CENTER

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Center Director Robert R. Alfano CUNY
Distinguished Professor of Science and Engineering
CENTER OVERVIEW
Fred Moshary Professor of EE and Project Lead in
Remote Sensing
Monday, Dec. 5, 2005
NASA URCs Directors Meeting
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• Centers Mission
• Establish Strong
• Research programs in Photonic areas
• Training programs for U.S. students in State of
  
• the Art Technologies
• Interactions with scientist at NASA
• Collaborations with industry by leveraging
• NYS Centers for Advance Technology (CAT)
• participation to transfer technology

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COSI Components Interaction
IUSL
CAT
NASA-COSI
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
NASA INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATION
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RESEARCH PROJECTS OVERVIEW

• Novel Light Sources
• Diode-pumped Cr4 based tunable fiber laser
• Compact high-power tunable Cr4-based lasers
• Optical Physics of Cr4 doped and crystals and
  structures
• Optical Imaging and Signal Transmission Through
  Highly Scattering Atmospheric Conditions
• Experimental method, enabling technologies, pulse
  propagation and imaging through turbid media
• Theoretical study of light multiple scattering
  effects in atmosphere
• Ice detection and adhesion
• Quantum Well and Quantum Dot Photodetectors

• Land Surface Monitoring and Imaging
• Optical Sensing of the Atmosphere
• Lidar sensing
• Aerosol profiling
• Cloud microstructure
• Raman and DIAL Lidar development
• Passive sensing radiometry and polarimetry
• Optical Sensing Techniques for Estuarine and
  Coastal Water
• Optical Sensing of Microorganism in the
  Environment

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT Strategy for
Increasing the Number of Degrees Awarded to
Historically Underrepresented US Citizens
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Current COSI interactions with NASA Centers

• Glenn Research Center (GRC)
• Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
• Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS)
• Kennedy Space Center (JKF)
• Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL)
• Langley Research Center (LRC)
• Stennis Space Center (SSC)

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NASA   Center for Optical Sensing and Imaging
Advisory Board Members
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• Education and Training Goals
• Increase the number of Science and Engineering
  degrees awarded to US students, with a focus on
  underrepresented groups in Science and
  Engineering.
• Integrate research and education through hands-on
  training of graduate and undergraduate students.
• Strategy includes Aggressive recruitment of
  Science and Engineering Students through
• 1) Student supervision and mentoring,
• 2) H.S. outreach program

Prof. Charles Watkins The Human Resources
Development Coordinator Emeritus Dean of the CCNY
School of Engineering
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City College of New York NASA COSI and DOD CNPES
Outreach Programs Middle School High School
Education Outreach Program - Summer 2005
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  HM HF AAM AAF WM WF ASIAN M ASIAN F
PHD Student 2 1 2 2 3 1 1 1
MS Student 2 0 2 0 3 0 1 0
UG Student 4 1 1 1 4 0 4 1
HS student 1 1 1 2 2 0 2 0
Middle School 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
TOTAL 9 4 6 5 12 1 8 3
  13 13 11 11 13 13 11 11
Minorities 24/48 50 24/48 50 24/48 50 24/48 50        
Non-minorities         24/4850 24/4850 24/4850 24/4850
Females 13/48 25 13/48 25 13/48 25 13/48 25 13/48 25 13/48 25 13/48 25 13/48 25
Males 35/48 75 35/48 75 35/48 75 35/48 75 35/48 75 35/48 75 35/48 75 35/48 75
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Novel Light Sources Diode-pumped Cr4 based
tunable fiber laser
A. 1
Operational Capability Compact broadly tunable
laser system will be built using optimal fibers
and diode lasers as a pump source. The input end
of the fiber will be dielectric coated for
maximum transmission of the pump beam and high
reflection of the fiber emission. The pump laser
beam will be launched into the fiber using
microscopic objective with appropriate
magnification and numerical aperture. Selection
of operating wavelength and tuning of the
wavelength will be accomplished using fiber Bragg
gratings.
Cr4-Doped Optical Fiber Amplifier
Collaborators NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC)

• Proposed Technical Approach
• Optical fibers of Cr4-doped YAG and Forsterite
  of different diameters (20-200 mm) will be grown.
• Spectroscopic properties of Cr4-doped fibers
  will be measured to evaluate opportunity for
  single mode optical amplification.
• Demonstration of laser action and tunability of
  Cr4 doped fiber laser and measurements of laser
  parameters.
• Development of compact fiber laser system.

