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At least 1,099 records · Page 61

Spectral notch interference mitigation for stretch processing synthetic aperture radar

Various technologies for mitigating interference in stretch-processed SAR imagery are described herein. Stretch-processed SAR data is received at a computing device. The stretch-processed (or deramped) SAR data is then reramped, thereby removing frequency-variant components of narrowband interference signals in the deramped data. A frequency-domain transform is executed over the reramped data to generate a spectral characteristic of the reramped data. A spectral notch filter is applied to frequency bands corresponding to the peaks of the spectral characteristic in order to filter out the narrowband interference signals. An inverse frequency-domain transform can then be executed over the filtered spectral characteristic to return to a phase-history representation of the SAR data. The phase history resulting from the inverse frequency-domain transform is a ramped phase history, which can then be deramped prior to use in connection with generating images of the scanned scene.

Musgrove, Cameron↗

Stabilization and transformation of selenium during the Fe(II)-induced transformation of Se(IV)-adsorbed ferrihydrite under anaerobic conditions

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient for human beings at trace concentrations, but also a hazardous contaminant at high concentrations. As an important geological adsorbent, the transformation of 2-line ferrihydrite (Fh) strongly influences the geochemical behavior of selenium. However, little is known about the effect of the recrystallization of Fh on the fate of adsorbed Se(IV) in the reducing environments. We investigated the redistribution and transformation of Se(IV) during the recrystallization of Se(IV)-adsorbed Fh accelerated by Fe(II) under anaerobic conditions. Synchrotron based X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was utilized to characterize oxidation state of Se. Results revealed that the adsorbed Se(IV) inhibited the Fe(II)-catalyzed recrystallization of ferrihydrite to goethite. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that pH and the presence of Se(IV) had significant impacts on the morphology of the produced goethite. Approximately 30–75% adsorbed Se(IV) transformed to phosphate-unextractable form, indicating that the adsorbed Se transformed to more stable phase during the recrystallization of Fh. The XANES results indicated that a small fraction of Se(IV) was reduced to elemental Se. Our study demonstrated that the stability of adsorbed Se(IV) on ferrihydrite could be enhanced during Fe(II)-catalytic transformation of Fh under anoxic environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Registering and resampling images in STSDAS

Registering different images can be difficult, especially if the images to be registered are images at different wavelengths, where features in one image may look entirely different or be absent from the second image. Using two new packages soon to be added to the STSDAS package, REGISTER and RESAMPLE, this job is done automatically. The REGISTER package allows the user to determine the amount of translation, rotation, and/or magnification needed to make two images, spectra, or time series congruent. The methods implemented to compute the registration parameters use: a set of the pixel coordinates of the same features identified in two files, or the FITS coordinate transformation parameters in the headers of two data files, or a single feature identified as the peak of a cross-correlation between two vectors. The coefficients describing the registration are defined by the equations (for a two-dimensional image): x = a + bx + cy, y = d + ex + fy, where (X,Y) are the pixel coordinates of a feature in the reference image, (x,y) are the pixel coordinates of a feature in the secondary image, and the computed coefficients are a, b, c, d, e, and f. Results may be produced by linking the output of REGISTER to RESAMPLE in a command language procedure. The output from REGISTER and the input to RESAMPLE consists of a matrix of coefficients (a through f above) fully specifying the registration. The RESAMPLE package resamples simple vector or image data for a given amount of translation, rotation (images only), and magnification, or reflection of the science data. Specific options included are: image rotation about the FITS reference pixel; scale changes, i.e. magnification or demagnification (for images, independently on both axes); simple translation; reflection (for images, about one or both axes); and resampling and registration to a reference data set. Output from the RESAMPLE task is the resampled image which may then be displayed and compared with the reference image.

Williamson, R. L., II↗

Invariant discovery of features across multiple length scales: Applications in microscopy and autonomous materials characterization

Physical imaging is a foundational characterization method in areas from condensed matter physics and chemistry to astronomy and spans length scales from atomic to universe. Images encapsulate crucial data regarding atomic bonding, materials microstructures, and dynamic phenomena such as microstructural evolution and turbulence, among other phenomena. The challenge lies in effectively extracting and interpreting this information. Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) have emerged as powerful tools for identifying the underlying factors of variation in image data, providing a systematic approach to distilling meaningful patterns from complex data sets. However, a significant hurdle in their application is the definition and selection of appropriate descriptors reflecting local structures. Here, we introduce the scale-invariant VAE approach (SI-VAE) based on the progressive training of the VAE with the descriptors sampled at different length scales. The SI-VAE allows the discovery of the length scale-dependent factors of variation in the system. Here, we illustrate this approach using the ferroelectric domain images and generalize it to the movies of the electron-beam induced phenomena in graphene and topography evolution across combinatorial libraries. This approach can further be used to initialize the decision making in automated experiments including structure–property discovery and can be applied across a broad range of imaging methods. This approach is universal and can be applied to any spatially resolved data including both experimental imaging studies and simulations, and can be particularly useful for exploration of phenomena such as turbulence and scale-invariant transformation fronts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Semi-Supervised Learning Method for the Identification of Bad Exposures in Large Imaging Surveys

As the data volume of astronomical imaging surveys rapidly increases, traditional methods for image anomaly detection, such as visual inspection by human experts, are becoming impractical. We introduce a machine-learning-based approach to detect poor-quality exposures in large imaging surveys, with a focus on the DECam Legacy Survey (DECaLS) in regions of low extinction (i.e., E ( B − V ) < 0.04 ). Our semi-supervised pipeline integrates a vision transformer (ViT), trained via self-supervised learning (SSL), with a k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) classifier. We train and validate our pipeline using a small set of labeled exposures observed by surveys with the Dark Energy Camera (DECam). A clustering-space analysis of where our pipeline places images labeled in good and bad categories suggests that our approach can efficiently and accurately determine the quality of exposures. Applied to new imaging being reduced for DECaLS Data Release 11, our pipeline identifies 780 problematic exposures, which we subsequently verify through visual inspection. Being highly efficient and adaptable, our method offers a scalable solution for quality control in other large imaging surveys.

Luo, Yufeng (ORCID:0000000246230683)↗

Joint-transform correlator systems using deformable-mirror spatial light modulators

Two joint-transform correlator systems based on deformable-mirror-device (DMD) spatial light modulators and CCD video cameras are described. The system designs provide for real-time correlation between video-formatted input scenes and stored reference images. The DMD light modulators are used exclusively for inputting data in the optical stages of these systems, and the CCD cameras are used to provide the critical square-law detection required in joint-transform achitectures. Experimental verification of the functionality of these DMD/CCD joint-transform systems is also presented.

Florence, James M.↗

The Nagoya cosmic-ray muon spectrometer 3, part 4: Track reconstruction method

One of the greatest problems in measuring particle trajectories with an optical or visual detector system, is the reconstruction of trajectories in real space from their recorded images. In the Nagoya cosmic-ray muon spectrometer, muon tracks are detected by wide gap spark chambers and their images are recorded on the photographic film through an optical system of 10 mirrors and two cameras. For the spatial reconstruction, 42 parameters of the optical system should be known to determine the configuration of this system. It is almost impossible to measure this many parameters directly with usual techniques. In order to solve this problem, the inverse transformation method was applied. In this method, all the optical parameters are determined from the locations of fiducial marks in real space and the locations of their images on the photographic film by the non-linear least square fitting.

Shibata, S.↗

Gold Nanoparticles AuNP Decorated on Fused Graphene-like Materials for Application in a Hydrogen Generation

The search for a sustainable, alternative fuel source to replace fossil fuels has led to an increased interest in hydrogen fuel. This combustible gas is not only clean-burning but can readily be produced via the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. The main drawback of this reaction is that the reaction occurs relatively slowly and requires a catalyst to improve efficiency. This study explored a novel composite material made by combining gold nanoparticles and fused graphene-like materials (AuFGLM) as a catalyst for generating hydrogen via sodium borohydride. The novel fused graphene-like material (FGLM) was made with a sustainable dextrose solution and by using a pressure-processing method. Imaging techniques showed that FGLM appears to be an effective support template for nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize and determine the size, shape, and structure of nanoparticles and composites. The TEM study characterized the fused carbon backbone as it began to take on a rounder shape. The TEM images also revealed that the average diameter of the gold nanoparticle was roughly 23 nm. The FTIR study confirmed O-H, C-C, and C=O as functional groups in the materials. The EDS analysis showed that the composite contained approximately 6.3% gold by weight. The crystal structures of FGLM and AuFGLM were identified via P-XRD analysis. Various reaction conditions were used to test the catalytic ability of AuFGLM, including various solution pHs, temperatures, and doses of NaBH 4 . It was observed that optimal reaction conditions included high temperature, an acidic solution pH, and a higher dose of NaBH 4 . The activation energy of the reaction was determined to be 45.5 kJ mol -1 , and it was found that the catalyst could be used multiple times in a row with an increased volume of hydrogen produced in ensuing trials. The activation energy of this novel catalyst is competitive compared to similar catalysts and its ability to produce hydrogen over multiple uses makes the material an exciting choice for catalyzing the hydrolysis of NaBH 4 for use as a hydrogen fuel source.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Developing inductively driven diagnostic X-ray sources to enable transformative radiography and diffraction capabilities on Z

Penetrating X-rays are one of the most effective tools for diagnosing high energy density experiments, whether through radiographic imaging or X-ray diffraction. To expand the X-ray diagnostic capabilities at the 26-MA Z Pulsed Power Facility, we have developed a new diagnostic X-ray source called the inductively driven X-pinch (IDXP). This X-ray source is powered by a miniature transmission line that is inductively coupled to fringe magnetic fields in the final power feed. The transmission line redirects a small amount of Zs magnetic energy into a secondary cavity where 150+ kA of current is delivered to a hybrid X-pinch. In this report, we describe the multi-stage development of the IDXP concept through experiments both on Z and in a surrogate setup on the 1 MA Mykonos facility. Initial short-circuit experiments to verify power ow on Z are followed by short-circuit and X-ray source development experiments on Mykonos. The creation of a radiography-quality X-pinch hot spot is verified through a combination of X-ray diode traces, laser shadowgraphy, and source radiography. The success of the IDXP experiments on Mykonos has resulted in the design and fabrication of an IDXP for an upcoming Z experiment that will be the first-ever X-pinch fielded on Z. We have also pursued the development of two additional technologies. First, the extended convolute post (XCP) has been developed as an alternate method for powering diagnostic X-pinches on Z. This concept, which directly couples the current owing in one of the twelve Z convolute posts to an X-pinch, greatly increases the amount of available current relative to an IDXP (900 kA versus 150 kA). Initial short-circuit XCP experiments have demonstrated the efficacy of power ow in this geometry. The second technology pursued here is the inductively driven transmission line (IDTL) current monitor. These low-current IDTLs seek to measure the current in the final power feed with high fidelity. After three generations of development, IDTL current monitors frequently return cleaner current measurements than the standard B-dot sensors that are fielded on Z. This is especially true on high-inductance experiments where the harshest conditions are created in the nal power feed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

SWinzip v. 2.0

SWinzip is a Matlab and C++ library for scientific lossy data compression and reconstruction using compressed sensing and tree-wavelets transforms. These methods are known for their large compression and usefulness in data analytics such as features extraction. Compressed sensing and wavelets methods rely heavily on sparse and dense linear algebra operations implemented through the Boost codes in our library. SWinzip accommodates data represented on both regular grids (e.g. image data) and point-clouds (e.g. unstructured meshes). In SWinzip v2.0, there is more focus on wavelet compression and the following features are added: - The matrix-free (direct) wavelet transform is implemented in both C++ and Matlab. A threshold-based compression can now be used. Examples for distributed compression are also added. - Python implementation of Alpert wavelet transforms - Field data comparison using wavelets in Matlab with global and local metrics

Solloum, Maher↗

Spatiotemporal Learning in Power Modules: Wavelet-Enhanced Forecasting of Thermomechanical Degradation

