This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 7700, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, and the Conference Committee listing.

In this keynote address paper, an overview of multi-view three-dimensional (3D) imaging with passive sensing for underwater applications is presented. The 3D Synthetic Aperture Integral Imaging (SAII) technique is adapted for underwater sensing. The change in apparent object distance caused by the refractive index of water must be accounted for in computational 3D image reconstructions. An experimental environment with objects in water and SAII system in air or water is presented. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the ability of the underwater 3D SAII system.

A novel scheme for recognition of electronic bit-sequences is demonstrated. Two electronic bit-sequences that are to be compared are each mapped to a unique code from a set of Walsh-Hadamard codes. The codes are then encoded in parallel on the spectral phase of the frequency comb lines from a frequency-stabilized mode-locked semiconductor laser. Phase encoding is achieved by using two independent spatial light modulators based on liquid crystal arrays. Encoded pulses are compared using interferometric pulse detection and differential balanced photodetection. Orthogonal codes eight bits long are compared, and matched codes are successfully distinguished from mismatched codes with very low error rates, of around 10^-18. This technique has potential for high-speed, high accuracy recognition of bit-sequences, with applications in keyword searches and internet protocol packet routing.

Fast and precise measurements of ultrafast optical waveforms are essential to the development of optical coherent signal processing. In this paper, multi-heterodyne mixing of stabilized optical frequency combs is presented as a simple technique for the measurement of ultrafast laser pulses and exotic arbitrary optical waveforms. This technique takes advantage of both the broadband nature of the frequency comb and the narrow line-width of the individual comb-lines to produce an array of radio-frequency beat-notes that share the characteristics of the optical spectrum. Measurements of comb characteristics across THz of bandwidth are enabled by this method, while maintaining the accuracy at the level of the individual comb-line width. Results show that both frequency modulation and amplitude modulation combs can be measured using this scheme.

We present a microwave photonic link architecture that enables high gain and dynamic range, low noise figure, and multi-octave bandwidth operation. Our method uses double sideband suppressed carrier modulation together with a balanced coherent heterodyne detection scheme. The modulation method increases link linearity by producing carriersuppressed amplitude modulation based on the optical field rather than intensity. The combination of carrier suppression, optical amplification, phase-locked local oscillator insertion, and balanced detection provide high signal-efficient gain, reduced intermodulation distortion, wide-band operation, frequency agile spectrum access, and low link noise.

In technology the notion of beyond state-of-the-art often begins when a paradigm is shifted. In this paper the authors present their work which has fundamentally enabled an enterprise to insure operational viability under the very real cyber facts: "we are under constant attack, it is a hostile space and we can control the point of contact." That point of contact is the optical bit stream which is currently beyond the scope of the standard cyber toolset. Everis^TM, in working with our customers, has developed the tools to capture, view, analyze, and control the correlative (interdependent network, metadata, data and users) information as it traverses the core, regional, and global fiber optic networks. This capability to visualize below the operational picture afforded by current network intrusion detection systems can be combined with real-time intervention at the network core yielding prioritization, identification, and authentication of authentication. This directly translates into sophisticated end user interaction across the interdependencies often viewed as the "cloud". Everis has demonstrated unique applications based on this capability that includes mitigation of DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service), identification of "forged" IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, malicious executable destruction, WAN (Wide Area Network) IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) and connectionless routing vs. connection based switching.

The goal of the Air Force Highly Integrated Photonics (HIP) program is to develop and demonstrate single photonic chip components which support a single mode fiber network architecture for use on mobile military platforms. We propose an optically transparent, broadcast and select fiber optic network as the next generation interconnect on avionics platforms. In support of this network, we have developed three principal, single-chip photonic components: a tunable laser transmitter, a 32x32 port star coupler, and a 32 port multi-channel receiver which are all compatible with demanding avionics environmental and size requirements. The performance of the developed components will be presented as well as the results of a demonstration system which integrates the components into a functional network representative of the form factor used in advanced avionics computing and signal processing applications.

