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Binary mixtures of liquids may be encountered in industrial or remote sensing scenarios and present challenges to positive identification compared to neat single-component liquids. Our investigation examines whether one can predict the optical properties of the mixture, i.e. its complex index of refraction, by assuming a linear superposition of the real and imaginary components of the index of refraction in proportion to the ratio of each constituent. To investigate this hypothesis various liquid mixtures were created using mass ratios. The mixtures were then characterized as to their complex index of refraction and used in numerical modeling calculations of thin liquid mixture films on surfaces and compared with composed mixtures using linear n and k synthetic mixtures where the n and k components of the complex index of refraction were combined in similar ratios. The comparison of modeling and experimental results is presented with recommendations for further investigation.

Knowledge of the bulk optical constants n and k of solids or liquids allows researchers to accurately predict the absorption, reflection, and scattering properties of materials for different physical forms. Indeed, chemically complex materials such as minerals can have an almost limitless variety of morphologies, particle sizes, shapes, and compositions, and the optical properties of such species can be predicted if the optical constants are known. For species such as minerals, there can be additional challenges due to e.g. hydration or dehydration during the course of the optical constants measurement. Here, we describe the protocols to obtain the bulk optical constants n and k of uranium-bearing minerals and ores such as uraninite or autunite. If quality n and k data are at hand, the (infrared) reflectance spectra can be predicted for different particle sizes and morphologies and the modeling results for various scenarios can be derived.

We present the rationale, methods, and results of modeling of thin film organic liquids on various substrates. These liquids may coat surfaces (substrates) either as a result of their production, dispersal via aerosols or spills. Identification of unknown coated surfaces using either reflectance or emittance spectroscopy cannot be accomplished simply through reference to reflectance signature libraries since neither the thickness of the liquid layer nor the substrate type is known beforehand and both contribute to the signature. Liquid spectral libraries offer the complex index of refraction (n,k) as a function of wavelength which by itself is useful only for thick (bulk) liquid layers via computation of reflectance and transmittance coefficients using the Fresnel equations. Thin liquid layers both reflect and refract incident light in combination with reflectance from the substrate. We show modeling of various organic liquids on substrates using commercial thin film design and modeling software, as well as Monte Carlo ray tracing software to demonstrate the variety of potential signatures encountered that depend on the thickness of the liquid layer as well as the characteristics of the substrate (metal or dielectric). These substrates give rise to transflectance behavior, while many dielectric substrates have rich absorption features that provide complex signatures that combine attributes of both the liquid and the substrate. Knowledge of the complex index of refraction of both target liquids and substrates is essential in order to synthesize spectra necessary in the application of target identification algorithms.

We present accurate measurements for the optical constants for a series of organic liquids, including organophosphorous compounds. Bulk liquids are rarely encountered in the environment, but more commonly are present as droplets of liquids or thin layers on various substrates. Providing reference spectra to account for the plethora of morphological conditions that may be encountered under different scenarios is a challenge. An alternative approach is to provide the complex optical constants, n and k, which can be used to model the optical phenomena in media and at interfaces, minimizing the need for a vast number of laboratory measurements. In this work, we present improved protocols for measuring the optical constants for a series of liquids that span from 7800 to 400 cm-1. The broad spectral range means that one needs to account for both strong and weak spectral features that are encountered, all of which can be useful for detection, depending on the scenario. To span this dynamic range, both long and short cells are required for accurate measurements. These protocols are presented along with experimental and modeling results for thin layers of silicone oil on aluminum.

We describe a high accuracy frequency stepping method for a tunable diode laser to improve a three dimensional (3D) imaging approach based upon interferometric speckle imaging. The approach, modeled after Takeda, exploits tuning an illumination laser in frequency as speckle interferograms of the object (specklegrams) are acquired at each frequency in a Michelson interferometer. The resulting 3D hypercube of specklegrams encode spatial information in the x-y plane of each image with laser tuning arrayed along its z-axis. The specklegrams are processed by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) along the z-axis of the hypercube and the center of the peak in the resulting power spectrum for each pixel encodes its surface height. Alternatively, Takeda’s method can be followed which uses the phase of the FFT, unwraps it, and determines the surface height encoded in the slope of a line fitted to the phase. Wraparound of modulations above the Nyquist limit results in ambiguity in the optical path difference (OPD) between test and reference surfaces. Wraparound also amplifies measurement noise caused by errors and jitter in frequency stepping the illumination laser. By locking the laser frequency to successive cavity modes of a reference confocal interferometer, tuning is precisely controlled resulting in dramatically improved imaging quality/. We present laboratory data of before and after results showing enhanced 3D imaging resulting from precise laser frequency control.

