The development of compact imaging systems capable of transmitting high-resolution images in real-time while covering a wide field-of-view (FOV) is critical in a variety of military and civilian applications: surveillance, threat detection, target acquisition, tracking, remote operation of unmanned vehicles, etc. Recently, optical foveated imaging using liquid crystal (LC) spatial light modulators (SLM) has received considerable attention as a potential approach to reducing size and complexity in fast wide-angle lenses. The fundamental concept behind optical foveated imaging is reducing the number of elements in a fast wide-angle lens by placing a phase SLM at the pupil stop to dynamically compensate aberrations left uncorrected by the optical design. In the recent years, considerable research and development has been conducted in the field of optical foveated imaging based on the LC SLM technology, and several foveated optical systems (FOS) prototypes have been built. However, most research has been focused so far on the experimental demonstration of the basic concept using off the shelf components, without much concern for the practicality or the optical performance of the systems. Published results quantify only the aberration correction capabilities of the FOS, often claiming diffraction limited performance at the region of interest (ROI). However, these results have continually overlooked diffraction effects on the zero-order efficiency and the image quality. The research work presented in this dissertation covers the methods and results of a detailed theoretical research study on the diffraction analysis, image quality, design, and optimization of fast wide-angle FOSs based on the current transmissive LC SLM technology. The amplitude and phase diffraction effects caused by the pixelated aperture of the SLM are explained and quantified, revealing fundamental limitations imposed by the current transmissive LC SLM technology. As a part of this study, five different fast wide-angle lens designs that can be used to build practical FOSs were developed, revealing additional challenges specific to the optical design of fast wide-angle systems, such as controlling the relative illumination, distortion, and distribution of aberrations across a wide FOV. One of the lens design examples was chosen as a study case to demonstrate the design, analysis, and optimization of a practical wide-angle FOS based on the current state-of-the-art transmissive LC SLM technology. The effects of fabrication and assembly tolerances on the image quality of fast wide-angle FOSs were also investigated, revealing the sensitivity of these fast well-corrected optical systems to manufacturing errors. The theoretical study presented in this dissertation sets fundamental analysis, design, and optimization guidelines for future developments in fast wide-angle FOSs based on transmissive SLM devices.

Colonoscopy is essential for colorectal cancer screening and disease surveillance. It can remove pre-cancerous colon polyps to reduce a patient’s cancer risk. This thesis aims to improve colonoscopy’s localization using motion tracking and colonoscopy’s coverage using surface mapping. Chapter 4 describes an endoscope motion tracker that records the scope’s insertion length, rotation, and speed during a colonoscopy. The endoscope tracker’s motion record can be combined with the endoscope’s video to localize colon polyps or cancers. In the future, the device could record highly skilled manoeuvres performed by endoscopists to help train medical residents. It is difficult to image the colon’s mucosa because the colonoscope’s camera has a limited field of view. Chapter 3 uses a 180° fisheye camera to unwrap high resolution panoramas of a colon phantom. The panoramas are then combined into a mosaic map of the colon phantom’s surface. The colon’s surface is approximated as a cylinder. Follow up experiments could test our mapping algorithm using imagery from a wide-angle, high-definition colonoscope. Chapter 2 describes another technique to localize locations where polyps have been removed—blood vessel landmarks. Colonic blood vessels from a pig were imaged to determine if they could be used to fingerprint locations on the colon’s wall. Blood vessels are also useful image features for surface mapping. The proof-of-concept experiments successfully imaged large arteries but further work is needed to image the small capillaries in the colonic mucosa and to image the veins. In summary, we have visualized colonic blood vessels to test if they could be useful landmarks, tested using an extended field of view camera to create an unwrapped map of the colon wall, and designed an endoscope tracker to help localize abnormal tissue. Combining the endoscope tracker with the other two techniques should make is possible to accurately map the colon. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Colonoscopy is a powerful tool for colon cancer screening. A colonoscopy can decrease the chance of developing advanced cancers by removing pre-cancerous polyps before they grow. This research works to improve colonoscopy’s localization using motion tracking and its coverage using surface mapping. We have developed an endoscope motion tracker that records the scope’s insertion length, rotation, and speed during a colonoscopy. It is In described in Chapter 4. The recorded motion can be combined with the endoscope’s video to improve colon cancer localization. Next, it is difficult to image the colon’s mucosa because the colonoscope’s camera has a limited field of view. Chapter 3 uses a 180° fisheye camera to unwrap high resolution panoramas of a colon phantom. The panoramas are then combined into a cylindrical surface map. Finally, Chapter 2 images the colon’s blood vessels to determine if they can fingerprint locations on the colon’s wall.

