07/19/2021
By Dalila Megherbi

Peter Mack will defend his doctoral thesis in Computer Engineering, titled "Modeling and Analysis of Microsphere-Lens Enhanced Mid-Wave Infrared Imaging Systems," which will take place on Friday, July 30, 2021, at 2:30 p.m.

Committee Chair: D. B. Megherbi, ECE Department, (CMINDS), UML, (Thesis Advisor)

Committee Members:

  • Kanti Prasad, ECE Department, UML
  • Xuejun Lu, ECE Department, UML
  • Imran Vakil, AFRL, AFWPB

Abstract:

This dissertation shows, via modeling and simulation using experimental data, methodologies, and techniques needed to use microsphere(s) on arrays of photodetectors to increase the intensity and increase intensity resolution in mid-infrared cameras and telescopes. Such use would also inherently reduce noise as the addition of a microsphere generally has that effect.

In this work, we also determine the variables affecting such systems, including misalignment between sphere and sensor, angles of incidence, and aperture size. Additionally, sphere manufacturing tolerances are tested, including sphericity and level of polishing. The ideal ratio between a sphere and a sensor within a camera or telescope is determined, and the technique to do so is shown. The spatial resolution of the arrays is also experimented upon, including with hexagonal grids of spheres.

As the hexagonal layouts combined with potential misalignment result in varying intensity scales and pixel locations, interpolation algorithms are introduced to form the proposed Weighted Gaussian Interpolation Algorithm to be able to display the intensities on a standard rectangularly pixel device. A general analysis is also performed on the proposed algorithm to determine the accuracies under various conditions.

Closed-door presentation.

This work was partially sponsored by the US Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWPB