattering are noted to occur at tilting waves and sea foam, two conditions highly correlated with wind speed. SASS scans swaths of 70, 200, and 700 km from nadir, the SMMR covers a 150 km strip. Normalized radar sections are derived from the SASS and ALT telemetry, and brightness temperature from the SMMR. ALT winds were found to be biased about 3 m/sec low, while intercomparison between the SMMR and SASS data showed a mean difference of 0.3 m/sec with a standard deviation from measured winds of 1.7 m/sec or less. The effects of land thermal emissions, rain, and sun glint are discussed, and good viewing conditions are concluded to result in 2 m/sec accuracy.

Survey of Material for an Infrared-Opaque Coating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Sheldon M.; Howitt, Richard V.

1986-01-01

More than 40 reflectance spectra in the range from 20 to 500 microns have been obtained for a variety of coatings, binders, and additives to identify promising components of an infrared-opaque coating for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility. Certain combinations of materials showed a specular reflectance below 0.1 throughout the spectral range measured. In addition to estimating the optical constants of several combination coatings, this survey also supports three qualitative conclusions: (1) promising off-the-shelf binders of different additives are Chemglaze Z-306, ECP-2200, and De Soto Black; (2) carbon black is very effective in reducing far-infrared reflectance; (3) the far-infrared reflectance from coatings containing 80 SiC grit is consistently lower than that from similar coatings containing TiBr powder.

Survey of material for an infrared-opaque coating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Sheldon M.; Howitt, Richard V.

1986-01-01

More than 40 reflectance spectra in the range from 20 to 500 microns have been obtained of a variety of coatings, binders, and additives to identify promising components of an infrared-opaque coating for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility. Certain combinations of materials showed a specular reflectance below 0.1 throughout the spectral range measured. In addition to estimating the optical constants of several combination coatings, this survey also supports three qualitative conclusions: (1) promising 'off-the-shelf' binders of different additives are Chemglaze Z-306, ECP-2200, and De Soto Black; (2) carbon black is very effective reducing far-infrared reflectance; and (3) the far-infrared reflectance from coatings containing 80 SiC grit is consistently lower than that from similar coatings containing TlBr powder.

Unpolarized emissivity with shadow and multiple reflections from random rough surfaces with the geometric optics approximation: application to Gaussian sea surfaces in the infrared band.

PubMed

Bourlier, Christophe

2006-08-20

The emissivity from a stationary random rough surface is derived by taking into account the multiple reflections and the shadowing effect. The model is applied to the ocean surface. The geometric optics approximation is assumed to be valid, which means that the rough surface is modeled as a collection of facets reflecting locally the light in the specular direction. In particular, the emissivity with zero, single, and double reflections are analytically calculated, and each contribution is studied numerically by considering a 1D sea surface observed in the near infrared band. The model is also compared with results computed from a Monte Carlo ray-tracing method.

Method of making reflecting film reflector

DOEpatents

Cottingham, James G.

1980-01-01

A reflector of the reflecting film type is disclosed and which may be used in a heliostatic system for concentrating solar energy and comprising a reflecting film bonded to an appropriate rigid substrate in such a way that specularity of a very high order is achieved. A method of bonding the reflecting film to the substrate is also disclosed and comprises the steps of initially adhering the film to a smooth, clean flat rigid surface with a non-bonding liquid between the rigid surface and film, and then bonding the substrate and film. The non-bonding liquid has a molecular adhesion greater than any stresses due to handling or curing of the bonding agent which is applied between the film and the opposing surface of the rigid substrate.

Formulation of Ames 24E2 IR-black coating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Sheldon M.

1991-01-01

The formulation of Ames 24E2 IR-black coating and a rationale for the selection of its components are given. The objective was to make a very rough, very thick, and highly absorbing coating to attenuate the specular reflectance of telescope baffles at far-IR wavelengths. Application and curing instructions are also given. Outgassing measurements are quite low following a 24-hour radiative cure.

Electromagnetic scattering from microwave absorbers - Laboratory verification of the coupled wave theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gasiewski, A. J.; Jackson, D. M.

1992-01-01

W-band measurements of the bistatic scattering function of some common microwave absorbing structures, including periodic wedge-type and pyramid-type iron-epoxy calibration loads and flat carbon-foam 'Echosorb' samples, were made using a network analyzer interface to a focused-lens scattering range. Swept frequency measurements over the 75-100 GHz band revealed specular and Bragg reflection characteristics in the measured data.

Ocean wind and roughness retrieval with spaceborne GNSS-Reflectometry: first results from the UK TechDemoSat-1 mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gommenginger, C.; Foti, G.

2015-12-01

GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) is a ground breaking ocean remote sensing technique that exploits reflected signals from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to retrieve geophysical information about the ocean surface such as near-surface winds above the ocean. Adopting a bistatic radar configuration, signals emitted by GNSS satellites flying in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) are received by a GNSS-R receiver on a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory utilizing both a zenith antenna to receive the direct signal from the GNSS and a nadir antenna to acquire the earth-reflected signal. The reflected signal originated from a glistening zone on the ocean surface sited around the Specular Point (SP), the geometrical point on the Earth surface where GNSS signals are forward scattered in the specular direction. The two signals are correlated for different shifts in time (delay) and frequency (Doppler) relative to the specular point (SP) to produce a so-called Delay Doppler Map (DDM) of forward-scattered electromagnetic power over the surface. This paper gives an overview of recent results obtained for wind speed and ocean roughness retrieval with the Low-Earth-Orbiting UK TechDemoSat-1 satellite (TDS-1). Launched in July 2014, TDS-1 provides the first new spaceborne Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) data since the pioneering UK-Disaster Monitoring Mission experiment in 2003. We present examples of onboard-processed delay Doppler Maps, including excellent DDM data quality for winds up to 27.9 m/s. The relationship between observed GNSS-R signals, wind speed and ocean roughness is explored using global collocated matchup datasets with METOP ASCAT scatterometer winds and WaveWatch3 numerical wave model output. Several Geophysical Model Functions are proposed, that make it possible to retrieve wind speed without bias and with a precision of the order of 2 m/s even without calibration. This work demonstrates the capabilities of low-cost, low-mass, low-power GNSS-R receivers ahead of their launch on the NASA CYGNSS constellation in 2016.

A Geometric Model for Specularity Prediction on Planar Surfaces with Multiple Light Sources.

PubMed

Morgand, Alexandre; Tamaazousti, Mohamed; Bartoli, Adrien

2018-05-01

Specularities are often problematic in computer vision since they impact the dynamic range of the image intensity. A natural approach would be to predict and discard them using computer graphics models. However, these models depend on parameters which are difficult to estimate (light sources, objects' material properties and camera). We present a geometric model called JOLIMAS: JOint LIght-MAterial Specularity, which predicts the shape of specularities. JOLIMAS is reconstructed from images of specularities observed on a planar surface. It implicitly includes light and material properties, which are intrinsic to specularities. This model was motivated by the observation that specularities have a conic shape on planar surfaces. The conic shape is obtained by projecting a fixed quadric on the planar surface. JOLIMAS thus predicts the specularity using a simple geometric approach with static parameters (object material and light source shape). It is adapted to indoor light sources such as light bulbs and fluorescent lamps. The prediction has been tested on synthetic and real sequences. It works in a multi-light context by reconstructing a quadric for each light source with special cases such as lights being switched on or off. We also used specularity prediction for dynamic retexturing and obtained convincing rendering results. Further results are presented as supplementary video material, which can be found on the Computer Society Digital Library at http://doi.ieeecomputersociety.org/10.1109/TVCG.2017.2677445.

Lightweight, low-cost solar energy collector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hochberg, Eric B. (Inventor); Costen, Michael K. (Inventor)

2006-01-01

A lightweight solar concentrator of the reflecting parabolic or trough type is realized via a thin reflecting film, an inflatable structural housing and tensioned fibers. The reflector element itself is a thin, flexible, specularly-reflecting sheet or film. The film is maintained in the parabolic trough shape by means of a plurality of identical tensioned fibers arranged to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the parabola. Fiber ends are terminated in two identical spaced anchorplates, each containing a plurality of holes which lie on the desired parabolic contour. In a preferred embodiment, these fibers are arrayed in pairs with one fiber contacting the front side of the reflecting film and the other contacting the back side of the reflecting film. The reflective surface is thereby slidably captured between arrays of fibers which control the shape and position of the reflective film. Gas pressure in the inflatable housing generates fiber tension to achieve a truer parabolic shape.

Reflected Sunlight Reduction and Characterization for a Deep-Space Optical Receiver Antenna (DSORA)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clymer, B. D.

1990-01-01

A baffle system for the elimination of first-order specular and diffuse reflection of sunlight from the sunshade of a deep-space optical receiver telescope is presented. This baffle system consists of rings of 0.5cm blades spaced 2.5 cm apart on the walls of GO hexagonal sunshade tubes that combine to form the telescope sunshade. The shadow cast by the blades, walls, and rims of the tubes prevent all first-order reflections of direct sunlight from reaching the primary mirror of the telescope. A reflection model of the sunshade without baffles is also presented for comparison. Since manufacturers of absorbing surfaces do not measure data near grazing incidence, the reflection properties at anticipated angles of incidence must be characterized. A description of reflection from matte surfaces in term of bidirectional reflection distribution function (BRDF) is presented along with a discussion of measuring BRDF near grazing incidence.

Dot Projection Photogrammetric Technique for Shape Measurements of Aerospace Test Articles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Thomas W.; Pappa, Richard S.

2002-01-01

Results from initial laboratory investigations with the dot projection photogrammetric technique are presented for three wind-tunnel test articles with a range of surface scattering and reflection properties. These test articles are a semispan model and a micro air vehicle with a latex wing that are both diffusely reflecting, and a highly polished specularly reflecting model used for high Reynolds number testing. Results using both white light and laser illumination are presented. Some of the advantages and limitations of the dot projection technique are discussed. Although a desirable final outcome of this research effort is the characterization of dynamic behavior, only static laboratory results are presented in this preliminary effort.

Morphological Changes of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells after Rho-Associated Kinase Inhibitor Eye Drop (Ripasudil) Administration: A Prospective Open-Label Clinical Study

PubMed Central

Okumura, Naoki; Suganami, Hideki; Kinoshita, Shigeru

2015-01-01

Purpose To investigate the effect and safety of a selective Rho kinase inhibitor, ripasudil 0.4% eye drops, on corneal endothelial cells of healthy subjects. Design Prospective, interventional case series. Methods In this study, 6 healthy subjects were administered ripasudil 0.4% in the right eye twice daily for 1 week. Morphological changes and corneal endothelial cell density were examined by noncontact and contact specular microscopy. Central corneal thickness and corneal volume of 5 mm-diameter area of center cornea were analyzed by Pentacam Scheimpflug topography. All the above measurements were conducted in both eyes before administration, 1.5 and 6 hours after the initial administration on day 0; and in the same manner after the final administration on day 7. Results By noncontact specular microscopy, indistinct cell borders with pseudo guttae were observed, but by contact specular microscopy, morphological changes of corneal endothelial cells were mild and pseudo guttae was not observed after single and repeated administration of ripasudil in all subjects. These changes resolved prior to the next administration, and corneal endothelial cell density, central corneal thickness and corneal volume were not changed throughout the study period. Conclusion Transient morphological changes of corneal endothelial cells such as indistinct cell borders with pseudo guttae were observed by noncontact specular microscopy in healthy subjects after ripasudil administration. Corneal edema was not observed and corneal endothelial cell density did not decrease after 1 week repetitive administration. These morphological changes were reversible and corneal endothelial cell morphology returned to normal prior to the next administration. Trial Registration JAPIC Clinical Trials Information 142705 PMID:26367375

Self-assembled biomimetic antireflection coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linn, Nicholas C.; Sun, Chih-Hung; Jiang, Peng; Jiang, Bin

2007-09-01

The authors report a simple self-assembly technique for fabricating antireflection coatings that mimic antireflective moth eyes. Wafer-scale, nonclose-packed colloidal crystals with remarkable large hexagonal domains are created by a spin-coating technology. The resulting polymer-embedded colloidal crystals exhibit highly ordered surface modulation and can be used directly as templates to cast poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) molds. Moth-eye antireflection coatings with adjustable reflectivity can then be molded against the PDMS master. The specular reflection of replicated nipple arrays matches the theoretical prediction using a thin-film multilayer model. These biomimetic films may find important technological application in optical coatings and solar cells.

Low frequency acoustic microscope

DOEpatents

Khuri-Yakub, Butrus T.

1986-11-04

A scanning acoustic microscope is disclosed for the detection and location of near surface flaws, inclusions or voids in a solid sample material. A focused beam of acoustic energy is directed at the sample with its focal plane at the subsurface flaw, inclusion or void location. The sample is scanned with the beam. Detected acoustic energy specularly reflected and mode converted at the surface of the sample and acoustic energy reflected by subsurface flaws, inclusions or voids at the focal plane are used for generating an interference signal which is processed and forms a signal indicative of the subsurface flaws, inclusions or voids.

Positronium reflection and positronium beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weber, M.; Tang, S.; Khatri, R.; Berko, S.; Canter, K. F.; Lynn, K. G.; Mills, A. P., Jr.; Roellig, L. O.; Viescas, A. J.

1990-01-01

Specular reflection of positronium, Ps was observed and that there is adequate intensity at higher energies to make further study worthwhile was established. The scattering appears to be restricted to the outermost surface with a mean free path of (0.75 + or - 0.15)A for Ps in LiF(100). With a greater intensity Ps beam one should see higher order diffraction beams as the result of the periodicity of the surface. Ps diffraction thus offers the possibility of being a novel and valuable probe to study the outermost surface and to study adsorbants on it. Two methods for producing Ps beams are described.

Measurements of print-through in graphite fiber epoxy composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaworske, Donald A.; Jeunnette, Timothy T.; Anzic, Judith M.

1989-01-01

High-reflectance accurate-contour mirrors are needed for solar dynamic space power systems. Graphite fiber epoxy composites are attractive candidates for such applications owing to their high modulus, near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion, and low mass. However, mirrors prepared from graphite fiber epoxy composite substrates often exhibit print-through, a distortion of the surface, which causes a loss in solar specular reflectance. Efforts to develop mirror substrates without print-through distortion require a means of quantifying print-through. Methods have been developed to quantify the degree of print-through in graphite fiber epoxy composite specimens using surface profilometry.

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kettel, Johannes; Reinecke, Holger; Müller, Claas

2016-04-01

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

Role of computer-assisted analysis of the corneal endothelium in vitreoretinal surgery with intraocular silicone oil injection: a technical report.

PubMed

Fruschelli, M; Esposti, P; Caporossi, A

1998-01-01

The innermost lining of the cornea consists of a single layer of cells called the endothelium. Despite its name, the endothelium of the cornea differs considerably from the vascular endothelium, both functionally and morphologically. The corneal endothelium plays a fundamental role in maintaining the transparency of the corneal membrane, as the result of both its function as a barrier against penetration of the aqueous humor in the parenchyma and its ability to remove water from the stroma (usually referred to as the endothelial "pump" function). Any abnormality in the corneal endothelium causes, first, the impairment of its function as a barrier and pump due to the loss of stromal anti-turgor mechanisms, followed by edema and possible development into keratopathy. The specular microscope is an instrument which makes it possible to see the endothelial "mosaic" in the reflected image of the posterior corneal surface. A large variety of clinical specular microscopes is presently available, both contact and non-contact, which allow, for easy and rapid photography of the corneal endothelium "in vivo". In the present case, we used a non-contact computerized specular microscope to analyze the corneal endothelium in a group of patients affected by retinal detachment who needed to undergo vitreoretinal surgery with immission of silicone oil into the vitreal chamber.

Time-resolved study of SrTiO3 homoepitaxial pulsed-laser deposition using surface x-ray diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eres, G.; Tischler, J. Z.; Yoon, M.; Larson, B. C.; Rouleau, C. M.; Lowndes, D. H.; Zschack, P.

2002-05-01

Homoepitaxy of SrTiO3 by pulsed-laser deposition has been studied using in situ time-resolved surface x-ray diffraction in the temperature range of 310 °C to 780 °C. Using a two-detector configuration, surface x-ray diffraction intensities were monitored simultaneously at the (0 0 1/2) specular and the (0 1 1/2) off-specular truncation rod positions. Abrupt intensity changes in both the specular and off-specular rods after laser pulses indicated prompt crystallization into SrTiO3 layers followed by slower intra- and interlayer surface rearrangements on time scales of seconds. Specular rod intensity oscillations indicated layer-by-layer growth, while off-specular rod intensity measurements suggested the presence of transient in-plane lattice distortions for depositions above 600 °C.

Angular distribution of diffuse reflectance from incoherent multiple scattering in turbid media.

PubMed

Gao, M; Huang, X; Yang, P; Kattawar, G W

2013-08-20

The angular distribution of diffuse reflection is elucidated with greater understanding by studying a homogeneous turbid medium. We modeled the medium as an infinite slab and studied the reflection dependence on the following three parameters: the incident direction, optical depth, and asymmetry factor. The diffuse reflection is produced by incoherent multiple scattering and is solved through radiative transfer theory. At large optical depths, the angular distribution of the diffuse reflection with small incident angles is similar to that of a Lambertian surface, but, with incident angles larger than 60°, the angular distributions have a prominent reflection peak around the specular reflection angle. These reflection peaks are found originating from the scattering within one transport mean free path in the top layer of the medium. The maximum reflection angles for different incident angles are analyzed and can characterize the structure of angular distributions for different asymmetry factors and optical depths. The properties of the angular distribution can be applied to more complex systems for a better understanding of diffuse reflection.

Bidirectional reflectance measurement of zinc oxide in 0.25 to 2.5 microns spectrum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scott, R. L., Jr.

1974-01-01

An experimental apparatus was designed and used to measure the bidirectional reflectance of zinc oxide in the spectrum 0.25 to 2.5 microns. The nonspecular reflectance is essentially Lambert for wavelengths above 0.40 microns with the most deviation occuring for large source zenith angles. Below 0.400 microns the nonspecular reflectance is greater than Lambert in all directions and is greatest in the forward and backscatter directions. The ratio of the specular component to the nonspecular component at a zenith of 0 degrees was found to increase with source zenith and wavelength for wavelengths above 0.400 microns. Below 0.400 microns this ratio increases as wavelengths decrease. The variation of bidirectional reflectance with wavelength was found to have the characteristics absorption for Zn0 for wavelength below 0.400 microns.

The multipurpose time-of-flight neutron reflectometer “Platypus” at Australia's OPAL reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, M.; Nelson, A.; Holt, S. A.; Saerbeck, T.; Hamilton, W. A.; Klose, F.

2011-03-01

In this manuscript we describe the major components of the Platypus time-of-flight neutron reflectometer at the 20 MW OPAL reactor in Sydney, Australia. Platypus is a multipurpose spectrometer for the characterisation of solid thin films, materials adsorbed at the solid-liquid interface and free-liquid surfaces. It also has the capacity to study magnetic thin films using spin-polarised neutrons. Platypus utilises a white neutron beam ( λ=2-20 Å) that is pulsed using boron-coated disc chopper pairs; thus providing the capacity to tailor the wavelength resolution of the pulses to suit the system under investigation. Supermirror optical components are used to focus, deflect or spin-polarise the broad bandwidth neutron beams, and typical incident spectra are presented for each configuration. A series of neutron reflectivity datasets are presented, indicating the quality and flexibility of this spectrometer. Minimum reflectivity values of <10 -7 are observed; while maximum thickness values of 325 nm have been measured for single-component films and 483 nm for a multilayer system. Off-specular measurements have also been made to investigate in-plane features as opposed to those normal to the sample surface. Finally, the first published studies conducted using the Platypus time-of-flight neutron reflectometer are presented.

Isotope-Identifying neutron reflectometry

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

Nikitenko, Yu. V., E-mail: nikiten@nf.jinr.ru; Petrenko, A. V.; Gundorin, N. A.

2015-07-15

The possibilities of an isotope-indentifying study of layered structures in different regimes of a neutron wave field are considered. The detection of specularly reflected neutrons and secondary radiation (caused by neutron capture) in the form of charged particles, γ quanta, and nuclear fission fragments, as well as neutrons spin-flipped in a noncollinear magnetic field and on nuclei of elements with spin, makes it possible to implement isotope-indentifying neutron reflectometry.

Low-Angle Radar Tracking

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-02-01

Transition from Specular Reflection to Diffuse Scattering. . . 10 Composition of the Electric-Field Vector as Seen at the Radar...r t (16) R • FIGURE P COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTRIC-FIELD VECTOR AS SEEN AT THE RADAR, R, IN FIG. 2. The electric field at the radar, E, is the sum...wavelengths in the VHP and UHF ranges even subsurface characteristics can be important. So in a field experiment one must be careful to measure

BRDF profile of Tyvek and its implementation in the Geant4 simulation toolkit.

PubMed

Nozka, Libor; Pech, Miroslav; Hiklova, Helena; Mandat, Dusan; Hrabovsky, Miroslav; Schovanek, Petr; Palatka, Miroslav

2011-02-28

Diffuse and specular characteristics of the Tyvek 1025-BL material are reported with respect to their implementation in the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit. This toolkit incorporates the UNIFIED model. Coefficients defined by the UNIFIED model were calculated from the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) profiles measured with a scatterometer for several angles of incidence. Results were amended with profile measurements made by a profilometer.

Impact of Lipid Oxidization on Vertical Structures and Electrostatics of Phospholipid Monolayers Revealed by Combination of Specular X-ray Reflectivity and Grazing-Incidence X-ray Fluorescence.

PubMed

Korytowski, Agatha; Abuillan, Wasim; Makky, Ali; Konovalov, Oleg; Tanaka, Motomu

2015-07-30

The influence of phospholipid oxidization of floating monolayers on the structure perpendicular to the global plane and on the density profiles of ions near the lipid monolayer has been investigated by a combination of grazing incidence X-ray fluorescence (GIXF) and specular X-ray reflectivity (XRR). Systematic variation of the composition of the floating monolayers unravels changes in the thickness, roughness and electron density of the lipid monolayers as a function of molar fraction of oxidized phospholipids. Simultaneous GIXF measurements enable one to qualitatively determine the element-specific density profiles of monovalent (K(+) or Cs(+)) and divalent ions (Ca(2+)) in the vicinity of the interface in the presence and absence of two types of oxidized phospholipids (PazePC and PoxnoPC) with high spatial accuracy (±5 Å). We found the condensation of Ca(2+) near carboxylated PazePC was more pronounced compared to PoxnoPC with an aldehyde group. In contrast, the condensation of monovalent ions could hardly be detected even for pure oxidized phospholipid monolayers. Moreover, pure phospholipid monolayers exhibited almost no ion specific condensation near the interface. The quantitative studies with well-defined floating monolayers revealed how the elevation of lipid oxidization level alters the structures and functions of cell membranes.

