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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

HgCdTe 256x256 NWIR FPA

Researchers developed a HgCdTe 256x256 focal plane array (FPA) which operates in the 1 to 5 micron band. This is presently the largest demonstrated HgCdTe FPA. The detector material is HgCdTe on sapphire (PACE-1 technology) which has a low thermal expansion mismatch with silicon. The multiplexer is a CMOS FET-switch device processed through a commercial silicon foundry. The multiplexer input is direct injection and the charge capacity is about 2 times 10 to the 7th power electrons. The kTC limited read noise is 400 electrons. Researchers demonstrated high background imaging using the device. The broadband quantum efficiency is measured to be 59 percent. Dark currents less than 0.1 pA were measured at 77 K for detectors processed on PACE-1 material with 4.9 microns cutoff. The dark currents decrease as the temperature is lowered, and researchers are presently studying the T less than 77 K characteristics. The interconnect yield is greater than 95 percent. The devices are available for astronomical applications.

Vural, Kadri↗
NASA NTRS2004

Examples of Current and Future Uses of Neural-Net Image Processing for Aerospace Applications

Feed forward artificial neural networks are very convenient for performing correlated interpolation of pairs of complex noisy data sets as well as detecting small changes in image data. Image-to-image, image-to-variable and image-to-index applications have been tested at Glenn. Early demonstration applications are summarized including image-directed alignment of optics, tomography, flow-visualization control of wind-tunnel operations and structural-model-trained neural networks. A practical application is reviewed that employs neural-net detection of structural damage from interference fringe patterns. Both sensor-based and optics-only calibration procedures are available for this technique. These accomplishments have generated the knowledge necessary to suggest some other applications for NASA and Government programs. A tomography application is discussed to support Glenn's Icing Research tomography effort. The self-regularizing capability of a neural net is shown to predict the expected performance of the tomography geometry and to augment fast data processing. Other potential applications involve the quantum technologies. It may be possible to use a neural net as an image-to-image controller of an optical tweezers being used for diagnostics of isolated nano structures. The image-to-image transformation properties also offer the potential for simulating quantum computing. Computer resources are detailed for implementing the black box calibration features of the neural nets.

Decker, Arthur J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Strain-Layer-Superlattice Light Modulator

Conceptual device combines resonant reflection and photovoltaic action to enable one light beam to impose spatial and temporal modulation on another light beam. Such spatial light modulator, with high speed and multiplicity of parallel signal channels, used in image processing or similar computation requiring high data-throughput rates. Microstructures of GaAs and InAs with multiple quantum wells and compositional superlattices grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. Enhanced electro-optical properties of arrangement of alternating layers enables writing light beam to modulate reading light beam.

Maserjian, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1977

X-ray sensitive oblique imaging device

Instrument employs light reflecting surface (evaporated aluminum coating or minor substrate) behind phosphor screen to improve effective quantum efficiency in dual process: fraction of incoming X-rays are converted to photoelectrons at photocathode; and X-rays that pass through photocathode and thin X-ray transparent membrane enter phosphor screen.

Hallam, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Imaging interferometer using dual broadband quantum well infrared photodetectors

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is developing a new imaging interferometer that has double the efficiency of conventional interferometers and only a fraction of the mass and volume. The project is being funded as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Photonic Wavelength And Spatial Signal Processing program (PWASSSP).