We present the design, modeling and performance of a proof-of-concept tamper indicating approach that exploits newlydeveloped subwavelength-patterned films. These films have a nanostructure-dependent resonant optical reflection that is wavelength, angle, and polarization dependent. As such, they can be tailored to fabricate overlay transparent films for tamper indication and authentication of sensitive or controlled materials not possible with currently-known technologies. An additional advantage is that the unique optical signature is dictated by the geometry and fabrication process of the nanostructures in the film, rather than on the material used. The essential structure unit in the subwavelength resonant coating is a nanoscale Open-Ring Resonator (ORR). This building block is fabricated by coating a dielectric nanoscale template with metal to form a hemispherical shell-like structure. This curved metallic shell structure has a cross-section with an intrinsic capacitance and inductance and is thus the optical equivalent to the well-known “LC” circuit where the capacitance and inductance are determined by the nanoshell dimensions. For structures with sub 100 nm scale, this resonance occurs in the visible electromagnetic spectrum, and in the IR for larger shells. Tampering of the film would be visible though misalignment of the angle-sensitive features in the film. It is additionally possible to add in intrinsic oxidation and strain sensitive matrix materials to further complicate tamper repair and counterfeiting. Cursory standoff readout would be relatively simple using a combination of a near-infrared (or visible) LED flashlight and polarizer or passively using room lighting illumination and a dispersive detector.

We present optical subwavelength nanostructure architecture suitable for standoff radiation dosimetry with remote optical readout in the visible or infrared spectral regions. To achieve this, films of subwavelength structures are fabricated over several square inches via the creation of a 2D non-close packed (NCP) array template of radiationsensitive polymeric nanoparticles, followed by magnetron sputtering of a metallic coating to form a 2D array of separated hemispherical nanoscale metallic shells. The nanoshells are highly reflective at resonance in the visible or infrared depending on design. These structures and their behavior are based on the open ring resonator (ORR) architecture and have their analog in resonant inductive-capacitive (LC) circuits, which display a resonance wavelength that is inversely proportional to the square root of the product of the inductance and capacitance. Therefore, any modification of the nanostructure material properties due to radiation alters the inductive or capacitive behavior of the subwavelength features, which in turn changes their optical properties resulting in a shift in the optical resonance. This shift in resonance may be remotely interrogated actively using either laser illumination or passively by hyperspectral or multispectral sensing with broadband illumination. These structures may be designed to be either anisotropic or isotropic, which can also offer polarization-sensitive interrogation. We present experimental measurements of a radiation induced shift in the optical resonance of a subwavelength film after exposure to an absorbed dose of gamma radiation from 2 Mrad up to 62 Mrad demonstrating the effect. Interestingly the resonance shift is non-monotonic for this material system and possible radiation damage mechanisms to the nanoparticles are discussed.

Optical imaging spectroscopy is investigated as a method to estimate radiological background by spectral identification of soils, sediments, rocks, minerals and building materials derived from natural materials and assigning tabulated radiological emission values to these ma terials. Radiological airborne surveys are undertaken by local, state and federal agencies to identify the presence of radi ological materials out of regulatory comp liance. Detection performance in such surveys is determined by (among other factors) the uncertainty in the radiation background; increased knowledge of the expected radiation background will improve the ability to detect low-activity radiological materials. Radiological background due to naturally occurring radiological materials (NORM) can be estimated by reference to previous survey results, use of global 40 K, 238 U, and 232 Th (KUT) values, reference to existing USGS radiation background maps, or by a moving average of the data as it is acquired. Each of these methods has its drawbacks: previous survey results may not include recent changes, the global average provides only a zero-order estimate, the USGS background radiation map resolutions are coarse and are accurate only to 1 km – 25 km sampling intervals depending on locale, and a moving average may essentially low pass filter the data to obscure small changes in radiation counts. Imaging spectroscopy from airborne or spaceborne platforms can offer higher resolution identification of materials and background, as well as provide imaging context information. AVIRIS hyperspectral image data is analyzed using commercial exploitation software to determine the usefulness of imaging spectroscopy to identify qualitative radiological background emissions when compared to airborne radiological survey data. Keywords: imaging spectroscopy, background radiation estimation, naturally occurring radioactive material 1. INTRODUCTION Estimation of radiological background using imaging spectroscopy may provide improved mapping and classification of the existing natural radiological backgrou nd of an airborne radiological survey area by using imaging spectroscopy data from a variety of hyperspectral or multispectral imaging platforms that exhibit much higher spatial resolution (< 30 m) than that offered by radiolog ical sensing. While the use of imaging spec troscopy is well-accepted in the earth sciences for identification of mineral resources, natural resource cataloging and abundance mapping, it has not been shown (to the best of our knowledge) that the assignment of

We present the design of an immersion-type 3D headset suitable for virtual reality applications based upon digital micromirror devices (DMD). Current methods for presenting information for virtual reality are focused on either polarizationbased modulators such as liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) devices, or miniature LCD or LED displays often using lenses to place the image at infinity. LCoS modulators are an area of active research and development, and reduce the amount of viewing light by 50% due to the use of polarization. Viewable LCD or LED screens may suffer low resolution, cause eye fatigue, and exhibit a “screen door” or pixelation effect due to the low pixel fill factor. Our approach leverages a mature technology based on silicon micro mirrors delivering 720p resolution displays in a small form-factor with high fill factor. Supporting chip sets allow rapid integration of these devices into wearable displays with high-definition resolution and low power consumption, and many of the design methods developed for DMD projector applications can be adapted to display use. Potential applications include night driving with natural depth perception, piloting of UAVs, fusion of multiple sensors for pilots, training, vision diagnostics and consumer gaming. Our design concept is described in which light from the DMD is imaged to infinity and the user’s own eye lens forms a real image on the user’s retina resulting in a virtual retinal display.