• Outcome
• Development of broadly tunable (1100-1600 nm)
  optical fiber laser based on Cr4-doped single
  crystal fibers for optical sensing and optical
  communication applications.
• Team members and Agency collaborators Contact
  Information
• Dr. S. K. Gayen, CCNY, [phone], gayen
  _at_sci.ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. V. Petricevic, CCNY, [phone],
  vpetricevic_at_ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. R. Alfano, [phone], ralfano_at_ccny.cuny.e
  du
• Dr. A. Sayir, NASA, r_at_larc,nasa.gov

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Optical Imaging and Signal Transmission Through
Highly Scattering Atmospheric conditions Experimen
tal Method, Enabling Technologies, Pulse
Propagation and Imaging through turbid media
B. 1
Operational Capability The systems and
techniques would sort out information and image
bearing ballistic and snake light using time
slicing and polarization gating approaches to
provide images of targets, and retrieve coded
information effectively through highly-scattering
turbid media, such as cloud and fog cover.
Collaborators NASA Langley Research Center
(LaRC)
 

• Proposed Technical Approach
• Experimental arrangements with ultrafast lasers
  and time gated and polarization sensitive
  detection schemes will be used to sort out
  ballistic and snake photons for imaging targets
  and transmitting and retrieving coded signal
  through cloud and fog.
• Pulse propagation and imaging measurements using
  transmission and backscattering geometries will
  be carried out.
• Optical imaging and image reconstruction methods
  will be adapted to develop methods for
  atmospheric sensing, such as, monitoring of cloud
  distribution.
• Scaling of laboratory results to situation in the
  field will be investigated to specify system
  parameters.
• Pulse propagation experiments have been initiated.

• Outcome
• Ability to obtain high quality images of targets
  through atmospheric obscurants
• Development of free-space optical communication
  system
• Enhancement of basic understanding of pulse
  propagation through scattering media
• Team members and Agency collaborators Contact
  Information
• Dr. S. K. Gayen, CCNY, [phone],gayen
  _at_sci.ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. Wei Cai, CCNY, [phone],
  caiwei_at_sci.ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. R. Alfano, [phone], ralfano_at_sci.ccny.cu
  ny.edu
• Dr. David M. Winker, NASA LARC, [phone],
• d.m.winker_at_larc,nasa.gov

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Optical Imaging and Signal Transmission Through
Highly Scattering Atmospheric conditions Theoretic
al Study of Light Multiple Scattering Effect in
Atmosphere
B. 2
Codes and Algorithms
Operational Capability The algorithms and codes
developed are related to research underway at
NASA Langley Research Center to develop
techniques for retrieving cloud properties from
spaceborne lidar. Currently, NASA is embarking on
a mission (CALIPSO, formerly called PICASS-CENA)
to determine the vertical distribution of
aerosols and cloud using a satellite Lidar
devoted to sensing the atmosphere. Collaborators
NASA Langley Research Center, (LaRC)

• Codes for calculation of light distribution
  through cloud and other atmospheric obscurants.
  The codes are tested using experimental data
  obtained from our laboratory scaled cloud model
• Inverse image reconstruction algorithms and
  programs for retrieving the vertical distribution
  of optical parameters of cloud, from data
  received by optical instruments located in the
  aircrafts, satellites, or ground stations.

 

• Proposed Technical Approach
• Codes for the light propagation are built using
  our analytical cumulant solution and Monte Carlo
  simulation.
• Retrieval of cloud vertical distribution from the
  measured time resolved profile will be tested
• The new developed and improved approach to obtain
  an analytical solution of the radiative transfer
  equation based on a cumulant expansion, for
  multiple photon scattering will be tested.
• Codes for calculation of light intensity
  backscattered from ice and water cloud will be
  developed
• Forward model and inverse algorithm to withdraw
  information from multiple layers of clouds will
  be developed

• Outcome
• Codes for calculation of light distribution
  through cloud and other atmospheric obscurants
• Inverse image reconstruction algorithms and
  programs for retrieving the vertical distribution
  of optical parameters of cloud
• Team members and Agency collaborators Contact
  Information
• Dr. W. Cai, [phone],
  caiwei_at_sci.ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. M. Xu, [phone],
  minxu_at_sci.ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. David M. Winker NASA, [phone],
  d.m.winker_at_larc.nasa.gov

