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The reliable generation of true single-photon wavepackets with well-defined modal structure is a crucial ingredient for the realization of linear optical quantum computing. In this paper we present experimental results indicating the efficient generation of conditionally prepared single photons from parametric downconversion in a KTP nonlinear waveguide. In addition we present, theoretically and experimentally, a novel criterion for the assessment of conditional single photon sources which takes into account the contributions of heralded vacuum due to optical losses, of higher photon numbers and of the binary response of typical single photon detectors. Utilizing this criterion, we show that our KTP nonlinear waveguide represents a high fidelity source of conditionally prepared single photons.

In this paper we review the fabrication and characterisation techniques of m icrostructured optical fibre (M OF) tapers, their fundam ental waveguiding properties and potential applications. W e fabricate photonic crystal fibre tapers without collapsing the air-holes, and confirm this along the taper with a non-invasive probing technique. We then describe the fundam ental property of such tapers associated with the leakage of the core m ode that leads to long wavelength loss. We also revisit the waveguiding properties in another form of tapered MOF photonic wires, which transition through waveguiding regimes associated with how strongly the mode is isolated from the external environment. We explore these regimes as a potential basis for evanescent field sensing applications, in which we can take advantage of controlled airhole collapse as an extra dimension to these photonic wires.

The emergence of vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and photo diode (PD) arrays has given scope for the development of many applications such as high speed data communication. Further increase in performance can be obtained by the inclusion of micro-mirrors and microlens in the optical path between these components. However, the lack of efficient assembly and alignment techniques has become bottlenecks for new products. In this paper, we present development of optical sub-assembly and metallic MEMS structures that enable in the massively parallel assembly and alignment of these components to form a single miniature package. VCSEL wafer was processed to have polymer pedestal and polymeric lens on top of it. Such optical sub assembly greatly increases coupling efficiency between the VCSEL and optical fibers. Multiple numbers of suspended MEMS serpentine springs made out of electroplated nickel have been fabricated on ceramic substrates. These springs serve for clamping and alignment of multiple numbers of optoelectronic components. They are designed to be self-aligning with alignment accuracies of less than 3 micron after final assembly. Electrical connection between the bond pads of VCSEL's and PD's to the electrical leads on the substrate has been demonstrated by molten solder inkjet printing into precisely designed MEMS mold structures. This novel massively parallel assembly process is substrate independent and relatively simple process. This technique will provide reliable assembly of optoelectronic components and miniature optical systems in low cost mass production manner.

In this paper we present our work analysing electroencephalographic (EEG) signals for the detection of seizure precursors in epilepsy. Volterra-systems and Cellular Nonlinear Networks are considered for a multidimensional signal analysis which is called the feature extraction problem throughout this contribution. Recent results obtained by applying a pattern detection algorithm and a nonlinear prediction of brain electrical activity will be discussed in detail. The aim of this interdisciplinary project is the realization of an implantable seizure warning and preventing system.

Today's design-manufacturing interface lacks essential mechanisms to link disparate disciplines and tool sets. In this paper, we describe three specific mechanisms for improving OPC quality via interactions within the design-to-manufacturing flow. Our studies of these improvements have yielded promising results.

Semiconductor devices are making important role in our life. Many semiconductor chips will be used to every thing, and we will receive the various services anywhere anytime through a digital network. There are so many applications using semiconductor products that support such a ubiquitous era, and it is expected that mobile, automobile and PC/AV applications will have the great growth from now on. In this paper, we describe the lithography technology trend and requirements for mask technology from the view point of SOC and FLASH memory trend. From the device development trend, it is expected that FLASH memory become driving force of lithography technology. To realize hp45nm node and beyond, the installation of hyper-NA ArF-immersion tools with low-k1 technique is the key issue. With this, DFM (Design For Manufacturability) is the key technology and a continuous approach of systematic DFM technique is important in order to reduce chip cost. Also, Mask DFM is needed to realize cost-effective low-k1 process and it drives reasonable mask cost and TAT. In order to reduce mask cost in device development and small volume production, we expect greatly that maskless lithography (ML2) become a leading tool in lithography.

Optical methods continue to play significant roles in medical and biological research. In recent times cell and tissue engineering have emerged rapidly and are now well recognised as important multi-disciplinary endeavours within the medical and biological spheres. This paper describes applications of optical science and technology in cell and tissue engineering, ranging from the basic visualization of organeeles, cells and tissues through to probing the structure and function of cells and tissues being cultured in bioreactors. The development of tissue engineering for the fabrication of cell-based systems, for example for the repair or replacement of damaged or diseased tissues and organs, is first described. Then, interactions of light propagating through cells and tissues are considered, both theoretically and practically, as a prelude to the description of means for optical interrogation. Scattering and absorption of light by cells and tissues is shown to provide useful opportunities for measurement, for example via spectrophotometric analysis or small angle light scattering. Optical sensors for chemical analysis based on immobilised fluorophores and chromophores are also presented, these being particularly useful in bioreactors. In this application the continuous monitoring of a variety of chemical and physical variables may lead to optimised cell and tissue culture.