Multilayer thin-film phantoms for axial contrast transfer function measurement in optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Agrawal, Anant; Chen, Chao-Wei; Baxi, Jigesh; Chen, Yu; Pfefer, T Joshua

2013-07-01

In optical coherence tomography (OCT), axial resolution is one of the most critical parameters impacting image quality. It is commonly measured by determining the point spread function (PSF) based on a specular surface reflection. The contrast transfer function (CTF) provides more insights into an imaging system's resolving characteristics and can be readily generated in a system-independent manner, without consideration for image pixel size. In this study, we developed a test method for determination of CTF based on multi-layer, thin-film phantoms, evaluated using spectral- and time-domain OCT platforms with different axial resolution values. Phantoms representing six spatial frequencies were fabricated and imaged. The fabrication process involved spin coating silicone films with precise thicknesses in the 8-40 μm range. Alternating layers were doped with a specified concentration of scattering particles. Validation of layer optical properties and thicknesses were achieved with spectrophotometry and stylus profilometry, respectively. OCT B-scans were used to calculate CTFs and results were compared with convetional PSF measurements based on specular reflections. Testing of these phantoms indicated that our approach can provide direct access to axial resolution characteristics highly relevant to image quality. Furthermore, tissue phantoms based on our thin-film fabrication approach may have a wide range of additional applications in optical imaging and spectroscopy.

Hydration structure of the barite (001)–water interface: Comparison of x-ray reflectivity with molecular dynamics simulations

DOE PAGES

Bracco, Jacquelyn N.; Lee, Sang Soo; Stubbs, Joanne E.; ...

2017-05-11

The three-dimensional structure of the barite (001)-water interface was studied using in situ specular and non-specular X-ray reflectivity (XR). Displacements of the barium and sulfate ions in the surface of a barite crystal and the interfacial water structure were defined in the analyses. The largest relaxations (0.13 Å lateral and 0.08 Å vertical) were observed for the barium and sulfate ions in the topmost unit cell layer, which diminished rapidly with depth. The best fit structure identified four distinct adsorbed species, which in comparison with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, reveals that they are associated with positions of adsorbed water, eachmore » of which coordinates one or two surface ions (either barium, sulfate, or both). These water molecules also adsorb in positions consistent with those of bariums and sulfates in the bulk crystal lattice. These results demonstrate the importance of combining high resolution XR with MD simulations to fully describe the atomic structure of the hydrated mineral surface. As a result, the agreement between the results indicates both the uniqueness of the structural model obtained from the XR analysis and the accuracy of the force field used in the simulations.« less

Hydration structure of the barite (001)–water interface: Comparison of x-ray reflectivity with molecular dynamics simulations

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

Bracco, Jacquelyn N.; Lee, Sang Soo; Stubbs, Joanne E.

The three-dimensional structure of the barite (001)-water interface was studied using in situ specular and non-specular X-ray reflectivity (XR). Displacements of the barium and sulfate ions in the surface of a barite crystal and the interfacial water structure were defined in the analyses. The largest relaxations (0.13 Å lateral and 0.08 Å vertical) were observed for the barium and sulfate ions in the topmost unit cell layer, which diminished rapidly with depth. The best fit structure identified four distinct adsorbed species, which in comparison with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, reveals that they are associated with positions of adsorbed water, eachmore » of which coordinates one or two surface ions (either barium, sulfate, or both). These water molecules also adsorb in positions consistent with those of bariums and sulfates in the bulk crystal lattice. These results demonstrate the importance of combining high resolution XR with MD simulations to fully describe the atomic structure of the hydrated mineral surface. As a result, the agreement between the results indicates both the uniqueness of the structural model obtained from the XR analysis and the accuracy of the force field used in the simulations.« less

High Temperature Solar Reflector, Its Preparation and Use

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaworske, Donald A. (Inventor)

1999-01-01

A coating-substrate combination having high specular reflectivity at high temperatures reaching 8000 C in a vacuum is described. The substrate comprises pure nickel metal or a nickel-containing metal alloy such as stainless steel having a highly polished reflective surface. The coating is a layer of silver deposited on the substrate to a thickness of 300 A to 3000 A. A 300 A to 5000 A protective coating of silica, alumina or magnesium fluoride is used to cover the silver and to protect it from oxidation. The combination is useful as a parabolic shaped secondary concentrator for collecting solar radiation for generating power or thermal energy for satellite uses. The reflective layer and protective coating preferably are applied to the reflective surface of the substrate by electron beam evaporation or by ion sputtering.

Silicon Nanotips Antireflection Surface for Micro Sun Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bae, Sam Y.; Lee, Choonsup; Mobasser, Sohrab; Manohara, Harish

2006-01-01

We have developed a new technique to fabricate antireflection surface using silicon nano-tips for use on a micro sun sensor for Mars rovers. We have achieved randomly distributed nano-tips of radius spanning from 20 nm to 100 nm and aspect ratio of 200 using a two-step dry etching process. The 30(deg) specular reflectance at the target wavelength of 1 (mu)m is only about 0.09 %, nearly three orders of magnitude lower than that of bare silicon, and the hemispherical reflectance is 8%. By changing the density and aspect ratio of these nanotips, the change in reflectance is demonstrated. Using surfaces covered with these nano-tips, the critical problem of ghost images that are caused by multiple internal reflections in a micro sun sensor was solved.

Smectic order induced at homeotropically aligned nematic surfaces: A neutron reflection study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lau, Y. G. J.; Richardson, Robert M.; Cubitt, R.

2006-06-01

Neutron reflection was used to measure the buildup of layers at a solid surface as the smectic phase is approached from higher temperatures in a nematic liquid crystal. The liquid crystal was 4-octyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (8CB), and the solid was silicon with one of five different surface treatments that induce homeotropic alignment: (i) silicon oxide; (ii) a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide coating; (iii) an octadecyltrichlorosilane monolayer; (iv) an n-n-dimethyl-n-octadecyl-3- aminopropyltrimethyloxysilyl chloride monolayer; and (v) a lecithin coating. The development of surface smectic layers in the nematic phase of 8CB was followed by measuring specular reflectivity and monitoring the pseudo-Bragg peak from the layers. The scattering data were processed to remove the scattering from short-ranged smecticlike fluctuations in the bulk nematic phase from the specular reflection. The pseudo-Bragg peak at scattering vector Q ˜0.2Å-1 therefore corresponded to the formation of long-range smectic layers at the surface. The amplitude of the smectic density wave decayed with increasing distance from the surface, and the characteristic thickness of this smectic region diverged as the transition temperature was approached. It was found that the characteristic thickness for some of the surface treatments was greater than the correlation length in the bulk nematic. The different surfaces gave different values of the smectic order parameter at the surface. This suggests that the interaction with the surface is significantly different from a "hard wall" which would give the same values of the smectic order parameter and penetration depths similar to the bulk correlation length. Comparison of the different surfaces also suggested that the strength and range of the surface smectic ordering may be varied independently.

Simulations of direct and reflected waves trajectories for in situ GNSS-R experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roussel, N.; Frappart, F.; Ramillien, G.; Desjardins, C.; Gegout, P.; Pérosanz, F.; Biancale, R.

2014-01-01

The detection of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals that are reflected off the surface, together with the reception of direct GNSS signals offers a unique opportunity to monitor water level variations over land and ocean. The time delay between the reception of the direct and the reflected signal gives access to the altitude of the receiver over the reflecting surface. The field of view of the receiver is highly dependent on both the orbits of the GNSS satellites and the configuration of the study site geometries. A simulator has been developed to determine the accurate location of the reflection points on the surface by modelling the trajectories of GNSS electromagnetic waves that are reflected on the surface of the Earth. Only the geometric problem have been considered using a specular reflection assumption. The orbit of the GNSS constellations satellite (mainly GPS, GLONASS and Galileo), and the position of a fixed receiver are used as input. Three different simulation modes are proposed depending on the choice of the Earth surface (local sphere or ellipsoid) and the consideration of topography likely to cause masking effects. Atmospheric delay effects derived from adaptive mapping functions are also taken into account. This simulator was developed to determine where the GNSS-R receivers should be located to monitor efficiently a given study area. In this study, two test sites were considered. The first one at the top of the Cordouan lighthouse (45°35'11'' N; 1°10'24'' W; 65 m) and the second one in the shore of the Geneva lake (46°24'30'' N; 6°43'6'' E, with a 50 m receiver height). This site is hidden by mountains in the South (altitude up to 2000 m), and overlooking the lake in the North (altitude of 370 m). For this second test site configuration, reflections occur until 560 m from the receiver. The geometric differences between the positions of the specular reflection points obtained considering the Earth as a sphere or as an ellipsoid were found to be on average 44 cm for satellites elevation angle greater than 10° and 1 m for satellite elevation angle between 5° and 10°. The simulations highlight the importance of the DEM integration: differences with and without integrating the DEM were found to be about 3.80 m with the minimum elevation angle equal to 5° and 1.4 m with the minimum elevation angle set to 10°. The correction of the tropospheric effects on the signal leads to geometric differences about 24 m maximum for a 50 m receiver height whereas the maximum is 43 cm for a 5 m receiver height. These errors deeply increase with the receiver height. By setting it to 300 m, the geometric errors reach 103 m for satellite elevation angle lower than 10°. The tests performed with the simulator presented in this paper highlight the importance of the choice of the Earth representation and also the non-negligible effect of the troposphere on the specular reflection points positions. Various outputs (time-varying reflection point coordinates, satellites positions and ground paths, wave trajectories, Fresnel first surfaces, etc.) are provided either as text or KML files for a convenient use.

Reflection of a TE-polarised Gaussian beam from a layered structure under conditions of resonance excitation of waveguide modes

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

Sokolov, V I; Marusin, N V; Molchanova, S I

2014-11-30

The problem of reflection of a TE-polarised Gaussian light beam from a layered structure under conditions of resonance excitation of waveguide modes using a total internal reflection prism is considered. Using the spectral approach we have derived the analytic expressions for the mode propagation lengths, widths and depths of m-lines (sharp and narrow dips in the angular dependence of the specular reflection coefficient), depending on the structure parameters. It is shown that in the case of weak coupling, when the propagation lengths l{sub m} of the waveguide modes are mainly determined by the extinction coefficient in the film, the depthmore » of m-lines grows with the mode number m. In the case of strong coupling, when l{sub m} is determined mainly by the radiation of modes into the prism, the depth of m-lines decreases with increasing m. The change in the TE-polarised Gaussian beam shape after its reflection from the layered structure is studied, which is determined by the energy transfer from the incident beam into waveguide modes that propagate along the structure by the distance l{sub m}, are radiated in the direction of specular reflection and interfere with a part of the beam reflected from the working face of the prism. It is shown that this interference can lead to the field intensity oscillations near m-lines. The analysis of different methods for determining the parameters of thin-film structures is presented, including the measurement of mode angles θ{sub m} and the reflected beam shape. The methods are based on simultaneous excitation of a few waveguide modes in the film with a strongly focused monochromatic Gaussian beam, the waist width of which is much smaller than the propagation length of the modes. As an example of using these methods, the refractive index and the thickness of silicon monoxide film on silica substrate at the wavelength 633 nm are determined. (fibre and integrated-optical structures)« less

Removal of surface-reflected light for the measurement of remote-sensing reflectance from an above-surface platform.

PubMed

Lee, Zhongping; Ahn, Yu-Hwan; Mobley, Curtis; Arnone, Robert

2010-12-06

Using hyperspectral measurements made in the field, we show that the effective sea-surface reflectance ρ (defined as the ratio of the surface-reflected radiance at the specular direction corresponding to the downwelling sky radiance from one direction) varies not only for different measurement scans, but also can differ by a factor of 8 between 400 nm and 800 nm for the same scan. This means that the derived water-leaving radiance (or remote-sensing reflectance) can be highly inaccurate if a spectrally constant ρ value is applied (although errors can be reduced by carefully filtering measured raw data). To remove surface-reflected light in field measurements of remote sensing reflectance, a spectral optimization approach was applied, with results compared with those from remote-sensing models and from direct measurements. The agreement from different determinations suggests that reasonable results for remote sensing reflectance of clear blue water to turbid brown water are obtainable from above-surface measurements, even under conditions of high waves.

Simulating synchrotron radiation in accelerators including diffuse and specular reflections

DOE PAGES

Dugan, G.; Sagan, D.

2017-02-24

An accurate calculation of the synchrotron radiation flux within the vacuum chamber of an accelerator is needed for a number of applications. These include simulations of electron cloud effects and the design of radiation masking systems. To properly simulate the synchrotron radiation, it is important to include the scattering of the radiation at the vacuum chamber walls. To this end, a program called synrad3d has been developed which simulates the production and propagation of synchrotron radiation using a collection of photons. Photons generated by a charged particle beam are tracked from birth until they strike the vacuum chamber wall wheremore » the photon is either absorbed or scattered. Both specular and diffuse scattering is simulated. If a photon is scattered, it is further tracked through multiple encounters with the wall until it is finally absorbed. This paper describes the synrad3d program, with a focus on the details of its scattering model, and presents some examples of the program’s use.« less

Flexible and polarization-controllable diffusion metasurface with optical transparency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuang, Yaqiang; Wang, Guangming; Liang, Jiangang; Cai, Tong; Guo, Wenlong; Zhang, Qingfeng

2017-11-01

In this paper, a novel coding metasurface is proposed to realize polarization-controllable diffusion scattering. The anisotropic Jerusalem-cross unit cell is employed as the basic coding element due to its polarization-dependent phase response. The isotropic random coding sequence is firstly designed to obtain diffusion scattering, and the anisotropic random coding sequence is subsequently realized by adding different periodic coding sequences to the original isotropic one along different directions. For demonstration, we designed and fabricated a flexible polarization-controllable diffusion metasurface (PCDM) with both chessboard diffusion and hedge diffusion under different polarizations. The specular scattering reduction performance of the anisotropic metasurface is better than the isotropic one because the scattered energies are redirected away from the specular reflection direction. For potential applications, the flexible PCDM wrapped around a cylinder structure is investigated and tested for polarization-controllable diffusion scattering. The numerical and experimental results coincide well, indicating anisotropic low scatterings with comparable performances. This paper provides an alternative approach for designing high-performance, flexible, low-scattering platforms.

Multi-Spectral Solar Telescope Array. IV - The soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet filters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindblom, Joakim F.; O'Neal, Ray H.; Walker, Arthur B. C., Jr.; Powell, Forbes R.; Barbee, Troy W., Jr.; Hoover, Richard B.

1991-01-01

NASA's Multi-Spectral Solar Telescope Array uses various combinations of thin foil filters composed of Al, C, Te, Be, Mo, Rh, and phthalocyanine to achieve the requisite radiation-rejection characteristics. Such rejection is demanded by the presence of strong EUV radiation at longer wavelengths where the specular reflectivity of multilayer mirrors can cause 'contamination' of the image in the narrow band defined by the Bragg condition.

Universal Zero Specular Reflection Curves for MetaMaterials

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

with their handedness, RH or LH. r   5 According to Holloway [7], we find that metasurfaces (or metafilms) can be used in place of MTMs in many...applications. Metafilm refers to thin metamaterial that is only one unit-cell thick. “ Metasurfaces have the advantage of taking up less physical space...than do full three-dimensional MTM structures.” [7] Further studies were conducted on metasurface characterization, various applications, and how

Investigation of Field-Collected Data Using Diffuse and Specular, Forward and Reverse Radiative Transfer Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-26

Statement It is very difficult to obtain and use spectral BRDFs due to aforementioned reasons, while the need to accurately model the spectral and...Lambertian and MERL nickel-shaped BRDF models (Butler, 2014:1- 3 10), suggesting that accurate BRDFs are required to account for the significance of... BRDF -based radiative transfer models . Research Objectives /Hypotheses The need to represent the spectral reflected radiance of a material using

Analysis of Silverized Teflon Thermal Control Material Flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pippin, H. Gary

1995-01-01

Silver backed teflon (Ag/FEP) material used for thermal control on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) has been examined in detail. Optical, mechanical, and chemical properties were characterized for specimens exposed to a variety of space environmental conditions. Recession rates were determined for this material. Samples were obtained from virtually every LDEF location except the Earth-end. Atomic oxygen exposed regions changed from specular to diffusely reflective.

Reflectance of polytetrafluoroethylene for xenon scintillation light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, C.; Pinto da Cunha, J.; Pereira, A.; Chepel, V.; Lopes, M. I.; Solovov, V.; Neves, F.

2010-03-01

Gaseous and liquid xenon particle detectors are being used in a number of applications including dark matter search and neutrino-less double beta decay experiments. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is often used in these detectors both as electrical insulator and as a light reflector to improve the efficiency of detection of scintillation photons. However, xenon emits in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) wavelength region (λ ≃175 nm) where the reflecting properties of PTFE are not sufficiently known. In this work, we report on measurements of PTFE reflectance, including its angular distribution, for the xenon scintillation light. Various samples of PTFE, manufactured by different processes (extruded, expanded, skived, and pressed) have been studied. The data were interpreted with a physical model comprising both specular and diffuse reflections. The reflectance obtained for these samples ranges from about 47% to 66% for VUV light. Other fluoropolymers, namely, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and perfluoro-alkoxyalkane (PFA) were also measured.

Measurement and modelization of silica opal reflection properties: Optical determination of the silica index

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avoine, Amaury; Hong, Phan Ngoc; Frederich, Hugo; Frigerio, Jean-Marc; Coolen, Laurent; Schwob, Catherine; Nga, Pham Thu; Gallas, Bruno; Maître, Agnès

2012-10-01

Self-assembled artificial opals (in particular silica opals) constitute a model system to study the optical properties of three-dimensional photonic crystals. The silica optical index is a key parameter to correctly describe an opal but is difficult to measure at the submicrometer scale and usually treated as a free parameter. Here, we propose a method to extract the silica index from the opal reflection spectra and we validate it by comparison with two independent methods based on infrared measurements. We show that this index gives a correct description of the opal reflection spectra, either by a band structure or by a Bragg approximation. In particular, we are able to provide explanations in quantitative agreement with the measurements for two features : the observation of a second reflection peak in specular direction, and the quasicollapse of the p-polarized main reflection peak at a typical angle of 54∘.

Self-Assembled InAs Nanowires as Optical Reflectors

PubMed Central

Floris, Francesco; Fornasari, Lucia; Marini, Andrea; Roddaro, Stefano; Beltram, Fabio; Cecchini, Marco; Sorba, Lucia; Rossella, Francesco

2017-01-01

Subwavelength nanostructured surfaces are realized with self-assembled vertically-aligned InAs nanowires, and their functionalities as optical reflectors are investigated. In our system, polarization-resolved specular reflectance displays strong modulations as a function of incident photon energy and angle. An effective-medium model allows one to rationalize the experimental findings in the long wavelength regime, whereas numerical simulations fully reproduce the experimental outcomes in the entire frequency range. The impact of the refractive index of the medium surrounding the nanostructure assembly on the reflectance was estimated. In view of the present results, sensing schemes compatible with microfluidic technologies and routes to innovative nanowire-based optical elements are discussed. PMID:29160860

Evaluation of one dimensional analytical models for vegetation canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goel, Narendra S.; Kuusk, Andres

1992-01-01

The SAIL model for one-dimensional homogeneous vegetation canopies has been modified to include the specular reflectance and hot spot effects. This modified model and the Nilson-Kuusk model are evaluated by comparing the reflectances given by them against those given by a radiosity-based computer model, Diana, for a set of canopies, characterized by different leaf area index (LAI) and leaf angle distribution (LAD). It is shown that for homogeneous canopies, the analytical models are generally quite accurate in the visible region, but not in the infrared region. For architecturally realistic heterogeneous canopies of the type found in nature, these models fall short. These shortcomings are quantified.

Solar concentrators for advanced solar-dynamic power systems in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rockwell, Richard

1993-01-01

This report summarizes the results of a study performed by Hughes Danbury Optical Systems, HDOS, (formerly Perkin-Elmer) to design, fabricate, and test a lightweight (2 kg/sq M), self supporting, and highly reflective sub-scale concentrating mirror panel suitable for use in space. The HDOS panel design utilizes Corning's 'micro sheet' glass as the top layer of a composite honeycomb sandwich. This approach, whose manufacturability was previously demonstrated under an earlier NASA contract, provides a smooth (specular) reflective surface without the weight of a conventional glass panel. The primary result of this study is a point design and it's performance assessment.

Measurement and modelization of silica opal optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avoine, Amaury; Hong, Phan Ngoc; Frederich, Hugo; Aregahegn, Kifle; Bénalloul, Paul; Coolen, Laurent; Schwob, Catherine; Thu Nga, Pham; Gallas, Bruno; Maître, Agnès

2014-03-01

We present the synthesis process and optical characterization of artificial silica opals. The specular reflection spectra are analyzed and compared to band structure calculations and finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations. The silica optical index is a key parameter to correctly describe an opal and is usually not known and treated as a free parameter. Here we propose a method to infer the silica index, as well as the silica spheres diameter, from the reflection spectra and we validate it by comparison with two independent infrared methods for the index and, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements for the spheres diameter.

Laser Signature Prediction Using The VALUE Computer Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akerman, Alexander; Hoffman, George A.; Patton, Ronald

1989-09-01

A variety of enhancements are being made to the 1976-vintage LASERX computer code. These include: - Surface characterization with BDRF tabular data - Specular reflection from transparent surfaces - Generation of glint direction maps - Generation of relative range imagery - Interface to the LOWTRAN atmospheric transmission code - Interface to the LEOPS laser sensor code - User friendly menu prompting for easy setup Versions of VALUE have been written for both VAX/VMS and PC/DOS computer environments. Outputs have also been revised to be user friendly and include tables, plots, and images for (1) intensity, (2) cross section,(3) reflectance, (4) relative range, (5) region type, and (6) silhouette.

Analytic expressions for the black-sky and white-sky albedos of the cosine lobe model.

PubMed

Goodin, Christopher

2013-05-01

The cosine lobe model is a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) that is commonly used in computer graphics to model specular reflections. The model is both simple and physically plausible, but physical quantities such as albedo have not been related to the parameterization of the model. In this paper, analytic expressions for calculating the black-sky and white-sky albedos from the cosine lobe BRDF model with integer exponents will be derived, to the author's knowledge for the first time. These expressions for albedo can be used to place constraints on physics-based simulations of radiative transfer such as high-fidelity ray-tracing simulations.

Resonant magnetic scattering of polarized soft x rays

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

Sacchi, M.; Hague, C.F.; Gullikson, E.M.

1997-04-01

Magnetic effects on X-ray scattering (Bragg diffraction, specular reflectivity or diffuse scattering) are a well known phenomenon, and they also represent a powerful tool for investigating magnetic materials since it was shown that they are strongly enhanced when the photon energy is tuned across an absorption edge (resonant process). The resonant enhancement of the magnetic scattering has mainly been investigated at high photon energies, in order to match the Bragg law for the typical lattice spacings of crystals. In the soft X-ray range, even larger effects are expected, working for instance at the 2p edges of transition metals of themore » first row or at the 3d edges of rare earths (300-1500 eV), but the corresponding long wavelengths prevent the use of single crystals. Two approaches have been recently adopted in this energy range: (i) the study of the Bragg diffraction from artificial structures of appropriate 2d spacing; (ii) the analysis of the specular reflectivity, which contains analogous information but has no constraints related to the lattice spacing. Both approaches have their own specific advantages: for instance, working under Bragg conditions provides information about the (magnetic) periodicity in ordered structures, while resonant reflectivity can easily be related to electronic properties and absorption spectra. An important aspect common to all the resonant X-ray scattering techniques is the element selectivity inherent to the fact of working at a specific absorption edge: under these conditions, X-ray scattering becomes in fact a spectroscopy. Results are presented for films of iron and cobalt.« less

Polarization sensitive camera for the in vitro diagnostic and monitoring of dental erosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bossen, Anke; Rakhmatullina, Ekaterina; Lussi, Adrian; Meier, Christoph

Due to a frequent consumption of acidic food and beverages, the prevalence of dental erosion increases worldwide. In an initial erosion stage, the hard dental tissue is softened due to acidic demineralization. As erosion progresses, a gradual tissue wear occurs resulting in thinning of the enamel. Complete loss of the enamel tissue can be observed in severe clinical cases. Therefore, it is essential to provide a diagnosis tool for an accurate detection and monitoring of dental erosion already at early stages. In this manuscript, we present the development of a polarization sensitive imaging camera for the visualization and quantification of dental erosion. The system consists of two CMOS cameras mounted on two sides of a polarizing beamsplitter. A horizontal linearly polarized light source is positioned orthogonal to the camera to ensure an incidence illumination and detection angles of 45°. The specular reflected light from the enamel surface is collected with an objective lens mounted on the beam splitter and divided into horizontal (H) and vertical (V) components on each associate camera. Images of non-eroded and eroded enamel surfaces at different erosion degrees were recorded and assessed with diagnostic software. The software was designed to generate and display two types of images: distribution of the reflection intensity (V) and a polarization ratio (H-V)/(H+V) throughout the analyzed tissue area. The measurements and visualization of these two optical parameters, i.e. specular reflection intensity and the polarization ratio, allowed detection and quantification of enamel erosion at early stages in vitro.

Spectropolarimetric Imaging Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bradley, Christine Lavella

The capability to map anthropogenic aerosol quantities and properties over land can provide significant insights for climate and environmental studies on global and regional scales. One of the primary challenges in aerosol information monitoring is separating two signals measured by downward-viewing airborne or spaceborne instruments: the light scattered from the aerosols and light reflected from the Earth's surface. In order to study the aerosols independently, the surface signal needs to be subtracted out from the measurements. Some observational modalities, such as multispectral and multiangle, do not provide enough information to uniquely define the Earth's directional reflectance properties for this task due to the high magnitude and inhomogeneity of albedo for land surface types. Polarization, however, can provide additional information to define surface reflection. To improve upon current measurement capabilities of aerosols over urban areas, Jet Propulsion Laboratory developed the Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (MSPI) that can accurately measure the Degree of Linear Polarization to 0.5%. In particular, data acquired by the ground-based prototype, GroundMSPI, is used for directional reflectance studies of outdoor surfaces in this dissertation. This work expands upon an existing model, the microfacet model, to characterize the polarized bidirectional reflectance distribution function (pBRDF) of surfaces and validate an assumption, the Spectral Invariance Hypothesis, on the surface pBRDF that is used in aerosol retrieval algorithms. The microfacet model is commonly used to represent the pBRDF of Earth's surface types, such as ocean and land. It represents a roughened surface comprised of randomly oriented facets that specularly reflect incoming light into the upward hemisphere. The analytic form of the pBRDF for this model assumes only a single reflection of light from the microfaceted surface. If the incoming illumination is unpolarized, as it is with natural light from the Sun, the reflected light is linearly polarized perpendicular to the plane that contains the illumination and view directions, the scattering plane. However, previous work has shown that manmade objects, such as asphalt and brick, show a polarization signature that differs from the single reflection microfacet model. Using the polarization ray-tracing (PRT) program POLARIS-M, a numerical calculation for the pBRDF is made for a roughened surface to account for multiple reflections that light can experience between microfacets. Results from this numerical PRT method shows rays that experience two or more reflections with the microfacet surface can be polarized at an orientation that differs from the analytical single reflection microfacet model. This PRT method is compared against GroundMSPI data of manmade surfaces. An assumption made regarding the pBRDF for this microfacet model is verified with GroundMSPI data of urban areas. This is known as the Spectral Invariance Hypothesis and asserts that the magnitude and shape of the polarized bidirectional reflectance factor (pBRF) is the same for all wavelengths. This simplifies the microfacet model by assuming some surface parameters such as the index of refraction are spectrally neutral. GroundMSPI acquires the pBRF for five prominent region types, asphalt, brick, cement, dirt, and grass, for day-long measurements on clear sky conditions. Over the course of each day, changing solar position in the sky provides a large range of scattering angles for this study. The pBRF is measured for the three polarimetric wavelengths of GroundMSPI, 470, 660, and 865nm, and the best fit slope of the spectral correlation is reported. This investigation shows agreement to the Spectral Invariance Hypothesis within 10% for all region types excluding grass. Grass measurements show a large mean deviation of 31.1%. This motivated an angle of linear polarization (AoLP) analysis of cotton crops to isolate single reflection cases, or specular reflections, from multiple scattering cases of light in vegetation. Results from this AoLP method show that specular reflections off the top surface of leaves follow the Spectral Invariance Hypothesis.

Tidal Currents between Titan's Seas Detected by Solar Glints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotin, C.; Barnes, J. W.; Lawrence, K. J.; Soderblom, J. M.; Audi, E.; Brown, R. H.; Le Mouelic, S.; Baines, K. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.

2015-12-01

Titan is the only place in the solar system, besides Earth, to have stable bodies of liquids on its surface. The three large seas and most of the lakes are located in the northern pole area [1]. They are major reservoirs of organic material [2]. Questions related to the variability in composition of the seas [2] and their interaction [3] can be addressed by dedicated observations. For this purpose, the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) observed the area between Ligeia Mare and Kraken Mare, Titan's two largest seas on February 12, 2015. The location of the specular point was close to the strait that has been suggested to link Ligeia and Kraken [4]. As demonstrated by previous observations of specular reflections on the lakes and seas [5, 6], such observations provide a means to assess the presence of liquids and the dynamics of the liquid surface. The VIMS observation provides images of the strait, named Trevize fretum, with a footprint of about 3 km. It shows a remarkable correlation with the radar images, suggesting that no major changes in the level of the seas have occurred in the last 10 years, a third of a Titan year. Very strong values of I/F at 5-μm suggest specular reflection away from the specular point on the Ligiea outlet. This is consistent with the presence of waves which can be generated by either winds or strong currents between Kraken Mare and Ligeia mare. Such currents can be generated during Titan's orbital motion around Saturn. We have investigated the volume of liquids that would transit through Trevize fretum during a Titan day and have found that the flow would be in a turbulent regime for the value of the mean anomaly at the time of the VIMS observation. Although subsurface communication between the two seas cannot be ruled out, the present observation underlines the role of the strait in providing exchange of fluids between the two large seas. This work has been performed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract to NASA. [1] Stofan et al. (2007) Nature, 445, 61-64. [2] Lorenz et al. (2014) Icarus, 237, 9-15. [3] Tokano et al. (2014) Icarus, 242, 188-201. [4] Sotin et al. (2014), AGU, P43C-3999. [5] Soderblom et al. (2012) Icarus, 220, 744-751. [6] Barnes et al. (2013) Astrophysical J., 777, 161.

Resonant nuclear scattering of synchrotron radiation: Detector development and specular scattering from a thin layer of {sup 57}Fe

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

Baron, A.Q.R.

1995-04-01

This thesis explores resonant nudear scattering of synchrotron radiation. An introductory chapter describes some useful concepts, such as speedup and coherent enhancement, in the context of some basic physical principles. Methods of producing highly monochromatic synchrotron beams usmg either electronic or nuclear scattering are also discussed. The body of the thesis concentrates on detector development and specular scattering from iynthetic layered materials. A detector employing n-dcrochannel plate electron multipliers is shown to have good ({approximately}50%) effidency for detecting 14.4 key x-rays incident at small ({approximately}0.5 degree) grazing angles onto Au or CsI photocathodes. However, being complicated to use, it wasmore » replaced with a large area (>=lan2) avalanche photodiode (APD) detector. The APD`s are simpler to use and have comparable (30--70%) efficiencies at 14.4 key, subnanosecond time resolution, large dynan-dc range (usable at rates up to {approximately}10{sup 8} photons/second) and low (<{approximately}0.01 cts/sec) background rates. Maxwell`s equations are used to derive the specular x-ray reflectivity of layered materials with resonant transitions and complex polarization dependencies. The effects of interfadal roughness are treated with some care, and the distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA) used to describe electronic scattering is generalized to the nuclear case. The implications of the theory are discussed in the context of grazing incidence measurements with emphasis on the kinematic and dynamical aspects of the scattering.« less

Electromagnetic wave scattering from rough terrain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papa, R. J.; Lennon, J. F.; Taylor, R. L.

1980-09-01

This report presents two aspects of a program designed to calculate electromagnetic scattering from rough terrain: (1) the use of statistical estimation techniques to determine topographic parameters and (2) the results of a single-roughness-scale scattering calculation based on those parameters, including comparison with experimental data. In the statistical part of the present calculation, digitized topographic maps are used to generate data bases for the required scattering cells. The application of estimation theory to the data leads to the specification of statistical parameters for each cell. The estimated parameters are then used in a hypothesis test to decide on a probability density function (PDF) that represents the height distribution in the cell. Initially, the formulation uses a single observation of the multivariate data. A subsequent approach involves multiple observations of the heights on a bivariate basis, and further refinements are being considered. The electromagnetic scattering analysis, the second topic, calculates the amount of specular and diffuse multipath power reaching a monopulse receiver from a pulsed beacon positioned over a rough Earth. The program allows for spatial inhomogeneities and multiple specular reflection points. The analysis of shadowing by the rough surface has been extended to the case where the surface heights are distributed exponentially. The calculated loss of boresight pointing accuracy attributable to diffuse multipath is then compared with the experimental results. The extent of the specular region, the use of localized height variations, and the effect of the azimuthal variation in power pattern are all assessed.

A satellite constellation optimization for a regional GNSS remote sensing mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavili Kilaneh, Narin; Mashhadi Hossainali, Masoud

2017-04-01

Due to the recent advances in the Global Navigation Satellite System Remote sensing (GNSS¬R) applications, optimization of a satellite orbit to investigate the Earth's properties seems significant. The comparison of the GNSS direct and reflected signals received by a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite introduces a new technique to remotely sense the Earth. Several GNSS¬R missions including Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) have been proposed for different applications such as the ocean wind speed and height monitoring. The geometric optimization of the satellite orbit before starting the mission is a key step for every space mission. Since satellite constellation design varies depending on the application, we have focused on the required geometric criteria for oceanography applications in a specified region. Here, the total number of specular points, their spatial distribution and the accuracy of their position are assumed to be sufficient for oceanography applications. Gleason's method is used to determine the position of specular points. We considered the 2-D lattice and 3-D lattice theory of flower constellation to survey whether a circular orbit or an elliptical one is suitable to improve the solution. Genetic algorithm is implemented to solve the problem. To check the visibility condition between the LEO and GPS satellites, the satellite initial state is propagated by a variable step size numerical integration method. Constellation orbit parameters achieved by optimization provide a better resolution and precession for the specular points in the study area of this research.

Topography reconstruction of specular surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kammel, Soren; Horbach, Jan

2005-01-01

Specular surfaces are used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer products like varnished or chrome plated parts of car bodies, dies, molds or optical components. Shape deviations of these products usually reduce their quality regarding visual appearance and/or technical performance. One reliable method to inspect such surfaces is deflectometry. It can be employed to obtain highly accurate values representing the local curvature of the surfaces. In a deflectometric measuring system, a series of illumination patterns is reflected at the specular surface and is observed by a camera. The distortions of the patterns in the acquired images contain information about the shape of the surface. This information is suited for the detection and measurement of surface defects like bumps, dents and waviness with depths in the range of a few microns. However, without additional information about the distances between the camera and each observed surface point, a shape reconstruction is only possible in some special cases. Therefore, the reconstruction approach described in this paper uses data observed from at least two different camera positions. The data obtained is used separately to estimate the local surface curvature for each camera position. From the curvature values, the epipolar geometry for the different camera positions is recovered. Matching the curvature values along the epipolar lines yields an estimate of the 3d position of the corresponding surface points. With this additional information, the deflectometric gradient data can be integrated to represent the surface topography.

Specularity of longitudinal acoustic phonons at rough surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelda, Dhruv; Ghossoub, Marc G.; Valavala, Krishna; Ma, Jun; Rajagopal, Manjunath C.; Sinha, Sanjiv

2018-01-01

The specularity of phonons at crystal surfaces is of direct importance to thermal transport in nanostructures and to dissipation in nanomechanical resonators. Wave scattering theory provides a framework for estimating wavelength-dependent specularity, but experimental validation remains elusive. Widely available thermal conductivity data presents poor validation since the involvement of the infinitude of phonon wavelengths in thermal transport presents an underconstrained test for specularity theory. Here, we report phonon specularity by measuring the lifetimes of individual coherent longitudinal acoustic phonon modes excited in ultrathin (36-205 nm) suspended silicon membranes at room temperature over the frequency range ˜20 -118 GHz. Phonon surface scattering dominates intrinsic Akhiezer damping at frequencies ≳60 GHz, enabling measurements of phonon boundary scattering time over wavelengths ˜72 -140 nm . We obtain detailed statistics of the surface roughness at the top and bottom surfaces of membranes using HRTEM imaging. We find that the specularity of the excited modes are in good agreement with solutions of wave scattering only when the TEM statistics are corrected for projection errors. The often-cited Ziman formula for phonon specularity also appears in good agreement with the data, contradicting previous results. This work helps to advance the fundamental understanding of phonon scattering at the surfaces of nanostructures.

Wide-field and high-resolution optical imaging for early detection of oral neoplasia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierce, Mark C.; Schwarz, Richard A.; Rosbach, Kelsey; Roblyer, Darren; Muldoon, Tim; Williams, Michelle D.; El-Naggar, Adel K.; Gillenwater, Ann M.; Richards-Kortum, Rebecca

2010-02-01

Current procedures for oral cancer screening typically involve visual inspection of the entire tissue surface at risk under white light illumination. However, pre-cancerous lesions can be difficult to distinguish from many benign conditions when viewed under these conditions. We have developed wide-field (macroscopic) imaging system which additionally images in cross-polarized white light, narrowband reflectance, and fluorescence imaging modes to reduce specular glare, enhance vascular contrast, and detect disease-related alterations in tissue autofluorescence. We have also developed a portable system to enable high-resolution (microscopic) evaluation of cellular features within the oral mucosa in situ. This system is a wide-field epi-fluorescence microscope coupled to a 1 mm diameter, flexible fiber-optic imaging bundle. Proflavine solution was used to specifically label cell nuclei, enabling the characteristic differences in N/C ratio and nuclear distribution between normal, dysplastic, and cancerous oral mucosa to be quantified. This paper discusses the technical design and performance characteristics of these complementary imaging systems. We will also present data from ongoing clinical studies aimed at evaluating diagnostic performance of these systems for detection of oral neoplasia.

Gas-induced friction and diffusion of rigid rotors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinetz, Lukas; Hornberger, Klaus; Stickler, Benjamin A.

2018-05-01

We derive the Boltzmann equation for the rotranslational dynamics of an arbitrary convex rigid body in a rarefied gas. It yields as a limiting case the Fokker-Planck equation accounting for friction, diffusion, and nonconservative drift forces and torques. We provide the rotranslational friction and diffusion tensors for specular and diffuse reflection off particles with spherical, cylindrical, and cuboidal shape, and show that the theory describes thermalization, photophoresis, and the inverse Magnus effect in the free molecular regime.

Simultaneous measurements of X-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence fluorescence at BL-16 beamline of Indus-2

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

Das, Gangadhar; Kane, S. R.; Khooha, Ajay

2015-05-15

A new multipurpose x-ray reflectometer station has been developed and augmented at the microfocus beamline (BL-16) of Indus-2 synchrotron radiation source to facilitate synchronous measurements of specular x-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence x-ray fluorescence emission from thin layered structures. The design and various salient features of the x-ray reflectometer are discussed. The performance of the reflectometer has been evaluated by analyzing several thin layered structures having different surface interface properties. The results reveal in-depth information for precise determination of surface and interface properties of thin layered materials demonstrating the immense potential of the combined measurements of x-ray reflectivity and grazingmore » incidence fluorescence on a single reflectometer.« less

Cleaning of HT-7 Tokamak Exposed First Mirrors by Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Rong; Chen, Junling; Chen, Longwei; Ding, Rui; Zhu, Dahuan

2014-12-01

The stainless steel (SS) first mirror pre-exposed in the deposition-dominated environment of the HT-7 tokamak was cleaned in the newly built radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering plasma device. The deposition layer on the FM surface formed during the exposure was successfully removed by argon plasma with a RF power of about 80 W and a gas pressure of 0.087 Pa for 30 min. The total reflectivity of the mirrors was recovered up to 90% in the wavelength range of 300-800 nm, while the diffuse reflectivity showed a little increase, which was attributed to the increase of surface roughness in sputtering, and residual contaminants. The FMs made from single crystal materials could help to achieve a desired recovery of specular reflectivity in the future.

Panoramic view of human corneal endothelial cell layer observed by a prototype slit-scanning wide-field contact specular microscope.

PubMed

Tanaka, Hiroshi; Okumura, Naoki; Koizumi, Noriko; Sotozono, Chie; Sumii, Yasuhiro; Kinoshita, Shigeru

2017-05-01

To observe the most peripheral region of the corneal endothelial cell (CEC) layer as long as optically recordable by use of a prototype slit-scanning wide-field contact specular microscope and produce a panoramic image to evaluate the variation of CEC density with ageing. Observational case series study. This study involved 15 eyes of 15 normal healthy subjects divided into three groups according to age: A (20-40 years), B (41-60 years) and C (>60 years). The corneal endothelial layer of each eye was recorded in a horizontal direction, from nasal to temporal, with a slit-scanning wide-field contact specular microscope (Konan) and endothelial cell density (ECD) in three specific regions (central, mid-peripheral, and peripheral) was automatically calculated via built-in analysis software. Corneal endothelial images from near the surgical limbus to limbus in all eyes were clearly recorded and panoramic images were made by combining still images. ECD in groups A, B and C were 2809±186, 2717±91 and 2580±129 cells/mm 2 at the centre, 2902±242, 2772±97 and 2604±187 cells/mm 2 at the mid-periphery and 2893±308, 2691±99 and 2533±112 cells/mm 2 at the periphery. Significance differences in ECD was found between groups A and C in all regions and groups between B and C at mid-peripheral region. A prototype slit-scanning wide-field contact specular microscope enabled us to record the endothelial layer from the surgical limbus to limbus of the cornea and compare specific areas among subjects, and showed that ECD in each region of the cornea decreases with ageing. UMIN000021264, Results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Characterization and Application of a Grazing Angle Objective for Quantitative Infrared Reflection Microspectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pepper, Stephen V.

1995-01-01

A grazing angle objective on an infrared microspectrometer is studied for quantitative spectroscopy by considering the angular dependence of the incident intensity within the objective's angular aperture. The assumption that there is no angular dependence is tested by comparing the experimental reflectance of Si and KBr surfaces with the reflectance calculated by integrating the Fresnel reflection coefficient over the angular aperture under this assumption. Good agreement was found, indicating that the specular reflectance of surfaces can straight-forwardly be quantitatively integrated over the angular aperture without considering non-uniform incident intensity. This quantitative approach is applied to the thickness determination of dipcoated Krytox on gold. The infrared optical constants of both materials are known, allowing the integration to be carried out. The thickness obtained is in fair agreement with the value determined by ellipsometry in the visible. Therefore, this paper illustrates a method for more quantitative use of a grazing angle objective for infrared reflectance microspectroscopy.

Limits of agreement between the optical pachymeter and a noncontact specular microscope.

PubMed

Ogbuehi, Kelechi C; Almubrad, Turki M

2005-07-01

To determine the limits of agreement between central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements made with the slit lamp-attached optical pachymeter and the SP2000P noncontact specular microscope. Triplicate readings for CCT were obtained for each of 130 (right) eyes of 130 patients, using the slit lamp-attached optical pachymeter and then the SP2000P noncontact specular microscope. The average CCT measured by each method was compared. Subsequently, the mean difference between both sets of measurements was assessed, and the 95% confidence interval (limits of agreement) between both techniques was determined. The mean +/- SD CCT measured by the optical pachymeter was 543 +/- 34 microm and 532 +/- 34 microm for the specular microscope. We found a statistically significant (P < 0.001) mean bias of 10 mum between CCT values measured with both types of equipment, with the optical pachymeter returning the higher values. The coefficient of variation was 6.3% for the optical pachymeter and 6.4% for the specular microscope. The right eye CCT measurements made by the optical pachymeter are, on average, 10 mum thicker than those made with the SP2000P specular microscope, which suggests that both pieces of equipment cannot be used interchangeably to monitor CCT changes in patients. Excluding left eye measurements, the reliability of the optical pachymeter is identical to that of the noncontact specular microscope.

Determining biological tissue optical properties via integrating sphere spatial measurements

DOEpatents

Baba, Justin S [Knoxville, TN; Letzen, Brian S [Coral Springs, FL

2011-01-11

An optical sample is mounted on a spatial-acquisition apparatus that is placed in or on an enclosure. An incident beam is irradiated on a surface of the sample and the specular reflection is allowed to escape from the enclosure through an opening. The spatial-acquisition apparatus is provided with a light-occluding slider that moves in front of the sample to block portions of diffuse scattering from the sample. As the light-occluding slider moves across the front of the sample, diffuse light scattered into the area of the backside of the light-occluding slider is absorbed by back side surface of the light-occluding slider. By measuring a baseline diffuse reflectance without a light-occluding slider and subtracting measured diffuse reflectance with a light-occluding slider therefrom, diffuse reflectance for the area blocked by the light-occluding slider can be calculated.

Modeling the microstructure of surface by applying BRDF function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plachta, Kamil

2017-06-01

The paper presents the modeling of surface microstructure using a bidirectional reflectance distribution function. This function contains full information about the reflectance properties of the flat surfaces - it is possible to determine the share of the specular, directional and diffuse components in the reflected luminous stream. The software is based on the authorial algorithm that uses selected elements of this function models, which allows to determine the share of each component. Basing on obtained data, the surface microstructure of each material can be modeled, which allows to determine the properties of this materials. The concentrator directs the reflected solar radiation onto the photovoltaic surface, increasing, at the same time, the value of the incident luminous stream. The paper presents an analysis of selected materials that can be used to construct the solar concentrator system. The use of concentrator increases the power output of the photovoltaic system by up to 17% as compared to the standard solution.