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Optical Imaging and Signal Transmission Through
Highly Scattering Atmospheric conditions Ice
detection and adhesion on surfaces
B. 3
Operational Capability For ice adhesion, Raman
and IR absorption measurements will be used to
study the bonding of ice-metal, ice-paint-metal,
and ice-polymer (or other protection
layers)-paint-metal, and select the better
materials for use as an ice protection layer
coated on airplane parts and other painted
surfaces. For ice detection, NIR spectral
polarization imaging will enable to measure
polarization degree of light backscattered from
the airplane parts. The measured R map (R Ipara
/ Iperp) can be used to indicate the distribution
of ice thickness on wings and other parts of an
airplane.
Hydrogen bonding on the surface of beryllium
fluoride glass, and structure of
Be-OHF-H-OH2(H2O)2(H2O)n for the case of n6.

• Proposed Technical Approach
• Set up and perform Raman and IR-absorption
  measurements for candidate protection layer
  materials such as polymers or other materials
• Select optimum protection layer materials having
  weak bonding with ice
• Coat protection layers on paint-metal surfaces
  and airplane parts, and testing ice adhesion
• Spectral polarization imaging measurements on
  ice-metal, ice-paint-metal, and ice-protection
  layer-paint-metal surfaces
• Build a portable spectral polarization imaging
  unit, and perform field test for ice detection on
  airplanes.

• Outcome
• The ice bonding research will help develop
  protection coatings for airplanes. These coating
  materials have weak bonding with ice to reduce
  and limit the formation and sticking of ice on
  airplanes.
• The ice detection program will improve travel
  safety in harsh weather conditions by determining
  whether the present of ice on surfaces of
  airplanes and vehicles.
• Team members and Agency collaborators Contact
  Information
• Dr. W. Wang, CCNY, [phone],
  wwang_at_sci.ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. M. Sharanov, CCNY, [phone],
  msharanov_at_ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. R. Alfano, [phone], ralfano_at_sci.ccny.cu
  ny.edu

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Quantum Well and Quantum Dot Photodetectors
High-efficiency Resonant Tunneling
Multiple-quantum-well Photodetectors
C.
Operational Capability The quantum well
photodetectors work under resonant tunneling
condition. Their quantum efficiency and response
speed will be significantly enhanced due to
strong photon absorption, less carrier
recombination, and high transportation
speed. Collaborators NASA Langley Research
Center
GaN/AlGaN Quantum Well UV Photodetector Developed
by CCNY
 

• Proposed Technical Approach
• Design, fabricate and characterize photodetectors
  based on III-Nitride, III-As and II-VI materials
  grown by MBE.
• P-I-N structure will be used to set up sequential
  resonant tunneling in the multiple quantum wells
  which is expected to greatly increase quantum
  efficiency and response speed.
• Various Electrical and optical techniques are
  used to test material quality and device
  performance.
• GaN/AlGaN quantum well photodetectors have been
  fabricated and their spectral photo-response and
  response speed were measured.

• Outcome
• High-efficiency and high-speed photodetectors
  have numerous military and commercial
  applications such as missile plume detection,
  combustion sensing and control for aircraft
  engines, space-to-earth, space-to-space and
  underwater communication, optical storage, air
  quality monitoring, and personal UV exposure
  dosimetry, etc.
• Team members and Agency collaborators Contact
  Information
• Dr. W. Wang, CCNY, [phone],
  wwang_at_sci.ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. S. K. Zhang, CCNY, [phone],
  skzhang_at_sci.ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. B. Das, CCNY, [phone]
• Dr. M. Tamargo, CCNY, [phone]
• Dr. R. Alfano, [phone], ralfano_at_sci.ccny.cu
  ny.edu

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Optical Sensing of the Atmosphere
E.
Operational Capability Development of
Multi-channel Raman Lidar System and algorithms
to profile ozone, water vapor and aerosol
extinction and backscatter under both low and
high aerosol loading. Estimate range dependant
microphysical properties including aerosol mode
parameters and refractive index Development of
robust atmospheric correction capability for
ground remote sensing through aerosols and thin
clouds using hyperspectral polarimetric data.
Collaborators
NASA - GISS
 
a) False color reflectance image and b) false
color polarized reflectance image of a relatively
smoke free area c) False color reflectance image
and d) false color polarized reflectance image of
the center of the smoke

