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Results for “OPTICAL SIGNAL”

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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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Enhancement of Second-Order Nonlinear-Optical Signals by Optical Stimulation

Second-order nonlinear optical interactions such as sum- and difference-frequency generation are widely used for bioimaging and as selective probes of interfacial environments. However, inefficient nonlinear optical conversion often leads to poor signal-to-noise ratio and long signal acquisition times. We demonstrate the dramatic enhancement of weak second-order nonlinear optical signals via stimulated sum- and difference-frequency generation. We present a conceptual framework to quantitatively describe the interaction and show that the process is highly sensitive to the relative optical phase of the stimulating field. To emphasize the utility of the technique, we demonstrate stimulated enhancement of second harmonic generation (SHG) from bovine collagen-I fibrils. Using a stimulating pulse fluence of only $3\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{nJ}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, we obtain an SHG enhancement >${10}^{4}$ relative to the spontaneous signal. The stimulation enhancement is greatest in situations where spontaneous signals are the weakest—such as low laser power, small sample volume, and weak nonlinear susceptibility—emphasizing the potential for this technique to improve signal-to-noise ratios in biological imaging and interfacial spectroscopy.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1988

Stereoscopic Optical Signal Processor

Optical signal processor produces two-dimensional cross correlation of images from steroscopic video camera in real time. Cross correlation used to identify object, determines distance, or measures movement. Left and right cameras modulate beams from light source for correlation in video detector. Switch in position 1 produces information about range of object viewed by cameras. Position 2 gives information about movement. Position 3 helps to identify object.

Graig, Glenn D.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Coherent (photon) vs incoherent (current) detection of multidimensional optical signals from single molecules in open junctions

The nonlinear optical response of a current-carrying single molecule coupled to two metal leads and driven by a sequence of impulsive optical pulses with controllable phases and time delays is calculated. Coherent (stimulated, heterodyne) detection of photons and incoherent detection of the optically induced current are compared. Using a diagrammatic Liouville space superoperator formalism, the signals are recast in terms of molecular correlation functions which are then expanded in the many-body molecular states. Two dimensional signals in benzene-1,4-dithiol molecule show cross peaks involving charged states. The correlation between optical and charge current signal is also observed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1996

Parametric Amplification For Detecting Weak Optical Signals

Optical-communication receivers of proposed type implement high-sensitivity scheme of optical parametric amplification followed by direct detection for reception of extremely weak signals. Incorporates both optical parametric amplification and direct detection into optimized design enhancing effective signal-to-noise ratios during reception in photon-starved (photon-counting) regime. Eliminates need for complexity of heterodyne detection scheme and partly overcomes limitations imposed on older direct-detection schemes by noise generated in receivers and by limits on quantum efficiencies of photodetectors.

Hemmati, Hamid↗
NASA NTRS1983

Fiber optic crossbar switch for automatically patching optical signals

A system for automatically optically switching fiber optic data signals between a plurality of input optical fibers and selective ones of a plurality of output fibers is described. The system includes optical detectors which are connected to each of the input fibers for converting the optic data signals appearing at the respective input fibers to an RF signal. A plurality of RF to optical signal converters are arranged in rows and columns. The output of each of the optical detectors are each applied to a respective row of optical signal converted for being converters back to an optical signal when the particular optical signal converter is selectively activated by a dc voltage.

Bell, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Detection, Evaluation, and Optimization of Optical Signals Generated by Fiber Optic Bragg Gratings Under Dynamic Excitations

The dynamic response of a fiber optic Bragg grating to mechanical vibrations is examined both theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical expressions describing the consequences of changes in the grating's reflection spectrum are derived for partially coherent beams in an interferometer. The analysis is given in terms of the dominant wavelength, optical bandwidth, and optical path difference of the interfering signals. Changes in the reflection spectrum caused by a periodic stretching and compression of the grating were experimentally measured using an unbalanced Michelson interferometer, a Michelson interferometer with a non-zero optical path difference. The interferometer's sensitivity to changes in dominant wavelength of the interfering beams was measured as a function of interferometer unbalance and was compared to theoretical predictions. The theoretical analysis enables the user to determine the optimum performance for an unbalanced interferometer.

Adamovsky, Grigory↗
NASA NTRS1973

Optical Signal Processing: Poisson Image Restoration and Shearing Interferometry

Optical signal processing can be performed in either digital or analog systems. Digital computers and coherent optical systems are discussed as they are used in optical signal processing. Topics include: image restoration; phase-object visualization; image contrast reversal; optical computation; image multiplexing; and fabrication of spatial filters. Digital optical data processing deals with restoration of images degraded by signal-dependent noise. When the input data of an image restoration system are the numbers of photoelectrons received from various areas of a photosensitive surface, the data are Poisson distributed with mean values proportional to the illuminance of the incoherently radiating object and background light. Optical signal processing using coherent optical systems is also discussed. Following a brief review of the pertinent details of Ronchi's diffraction grating interferometer, moire effect, carrier-frequency photography, and achromatic holography, two new shearing interferometers based on them are presented. Both interferometers can produce variable shear.