Effects of aerosols and surface shadowing on bidirectional reflectance measurements of deserts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowker, David E.; Davis, Richard E.

1987-01-01

Desert surfaces are probably one of the most stable of the Earth's natural targets for remote sensing. The bidirectional reflectance properties of the Saudi Arabian desert was investigated during the Summer Monsoon Experiment (Summer Monex). A comparison of high-altitude with near-surface measurements of the White Sands desert showed significant differences. These discrepancies have been attributed to forward scattering of the dust-laden atmosphere prevalent during Summer Monex. This paper is concerned in general with modeling the effects of atmospheric aerosols and surface shadowing on the remote sensing of bidirectional reflectance factors of desert targets, and in particular with comparing the results of these models with flight results. Although it is possible to approximate the latter, it is felt that a surface reflectance model with a smaller specular component would have permitted using a more realistic set of atmospheric conditions in the simulations.

Angular shaping of fluorescence from synthetic opal-based photonic crystal.

PubMed

Boiko, Vitalii; Dovbeshko, Galyna; Dolgov, Leonid; Kiisk, Valter; Sildos, Ilmo; Loot, Ardi; Gorelik, Vladimir

2015-01-01

Spectral, angular, and temporal distributions of fluorescence as well as specular reflection were investigated for silica-based artificial opals. Periodic arrangement of nanosized silica globules in the opal causes a specific dip in the defect-related fluorescence spectra and a peak in the reflectance spectrum. The spectral position of the dip coincides with the photonic stop band. The latter is dependent on the size of silica globules and the angle of observation. The spectral shape and intensity of defect-related fluorescence can be controlled by variation of detection angle. Fluorescence intensity increases up to two times at the edges of the spectral dip. Partial photobleaching of fluorescence was observed. Photonic origin of the observed effects is discussed.

Catoptric electrodes: transparent metal electrodes using shaped surfaces.

PubMed

Kik, Pieter G

2014-09-01

An optical electrode design is presented that theoretically allows 100% optical transmission through an interdigitated metallic electrode at 50% metal areal coverage. This is achieved by redirection of light incident on embedded metal electrode lines to an angle beyond that required for total internal reflection. Full-field electromagnetic simulations using realistic material parameters demonstrate 84% frequency-averaged transmission for unpolarized illumination across the entire visible spectral range using a silver interdigitated electrode at 50% areal coverage. The redirection is achieved through specular reflection, making it nonresonant and arbitrarily broadband, provided the electrode width exceeds the optical wavelength. These findings could significantly improve the performance of photovoltaic devices and optical detectors that require high-conductivity top contacts.

Optically controlled welding system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Stephen S. (Inventor)

1988-01-01

An optically controlled welding system wherein a welding torch having through-the-torch viewing capabilities is provided with an optical beam splitter to create a transmitted view and a reflective view of a welding operation. These views are converted to digital signals which are then processed and utilized by a computerized robotic welder to make the welding torch responsive thereto. Other features include an actively cooled electrode holder which minimizes a blocked portion of the view by virtue of being constructed of a single spoke or arm, and a weld pool contour detector comprising a laser beam directed onto the weld pool with the position of specular radiation reflected therefrom, being characteristic of a penetrated or unpenetrated condition of the weld pool.

The dark side of gloss.

PubMed

Kim, Juno; Marlow, Phillip J; Anderson, Barton L

2012-11-01

Our visual system relies on the image structure generated by the interaction of light with objects to infer their material properties. One widely studied surface property is gloss, which can provide information that an object is smooth, shiny or wet. Studies have historically focused on the role of specular highlights in modulating perceived gloss. Here we show in human observers that glossy surfaces can generate both bright specular highlights and dark specular 'lowlights', and that the presence of either is sufficient to generate compelling percepts of gloss. We show that perceived gloss declines when the image structure generated by specular lowlights is blurred or misaligned with surrounding surface shading and that perceived gloss can arise from the presence of lowlights in surface regions isolated from highlights. These results suggest that the image structure generated by specular highlights and lowlights is used to construct our experience of surface gloss.

The influence of processor focus on speckle correlation statistics for a Shuttle imaging radar scene of Hurricane Josephine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tilley, David G.

1988-01-01

The surface wave field produced by Hurricane Josephine was imaged by the L-band SAR aboard the Challenger on October 12, 1984. Exponential trends found in the two-dimensional autocorrelations of speckled image data support an equilibrium theory model of sea surface hydrodynamics. The notions of correlated specular reflection, surface coherence, optimal Doppler parameterization and spatial resolution are discussed within the context of a Poisson-Rayleigh statistical model of the SAR imaging process.

Numerical Boundary Conditions for Specular Reflection in a Level-Sets-Based Wavefront Propagation Method

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

acoustics One begins with Eikonal equation for the acoustic phase function S(t,x) as derived from the geometric acoustics (high frequency) approximation to...zb(x) is smooth and reasonably approximated as piecewise linear. The time domain ray (characteristic) equations for the Eikonal equation are ẋ(t)= c...travel time is affected, which is more physically relevant than global error in φ since it provides the phase information for the Eikonal equation (2.1

Identification of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars.

PubMed

Bridges, J C; Clemmet, J; Croon, M; Sims, M R; Pullan, D; Muller, J-P; Tao, Y; Xiong, S; Putri, A R; Parker, T; Turner, S M R; Pillinger, J M

2017-10-01

The 2003 Beagle 2 Mars lander has been identified in Isidis Planitia at 90.43° E, 11.53° N, close to the predicted target of 90.50° E, 11.53° N. Beagle 2 was an exobiology lander designed to look for isotopic and compositional signs of life on Mars, as part of the European Space Agency Mars Express (MEX) mission. The 2004 recalculation of the original landing ellipse from a 3-sigma major axis from 174 km to 57 km, and the acquisition of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) imagery at 30 cm per pixel across the target region, led to the initial identification of the lander in 2014. Following this, more HiRISE images, giving a total of 15, including red and blue-green colours, were obtained over the area of interest and searched, which allowed sub-pixel imaging using super high-resolution techniques. The size (approx. 1.5 m), distinctive multilobed shape, high reflectivity relative to the local terrain, specular reflections, and location close to the centre of the planned landing ellipse led to the identification of the Beagle 2 lander. The shape of the imaged lander, although to some extent masked by the specular reflections in the various images, is consistent with deployment of the lander lid and then some or all solar panels. Failure to fully deploy the panels-which may have been caused by damage during landing-would have prohibited communication between the lander and MEX and commencement of science operations. This implies that the main part of the entry, descent and landing sequence, the ejection from MEX, atmospheric entry and parachute deployment, and landing worked as planned with perhaps only the final full panel deployment failing.

Identification of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars

PubMed Central

Clemmet, J.; Croon, M.; Sims, M. R.; Pullan, D.; Muller, J.-P.; Tao, Y.; Xiong, S.; Putri, A. R.; Parker, T.; Turner, S. M. R.; Pillinger, J. M.

2017-01-01

The 2003 Beagle 2 Mars lander has been identified in Isidis Planitia at 90.43° E, 11.53° N, close to the predicted target of 90.50° E, 11.53° N. Beagle 2 was an exobiology lander designed to look for isotopic and compositional signs of life on Mars, as part of the European Space Agency Mars Express (MEX) mission. The 2004 recalculation of the original landing ellipse from a 3-sigma major axis from 174 km to 57 km, and the acquisition of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) imagery at 30 cm per pixel across the target region, led to the initial identification of the lander in 2014. Following this, more HiRISE images, giving a total of 15, including red and blue-green colours, were obtained over the area of interest and searched, which allowed sub-pixel imaging using super high-resolution techniques. The size (approx. 1.5 m), distinctive multilobed shape, high reflectivity relative to the local terrain, specular reflections, and location close to the centre of the planned landing ellipse led to the identification of the Beagle 2 lander. The shape of the imaged lander, although to some extent masked by the specular reflections in the various images, is consistent with deployment of the lander lid and then some or all solar panels. Failure to fully deploy the panels—which may have been caused by damage during landing—would have prohibited communication between the lander and MEX and commencement of science operations. This implies that the main part of the entry, descent and landing sequence, the ejection from MEX, atmospheric entry and parachute deployment, and landing worked as planned with perhaps only the final full panel deployment failing. PMID:29134081

Identification of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bridges, J. C.; Clemmet, J.; Croon, M.; Sims, M. R.; Pullan, D.; Muller, J.-P.; Tao, Y.; Xiong, S.; Putri, A. R.; Parker, T.; Turner, S. M. R.; Pillinger, J. M.

2017-10-01

The 2003 Beagle 2 Mars lander has been identified in Isidis Planitia at 90.43° E, 11.53° N, close to the predicted target of 90.50° E, 11.53° N. Beagle 2 was an exobiology lander designed to look for isotopic and compositional signs of life on Mars, as part of the European Space Agency Mars Express (MEX) mission. The 2004 recalculation of the original landing ellipse from a 3-sigma major axis from 174 km to 57 km, and the acquisition of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) imagery at 30 cm per pixel across the target region, led to the initial identification of the lander in 2014. Following this, more HiRISE images, giving a total of 15, including red and blue-green colours, were obtained over the area of interest and searched, which allowed sub-pixel imaging using super high-resolution techniques. The size (approx. 1.5 m), distinctive multilobed shape, high reflectivity relative to the local terrain, specular reflections, and location close to the centre of the planned landing ellipse led to the identification of the Beagle 2 lander. The shape of the imaged lander, although to some extent masked by the specular reflections in the various images, is consistent with deployment of the lander lid and then some or all solar panels. Failure to fully deploy the panels-which may have been caused by damage during landing-would have prohibited communication between the lander and MEX and commencement of science operations. This implies that the main part of the entry, descent and landing sequence, the ejection from MEX, atmospheric entry and parachute deployment, and landing worked as planned with perhaps only the final full panel deployment failing.

Simulation of an oil film at the sea surface and its radiometric properties in the SWIR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwenger, Frédéric; Van Eijk, Alexander M. J.

2017-10-01

The knowledge of the optical contrast of an oil layer on the sea under various surface roughness conditions is of great interest for oil slick monitoring techniques. This paper presents a 3D simulation of a dynamic sea surface contaminated by a floating oil film. The simulation considers the damping influence of oil on the ocean waves and its physical properties. It calculates the radiance contrast of the sea surface polluted by the oil film in relation to a clean sea surface for the SWIR spectral band. Our computer simulation combines the 3D simulation of a maritime scene (open clear sea/clear sky) with an oil film at the sea surface. The basic geometry of a clean sea surface is modeled by a composition of smooth wind driven gravity waves. Oil on the sea surface attenuates the capillary and short gravity waves modulating the wave power density spectrum of these waves. The radiance of the maritime scene is calculated in the SWIR spectral band with the emitted sea surface radiance and the specularly reflected sky radiance as components. Wave hiding and shadowing, especially occurring at low viewing angles, are considered. The specular reflection of the sky radiance at the clean sea surface is modeled by an analytical statistical bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of the sea surface. For oil at the sea surface, a specific BRDF is used influenced by the reduced surface roughness, i.e., the modulated wave density spectrum. The radiance contrast of an oil film in relation to the clean sea surface is calculated for different viewing angles, wind speeds, and oil types characterized by their specific physical properties.

High sensitivity optical measurement of skin gloss

PubMed Central

Ezerskaia, Anna; Ras, Arno; Bloemen, Pascal; Pereira, Silvania F.; Urbach, H. Paul; Varghese, Babu

2017-01-01

We demonstrate a low-cost optical method for measuring the gloss properties with improved sensitivity in the low gloss regime, relevant for skin gloss properties. The gloss estimation method is based on, on the one hand, the slope of the intensity gradient in the transition regime between specular and diffuse reflection and on the other on the sum over the intensities of pixels above threshold, derived from a camera image obtained using unpolarized white light illumination. We demonstrate the improved sensitivity of the two proposed methods using Monte Carlo simulations and experiments performed on ISO gloss calibration standards with an optical prototype. The performance and linearity of the method was compared with different professional gloss measurement devices based on the ratio of specular to diffuse intensity. We demonstrate the feasibility for in-vivo skin gloss measurements by quantifying the temporal evolution of skin gloss after application of standard paraffin cream bases on skin. The presented method opens new possibilities in the fields of cosmetology and dermatopharmacology for measuring the skin gloss and resorption kinetics and the pharmacodynamics of various external agents. PMID:29026683

BioRef: A versatile time-of-flight reflectometer for soft matter applications at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin

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

Strobl, M.; Kreuzer, M.; Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin

2011-05-15

BioRef is a versatile novel time-of-flight reflectometer featuring a sample environment for in situ infrared spectroscopy at the reactor neutron source BER II of the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin fuer Materialien und Energie (HZB). After two years of design and construction phase the instrument has recently undergone commissioning and is now available for specular and off-specular neutron reflectivity measurements. BioRef is especially dedicated to the investigation of soft matter systems and studies at the solid-liquid interface. Due to flexible resolution modes and variable addressable wavelength bands that allow for focusing onto a selected scattering vector range, BioRef enables a broad rangemore » of surface and interface investigations and even kinetic studies with subsecond time resolution. The instrumental settings can be tailored to the specific requirements of a wide range of applications. The performance is demonstrated by several reference measurements, and the unique option of in situ on-board infrared spectroscopy is illustrated by the example of a phase transition study in a lipid multilayer film.« less

Detection of nanoscale embedded layers using laboratory specular X-ray diffraction

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

Beekman, Matt, E-mail: matt.beekman@oit.edu; Rodriguez, Gabriel; Atkins, Ryan

Unusual specular X-ray diffraction patterns have been observed from certain thin film intergrowths of metal monochalcogenide (MX) and transition metal dichalcogenide (TX{sub 2}) structures. These patterns exhibit selective “splitting” or broadening of selected (00l) diffraction peaks, while other (00l) reflections remain relatively unaffected [Atkins et al., Chem. Mater. 24, 4594 (2012)]. Using a simplified optical model in the kinematic approximation, we illustrate that these peculiar and somewhat counterintuitive diffraction features can be understood in terms of additional layers of one of the intergrowth components, MX or TX{sub 2}, interleaved between otherwise “ideal” regions of MX-TX{sub 2} intergrowth. The interpretation ismore » in agreement with scanning transmission electron microscope imaging, which reveals the presence of such stacking “defects” in films prepared from non-ideal precursors. In principle, the effect can be employed as a simple, non-destructive laboratory probe to detect and characterize ultrathin layers of one material, e.g., 2-dimensional crystals, embedded between two slabs of a second material, effectively using the two slabs as a highly sensitive interferometer of their separation distance.« less

Non-lambertian reflectance modeling and shape recovery of faces using tensor splines.

PubMed

Kumar, Ritwik; Barmpoutis, Angelos; Banerjee, Arunava; Vemuri, Baba C

2011-03-01

Modeling illumination effects and pose variations of a face is of fundamental importance in the field of facial image analysis. Most of the conventional techniques that simultaneously address both of these problems work with the Lambertian assumption and thus fall short of accurately capturing the complex intensity variation that the facial images exhibit or recovering their 3D shape in the presence of specularities and cast shadows. In this paper, we present a novel Tensor-Spline-based framework for facial image analysis. We show that, using this framework, the facial apparent BRDF field can be accurately estimated while seamlessly accounting for cast shadows and specularities. Further, using local neighborhood information, the same framework can be exploited to recover the 3D shape of the face (to handle pose variation). We quantitatively validate the accuracy of the Tensor Spline model using a more general model based on the mixture of single-lobed spherical functions. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique by presenting extensive experimental results for face relighting, 3D shape recovery, and face recognition using the Extended Yale B and CMU PIE benchmark data sets.

A diffuse radar scattering model from Martian surface rocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calvin, W. M.; Jakosky, B. M.; Christensen, P. R.

1987-01-01

Remote sensing of Mars has been done with a variety of instrumentation at various wavelengths. Many of these data sets can be reconciled with a surface model of bonded fines (or duricrust) which varies widely across the surface and a surface rock distribution which varies less so. A surface rock distribution map from -60 to +60 deg latitude has been generated by Christensen. Our objective is to model the diffuse component of radar reflection based on this surface distribution of rocks. The diffuse, rather than specular, scattering is modeled because the diffuse component arises due to scattering from rocks with sizes on the order of the wavelength of the radar beam. Scattering for radio waves of 12.5 cm is then indicative of the meter scale and smaller structure of the surface. The specular term is indicative of large scale surface undulations and should not be causally related to other surface physical properties. A simplified model of diffuse scattering is described along with two rock distribution models. The results of applying the models to a planet of uniform fractional rock coverage with values ranging from 5 to 20% are discussed.

High sensitivity optical measurement of skin gloss.

PubMed

Ezerskaia, Anna; Ras, Arno; Bloemen, Pascal; Pereira, Silvania F; Urbach, H Paul; Varghese, Babu

2017-09-01

We demonstrate a low-cost optical method for measuring the gloss properties with improved sensitivity in the low gloss regime, relevant for skin gloss properties. The gloss estimation method is based on, on the one hand, the slope of the intensity gradient in the transition regime between specular and diffuse reflection and on the other on the sum over the intensities of pixels above threshold, derived from a camera image obtained using unpolarized white light illumination. We demonstrate the improved sensitivity of the two proposed methods using Monte Carlo simulations and experiments performed on ISO gloss calibration standards with an optical prototype. The performance and linearity of the method was compared with different professional gloss measurement devices based on the ratio of specular to diffuse intensity. We demonstrate the feasibility for in-vivo skin gloss measurements by quantifying the temporal evolution of skin gloss after application of standard paraffin cream bases on skin. The presented method opens new possibilities in the fields of cosmetology and dermatopharmacology for measuring the skin gloss and resorption kinetics and the pharmacodynamics of various external agents.

Standardization of Solar Mirror Reflectance Measurements - Round Robin Test: Preprint

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

Meyen, S.; Lupfert, E.; Fernandez-Garcia, A.

2010-10-01

Within the SolarPaces Task III standardization activities, DLR, CIEMAT, and NREL have concentrated on optimizing the procedure to measure the reflectance of solar mirrors. From this work, the laboratories have developed a clear definition of the method and requirements needed of commercial instruments for reliable reflectance results. A round robin test was performed between the three laboratories with samples that represent all of the commercial solar mirrors currently available for concentrating solar power (CSP) applications. The results show surprisingly large differences in hemispherical reflectance (sh) of 0.007 and specular reflectance (ss) of 0.004 between the laboratories. These differences indicate themore » importance of minimum instrument requirements and standardized procedures. Based on these results, the optimal procedure will be formulated and validated with a new round robin test in which a better accuracy is expected. Improved instruments and reference standards are needed to reach the necessary accuracy for cost and efficiency calculations.« less

Bio-inspired, sub-wavelength surface structures for ultra-broadband, omni-directional anti-reflection in the mid and far IR.

PubMed

Gonzalez, Federico Lora; Gordon, Michael J

2014-06-02

Quasi-ordered moth-eye arrays were fabricated in Si using a colloidal lithography method to achieve highly efficient, omni-directional transmission of mid and far infrared (IR) radiation. The effect of structure height and aspect ratio on transmittance and scattering was explored experimentally and modeled quantitatively using effective medium theory. The highest aspect ratio structures (AR = 9.4) achieved peak transmittance of 98%, with >85% transmission for λ = 7-30 μm. A detailed photon balance was constructed by measuring transmission, forward scattering, specular reflection and diffuse reflection to quantify optical losses due to near-field effects. In addition, angle-dependent transmission measurements showed that moth-eye structures provide superior anti-reflective properties compared to unstructured interfaces over a wide angular range (0-60° incidence). The colloidal lithography method presented here is scalable and substrate-independent, providing a general approach to realize moth-eye structures and anti-reflection in many IR-compatible material systems.

Plasmonic resonances in ordered and disordered aluminum nanocavities arrays.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campuzano, R. G.; Mendoza, D.

2017-01-01

Nanocavities arrays were synthesized by electrochemical anodization of aluminum using oxalic and phosphoric acids as electrolytes. The morphology and topography of these structures were evaluated by SEM and AFM. Plasmonic properties of Al cavities arrays with different ordering and dimensions were analysed based on specular reflectivity. Al cavities arrays fabricated with phosphoric acid dramatically reduced the optical reflectivity as compared with unstructured Al. At the same time pronounced reflectivity dips were detectable in the 300nm-400nm range, which were ascribed to (0,1) plasmonic mode, and also a colored appearance in the samples is noticeably depending on the observation angle. These changes are not observed in samples made with oxalic acid and this fact was explained, based on a theoretical model, in terms that the surface plasmons are excited far in the UV range.

Geometrical considerations in analyzing isotropic or anisotropic surface reflections.

PubMed

Simonot, Lionel; Obein, Gael

2007-05-10

The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) represents the evolution of the reflectance with the directions of incidence and observation. Today BRDF measurements are increasingly applied and have become important to the study of the appearance of surfaces. The representation and the analysis of BRDF data are discussed, and the distortions caused by the traditional representation of the BRDF in a Fourier plane are pointed out and illustrated for two theoretical cases: an isotropic surface and a brushed surface. These considerations will help characterize either the specular peak width of an isotropic rough surface or the main directions of the light scattered by an anisotropic rough surface without misinterpretations. Finally, what is believed to be a new space is suggested for the representation of the BRDF, which avoids the geometrical deformations and in numerous cases is more convenient for BRDF analysis.

SPECSweb Multistatic Tracking on a Truth-Blind Simulated Scenario of the MSTWG

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-01

communications links and fusion/tracking processes, producing too many false tracks. The Specular-Cued Surveillance Web (SPECSweb) multistatic tracker...information from the multistatic nodes to a fusion center. A concept referred to as the “Specular-Cued Surveillance Web (SPECSweb)” is being...producing too many false tracks. The Specular-Cued Surveillance Web (SPECSweb) multistatic tracker mitigates these problems through implementation of two

SPECSweb Post-Tracking Classification Method

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

The Specular-Cued Surveillance Web (SPECSweb) multistatic tracker effectively reduces false track rate through the use of two amplitude thresholds...Cueing – Clutter 1 Introduction A concept referred to as the “Specular-Cued Surveillance Web (SPECSweb)” is being pursued to mitigate the data...on 5-8 July 2011. Sponsored in part by Office of Naval Research and U.S. Army Research Laboratory. 14. ABSTRACT The Specular-Cued Surveillance Web

Thermal stability of Mn-Ir-based specular spin valve structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, S. Y.; Lee, D. H.; Jeon, D. M.; Kim, J. H.; Yoon, D. H.; Suh, S. J.

2004-05-01

We studied the thermal properties of specular and conventional spin valves. The specular spin valve showed better thermal properties (e.g. slow MR degradation and sheet resistance increment) than those of conventional spin valve. It is considered that the Mn-Co-Fe-O is formed in the NOL at 543-578 K and this acts as a diffusion barrier for Mn during high-temperature annealing process.