We present the design, modeling, construction, and results of a three-dimensional imager based upon multiplewavelength speckle interferometry. Speckle imaging used in non-destructive evaluation is well-known but requires a precisely acquired reference image and can measure excursions only within the 2π ambiguity range determined by the illumination wavelength. Our approach is based upon earlier efforts pioneered by Takeda, but with updated illumination, imaging, and processing tools, in which a surface under test is illuminated with tunable laser light in a Michelson interferometer configuration. A speckled image is acquired at each laser frequency step creating a data hypercube. Interference between the reference wavefront and light from the object causes the amplitude of the speckles to cycle with laser tuning. Fourier transforming the hypercube in the laser frequency dimension reveals periods that map heights of surface features. Height resolution is determined by the maximum tuning range of the laser, which for our 16-nm tuning range provides approximately 18 micron resolution without any efforts at interpolation. The largest height without wraparound depends on the smallest tuning steps, which for our laser is 15 cm for 0.002 nm (1 GHz) tuning steps. In this way, objects with large discontinuous steps or holes can be imaged without confusion. Also, due to the illumination beam being normal to the surface under test, shadowing is eliminated. To inform our design and better understand our system’s limitations, we have developed extensive numerical models based upon Monte Carlo ray tracing in which speckle patterns are produced after scattering from model surfaces by coherent summing of rays at the detector plane. Data acquired by the system as well as modeling results will be shown.

We describe the design and phenomenology imaging results of a fully polarimetric W-band millimeter wave (MMW) radiometer developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for wide-area search. Operating from 92–94 GHz, the W-band radiometer employs a Dicke switching heterodyne design isolating the horizontal and vertical mm-wave components with 40 dB of polarization isolation. Design results are presented for both infinite conjugate off-axis parabolic and finite conjugate off-axis elliptical fore-optics using optical ray tracing and diffraction calculations. The received linear polarizations are down-converted to a microwave frequency band and recombined in a phase-shifting network to produce all six orthogonal polarization states of light simultaneously, which are used to calculate the Stokes parameters for display and analysis. The resulting system performance produces a heterodyne receiver noise equivalent delta temperature (NEDT) of less than 150m Kelvin. The radiometer provides novel imaging capability by producing all four of the Stokes parameters of light, which are used to create imagery based on the polarization states associated with unique scattering geometries and their interaction with the down welling MMW energy. The polarization states can be exploited in such a way that man-made objects can be located and highlighted in a cluttered scene using methods such as image comparison, color encoding of Stokes parameters, multivariate image analysis, and image fusion with visible and infrared imagery. We also present initial results using a differential imaging approach used to highlight polarization features and reduce common-mode noise. Persistent monitoring of a scene using the polarimetric passive mm-wave technique shows great promise for anomaly detection caused by human activity.

We present a novel architecture based upon a Dicke-switched heterodyne radiometer architecture employing two identical input sections consisting of horn and orthomode transducer to detect the difference between the horizontal ( H) and vertical (V) polarization states of two separate object patches imaged by the radiometer. We have constructed and described previously a fully polarimetric W-band passive millimeter wave imager constructed to study the phenomenology of anomaly detection using polarimetric image exploitation of the Stokes images. The heterodyne radiometer used a PIN diode switch between the input millimeter wave energy and that of a reference load in order to eliminate the effects of component drifts and to reduce the effects of 1/f noise. The differential approach differs from our previous work by comparing H and V polarization states detected by each of two input horns instead of a reference load to form signals ' H and ' V from adjacent paired object patches. This novel imaging approach reduces common mode noise and enhances detection of small changes between the H and V polarization states of two object patches, now given as difference terms of the fully polarimetric radiometer. We present the theory of operation, initial proof of concept experimental results, and extension of the differential radiometer to a system with a binocular fore optics that allow adjustment of the convergence or shear of the object patches as viewed by the differential polarimetric imager. Keywords: passive millimeter wave imager, differential millimete r wave imager, polarimetric millimeter wave imager

We present a novel subwavelength nanostructure architecture that may be utilized for optical standoff sensing applications. The subwavelength structures are fabricated via a combination of nanoimprint lithography and metal sputtering to create metallic nanostructured films encased within a transparent media. The structures are based on the open ring resonator (ORR) architecture which has a characteristic resonance frequency. Any perturbation of the nanostructured films due to chemical or environmental effects can shift the resonant frequency and provide an indication of the external stimulus. This shift in resonance can be interrogated remotely either actively using either laser illumination or passively using hyperspectral or multispectral sensing. These structures may be designed to be either anisotropic or isotropic, which can also provide polarization-sensitive interrogation. Due to the nanometer scale of the structures, they can be tailored to be optically responsive in the visible or near infrared spectrum with a highly reflective resonant peak that is dependent solely on structural dimensions and material characteristics. We present experimental measurements of the optical response of these structures as a function of wavelength, polarization, and incident angle demonstrating the resonant effect in the near infrared region. Numerical modeling data showing the effect of different fabrication parameters such as structure parameters are also discussed.

We present the burn-in behavior and power stability of multiple quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) that were measured to investigate their long-term performance. For these experiments, the current to the QCL was cycled every ten minutes, and the output power was monitored over time for durations as long as two months. A small increase in power for a given injection current is observed for almost all of the QCLs tested during the burn-in period. Although the amount and duration of the burn-in varied among the devices tested, we observed that QCLs that operated with a lower threshold current exhibited a smaller burn-in change from initial conditions for the first ten hours of operation. This correlation, however, disappeared at longer operation times. The effect of packaging the QCLs is also investigated to determine its impact on performance and reliability. The power stability is measured for the packaged QCLs along with changes in the operational conditions. Although the temperature of the QCL is kept constant with a thermistor and thermoelectric cooler (TEC) inside the package, the case temperature is varied to monitor its correlation with any changes in power or frequency. Power changes and small frequency shifts are observed under these conditions. One possible explanation for these changes is the influence of optical feedback from the anti-reflection (AR) coated window in the package. The data from all of these experiments is presented.

Accurate and calibrated diffuse reflectance spectra libraries of solids are becoming more important for hyperspectral and multispectral remote sensing exploitation. Many solids are in the form of powders or granules and in order to measure their diffuse reflectance spectra in the laboratory, it is often necessary to place the samples behind a transparent medium such as glass or quartz for the ultraviolet (UV), visible or near-infrared spectral regions to prevent their unwanted dispersal into the instrument or laboratory environment. Using both experimental and theoretical methods we have found that for the case of fused quartz this leads to an intensity offset in the reflectance values. Although expected dispersive effects were observed for the fused quartz window in the UV, the measured hemispherical reflectance values are predominantly vertically shifted by the reflectance from the air-quartz and sample-quartz interfaces with intensity dependent offsets leading to measured values up to ∼6% too high for a 2% reflectance surface, ∼3.8% too high for 10% reflecting materials, approximately correct (to within experimental error) for 40% to 60% diffuse reflecting surfaces, and ∼2% too low for 99% reflecting Spectralon surfaces. For the diffuse reflectance case, the measured values are uniformly too low due to the glass, with differences nearly 6% too high for reflectance values approaching 99%. The deviations arise from the added reflections from the quartz surfaces as verified by theory, modeling and experiment. Empirical correction factors were implemented into post-processing software to redress the artifact for hemispherical and diffuse reflectance data across the 300 nm to 2300 nm range.

We will report here on the design and realization of optoacoustic sensors based on an external cavity QCL laser source emitting at 10,54 μm, fiber-coupled with a QEPAS spectrophone module. SF 6 has been selected as the target gas. Single mode laser delivery through the prongs of the quartz tuning fork has been realized using a hollow waveguide fiber with internal core size of 300 μm. The achieved sensitivity of the system was 50 part per trillion in 1 s corresponding to a record for QEPAS normalized noise-equivalent absorption of 2,7•10 -10 W•cm -1 •Hz- 1/2 .

As millimeter-wave arrays become available, off-axis imaging performance of the fore optics increases in importance due to the relatively large physical extent of the arrays. Typically, simple optical telescope designs are adapted to millimeter-wave imaging but single-mirror spherical or classic conic designs cannot deliver adequate image quality except near the optical axis. Since millimeter-wave designs are quasi-optical, optical ray tracing and commercial design software can be used to optimize designs to improve off-axis imaging as well as minimize cross-polarization. Methods that obey the Dragone-Mizuguchi condition for the design of reflective millimeter-wave telescopes with low cross-polarization also provide additional degrees of freedom that offer larger fields of view than possible with single-reflector designs. Dragone's graphical design method does not lend itself readily to computer-based optical design approaches, but subsequent authors expanded on Dragone's geometric design approach with analytic expressions that describe the location, shape, off-axis height and tilt of the telescope elements that satisfy Dragone's design rules and can be used as a first-order design for subsequent computer-based design and optimization. We investigate two design variants that obey the Dragone-Mizuguchi conditions that exhibit ultra-low cross-polarization and a large diffraction-limited field of view well suited to millimeter-wave imaging arrays.

Reliable active and passive hyperspectral imaging and detection of explosives and solid-phase chemical residue on surfaces remains a challenge and an active area of research. Both methods rely on reference libraries for material identification, but in many cases the reference spectra are either not available or do not sufficiently resemble the instrumental signals of light reflected, scattered, or emitted from real-world objects. We describe a physics-based model using the complex dielectric constant to explain what is often thought of as anomalous behavior of scattered or nonspecular signatures encountered in active and passive sensing of explosives or chemicals on surfaces and show modeling and experimental results for RDX.

Millimeter-wave (mm-wave) imaging is rapidly gaining acceptance as a security tool to augment conventional metal detectors and baggage x-ray systems for passenger screening at airports and other secured facilities. This acceptance indicates that the technology has matured; however, many potential improvements can yet be realized. The authors have developed a number of techniques over the last several years including novel image reconstruction and display techniques, polarimetric imaging techniques, array switching schemes, and high-frequency high-bandwidth techniques. All of these may improve the performance of new systems; however, some of these techniques will increase the cost and complexity of the mm-wave security portal imaging systems. Reducing this cost may require the development of novel array designs. In particular, RF photonic methods may provide new solutions to the design and development of the sequentially switched linear mm-wave arrays that are the key element in the mm-wave portal imaging systems. Highfrequency, high-bandwidth designs are difficult to achieve with conventional mm-wave electronic devices, and RF photonic devices may be a practical alternative. In this paper, the mm-wave imaging techniques developed at PNNL are reviewed and the potential for implementing RF photonic mm-wave array designs is explored.

We present the theory, design, and experimental results obtained from a scanning passive W-band fully polarimetric imager. Passive millimeter-wave imaging offers persistent day/nighttime imaging and the ability to penetrate dust, clouds and other obscurants, including clothing and dry soil. The single-pixel scanning imager includes both far-field and near-field fore-optics for investigation of polarization phenomena. Using both fore-optics, a variety of scenes including natural and man-made objects was imaged and these results are presented showing the utility of polarimetric imaging for anomaly detection. Analysis includes conventional Stokes-parameter based approaches as well as multivariate image analysis methods.

A multi-channel laser-based chemical sensor platform is presented, in which a modular architecture allows the exchange of complete sensor channels without disruption to overall operation. Each sensor channel contains custom optical and electronics packages, which can be selected to access laser wavelengths, interaction path lengths and modulation techniques optimal for a given application or mission. Although intended primarily to accommodate mid-infrared external cavity quantum cascade lasers and astigmatic Herriott cells, channels using visible or near infrared lasers or other gas cell architectures can also be used, making this a truly versatile platform. Analog and digital resources have been carefully chosen to facilitate small footprint, rapid spectral scanning, low-noise signal recovery, fail-safe autonomous operation, and in-situ chemometric data analysis, storage and transmission. Results from the demonstration of a two-channel version of this platform are also presented.

Using infrared hyperspectral imaging, we demonstrate microscopy of small particles of the explosives compounds RDX, tetryl, and PETN with near diffraction-limited performance. The custom microscope apparatus includes an external cavity quantum cascade laser illuminator scanned over its tuning range of 9.13-10.53 μm in four seconds, coupled with a microbolometer focal plane array to record infrared transmission images. We use the hyperspectral microscopy technique to study the infrared absorption spectra of individual explosives particles, and demonstrate sub-nanogram detection limits.

We present a study of the spectral and angular dependence of the diffuse scatter of mid-infrared (MIR) laser light from explosives residues on surfaces. Experiments were performed using an external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL) tunable between 7 and 8 μm (1270 to 1400 cm-1) for surface illumination. A mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector was used to detect backscattered spectra as a function of surface angle at a 2 meter standoff. A ferroelectric focal plane array was used to build hyperspectral images at a 0.5 meter standoff. Residues of RDX, tetryl, and TNT were investigated on surfaces including a painted car door for angles between zero (specular) and 50 degrees. We observe spectral signatures of the explosives in the diffuse scattering geometry which differ significantly from those observed in transmission geometries. Characterization of the scattered light spectra of explosives on surfaces will be essential for understanding the performance of standoff explosives detection instruments and developing robust spectral analysis techniques.

We describe the use of a wind tunnel for conducting controlled passive hyperspectral imaging experiments. In recent years, passive hyperspectral detection of solids, minerals and ores has emerged as a very useful technique, for example for classifying land types, mineral deposits, and agricultural practices. Such techniques are also potentially useful for detecting explosives, solid-phase chemicals and other materials of interest from a distance so as to provide operator safety. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory operates a wind tunnel facility that can generate and circulate artificial atmospheres whereby certain environmental parameters can be controlled such as lighting, humidity, temperature, aerosol and obscurant burdens. By selecting the appropriate fore-optics and sample size, one can conduct meaningful experiments under controlled conditions at relatively low cost when compared to typical field deployments. We will present recent results describing optimized sensing of solids over tens of meters distance using both visible and near-infrared cameras, as well as the effects of certain environmental parameters on data retrieval.