Detecting internal defects in power electronics packages is critical for their performance and reliability, especially under extreme operating conditions, as these defects can lead to catastrophic failure if not properly addressed. Confocal scanning acoustic microscopy (C-SAM) plays a key role in the nondestructive evaluation of bond layer degradation within a power electronics package by detecting defects such as delamination, voids, and cracks. However, accurately quantifying and predicting these defects from C-SAM images remains a significant challenge due to the low noise-to-signal ratio, which typically arises from both imaging process and bond patterns itself. In this paper, we explore machine learning strategies for processing C-SAM images and providing predictive models of defect growth. We use C-SAM images of sintered copper and sintered silver samples, which are obtained under accelerated thermal experiments, as the representative dataset for our study. We investigate the effect of Fourier transforms and wavelet transforms on these datasets to remove high-frequency noise and address noise across multiple scales with histogram equalization to enhance the contrast and improve the visibility of defects. As a result, defect boundaries can be clearly distinguished, enabling more accurate tracking of their growth over time. We then employ different time-series forecasting algorithms on the denoised images to formulate an image-based lifetime prediction model. Statistical models and deep-learning techniques are trained on images obtained in the early stages of thermal shock, and defect growth in the later stages is predicted. Our work serves as a preliminary attempt to improve the accuracy of lifetime prediction models of power electronics packages, which is critical under extreme operating environments.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Structural, magnetic, optical, dielectric and electronic properties of R 2 NiIrO 6 (R = Pr and Nd): A comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigation

Double perovskites are highly promising materials capable of exhibiting a wide variety of phenomena. In this work, we perform a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of polycrystalline R 2 NiIrO 6 (R = Pr and Nd) compounds. Both compounds were synthesised using the solid-state reaction method. Rietveld refinement confirmed a monoclinic structure with the P2 1 /n space group for both compounds. The scanning electron images showed the average grain sizes of 0.55 μm for R = Pr and 0.46 μm for R = Nd. Fourier transform infrared ra- diation spectra of the two compounds presented two intense bands at 470 cm -1 and 540 cm -1 . The optical measurements revealed that the band gaps of the compounds were in the visible absorption range. The field- cooled magnetisation - field hysteresis measurements indicated exchange bias properties in the synthesised compounds at low temperatures. Both temperature and frequency variation of dielectric constant and loss tangent measurements were conducted. The frequency-dependent ac conductivity measurements indicated that the conductivity increases with the increase of frequency as well as temperature. The Nd 2 NiIrO 6 compound showed lower ac conductivities compared to its isostructural Pr 2 NiIrO 6 compound. The atomic and electronic structures of Nd 2 NiIrO 6 and Pr 2 NiIrO 6 were explored using the spin-polarised calculations performed within the DFT+U method. Our results suggested that the inclusion of on-site correlations and repulsions for the d-states of atoms was necessary in order to obtain finite band gaps of Nd 2 NiIrO 6 and Pr 2 NiIrO 6 systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

SPARR: Spiking/Processing Array for Wide Dynamic Range and High Resolution Photonic Sensing

The Spiking/Processing Array (spARR) is a novel photonic focal plane that uses pixels which generate electronic spikes autonomously and without a clock. These spikes feed into a network of digital asynchronous processing elements or DAPES. By building a useful assemblage of DAPES, and connecting them together in the correct way, sophisticated signal processing can be accomplished within the focal plane. Autonomous self-resetting pixels (AsP) enable SPARR to generate electronic response with very small signals--as little as a single photon in the case of Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes to as few as several hundred photons for in-cmos photodetectors. These spiking pixels enable fast detector response, but do not draw as much continuous power as synchronous clocked designs. The spikes emitted by the pixels all have the same magnitude, the information from the scene is effectively encoded into the rate of spikes and the time at which the spike is emitted. The spiking pixels, having converted incident light into electronic spikes, supply the spikes to a network of digital asynchronous processors. These are small state machines which respond to the spikes arriving at their input ports by either remaining unchanged or updating their internal state and possibly emitting a spike on one or more output ports. We show a design that accomplishes the sophisticated signal processing of a Haar spatial wavelet transform with spatial-spectral whitening. We furthermore show how this design results in a data streams which support imaging and transient optical source detection. Two simulators support this analysis: SPICE and sparrow. The CMOS SPICE simulator Cadence provides accurate CMOs design with accounting for effects of circuit parasitics throughout layout, accurate timing, and accurate energy consumption estimates. To more rapidly assess larger networks with more pixels, sparrow is a custom discrete event simulator that supports the non-homogeneous Poisson processes that lie behind photoelectric interaction. Sparrow is a photon-exact simulator that nevertheless performs SPARR system simulator for large-scale systems.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Principal components colour display of ERTS imagery

In the technique presented, colours are not derived from single bands, but rather from independent linear combinations of the bands. Using a simple model of the processing done by the visual system, three informationally independent linear combinations of the four ERTS bands are mapped onto the three visual colour dimensions of brightness, redness-greenness and blueness-yellowness. The technique permits user-specific transformations which enhance particular features, but this is not usually needed, since a single transformation provides a picture which conveys much of the information implicit in the ERTS data. Examples of experimental vector images with matched individual band images are shown.

