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Title: ANTENNA-COUPLED TUNNEL DIODES FOR DUAL-BAND MILLIMETER-WAVE/INFRARED FOCAL-PLANE ARRAYS.
Creator: Abdel Rahman, Mohamed, Boreman, Glenn, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The infrared and millimeter-wave portions of the spectrum both have their advantages for development of imaging systems. Because of the difference in wavelengths, infrared imagers offer inherently high resolution, while millimeter-wave systems have better penetration through atmospheric aerosols such as fog and smoke. Shared-aperture imaging systems employing a common focal-plane array that responds to both wavebands are desirable from the viewpoint of overall size and weight. We have...
Show moreThe infrared and millimeter-wave portions of the spectrum both have their advantages for development of imaging systems. Because of the difference in wavelengths, infrared imagers offer inherently high resolution, while millimeter-wave systems have better penetration through atmospheric aerosols such as fog and smoke. Shared-aperture imaging systems employing a common focal-plane array that responds to both wavebands are desirable from the viewpoint of overall size and weight. We have developed antenna-coupled sensors that respond simultaneously at 30 THz and at 94 GHz, utilizing electron-beam lithography. Slot-antenna designs were found to be particularly suitable for coupling radiation into metal-oxide-metal (MOM) tunnel diodes at both frequencies. The MOM diodes are fabricated in a layered structure of Ni-NiO-Ni, and act as rectifying contacts. With contact areas as low as 120 nm × 120 nm, these diodes have time constants commensurate with rectification at frequencies across the desired millimeter-wave and infrared bands. One challenge in the development of true focal-plane array imagers across this factor-of-300 bandwidth is that the optimum spatial sampling interval on the focal plane is different in both bands. We have demonstrated a focal plane with interleaved infrared and millimeter-wave sensors by fabricating infrared antennas in the ground plane of the millimeter-wave antenna. Measured performance data in both bands are presented for individual antenna-coupled sensors as well as for devices in the dual-band focal-plane-array format.
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Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000305, ucf:46309
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000305

Title: Silicon photonic devices for optical delay lines and mid infrared applications.
Creator: Khan, Saeed, Fathpour, Sasan, Likamwa, Patrick, Gong, Xun, Delfyett, Peter, Schoenfeld, Winston, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Silicon photonics has been a rapidly growing subfield of integrated optics and optoelectronic in the last decade and is currently considered a mature technology. The main thrust behind the growth is its compatibility with the mature and low-cost microelectronic integrated circuits fabrication process. In recent years, several active and passive photonic devices and circuits have been demonstrated on silicon. Optical delay lines are among important silicon photonic devices, which are essential...
Show moreSilicon photonics has been a rapidly growing subfield of integrated optics and optoelectronic in the last decade and is currently considered a mature technology. The main thrust behind the growth is its compatibility with the mature and low-cost microelectronic integrated circuits fabrication process. In recent years, several active and passive photonic devices and circuits have been demonstrated on silicon. Optical delay lines are among important silicon photonic devices, which are essential for a variety of photonic system applications including optical beam-forming for controlling phased-array antennas, optical communication and networking systems and optical coherence tomography. In this thesis, several types of delay lines based on apodized grating waveguides are proposed and demonstrated. Simulation and experimental results suggest that these novel devices can provide high optical delay and tunability at very high bit rate. While most of silicon photonics research has focused in the near-infrared wavelengths, extending the operating wavelength range of the technology into in the 3(-)5 (&)#181;m, or the mid-wave infrared regime, is a more recent field of research. A key challenge has been that the standard silicon-on-insulator waveguides are not suitable for the mid-infrared, since the material loss of the buried oxide layer becomes substantially high. Here, the silicon-on-sapphire waveguide technology, which can extend silicon's operating wavelength range up to 4.4 (&)#181;m, is investigated. Furthermore, silicon-on-nitride waveguides, boasting a wide transparent range of 1.2(-)6.7 ?m, are demonstrated and characterized for the first time at both mid-infrared (3.39 ?m) and near-infrared (1.55 ?m) wavelengths.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005014, ucf:49996
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005014

Title: MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OF HOLE TRANSPORT AND TERAHERTZ AMPLIFICATION IN MULTILAYER DELTA DOPED SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES.
Creator: Dolguikh, Maxim, Peale, Robert, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Monte Carlo method for the simulation of hole dynamics in degenerate valence subbands of cubic semiconductors is developed. All possible intra- and inter-subband scattering rates are theoretically calculated for Ge, Si, and GaAs. A far-infrared laser concept based on intersubband transitions of holes in p-type periodically delta-doped semiconductor films is studied using numerical Monte-Carlo simulation of hot hole dynamics. The considered device consists of monocrystalline pure Ge layers...
Show moreMonte Carlo method for the simulation of hole dynamics in degenerate valence subbands of cubic semiconductors is developed. All possible intra- and inter-subband scattering rates are theoretically calculated for Ge, Si, and GaAs. A far-infrared laser concept based on intersubband transitions of holes in p-type periodically delta-doped semiconductor films is studied using numerical Monte-Carlo simulation of hot hole dynamics. The considered device consists of monocrystalline pure Ge layers periodically interleaved with delta-doped layers and operates with vertical or in-plane hole transport in the presence of a perpendicular in-plane magnetic field. Inversion population on intersubband transitions arises due to light hole accumulation in E B fields, as in the bulk p-Ge laser. However, the considered structure achieves spatial separation of hole accumulation regions from the doped layers, which reduces ionized-impurity and carrier-carrier scattering for the majority of light holes. This allows remarkable increase of the gain in comparison with bulk p-Ge lasers. Population inversion and gain sufficient for laser operation are expected up to 77 K. Test structures grown by chemical vapor deposition demonstrate feasibility of producing the device with sufficient active thickness to allow quasioptical electrodynamic cavity solutions. The same device structure is considered in GaAs. The case of Si is much more complicated due to strong anisotropy of the valence band. The primary new result for Si is the first consideration of the anisotropy of optical phonon scattering for hot holes.
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Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000863, ucf:46672
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000863

Title: EVALUATING COMPETITION BETWEEN VERBAL AND IMPLICIT SYSTEMS WITH FUNCTIONAL NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY.
Creator: Schiebel, Troy A, Bohil, Corey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In category learning, explicit processes function through the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and implicit processes function through the basal ganglia. Research suggested that these two systems compete with each other. The goal of this study was to shed light on this theory. 15 undergraduate subjects took part in an event-related experiment that required them to categorize computer-generated line-stimuli, which varied in length and/or angle depending on condition. Subjects participated in an...
Show moreIn category learning, explicit processes function through the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and implicit processes function through the basal ganglia. Research suggested that these two systems compete with each other. The goal of this study was to shed light on this theory. 15 undergraduate subjects took part in an event-related experiment that required them to categorize computer-generated line-stimuli, which varied in length and/or angle depending on condition. Subjects participated in an explicit "rule-based" (RB) condition and an implicit "information-integration" (II) condition while connected to a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) apparatus, which measured the hemodynamic response (HR) in their PFC. Each condition contained 2 blocks. We hypothesized that the competition between explicit and implicit systems (COVIS) would be demonstrated if, by block 2, task-accuracy was approximately equal across conditions with PFC activity being comparatively higher in the II condition. This would indicate that subjects could learn the categorization task in both conditions but were only able to decipher an explicit rule in the RB condition; their PFC would struggle to do so in the II condition, resulting in perpetually high activation. In accordance with predictions, results revealed no difference in accuracy across conditions with significant difference in channel activation. There were channel trends (p<.1) which showed PFC activation decrease in the RB condition and increase in the II condition by block 2. While these results support our predictions, they are largely nonsignificant, which could be attributed to the event-related design. Future research should utilize a larger samples size for improved statistical power.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000086, ucf:45502
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000086

Title: PREDICTING COGNITIVE WORKLOAD WITH MEASURES FROM FUNCTIONAL NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (FNIRS) AND HEART RATE.
Creator: Duany, John, Bohil, Corey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The objective of this study was to assess low to high levels of Cognitive Workload by measuring heart rate and cortical blood flow in real-time. Four conditions were implemented into a within-subjects experimental design. Two conditions of difficulty and two conditions of trial order were used to illicit different levels of workload which will be analyzed with psychophysiological equipment. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) has become more prominent for measuring the blood...
Show moreThe objective of this study was to assess low to high levels of Cognitive Workload by measuring heart rate and cortical blood flow in real-time. Four conditions were implemented into a within-subjects experimental design. Two conditions of difficulty and two conditions of trial order were used to illicit different levels of workload which will be analyzed with psychophysiological equipment. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) has become more prominent for measuring the blood oxygenation levels in the prefrontal cortex of individuals operating in hazardous work environments, students with learning disabilities, and in research for military training. This is due to the fNIR device being highly mobile, inexpensive, and able to produce a high-spatial resolution of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during executive functioning. Heart Rate will be measured by an Electrocardiogram, which will be used in concordance with fNIR oxygenation levels to predict if an individual is in a condition that produces low or high mental workload. Successfully utilizing heart rate and blood oxygenation data as predictors of cognitive workload may validate implementing multiple physiological devices together in real-time and may be a more accurate solution for preventing excessive workload.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFH0004478, ucf:45070
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004478

Title: Advanced Nanoscale Characterization of Plants and Plant-derived Materials for Sustainable Agriculture and Renewable Energy.
Creator: Soliman, Mikhael, Tetard, Laurene, Vaidyanathan, Raj, Kang, Hyeran, Santra, Swadeshmukul, Zhai, Lei, Chumbimuni Torres, Karin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The need for nanoscale, non-invasive functional characterization has become more significant with advances in nano-biotechnology and related fields. Exploring the ultrastructure of plant cell walls and plant-derived materials is necessary to access a more profound understanding of the molecular interactions in the systems, in view of a rational design for sustainable applications. This, in turn, relates to the pressing requirements for food, energy and water sustainability experienced...
Show moreThe need for nanoscale, non-invasive functional characterization has become more significant with advances in nano-biotechnology and related fields. Exploring the ultrastructure of plant cell walls and plant-derived materials is necessary to access a more profound understanding of the molecular interactions in the systems, in view of a rational design for sustainable applications. This, in turn, relates to the pressing requirements for food, energy and water sustainability experienced worldwide.Here we will present our advanced characterization approach to study the effects of external stresses on plants, and resulting opportunities for biomass valorization with an impact on the food-energy-water nexus.First, the adaption of plants to the pressure imposed by gravity in poplar reaction wood will be discussed. We will show that a multiscale characterization approach is necessary to reach a better understanding of the chemical and physical properties of cell walls across a transverse section of poplar stem. Our Raman spectroscopy and statistical analysis reveals intricate variations in the cellulose and lignin properties. Further, we will present evidence that advanced atomic force microscopy can reveal nanoscale variations within the individual cell wall layers, not attainable with common analytical tools. Next, chemical stresses, in particular the effect of Zinc-based pesticides on citrus plants, will be considered. We will show how multiscale characterization can support the development of new disease management methods for systemic bacterial diseases, such as citrus greening, of great importance for sustainable agriculture. In particular, we will focus on the study of new formulations, their uptake and translocation in the plants following different application methods. Lastly, we will consider how plant reactions to mechanical and chemical stresses can be controlled to engineer biomass for valorization applications. We will present our characterization of two examples: the production of carbon films derived from woody lignocellulosic biomass and the development of nanoscale growth promoters for food crop. A perspective of the work and discussion of the broader impact will conclude the presentation.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007415, ucf:52717
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007415

Title: Turtle Cam: Live Multimedia Interaction For Engaging Potential Visitor Population To Canaveral National Seashore.
Creator: Tortorelli, Brian, Cabrera, Cheryl, Lindgren, Robb, Reedy, Robert, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This project expands the outreach of the Canaveral National Seashore to its visitors, potential visitors, and virtual visitors through its goals in conservancy and preservation of its natural resources. This paper is involved with the current iteration of a series of digital media projects, the Sea Turtle Nest Camera, also known as, Turtle Cam. It details how and why this project was designed to be an ongoing initiative to assist in those goals.
Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004330, ucf:49446
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004330

Title: Rumination and executive dysfunction: Risk factors for vascular depression.
Creator: Brush, David, Paulson, Daniel, Rapport, Mark, Bohil, Corey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Introduction: The widely-supported vascular depression hypothesis is underspecified with respect to cognitive mechanisms by which high cerebrovascular burden (CVB) and neuropathology relate to depressive symptoms. Integration of the vascular depression hypothesis with the CaR-FA-X model, a framework of affect regulation mechanisms, suggest that Rumination (R) and executive dysfunction (X) may increase due to altered recruitment of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex resulting from high CVB and...
Show moreIntroduction: The widely-supported vascular depression hypothesis is underspecified with respect to cognitive mechanisms by which high cerebrovascular burden (CVB) and neuropathology relate to depressive symptoms. Integration of the vascular depression hypothesis with the CaR-FA-X model, a framework of affect regulation mechanisms, suggest that Rumination (R) and executive dysfunction (X) may increase due to altered recruitment of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex resulting from high CVB and underlying neuropathology. This process would contribute to depressive symptomatology among older adults with high CVB. The progression of examined hypotheses included mediation models examining mechanistic relationships between predictors (CVB, DLPFC activation), cognitive correlates (rumination, executive functioning), and affective outcomes (depressive symptoms). Method: A sample of 52 community-dwelling, stroke-free, individuals over the age of 70, without history of severe mental illness, dementia, or severe cognitive impairment, completed the Ruminative Responses Scale, provided self-reported cerebrovascular burden data (cardiac disease, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol), and completed executive function tasks (Stroop, Flanker) while their hemodynamic response was measured using fNIRS. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptomatology. Prefrontal cortical recruitment was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Results: A progression of conventional and bootstrapped regression-based models broadly supported relationships between CVB and depressive symptoms, but not between DLPFC activation and depressive symptoms. No mechanistic relationships were found, with respect to analyses testing prospective cognitive mediators.Conclusions: Primary findings from this study indicate that cerebrovascular burden predicts depressive symptomatology among older adults and is related to a reduction in inhibitory control ability. Further, these findings inform CVB measurement and mental health implications of contrasting approaches to CVB measurement. A primary contribution of this thesis is that results appear to support utilization of fNIRS, a low-cost and accessible neuroimaging paradigm, for the study of lateralized cognition among older adults.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0006981, ucf:51648
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006981

Title: Investigation of infrared thermography for subsurface damage detection of concrete structures.