Reflections in computer modeling of rooms: Current approaches and possible extensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svensson, U. Peter

2005-09-01

Computer modeling of rooms is most commonly done by some calculation technique that is based on decomposing the sound field into separate reflection components. In a first step, a list of possible reflection paths is found and in a second step, an impulse response is constructed from the list of reflections. Alternatively, the list of reflections is used for generating a simpler echogram, the energy decay as function of time. A number of geometrical acoustics-based methods can handle specular reflections, diffuse reflections, edge diffraction, curved surfaces, and locally/non-locally reacting surfaces to various degrees. This presentation gives an overview of how reflections are handled in the image source method and variants of the ray-tracing methods, which are dominating today in commercial software, as well as in the radiosity method and edge diffraction methods. The use of the recently standardized scattering and diffusion coefficients of surfaces is discussed. Possibilities for combining edge diffraction, surface scattering, and impedance boundaries are demonstrated for an example surface. Finally, the number of reflection paths becomes prohibitively high when all such combinations are included as demonstrated for a simple concert hall model. [Work supported by the Acoustic Research Centre through NFR, Norway.

A reflective-type, quasi-optical metasurface filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sima, Boyu; Momeni Hasan Abadi, Seyed Mohamad Amin; Behdad, Nader

2017-08-01

We introduce a new technique for designing quasi-optical, reflective-type spatial filters. The proposed filter is a reflective metasurface with a one dimensional, frequency-dependent phase gradient along the aperture. By careful design of each unit cell of the metasurface, the phase shift gradient provided by the adjacent unit cells can be engineered to steer the beam towards a desired, anomalous reflection direction over the passband region of the filter. Outside of that range, the phase shift gradient required to produce the anomalous reflection is not present and hence, the wave is reflected towards the specular reflection direction. This way, the metasurface acts as a reflective filter in a quasi-optical system where the detector is placed along the direction of anomalous reflection. The spectral selectivity of this filter is determined by the frequency dispersion of the metasurface's phase response. Based on this principle, a prototype of the proposed metasurface filter, which operates at 10 GHz and has a bandwidth of 3%, is designed. The device is modeled using a combination of theoretical analysis using the phased-array theory and full-wave electromagnetic simulations. A prototype of this device is also fabricated and characterized using a free-space measurement system. Experimental results agree well with the simulations.

Proven high-performance display solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Rick J.; Shaw, James E.; Mosier, Don; Liss, Raymond L.; Prouty, Todd D.; Davis, Josh; Marzen, Vincent P.; Deloy, Christian T.

2002-08-01

Rockwell Collins serves both the military and the commercial segments by exploiting the common elements of these applications. Rockwell Collins has created a liquid crystal display family capable of 100:1 contrast ratio, 40:1 high ambient contrast, 0.25% specular reflectance, 0.1% diffuse reflectance, enhanced color stability over +/- 55H, 0-30V field of view, 300 fL with 10K:1 dimming range, color NVIS B compliance while exceeding environmental performance requirements though ruggedization. In order to meet the full range of display requirements at a system level, all the components must be understood and managed to meet the end solution of the final system. This paper details Rockwell Collins' optical performance using an avionics grade panel, third generation custom compensation, and solid state backlight.

Mirrorlike pulsed laser deposited tungsten thin film.

PubMed

Mostako, A T T; Rao, C V S; Khare, Alika

2011-01-01

Mirrorlike tungsten thin films on stainless steel substrate deposited via pulsed laser deposition technique in vacuum (10(-5) Torr) is reported, which may find direct application as first mirror in fusion devices. The crystal structure of tungsten film is analyzed using x-ray diffraction pattern, surface morphology of the tungsten films is studied with scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The film composition is identified using energy dispersive x-ray. The specular and diffuse reflectivities with respect to stainless steel substrate of the tungsten films are recorded with FTIR spectra. The thickness and the optical quality of pulsed laser deposition deposited films are tested via interferometric technique. The reflectivity is approaching about that of the bulk for the tungsten film of thickness ∼782 nm.

Development of high-performance low-reflection rugged resistive touch screens for military displays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Raymond; Wang, Minshine; Thomas, John; Wang, Lawrence; Chang, Victor

2010-04-01

Just as iPhones with sophisticated touch interfaces have revolutionised the human interface for the ubiquitous cell phone, the Military is rapidly adopting touch-screens as a primary interface to their computers and vehicle systems. This paper describes the development of a true military touch interface solution from an existing industrial design. We will report on successful development of 10.4" and 15.4" high performance rugged resistive touch panels using IAD sputter coating. Low reflectance (specular < 1% and diffuse < 0.07%) was achieved with high impact, dust, and chemical resistant surface finishes. These touch panels were qualified over a wide operational temperature range, -51°C to +80°C specifically for military and rugged industrial applications.

Structured surface reflector design for oblique incidence beam splitter at 610 GHz.

PubMed

Defrance, F; Casaletti, M; Sarrazin, J; Wiedner, M C; Gibson, H; Gay, G; Lefèvre, R; Delorme, Y

2016-09-05

An iterative alternate projection-based algorithm is developed to design structured surface reflectors to operate as beam splitters at GHz and THz frequencies. To validate the method, a surface profile is determined to achieve a reflector at 610 GHz that generates four equal-intensity beams towards desired directions of ±12.6° with respect to the specular reflection axis. A prototype is fabricated and the beam splitter behavior is experimentally demonstrated. Measurements confirm a good agreement (within 1%) with computer simulations using Feko, validating the method. The beam splitter at 610 GHz has a measured efficiency of 78% under oblique incidence illumination that ensures a similar intensity between the four reflected beams (variation of about 1%).

Optically controlled welding system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Stephen S. (Inventor)

1989-01-01

An optically controlled welding system (10) wherein a welding torch (12) having through-the-torch viewing capabilities is provided with an optical beam splitter (56) to create a transmitted view and a reflective view of a welding operation. These views are converted to digital signals which are then processed and utilized by a computerized robotic welder (15) to make the welding torch responsive thereto. Other features includes an actively cooled electrode holder (26) which minimizes a blocked portion of the view by virtue of being constructed of a single spoke or arm (28) and a weld pool contour detector (14) comprising a laser beam directed onto the weld pool with the position of specular radiation reflected therefrom being characteristic of a penetrated or unpenetrated condition of the weld pool.

Optimization of MLS receivers for multipath environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcalpine, G. A.; Irwin, S. H.; NELSON; Roleyni, G.

1977-01-01

Optimal design studies of MLS angle-receivers and a theoretical design-study of MLS DME-receivers are reported. The angle-receiver results include an integration of the scan data processor and tracking filter components of the optimal receiver into a unified structure. An extensive simulation study comparing the performance of the optimal and threshold receivers in a wide variety of representative dynamical interference environments was made. The optimal receiver was generally superior. A simulation of the performance of the threshold and delay-and-compare receivers in various signal environments was performed. An analysis of combined errors due to lateral reflections from vertical structures with small differential path delays, specular ground reflections with neglible differential path delays, and thermal noise in the receivers is provided.

Bidirectional plant canopy reflection models derived from the radiation transfer equation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beeth, D. R.

1975-01-01

A collection of bidirectional canopy reflection models was obtained from the solution of the radiation transfer equation for a horizontally homogeneous canopy. A phase function is derived for a collection of bidirectionally reflecting and transmitting planar elements characterized geometrically by slope and azimuth density functions. Two approaches to solving the radiation transfer equation for the canopy are presented. One approach factors the radiation transfer equation into a solvable set of three first-order linear differential equations by assuming that the radiation field within the canopy can be initially approximated by three components: uniformly diffuse downwelling, uniformly diffuse upwelling, and attenuated specular. The solution to these equations, which can be iterated to any degree of accuracy, was used to obtain overall canopy reflection from the formal solution to the radiation transfer equation. A programable solution to canopy overall bidirectional reflection is given for this approach. The special example of Lambertian leaves with constant leaf bidirectional reflection and scattering functions is considered, and a programmable solution for this example is given. The other approach to solving the radiation transfer equation, a generalized Chandrasekhar technique, is presented in the appendix.

Ecological model of glittering texture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vallet, Matthieu; Paille, Damien; Monot, Annie; Kemeny, Andras

2003-06-01

The perceptual effects of changes of texture luminance either between the eyes or over time have been studied in several experiments and have led to a better comprehension of phenomenons such as sieve effect, binocular and monocular lustre and rivaldepth. In this paper, we propose an ecological model of glittering texture and analyze glitter perception in terms of variations of texture luminance and animation frequency, in dynamic illumination conditions. Our approach is based on randomly oriented mirrors that are computed according to the specular term of Phong's image rendering formula. The sparkling effect is thus correlated to the relative movements of the resulting textured object, the light array and the observer's point of view. The perceptual effect obtained with this model depends on several parameters: mirrors' density, the Phong specular exponent and the statistical properties of the mirrors' normal vectors. The ability to independently set these properties offers a way to explore a characterization space of glitter. A rating procedure provided a first approximation of the numerical values that lead to the best feeling of typical sparkling surfaces such as metallic paint, granite or sea shore.

Computer Based Melanocytic and Nevus Image Enhancement and Segmentation.

PubMed

Jamil, Uzma; Akram, M Usman; Khalid, Shehzad; Abbas, Sarmad; Saleem, Kashif

2016-01-01

Digital dermoscopy aids dermatologists in monitoring potentially cancerous skin lesions. Melanoma is the 5th common form of skin cancer that is rare but the most dangerous. Melanoma is curable if it is detected at an early stage. Automated segmentation of cancerous lesion from normal skin is the most critical yet tricky part in computerized lesion detection and classification. The effectiveness and accuracy of lesion classification are critically dependent on the quality of lesion segmentation. In this paper, we have proposed a novel approach that can automatically preprocess the image and then segment the lesion. The system filters unwanted artifacts including hairs, gel, bubbles, and specular reflection. A novel approach is presented using the concept of wavelets for detection and inpainting the hairs present in the cancer images. The contrast of lesion with the skin is enhanced using adaptive sigmoidal function that takes care of the localized intensity distribution within a given lesion's images. We then present a segmentation approach to precisely segment the lesion from the background. The proposed approach is tested on the European database of dermoscopic images. Results are compared with the competitors to demonstrate the superiority of the suggested approach.

Development of composite facets for the surface of a space-based solar dynamic concentrator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ayers, Schuyler R.; Morel, Donald E.; Sanborn, James A.

1986-01-01

An account is given of the composite fabrication techniques envisioned for the production of mirror-quality substrates furnishing the specular reflectance required for the NASA Space Station's solar dynamic concentrator energy system. The candidate materials were graphite fiber-reinforced glass, aluminum, and polymer matrices whose surfaces would be coated with thin metal layers and with atomic oxygen degradation-inhibiting protective coatings to obtain the desired mirror surface. Graphite-epoxy mirror substrate samples have been found to perform satisfactorily for the required concentrator lifetime.

Solar concentrator advanced development project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corrigan, Robert D.; Ehresman, Derik T.

1987-01-01

A solar dynamic concentrator design developed for use with a solar-thermodynamic power generation module intended for the Space Station is considered. The truss hexagonal panel reflector uses a modular design approach and is flexible in attainable flux profiles and assembly techniques. Preliminary structural, thermal, and optical analysis results are discussed. Accuracy of the surface reflectors should be within 5 mrad rms slope error, resulting in the need for close fabrication tolerances. Significant fabrication issues to be addressed include the facet reflective and protective coating processes and the surface specularity requirements.

Point Pairing Method Based on the Principle of Material Frame Indifference for the Characterization of Unknown Space Objects using Non-Resolved Photometry Data

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB...the satellite. The material constitutive laws of interest are the bidirectional reflectance distribution functions ( BRDF ) for diffuse and specular...solar panel can be related to each other using the BRDF definition. This creates a set of three independent equations and three unknowns, which can be

Motion Among Random Obstacles on a Hyperbolic Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orsingher, Enzo; Ricciuti, Costantino; Sisti, Francesco

2016-02-01

We consider the motion of a particle along the geodesic lines of the Poincaré half-plane. The particle is specularly reflected when it hits randomly-distributed obstacles that are assumed to be motionless. This is the hyperbolic version of the well-known Lorentz Process studied in the Euclidean context. We analyse the limit in which the density of the obstacles increases to infinity and the size of each obstacle vanishes: under a suitable scaling, we prove that our process converges to a Markovian process, namely a random flight on the hyperbolic manifold.

Evaluation of space environmental effects on metals and optical thin films on EOIM-3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vaughn, Jason A.; Linton, Roger C.; Finckenor, Miria M.; Kamenetzky, Rachel R.

1995-01-01

Metals and optical thin films exposed to the space environment on the Third Flight of the Evaluation of Oxygen Interactions with Materials (EOIM-3) payload, onboard Space Shuttle mission STS-46 were evaluated. The materials effects described in this paper include the effects of space exposure on various pure metals, optical thin films, and optical thin film metals. The changes induced by exposure to the space environment in the material properties were evaluated using bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), specular reflectance (250 nm to 2500 nm), ESCA, VUV reflectance (120 nm to 200 nm), ellipsometry, FTIR and optical properties. Using these analysis techniques gold optically thin film metal mirrors with nickel undercoats were observed to darken due to nickel diffusion through the gold to the surface. Also, thin film nickel mirrors formed nickel oxide due to exposure to both the atmosphere and space.

Final Technical Report: Development of an Abrasion-Resistant Antisoiling Coating for Front-Surface Reflectors

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

Gee, Randy C.

A high-performance reflective film has been successfully developed for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) solar concentrators. Anti-soiling properties and abrasion resistance have been incorporated into the reflector to reduce reflector cleaning costs and to enhance durability. This approach has also resulted in higher reflectance and improved specularity. From the outset of this project we focused on the use of established high-volume roll-to-roll manufacturing techniques to achieve low manufacturing costs on a per ubit area basis. Roll-to-roll manufacturng equipment has a high capital cost so there is an entire industry devoted to roll-to-roll “toll” manufacturing, where the equipment is operated “around themore » clock” to produce a multitude of products for a large variety of uses. Using this approach, the reflective film can be manufactured by toll coaters/converters on an as-needed basis.« less

Thin film concentrator panel development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerman, D. K.

1982-01-01

The development and testing of a rigid panel concept that utilizes a thin film reflective surface for application to a low-cost point-focusing solar concentrator is discussed. It is shown that a thin film reflective surface is acceptable for use on solar concentrators, including 1500 F applications. Additionally, it is shown that a formed steel sheet substrate is a good choice for concentrator panels. The panel has good optical properties, acceptable forming tolerances, environmentally resistant substrate and stiffeners, and adaptability to low to mass production rates. Computer simulations of the concentrator optics were run using the selected reflector panel design. Experimentally determined values for reflector surface specularity and reflectivity along with dimensional data were used in the analysis. The simulations provided intercept factor and net energy into the aperture as a function of aperture size for different surface errors and pointing errors. Point source and Sun source optical tests were also performed.

An instrument for the geometric attributes of metallic appearance.

PubMed

Christie, J S

1969-09-01

With the use of a greater variety of metals and methods of finishing them, an increasing need to measure metallic appearance has developed in the automotive industry. A simple and easy to operate instrument has been designed to measure the geometric characteristics of reflectance related to metallic appearance. These are specular reflectance, distinctness of image, haze, and diffuseness. A series of selected aluminum and stainless steel specimens has been used to test the performance of the new instrument and of older devices with which it has been compared. Functionally, the new instrument combines features of the Distinctness of ReflectedImage (DORI)meter designed by Tingle, and the abridged goniophotometer designed by Tingle and George. The design and operation of the new instrument have been simplified by use of multiple receptor apertures with optical fiber light collectors. The measurement of a wide range of metal appearance characteristic has thus been achieved with mechanical and electrical circuit simplicity.

Surface characteristics modeling and performance evaluation of urban building materials using LiDAR data.

PubMed

Li, Xiaolu; Liang, Yu

2015-05-20

Analysis of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) intensity data to extract surface features is of great interest in remote sensing research. One potential application of LiDAR intensity data is target classification. A new bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model is derived for target characterization of rough and smooth surfaces. Based on the geometry of our coaxial full-waveform LiDAR system, the integration method is improved through coordinate transformation to establish the relationship between the BRDF model and intensity data of LiDAR. A series of experiments using typical urban building materials are implemented to validate the proposed BRDF model and integration method. The fitting results show that three parameters extracted from the proposed BRDF model can distinguish the urban building materials from perspectives of roughness, specular reflectance, and diffuse reflectance. A comprehensive analysis of these parameters will help characterize surface features in a physically rigorous manner.

Bidirectional reflectance distribution function based surface modeling of non-Lambertian using intensity data of light detection and ranging.

PubMed

Li, Xiaolu; Liang, Yu; Xu, Lijun

2014-09-01

To provide a credible model for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) target classification, the focus of this study is on the relationship between intensity data of LiDAR and the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). An integration method based on the built-in-lab coaxial laser detection system was advanced. A kind of intermediary BRDF model advanced by Schlick was introduced into the integration method, considering diffuse and specular backscattering characteristics of the surface. A group of measurement campaigns were carried out to investigate the influence of the incident angle and detection range on the measured intensity data. Two extracted parameters r and S(λ) are influenced by different surface features, which illustrate the surface features of the distribution and magnitude of reflected energy, respectively. The combination of two parameters can be used to describe the surface characteristics for target classification in a more plausible way.

Determining the Index of Refraction of an Unknown Object using Passive Polarimetric Imagery Degraded by Atmospheric Turbulence

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-08-09

44 9 A photograph of a goniophotometer used by Bell and a schematic of a goniophotometer used by Mian et al...plane is called the parallel field component because it lies parallel to the specular plane. The incident electric field vector component which...resides in the plane or- thogonal to the specular plane is called the perpendicular field component because it lies perpendicular to the specular plane. If

Image-Based Models for Specularity Propagation in Diminished Reality.

PubMed

Said, Souheil Hadj; Tamaazousti, Mohamed; Bartoli, Adrien

2018-07-01

The aim of Diminished Reality (DR) is to remove a target object in a live video stream seamlessly. In our approach, the area of the target object is replaced with new texture that blends with the rest of the image. The result is then propagated to the next frames of the video. One of the important stages of this technique is to update the target region with respect to the illumination change. This is a complex and recurrent problem when the viewpoint changes. We show that the state-of-the-art in DR fails in solving this problem, even under simple scenarios. We then use local illumination models to address this problem. According to these models, the variation in illumination only affects the specular component of the image. In the context of DR, the problem is therefore solved by propagating the specularities in the target area. We list a set of structural properties of specularities which we incorporate in two new models for specularity propagation. Our first model includes the same property as the previous approaches, which is the smoothness of illumination variation, but has a different estimation method based on the Thin-Plate Spline. Our second model incorporates more properties of the specularity's shape on planar surfaces. Experimental results on synthetic and real data show that our strategy substantially improves the rendering quality compared to the state-of-the-art in DR.

Simulations of direct and reflected wave trajectories for ground-based GNSS-R experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roussel, N.; Frappart, F.; Ramillien, G.; Darrozes, J.; Desjardins, C.; Gegout, P.; Pérosanz, F.; Biancale, R.

2014-10-01

The detection of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals that are reflected off the surface, along with the reception of direct GNSS signals, offers a unique opportunity to monitor water level variations over land and ocean. The time delay between the reception of the direct and reflected signals gives access to the altitude of the receiver over the reflecting surface. The field of view of the receiver is highly dependent on both the orbits of the GNSS satellites and the configuration of the study site geometries. A simulator has been developed to determine the location of the reflection points on the surface accurately by modeling the trajectories of GNSS electromagnetic waves that are reflected by the surface of the Earth. Only the geometric problem was considered using a specular reflection assumption. The orbit of the GNSS constellation satellites (mainly GPS, GLONASS and Galileo), and the position of a fixed receiver, are used as inputs. Four different simulation modes are proposed, depending on the choice of the Earth surface model (local plane, osculating sphere or ellipsoid) and the consideration of topography likely to cause masking effects. Angular refraction effects derived from adaptive mapping functions are also taken into account. This simulator was developed to determine where the GNSS-R receivers should be located to monitor a given study area efficiently. In this study, two test sites were considered: the first one at the top of the 65 m Cordouan lighthouse in the Gironde estuary, France, and the second one on the shore of Lake Geneva (50 m above the reflecting surface), at the border between France and Switzerland. This site is hidden by mountains in the south (orthometric altitude up to 2000 m), and overlooking the lake in the north (orthometric altitude of 370 m). For this second test site configuration, reflections occur until 560 m from the receiver. The planimetric (arc length) differences (or altimetric difference as WGS84 ellipsoid height) between the positions of the specular reflection points obtained considering the Earth's surface as an osculating sphere or as an ellipsoid were found to be on average 9 cm (or less than 1 mm) for satellite elevation angles greater than 10°, and 13.9 cm (or less than 1 mm) for satellite elevation angles between 5 and 10°. The altimetric and planimetric differences between the plane and sphere approximations are on average below 1.4 cm (or less than 1 mm) for satellite elevation angles greater than 10° and below 6.2 cm (or 2.4 mm) for satellite elevation angles between 5 and 10°. These results are the means of the differences obtained during a 24 h simulation with a complete GPS and GLONASS constellation, and thus depend on how the satellite elevation angle is sampled over the day of simulation. The simulations highlight the importance of the digital elevation model (DEM) integration: average planimetric differences (or altimetric) with and without integrating the DEM (with respect to the ellipsoid approximation) were found to be about 6.3 m (or 1.74 m), with the minimum elevation angle equal to 5°. The correction of the angular refraction due to troposphere on the signal leads to planimetric (or altimetric) differences of an approximately 18 m (or 6 cm) maximum for a 50 m receiver height above the reflecting surface, whereas the maximum is 2.9 m (or 7 mm) for a 5 m receiver height above the reflecting surface. These errors increase deeply with the receiver height above the reflecting surface. By setting it to 300 m, the planimetric errors reach 116 m, and the altimetric errors reach 32 cm for satellite elevation angles lower than 10°. The tests performed with the simulator presented in this paper highlight the importance of the choice of the Earth's representation and also the non-negligible effect of angular refraction due to the troposphere on the specular reflection point positions. Various outputs (time-varying reflection point coordinates, satellite positions and ground paths, wave trajectories, first Fresnel zones, etc.) are provided either as text or KML files for visualization with Google Earth.

