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At least 37 records · Page 2

Speckle Noise in Highly Corrected Coronagraphs

Speckles in a highly corrected adaptive optic imaging system have been studied through numerical simulations and through analytic and algebraic investigations of the Fourier-optical expressions connecting pupil plane and focal plane, which simplify at high Strehl ratio. Significant insights into the behavior of speckles, and the speckle noise caused when they vary over time, have thus been gained. Such speckle noise is expected to set key limits on the sensitivity of searches for companions around other stars, including extrasolar planets. In most cases, it is advantageous to use a coronagraph of some kind to suppress the bright primary star and so enhance the dynamic range of companion searches. In the current paper, I investigate speckle behavior and its impact on speckle noise in some common coronagraphic architectures, including the classical Lyot coronagraph and the new four quadrant phase mask (FQPM) concept.

atmospheric turbulence↗

Optical implementation of a feature-based neural network with application to automatic target recognition

An optical neural network based on the neocognitron paradigm is introduced. A novel aspect of the architecture design is shift-invariant multichannel Fourier optical correlation within each processing layer. Multilayer processing is achieved by feeding back the ouput of the feature correlator interatively to the input spatial light modulator and by updating the Fourier filters. By training the neural net with characteristic features extracted from the target images, successful pattern recognition with intraclass fault tolerance and interclass discrimination is achieved. A detailed system description is provided. Experimental demonstrations of a two-layer neural network for space-object discrimination is also presented.

Chao, Tien-Hsin↗

Synthetic estimation filters for a control system

Hybrid optical correlators, which use spatial light modulators and solid state imagers to interface computers and optical Fourier correlators, will allow the rapid changing of filters and digital pre- or post-correlation processing in vision systems. However, optical correlation (particulary with phase-only filtration) is notoriously sensitive to mismatches of rotation and magnification between the reference image and the input image. Such sharpness is not always desirable if the correlation pattern is to be used in a control system. Two methods of conforming the response of an inherently sharp-response optical correlation to an in plane rotation between reference and object images are discussed. The objective is to condition the correlation for better suitability to a vision-controlled system. The first method is controlled convolutional blurring of a reference image followed by construction of a matched filter (perhaps implemented as a phase-only filter). An alternative is discussed in more detail: it is a synthesis from sharp filters, so weighted as to produce a specified off-center behavior.

Juday, Richard D.↗

Automatic target recognition using a feature-based optical neural network

An optical neural network based upon the Neocognitron paradigm (K. Fukushima et al. 1983) is introduced. A novel aspect of the architectural design is shift-invariant multichannel Fourier optical correlation within each processing layer. Multilayer processing is achieved by iteratively feeding back the output of the feature correlator to the input spatial light modulator and updating the Fourier filters. By training the neural net with characteristic features extracted from the target images, successful pattern recognition with intra-class fault tolerance and inter-class discrimination is achieved. A detailed system description is provided. Experimental demonstration of a two-layer neural network for space objects discrimination is also presented.

Chao, Tien-Hsin↗

Diffraction image formation in optical systems with polarization aberrations. I - Formulation and example

This paper is the first in a series that will examine image formation in optical systems with polarization aberrations. The present paper derives the point-spread function (PSF) and the optical transfer function for optical systems with polarization aberration and explores how image formation depends on the coherence and polarization state of the source. It is shown that the scalar PSF of Fourier optics can be generalized in the presence of polarization aberration to a 4 x 4 point-spread matrix (PSM) in Mueller matrix notation. A similar 4 x 4 optical transfer matrix (OTM) is shown to be an appropriate generalization of the optical transfer function. The PSM and the OTM are associated with the optical system and are independent of the incident polarization state but dependent on the coherence of the illumination. Since an optical system with polarization aberrations will have a different PSF and optical transfer function for different incident polarization states, the PSM and the OTM act as filters with regard to the incident polarization state. Example calculations are performed for a circularly retarding lens.

Mcguire, James P., Jr.↗

Optical-Correlator Neural Network Based On Neocognitron

Multichannel optical correlator implements shift-invariant, high-discrimination pattern-recognizing neural network based on paradigm of neocognitron. Selected as basic building block of this neural network because invariance under shifts is inherent advantage of Fourier optics included in optical correlators in general. Neocognitron is conceptual electronic neural-network model for recognition of visual patterns. Multilayer processing achieved by iteratively feeding back output of feature correlator to input spatial light modulator and updating Fourier filters. Neural network trained by use of characteristic features extracted from target images. Multichannel implementation enables parallel processing of large number of selected features.

Chao, Tien-Hsin↗

Optical Error Budgeting Using Linearized Ray-Trace Models

The Root-Sum-Squared, or “RSS” wavefront error model is a simple, scalar tool, commonly used for space telescope error budgeting. At the same time, much more detailed models, combining ray-trace and Fourier optics with optical alignments and wavefront controls, can provide accurate, high -resolution simulations for detailed system and subsystem design. This paper makes a connection between the two modeling approaches by deriving RSS model coefficients from ray-trace models, including the effects of wavefront controls, for computing system performance from component error statistics. It is shown that, properly constructed, the simple RSS error budget is a covariance analysis, and can be as accurate as high-resolution wavefront models for statistical wavefront error prediction. A notional segmented-aperture space telescope is used to illustrate this error modeling process.