Polarized light imaging offers potential for characterizing superficial tissue such as the skin. Its simplicity means that if the technique can be demonstrated to provide effective results, it should find widespread use in clinical practice. This paper briefly describes the Monte Carlo simulations and the instrument developed by our group. Details are also provided of a look-up table approach to extract the optical coefficients of a layered medium.

In this paper an attempt ofNIR analysis to measure the milk constituents is introduced. In milk, light is absorbed and scattered simultaneously. The concentrations of each component no longer have linear relationship to the absorbency, but proportional to the absorption coefficient and scattering coefficient. It is necessary to separate the effect of absorption and scattering. Compare with the widely used NIR method, we do not calibrate the prediction model by diffuse reflectance. The calibration is composed by two steps. Firstly, the optical parameters are measured by double integrating sphere; secondly, calibration is made by optical parameters. Concentration of protein and fat are within reasonable range. Fifty samples are acquired for calibration. The experimental result shows a higher prediction accuracy of protein than the intensity calibration method, and a comparable accuracy of fat.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The measurement accuracy of an interferometric optical test is generally limited by the environment. This paper discusses two single-shot interferometric techniques for reducing the sensitivity of an optical test to vibration; simultaneous phase-shifting interferometry and a special form of spatial carrier interferometry utilizing a micropolarizer phase-shifting array. In both techniques averaging can be used to reduce the effects of turbulence and the normal double frequency errors generally associated with phase-shifting interferometry.

This paper reports measurement results and some design details of railway measurement systems based on optical principles. The quality of railway lines is crucial for reliability and safety and therefore to be controlled regularly. Special measuring vehicles operate permanently on all railway lines, even during regular traffic situations. Therefore the measurement systems used to record the data have to be fast enough even at high speeds and robust enough to provide reliable data under almost any environmental conditions. The application of optical methods is advantageous concerning accuracy and speed but of course limited by external influences. We report here measures enabling even a sensitive optical measurement principle, the phase measurement technique, to be applied under these harsh environmental conditions. Exemplarily the optical and mechanical design of a clearance profile scanner is described. It is shown how to make the sensor insensitive against environmental conditions like contamination by dust or water or temperature changes. Measurement results of this scanner and of another system to measure the position of the contact wire are presented.

This paper discusses the optics content of the UK A level Advancing Physics course. Some of the novel teaching approaches are presented as well as a teaching sequence. Computer animations and lab work will be demonstrated in the main talk.

The 3rd generation of infrared (IR) detection modules is expected to provide advanced features like higher resolution 1024x1024 or 1280x720 pixels and/or new functions like multicolor or multi band capability, higher frame rates and better thermal resolution. This paper is intended to present the current status at AIM on quantum well (QWIP) and antimonide superlattices (SL) detection modules for ground and airborne applications in the high performance range. For spectral selective detection, a QWIP detector combining 3-5μm (MWIR) and 8-10μm (LWIR) detection in each pixel with coincident integration has been developed in a 384x288x2 format with 40 μm pitch. Excellent thermal resolution with NETD < 30mK @ F/2, 6.8 ms for both peak wavelengths (4.8 μm and 8.0 μm) has been achieved. Thanks to the well established QWIP technology, the pixel outage rates even in these complex structures are below 0.5% in both bands. QWIP dual band or dual color detectors provide good resolution as long as integration times in the order of 5-10ms can be tolerated. This is acceptable for all applications where no fast motions of the platform or the targets are to be expected. For rapidly changing scenes-like e.g. in case of missile warning applications for airborne platforms-a material system with higher quantum efficiency is required to limit integration times to typically 1ms. AIM and IAF selected antimonide based type II superlattices (SL) for such kind of applications. The SL technology provides-similar to QWIP's-an accurate engineering of sensitive layers by MBE with very good homogeneity and yield. While promising results on single SL pixels have been reported since many years, so far no SL based detection module could be realized. IAF and AIM last year managed to realize first most promising SL based detectors. Fully integrated IDCA's with a MWIR SL device with 256x256 pixels in 40´m pitch have been integrated and tested. The modules exhibit excellent thermal resolution of NETD

Missile Defense Agency/Advanced Systems, in partnership with both EUTECUS/University of Notre Dame (UND) and ITN Energy Systems/University of Central Florida (UCF) has embarked on developing a multispectral imaging IR sensor. This technology, when matured, could revolutionize IR sensor technology by reducing the need for cooling, eliminating lattice matching and avoiding epitaxial fabrication processes. This paper describes the approaches employed by both EUTECUS/UND and ITN/UCF teams to integrate nano-antenna technology with the existing cellular neural network (CNN) processor to produce multispectral IR sensors. This effort is a leap into the performance realm where biological systems operate.