Creator: Hiasa, Shuhei, Catbas, Necati, Tatari, Omer, Nam, Boo Hyun, Zaurin, Ricardo, Xanthopoulos, Petros, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Deterioration of road infrastructure arises from aging and various other factors. Consequently, inspection and maintenance have been a serious worldwide problem. In the United States, degradation of concrete bridge decks is a widespread problem among several bridge components. In order to prevent the impending degradation of bridges, periodic inspection and proper maintenance are indispensable. However, the transportation system faces unprecedented challenges because the number of aging...
Show moreDeterioration of road infrastructure arises from aging and various other factors. Consequently, inspection and maintenance have been a serious worldwide problem. In the United States, degradation of concrete bridge decks is a widespread problem among several bridge components. In order to prevent the impending degradation of bridges, periodic inspection and proper maintenance are indispensable. However, the transportation system faces unprecedented challenges because the number of aging bridges is increasing under limited resources, both in terms of budget and personnel. Therefore, innovative technologies and processes that enable bridge owners to inspect and evaluate bridge conditions more effectively and efficiently with less human and monetary resources are desired. Traditionally, qualified engineers and inspectors implemented hammer sounding and/or chain drag, and visual inspection for concrete bridge deck evaluations, but these methods require substantial field labor, experience, and lane closures for bridge deck inspections. Under these circumstances, Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques such as computer vision-based crack detection, impact echo (IE), ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and infrared thermography (IRT) have been developed to inspect and monitor aging and deteriorating structures rapidly and effectively. However, no single method can detect all kinds of defects in concrete structures as well as the traditional inspection combination of visual and sounding inspections; hence, there is still no international standard NDE methods for concrete bridges, although significant progress has been made up to the present.This research presents the potential to reduce a burden of bridge inspections, especially for bridge decks, in place of traditional chain drag and hammer sounding methods by IRT with the combination of computer vision-based technology. However, there were still several challenges and uncertainties in using IRT for bridge inspections. This study revealed those challenges and uncertainties, and explored those solutions, proper methods and ideal conditions for applying IRT in order to enhance the usability, reliability and accuracy of IRT for concrete bridge inspections. Throughout the study, detailed investigations of IRT are presented. Firstly, three different types of infrared (IR) cameras were compared under active IRT conditions in the laboratory to examine the effect of photography angle on IRT along with the specifications of cameras. The results showed that when IR images are taken from a certain angle, each camera shows different temperature readings. However, since each IR camera can capture temperature differences between sound and delaminated areas, they have a potential to detect delaminated areas under a given condition in spite of camera specifications even when they are utilized from a certain angle. Furthermore, a more objective data analysis method than just comparing IR images was explored to assess IR data. Secondly, coupled structural mechanics and heat transfer models of concrete blocks with artificial delaminations used for a field test were developed and analyzed to explore sensitive parameters for effective utilization of IRT. After these finite element (FE) models were validated, critical parameters and factors of delamination detectability such as the size of delamination (area, thickness and volume), ambient temperature and sun loading condition (different season), and the depth of delamination from the surface were explored. This study presents that the area of delamination is much more influential in the detectability of IRT than thickness and volume. It is also found that there is no significant difference depending on the season when IRT is employed. Then, FE model simulations were used to obtain the temperature differences between sound and delaminated areas in order to process IR data. By using this method, delaminated areas of concrete slabs could be detected more objectively than by judging the color contrast of IR images. However, it was also found that the boundary condition affects the accuracy of this method, and the effect varies depending on the data collection time. Even though there are some limitations, integrated use of FE model simulation with IRT showed that the combination can be reduce other pre-tests on bridges, reduce the need to have access to the bridge and also can help automate the IRT data analysis process for concrete bridge deck inspections. After that, the favorable time windows for concrete bridge deck inspections by IRT were explored through field experiment and FE model simulations. Based on the numerical simulations and experimental IRT results, higher temperature differences in the day were observed from both results around noontime and nighttime, although IRT is affected by sun loading during the daytime heating cycle resulting in possible misdetections. Furthermore, the numerical simulations show that the maximum effect occurs at night during the nighttime cooling cycle, and the temperature difference decreases gradually from that time to a few hours after sunrise of the next day. Thus, it can be concluded that the nighttime application of IRT is the most suitable time window for bridge decks. Furthermore, three IR cameras with different specifications were compared to explore several factors affecting the utilization of IRT in regards to subsurface damage detection in concrete structures, specifically when the IRT is utilized for high-speed bridge deck inspections at normal driving speeds under field laboratory conditions. The results show that IRT can detect up to 2.54 cm delamination from the concrete surface at any time period. This study revealed two important factors of camera specifications for high-speed inspection by IRT as shorter integration time and higher pixel resolution.Finally, a real bridge was scanned by three different types of IR cameras and the results were compared with other NDE technologies that were implemented by other researchers on the same bridge. When compared at fully documented locations with 8 concrete cores, a high-end IR camera with cooled detector distinguished sound and delaminated areas accurately. Furthermore, indicated location and shape of delaminations by three IR cameras were compared to other NDE methods from past research, and the result revealed that the cooled camera showed almost identical shapes to other NDE methods including chain drag. It should be noted that the data were collected at normal driving speed without any lane closures, making it a more practical and faster method than other NDE technologies. It was also presented that the factor most likely to affect high-speed application is integration time of IR camera as well as the conclusion of the field laboratory test.The notable contribution of this study for the improvement of IRT is that this study revealed the preferable conditions for IRT, specifically for high-speed scanning of concrete bridge decks. This study shows that IRT implementation under normal driving speeds has high potential to evaluate concrete bridge decks accurately without any lane closures much more quickly than other NDE methods, if a cooled camera equipped with higher pixel resolution is used during nighttime. Despite some limitations of IRT, the data collection speed is a great advantage for periodic bridge inspections compared to other NDE methods. Moreover, there is a high possibility to reduce inspection time, labor and budget drastically if high-speed bridge deck scanning by the combination of IRT and computer vision-based technology becomes a standard bridge deck inspection method. Therefore, the author recommends combined application of the high-speed scanning combination and other NDE methods to optimize bridge deck inspections.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006323, ucf:51575
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006323

Title: Broad Bandwidth, All-fiber, Thulium-doped Photonic Crystal Fiber Amplifier for Potential Use in Scaling Ultrashort Pulse Peak Powers.