We present experimental results obtained from a scanning passive W-band fully polarimetric imager. Passive millimeter wave imaging offers persistent day/nighttime imaging and the ability to penetrate dust, clouds and other obscurants, as well as thin layers of clothing and even dry soil. The selection of the W-band atmospheric window at 94 GHz offers a compromise as there is sufficient angular resolution for imaging applications using modestly-sized reflectors appropriate for mobile as well as fixed location applications. The imager is based upon an F/2.1 off-axis parabolic reflector that exhibits -34 dB of cross polarization suppression. The heterodyne radiometer produces a 6 GHz IF with 4 GHz of bandwidth resulting in an NEDT of < 200 mK. Polarimetric imaging reveals the presence of man-made objects due to their typically anisotropic nature and the interaction of these objects with incident millimeter wave radiation. The phenomenology studies were undertaken to determine the richest polarimetric signals to use for exploitation. In addition to a conventional approach to polarimetric image analysis in which the Stokes I, Q, U, and V images were formed and displayed, we present an alternative method for polarimetric image exploitation based upon multivariate image analysis (MIA). MIA uses principal component analysis (PCA) and 2D scatter or score plots to identify various pixel classes in the image compared with the more conventional scene-based image analysis approaches. Multivariate image decomposition provides a window into the complementary interplay between spatial and statistical correlations contained in the data.

We describe the development and testing of hollow core glass waveguides (i.e., fiber optics) for use in Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) and Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) spectroscopy systems. Spectroscopy measurements in these wavelength regions (i.e., from 3 to 14 µm) are useful for detecting trace chemical compounds for a variety of security and defense related applications, and fiber optics are a key enabling technology needed to improve the utility and effectiveness of detection and calibration systems. Hollow glass fibers have the advantage over solid-core fibers (e.g., chalcogenide) in that they are less fragile, do not produce cladding modes, do not require angle cleaving or antireflection coatings to minimize laser feedback effects, and effectively transmit deeper into the infrared. This paper focuses on recent developments in hollow fiber technology geared specifically for infrared spectroscopy, including single mode beam delivery with relatively low bending loss. Results are presented from tests conducted using both Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) and CO2 lasers operating in the LWIR wavelength regime. Single-mode waveguides are shown to effectively deliver beams with relatively low loss (~ 1 dB/m) and relatively high beam quality. The fibers are also shown to effectively mode-filter the “raw” multi-mode output from a QCL, in effect damping out the higher order modes to produce a circularly symmetric Gaussian-like beam profile.

There is an ever-increasing need to be able to detect the presence of explosives, preferably from standoff distances of tens of meters. This paper presents an application of visible hyperspectral imaging using anomaly, polarization, and spectral identification approaches for the standoff detection (13 meters) of nitroaromatic explosives on realistic painted surfaces based upon the colorimetric differences between tetryl and TNT which are enhanced by solar irradiation.

In the astrophysical context of the search for Earth-like extrasolar planets, an important research effort has been done for the realization of single-mode integrated optics devices for mid-infrared space-based interferometry. Preparatory projects like FKSI [3], where rejection of high order modes is required to a level better than 40dB, will need photonic devices that achieve modal filtering and beam combination in the mid-IR band. In this context, we present results on midinfrared planar integrated optic beam combiners characterized at LAOG using chalcogenide and silver halide materials. We show results on FTS measurements, allowing to determine the single mode spectral domain, as well as interference fringes obtained from Y-junctions realized on these materials.

Stand-off detection of hazardous materials ensures that the responder is located at a safe distance from the suspected source. Remote detection and identification of hazardous materials can be accomplished using a highly sensitive and portable device, at significant distances downwind from the source or the threat. Optical sensing methods, in particular infrared absorption spectroscopy combined with quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), are highly suited for the detection of chemical substances since they enable rapid detection and are amenable for autonomous operation in a compact and rugged package. This talk will discuss the sensor systems developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and will discuss the progress to reduce the size and power while maintaining sensitivity to enable stand-off detection of multiple chemicals.

We describe experimental results on the detection of explosives residues with active hyperspectral imaging by illumination of the target surface using an external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL) and imaging using an uncooled microbolometer camera. Explosives have rich absorption features in the molecular fingerprint region that spans 1500 to 500 wavenumbers and is easily probed by the wavelength range of quantum cascade lasers (QCL), which can be fabricated to emit from 3300 to 400 wavenumbers. Our laboratory-built ECQCL consists of a Fabry-Perot laser with anti-reflection coated front facet that is arranged in a Littman-Metcalf configuration. The ECQCL was operated quasi-CW with a 100 kHz repetition rate, 50% duty cycle drive signal and tuning range from 1102.95 to 983.8 wavenumbers. The active hyperspectral imaging technique forms an image hypercube by recording one image for each tuning step of the ECQCL. For the experiments reported here, each wavelength band was 2 wavenumbers wide and 60 bands of image data were acquired in 2 seconds. The resulting hyperspectral image contains the full absorption spectrum produced by the illumination laser at each pixel in the image which can then be used to identify the explosive type and relative quantity using the rich library of spectral identification approaches developed initially in the remote sensing community. These techniques include spectral feature fitting, matched filtering, and mixture tuned matched filtering. Mixtures of materials can be evaluated using linear spectral unmixing approaches and matched filtering or mixture tuned matched filtering. We provide examples of these methods using ENVI, a commercial spectral image processing software package.