Great incentive exists for the development of infrared detectors that can operate without cooling near the limit of photon or thermal fluctuations. Great progress has been made in past 30 years developing uncooled thermal detectors that now provide enough sensitivity for many routine infrared imaging needs, albeit with relatively slow response times. Even now, however, the sensitivity of uncooled thermal detectors is 3-15× less sensitive than the ideal characteristics predict. In this paper we first examine the current status of uncooled thermal detectors to understand the limiting mechanisms which appear to be 1/f noise and system noise. Approaches for developing uncooled or minimally-cooled photon detectors are then reviewed. A modification of one current approach, bias extraction of minority carriers, is suggested involving photo-JFETs rather than photodiodes. It appears that the most promising prospect for uncooled or minimally-cooled photon detectors is in the MWIR spectral region.

The demand continues to grow for small, compact imaging sensors, which include new capabilities, such as response in multiple spectral bands, increased sensitivity, wide high dynamic range, and operating at room temperature. These goals are dependant upon novel concepts in sensor technology, especially advanced electronic processing integrated with the sensor. On-focal plane processing is especially important to realize the full potential of the sensor. Since the area available for focal plane processing is extremely limited, a new paradigm in sensor electronic read-out technology is necessary to bridge the gap between multi-functional, high performance detector arrays and the off-focal plane processing. The Vertically Integrated Sensor Array (VISA) Program addresses this need through development of pixel-to-pixel interconnected silicon processors at the detector, thus expanding the area available for signal and image processing. The VISA Program addresses not only the array interconnection technology, but also investigates circuit development adapted to this new three-dimensional focal plane architecture. This paper reviews progress in the first phase of the program and outlines direction for demonstrations of vertically integrated sensor arrays.

The DARPA Dynamic Optical Tags (DOTs) program has as its goal the development of a low cost, small, robust, persistent, low probability of intercept, 2-way tagging, tracking, and locating device that also supports error free data rates in excess of 100 kbps and can be interrogated at ranges up to and beyond 1Km. The program has selected several promising candidates for this device and is in the process of evaluating individually their performance against predetermined milestones to ascertain whether the technology is feasible and the program should continue for further development. In all cases the candidate devices operate as retro-reflecting optical modulators. Upon interrogation by a laser at the correct wavelength and with the correct code, the tags will proceed to modulate the return retro-reflection. While data for the candidate devices are not yet in hand, nevertheless this paper will provide an overview of the nature of the devices under investigation and speculate on how these devices could be employed for unattended ground sensor applications.

Preston F. Marshall Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 3710 North Fairfax, Arlington, VA pmarshall@darpa.mil ABSTRACT The problems of sensor networking have genera lly been attacked using existing radio and networking technology and engineer ing. This paper describes se veral DARPA programs that are developing wireless, networking an d power sources that have speci fic application to sensor and other low power network applications. Program s discussed include th e DARPA Connectionless Networking (CN), Disruption Tole rant Networking (DTN) and Radi o Isotope Micropower Sources (RIMS) programs. KEYWORDS Networking, Low Power Networks, Se nsor Networks, Internet Protoc ol, Delay Tolerant Networks, Radio-Isotope Power Sources, Waveform Acqui sition and Synchronization, Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

Current military operational effectiveness can degrade rapidly with increasing communications stresses such as heavy throughput and QoS demands from disadvantaged users exposed to severe channel impairments and communications threats. This paper proposes a distributed and agile radio resource management (RRM) system to maintain mission effectiveness even under significant communications stress. Agile RRM includes a well-coordinated cross-layer design with the introduction of new OSI layer features and interactions as well as methods to incorporate communications constraints and requirements in systems controlling mission planning and execution.

The ground soldier of the future will benefit from current developments in electronics, lightweight ballistic materials, and importantly, displays and sensors. The Army's Future Force Warrior program is taking advantage of initiatives in both government and industry labs as well as human factors information to demonstrate the advantages they can provide. This paper will discuss the Integrated Headgear System, a synthesis of protection and information for the infantry soldier.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Future military crewmen may have more individual and shared tasks to complete throughout a mission as a result of smaller crew sizes and an increased number of technology interactions. To maintain reasonable workload levels, the Warfighter Machine Interface (WMI) must provide information in a consistent, logical manner, tailored to the environment in which the soldier will be completing their mission. This paper addresses design criteria for creating an advanced, multi-modal warfighter machine interface for on-the-move mounted operations. The Vetronics Technology Integration (VTI) WMI currently provides capabilities such as mission planning and rehearsal, voice and data communications, and manned/unmanned vehicle payload and mobility control. A history of the crewstation and more importantly, the WMI software will be provided with an overview of requirements and criteria used for completing the design. Multiple phases of field and laboratory testing provide the opportunity to evaluate the design and hardware in stationary and motion environments. Lessons learned related to system usability and user performance are presented with mitigation strategies to be tested in the future.

Human factors engineering (HFE) professionals complain that they are often called in after-the-fact to help correct human interface problems. They believe many design flaws can be avoided if design teams involve them early on. However, in the case of innovative technology, such post hoc human factors may not be avoidable unless the inventor is also a human factors engineer or the prospective user. In rare cases an inventor of a new technology has an intuitive understanding of human engineering principles and knows well the capabilities and limitations of operators. This paper outlines the importance of focusing on the user-system interface and encouraging engineers to develop their own intuitive sense of users through mental imagery. If design engineers start with a clear mental picture of a specific user and task rather than generalities of use, fewer interface problems are likely to be encountered later in development. Successful technology innovators often use a visual thinking approach in the development of new concepts. Examples are presented to illustrate the successful application of intuitive design. An approach is offered on how designers can improve their non-verbal thinking skills. The author shares the view that the mission of HFE should not be to make system developers dependent on the small community of HF experts but rather to help them learn the value of applying user-centered design techniques.

This paper reports the current status of the DARPA Quantum Network, which became fully operational in BBN's laboratory in October 2003, and has been continuously running in 6 nodes operating through telecommunications fiber between Harvard University, Boston University, and BBN since June 2004. The DARPA Quantum Network is the world's first quantum cryptography network, and perhaps also the first QKD systems providing continuous operation across a metropolitan area. Four more nodes are now being added to bring the total to 10 QKD nodes. This network supports a variety of QKD technologies, including phase-modulated lasers through fiber, entanglement through fiber, and freespace QKD. We provide a basic introduction and rational for this network, discuss the February 2005 status of the various QKD hardware suites and software systems in the network, and describe our operational experience with the DARPA Quantum Network to date. We conclude with a discussion of our ongoing work.

The Air Force Research Laboratory leads the discovery, development, and integration of affordable war fighting technologies for our air and space forces. In particular, the Information Directorate’s mission is to advance and apply Information Systems Science and Technology to provide Information Dominance. This paper discusses why the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate is concerned with researching prospective computing architectures for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance applications. Projects addressing quantum information science and quantum computing will be discussed, highlighting where these technologies offer potential disruptive technology solutions for the Air Force.

The benefits of stereo vision are numerous and quickly become apparent when attempting to perform simple tasks without the aid of stereo cues. The proliferation of remotely operated vehicles and indirect viewing applications has resulted in an increased need to see the operational environment in stereo. Several approaches to the display of stereo imagery have been demonstrated. Stereoscopic displays typically require the user to wear special headgear. Autostereoscopic displays require no headgear but typically have tight limitations on the position of the viewer's head. Previous papers have described a new type of stereoscopic display based on dual liquid crystal displays. The new display provides a stereo view without temporal or spatial multiplexing. Several prototype displays have been built and demonstrated to potential users with favorable reviews. With a successful proof-of-principle prototype completed, the effort is focusing on improvements to the image quality, consolidating the electronics, and packaging the display for use in rugged environments. The results of this effort should produce a rugged, compact, multiuse stereo display.

This paper discusses use of optical frequency combs generated by modelocked semiconductor lasers for coherent photonic signal processing applications. Key in our approach is a high Q cavity, supermode suppression and low spontaneous emission. Targeted applications of the stabilized optical frequency combs lie in areas of metrology, optical sampling, arbitrary waveform generation and communications using coherent detection.

In this paper we present a Coherent Optical Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (COMIMO) communication system and its ability to exploit the inherent information capacity of Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF). COMIMO technique is a promising approach to unlock the information capacity of MMF as it ensures the necessary diversity for practically any fiber length. When exceeding the bandwidth-length product of the link, MIMO adaptive equalization can be used to mitigate inter-symbol interference (ISI). Furthermore, COMIMO link provides additional security in the physical layer that complements encryption.

About a decade ago Brownian motors were introduced as a possible mechanism for motor protein mobility. Since then many theoretical and experimental papers have been published on the topic. While some experiments support Brownian motor mechanisms, others are more consistent with traditional power stroke models. Taking into account recent experimental data and molecular level simulations, we have developed a stochastic model which incorporates both power stroke and Brownian motor mechanisms. Depending on parameter values, this motor works as a power stroker, a Brownian motor or a hybrid of the two. Using this model we investigate the motility of single-head myosins, two-head myosins and a group of myosins (muscle). The results are compared with some experimental data.