No description available.

O projeto de dispositivos ópticos integrados é de fundamental importância no desenvolvimento de sistemas de comunicações ópticas. Por esse motivo, várias técnicas de modelamento para estes dispositivos tem surgido na literatura. Esta corrida em direção à sofisticação das ferramentas de modelamento decorre da evolução natural dos processos de fabricação, que tem permitido a construção de estruturas com geometrias bastante complexas. Dentre as várias técnicas utilizadas atualmente nas simulações de dispositivos fotônicos destaca-se o método da propagação do feixe (BPM). Este método apresenta como grande atrativo o fato de ser de fácil implementação e de apresentar baixa carga computacional. Inicialmente, a técnica BPM foi empregada utilizando a equação de onda escalar de Helmholtz. Esta abordagem é eficiente desde que a diferença entre os índices de refração dos materiais utilizados no guia de onda seja pequena e que a geometria da estrutura não apresente variações na direção de propagação. Entretanto, a luz é uma onda eletromagnética que possui propriedades intrinsecamente vetoriais. As propriedades vetoriais (efeitos de polarização) tornam-se importantes quando estruturas que apresentam elevado contraste de índices de refração precisam ser investigadas. Neste trabalho o fenômeno da polarização é avaliado através da utilização da equação de onda semivetorial de Helmholtz em três dimensões, a qual é desenvolvida em termos das componentes transversais de campo magnético (Formulação H). A solução da equação de onda semivetorial de Helmholtz é obtida pelo método BPM expandido em diferenças finitas (FD). Os aproximantes de Padé de ordem (1,0), equivalentes à propagação no limite paraxial, e de ordem (1,1), equivalentes à propagação em ângulo largo, são implementados e seus resultados discutidos ) A propagação do campo no FD-BPM tridimensional proposto aqui se dá através da utilização da técnica implícita das direções alternadas (ADI), a qual proporciona uma ótima estabilidade com baixo esforço computacional. A validação deste método é feita através da simulação de guias de onda tipo rib, avaliando parâmetros numéricos como: passo de propagação longitudinal, largura da gaussiana de excitação inicial, passo de discretização transversal, número de iterações e índice de referência. Adicionalmente, também é investigada uma fibra óptica com geometria tipo D. Estes resultados serão comparados com os resultados existentes na literatura para estas estruturas a fim de garantir a eficácia do método. / It is well known that finite difference beam propagation methods have been a valuable tool for the simulation of a large variety of optical waveguides structures such as: Mach-Zehnder, Y junctions, directional couplers, switches, etc. The increasing complexity of these structures, either in terms of geometry or material composition, requires more accurate modeling techniques. Among the several techniques available nowadays the beam propagation method (BPM) is maybe the most celebrated one. This method has attracted a great deal of attention by virtue of its ease of implementation and low computational effort. Initially, the BPM was applied to solve the scalar Helmholtz equation. This approach can be quite efficient for waveguides exhibiting low refractive index contrast and no variation along the longitudinal direction. Light, by its turn, is an electromagnetic wave with intrinsically vectorial properties. The vectorial properties (polarization effects) become very important when high contrast and longitudinally varying structures are involved. In this work the polarization phenomenon is evaluated by means of the three-dimensional semivectorial Helmholtz equation, which is solved in terms of its transverse magnetic field components (H formulation). The solution of this semivectorial equation is obtained via the finite difference BPM method expanded in terms of the following Padé approximants: Padé(1,0), equivalent to the semivectorial equation in the paraxial limit, and Padé (1,1), the wide angle solution. The field propagation dynamics in both cases is performed via alternate direction implicit method (ADI), which provides good numerical stability and low computational effort. As far as the authors know, this is the first time that a wide-angle formalism based on Padé(1,1) and ADI technique is proposed to solve the semivectorial Helmholtz equation. The validation of this new wide-angle method is performed for three well known rib waveguides structures available in the literature, and its accuracy measured in terms of the following parameters: longitudinal step size, initial field (gaussian) width, transversal step size, iteration number, and reference refractive index. A D-shaped fiber is also investigated with this method for comparison purposes. The results obtained in all cases are checked against those available in the literature in order to guarantee the efficiency of the method.