We describe the performance of a sensor system designed for simultaneous detection of multiple chemicals with both broad and narrow absorption features. The sensor system consists of a broadly tunable external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL), multi-pass Herriott cell, and custom low-noise electronics. The ECQCL features a fast wavelength tuning rate of 2265 cm-1/s (15660 nm/s) over the range of 1150-1270 cm-1 (7.87-8.70 μm), which permits detection of molecules with broad absorption features and dynamic concentrations, while the 0.2 cm-1 spectral resolution of the ECQCL system allows measurement of small molecules with atmospherically broadened absorption lines. High-speed amplitude modulation and low-noise electronics are used to improve the ECQCL performance for direct absorption measurements. We demonstrate simultaneous detection of Freon-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), ammonia (NH3), and nitrous oxide (N2O) at low-ppb concentrations in field measurements of atmospheric chemical releases from a point source.

Chalcogenide fibers display a wide transmission window ranging from 2-10.6 μm, ideally suited to the development of passive and active mid-infrared (MIR) sensors. They are essential building blocks for the integration and miniaturization of laser-based MIR optical systems for terrestrial, airborne and space-based sensing platforms. Single-mode chalcogenide fibers have only recently become commercially available and therefore performance data and standard reproducible processing techniques have not been widely reported. In this paper we present a method for producing high quality cleaved facets on commercial single-mode As-Se fibers with core and cladding diameters of 28μm and 170μm respectively. The emitted beam profile from these fibers, using the 9.4μm line of a tunable CO2 laser, showed the presence of leaky cladding modes due to waveguiding conditions created by the protective acrylate jacket. These undesirable cladding modes were easily suppressed by applying a gallium coating on the cladding near both input and output facets. We provide experimental data showing efficient mode suppression and the emission of a circular nearperfect Gaussian beam profile from the fiber. Furthermore, analyses of the beam, acquired by scanning an HgCdTe detector, yielded a 1/e2 numerical aperture of 0.11 with a full width half maximum divergence of 11° for these fibers. The availability of single-mode MIR fibers, in conjunction with recent advances in room temperature quantum cascade lasers (QCL), could provide compact and light-weight transmitter solutions for several critical defense and nuclear nonproliferation needs.

Few cost-effective methods exist for measuring the wave fron t of mid- and long-wave infrared beams that span 3-5 and 8-12 P m, respectively. One obvious need within the infrared laser community is the ability to measure the degree of collimation of an infrared laser beam, e.g. that formed by a beam expanding telescope used with a CO 2 laser or a system of lenses used to collimate a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL). An ideal approach for this type of metrology is the use of a lateral shearing interferometer (LSI). An LSI uses various methods to displace (“shear”) a beam with respect to itself to create an interferogram that can subsequently be used for diagno sing the wavefront quality of the beam. Since this type of interferometer is of the common path variety, it is inse nsitive to vibration making it ideal for field applications, where vibration isolation may neither be possibl e nor practical. In this paper we present and demonstrate, through laboratory measurements and computer ray tracing simulations, a low-cost LSI using a single commercial off-the-shelf uncoated ZnSe window in conjunction with an infrared camera. This plane parallel plate LSI configuration was used to interactively collimate a LWIR beam and also provide quantitative transmitted wavefront error data using static fringe analysis software. We also present a self-contained review of the theory of lateral shearing interferometry, including the necessary design equations as applicable to this LSI configuration, to enable researchers to construct a similar beam diagnostic shearing interferometer from readily available components. Keywords: Interferometry, lateral shearing interferometry, laser beam metrology

In this paper we present design considerations, thermal and optical modeling results, and device performance for a ruggedized, compact laser transmitter that utilizes a room temperature quantum cascade (QC) laser source. The QC laser transmitter is intended for portable mid-infrared spectroscopy applications, where the 3 to 5 μm and 8 to 12 μm atmospheric transmission window is relatively free of water vapor interference and where the molecular rotational vibration absorption features can be used to detect and uniquely identify chemical compounds of interest. Initial QC laser-based sensor development efforts were constrained by the complications of cryogenic operation. However, improvements in both QC laser designs and fabrication processes have provided room-temperature devices that now enable significant miniaturization and integration potential for national security, environmental monitoring, atmospheric science, and industrial safety applications.

Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) are a new class of solid-state lasers capable of delivering mid-infrared (mid-IR) radiation wavelengths from 3.5 μm to 25 μm. QCLs are finding extensive use in chemical sensing applications due to the abundance of absorption features in the molecular fingerprint region spanned by these sources. They are also being exploited in the field of electro-optical infrared countermeasures. QCL devices exhibit an elliptical emission profile that is highly divergent in the fast axis of the laser waveguide. The far-field profile of the QCL emission, 62° and 32° ± 2° for the fast and slow axes, respectively, places stringent demands on the design of efficient collimation lenses. Because of the current lack of commercially available mid-IR optical components, QCL users must design and fabricate custom micro-optics to efficiently collect, collimate, and focus the QCL emission. In this paper, we report the design, fabrication, and characterization of germanium aspheric collimating and focusing optics designed for mid-IR Fabry-Perot QCLs with an emission wavelength of 8.77 μm. Custom aspheric collimating and focusing lenses with a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.85 and 0.20, respectively, were designed and fabricated using single-point diamond turning. Measurements of the transmitted wavefront error at mid-IR wavelengths showed diffraction-limited performance with Strehl ratios >0.94 and >0.99 for the collimation and focusing lenses, respectively. A beam propagation figure of merit (M 2 ) of 1.8 and 1.2 was measured for the fast and slow axes, respectively, of a Fabry-Perot QCL using a confocal optical system comprised of these lenses.

We report our progress on the design, modeling, and fabrication of a step-index miniature spherical retroreflector for use in the mid- and long-wave infrared region (3 μm-12 μm). Efficient retroreflectors with large acceptance angles and isotropic performance have several defense applications - for instance, target tracking and monostatic LIDAR. The ideal isotropic spherical retroreflector is epitomized by the spherical Luneburg lens, which brings a collimated beam to a perfect focus on the rear surface of the sphere due to its gradient index profile and spherical symmetry. The ideal Luneburg lens' gradient profile, however, must have an index value equal to that of the immersion medium at its boundaries; therefore, rendering its fabrication infeasible for applications in air. Although spherical gradient index designs can provide a good approximation of the Luneburg lens, as of now there have been no demonstrated methods of fabricating such lenses, especially for mid- and long-wave infrared applications. Consequently, we have designed a retroreflector with a step-index approximation to a spherical gradient index design with comparable optical performance to the spherical gradient index ideal. This retroreflector design can be fabricated by molding a higher index chalcogenide glass shell as a cladding layer over a lower index core such as ZnS using glass compression molding.

We present experimental results showing transmission and reflection imaging of approximately 100 µg quantities of particulate explosives residue using a commercial uncooled microbolometer infrared camera and CO 2 laser differential wavelength illumination. Fine particulates may be generated during bomb-making activities and these particulates can tenaciously adhere to packing material, as well as to the clothing or skin of the bomb maker and could be detectable during transportation. A rapid screening method that detects this residue can serve as a first-line screening method in conjunction with more sensitive, but invasive, approaches. Explosives exhibit absorption features in the mid-infrared molecular fingerprint region that spans 3 to 15 µm, which can be probed with many high-brightness sources such as fixed wavelength and tunable quantum cascade lasers, CO 2 , CO, and OPO lasers. Commercial uncooled microbolometer cameras typically have detection sensitivity from 7.5 to 13 µm, spanning an absorption region for explosives detection with adequate signal-to-noise ratio. By illuminating a target on and off its absorption wavelengths, ratio images of suspected residue can be obtained without any sample preparation or cooperation and contact with the target. Our proof-of-principle experiment employed tunable CO

Recent combinations of diffractive and refractive functions in the same optical component allow designers additional opportunities to make systems more compact and enhance performance. This paper describes a research program for fabricating hybrid refractive/diffractive components from diamond-turned molds using the bulk casting of sol-gel silica glass. The authors use the complementary dispersive nature of refractive and diffractive optics to render two-color correction in a single hybrid optical element. Since diamond turning has matured as a deterministic manufacturing technology, techniques previously suitable only in the infrared are now being applied to components used at visible wavelengths. Thus, the marriage of diamond turning and sol-gel processes offers a cost-effective method for producing highly customized and specialized optical components in high quality silica glass. With the sol-gel casting method of replication, diamond-turned mold costs can be shared over many pieces. Diamond turning takes advantage of all of the available degrees of freedom in a single hybrid optical element: aspheric surface to eliminate spherical aberration, kinoform surface for control of primary chromatic aberration, and the flexibility to place the kinoform on non-planar surfaces for maximum design flexibility. The authors discuss the critical issues involved in designing the hybrid element, single point diamond-turning the mold, and fabrication in glass using the sol-gel process.

A commonly used tracking method on pre-grooved magneto-optical (MO) media is the push-pull technique, and the astigmatic method is a popular focus-error detection approach. These two methods are analyzed using DIFFRACT, a general-purpose scalar diffraction modeling program, to observe the effects on the error signals due to focusing lens misalignment, Seidel aberrations, and optical crosstalk (feedthrough) between the focusing and tracking servos. Using the results of the astigmatic/push-pull system as a basis for comparison, a novel focus/track-error detection technique that utilizes a ring toric lens is evaluated as well as the obscuration method (focus error detection only).