Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis we addressed some issues concerning the automation of the detection, processing and the analysis of gravitational microlensing events, which are currently being used in the search for extra-solar planets. We were provided with a series of data images containing a microlensing event. Using these images we address several practical problems: registration, background subtraction and some PSF modelling. Registration is accomplished by using the intersection points of circular arcs drawn around stellar objects. After which the influence of the sky background is removed by using the watershedding algorithm and plane fitting. Our analysis is based on relative brightness - to counter seeing, the brightness of stars are calculated by isolating the objects from the background and summing over the area. A brightness variation curve is plotted and the trend of the lensing event and the posi tion of a blip are extracted using wavelets, calculating general trends and LOESS. The trend of the brightness variation curve can be used for both identification and classification of various events. It can also be used for the identification and classification of variable stars. Blip analysis is used to detect the presence of a planet (or dark body) in the vicinity of the source. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis beskryf tegnieke om die identifikasie, prosessering en analise van gravitasie mikro-lens gebeure te outomatiseer. Die analise van hierdie gebeure is belangrik aangesien dit gebruik word vir die opsporing van planete buite ons sonnestelsel. Om gebruik te maak van 'n reeks beelde wat een van hierdie gebeure vertoon moet ons die volgende probleme aanspreek: beeld registrasie, verwydering van die agtergrond en die modulering van die verspreiding van die lig van 'n puntbron deur die atmosfeer. Ons verkry registrasie deur die berekening van die snypunte van sirkels met middelpunte by sekere voorwerpe op die beeld. Na registrasie kan ons die invloed van die agtergrond bepaal deur gebruik te maak van die waterskeidingsalgoritme. Dit stelons in staat om die relatiewe helderheid van die voorwerpe ondersoek deur die voorwerpe te isoleer en te sommeer oor die area van 'n voorwerp. 'n Grafiese voorstelling van die helderhede dui vir ons die relatiewe variasies in die helderhede van die mikrolens objek tussen die beelde aan. Ons ondersoek die vorm van die kromme asook die moontlike voorkoms van 'n 'blip' deur middel van wavelet analiese en die LOESS metode. Die vorm van die kromme word gebruik vir die identifikasie en klassifikasie van die verskillende mikro-lens gebeure en kan uitgebrei word om ook veranderlike sterre te ondersoek. Die teenwoordighied van 'n 'blip' op die data wys op die moontlik teenwoordigheid van 'n planeet nabyaan die bron wat ons ondersoek.

[pt] Uma estrutura de placas condutoras apresenta características refrativas que permitem sua aplicação no projeto de lentes na faixa de microondas. Consiste de um conjunto de placas metálicas justapostas, paralelas entre si, estando estas afastadas umas das outras de uma distância maior que meio comprimento de onda e menor que um comprimento de onda, de forma que o campo elétrico da onda incidente esteja orientado paralelo as placas. As propriedades refrativas surgem do aumento da velocidade de fase da onda eletromagnética devido è presença das placas metálicas. A forma destas placas planas define a direção da onda que se propaga entre elas e permite o controle da distribuição de campo na interface de saáda das lentes metálicas. O controle da distribuição amplitude e fase do campo na abertura destas lentes permite, consequentemente, o controle do diagrama de radiação do dispositivo. Neste trabalho, são utilizadas técnicas aproximadas de síntese e análise de lentes metálicas que são projetadas para maximizar o ganho do dispositivo. A técnica de síntese é baseada nas aproximações da ótica geométrica e a de análise combina estas aproximações com uma análise difrativa na interface destas lentes. Para avaliar a efetividade destes algorítimos de síntese e análise aproximadas, os dispositivos projetados são submetidos a uma técnica de análise rigorosa no domínio do tempo. São apresentados e discutidos os projetos de lentes metálicas iluminadas por cornetas piramidais e lentes corretoras para cornetas setoriais no plano H. / [en] Metal plates structures exhibit refractive properties allowing the design of lens at microwave applications. A metal lens consist of a set of metallic plates placed side by side, parallel to each other, and away by a distance greater than half wavelength and less than a wavelength, so that electric field of incident wave is aligned parallel to the plates. Refractive properties arise from phase velocity increase of electromagnetic wave due to metal plate presence. The plate shape defines the wave propagation direction between the plates, allowing field distribution handling at lens output interface. Field distribution handle in aperture enable us, consequently, to control radiation pattern. In this work, an approximate techniques of synthesis and analysis for metal plates lens are outlined with the objective of improve structure gain. Geometric optics approach was used for synthesis technique, while, in analysis, diffraction effects was taken into account at surface lens. In order to evaluate the synthesis and analysis techniques, designed structures are submitted to a rigorous analysis in the time domain. Results for corrective lenses with H plane horns and metal plates lens in front of pyramidal horns are presented and discussed.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:40:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:00:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 02749.pdf: 9285161 bytes, checksum: dfb17ccf35fc0cce66c71d0904ccb146 (MD5) / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:33:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:05:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

A grande carência de material experimental adequado para o ensino de Ótica no Brasil motivou o desenvolvimento de um processo de moldagem de lentes acrílicas, pelo Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural. Aproveitando tecnologia já existente na Universidade, o CDCC desenvolveu um processo de moldagem por compressão, relativamente barato, utilizando a placa acrílica comercial como material moldável. O presente trabalho consiste em caracterizar e avaliar esse processo de moldagem de lentes acrílicas. Para tanto, são levantadas as principais características físicas do material moldável. A qualidade ótica da lente moldada é analisada com base em alguns ensaios, tais como medidas de aberrações geométricas e de birrefringência induzida. Os resultados obtidos permitem a determinação dos parâmetros ideais do processo, e demonstram a possibilidade de obtenção de lentes acrílicas de excelente qualidade ótica para o ensino básico, a um custo acessível. / The necessity of experimental optical materials in Brasil for basic learning was the principal motivation for the development of the process to produce acrylic lens in the Centro de Divulgação Científico e Cultural (CDCC). All the process developed use low cost commercial acrylic and a moulding procedure to produce the lens. In this work we characterize the moulding process and the physical properties for the material. The optical quality for the moulding lens was determine measuring: aberrations and the induce birefringence. These results allow us to determine the optimal parameters for the process, and the possibility to production of high quality lens for the basic schools.

Orientador: Carlos Ourivio Escobar / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Fisica Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T21:20:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sato_Ricardo_D.pdf: 12445347 bytes, checksum: de6912545351fe42a3693e16ebbbcaa6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Desde antes de sua descoberta, o estudo dos raios cósmicos e de seus efeitos tem mobilizado intensamente teóricos e experimentais. Hoje, um dos grandes desafios é a explicação da existência dos raios cósmicos de altíssimas energias, que chegam a ultrapassar 1020 eV ~ 16 J. Com o intuito de investigar a faixa mais energética do espectro, em particular energias superiores a 1019 eV, onde o fluxo é da ordem de 1 evento por quilômetro quadrado por ano, encontra-se em construção, mas já em operação, o Observatório Pierre Auger, a ser constituído por duas grandes redes de detectores que cobrirão 3.000 km2 cada uma, o que equivale a praticamente duas vezes a área da cidade de São Paulo (1.523, 986 km2, segundo dados do IBGE). Em cada sítio, serão adotadas duas técnicas independentes e complementares de detecção dos chuveiros atmosféricos extensos: observação direta das partículas que chegam ao solo e registro da luz de fluorescência produzida pela passagem da cascata. Os detectores de fluorescência consistem de telescópios de Schmidt, com uma lente corretora em sua abertura. O presente trabalho mostra os estudos desenvolvidos desde a concepção da lente até o seu desempenho nos telescópios, envolvendo a definição do perfil, a investigação das possíveis vantagens de seu uso, a escolha do material, o método de produção e os testes ópticos para a avaliação da qualidade. O uso da lente possibilitou o aumento da área de coleta de luz em praticamente duas vezes, sem deteriorar a resolução óptica do telescópio, o que permite fazer estimativas melhores dos parâmetros relevantes do chuveiro, como a energia e a profundidade em que ocorre o máximo do chuveiro / Abstract: Since before its discovery, the study of cosmic rays and its effect has deeply stimulated theorists and experimentalists. Today, one of the great challenge is a explanation of the existence of the ultra high energy cosmic rays, that overcome energies of 1020 eV ~ 16 J. With the goal to investigate the most energetic part of the spectrum, in particular energies above 1019 eV, where the flux is about 1 event per square kilometer per year, the Pierre Auger Observatory is under operation and construction. It will be composed by two large groups of detectors covering 3,000 km2 each one, what is equivalent twice São Paulo city area (1.523,986 kmM2, according to IBGE data). In each site, two independent and complementary detection techniques of extensive air showers will be used: direct observation of the particles which reach the ground and the measurement of the fluorescence light produced by the cascade. The fluorescence detectors consist of Schmidt telescopes with a corrector lens at its aperture. The present work shows the studies developed from the lens conception to its performance in the telescopes, involving the definition of the profile, investigation of its possible advantages, material choice, production method and the optical tests to evaluate quality. Using the lens, it is possible to double the effective light collection area, without deteriorate the telescope optical resolution. It enables a better determination of important shower parameters like the energy and shower maximum / Doutorado / Teorias Especificas e Modelos de Interação ; Sistematica de Particulas ; Raios Cosmicos / Doutor em Ciências