We present innovations in Planar Lightwave Circuits (PLCs) that make them ideally suited for use in advanced defense and aerospace applications. We discuss PLCs that contain no micro-optic components, no moving parts, pose no spark or fire hazard, are extremely small and lightweight, and are capable of transporting and processing a range of optical signals with exceptionally high performance. This PLC platform is designed for on-chip integration of active components such as lasers and detectors, along with transimpedance amplifiers and other electronics. These active components are hybridly integrated with our silica-on-silicon PLCs using fully-automated robotics and image recognition technology. This PLC approach has been successfully applied to the design and fabrication of multi-channel transceivers for aerospace applications. The chips contain hybrid DFB lasers and high-efficiency detectors, each capable of running over 10 Gb/s, with mixed digital and analog traffic multiplexed to a single optical fiber. This highlyintegrated functionality is combined onto a silicon chip smaller than 4 x 10 mm, weighing < 5 grams. These chip-based transceivers have been measured to withstand harsh g-forces, including sinusoidal vibrations with amplitude of 20 g acceleration, followed by mechanical shock of 500 g acceleration. The components operate over a wide range of temperatures, with no device failures after extreme temperature cycling through a range of > 125 degC, and more than 2,000 hours operating at 95 degC ambient air temperature. We believe that these recent advancements in planar lightwave circuits are poised to revolutionize optical communications and interconnects in the aerospace and defense industries.

Free Space Optical (FSO) Communications channels can exhibit high percentage availability, yet are subject to frequent intensity fades due to turbulence effects. For gigabit class links, tremendous amounts of data can still be transported through a fading channel, but an efficient network protocol is required to overcome the effects of fades. We describe a custom error detector that can process a digital signal from a channel which has frequent fades below system sensitivity and can provide data link statistics with bit-level timing accuracy. The statistics measured by the instrument include bit level counters that allow the device to be used as a traditional bit error rate tester (BERT), as well as block-based counters, which provide insight to the channel for packet based transmission formats. Synchronization parameters are adjustable to accommodate different link dynamics. Additionally, stretched error and sync pulse outputs provide useful live indicators of link performance when plotted against optical channel power. This paper will discuss the performance of the custom bit error rate tester (cBERT) in testing a 2.5 Gbps channel over a maritime FSO link trial conducted off the mid-Atlantic coast near Wallops Island, VA, in July and September 2009. Additionally, the overall design of the cBERT will be presented.

This paper will address the analysis and design of an electronically scanned phased array laser radar (ladar) system utilizing the techniques of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) array design. MIMO radar is has attracted much attention recently from both researchers and practitioners alike due to its significant potential for advancing the state-of-the-art RF radar technology. The laser radar architecture presented stands to gain significant inroads on the ability to apply RF array processing methods to laser radar systems in several ways. Specifically, using MIMO array design concepts, it is shown that the resolution of the ladar array can substantially exceed the diffraction limited resolution of a conventional array. Additionally, the use of array methods provides the capability to electronically steer the aperture, thus avoiding the mechanical beam scanning methods generally encountered in laser radar systems. Finally, by using an array of radiators, an increase in total radiated power is achieved, relieving the power burden on a single laser. The problems traditionally encountered in applying conventional array techniques to laser/detector arrays, for example, the inability to achieve half-wavelength spacing or the surfacing of source coherence issues, actually work to one's advantage when viewed in the MIMO paradigm. It is anticipated that the successful implementation of this system will significantly advance the state-of-the-art of laser radar capabilities for high speed imaging, target detection, tracking, and signature analysis.

This work presents group delay measurements for a 1.3 μm quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifier at various injection currents. White-light interferometry is used to obtain group delay data spanning both ground state and first excited state transitions, ranging from 1200 nm to 1320 nm. The group delay, group velocity dispersion and existence of higher order dispersion is observed and quantified.

We describe a fiber-optics based system for the generation of optical frequency comb using amplified spontaneous emissions from a semiconductor optical amplifier as signal source. The continuous wave spectrum from the semiconductor optical amplifier range from 1480nm to 1680nm. A Solc-Sagnac birefringent interferometer filtered the continuous wave into a comb of descrete spectral lines with line spacing of 600GHz, producing comb signals than span 182 to 230 terahertz.

The generation of optical pulses with parabolic time intensity profiles is experimentally demonstrated. A Mode Locked Laser (MLL) that generates near transform limited pulses with a gaussian optical spectrum are temporally stretched using a linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating. The temporal intensity profile of the stretched pulses matches the optical spectrum of the laser due to frequency-to-time mapping. An amplitude modulator is driven by a carefully designed voltage signal to result in parabolic pulses. Experimental results of pulse shaping with a MLL input source are presented, and show good agreement with modeling results. Parabolic pulse generation using a CW laser source is also demonstrated and a deviation of less than 3% from an ideal parabola is observed.