Hong, Yie-Ming↗
DOE OSTI2014

Spectral and temporal properties of optical signals with multiple sinusoidal phase modulations

Optical signals generated by multiple sinusoidal temporal phase modulations (multi-FMs) applied to a monochromatic field are studied from the viewpoint of their optical spectrum and temporal modulations arising from spectral impairments. Statistical analysis based on the central limit theorem shows that the signals' optical spectrum converges to a normal distribution as the number of modulations increases, allowing one to predict the frequency range containing a given fraction of the total energy with the associated cumulative density function. The conversion of frequency modulation to amplitude modulation is analyzed and simulated for arbitrary multi-FM signals. These developments are of theoretical and practical importance for high-energy laser systems, where optical pulses are phase modulated in the front end to smooth out the on-target beam profile and prevent potentially catastrophic damage to optical components.

Dorrer, C.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Independent Component Analysis for Preprocessing Optical Signals in Support of Multi-User Communication

In an effort to construct an optical transceiver for supporting multi-point communication, researchers developed large field-of-view FSO transceivers with wide apertures for facilitating rapid acquisition and optical signal tracking. The design is constructed from fiber-bundle(s) intelligently arranged to provide multiple optical pathways within a single transceiver, with each pathway limited to a particular optical directionality. Because designs with wide apertures are susceptible to receiving several optical signals simultaneously from multiple transmitters, accurately decoding individual signals and achieving true multi-user communication can be difficult. The work detailed in this paper investigated the use of blind source separation techniques, mainly independent component analysis (ICA), to estimate transmitted signals from their observed, combined mixtures sans information. Effects of signal power, format, data rate, wavelength, and turbulence severity on signal separation, as well as signal demodulation accuracy was also analyzed using experimental optical signals and corresponding mixtures. Signal generators, laser sources, turbulence emulator, beam profiler, photodiodes, and oscilloscopes comprised the experiment setup. Optical signals with varying power, format, and wavelength were generated and propagated through turbulence with varying degree severity, and finally received by the fiber-bundle-based optical transceiver. Results demonstrate that an ICA technique can accurately process the combined signals into corresponding individual components. The investigation further identified signal characteristics (e.g., power levels, format, data rate) and turbulence severity under which ICA is unable to accurately perform signal separations.

Optics↗
NASA NTRS2017

System and Method for Multi-Wavelength Optical Signal Detection

The system and method for multi-wavelength optical signal detection enables the detection of optical signal levels significantly below those processed at the discrete circuit level by the use of mixed-signal processing methods implemented with integrated circuit technologies. The present invention is configured to detect and process small signals, which enables the reduction of the optical power required to stimulate detection networks, and lowers the required laser power to make specific measurements. The present invention provides an adaptation of active pixel networks combined with mixed-signal processing methods to provide an integer representation of the received signal as an output. The present invention also provides multi-wavelength laser detection circuits for use in various systems, such as a differential absorption light detection and ranging system.

McGlone, Thomas D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Switching Matrix For Optical Signals

Proposed matrix of electronically controlled shutters switches signals in optical fibers between multiple input and output channels. Size, weight, and power consumption reduced. Device serves as building block for small, low-power, broad-band television- and data-signal-switching systems providing high isolation between nominally disconnected channels.

Grove, Charles H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Advanced acousto-optic signal processors

The basic acousto-optic signal processing architectures (spectrum analyzer, space-integrating, time-integrating, and triple product processor) systems and algorithms such as the chirp-Z transform are reviewed. New acousto-optic data processing systems and applications that utilze these basic architectures and new ones are described. These include a matched spatial filter acousto-optic processor, two new hybrid time and space-integrating systems, a triple product processor, and four new matrix-vector iterative feedback systems.

Casasent, D.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Optical signal quality improvement due to nonlinear interaction between spectral channels

This paper examines stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) suppression in multichannel DWDM systems owing to nonlinear cross interaction between the channels and its effect on optical signal quality (1/OSNR{sub R}) in a communication link. We present an experimental study of single-, three- and five-channel systems with 10 Gbit s{sup −1} NRZ channels. The optical signal quality in the three- and five-channel systems is shown to be better than that in the single-channel system. The reason for this is that cross-phase modulation broadens the spectrum of the signal and raises the SBS threshold. This in turn ensures a more pronounced optical signal quality improvement due to self-phase modulation. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1984

Integrated optical signal processing with magnetostatic waves

Magneto-optical devices based on Bragg diffraction of light by magnetostatic waves (MSW's) offer the potential of large time-bandwidth optical signal processing at microwave frequencies of 1 to 20 GHz and higher. A thin-film integrated-optical configuration, with the interacting MSW and guided-optical wave both propagating in a common ferrite layer, is necessary to avoid shape-factor demagnetization effects. The underlying theory of the MSW-optical interaction is outlined, including the development of expressions for optical diffraction efficiency as a function of MSW power and other relevant parameters. Bradd diffraction of guided-optical waves by transversely-propagating magnetostatic waves and collinear TE/TM mode conversion included by MSW's have been demonstrated in yttrium iron garnet (YIG) thin films. Diffraction levels as large as 4% (7 mm interaction length) and a modulation dynamic range of approx 30 dB have been observed. Advantages of these MSW-based devices over the analogous acousto-optical devices include: much greater operating frequencies, tunability of the MSW dispersion relation by varying either the RF frequency or the applied bias magnetic field, simple broad-band MSW transducer structures (e.g., a single stripline), and the potential for very high diffraction efficiencies.

Fisher, A. D.↗