IR quantum well interferometer imaging spectromete↗
NASA NTRS2018

Learning Model Structural Uncertainty with Gaussian Processes

The advent of commercially available quantum computers has marked the beginning of quantum computing as a reality. Both quantum gate and annealing computers have been released by major computer hardware companies. In this work, the D-Wave 2XTM quantum annealing computer housed at the NASA Advanced Systems computational facility is investigated to accelerate Machine Learning (ML) for image registration. NASA collects large amounts of images over the globe remotely using space-based monitoring. Images of a fixed areas of the land surface are taken over time. Due to the orbit of the sensors, the viewing angles deviate slightly, and it is necessary to align or register the images precisely to create image time series over the land surface. Unaligned images can lead to substantial analysis errors. These time-series are then used in modeling Earth Systems models such as hydrological, weather, and carbon monitoring models. In this work, we consider the Moderate Resolution Image Spectrometer (MODIS) data collected by the NASA's terra satellite. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) is a natural fit for ML modelling of images. Several successes have been reported using machine learning related to image processing. We investigate the use of ML to register MODIS images. ANNs are investigated in combination with a Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBM) as an auto-encoder. We will present results showing the accuracy and efficiency of this approach.The D-Wave 2XTM quantum annealer samples the ground-state wave-function of a spin-Ising systems with quadratic interactions between qubits and a Chimera connectivity. The system sits in a ~15 mK thermal bath. One can think of the system as being placed in the ground state initially and subject to thermal excitations governed by Boltzmann statistics. If this is assumed true, one can use the statistics from the D-Wave 2XTM to train RBMs. Generating statistics for training Boltzmann machines is an NP-hard problem and constitutes the largest compute cost. We investigate the use of the D-Wave 2XTM to accelerate the training of the RBMs in our ANNs and report on the results.

Kouatchou, Jules↗
NASA NTRS2010

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2010

Topics covered include: Instrument for Measuring Thermal Conductivity of Materials at Low Temperatures; Multi-Axis Accelerometer Calibration System; Pupil Alignment Measuring Technique and Alignment Reference for Instruments or Optical Systems; Autonomous System for Monitoring the Integrity of Composite Fan Housings; A Safe, Self-Calibrating, Wireless System for Measuring Volume of Any Fuel at Non-Horizontal Orientation; Adaptation of the Camera Link Interface for Flight-Instrument Applications; High-Performance CCSDS Encapsulation Service Implementation in FPGA; High-Performance CCSDS AOS Protocol Implementation in FPGA; Advanced Flip Chips in Extreme Temperature Environments; Diffuse-Illumination Systems for Growing Plants; Microwave Plasma Hydrogen Recovery System; Producing Hydrogen by Plasma Pyrolysis of Methane; Self-Deployable Membrane Structures; Reactivation of a Tin-Oxide-Containing Catalys; Functionalization of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes by Photo-Oxidation; Miniature Piezoelectric Macro-Mass Balance; Acoustic Liner for Turbomachinery Applications; Metering Gas Strut for Separating Rocket Stages; Large-Flow-Area Flow-Selective Liquid/Gas Separator; Counterflowing Jet Subsystem Design; Water Tank with Capillary Air/Liquid Separation; True Shear Parallel Plate Viscometer; Focusing Diffraction Grating Element with Aberration Control; Universal Millimeter-Wave Radar Front End; Mode Selection for a Single-Frequency Fiber Laser; Qualification and Selection of Flight Diode Lasers for Space Applications; Plenoptic Imager for Automated Surface Navigation; Maglev Facility for Simulating Variable Gravity; Hybrid AlGaN-SiC Avalanche Photodiode for Deep-UV Photon Detection; High-Speed Operation of Interband Cascade Lasers; 3D GeoWall Analysis System for Shuttle External Tank Foreign Object Debris Events; Charge-Spot Model for Electrostatic Forces in Simulation of Fine Particulates; Hidden Statistics Approach to Quantum Simulations; Reconstituted Three-Dimensional Interactive Imaging; Determining Atmospheric-Density Profile of Titan; Digital Microfluidics Sample Analyzer; Radiation Protection Using Carbon Nanotube Derivatives; Process to Selectively Distinguish Viable from Non-Viable Bacterial Cells; and TEAMS Model Analyzer.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Quantitative analysis of autoradiographic image intensification using Thiourea-S35

Photographic images enhanced by the method of Thiourea-S35 autoradiography are evaluated in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, detective quantum efficiency (DQE), and Wiener spectrum analysis using digitized images. It is determined that the original signal-to-noise ratio is not degraded by the intensification process which allows an increase in the practical working DQE as a function of density. These results apply at all spatial frequencies that were tested. The advantage given by autoradiography is the ability to produce usable images from emulsions originally exposed to the low densities corresponding to maximum DQE and movement of faint image densities above the level of the threshold for detection.