We will discuss the epitaxial growth, characterization, and application of a new set of ternary cubic oxide semiconductor compounds, Zn_xMg_1-xO and Ni_yMg_1-yO, offering a new route towards deep-UV optical devices. Results demonstrating bandgap tunability and excellent thin film quality will be presented validating the potential of these alloys in the 200 - 350 nm region. Significantly, we have successfully fabricated MSM solar blind detectors using both ternary alloys, demonstrating operation in the solar blind region without external opal filters.

With the continuing innovation in night vision and multispectral imaging technologies, the requirements for more sophisticated test systems continue to increase. Various manufacturers of Visible and Near Infrared (V-NIR) cameras and detection systems need to verify the lowest detectable light level and check system performance at very low light levels as well as recovery from exposure to typical daytime light levels. Typical low level requirements are in the range of 10^-4 to 10^-6 foot-lamberts, equivalent to starlight radiance levels; typical daytime light levels are 10³ foot-lamberts. There is a relatively straightforward approach to producing low light level output using "neutral" density filters to reduce the light to the proper level. Although neutral density filters are not spectrally neutral over the entire V-NIR wavelength range. For some test applications the loss of spectral fidelity is unacceptable for tests of sensor response. The challenge was to create an adjustable output V-NIR source that maintains the color temperature setting over the entire output range. This paper explains how the requirement of True Color Temperature Low Light Level source is met and the benefits compared to prior methods. In addition how the daylight level is also met with the same source. Once the high and low light levels are achieved in a stable and repeatable manner and are calibrated; the unique tests that can be performed with this source are discussed.

Although it is well-known that dazzle, flash-blindness and afterimages may be caused by bright optical radiation, only sparse quantitative data are available with regard to the effects arising from low power laser products. Indirect effects like temporary blinding might result in serious incidents or even accidents due to the alteration of visual functions like visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and color discrimination. In order to determine the degree and duration of impairment resulting from dazzle, flash-blindness and afterimages, caused by a laser beam, an investigation has been performed with the goal to improve the current knowledge as far as especially the visual acuity recovery duration is concerned. Two different test set-ups were designed and applied in order to determine the afterimage duration and the recovery time for visual acuity after temporary blinding from a laser, respectively. In order to get the desired information a helium-neon laser was mounted on a movable assembly where the respective beam position and direction could be set up on a semicircle. In addition the mount could be inclined in a vertical plane in order to increase the variability of feasible settings. The power was adjusted in several steps in order to investigate the respective dependence of the afterimage. The investigations were relatively time consuming, since re-adaptation of about half an hour was necessary after every exposure in order not to falsify the results. The trials have been done with several volunteers in the laboratory. After the experimental mapping of the local afterimage duration for the various sites on the retina the foveal afterimage duration taf,fv produced by a red laser beam was determined. The investigations have shown a strong dependence on the angle between the line of sight and the beam direction. Besides a maximum of 300 s the dose relationship t_af,fv/s ≈ 50.6•ln[(P•t_exp)/μJ] - 13.4 for laser output powers P between 10 μW and 30 μW with exposure durations t_exp from 0.25 s up to 10 s was found. The inability to read due to the disturbance produced by afterimages lasts for about 20 s even if the exposure is not more than 0.25 s from a laser with about 0.8 mW optical output power. In addition to the physiological effects of temporary blinding the psychological glare was determined as a function of the angle between line of sight and beam direction. It was found that already at output powers below 30 μW of a He-Nelaser the subjects reported intense glare effects and felt uncomfortable due to the high brightness. Instead of the standard visual acuity measurement used by eye care professionals, a reading test on a computer monitor was applied after laser irradiation. In this case two different lasers were used as a dazzling light source, one with a wavelength of 632.8 nm and the other with 532 nm. The maximum applied optical power in a 7-mm aperture, which is equivalent to the pupil diameter of a dark adapted eye, was 0.783 mW. The exposure durations were chosen as 0.25 s, 0.5 s, 1 s, 5 s, and 20 s.