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:40:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:00:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 02749.pdf: 9285161 bytes, checksum: dfb17ccf35fc0cce66c71d0904ccb146 (MD5) / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:33:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:05:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um novo método voltado para a caracterização de lentes térmicas em materiais fotônicos, utilizados como meios ativos no desenvolvimento de lasers. Este método baseia-se em interferometria por padrão de speckle eletrônico (ESPI), utilizando dois lasers de diodo multímodo sintonizados a diferentes freqüências. Com o ajuste desta diferença, foi possível escolher uma resolução apropriada para medirmos as variações geradas no raio de curvatura da frente de onda, relacionados ao efeito térmico. Para os nossos experimentos escolhemos uma amostra vítrea de aluminato de cálcio dopado com 4% de érbio; e potências de bombeio incidentes de até 1,76 mW do laser de bombeio. Os lasers de diodo foram sintonizados para ter um intervalo de contorno por volta de 120 m. Com o aumento da potência absorvida pela amostra, observamos a diminuição da curvatura da frente de onda incidente na CCD, devido ao aumento da potência da lente térmica gerada. Através de uma análise paraxial dos feixes, foi feita uma aproximação para obtermos os valores das lentes para cada configuração, apresentando comprimentos focais de 131,39 mm a 42,76 mm. / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

A complex network graphics may be composed of hundreds and thousands of objects, such as nodes and edges. Each object may hold a large number of attributes that might be difficult to explore in the network visualization. Therefore, many visualization tools and approaches have been developed to gain more information from the network graphics. In this paper, we introduce the concept of the Network Lens, a new widget that assists the users to deal with a complex network. The Network Lens is an interactive tool that combines data visualization to a magic lens. With the help of the Network Lens, users can display hidden information of the elements in the network graphics based on their interest. Moreover, the Network Lens supports a series of interactive functions that give the users flexible options to define their own lenses.

Abstract This study was undertaken to identify mechanisms of adhesion of intraocular lenses (IOLs) to the capsular bag after cataract surgery and IOL implantation. It was also done to challenge the sandwich theory presented for posterior capsular opacification (PCO): If the IOL is made of a bioactive material it would allow a single lens epithelial cell layer to bond both to the IOL and the posterior capsule at the same time. This would produce a sandwich pattern including the IOL, the cell monolayer and the posterior capsule. The sealed sandwich structure would prevent further epithelial ingrowth. The degree of bioactivity of the IOL could explain the basic difference in the incidence of PCO and capsulotomy rates with different IOL materials. The sandwich theory was put forward on the basis of a search for a keratoprosthesis material, which would allow maximal adhesion of the prosthesis to corneal tissue. Titanium and glass-ceramic coated titanium were found to develop better adhesion than poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The adhesion of PMMA to the corneal stromal tissue was loose, and down growth of corneal epithelial cells was seen around the prosthesis. The differences between various IOL materials were first tested with rabbit corneal tissue cultures. There was better adhesion of corneal tissue to soft, hydrophobic acrylate than to PMMA, heparin surface modified (HSM)-PMMA, silicone or hydrogel IOLs. To assess differences in protein adhesion to IOL surfaces, different IOLs were incubated for 24 hours with radioactive iodine labeled fibronectin. Soft hydrophobic acrylate (AcrySof®) showed the highest binding of fibronectin, and the differences relative to all the other materials were significant (p < 0.01-0.001), except to PMMA (p = 0.31). The sandwich theory and the results with rabbit corneal tissue cultures and the protein adhesion study in vitro were evaluated against the results found in pseudophakic autopsy eyes. Altogether, 70 autopsy eyes were analyzed. From 38 autopsy eyes containing PMMA, silicone, soft hydrophobic acrylate or hydrogel IOLs histological sections were prepared from the capsular bag and immunohistochemical analyses were performed for fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin and collagen type IV. A total of 152 specimens were analyzed. From 32 autopsy eyes containing IOLs made of PMMA, silicone, acrylate or hydrogel, IOLs were explanted from the capsular bag and immunohistochemical analysis was done on both sides of the IOLs for fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin or collagen type IV. Soft hydrophobic acrylate IOLs had significantly more adhesion of fibronectin to their surfaces than PMMA or silicone IOLs. Also, more vitronectin was attached to acrylate IOLs than to the other IOL materials. Silicone IOLs had more collagen type IV adhesion in comparison to the other IOL materials studied. In histologic sections a sandwich-like structure (anterior or posterior capsule-fibronectin-one cell layer-fibronectin-IOL surface) was seen significantly more often in eyes with acrylate IOLs than in PMMA, silicone or hydrogel IOL eyes. These studies support the sandwich theory for posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery with IOLs. The results suggest that fibronectin may be the major extracellular protein responsible for the attachment of acrylate IOLs to the capsular bag. This may represent a true bioactive bond between the IOL and the lens epithelial cells, and between the IOL and the capsular bag. This may explain the reason for clinical observations of less posterior capsular opacification and lower capsulotomy rates with the soft hydrophobic acrylate material of AcrySof® IOLs compared to the other IOL materials studied.