In this paper, we present schedulers that minimize the total transmit power in a multihop wireless network. The focus is on guaranteeing an end-to-end delay bound for a single variable bit rate flow on a multihop fading channel. We first compute an analytical approximation for the transmit power required to send a variable bit rate source over a finite state fading channel. We then use this approximation to derive schedulers that have low complexity and near optimal performance over multihop networks where the fading processes on the multiple hops are independent. Properties of the optimal delay allocation are also studied; in the special case of a Gaussian network, the optimal delay allocation strategy is completely characterized.

Phonons, i.e. quanta of lattice vibrations, manifest themselves practically in all electrical, thermal, optical and noise phenomena in semiconductors and other material systems. Reduction of the size of electronic devices below the acoustic phonon mean free path creates a new situation for the phonons propagation and interaction. From one side, it may complicate heat removal from the downscaled devices. From the other side, it opens up an exciting opportunity for re-engineering phonon spectrum in nanostructured materials, and achieving enhanced operation of nano-devices. Since phonon-assisted tunneling and carrier scattering on phonons affect the charge carrier transport, modification of the phonon spectrum is also expected to influence noise level in nano-devices. This paper reviews the development of the phonon-engineering concept and discusses its device applications. The focus of this review is on tuning the phonon spectrum in acoustically mismatched nano- and heterostructures in order to change the ability of semiconductors to conduct heat and electric current. New approaches for the electron-phonon scattering rates suppression and the carrier mobility enhancement are also discussed. The last section of this review describes our recent results on phonons in the rod-shaped viruses used as biological nano-templates for self-assembly of nanoelectronic circuits.

With the inherent advantages in SOI CMOS technology, minimizing DC and switching floating body effects have enabled high speed digital processors with more than a 25% improvement over bulk silicon CMOS design. Currently, there is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of AC characteristics on SOI CMOS technology for mixed-mode baseband and RF (radio frequency) applications. The objective of this paper is to present a study of unique AC floating body effects and the resultant low-frequency noise overshoot phenomenon in SOI CMOS technology. Further study of their impact on the RF arena will also be discussed.

In this paper, in order to de-noise a chaotic signal, we compare the time-frequency deconvolution method with the wavelets method. We apply our results on different dynamical systems and show the capability of wavelets' method to reconstruct the attractor of a chaotic time series. Then, we de-noise different data sets in order to re-built their attractor using the wavelets method. The applications concern temperatures and wind fluctuations, electricity spot prices and financial data sets.

In this paper, we presents a comprehensive overview of novel long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs) fabricated by using the high-frequency CO 2 laser pulses technique for low-cost sensing. These LPFGs have not only better fabrication flexibility, better high temperature capability, much lower cost than those fabricated by the UV exposure method due to the use of relatively inexpensive CO 2 lasers and standard telecommunication fibers, but also a number of unique bend, transverse load and torsion characteristics due to the asymmetrical refractive index distribution on the cross-section of the fiber induced by high-frequency CO 2 laser pulses, offering greater potential for multi-parameter measurement.

This is a review paper summarizing the recent reports on low-frequency noise in Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) with high dielectric constant (high-k) gate oxides. Although several such publications have appeared in the literature recently, the only unified theme among them is that the noise in these high-k gate stacks is considerably higher than that observed on conventional SiO 2 gate oxide transistors. In addition, interface- and bulk-dielectric trap-induced correlated carrier number and mobility fluctuations (Unified Model) seem to be the commonly accepted cause of these fluctuations. This report attempts to compile the published data, make comparisons between different high-k dielectrics with respect to 1/f noise characteristics and reach preliminary conclusions. Since there is still room for improvement in processing of high-k materials for MOSFET applications, the review represents merely a slice in time of the progress made, and not meant to be a fundamental, theoretical review.

The presence of thermal noise dictates that an energy barrier is needed to preserve a binary state. Therefore, all electronic devices contain at least one energy barrier to control electron flow. The barrier properties, such as height, length, and shape determine the operating characteristics of electronic devices. Furthermore, changes in the barrier shape require changes in charge density/distribution. Operation of all charge transport devices includes charging/discharging capacitances to change barrier height. In this paper we analyze energy dissipation for several schemes of charging capacitors. A basic assumption of Reversible Computing is that the computing system is completely isolated from the thermal bath, i. e., phonons are not coupled to the motion of the information-bearing particle. An isolated system is a mathematical abstraction never perfectly realized in practice. Coupling of the system to the rest of the world results in thermal noise and errors due to thermal excitations are equivalent to information erasure, and thus computation dissipates energy. Another source of energy dissipation is due to the need of measurement and control. To analyze this side of the problem, the Maxwell's Demon is a useful abstraction. Proposals for adiabatic circuits do not make attempts to isolate the system from the thermal bath, hence the circuits cannot be reversible. We hold that apparent energy savings in models of adiabatic circuits result from neglecting the total energy needed by other parts of the system to implement the circuit. We are not aware of convincing experimental evidences that adiabatic circuits save wall-plug energy.