Creator: Sincore, Alex, Richardson, Martin, Shah, Lawrence, Amezcua Correa, Rodrigo, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Fiber based ultrashort pulse laser sources are desirable for many applications; however generating high peak powers in fiber lasers is primarily limited by the onset of nonlinear effects such as self-phase modulation, stimulated Raman scattering, and self-focusing. Increasing the fiber core diameter mitigates the onset of these nonlinear effects, but also allows unwanted higher-order transverse spatial modes to propagate. Both large core diameters and single-mode propagation can be...
Show moreFiber based ultrashort pulse laser sources are desirable for many applications; however generating high peak powers in fiber lasers is primarily limited by the onset of nonlinear effects such as self-phase modulation, stimulated Raman scattering, and self-focusing. Increasing the fiber core diameter mitigates the onset of these nonlinear effects, but also allows unwanted higher-order transverse spatial modes to propagate. Both large core diameters and single-mode propagation can be simultaneously attained using photonic crystal fibers.Thulium-doped fiber lasers are attractive for high peak power ultrashort pulse systems. They offer a broad gain bandwidth, capable of amplifying sub-100 femtosecond pulses. The longer center wavelength at 2 ?m theoretically enables higher peak powers relative to 1 ?m systems since nonlinear effects inversely scale with wavelength. Also, the 2 ?m emission is desirable to support applications reaching further into the mid-IR.This work evaluates the performance of a novel all-fiber pump combiner that incorporates a thulium-doped photonic crystal fiber. This fully integrated amplifier is characterized and possesses a large gain bandwidth, essentially single-mode propagation, and high degree of polarization. This innovative all-fiber, thulium-doped photonic crystal fiber amplifier has great potential for enabling high peak powers in 2 ?m fiber systems; however the current optical-to-optical efficiency is low relative to similar free-space amplifiers. Further development and device optimization will lead to higher efficiencies and improved performance.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005260, ucf:50611
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005260

Title: Multimaterial Fibers and Tapers A Platform for Nonlinear Photonics and Nanotechnology.
Creator: Shabahang, Soroush, Abouraddy, Ayman, Vanstryland, Eric, Dogariu, Aristide, Belfield, Kevin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The development of optical sources and components suitable for the mid-infrared is crucial for applications in this spectral range to reach the maturity level of their counterparts in the visible and near-infrared spectral regimes. The recent commercialization of quantum cascade lasers is leading to further interest in this spectral range. Wideband mid-infrared coherent sources, such as supercontinuum generation, have yet to be fully developed. A mid-infrared supercontinuum source would allow...
Show moreThe development of optical sources and components suitable for the mid-infrared is crucial for applications in this spectral range to reach the maturity level of their counterparts in the visible and near-infrared spectral regimes. The recent commercialization of quantum cascade lasers is leading to further interest in this spectral range. Wideband mid-infrared coherent sources, such as supercontinuum generation, have yet to be fully developed. A mid-infrared supercontinuum source would allow for unique applications in spectroscopy and sensing.Over the last decade, it has been shown that high-index confinement in highly nonlinear fibers pumped with high-peak-power pulses is an excellent approach to supercontinuum generation in the visible and near-infrared. Nonlinear waveguides such as fibers offer an obvious advantage in increasing the nonlinear interaction length maintained with a small cross section. In addition, fiber systems do not require optical alignment and are mechanically stable and robust with respect to the environmental changes. These properties have made fiber systems unique in applications where they are implemented in a harsh and unstable environment.In extending this approach into the mid-infrared, I have used chalcogenide glass fibers. Chalcogenide glasses have several attractive features for this application: they have high refractive indices for high optical-confinement, have a wide transparency window in the mid-infrared, and have a few orders-of-magnitude higher nonlinearity than silica glass and other mid-IR glasses. Producing chalcogenide glass fiber tapers offer, furthermore, the possibility of dispersion control and stronger field confinement and hence higher nonlinearity, desired for supercontinuum generation.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005252, ucf:50594
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005252

Title: REFRACTIVE INDICES OF LIQUID CRYSTALS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN DISPLAY AND PHOTONIC DEVICES.