Askins, B. S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

High-density Schottky barrier IRCCD sensors for remote sensing applications

It is pointed out that the ambitious goals envisaged for the next generation of space-borne sensors challenge the state-of-the-art in solid-state imaging technology. Studies are being conducted with the aim to provide focal plane array technology suitable for use in future Multispectral Linear Array (MLA) earth resource instruments. An important new technology for IR-image sensors involves the use of monolithic Schottky barrier infrared charge-coupled device arrays. This technology is suitable for earth sensing applications in which moderate quantum efficiency and intermediate operating temperatures are required. This IR sensor can be fabricated by using standard integrated circuit (IC) processing techniques, and it is possible to employ commercial IC grade silicon. For this reason, it is feasible to construct Schottky barrier area and line arrays with large numbers of elements and high-density designs. A Pd2Si Schottky barrier sensor for multispectral imaging in the 1 to 3.5 micron band is under development.

Elabd, H.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Quantum-Compatible Variational Segmentation for Image-to-Image Wildfire Detection Using Satellite Data

Wildfire occurrences have been increasing for the past decade, leaving devastating traces across the world. In the recent efforts, remote sensing and airborne missions have been utilized to better understand and manage wildfires. This has resulted in an exponential increase in volume of remote sensing data, which has pushed the need for intelligent automation of data extraction for wildfire studies. Machine learning offers accurate automation in detecting such natural anomalies and enable decision-makers to take actions in a timely manner. Recent advances in machine learning algorithms, namely probabilistic generative methods, allow researchers and decisionmakers to step beyond detection and study “what-if” scenarios for wildfire occurrences. Additionally, they offer better imitations to the stochastic behavior of nature, and wildfire events. However, optimizing the performance of these probabilistic generative models is a computationally expensive process, specially using digital computers. On the other hand, quantum computers have recently shown a promise to reduce computationally costly training of such models and provide performance improvements. There is a body of research investigating the potential for improved machine learning methods in which key operations are performed on a quantum computer. In this study, we propose a probabilistic image-toimage segmentation approach combining a very well-known segmentation method, U-NET, with a Conditional Variational Auto-Encoder (CVAE) to not only detect wildfires but also describe the stochasticity of the phenomenon and be capable of running “what-if” scenarios. Our proposed model is compatible with training on quantum computers, which results in a quantum-assisted image-to-image segmentation approach and can be used to benchmark the potential benefit of quantum computing over the classical one.

quantum↗
NASA NTRS1989

Low temperature multi-alkali photocathode processing technique for sealed intensified CCD tubes

A low temperature photocathode process has been used to fabricate an intensified CCD visual photocathode image tube, by incorporating a thinned, backside-illumined CCD as the target anode of a digicon tube of Hubble Space Telescope (HST) design. The CCD digicon tube employs the HST's sodium bialkali photocathode and MgF2 substrate, thereby allowing a direct photocathode quantum efficiency comparison between photocathodes produced by the presently employed low temperature process and those of the conventional high temperature process. Attention is given to the processing chamber used, as well as the details of gas desorption and photocathode processing.

Doliber, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Microchannel Plates for the UVCS and SUMER Instruments on the SOHO Satellite