Metrological characterization methods for confocal chromatic line sensors and optical topography sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seppä, Jeremias; Niemelä, Karri; Lassila, Antti

2018-05-01

The increasing use of chromatic confocal technology for, e.g. fast, in-line optical topography, and measuring thickness, roughness and profiles implies a need for the characterization of various aspects of the sensors. Single-point, line and matrix versions of chromatic confocal technology, encoding depth information into wavelength, have been developed. Of these, line sensors are particularly suitable for in-line process measurement. Metrological characterization and development of practical methods for calibration and checking is needed for new optical methods and devices. Compared to, e.g. tactile methods, optical topography measurement techniques have limitations related to light wavelength and coherence, optical properties of the sample including reflectivity, specularity, roughness and colour, and definition of optical versus mechanical surfaces. In this work, metrological characterization methods for optical line sensors were developed for scale magnification and linearity, sensitivity to sample properties, and dynamic characteristics. An accurate depth scale calibration method using a single prototype groove depth sample was developed for a line sensor and validated with laser-interferometric sample tracking, attaining (sub)micrometre level or better than 0.1% scale accuracy. Furthermore, the effect of different surfaces and materials on the measurement and depth scale was studied, in particular slope angle, specularity and colour. In addition, dynamic performance, noise, lateral scale and resolution were measured using the developed methods. In the case of the LCI1200 sensor used in this study, which has a 11.3 mm  ×  2.8 mm measurement range, the instrument depth scale was found to depend only minimally on sample colour, whereas measuring steeply sloped specular surfaces in the peripheral measurement area, in the worst case, caused a somewhat larger relative sample-dependent change (1%) in scale.

Sliding to predict: vision-based beating heart motion estimation by modeling temporal interactions.

PubMed

Aviles-Rivero, Angelica I; Alsaleh, Samar M; Casals, Alicia

2018-03-01

Technical advancements have been part of modern medical solutions as they promote better surgical alternatives that serve to the benefit of patients. Particularly with cardiovascular surgeries, robotic surgical systems enable surgeons to perform delicate procedures on a beating heart, avoiding the complications of cardiac arrest. This advantage comes with the price of having to deal with a dynamic target which presents technical challenges for the surgical system. In this work, we propose a solution for cardiac motion estimation. Our estimation approach uses a variational framework that guarantees preservation of the complex anatomy of the heart. An advantage of our approach is that it takes into account different disturbances, such as specular reflections and occlusion events. This is achieved by performing a preprocessing step that eliminates the specular highlights and a predicting step, based on a conditional restricted Boltzmann machine, that recovers missing information caused by partial occlusions. We carried out exhaustive experimentations on two datasets, one from a phantom and the other from an in vivo procedure. The results show that our visual approach reaches an average minima in the order of magnitude of [Formula: see text] while preserving the heart's anatomical structure and providing stable values for the Jacobian determinant ranging from 0.917 to 1.015. We also show that our specular elimination approach reaches an accuracy of 99% compared to a ground truth. In terms of prediction, our approach compared favorably against two well-known predictors, NARX and EKF, giving the lowest average RMSE of 0.071. Our approach avoids the risks of using mechanical stabilizers and can also be effective for acquiring the motion of organs other than the heart, such as the lung or other deformable objects.

Interferometric Meteor Head Echo Observations using the Southern Argentina Agile Meteor Radar (SAAMER)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Janches, D.; Hocking, W.; Pifko, S.; Hormaechea, J. L.; Fritts, D. C.; Brunini, C; Michell, R.; Samara, M.

2013-01-01

A radar meteor echo is the radar scattering signature from the free-electrons in a plasma trail generated by entry of extraterrestrial particles into the atmosphere. Three categories of scattering mechanisms exist: specular, nonspecular trails, and head-echoes. Generally, there are two types of radars utilized to detect meteors. Traditional VHF meteor radars (often called all-sky1radars) primarily detect the specular reflection of meteor trails traveling perpendicular to the line of sight of the scattering trail, while High Power and Large Aperture (HPLA) radars efficiently detect meteor head-echoes and, in some cases, non-specular trails. The fact that head-echo measurements can be performed only with HPLA radars limits these studies in several ways. HPLA radars are very sensitive instruments constraining the studies to the lower masses, and these observations cannot be performed continuously because they take place at national observatories with limited allocated observing time. These drawbacks can be addressed by developing head echo observing techniques with modified all-sky meteor radars. In addition, the fact that the simultaneous detection of all different scattering mechanisms can be made with the same instrument, rather than requiring assorted different classes of radars, can help clarify observed differences between the different methodologies. In this study, we demonstrate that such concurrent observations are now possible, enabled by the enhanced design of the Southern Argentina Agile Meteor Radar (SAAMER) deployed at the Estacion Astronomica Rio Grande (EARG) in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The results presented here are derived from observations performed over a period of 12 days in August 2011, and include meteoroid dynamical parameter distributions, radiants and estimated masses. Overall, the SAAMER's head echo detections appear to be produced by larger particles than those which have been studied thus far using this technique.

Quick measurement of crystal truncation rod profiles in simultaneous multi-wavelength dispersive mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsushita, T.; Takahashi, T.; Shirasawa, T.; Arakawa, E.; Toyokawa, H.; Tajiri, H.

2011-11-01

To conduct time-resolved measurements in the wide momentum transfer (q = 4π sinθ/λ, θ: the glancing angle of the x-ray beam, λ: x-ray wavelength) range of interest, we developed a method that can simultaneously measure the whole profile of x-ray diffraction and crystal truncation rod scattering of interest with no need of rotation of the specimen, detector, and monochromator crystal during the measurement. With a curved crystal polychromator (Si 111 diffraction), a horizontally convergent x-ray beam having a one-to-one correlation between wavelength (energy: 16.24-23.0 keV) and direction is produced. The convergent x-ray beam components of different wavelengths are incident on the specimen in a geometry where θ is the same for all the x-ray components and are diffracted within corresponding vertical scattering planes by a specimen ([GaAs(12ML)/AlAs(8 ML)]50 on GaAs(001) substrate) placed at the focal point. Although θ is the same for all the directions, q continuously varies because λ changes as a function of direction. The normalized horizontal intensity distribution across the beam, as measured using a two-dimensional pixel array detector downstream of the specimen, represents the reflectivity curve profile both near to and far from the Bragg point. As for the crystal truncation rod scattering around the 002 reflection, the diffraction profile from the Bragg peak down to reflectivity of 1.0 × 10-9 was measured with a sufficient data collection time (1000-2000 s). With data collection times of 100, 10, 1.0, and 0.1 s, profiles down to a reflectivity of ˜6 × 10-9, ˜2 × 10-8, ˜8 × 10-8, and ˜8 × 10-7 were measured, respectively. To demonstrate the time-resolving capability of the system, reflectivity curves were measured with time resolutions of 1.0 s while rotating the specimen. We have also measured the diffraction profile around the 113 reflection in the non-specular reflection geometry.

Modeling and analysis of LWIR signature variability associated with 3D and BRDF effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adler-Golden, Steven; Less, David; Jin, Xuemin; Rynes, Peter

2016-05-01

Algorithms for retrieval of surface reflectance, emissivity or temperature from a spectral image almost always assume uniform illumination across the scene and horizontal surfaces with Lambertian reflectance. When these algorithms are used to process real 3-D scenes, the retrieved "apparent" values contain the strong, spatially dependent variations in illumination as well as surface bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) effects. This is especially problematic with horizontal or near-horizontal viewing, where many observed surfaces are vertical, and where horizontal surfaces can show strong specularity. The goals of this study are to characterize long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) signature variability in a HSI 3-D scene and develop practical methods for estimating the true surface values. We take advantage of synthetic near-horizontal imagery generated with the high-fidelity MultiService Electro-optic Signature (MuSES) model, and compare retrievals of temperature and directional-hemispherical reflectance using standard sky downwelling illumination and MuSES-based non-uniform environmental illumination.

Effective optical constants of anisotropic materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aronson, J. R.; Emslie, A. G.

1980-01-01

The applicability of a technique for determining the optical constants of soil or aerosol components on the basis of measurements of the reflectance or transmittance of inhomogeneous samples of component material is investigated. Optical constants for a sample of very pure quartzite were obtained by a specular reflection technique and line parameters were calculated by classical dispersion theory. Predictions of the reflectance of powdered quartz were then derived from optical constants measured for the anisotropic quartz and for pure quartz crystals, and compared with experimental measurements. The calculated spectra are found to resemble each other moderately well in shape, however the reflectance level calculated from the psuedo-optical constants (quartzite) is consistently below that calculated from quartz values. The spectrum calculated from the quartz optical constants is also shown to represent the experimental nonrestrahlen features more accurately. It is thus concluded that although optical constants derived from inhomogeneous materials may represent the spectral features of a powdered sample qualitatively a quantitative fit to observed data is not likely.

An optically transparent metasurface for broadband microwave antireflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jie; Zhang, Cheng; Cheng, Qiang; Yang, Jin; Cui, Tie Jun

2018-02-01

Metamaterial absorbers and diffusers provide powerful routes to decrease the backward reflection significantly with advantages of ultrathin profile and customized bandwidth. Simultaneous control of the absorption and scattering behaviors of the metamaterials which helps to improve the suppression capabilities of backward reflection, however, still remains a challenge. Aiming at this goal, we propose a metasurface constituted by two kinds of elements in a pseudorandom arrangement. By the use of indium tin oxide with moderate sheet resistance in the meta-atoms, enhanced absorption of energy can be achieved in a broad spectrum when interacted with illuminated waves. In the meanwhile, electromagnetic diffusion will be invoked from the destructive interference among the elements, giving rise to significant reduction of specular reflection as a result. Excellent agreements are observed between simulation and experiment with pronounced reflection suppression from 6.8 GHz to 19.4 GHz. In addition, the optical transparence of the patterns and substrates makes the proposed metasurface a promising candidate for future applications like photovoltaic solar cells and electromagnetic shielding glasses.

L- and K-band LMSS propagation measurements using MARECS-B, OLYMPUS, and ACTS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, W. J.; Torrence, G. W.; Goldhirsh, J.; Rowland, J. R.

1992-01-01

L-band measurements of land mobile satellite systems (LMSS) propagation effects were last made at the end of 1988, but some voids were left in the database, making modeling of low elevation roadside tree shadowing and multipath reflections difficult for some path geometries. Transmission of a pilot tone from MARECS-B at 55 deg West during Sep. and Dec. 1991 gave an opportunity to fill the gaps in the experimental results. Two campaigns during which fade data were obtained at elevation angles from 7 deg to 40 deg are described. Below 15 deg, specular terrain reflections in a non-shadowing, hilly environment were observed to introduce significant fading. Although the reflecting surface was at a distance of up to several km, it is shown that the reflected signals are delayed by less than 1 microsec. Mobile measurements were also attempted receiving the 20 GHz Olympus beacon, but antenna pointing problems restricted first results to straight-line driving.

Giant magnetoresistance in ion beam deposited spin-valve films with specular enhancement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sant, S.; Mao, M.; Kools, J.; Koi, K.; Iwasaki, H.; Sahashi, M.

2001-06-01

Three different techniques, natural oxidation, remote plasma oxidation and low energy ion beam oxidation, have been proved to be equally effective in forming nano-oxide layers (NOLs) in spin-valve films for specular enhancement of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. GMR values over 12% have been routinely obtained in spin-valve films with NOL, corresponding to a 30% specular enhancement over those without NOL. The consistency and robustness of the oxidation processes has been demonstrated by a very large GMR value ˜19% in a dual spin-valve film with the NOLs formed in both pinned layers, the oscillatory dependence of the interlayer coupling field on Cu layer thickness in specular enhanced spin-valve films and the uniform and repeatable film performance over 5 in. substrates.

A critical examination of the validity of simplified models for radiant heat transfer analysis.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toor, J. S.; Viskanta, R.

1972-01-01

Examination of the directional effects of the simplified models by comparing the experimental data with the predictions based on simple and more detailed models for the radiation characteristics of surfaces. Analytical results indicate that the constant property diffuse and specular models do not yield the upper and lower bounds on local radiant heat flux. In general, the constant property specular analysis yields higher values of irradiation than the constant property diffuse analysis. A diffuse surface in the enclosure appears to destroy the effect of specularity of the other surfaces. Semigray and gray analyses predict the irradiation reasonably well provided that the directional properties and the specularity of the surfaces are taken into account. The uniform and nonuniform radiosity diffuse models are in satisfactory agreement with each other.

Etch depth mapping of phase binary computer-generated holograms by means of specular spectroscopic scatterometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korolkov, Victor P.; Konchenko, Alexander S.; Cherkashin, Vadim V.; Mironnikov, Nikolay G.; Poleshchuk, Alexander G.

2013-09-01

Detailed analysis of etch depth map for phase binary computer-generated holograms intended for testing aspheric optics is a very important task. In particular, diffractive Fizeau null lenses need to be carefully tested for uniformity of etch depth. We offer a simplified version of the specular spectroscopic scatterometry method. It is based on the spectral properties of binary phase multi-order gratings. An intensity of zero order is a periodical function of illumination light wave number. The grating grooves depth can be calculated as it is inversely proportional to the period. Measurement in reflection allows one to increase the phase depth of the grooves by a factor of 2 and measure more precisely shallow phase gratings. Measurement uncertainty is mainly defined by the following parameters: shifts of the spectrum maximums that occur due to the tilted grooves sidewalls, uncertainty of light incidence angle measurement, and spectrophotometer wavelength error. It is theoretically and experimentally shown that the method we describe can ensure 1% error. However, fiber spectrometers are more convenient for scanning measurements of large area computer-generated holograms. Our experimental system for characterization of binary computer-generated holograms was developed using a fiber spectrometer.

Integrated three-dimensional shape and reflection properties measurement system.

PubMed

Krzesłowski, Jakub; Sitnik, Robert; Maczkowski, Grzegorz

2011-02-01

Creating accurate three-dimensional (3D) digitalized models of cultural heritage objects requires that information about surface geometry be integrated with measurements of other material properties like color and reflectance. Up until now, these measurements have been performed in laboratories using manually integrated (subjective) data analyses. We describe an out-of-laboratory bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) and 3D shape measurement system that implements shape and BRDF measurement in a single setup with BRDF uncertainty evaluation. The setup aligns spatial data with the angular reflectance distribution, yielding a better estimation of the surface's reflective properties by integrating these two modality measurements into one setup using a single detector. This approach provides a better picture of an object's intrinsic material features, which in turn produces a higher-quality digitalized model reconstruction. Furthermore, this system simplifies the data processing by combining structured light projection and photometric stereo. The results of our method of data analysis describe the diffusive and specular attributes corresponding to every measured geometric point and can be used to render intricate 3D models in an arbitrarily illuminated scene.

Fish freshness estimation using eye image processing under white and UV lightings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanamori, Katsuhiro; Shirataki, Yuri; Liao, Qiuhong; Ogawa, Yuichi; Suzuki, Tetsuhito; Kondo, Naoshi

2017-05-01

A non-destructive method of estimating the freshness of fish is required for appropriate price setting and food safety. In particular, for determining the possibility of eating raw fish (sashimi), freshness estimation is critical. We studied such an estimation method by capturing images of fish eyes and performing image processing using the temporal changes of the luminance of pupil and iris. To detect subtle non-visible changes of these features, we used UV (375 nm) light illumination in addition to visible white light illumination. Polarization and two-channel LED techniques were used to remove strong specular reflection from the cornea of the eye and from clear-plastic wrap used to cover the fish to maintain humidity. Pupil and iris regions were automatically detected separately by image processing after the specular reflection removal process, and two types of eye contrast were defined as the ratio of mean and median pixel values of each region. Experiments using 16 Japanese dace (Tribolodon hakonensis) at 23° and 85% humidity for 24 hours were performed. The eye contrast of raw fish increase non-linearly in the initial period and then decreased; however, that of frozen-thawed fish decreased linearly throughout 24 hours, regardless of the lighting. Interestingly, the eye contrast using UV light showed a higher correlation with time than that using white light only in the case of raw fish within the early 6- hour period postmortem. These results show the possibility of estimating fish freshness in the initial stage when fish are eaten raw using white and UV lightings.

Investigation of converging and collimated beam instrument geometry on specular gloss measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zwinkels, Joanne C.; Côté, Éric; Morgan, John

2018-02-01

Specular gloss is an important appearance property of a wide variety of manufactured goods. Depending upon the application, e.g. paints, paper, ceramics, etc. different instrument designs and measurement geometries are specified in standard test methods. For a given specular angle, these instrument designs can be broadly classified as converging beam (TAPPI method) and collimated beam (DIN method). In recent comparisons of specular gloss measurements using different glossmeters, very large standard deviations have been reported, well exceeding the manufacturers claims. In this paper, we investigate the effect of instrument beam geometry on gloss measurements. These results indicate that this difference in beam geometry can give the magnitude of gloss differences reported in these comparisons and highlights the importance of educating the user community of best measurement practices and obtaining appropriate traceability for their glossmeters.

Improved thermal stability of Mn-Ir-based magnetic tunnel junction with nano-oxide layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, S. Y.; Kim, Y. I.; Lee, D. H.; Kim, Y. S.; Suh, S. J.

2004-06-01

Si/SiO2/Ta/NiFe/Mn-Ir/CoFe/NOL/CoFe/Al-O/CoFe/NiFe/Ta bottom conventional (without nano-oxide layer, NOL) and specular (with NOL) MTJs were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering methods. In the case of a conventional MTJ, the TMR ratio increased up to 300 °C but the TMR ratio of a specular MTJ increased up to 400 °C. The highest TMR ratios of two samples after annealing at each optimal temperature were 21.6% (conventional MTJ) and 22.7% (specular MTJ), respectively, This improved thermal property of the specular MTJ is due to the NOL, which could act as a diffusion barrier for Mn. The bias-voltage dependence of both samples was vastly improved after annealing at each optimal temperature.

Wavelength dependence in radio-wave scattering and specular-point theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tyler, G. L.

1976-01-01

Radio-wave scattering from natural surfaces contains a strong quasispecular component that at fixed wavelengths is consistent with specular-point theory, but often has a strong wavelength dependence that is not predicted by physical optics calculations under the usual limitations of specular-point models. Wavelength dependence can be introduced by a physical approximation that preserves the specular-point assumptions with respect to the radii of curvature of a fictitious, effective scattering surface obtained by smoothing the actual surface. A uniform low-pass filter model of the scattering process yields explicit results for the effective surface roughness versus wavelength. Interpretation of experimental results from planetary surfaces indicates that the asymptotic surface height spectral densities fall at least as fast as an inverse cube of spatial frequency. Asymptotic spectral densities for Mars and portions of the lunar surface evidently decrease more rapidly.

Evaluation of a recently developed noncontact specular microscope in comparison with conventional pachymetry devices.

PubMed

Módis, László; Szalai, Eszter; Németh, Gábor; Berta, András

2010-01-01

The study was conducted to assess the central corneal thickness (CCT) of the healthy cornea with a recently developed noncontact specular microscope (EM-3000; Tomey) and compare the results with those measured with a contact specular microscope and an ultrasound pachymeter. Agreement between measurements taken by 2 investigators was also studied. The right eyes of 41 healthy individuals who had negative history of contact lens wear, ophthalmic disease, or ocular surgery were examined. The CCT was determined sequentially with a noncontact specular microscope, a contact specular microscope (EM-1000; Tomey), and an ultrasound pachymeter (AL-2000; Tomey). Each evaluation with the specular microscopes was performed by 2 independent operators. A significant difference was detected in pachymetry measurements among the 3 instruments (p=0.01; analysis of variance). The mean CCT values were lower measured with the ultrasound pachymeter (537+/-30 microm) than the contact endothelial microscope (543+/-37 microm, p=0.17, Student t-test) and the noncontact microscope (549+/-33 microm, p<0.0001) (operator 1). There was no statistically significant difference in CCT measurements between the 2 endothelial microscopes (p=0.19). We found significant correlations (p<0.0001) in thickness measurements between each pair of instruments (r=0.91, noncontact microscopy and ultrasound pachymetry; r=0.74, noncontact and contact microscopy; r=0.72, contact microscopy and ultrasound pachymetry; Spearman rank correlation). The strong correlations among the 3 pachymetry devices suggest that the tested instruments provide reliable measurements; however, they cannot be used interchangeably.

Ion distributions in the Earth's foreshock upstream from the bow shock

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fuselier, S. A.

1995-01-01

A variety of suprathermal and energetic ion distributions are found upstream from shocks. Some distributions, such as field-aligned beams, are generated directly at the shock either through reflection processes or through leakage from the hotter downstream region. Other distributions, such as intermediate distributions, evolve from these parent distributions through wave-particle interactions. This paper reviews our current understanding of the creation and evolution of suprathermal distributions at shocks. Examples of suprathermal ion distributions are taken from observations at the Earth's bow shock. Particular emphasis is placed on the creation of field-aligned beams and specularly reflected ion distributions and on the evolution of these distributions in the Earth's ion foreshock. However, the results from this heavily studied region are applicable to interplanetary shocks, bow shocks at other planets, and comets.

Nano-oxide-layer specular spin valve heads with synthetic pinned layer: Head performance and reliability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasegawa, N.; Koike, F.; Ikarashi, K.; Ishizone, M.; Kawamura, M.; Nakazawa, Y.; Takahashi, A.; Tomita, H.; Iwasaki, H.; Sahashi, M.

2002-05-01

To implement the specular nano-oxide-layer (NOL) spin valve (SV) heads for use in practical applications, it is key to simultaneously achieve a good specular effect of the NOL inserted in the synthetic ferrimagnet pinned layer (i.e., high magnetoresistance MR performance) and a strong pinning field through the NOL. By using CoFe+X as a substance to be subjected to oxidation, we obtained the NOL specular SV films simultaneously achieving a high MR ratio of 17%-18% and a high pinning field of 1100-1500 Oe. Narrow track (0.12 μm) heads were fabricated and they showed a high sensitivity of 10 mV/μm. Several reliability tests were done both at the sheet film level and the actual head level. The oxygen inside NOL was found to be stable up to 350 °C, and pinned layer magnetization canting after orthogonal field annealing was found to be almost the same as today's non-NOL SV films. An electrostatic discharge test and accelerated lifetime test were also performed and NOL specular heads were demonstrated to have almost the same robustness as today's non-NOL heads.

Global Variation of Meteor Trail Plasma Turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dyrud, L. P.; Hinrichs, J.; Urbina, J.

2011-01-01

We present the first global simulations on the occurrence of meteor trail plasma irregularities. These results seek to answer the following questions: when a meteoroid disintegrates in the atmosphere will the resulting trail become plasma turbulent, what are the factors influencing the development of turbulence, and how do they vary on a global scale. Understanding meteor trail plasma turbulence is important because turbulent meteor trails are visible as non-specular trails to coherent radars, and turbulence influences the evolution of specular radar meteor trails, particularly regarding the inference of mesospheric temperatures from trail diffusion rates, and their usage for meteor burst communication. We provide evidence of the significant effect that neutral atmospheric winds and density, and ionospheric plasma density have on the variability of meteor trail evolution and the observation of nonspecular meteor trails, and demonstrate that trails are far less likely to become and remain turbulent in daylight, explaining several observational trends using non-specular and specular meteor trails.