Creator: Li, Jun, Wu, Shin-Tson, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Liquid crystals (LCs) are important materials for flat panel display and photonic devices. Most LC devices use electrical field-, magnetic field-, or temperature-induced refractive index change to modulate the incident light. Molecular constituents, wavelength, and temperature are the three primary factors determining the liquid crystal refractive indices: ne and no for the extraordinary and ordinary rays, respectively. In this dissertation, we derive several physical models for describing...
Show moreLiquid crystals (LCs) are important materials for flat panel display and photonic devices. Most LC devices use electrical field-, magnetic field-, or temperature-induced refractive index change to modulate the incident light. Molecular constituents, wavelength, and temperature are the three primary factors determining the liquid crystal refractive indices: ne and no for the extraordinary and ordinary rays, respectively. In this dissertation, we derive several physical models for describing the wavelength and temperature effects on liquid crystal refractive indices, average refractive index, and birefringence. Based on these models, we develop some high temperature gradient refractive index LC mixtures for photonic applications, such as thermal tunable liquid crystal photonic crystal fibers and thermal solitons. Liquid crystal refractive indices decrease as the wavelength increase. Both ne and no saturate in the infrared region. Wavelength effect on LC refractive indices is important for the design of direct-view displays. In Chapter 2, we derive the extended Cauchy models for describing the wavelength effect on liquid crystal refractive indices in the visible and infrared spectral regions based on the three-band model. The three-coefficient Cauchy model could be used for describing the refractive indices of liquid crystals with low, medium, and high birefringence, whereas the two-coefficient Cauchy model is more suitable for low birefringence liquid crystals. The critical value of the birefringence is deltan~0.12. Temperature is another important factor affecting the LC refractive indices. The thermal effect originated from the lamp of projection display would affect the performance of the employed liquid crystal. In Chapter 3, we derive the four-parameter and three-parameter parabolic models for describing the temperature effect on the LC refractive indices based on Vuks model and Haller equation. We validate the empirical Haller equation quantitatively. We also validate that the average refractive index of liquid crystal decreases linearly as the temperature increases. Liquid crystals exhibit a large thermal nonlinearity which is attractive for new photonic applications using photonic crystal fibers. We derive the physical models for describing the temperature gradient of the LC refractive indices, ne and no, based on the four-parameter model. We find that LC exhibits a crossover temperature To at which dno/dT is equal to zero. The physical models of the temperature gradient indicate that ne, the extraordinary refractive index, always decreases as the temperature increases since dne/dT is always negative, whereas no, the ordinary refractive index, decreases as the temperature increases when the temperature is lower than the crossover temperature (dno/dT<0 when the temperature is lower than To) and increases as the temperature increases when the temperature is higher than the crossover temperature (dno/dT>0 when the temperature is higher than To ). Measurements of LC refractive indices play an important role for validating the physical models and the device design. Liquid crystal is anisotropic and the incident linearly polarized light encounters two different refractive indices when the polarization is parallel or perpendicular to the optic axis. The measurement is more complicated than that for an isotropic medium. In Chapter 4, we use a multi-wavelength Abbe refractometer to measure the LC refractive indices in the visible light region. We measured the LC refractive indices at six wavelengths, lamda=450, 486, 546, 589, 633 and 656 nm by changing the filters. We use a circulating constant temperature bath to control the temperature of the sample. The temperature range is from 10 to 55 oC. The refractive index data measured include five low-birefringence liquid crystals, MLC-9200-000, MLC-9200-100, MLC-6608 (delta_epsilon=-4.2), MLC-6241-000, and UCF-280 (delta_epsilon=-4); four middle-birefringence liquid crystals, 5CB, 5PCH, E7, E48 and BL003; four high-birefringence liquid crystals, BL006, BL038, E44 and UCF-35, and two liquid crystals with high dno/dT at room temperature, UCF-1 and UCF-2. The refractive indices of E7 at two infrared wavelengths lamda=1.55 and 10.6 um are measured by the wedged-cell refractometer method. The UV absorption spectra of several liquid crystals, MLC-9200-000, MLC-9200-100, MLC-6608 and TL-216 are measured, too. In section 6.5, we also measure the refractive index of cured optical films of NOA65 and NOA81 using the multi-wavelength Abbe refractometer. In Chapter 5, we use the experimental data measured in Chapter 4 to validate the physical models we derived, the extended three-coefficient and two-coefficient Cauchy models, the four-parameter and three-parameter parabolic models. For the first time, we validate the Vuks model using the experimental data of liquid crystals directly. We also validate the empirical Haller equation for the LC birefringence delta_n and the linear equation for the LC average refractive index . The study of the LC refractive indices explores several new photonic applications for liquid crystals such as high temperature gradient liquid crystals, high thermal tunable liquid crystal photonic crystal fibers, the laser induced 2D+1 thermal solitons in nematic crystals, determination for the infrared refractive indices of liquid crystals, comparative study for refractive index between liquid crystals and photopolymers for polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) applications, and so on. In Chapter 6, we introduce these applications one by one. First, we formulate two novel liquid crystals, UCF-1 and UCF-2, with high dno/dT at room temperature. The dno/dT of UCF-1 is about 4X higher than that of 5CB at room temperature. Second, we infiltrate UCF-1 into the micro holes around the silica core of a section of three-rod core PCF and set up a highly thermal tunable liquid crystal photonic crystal fiber. The guided mode has an effective area of 440 ƒÝm2 with an insertion loss of less than 0.5dB. The loss is mainly attributed to coupling losses between the index-guided section and the bandgap-guided section. The thermal tuning sensitivity of the spectral position of the bandgap was measured to be 27 nm/degree around room temperature, which is 4.6 times higher than that using the commercial E7 LC mixture operated at a temperature above 50 degree C. Third, the novel liquid crystals UCF-1 and UCF-2 are preferred to trigger the laser-induced thermal solitons in nematic liquid crystal confined in a capillary because of the high positive temperature gradient at room temperature. Fourth, we extrapolate the refractive index data measured at the visible light region to the near and far infrared region basing on the extended Cauchy model and four-parameter model. The extrapolation method is validated by the experimental data measured at the visible light and infrared light regions. Knowing the LC refractive indices at the infrared region is important for some photonic devices operated in this light region. Finally, we make a completely comparative study for refractive index between two photocurable polymers (NOA65 and NOA81) and two series of Merck liquid crystals, E-series (E44, E48, and E7) and BL-series (BL038, BL003 and BL006) in order to optimize the performance of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC). Among the LC materials we studied, BL038 and E48 are good candidates for making PDLC system incorporating NOA65. The BL038 PDLC cell shows a higher contrast ratio than the E48 cell because BL038 has a better matched ordinary refractive index, higher birefringence, and similar miscibility as compared to E48. Liquid crystals having a good miscibility with polymer, matched ordinary refractive index, and higher birefringence help to improve the PDLC contrast ratio for display applications. In Chapter 7, we give a general summary for the dissertation.
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Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000808, ucf:46677
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000808

Title: THE APPLICATION OF TWO-PHOTON ABSORBING PROBES IN LYSOSOMAL, ZINC ION SENSING AND FOLATE RECEPTOR-TARGETED BIOIMAGING.
Creator: WANG, XUHUA, Belfield, Kevin D., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Two-photon fluorescence microscopy (2PFM) has become a powerful technique for bioimaging in non-invasive cancer diagnosis and also investigating the mechanization and original of a variety of diseases by tracking various biological processes. Because the fluorescence emission by two photon absorbing (2PA) is directly proportional to the square of the intensity of excitation light, this intrinsic property of 2PA provides 2PFM great advantages over traditional one-photon fluorescence microscopy...
Show moreTwo-photon fluorescence microscopy (2PFM) has become a powerful technique for bioimaging in non-invasive cancer diagnosis and also investigating the mechanization and original of a variety of diseases by tracking various biological processes. Because the fluorescence emission by two photon absorbing (2PA) is directly proportional to the square of the intensity of excitation light, this intrinsic property of 2PA provides 2PFM great advantages over traditional one-photon fluorescence microscopy (1PFM), including high 3D spatial localization, less photodamage and interference from biological tissue because of using longer wavelength excitation (700-1300 nm). However, most 2PA probes are hydrophobic and their photostabilities are questionable, severely limiting their biological and medical applications. In addition, probes with significant specificity for certain organelles for tracking cellular processes or metal ions for monitoring neural transmission are somewhat rare. Moreover, it is also very significant to deliver the probes to specific disease sites for early cancer diagnosis. In order to increase the water solubility of probes, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was introduced to a fluorene-based 2PA probe LT1 for lysosomal 2PFM cell imaging. The 2PFM bioimaging application of the novel two-photon absorbing fluorene derivative LT1, selective for the lysosomes of HCT 116 cancer cells is described in Chapter II. Linear and nonlinear photophysical and photochemical properties of the probe were investigated to evaluate the potential of the probe for 2PFM lysosomal imaging. After the investigation of the cytotoxicity of this new probe, colocalization studies of the probe with commercial lysosomal probe Lysotracker Red in HCT 116 cells were conducted. A high colocalization coefficient (0.96) was achieved and demonstrated the specific localization of the probe in lysosomes. A figure of merit, FM, was introduced by which all fluorescent probes for 2PFM can be compared. LT1 was demonstrated to have a number of properties that far exceed those of commercial lysotracker probes, including much higher 2PA cross sections, good fluorescence quantum yield, and, importantly, high photostability, all resulting in a superior figure of merit. Consequently, 2PFM was used to demonstrate lysosomal tracking with LT1. In addition to lysosomes, it is also very significant to investigate the physiological roles of free metal ions in biological processes, especially Zn2+, because Zn2+ normally serves either as the catalytic elements in enzymatic activity centers or as structural elements in enzymes and transcription factors. However, biocompatible and effective Zn2+ probes for 2PFM bioimaging are infrequent. In Chapter III, 2PFM bioimaging with a hydrophilic 2PA Zn2+ sensing fluorescent probe, bis(1,2,3-triazolyl)fluorene derivative, is described. 2PFM bioimaging of the probe in living HeLa cancer cells was demonstrated. The results revealed a significant fluorescence increase upon introduction of Zn2+ into the cancer cells, and a reversible Zn2+ binding to the probe was also demonstrated, providing a robust probe for two-photon fluorescence zinc ion sensing. Early cancer diagnosis is another critical application for 2PFM, but there are still huge challenges for this new technique in clinical areas. Most 2PA probes with large two-photon absorbing cross sections and fluorescence quantum efficiency are synthetically more accessible in hydrophobic forms. In order to increase the efficiency of the probes and minimize the effect of the probe on the human body, delivery of the probe specifically to cancer sites is desired. The synthesis and characterization of narrow dispersity organically modified silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), diameter ~30 nm, entrapping a hydrophobic two-photon absorbing fluorenyl dye, are reported in Chapter IV. The surface of the SiNPs was functionalized with folic acid to specifically deliver the probe to folate receptor (FR) over-expressing HeLa cells, making these folate 2PA dye-doped SiNPs potential candidates as probes for two-photon fluorescence microscopy (2PFM) bioimaging. In vitro studies using FR over-expressing HeLa cells demonstrated specific cellular uptake of the functionalized nanoparticles. However, when the concentration of the dye in SiNPs increased for higher signal output, the fluorescence quantum efficiency of a probe normally decreases because of self-quenching. In Chapter V, a near-infrared (NIR) emitting probe is reported to overcome this limitation through both aggregate-enhanced fluorescence emission and aggregate enhanced two-photon absorption. The dye was encapsulated in SiNPs and the surface of the nanoparticles was functionalized with PEG followed by a folic acid derivative to specifically target folate receptors. NIR emission is important for deep tissue imaging. In vitro studies using HeLa cells that upregulate folate receptors indicated specific cellular uptake of the folic acid functionalized SiNP nanoprobe. Meanwhile, the probe was also investigated for live animal imaging by employing mice bearing HeLa tumors for in vivo studies. Ex vivo 2PFM tumor imaging was then conducted to achieve high quality 3D thick tissue tumor images.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0003640, ucf:48891
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003640

Title: Investigating the universality and comprehensive ability of measures to assess the state of workload.
Creator: Abich, Julian, Reinerman, Lauren, Lackey, Stephanie, Szalma, James, Taylor, Grant, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Measures of workload have been developed on the basis of the various definitions, some are designed to capture the multi-dimensional aspects of a unitary resource pool (Kahneman, 1973) while others are developed on the basis of multiple resource theory (Wickens, 2002). Although many theory based workload measures exist, others have often been constructed to serve the purpose of specific experimental tasks. As a result, it is likely that not every workload measure is reliable and valid for all...
Show moreMeasures of workload have been developed on the basis of the various definitions, some are designed to capture the multi-dimensional aspects of a unitary resource pool (Kahneman, 1973) while others are developed on the basis of multiple resource theory (Wickens, 2002). Although many theory based workload measures exist, others have often been constructed to serve the purpose of specific experimental tasks. As a result, it is likely that not every workload measure is reliable and valid for all tasks, much less each domain. To date, no single measure, systematically tested across experimental tasks, domains, and other measures is considered a universal measure of workload. Most researchers would argue that multiple measures from various categories should be applied to a given task to comprehensively assess workload. The goal for Study 1 to establish task load manipulations for two theoretically different tasks that induce distinct levels of workload assessed by both subjective and performance measures was successful. The results of the subjective responses support standardization and validation of the tasks and demands of that task for investigating workload. After investigating the use of subjective and objective measures of workload to identify a universal and comprehensive measure or set of measures, based on Study 2, it can only be concluded that not one or a set of measures exists. Arguably, it is not to say that one will never be conceived and developed, but at this time, one does not reside in the psychometric catalog. Instead, it appears that a more suitable approach is to customize a set of workload measures based on the task. The novel approach of assessing the sensitivity and comprehensive ability of conjointly utilizing subjective, performance, and physiological workload measures for theoretically different tasks within the same domain contributes to the theory by laying the foundation for improving methodology for researching workload. The applicable contribution of this project is a stepping-stone towards developing complex profiles of workload for use in closed-loop systems, such as human-robot team interaction. Identifying the best combination of workload measures enables human factors practitioners, trainers, and task designers to improve methodology and evaluation of system designs, training requirements, and personnel selection.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005119, ucf:50675
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005119

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