The microchannel plates for the detectors in the SUMER (Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation) and UVCS (Ultraviolet Coronograph Spectrometer) instruments aboard the Solar Orbiting Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) mission to be launched in late 1995 are described. A low resistance Z stack of microchannel plates (MCP's) is employed in a detector format of 27 mm x 10 mm using a multilayer cross delay line anode (XDL) with 1024 x 360 digitized pixels. The MCP stacks provide gains of greater than 2 x 10(exp 7) with good pulse height distributions (as low as 25% FWHM) under uniform flood illumination. Background rates of approx. 0.6 event cm(exp -2) sec(exp -1) are obtained for this configuration. Local counting rates up to about 800 events/pixel/sec have been achieved with little drop of the MCP gain. MCP preconditioning results are discussed, showing that some MCP stacks fail to have gain decreases when subjected to a high flux UV scrub. Also, although the bare MCP quantum efficiencies are close to those expected (10%), we found that the long wavelength response of KBr photocathodes could be substantially enhanced by the MCP scrubbing process. Flat field images are characterized by a low level of MCP fixed pattern noise and are stable. Preliminary calibration results for the instruments are shown.

Siegmund, O. H. W.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Delta-Doping at Wafer Level for High Throughput, High Yield Fabrication of Silicon Imaging Arrays

Systems and methods for producing high quantum efficiency silicon devices. A silicon MBE has a preparation chamber that provides for cleaning silicon surfaces using an oxygen plasma to remove impurities and a gaseous (dry) NH3 + NF3 room temperature oxide removal process that leaves the silicon surface hydrogen terminated. Silicon wafers up to 8 inches in diameter have devices that can be fabricated using the cleaning procedures and MBE processing, including delta doping.

Hoenk, Michael E.↗
NASA NTRS2008

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2008

Topics discussed include: Optical Measurement of Mass Flow of a Two-Phase Fluid; Selectable-Tip Corrosion-Testing Electrochemical Cell; Piezoelectric Bolt Breakers and Bolt Fatigue Testers; Improved Measurement of B(sub 22) of Macromolecules in a Flow Cell; Measurements by a Vector Network Analyzer at 325 to 508 GHz; Using Light to Treat Mucositis and Help Wounds Heal; Increasing Discharge Capacities of Li-(CF)(sub n) Cells; Dot-in-Well Quantum-Dot Infrared Photodetectors; Integrated Microbatteries for Implantable Medical Devices; Oxidation Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites; GIDEP Batching Tool; Generic Spacecraft Model for Real-Time Simulation; Parallel-Processing Software for Creating Mosaic Images; Software for Verifying Image-Correlation Tie Points; Flexcam Image Capture Viewing and Spot Tracking; Low-Pt-Content Anode Catalyst for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells; Graphite/Cyanate Ester Face Sheets for Adaptive Optics; Atomized BaF2-CaF7 for Better-Flowing Plasma-Spray Feedstock; Nanophase Nickel-Zirconium Alloys for Fuel Cells; Vacuum Packaging of MEMS With Multiple Internal Seal Rings; Compact Two-Dimensional Spectrometer Optics; and Fault-Tolerant Coding for State Machines.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

Advanced InSb monolithic Charge Coupled Infrared Imaging Devices (CCIRID)

The continued development of monolithic InSb charge coupled infrared imaging devices (CCIRIDs) is discussed. The processing sequence and structural design of 20-element linear arrays are discussed. Also, results obtained from radiometric testing of the 20-element arrays using a clamped sample-and-hold output circuit are reported. The design and layout of a next-generation CCIRID chip are discussed. The major devices on this chip are a 20 by 16 time-delay-and-integration (TDI) area array and a 100-element linear imaging array. The development of a process for incorporating an ion implanted S(+) planar channel stop into the CCIRID structure and the development of a thin film transparent photogate are also addressed. The transparent photogates will increase quantum efficiency to greater than 70% across the 2.5 to 5.4 micrometer spectral region in future front-side illuminated CCIRIDs.