Wavefront error↗

Photonics: From target recognition to lesion detection

Since 1989, Martin Marietta has invested in the development of an innovative concept for robust real-time pattern recognition for any two-dimensioanal sensor. This concept has been tested in simulation, and in laboratory and field hardware, for a number of DOD and commercial uses from automatic target recognition to manufacturing inspection. We have now joined Rose Health Care Systems in developing its use for medical diagnostics. The concept is based on determining regions of interest by using optical Fourier bandpassing as a scene segmentation technique, enhancing those regions using wavelet filters, passing the enhanced regions to a neural network for analysis and initial pattern identification, and following this initial identification with confirmation by optical correlation. The optical scene segmentation and pattern confirmation are performed by the same optical module. The neural network is a recursive error minimization network with a small number of connections and nodes that rapidly converges to a global minimum.

Henry, E. Michael↗

Scattering from binary optics

There are a number of sources of scattering in binary optics: etch depth errors, line edge errors, quantization errors, roughness, and the binary approximation to the ideal surface. These sources of scattering can be systematic (deterministic) or random. In this paper, scattering formulas for both systematic and random errors are derived using Fourier optics. These formulas can be used to explain the results of scattering measurements and computer simulations.

Ricks, Douglas W.↗

A general purpose wideband optical spatial frequency spectrum analyzer

The light scattered at various angles by a transparent media is studied. An example of these applications is the optical Fourier spectrum measurement resulting from various spatial frequencies which were recorded on a photographic emulsion. A method for obtaining these measurements consists of illuminating the test object with parallel monochromatic light. A stationary lens, placed in the resulting wavefield at a distance of one focal length from the object, will focus parallel waves emanating from the test object at a point lying in the focal plane of the lens. A light detector with a small filtering aperture is then used to measure the intensity variation of the light in the focal or transform plane of the lens. Such measurements require the use of a lens which is highly corrected for all of the common aberrations except chromatic aberration.

Ballard, G. S.↗

Scattering from specular surfaces

Diffraction by nearly specular Guassian surfaces is discussed according to the Beckmann Treatment and Fourier optics. It is shown that the fundamental parameters beta, the RMS roughness and correlation T, the correlation distance can be determined by scattering measurements.

Finkel, M. W.↗

Advances in laser technology for the atmospheric sciences; Proceedings of the Seminar, San Diego, Calif., August 25, 26, 1977

These papers deal with recent research, developments, and applications in laser and electrooptics technology, particularly with regard to atmospheric effects in imaging and propagation, laser instrumentation and measurements, and particle measurement. Specific topics include advanced imaging techniques, image resolution through atmospheric turbulence over the ocean, an efficient method for calculating transmittance profiles, a comparison of a corner-cube reflector and a plane mirror in folded-path and direct transmission through atmospheric turbulence, line-spread instrumentation for propagation measurements, scaling laws for thermal fluctuations in the layer adjacent to ocean waves, particle sizing by laser photography, and an optical Fourier transform analysis of satellite cloud imagery. Other papers discuss a subnanosecond photomultiplier tube for laser application, holography of solid propellant combustion, diagnostics of turbulence by holography, a camera for in situ photography of cloud particles from a hail research aircraft, and field testing of a long-path laser transmissometer designed for atmospheric visibility measurements.

Trolinger, J. D.↗

Application of optical methods to the study of jet noise and turbulence

Optical methods are generally applied in fluid mechanics for either visualization or measurement. The use of a laser anemometer to study flow velocity in a jet and its relaton to the sound radiated is described. The same acoustic emission phenomenon is also measued by combining the signals from four Schlieren systems with that from an interferometer. The use of an optical Fourier transformation approach with real time analysis to determine the spatio-temporal structure of a field of mass volume such as a waveguide or free jet is also examined.

Sava, P. G.↗

Refraction of coastal ocean waves

Refraction of gravity waves in the coastal area off Cape Hatteras, NC as documented by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery from Seasat orbit 974 (collected on September 3, 1978) is discussed. An analysis of optical Fourier transforms (OFTs) from more than 70 geographical positions yields estimates of wavelength and wave direction for each position. In addition, independent estimates of the same two quantities are calculated using two simple theoretical wave-refraction models. The OFT results are then compared with the theoretical results. A statistical analysis shows a significant degree of linear correlation between the data sets. This is considered to indicate that the Seasat SAR produces imagery whose clarity is sufficient to show the refraction of gravity waves in shallow water.

Shuchman, R. A.↗

Seasat synthetic aperture radar observations of wave-current and wave-topographic interactions

This study investigated the capability of a spaceborne, imaging radar system to detect subtle changes in the propagation characteristics of ocean wave systems. Specifically, an evolving surface gravity wave system emanating from Hurricane Ella and propagating toward Cape Hatteras, NC, formed the basis of this investigation. This wave system was successfully imaged by the Seasat synthetic aperture radar (SAR) during revolution 974 on September 3, 1978. Estimates of the dominant wavelength and direction of the ocean waves were derived from the SAR data by using optical Fourier transforms. Environmental data of the test area, which included the surface velocity vector within the Gulf Stream, the location of Hurricane Ella, and local bathymetric information, were used in conjunction with the SAR data to form the basis of this comparative study. Favorable agreement was found between wave rays calculated by utilizing theoretical wave-current and wave-topographic interactions and SAR observed dominant wavelength and direction changes across the Gulf Stream and continental shelf.

Meadows, G. A.↗