Taylor, M. M.↗

Video compression using conditional replenishment and motion prediction

A study of a low-rate monochrome video compression system is presentd in this paper. This system is a conditional-replenishment coder that uses two-dimensional Walsh-transform coding within each video frame. The conditional-replenishment algorithm works by transmitting only the portions of an image that are changing in time. This system is augmented with a motn-prediction algorithm that measures spatial dispalcement parameters from frame to frame, and codes the data using these parameters. A comparison is made between the conditional-replenishment system with, and without, the motion-predictinalgorthm. Subsampling in time is ued to maintain the data rate rate at a fixed value. Average bit rates of 1 bit/picture element (pel) to 1/16 bit/pel are considered. The resultant performance of the compression simulations is presented in terms of the average frame rates produced.

Hein, D. N.↗

Method and apparatus for Delta Kappa synthetic aperture radar measurement of ocean current

A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) employed for delta k measurement of ocean current from a spacecraft without the need for a narrow beam and long observation times. The SAR signal is compressed to provide image data for different sections of the chirp band width, equivalent to frequencies and a common area for the separate image fields is selected. The image for the selected area at each frequency is deconvolved to obtain the image signals for the different frequencies and the same area. A product of pairs of signals is formed, Fourier transformed and squared. The spectrum thus obtained from different areas for the same pair of frequencies are added to provide an improved signal to noise ratio. The shift of the peak from the center of the spectrum is measured and compared to the expected shift due to the phase velocity of the Bragg scattering wave. Any difference is a measure of current velocity v sub o (delta k).

Jain, A.↗

Advanced Signal Processing Methods Applied to Digital Mammography

The work reported here is on the extension of the earlier proposal of the same title, August 1994-June 1996. The report for that work is also being submitted. The work reported there forms the foundation for this work from January 1997 to September 1997. After the earlier work was completed there were a few items that needed to be completed prior to submission of a new and more comprehensive proposal for further research. Those tasks have been completed and two new proposals have been submitted, one to NASA, and one to Health & Human Services WS). The main purpose of this extension was to refine some of the techniques that lead to automatic large scale evaluation of full mammograms. Progress on each of the proposed tasks follows. Task 1: A multiresolution segmentation of background from breast has been developed and tested. The method is based on the different noise characteristics of the two different fields. The breast field has more power in the lower octaves and the off-breast field behaves similar to a wideband process, where more power is in the high frequency octaves. After the two fields are separated by lowpass filtering, a region labeling routine is used to find the largest contiguous region, the breast. Task 2: A wavelet expansion that can decompose the image without zero padding has been developed. The method preserves all properties of the power-of-two wavelet transform and does not add appreciably to computation time or storage. This work is essential for analysis of the full mammogram, as opposed to selecting sections from the full mammogram. Task 3: A clustering method has been developed based on a simple counting mechanism. No ROC analysis has been performed (and was not proposed), so we cannot finally evaluate this work without further support. Task 4: Further testing of the filter reveals that different wavelet bases do yield slightly different qualitative results. We cannot provide quantitative conclusions about this for all possible bases without further support. Task 5: Better modeling does indeed make an improvement in the detection output. After the proposal ended, we came up with some new theoretical explanations that helps in understanding when the D4 filter should be better. This work is currently in the review process. Task 6: N/A. This no longer applies in view of Tasks 4-5. Task 7: Comprehensive plans for further work have been completed. These plans are the subject of two proposals, one to NASA and one to HHS. These proposals represent plans for a complete evaluation of the methods for identifying normal mammograms, augmented with significant further theoretical work.

Stauduhar, Richard P.↗