Koch, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Real-Time Imaging of Ground Cover: Relationships with Radiation Capture, Canopy Photosynthesis, and Daily Growth Rate

Cumulative absorbed radiation is highly correlated with crop biomass and yield. In this chapter we describe the use of a digital camera and commercial imaging software for estimating daily radiation capture, canopy photosynthesis, and relative growth rate. Digital images were used to determine percentage of ground cover of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) communities grown at five temperatures. Plants were grown in a steady-state, 10-chamber CO2 gas exchange system, which was used to measure canopy photosynthesis and daily carbon gain. Daily measurements of percentage of ground cover were highly correlated with daily measurements of both absorbed radiation (r(sup 2) = 0.99) and daily carbon gain (r(sup 2) = 0.99). Differences among temperature treatments indicated that these relationships were influenced by leaf angle, leaf area index, and chlorophyll content. An analysis of the daily images also provided good estimates of relative growth rates, which were verified by gas exchange measurements of daily carbon gain. In a separate study we found that images taken at hourly intervals were effective for monitoring real-time growth. Our data suggests that hourly images can be used for early detection of plant stress. Applications, limitations, and potential errors are discussed. We have long known that crop yield is determined by the efficiency of four component processes: (i) radiation capture, (ii) quantum yield, (iii) carbon use efficiency, and (iv) carbon partitioning efficiency (Charles-Edwards, 1982; Penning de Vries & van Laar, 1982; Thornley, 1976). More than one-half century ago, Watson (1947, 1952) showed that variation in radiation capture accounted for almost all of the variation in yield between sites in temperate regions, because the three other components are relatively constant when the crop is not severely stressed. More recently, Monteith (1977) reviewed the literature on the close correlation between radiation capture and yield. Bugbee and Monje (1992) demonstrated the close relationship between absorbed radiation and yield in an optimal environment.

Klassen, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS2005

1024x1024 Pixel MWIR and LWIR QWIP Focal Plane Arrays and 320x256 MWIR:LWIR Pixel Colocated Simultaneous Dualband QWIP Focal Plane Arrays

Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) 1024x1024 pixel quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal planes have been demonstrated with excellent imaging performance. The MWIR QWIP detector array has demonstrated a noise equivalent differential temperature (NE(Delta)T) of 17 mK at a 95K operating temperature with f/2.5 optics at 300K background and the LWIR detector array has demonstrated a NE(Delta)T of 13 mK at a 70K operating temperature with the same optical and background conditions as the MWIR detector array after the subtraction of system noise. Both MWIR and LWIR focal planes have shown background limited performance (BLIP) at 90K and 70K operating-temperatures respectively, with similar optical and background conditions. In addition, we are in the process of developing MWIR and LWIR pixel collocated simultaneously readable dualband QWIP focal plane arrays.

quantum wells↗
NASA NTRS1999

An Indium Gallium Arsenide Visible/SWIR Focal Plane Array for Low Light Level Imaging

PIN photodiodes fabricated from indium gallium arsenide lattice-matched to indium phosphide substrates (In(.53)Ga(.47)As/InP) exhibit low reverse saturation current densities (JD < 10(exp -8) A/sq cm), and high shunt resistance-area products (RoA > 10(exp 6) omega-sq cm) at T=290K. Backside-illuminated, hybrid-integrated InGaAs FPAs are sensitive from 0.9 micrometers to 1.7 micrometers. 290K detectivities, D(*), greater than 10(exp 14) cm-(square root of Hz/W) are demonstrated. This represents the highest room temperature detectivity of any infrared material. The long wavelength cutoff (1.7 micrometers) makes In(.53)Ga(.47)As an idea match to the available airglow that has major peaks at 1.3 micrometers and 1.6 micrometers. The short wavelength 'cut-on' at 0.9 micrometers is due to absorption in the InP substrate. We will report on new InGaAs FPA epitaxial structures and processing techniques. These have resulted in improved performance in the form of a 10 x increase in detectivity and visible response via removal of the InP substrate. The resulting device features visible and SWIR response with greater than 15% quantum efficiency at 0.5 micrometers while maintaining the long wavelength cutoff. Imaging has been demonstrated under overcast starlight/urban glow conditions with cooling provided by a single stage thermoelectric cooler. Details on the material structure and device fabrication, quantitative characterization of spectral response and detectivity, as well as examples of night vision imagery are presented.

Cohen, Marshall J.↗