Functional requirements for modern narrow-band and wide-band wireless and lightwave communication systems place stringent demands on speed and noise behavior of circuits and devices used to design them. MOS technology in the nanometer regime continues to be the low-cost high-performance workhorse driving innovations for these applications. In this paper, we trace the developments in the modeling of noise in MOS transistors as the device channel lengths shrink by a factor or a thousand from tens of micrometers to tens of nanometers. The impact of scaling on classical noise mechanisms is explained. Also, generation of new noise sources as a result of scaling are also described. This leads to a better physical understanding of the noise behavior of these devices. Methods of eliminating some of these noise sources by suitable choice of materials and modifications in device structure are explained. Application of this understanding to the practical design and layout of low-noise high-performance circuits is illustrated. As a result, the noise performance of MOS devices has improved by almost an order of magnitude making them an ideal choice for low-noise communication electronics design. Research continues as the channel lengths shrink further.

In optical communications the transportable bandwidth has exceeded Tbps per fiber, as a result of a dense grid of optical channels in the fiber, known as dense wavelength division multiplexing and which does not come without a price. Degradations and interactions due to non-linear and linear effects degrade the signal thus decreasing signal integrity and channel performance. Channel performance is greatly improved with error detecting and correcting codes that detect up to sixteen errors and correct up to eight within a block of information. However, estimation is limited to BER after monitoring many blocks, which takes valuable time particularly when the traffic per channel is huge. As a consequence, there is a need for fast estimation of the signal integrity and channel performance to ensure that the expected performance metrics are maintained. In this paper, we describe a statistical sampling methodology for the estimation of performance parameters such as BER, SNR, and Q-factor in a very short interval and for all-practical purposes in real-time.

Canalization is a form of network robustness found in genetic regulatory networks that results in a reduction of the variation of phenotypic expression relative to the complexity of the genome. Recently, it was discovered that canalization can evolve in a complex network through a self-organization of node (gene) behavior resulting from a competition of a network's nodes that selects for a diversity of behavior [K.E. Bassler, C. Lee, and Y. Lee, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 038101 (2004)]. Previously, this "self-organized" mechanism for the evolution of canalization has been studied only in deterministic model systems. This paper considers the effects of stochastic noise in the signals exchanged between nodes on the self-organized evolution of canalization. We find that small levels of stochastic noise increase the amount of canalization produced. At higher levels of noise, the amount of canalization produced levels off and reaches a maximum value, before it reduces at large levels of noise.

This paper firstly presents a novel optical sensor technology developed to locate, from above ground, the lateral position of a buried dielectrically sheathed optical cable. Then, optical sensor methods for the distributed sensing and longitudinal positioning of time-varying acoustic disturbances are presented. It is hoped to present results of a novel field-trial capable OTDR based system in the verbal presentation.

The DARPA Dynamic Optical Tags (DOTs) program has as its goal the development of a low cost, small, robust, persistent, low probability of intercept, 2-way tagging, tracking, and locating device that also supports error free data rates in excess of 100 kbps and can be interrogated at ranges up to and beyond 1Km. The program has selected several promising candidates for this device and is in the process of evaluating individually their performance against predetermined milestones to ascertain whether the technology is feasible and the program should continue for further development. In all cases the candidate devices operate as retro-reflecting optical modulators. Upon interrogation by a laser at the correct wavelength and with the correct code, the tags will proceed to modulate the return retro-reflection. While data for the candidate devices are not yet in hand, nevertheless this paper will provide an overview of the nature of the devices under investigation and speculate on how these devices could be employed for both national security applications.

Exploitation has largely focused on single look, single modality platform collections exploited by a variety of classification algorithms over the last several decades. But multi look, multi modality exploitation is the evolving paradigm for threat classification given the evolution and cost of near term unmanned vehicle system sensor platforms. This paper presents an overview of machine learning algorithms that have previously been applied to automatic target recognition, discusses the evolution of target recognition to the 2010 paradigm of multi look, multi modality valid target identification, and explores how advanced machine learning algorithms can be applied to address the exploitation problems of the next decade.