Full-field 3D shape measurement of specular object having discontinuous surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zonghua; Huang, Shujun; Gao, Nan; Gao, Feng; Jiang, Xiangqian

2017-06-01

This paper presents a novel Phase Measuring Deflectometry (PMD) method to measure specular objects having discontinuous surfaces. A mathematical model is established to directly relate the absolute phase and depth, instead of the phase and gradient. Based on the model, a hardware measuring system has been set up, which consists of a precise translating stage, a projector, a diffuser and a camera. The stage locates the projector and the diffuser together to a known position during measurement. By using the model-based and machine vision methods, system calibration is accomplished to provide the required parameters and conditions. The verification tests are given to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed system. 3D (Three-Dimensional) shapes of a concave mirror and a monolithic multi-mirror array having multiple specular surfaces have been measured. Experimental results show that the proposed method can obtain 3D shape of specular objects having discontinuous surfaces effectively

Cassini First Radio Science Observations of Titan's Atmosphere and Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marouf, Essam A.; Flasar, F. M.; French, R. G.; Kliore, A. J.; Nagy, A. F.; Rappaport, N. J.; Schinder, P. J.; McGhee, C. A.; Simpson, R.; Anabtawi, A.; Asmar, S.; Barbinis, E.; Goltz, G.; Fleischman, D.; Kahan, D.; Rochblatt, D.

2006-09-01

The first two Cassini radio occultations of Titan's atmosphere occurred on March 18 (T12) and May 20 (T14), 2006. The atmosphere was probed on the ingress and egress sides, yielding observations at four mid-southern latitudes. Titan's surface was also probed using bistatic-scattering during the inbound period on T12 and the inbound and outbound periods on T14. In all cases, quasi-monochromatic S-, X-, and Ka-bands RCP signals (13, 3.6, and 0.94 cm-wavelength, respectively) were transmitted from Cassini. Both the RCP and LCP signal components were observed at multiple ground receiving stations of the NASA/DSN. Demanding spacecraft maneuvers to point the Cassini high-gain antenna to virtual Earth during the occultations, and to track the specular region on Titan's surface during the bistatic observations were successfully implemented. For the first time ever, quasi-specular bistatic scattering surface echo is detected on both the inbound and outbound T14 observations. Although weak, an X-band RCP and LCP reflected spectral components are clearly detectable. Their total power ratio determines the refractive index of the regions probed and its likely nature (liquid vs solid). The echo appears consistent with reflection from localized hydrocarbon liquid regions embedded in mostly nonspecularly reflecting terrain. The atmospheric refracted S and X signals were tracked down to Titan's surface. The Ka signal was consistently extinguished by atmospheric absorption at about 10 km above the surface. Observed changes of signal frequency is used to recover the refractivity profiles of the neutral atmosphere, hence determine the corresponding temperature-pressure profiles assuming 100% N2 composition. Changes of signal strength, corrected to remove refractive defocusing, reveals both small-scale and large-scale effects. The former is likely due to gravity waves, turbulence, and layers. The latter exhibits remarkable wavelength dependence and is likely caused by dispersive N2-N2 collision-induced gaseous absorption, although additional extinction mechanisms may also be responsible.

Analyses of Impact of Needle Surface Properties on Estimation of Needle Absorption Spectrum: Case Study with Coniferous Needle and Shoot Samples

PubMed Central

Yang, Bin; Knyazikhin, Yuri; Lin, Yi; Yan, Kai; Chen, Chi; Park, Taejin; Choi, Sungho; Mõttus, Matti; Rautiainen, Miina; Myneni, Ranga B.; Yan, Lei

2017-01-01

Leaf scattering spectrum is the key optical variable that conveys information about leaf absorbing constituents from remote sensing. It cannot be directly measured from space because the radiation scattered from leaves is affected by the 3D canopy structure. In addition, some radiation is specularly reflected at the surface of leaves. This portion of reflected radiation is partly polarized, does not interact with pigments inside the leaf and therefore contains no information about its interior. Very little empirical data are available on the spectral and angular scattering properties of leaf surfaces. Whereas canopy-structure effects are well understood, the impact of the leaf surface reflectance on estimation of leaf absorption spectra remains uncertain. This paper presents empirical and theoretical analyses of angular, spectral, and polarimetric measurements of light reflected by needles and shoots of Pinus koraiensis and Picea koraiensis species. Our results suggest that ignoring the leaf surface reflected radiation can result in an inaccurate estimation of the leaf absorption spectrum. Polarization measurements may be useful to account for leaf surface effects because radiation reflected from the leaf surface is partly polarized, whereas that from the leaf interior is not. PMID:28868160

Monitoring of mirror degradation of fluorescence detectors at the Pierre Auger Observatory due to dust sedimentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nozka, L.; Hiklova, H.; Horvath, P.; Hrabovsky, M.; Mandat, D.; Palatka, M.; Pech, M.; Ridky, J.; Schovanek, P.

2018-05-01

We present results of the monitoring method we have used to characterize the optical performance deterioration due to the dust of our mirror segments produced for fluorescence detectors used in astrophysics experiments. The method is based on the measurement of scatter profiles of reflected light. The scatter profiles and the reflectivity of the mirror segments sufficiently describe the performance of the mirrors from the perspective of reconstruction algorithms. The method is demonstrated on our mirror segments installed in frame of the Pierre Auger Observatory project. Although installed in air-conditioned buildings, both the dust sedimentation and the natural aging of the reflective layer deteriorate the optical throughput of the segments. In the paper, we summarized data from ten years of operation of the fluorescence detectors. During this time, we periodically measured in-situ scatter characteristics represented by the specular reflectivity and the reflectivity of the diffusion part at the wavelength of 670 nm of the segment surface (measured by means of the optical scatter technique as well). These measurements were extended with full Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (BRDF) profiles of selected segments made in the laboratory. Cleaning procedures are also discussed in the paper.

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

Tucker, Eric; Boreman, Glenn, E-mail: gboreman@uncc.edu; D'Archangel, Jeffrey

Near- and far-field measurements of phase-ramped loop and patch structures are presented and compared to simulations. The far-field deflection measurements show that the phase-ramped structures can deflect a beam away from specular reflection, consistent with simulations. Scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy of the elements comprising the phase ramped structures reveals part of the underlying near-field phase contribution that dictates the far-field deflection, which correlates with the far-field phase behavior that was expected. These measurements provide insight into the resonances, coupling, and spatial phase variation among phase-ramped frequency selective surface (FSS) elements, which are important for the performance of FSS reflectarrays.

Laboratory studies of near-grazing impulsive sound propagating over rough water.

PubMed

Qin, Qin; Lukaschuk, Sergei; Attenborough, Keith

2008-08-01

Acoustic impulses due to an electrical spark source (main acoustic energy near 15 kHz) have been measured after propagating near to the water surface in a shallow container resting on a vibrating platform. Control of the platform vibration enabled control of water wave amplitudes. Analysis of the results reveals systematic variations in the received acoustic waveforms as the mean trough-to-crest water wave amplitude is increased up to 7 mm. The amplitudes of the peaks corresponding to specular reflections are reduced and the variability in the tails of the waveforms is increased.

Templated biomimetic multifunctional coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Chih-Hung; Gonzalez, Adriel; Linn, Nicholas C.; Jiang, Peng; Jiang, Bin

2008-02-01

We report a bioinspired templating technique for fabricating multifunctional optical coatings that mimic both unique functionalities of antireflective moth eyes and superhydrophobic cicada wings. Subwavelength-structured fluoropolymer nipple arrays are created by a soft-lithography-like process. The utilization of fluoropolymers simultaneously enhances the antireflective performance and the hydrophobicity of the replicated films. The specular reflectivity matches the optical simulation using a thin-film multilayer model. The dependence of the size and the crystalline ordering of the replicated nipples on the resulting antireflective properties have also been investigated by experiment and modeling. These biomimetic materials may find important technological application in self-cleaning antireflection coatings.

Radar soundings of the ionosphere of Mars.

PubMed

Gurnett, D A; Kirchner, D L; Huff, R L; Morgan, D D; Persoon, A M; Averkamp, T F; Duru, F; Nielsen, E; Safaeinili, A; Plaut, J J; Picardi, G

2005-12-23

We report the first radar soundings of the ionosphere of Mars with the MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) instrument on board the orbiting Mars Express spacecraft. Several types of ionospheric echoes are observed, ranging from vertical echoes caused by specular reflection from the horizontally stratified ionosphere to a wide variety of oblique and diffuse echoes. The oblique echoes are believed to arise mainly from ionospheric structures associated with the complex crustal magnetic fields of Mars. Echoes at the electron plasma frequency and the cyclotron period also provide measurements of the local electron density and magnetic field strength.

Experimental vizualization of 2D photonic crystal equi-frequency contours

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senderakova, Dagmar; Drzik, Milan; Pisarcik, Matej

2017-12-01

Photonic crystals have been extensively studied for their unique optical properties that promise interesting novel devices. Our contribution is focused on a 2D photonic crystal structure formed by Al2O3 layer on silicon substrate, patterned with periodic hexagonal lattice of deep air holes. Azimuthal angle dependences of the specular light reflection were recorded photo-electrically at various angles of icidence and wavelengths. Data obtained were processed via mapping in reciprocal k-space. The method promises a possibility to visualize the equi-frequency contours and get more detailed information about the properties of the sample used.

Solar-collector materials exposure to the IPH site environment. Task 5.0

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morris, V. L.

1982-07-01

An environmental exposure test was conducted at a site which utilizes solar energy for enhanced oil recovery procedures. Two types of reflector materials were evaluated for survivability in this environment: second surface silvered glass and aluminized acrylic (FEK-244) on an aluminum substrate. Black chrome absorber material and low iron float glass were evaluated for thermal, photochemical and environmental degradation. The reflector specimens were monitored for decreases in specular and hemispherical reflectance due to soil buildup. The absorber material is evaluated for changes in solar absorptivity and emissivity and the glass cover plates is evaluated for changes in transmissivity.

A laser-based eye-tracking system.

PubMed

Irie, Kenji; Wilson, Bruce A; Jones, Richard D; Bones, Philip J; Anderson, Tim J

2002-11-01

This paper reports on the development of a new eye-tracking system for noninvasive recording of eye movements. The eye tracker uses a flying-spot laser to selectively image landmarks on the eye and, subsequently, measure horizontal, vertical, and torsional eye movements. Considerable work was required to overcome the adverse effects of specular reflection of the flying-spot from the surface of the eye onto the sensing elements of the eye tracker. These effects have been largely overcome, and the eye-tracker has been used to document eye movement abnormalities, such as abnormal torsional pulsion of saccades, in the clinical setting.

Exploiting passive polarimetric imagery for remote sensing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vimal Thilak Krishna, Thilakam

Polarization is a property of light or electromagnetic radiation that conveys information about the orientation of the transverse electric and magnetic fields. The polarization of reflected light complements other electromagnetic radiation attributes such as intensity, frequency, or spectral characteristics. A passive polarization based imaging system records the polarization state of light reflected by objects that are illuminated with an unpolarized and generally uncontrolled source. The polarization due to surface reflections from such objects contains information about the targets that can be exploited in remote sensing applications such as target detection, target classification, object recognition and shape extraction/recognition. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the use of passive polarization information in remote sensing applications. The goal of our research is to design image processing algorithms for remote sensing applications by utilizing physics-based models that describe the polarization imparted by optical scattering from an object. In this dissertation, we present a method to estimate the complex index of refraction and reflection angle from multiple polarization measurements. This method employs a polarimetric bidirectional reflectance distribution function (pBRDF) that accounts for polarization due to specular scattering. The parameters of interest are derived by utilizing a nonlinear least squares estimation algorithm, and computer simulation results show that the estimation accuracy generally improves with an increasing number of source position measurements. Furthermore, laboratory results indicate that the proposed method is effective for recovering the reflection angle and that the estimated index of refraction provides a feature vector that is robust to the reflection angle. We also study the use of extracted index of refraction as a feature vector in designing two important image processing applications, namely image segmentation and material classification so that the resulting systems are largely invariant to illumination source location. This is in contrast to most passive polarization-based image processing algorithms proposed in the literature that employ quantities such as Stokes vectors and the degree of polarization and which are not robust to changes in illumination conditions. The estimated index of refraction, on the other hand, is invariant to illumination conditions and hence can be used as an input to image processing algorithms. The proposed estimation framework also is extended to the case where the position of the observer (camera) moves between measurements while that of the source remains fixed. Finally, we explore briefly the topic of parameter estimation for a generalized model that accounts for both specular and volumetric scattering. A combination of simulation and experimental results are provided to evaluate the effectiveness of the above methods.

Optical properties of relativistic plasma mirrors

PubMed Central

Vincenti, H.; Monchocé, S.; Kahaly, S.; Bonnaud, G.; Martin, Ph.; Quéré, F.

2014-01-01

The advent of ultrahigh-power femtosecond lasers creates a need for an entirely new class of optical components based on plasmas. The most promising of these are known as plasma mirrors, formed when an intense femtosecond laser ionizes a solid surface. These mirrors specularly reflect the main part of a laser pulse and can be used as active optical elements to manipulate its temporal and spatial properties. Unfortunately, the considerable pressures exerted by the laser can deform the mirror surface, unfavourably affecting the reflected beam and complicating, or even preventing, the use of plasma mirrors at ultrahigh intensities. Here we derive a simple analytical model of the basic physics involved in laser-induced deformation of a plasma mirror. We validate this model numerically and experimentally, and use it to show how such deformation might be mitigated by appropriate control of the laser phase. PMID:24614748

Theory and measure of certain image norms in SAR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raney, R. K.

1984-01-01

The principal properties of synthetic aperture radar SAR imagery of point and distributed objects are summarized. Against this background, the response of a SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) to the moving surface of the sea is considered. Certain conclusions are drawn as to the mechanism of interaction between microwaves and the sea surface. Focus and speckle spectral tests may be used on selected SAR imagery for areas of the ocean. The fine structure of the sea imagery is sensitive to processor focus and adjustment. The ocean reflectivity mechanism must include point like scatterers of sufficient radar cross section to dominate the return from certain individual resolution elements. Both specular and diffuse scattering mechanisms are observed together, to varying degree. The effect is sea state dependent. Several experiments are proposed based on imaging theory that could assist in the investigation of reflectivity mechanisms.

Towards Robust Self-Calibration for Handheld 3d Line Laser Scanning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bleier, M.; Nüchter, A.

2017-11-01

This paper studies self-calibration of a structured light system, which reconstructs 3D information using video from a static consumer camera and a handheld cross line laser projector. Intersections between the individual laser curves and geometric constraints on the relative position of the laser planes are exploited to achieve dense 3D reconstruction. This is possible without any prior knowledge of the movement of the projector. However, inaccurrately extracted laser lines introduce noise in the detected intersection positions and therefore distort the reconstruction result. Furthermore, when scanning objects with specular reflections, such as glossy painted or metalic surfaces, the reflections are often extracted from the camera image as erroneous laser curves. In this paper we investiagte how robust estimates of the parameters of the laser planes can be obtained despite of noisy detections.

Design of a holographic waveguide with L configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, Guangxin-Xin; Li, Wen-Qiang

2016-10-01

In order to decrease the complexity to design and manufacture the turning grating of the configuration with one reflecting surface, an L-shape two-dimension extended configuration with single plate is given in the paper. This configuration consists of one specular reflecting surface and three holographic gratings two in which periods and the groove orientations are totally same, which makes gratings design and fabrication easier. According to the calculation and analysis to the optical path of configuration, the dimension of the turning grating is no larger than 40mm×30mm. The simulation result demonstrates the display configuration is reasonable and correct and can realize the display effect with 30°×30° field of view and Φ30mm large exit pupil. This configuration can be applied to an Augmented Reality Display (AR) or a Head-Mounted Display (HMD).

The Study of Indicatrices of Space Object Coatings in a Controlled Laboratory Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koshkin, N.; Burlak, N.; Petrov, M.; Strakhova, S.

The indicatrices of light scattering by radiation balance coatings used on space objects (SO) were determined in the laboratory experiment in a controlled condition. The laboratory device for the physical simulation of photometric observations of space objects in orbit, which was used in this case to study optical properties of coating samples, is described. The features of light reflection off plane coating samples, including multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets, metal surfaces coated with several layers of enamel EP-140, special polyacrylate enamel AK-512 and matte finish Tp-CO-2, were determined. The indicated coatings are compound reflectors which exhibit both diffuse and specular reflections. The data obtained are to be used in the development of computer optical-geometric models of space objects or their fragments (space debris) to interpret the photometry results for real space objects.

Gloss evaluation from soft and hard metrologies.

PubMed

Wang, Zihao; Xu, Lihao; Hu, Yu; Mirjalili, Fereshteh; Luo, Ming Ronnier

2017-09-01

Recent advances in bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) acquisitions have provided a novel approach for appearance measurement and analysis. In particular, since gloss appearance is dependent on the directional reflective properties of surfaces, it is reasonable to leverage the BRDF for gloss evaluation. In this paper, we investigate gloss appearance from both soft metrology and hard metrology. A psychophysical experiment was conducted for the gloss assessment of 47 neutral-color samples. In the evaluation of gloss perception from gloss meter measurements, we report several ambiguous correspondences in the medium gloss range. In order to analyze and explain this phenomenon, the BRDF was acquired and examined using a commercial BRDF measuring device. With an improved correlation-to-visual perception, we propose a two-dimensional gloss model by combining a parameter, the standard deviation of the specular lobe, from Ward's BRDF model with measured gloss values.

A ray tracing model for leaf bidirectional scattering studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brakke, T. W.; Smith, J. A.

1987-01-01

A leaf is modeled as a deterministic two-dimensional structure consisting of a network of circular arcs designed to represent the internal morphology of major species. The path of an individual ray through the leaf is computed using geometric optics. At each intersection of the ray with an arc, the specular reflected and transmitted rays are calculated according to the Snell and Fresnel equations. Diffuse scattering is treated according to Lambert's law. Absorption is also permitted but requires a detailed knowledge of the spectral attenuation coefficients. An ensemble of initial rays are chosen for each incident direction with the initial intersection points on the leaf surface selected randomly. The final equilibrium state after all interactions then yields the leaf bidirectional reflectance and transmittance distributions. The model also yields the internal two dimensional light gradient profile of the leaf.

Disparity, motion, and color information improve gloss constancy performance.

PubMed

Wendt, Gunnar; Faul, Franz; Ekroll, Vebjørn; Mausfeld, Rainer

2010-09-01

S. Nishida and M. Shinya (1998) found that observers have only a limited ability to recover surface-reflectance properties under changes in surface shape. Our aim in the present study was to investigate how the degree of surface-reflectance constancy depends on the availability of information that may help to infer the reflectance and shape properties of surfaces. To this end, we manipulated the availability of (i) motion-induced information (static vs. dynamic presentation), (ii) disparity information (with the levels "monocular," "surface disparity," and "surface + highlight disparity"), and (iii) color information (grayscale stimuli vs. hue differences between diffuse and specular reflections). The task of the subjects was to match the perceived lightness and glossiness between two surfaces with different spatial frequency and amplitude by manipulating the diffuse component and the exponent of the Phong lighting model in one of the surfaces. Our results indicate that all three types of information improve the constancy of glossiness matches--both in isolation and in combination. The lightness matching data only revealed an influence of motion and color information. Our results indicate, somewhat counterintuitively, that motion information has a detrimental effect on lightness constancy.

ION INJECTION AT QUASI-PARALLEL SHOCKS SEEN BY THE CLUSTER SPACECRAFT

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

Johlander, A.; Vaivads, A.; Khotyaintsev, Yu. V.

2016-01-20

Collisionless shocks in space plasma are known to be capable of accelerating ions to very high energies through diffusive shock acceleration (DSA). This process requires an injection of suprathermal ions, but the mechanisms producing such a suprathermal ion seed population are still not fully understood. We study acceleration of solar wind ions resulting from reflection off short large-amplitude magnetic structures (SLAMSs) in the quasi-parallel bow shock of Earth using in situ data from the four Cluster spacecraft. Nearly specularly reflected solar wind ions are observed just upstream of a SLAMS. The reflected ions are undergoing shock drift acceleration (SDA) andmore » obtain energies higher than the solar wind energy upstream of the SLAMS. Our test particle simulations show that solar wind ions with lower energy are more likely to be reflected off the SLAMS, while high-energy ions pass through the SLAMS, which is consistent with the observations. The process of SDA at SLAMSs can provide an effective way of accelerating solar wind ions to suprathermal energies. Therefore, this could be a mechanism of ion injection into DSA in astrophysical plasmas.« less

Device for collecting and analyzing matrix-isolated samples

DOEpatents

Reedy, Gerald T.

1979-01-01

A gas-sample collection device is disclosed for matrix isolation of individual gas bands from a gas chromatographic separation and for presenting these distinct samples for spectrometric examination. The device includes a vacuum chamber containing a rotatably supported, specular carrousel having a number of external, reflecting surfaces around its axis of rotation for holding samples. A gas inlet is provided for depositing sample and matrix material on the individual reflecting surfaces maintained at a sufficiently low temperature to cause solidification. Two optical windows or lenses are installed in the vacuum chamber walls for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, for instance infrared light, through a selected sample. Positioned within the chamber are two concave mirrors, the first aligned to receive the light beam from one of the lenses and focus it to the sample on one of the reflecting surfaces of the carrousel. The second mirror is aligned to receive reflected light from that carrousel surface and to focus it outwardly through the second lens. The light beam transmitted from the sample is received by a spectrometer for determining absorption spectra.

CR-39 (PADC) Reflection and Transmission of Light in the Ultraviolet-Near-Infrared (UV-NIR) Range.

PubMed

Traynor, Nathan B J; McLauchlin, Christopher; Dodge, Kenneth; McGarrah, James E; Padalino, Stephen J; McCluskey, Michelle; Sangster, T C; McLean, James G

2018-04-01

The spectral reflection (specular and diffuse) and transmission of Columbia Resin 39 (CR-39) were measured for incoherent light with wavelengths in the range of 200-2500 nm. These results will be of use for the optical characterization of CR-39, as well as in investigations of the chemical modifications of the polymer caused by ultraviolet (UV) exposure. A Varian Cary 5000 was used to perform spectroscopy on several different thicknesses of CR-39. With proper analysis for the interdependence of reflectance and transmittance, results are consistent across all samples. The reflectivity from each CR-39-air boundary reveals an increase in the index of refraction in the near-UV. Absorption observations are consistent with the Beer-Lambert law. Strong absorption of UV light of wavelength shorter than 350 nm suggests an optical band gap of 3.5 eV, although the standard analysis is not conclusive. Absorption features observed in the near infrared are assigned to molecular vibrations, including some that are new to the literature.