• Outcome
• Range dependant aerosol size parameters will
  allow profiling in inhomogeneous atmospheres and
  will be used to test a number of multiwavelenngth
  lidar proecessing
• Robust Ozone,Water Vapor and Aerosol Parameter
  Retrieval and validation of satellite
  measurements and column products.
• Improved Ground Surface Properties including
  Polarized BRDF signatures for improved energy
  budget.
• Team members and Agency collaborators Contact
  Information
• S. Ahmed [phone], ahmed_at_ccny.cuny.edu
• F. Moshary [phone], moshary_at_ccny.cuny.edu
• B. Gross [phone], gross_at_ccny.cuny.edu
• B. Cairns [phone],
  bcairns_at_giss.nasa.gov

• Proposed Technical Approach
• Preliminary measurement of water vapor profiles
  using Raman N2 H20 lines and aerosol S ratios
  at 532nm
• Set up and analyze both Raman and DIAL-Raman
  techniques and how they handle different aerosol
  loadings.
• Sensitivity analysis of unpolarized and polarized
  atmospheric correction techniques on ground
  surface albedo and BRDF

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F. Optical Sensing Techniques for Estuarine
and Coastal Water Algorithm Development and
Validation for Remote Sensing of Marine Pigments
Operational Capability The algorithm
validation project will provide new or enhanced
operational capability to NASA remote sensing
satellites such as MODIS for measurement of
marine pigments in complex coastal waters Final
product will correlate heterogeneity in pigment
distribution related to various remote sensed
environmental factors. Collaborators
NASA - GISS
RGB Color Map Of Chlorophyll Concentrations with
experimental Algorithms

• Proposed Technical Approach
• Sensing and analytical techniques to identify and
  quantify photosynthetic pigments with passive and
  optical techniques.
• Laboratory studies of reflectance and
  fluorescence spectra to identify the fluorescence
  contribution to the overall water leaving
  radiance.
• Field tests to measure upwelling radiance and
  correlate with components in the water column.
• Apply semi-quantitative algorithms for large
  scale mapping of marine pigments.

• Outcome
• Mapping of coastal and estuarine regions with
  fragile environments.
• Identification of areas where degradation is
  anticipated due to anthropogenic impacts.
• Team members and Agency collaborators Contact
  Information
• Dr. S. Ahmed CCNY 212 650-7250,
  ahmed_at_ccny.cuny.edu
• Dr. K.-H.Szekielda CCNY, 212 650-5876,
  SZEKIELDA_at_aol.com
• Dr. Brian Cairns NASA-GISS 212 678-5625,
  bcairns_at_giss.nasa.gov

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G. Optical Sensing of Microorganism in the
Environment Experimental Study of
Bacteria-Colloidal Particle Interactions Leaf
Surface Chemistryusing Native fluorescence and
Bio-Active Adsorbed Molecules
Scanning Electron Microscope Image Showing
Bacteria Embedded in Natural Bioslime
Illustrates Complexity of Natural Colloidal
Systems
Operational Capability Bacteria Rheology
information reflects the interaction mechanisms
that develop between bacteria and colloidal
systems key to understanding aerosol
transport. Bacteria Growth curves may impinge
on the growth and/or endospore formation
important in understanding susceptibility and
mechanisms of transport. Leaf Chemistry
Contributes to the projected interpretation of
vegetation indices in high resolution satellite
images. Leaf Chemistry Influence of possible
heavy metal contamination on the reflectance
properties of vegetation.
 

• Proposed Technical Approach
• Develop spectroscopic methods to monitor and
  detect bacterial cells, spores and viruses.
• Bacteria Characterize clay-bacteria rheologies
  of aqueous solutions using light scattering and
  native fluorescence properties.
• Bacteria Influence of natural colloidal
  materials, such as clays, on bacteria growth
  curves measured in a Klett-Sumerson Spectrometer.
• Leaf Chemistry Measure joint absorption and
  fluorescence of leaves using an Ocean Optics
  spectrometer.
• Leaf Chemistry Measure surface Chemistry
  response of local leaf surfaces to urban aerosols
  using x-ray fluorescence.

• Outcome
• Improved understanding of the transport of
  biological agents in the natural environment, and
  important steps in both identification and
  methods of remote sensing of bio-agents.
• Team members and Agency collaborators Contact
  Information
• Dr. Jeff Steiner, EAS Dept., CCNY, 212-650-6498
• Dr. Al Katz, Physics Dept., CCNY, 212-650-5591
• Dr. Paul Gottlieb, Sophie Davis School of
  Biomedical Education, (212), 650-7709,
  pgottl_at_med.cuny.edu