Recently, there has been a significant interest in employing Terahertz (THz) technology, spectroscopy and imaging for standoff detection applications. There are three prime motivations for this interest: (a) THz radiation can detect concealed weapons since many non-metallic, non-polar materials are transparent to THz radiation, (b) target compounds such as explosives, and bio/chemical weapons have characteristic THz spectra that can be used to identify these compounds and (c) THz radiation poses no health risk for scanning of people. This paper will provide an overview of THz standoff detection of explosives and weapons including discussions of effective range, spatial resolution, and other limitations. The THz approach will be compared to alternative detection modalities such as x-ray and millimeter wave imaging. Keywords: Terahertz, imaging, stand-off, explosive, weapon, interferometric, synthetic aperture 1. INTRODUCTION Over the past several years, there has been an increased interest in the potential of terahertz (THz) detection for imaging of concealed weapons, explosives, chemical and biological agents. There are three major factors contributing to this interest: (a) Terahertz radiation is readily transmitted through most non-metallic and non-polar mediums, thus enabling THz systems to "see through" concealing barriers such as packaging, corrugated cardboard, clothing, shoes, bookbags, etc. in order to probe the potentially dangerous materials contained within. (b) Many materials of interest for security applications including explosives, chemical agents, and biological agents have characteristic THz spectra that can be used to fingerprint and thereby identify these concealed materials. For example, many explosives (for example C-4, HMX, RDX, TNT) have characteristic transmission/ reflection spectra in the THz range

The Center for Advanced Communications (CAC) at Villanova University has conducted several preliminary through-the-wall imaging experiments and collected real data on different settings behind the wall using a newly-integrated RF instrumentation suite. The full-polarization, 2D aperture data measurements are taken using an Agilent network analyzer, Model ENA 5071B, implementing a step frequency waveform over a 2-3 GHz frequency range. The room imaged is a typical computer lab that has been lined with radar absorbing material. Three different arrangements of the room's contents are considered: empty scene, calibration scene, and populated scene. The empty scene allows measurement of the noise/clutter background and supports coherent subtraction with the other two scenes. The calibration scene contains isolated reflectors that may be used to determine a fully-polarimetric radiometric calibration solution for the experimental system. The populated scene contains a number of common objects such as a phone, computer, tables, chair and filing cabinet. In addition, a jug of saline solution has been added to crudely approximate a human. Each scene is imaged with and without a wall. The wall is composed of plywood and gypsum board on a wood frame. The antennas are mounted on a 2D scanner that moves the antennas along and adjacent to the wall and is controlled by the network analyzer. Two additional antennas are fixed to the scanner frame and act as bistatic receivers. The paper provides a detailed description of the RF system and experimental conditions and provides a quick look at collected data products. The data measurements, technical details on collection instrumentation, auxiliary measurements, and scene truth data will be made available starting in April 05 to download from the Villanova CAC website at http://www.engineering.villanova.edu/cac/TWRI-experiments.

The terahertz (1 THz = 10 12 Hz, 3 mm or 33 cm -1 ) region of the electromagnetic spectrum is typically defined in the frequency range 100 GHz to 10 THz, corresponding to a wavelength range of 3 mm to 30 microns. Following the development of coherent sources and detectors in the early eighties, there has been growing interest in the role of terahertz technology in global homeland security. The terahertz region offers a huge expanse of unused bandwidth. The ability of terahertz radiation to probe intermolecular interactions, large amplitude vibrations and rotational modes, in addition to showing polarization sensitivity makes terahertz radiation a unique and diverse region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Terahertz radiation is also able to ‘see through’ common materials, such as clothing, thick smoke and dust, which are often considered as opaque in other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. This paper reviews the role of terahertz technology in homeland security and associated limitations of this field. Keywords: terahertz, spectroscopy, explosives, biological, chemical, sensing, bacillus anthracis, false alarm rate, sensitivity, specificity

Since the terrible events of 11 Sep 2001 the response to security vulnerabilities has been to throw “Guns, Gates and Guards” at the problem. Three years later and it is clear that, although this may have had a short-term effect, it is unsustainable and unaffordable in the long term. The war on terrorism is going to be fought for a very long time. Defending against terrorism and enhancing the resilience and robustness of society and its processes now requires constant vigilance. Only technology can provide that vigilance at an efficiency that can provide certainty of detection and fast response. A technology led approach, integrating with people and their processes calls for innovation and a new generation of technology that fuses the physical world with the logical world. This approach is measurable in terms of capability and investment, in the way that the previous Newtonian security approach of cause and effect is not. This paper will address this new security environment and the different approach that R&D has to take to ensure that life and Democracy thrive and terrorism is defeated.

This paper describes a passive millimeter-wave image scanner that leverages technologies previously developed for a video-rate passive millimeter-wave camera (PMC) [1, 2]. The imager has a prime focus elliptical frequency scanned antenna operating in the 75-93 GHz millimeter-wave band, a low noise receiver and a vertical beam former that allows the instantaneous capture of 128 pixel (vertical) column images in 1/30th of a second, with 2-3 K sensitivity. Two dimensional images are created by mechanically rotating the antenna, which produces a 128x60 raster image in 2 seconds. By integrating (averaging) images over a longer time period, we have demonstrated a sub-degree temperature resolution. This sensor has proven itself as a low cost tool for studying the potential of W-band passive imaging for various applications.

Over the last two decades, researchers investigated various approaches for detection and classification of targets in forward looking infrared (FLIR) imagery using correlation based techniques. In this paper, a novel technique is proposed to recognize and track single as well as multiple identical and/or dissimilar targets in real life FLIR sequences using a combination of extended maximum average correlation height (EMACH) and polynomial distance classifier correlation filter (PDCCF). The EMACH filters are used for the detection stage and PDCCF filter is used for the classification stage for improving the detection and discrimination capability. The EMACH and PDCCF filters are trained a priori using target images with expected size and orientation variations. In the first step, the input scene is correlated with all the detection filters (one for each desired or expected target class) and the resulting correlation outputs are combined. The regions of interest (ROI) are selected from the input scene based on the regions with higher correlation peak values in the combined correlation output. In the second step, PDCCF filter is applied to these ROIs to identify target types and reject clutters/backgrounds based on a distance measure and a threshold. Moving target detection and tracking is accomplished by applying this technique independently to all incoming image frames. Independent tracking of target(s) from one frame to the other allows the system to handle complicated situations such as a target disappearing in few frames and then reappearing in later frames. This method has been found to yield robust performance for challenging FLIR imagery in terms of faster and accurate detection and classification as well as tracking of the targets.

There are many vital issues which are impacting our daily lives and will continue to haunt us as long as we live on this planet of ours. These issues range from food supply availability, drought, coastal zone erosion, volcanoes, hurricanes, terrorism, global warming, earthquakes, water resources, air quality, public health, and agriculture production. Such societal needs are directly linked to our geometric population growth, and abundance of automobiles, industrial emissions, industrial waste and extensive fishing of our oceans and elimination of our ecology. The questions which require serious thoughts, research, coordination, and resources to understand, plan and strike a sensible balance in our daily lives and the above issues are tough to deal with. However, with the advent of remote sensing technologies, tremendous progress has been made in applying space-based and airborne data and products in solving real societal problems. Several of these problems, such as coastal zone erosion, air quality, severe weather, water availability and quality, public health, fires, land slides and others are intricately related; and in the long run can have serious consequences if not properly addressed by scientists, regulatory bodies and policy makers. Although it is a much involved and tangled web to unravel, nevertheless we have an excellent start in understanding some of the phenomena and hopefully can mitigate some of the severe effects by advancing our scientific knowledge. This paper briefly discusses the applications of remote sensing data from Terra, Aqua, and other NASA satellites how to deal with such complex problems; it provides an excellent start.

The eleven universities of the State University System of Florida (SUS-FL) have established a consortium to address the full range of homeland security and domestic preparedness requirements for both Florida and the U.S. The Consortium has established the Florida Homeland Security Institute to provide an effective and efficient mechanism to coordinate, mobilize, combine, and form into teams the diverse, cross-disciplinary expertise, facilities, and established large base of technology development activities within the SUS-FL institutions and their established associates at industrial companies, governmental labs, and other universities. The Florida Consortium and Institute may provide a model for other state university systems for how to combine established resources effectively to address specific homeland security and domestic preparedness needs. This paper describes the Consortium and Institute goals, structure, and operations, with examples of how it has functioned in its brief existence as an effective mechanism for integrating the wide range of university, industry, and government capabilities within the state for addressing homeland security requirements.

A common approach to the detection of objects in sensor data is to model the target, compare the input data to that model and then if the match is close enough, declare target-present. This is how many automatic target recognition (ATR) systems operate. An alternative approach is to also have confuser models (CMs) and to consider how close the input data is to all of the models in the library. The advantages of CMs can be increased by also modeling the match score likelihoods for targets and confusers. This paper considers several methods for using CMs and likelihood models (LMs) and demonstrates their relative merits with a mean-squared-error based ATR on the MSTAR synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) public data set. Two benefits of CMs and LMs are demonstrated. They improve the ability of the ATR to discriminate targets and confusers, as one might expect, but they can also help the ATR estimate the confidence it should have in its decisions. In the demonstration, the area-under-the-ROC curve was increased from 0.88 to 0.94 by CM use. For the important case of out-of-library confusers, if the probability of false alarm (Pfa) is set to 0.1 then CMS and LMs increase probability of detection (Pd) from 0.40 to 0.65. On the other hand if the Pd is set to 0.9 then the CMs and LMs decrease Pfa from 0.50 to 0.35. The posterior estimate (i.e., the ATR's confidence) had a reduction in RMS error from 0.27 to 0.09 through the use of CMs and LMs.