Surface roughness scattering of electrons in bulk mosfets

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

Zuverink, Amanda Renee

2015-11-01

Surface-roughness scattering of electrons at the Si-SiO 2 interface is a very important consideration when analyzing Si metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). Scattering reduces the mobility of the electrons and degrades the device performance. 250-nm and 50-nm bulk MOSFETs were simulated with varying device parameters and mesh sizes in order to compare the effects of surface-roughness scattering in multiple devices. The simulation framework includes the ensemble Monte Carlo method used to solve the Boltzmann transport equation coupled with a successive over-relaxation method used to solve the two-dimensional Poisson's equation. Four methods for simulating the surface-roughness scattering of electrons were implemented onmore » both devices and compared: the constant specularity parameter, the momentum-dependent specularity parameter, and the real-space-roughness method with both uniform and varying electric fields. The specularity parameter is the probability of an electron scattering speculariy from a rough surface. It can be chosen as a constant, characterizing partially diffuse scattering of all electrons from the surface the same way, or it can be momentum dependent, where the size of rms roughness and the normal component of the electron wave number determine the probability of electron-momentum randomization. The real-space rough surface method uses the rms roughness height and correlation length of an actual MOSFET to simulate a rough interface. Due to their charge, electrons scatter from the electric field and not directly from the surface. If the electric field is kept uniform, the electrons do not perceive the roughness and scatter as if from a at surface. However, if the field is allowed to vary, the electrons scatter from the varying electric field as they would in a MOSFET. These methods were implemented for both the 50-nm and 250-nm MOSFETs, and using the rms roughness heights and correlation lengths for real devices. The current-voltage and mobility-electric field curves were plotted for each method on the two devices and compared. The conclusion is that the specularity-parameter methods are valuable as simple models for relatively smooth interfaces. However, they have limitations, as they cannot accurately describe the drastic reduction in the current and the electron mobility that occur in MOSFETs with very rough Si-SiO 2 interfaces.« less

Examination of U valence states in the brannerite structure by near-infrared diffuse reflectance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finnie, Kim S.; Zhang, Zhaoming; Vance, Eric R.; Carter, Melody L.

2003-04-01

The valence state of uranium doped into a f 0 thorium analog of brannerite (i.e., thorutite) has been examined using near-infrared (NIR) diffuse reflectance (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies. NIR transitions of U 4+, which are not observed in spectra of brannerite, have been detected in the samples of U xTh 1- xTi 2O 6, and we propose that strong specular reflectance is responsible for the lack of U 4+ features in UTi 2O 6. Characteristic U 5+ bands have been identified in samples in which sufficient Ca 2+ has been added to nominally effect complete oxidation to U 5+. XPS results support the assignments of U 4+ and U 5+ by DRS. The presence of residual U 4+ bands in the spectra of the Ca-doped samples is consistent with segregation of Ca 2+ to the grain boundaries during high temperature sintering.

The effect of weave orientation on the BRDF of tarp samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Georgiev, Georgi; Butler, James J.

2003-10-01

The results of bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) measurements of four tarp samples obtained from NASA"s Stennis Space Center (SSC) are presented. The measurements were performed in the Diffuser Calibration Facility (DCaF) at NASA"s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The samples are of similar material structure but different reflectance. The experimental data were obtained with a Xe arc lamp/monochromator light source as well as laser light sources in the ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared spectral regions. The BRDF data were recorded at four incident zenith angles and at five incident azimuth angles. The dependence of the measured BRDF on weave orientation was analyzed and presented. 8 degree irectional/hemispherical reflectance data were also measured for each tarp sample, and those results are also reported. All results are NIST traceable through calibrated standard plates. The specular and diffuse scatter data obtained from these studies are used by NASA"s SSC in their field-based, vicarious calibration of satellite and airborne remote sensing instruments.

Mid-latitude spread- F structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

From, W. R.; Meehan, D. H.

1988-07-01

Spread- F has been observed at frequencies of 1.98, 3.84 and 5.80 MHz and multiple angles of arrival have been resolved using an HF radar near Brisbane (27°S, 153°E). The spreading of the ionogram trace has been shown to be due to a spread in angles of arrival of echoes, rather than any 'vertical' spreading. The reflection process appears to involve total specular reflection rather than scattering. The previously reported very strong bias for angles of arrival from the north-west at Brisbane is supported. The direction of movement of the reflection points is not radial and therefore, the structure cannot be purely frontal with purely linear movement, as is often supposed. The velocities are much less than for coexisting travelling ionospheric disturbances. The variations of angle of arrival, range and rate of change of range with frequency do not fit previously proposed ideas of the plasma distribution and an alternative is suggested in which the distortions of the isoionic surfaces resemble small, elongated, asymmetrical 'hills' or 'dips'.

Integrated Solar Upper Stage Technical Support

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaworske, Donald A.

1998-01-01

NASA Lewis Research Center is participating in the Integrated Solar Upper Stage (ISUS) program. This program is a ground-based demonstration of an upper stage concept that will be used to generate both solar propulsion and solar power. Solar energy collected by a primary concentrator is directed into the aperture of a secondary concentrator and further concentrated into the aperture of a heat receiver. The energy stored in the receiver-absorber-converter is used to heat hydrogen gas to provide propulsion during the orbital transfer portion of the mission. During the balance of the mission, electric power is generated by thermionic diodes. Several materials issues were addressed as part of the technical support portion of the ISUS program, including: 1) Evaluation of primary concentrator coupons; 2) Evaluation of secondary concentrator coupons; 3) Evaluation of receiver-absorber-converter coupons; 4) Evaluation of in-test witness coupons. Two different types of primary concentrator coupons were evaluated from two different contractors-replicated coupons made from graphite-epoxy composite and coupons made from microsheet glass. Specular reflectivity measurements identified the replicated graphite-epoxy composite coupons as the primary concentrator material of choice. Several different secondary concentrator materials were evaluated, including a variety of silver and rhodium reflectors. The specular reflectivity of these materials was evaluated under vacuum at temperatures up to 800 C. The optical properties of several coupons of rhenium on graphite were evaluated to predict the thermal performance of the receiver-absorber-converter. Finally, during the ground test demonstration, witness coupons placed in strategic locations throughout the thermal vacuum facility were evaluated for contaminants. All testing for the ISUS program was completed successfully in 1997. Investigations related to materials issues have proven helpful in understanding the operation of the test article, leading to a potential ISUS flight test in 2002.

Scattering of magnetized electrons at the boundary of low temperature plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krüger, Dennis; Trieschmann, Jan; Brinkmann, Ralf Peter

2018-02-01

Magnetized technological plasmas with magnetic fields of 10-200 mT, plasma densities of 1017-1019 m-3, gas pressures of less than 1 Pa, and electron energies from a few to (at most) a few hundred electron volts are characterized by electron Larmor radii r L, that are small compared to all other length scales of the system, including the spatial scale L of the magnetic field and the collisional mean free path λ. In this regime, the classical drift approximation applies. In the boundary sheath of these discharges, however, that approximation breaks down: The sheath penetration depth of electrons (a few to some ten Debye length λ D; depending on the kinetic energy; typically much smaller than the sheath thickness of tens/hundreds of λ D) is even smaller than r L. For a model description of the electron dynamics, an appropriate boundary condition for the plasma/sheath interface is required. To develop such, the interaction of magnetized electrons with the boundary sheath is investigated using a 3D kinetic single electron model that sets the larger scales L and λ to infinity, i.e. neglects magnetic field gradients, the electric field in the bulk, and collisions. A detailed comparison of the interaction for a Bohm sheath (which assumes a finite Debye length) and a hard wall model (representing the limit {λ }{{D}}\\to 0; also called the specular reflection model) is conducted. Both models are found to be in remarkable agreement with respect to the sheath-induced drift. It is concluded that the assumption of specular reflection can be used as a valid boundary condition for more realistic kinetic models of magnetized technological plasmas.

Pinholes and Nano-oxide Specular Layers in Spin Valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fry, R. A.; Egelhoff, W. F., Jr.; McMichael, R. D.; Chen, P. J.; Powell, C. J.; Beach, G.; Berkowitz, A. E.

2001-03-01

Recently, nano-oxide layers (NOL) in giant magnetoresistance (GMR) spin valves have attracted interest as a method of achieving increased GMR associated with specular reflection at Co/oxide interfaces. The NOL must be thin enough so that strong magnetic coupling across it exists; otherwise, the films separated by NOL could switch separately. We have investigated the structure NiO/2.5 nm Co/2.5 nm Cu/2 nm Co/NOL/2 nm Co/10 nm IrMn. The bottom Co is pinned by NiO more strongly than the top Co is pinned by IrMn; thus the top Co film can be switched to observe GMR loops. With no NOL, the GMR loop obtained by switching the 4 nm top Co film is shifted 300 Oe by the exchange bias of IrMn. Using CoO as a NOL, at thickness of 1 nm there is a sudden drop from 300 Oe to <10 Oe. It appears that pinhole coupling at CoO<1 nm forces the two Co films to switch together, but at CoO 1 nm the pinholes close up and the Co films switch separately. Such observations constitute a new approach to the study of pinholes, and we use it to investigate several oxides and metal spacer layers.

Optimization of reading conditions for flat panel displays.

PubMed

Thomas, J A; Chakrabarti, K; Kaczmarek, R V; Maslennikov, A; Mitchell, C A; Romanyukha, A

2006-06-01

Task Group 18 (TG 18) of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine has developed guidelines for Assessment of Display Performance for Medical Imaging Systems. In this document, a method for determination of the maximum room lighting for displays is suggested. It is based on luminance measurements of a black target displayed on each display device at different room illuminance levels. Linear extrapolation of the above luminance measurements vs. room illuminance allows one to determine diffuse and specular reflection coefficients. TG 18 guidelines have established recommended maximum room lighting. It is based on the characterization of the display by its minimum and maximum luminance and the description of room by diffuse and specular coefficients. We carried out these luminance measurements for three selected displays to determine their optimum viewing conditions: one cathode ray tube and two flat panels. We found some problems with the application of the TG 18 guidelines to optimize viewing conditions for IBM T221 flat panels. Introduction of the requirement for minimum room illuminance allows a more accurate determination of the optimal viewing conditions (maximum and minimum room illuminance) for IBM flat panels. It also addresses the possible loss of contrast in medical images on flat panel displays because of the effect of nonlinearity in the dependence of luminance on room illuminance at low room lighting.

Optical properties of metals: Infrared emissivity in the anomalous skin effect spectral region

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

Echániz, T.; Pérez-Sáez, R. B., E-mail: raul.perez@ehu.es; Tello, M. J.

When the penetration depth of an electromagnetic wave in a metal is similar to the mean free path of the conduction electrons, the Drude classical theory is no longer satisfied and the skin effect becomes anomalous. Physical parameters of this theory for twelve metals were calculated and analyzed. The theory predicts an emissivity peak ε{sub peak} at room temperature in the mid-infrared for smooth surface metals that moves towards larger wavelengths as temperature decreases. Furthermore, the theory states that ε{sub peak} increases with the emission angle but its position, λ{sub peak}, is constant. Copper directional emissivity measurements as well asmore » emissivity obtained using optical constants data confirm the predictions of the theory. Considering the relationship between the specularity parameter p and the sample roughness, it is concluded that p is not the simple parameter it is usually assumed to be. Quantitative comparison between experimental data and theoretical predictions shows that the specularity parameter can be equal to one for roughness values larger than those predicted. An exhaustive analysis of the experimental optical parameters shows signs of a reflectance broad peak in Cu, Al, Au, and Mo around the wavelength predicted by the theory for p = 1.« less

In situ polarized 3He system for the Magnetism Reflectometer at the Spallation Neutron Source.

PubMed

Tong, X; Jiang, C Y; Lauter, V; Ambaye, H; Brown, D; Crow, L; Gentile, T R; Goyette, R; Lee, W T; Parizzi, A; Robertson, J L

2012-07-01

We report on the in situ polarized (3)He neutron polarization analyzer developed for the time-of-flight Magnetism Reflectometer at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Using the spin exchange optical pumping method, we achieved a (3)He polarization of 76% ± 1% and maintained it for the entire three-day duration of the test experiment. Based on transmission measurements with unpolarized neutrons, we show that the average analyzing efficiency of the (3)He system is 98% for the neutron wavelength band of 2-5 Å. Using a highly polarized incident neutron beam produced by a supermirror bender polarizer, we obtained a flipping ratio of >100 with a transmission of 25% for polarized neutrons, averaged over the wavelength band of 2-5 Å. After the cell was depolarized for transmission measurements, it was reproducibly polarized and this performance was maintained for three weeks. A high quality polarization analysis experiment was performed on a reference sample of Fe/Cr multilayer with strong spin-flip off-specular scattering. Using a combination of the position sensitive detector, time-of-flight method, and the excellent parameters of the (3)He cell, the polarization analysis of the two-dimensional maps of reflected, refracted, and off-specular scattered intensity above and below the horizon were obtained, simultaneously.

Performance analysis and evaluation of direct phase measuring deflectometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ping; Gao, Nan; Zhang, Zonghua; Gao, Feng; Jiang, Xiangqian

2018-04-01

Three-dimensional (3D) shape measurement of specular objects plays an important role in intelligent manufacturing applications. Phase measuring deflectometry (PMD)-based methods are widely used to obtain the 3D shapes of specular surfaces because they offer the advantages of a large dynamic range, high measurement accuracy, full-field and noncontact operation, and automatic data processing. To enable measurement of specular objects with discontinuous and/or isolated surfaces, a direct PMD (DPMD) method has been developed to build a direct relationship between phase and depth. In this paper, a new virtual measurement system is presented and is used to optimize the system parameters and evaluate the system's performance in DPMD applications. Four system parameters are analyzed to obtain accurate measurement results. Experiments are performed using simulated and actual data and the results confirm the effects of these four parameters on the measurement results. Researchers can therefore select suitable system parameters for actual DPMD (including PMD) measurement systems to obtain the 3D shapes of specular objects with high accuracy.

Effects of enamel abrasion, salivary pellicle, and measurement angle on the optical assessment of dental erosion.

PubMed

Lussi, Adrian; Bossen, Anke; Höschele, Christoph; Beyeler, Barbara; Megert, Brigitte; Meier, Christoph; Rakhmatullina, Ekaterina

2012-09-01

The present study assessed the effects of abrasion, salivary proteins, and measurement angle on the quantification of early dental erosion by the analysis of reflection intensities from enamel. Enamel from 184 caries-free human molars was used for in vitro erosion in citric acid (pH 3.6). Abrasion of the eroded enamel resulted in a 6% to 14% increase in the specular reflection intensity compared to only eroded enamel, and the reflection increase depended on the erosion degree. Nevertheless, monitoring of early erosion by reflection analysis was possible even in the abraded eroded teeth. The presence of the salivary pellicle induced up to 22% higher reflection intensities due to the smoothing of the eroded enamel by the adhered proteins. However, this measurement artifact could be significantly minimized (p<0.05) by removing the pellicle layer with 3% NaOCl solution. Change of the measurement angles from 45 to 60 deg did not improve the sensitivity of the analysis at late erosion stages. The applicability of the method for monitoring the remineralization of eroded enamel remained unclear in a demineralization/remineralization cycling model of early dental erosion in vitro.

Effects of enamel abrasion, salivary pellicle, and measurement angle on the optical assessment of dental erosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lussi, Adrian; Bossen, Anke; Höschele, Christoph; Beyeler, Barbara; Megert, Brigitte; Meier, Christoph; Rakhmatullina, Ekaterina

2012-09-01

The present study assessed the effects of abrasion, salivary proteins, and measurement angle on the quantification of early dental erosion by the analysis of reflection intensities from enamel. Enamel from 184 caries-free human molars was used for in vitro erosion in citric acid (pH 3.6). Abrasion of the eroded enamel resulted in a 6% to 14% increase in the specular reflection intensity compared to only eroded enamel, and the reflection increase depended on the erosion degree. Nevertheless, monitoring of early erosion by reflection analysis was possible even in the abraded eroded teeth. The presence of the salivary pellicle induced up to 22% higher reflection intensities due to the smoothing of the eroded enamel by the adhered proteins. However, this measurement artifact could be significantly minimized (p<0.05) by removing the pellicle layer with 3% NaOCl solution. Change of the measurement angles from 45 to 60 deg did not improve the sensitivity of the analysis at late erosion stages. The applicability of the method for monitoring the remineralization of eroded enamel remained unclear in a demineralization/remineralization cycling model of early dental erosion in vitro.

Evaluation of the Use of Dark and Bright Targets for the In-Flight Calibration of AVIRIS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thome, K.; Parada, R.; Schiller, S.; Conel, J.; LaMarr, J.

1998-01-01

During a field campaign at Lake Tahoe on June 22, 1995, calibrations of AVIRIS were attempted using both the reflectance-based and radiance-based methods. This experiment shows that the use of dark water targets to calibrate radiometric sensors can result in meaningful sensor characterization. In particular, the reflectance-based method shows promise towards meeting the desired 2-3% uncertainty levels for ocean color sensors since experimental agreement of better than 1.5% is found for the Lake Tahoe AVIRIS experiment. Similarly promising results were found from reflectance-based calibrations at Lunar Lake with large portions of the spectrum having less than a 5% difference between the reflectance-based predictions and the measured AVIRIS radiances. These results are still in the preliminary stage and it is likely that further study of this data set will lead to even better agreement. The results of the radiance-based calibration at Lake Tahoe are quite good at the shorter wavelengths where atmospheric scattering leads to larger signals and smaller effects of specularly reflected solar energy. The results also showed the sensitivity to radiometer pointing when using water targets for vicarious calibration.

An evaluation of image quality and accuracy of eye bank measurement of donor cornea endothelial cell density in the Specular Microscopy Ancillary Study.

PubMed

Lass, Jonathan H; Gal, Robin L; Ruedy, Katrina J; Benetz, Beth Ann; Beck, Roy W; Baratz, Keith H; Holland, Edward J; Kalajian, Andrea; Kollman, Craig; Manning, Francis J; Mannis, Mark J; McCoy, Kristen; Montoya, Monty; Stulting, Doyle; Xing, Dongyuan

2005-03-01

The Specular Microscopy Ancillary Study was designed to examine donor corneal endothelial specular image quality, compare the central endothelial cell density determined by eye banks with the endothelial cell density determined by a central specular microscopy reading center, and evaluate donor factors that may have an impact on specular image quality and endothelial cell density accuracy. Nonrandomized comparative trial. Endothelial specular images of donor corneas assigned in the Cornea Donor Study. Certified readers assessed donor image quality (analyzable from fair to excellent vs. unanalyzable) and determined the central endothelial cell density. Independent adjudication was performed if there was a difference in the quality of grading or if the endothelial cell density varied by > or =5.0% between readers. Average reading center-determined endothelial cell density was compared with the endothelial cell density determined by each eye bank. Evaluation of image quality and accuracy of endothelial cell density. Of 688 donor endothelial images submitted by 23 eye banks, 663 (96%) were analyzable (excellent, 40 [6%]; good, 302 [44%]; fair, 321 [47%]), and 25 (4%) were unanalyzable by reading center standards. In situ retrieval and greater epithelial exposure correlated with a higher image quality grading. The eye bank-determined endothelial cell density of 434 of the 663 (65%) analyzable images were within 10% of the endothelial cell density determined by the reading center, whereas 185 (28%) were more than 10% higher and 44 (7%) were more than 10% lower. Greater variation in endothelial cell density between the eye banks and the reading center was observed with shorter time of death to preservation, presence of an epithelial defect, folds in Descemet's membrane, lower image quality, and the use of fixed-frame or center method endothelial cell density analysis. Overall, donor endothelial specular image quality and accuracy of endothelial cell density determination were good. However, the data suggest that factors that may affect image quality and contribute to variation in interpretation of the endothelial cell density should be addressed, because the donor endothelial cell density is an important parameter for assessing long-term corneal graft survival.

Ion mobilities in diatomic gases: measurement versus prediction with non-specular scattering models.

PubMed

Larriba, Carlos; Hogan, Christopher J

2013-05-16

Ion/electrical mobility measurements of nanoparticles and polyatomic ions are typically linked to particle/ion physical properties through either application of the Stokes-Millikan relationship or comparison to mobilities predicted from polyatomic models, which assume that gas molecules scatter specularly and elastically from rigid structural models. However, there is a discrepancy between these approaches; when specular, elastic scattering models (i.e., elastic-hard-sphere scattering, EHSS) are applied to polyatomic models of nanometer-scale ions with finite-sized impinging gas molecules, predictions are in substantial disagreement with the Stokes-Millikan equation. To rectify this discrepancy, we developed and tested a new approach for mobility calculations using polyatomic models in which non-specular (diffuse) and inelastic gas-molecule scattering is considered. Two distinct semiempirical models of gas-molecule scattering from particle surfaces were considered. In the first, which has been traditionally invoked in the study of aerosol nanoparticles, 91% of collisions are diffuse and thermally accommodating, and 9% are specular and elastic. In the second, all collisions are considered to be diffuse and accommodating, but the average speed of the gas molecules reemitted from a particle surface is 8% lower than the mean thermal speed at the particle temperature. Both scattering models attempt to mimic exchange between translational, vibrational, and rotational modes of energy during collision, as would be expected during collision between a nonmonoatomic gas molecule and a nonfrozen particle surface. The mobility calculation procedure was applied considering both hard-sphere potentials between gas molecules and the atoms within a particle and the long-range ion-induced dipole (polarization) potential. Predictions were compared to previous measurements in air near room temperature of multiply charged poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) ions, which range in morphology from compact to highly linear, and singly charged tetraalkylammonium cations. It was found that both non-specular, inelastic scattering rules lead to excellent agreement between predictions and experimental mobility measurements (within 5% of each other) and that polarization potentials must be considered to make correct predictions for high-mobility particles/ions. Conversely, traditional specular, elastic scattering models were found to substantially overestimate the mobilities of both types of ions.

Airborne Spectral Measurements of Surface-Atmosphere Anisotropy for Arctic Sea Ice and Tundra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnold, G. Thomas; Tsay, Si-Chee; King, Michael D.; Li, Jason Y.; Soulen, Peter F.

1999-01-01

Angular distributions of spectral reflectance for four common arctic surfaces: snow-covered sea ice, melt-season sea ice, snow-covered tundra, and tundra shortly after snowmelt were measured using an aircraft based, high angular resolution (1-degree) multispectral radiometer. Results indicate bidirectional reflectance is higher for snow-covered sea ice than melt-season sea ice at all wavelengths between 0.47 and 2.3 pm, with the difference increasing with wavelength. Bidirectional reflectance of snow-covered tundra is higher than for snow-free tundra for measurements less than 1.64 pm, with the difference decreasing with wavelength. Bidirectional reflectance patterns of all measured surfaces show maximum reflectance in the forward scattering direction of the principal plane, with identifiable specular reflection for the melt-season sea ice and snow-free tundra cases. The snow-free tundra had the most significant backscatter, and the melt-season sea ice the least. For sea ice, bidirectional reflectance changes due to snowmelt were more significant than differences among the different types of melt-season sea ice. Also the spectral-hemispherical (plane) albedo of each measured arctic surface was computed. Comparing measured nadir reflectance to albedo for sea ice and snow-covered tundra shows albedo underestimated 5-40%, with the largest bias at wavelengths beyond 1 pm. For snow-free tundra, nadir reflectance underestimates plane albedo by about 30-50%.