The deep structure of the Bohemian Massif, the largest stable outcrop of the Variscan rocks in central Europe, was studied using the data of the international seismic refraction and wide- angle reflection experiments CELEBRATION 2000, ALP 2002 and SUDETES 2003. The data were interpreted by seismic tomographic inversion and by 2-D trial-and-error forward modelling of the P and S waves. Above, additional constraints on the crustal structure were imposed by reflectivity or gravity modelling, and by receiver function interpretation. Knowledge of the crustal velocity structure in the Bohemian Massif was complemented by its azimuthal variation. Though consolidated, the Bohemian Massif can be subdivided into several tectonic units separated by faults, shear zones, or thrusts reflecting varying influence of the crust forming processes. The resultant velocity models determined different types of the crust-mantle transition reflecting variable crustal thickness and delimiting contacts of these tectonic units at depth.

O projeto de dispositivos ópticos integrados é de fundamental importância no desenvolvimento de sistemas de comunicações ópticas. Por esse motivo, várias técnicas de modelamento para estes dispositivos tem surgido na literatura. Esta corrida em direção à sofisticação das ferramentas de modelamento decorre da evolução natural dos processos de fabricação, que tem permitido a construção de estruturas com geometrias bastante complexas. Dentre as várias técnicas utilizadas atualmente nas simulações de dispositivos fotônicos destaca-se o método da propagação do feixe (BPM). Este método apresenta como grande atrativo o fato de ser de fácil implementação e de apresentar baixa carga computacional. Inicialmente, a técnica BPM foi empregada utilizando a equação de onda escalar de Helmholtz. Esta abordagem é eficiente desde que a diferença entre os índices de refração dos materiais utilizados no guia de onda seja pequena e que a geometria da estrutura não apresente variações na direção de propagação. Entretanto, a luz é uma onda eletromagnética que possui propriedades intrinsecamente vetoriais. As propriedades vetoriais (efeitos de polarização) tornam-se importantes quando estruturas que apresentam elevado contraste de índices de refração precisam ser investigadas. Neste trabalho o fenômeno da polarização é avaliado através da utilização da equação de onda semivetorial de Helmholtz em três dimensões, a qual é desenvolvida em termos das componentes transversais de campo magnético (Formulação H). A solução da equação de onda semivetorial de Helmholtz é obtida pelo método BPM expandido em diferenças finitas (FD). Os aproximantes de Padé de ordem (1,0), equivalentes à propagação no limite paraxial, e de ordem (1,1), equivalentes à propagação em ângulo largo, são implementados e seus resultados discutidos ) A propagação do campo no FD-BPM tridimensional proposto aqui se dá através da utilização da técnica implícita das direções alternadas (ADI), a qual proporciona uma ótima estabilidade com baixo esforço computacional. A validação deste método é feita através da simulação de guias de onda tipo rib, avaliando parâmetros numéricos como: passo de propagação longitudinal, largura da gaussiana de excitação inicial, passo de discretização transversal, número de iterações e índice de referência. Adicionalmente, também é investigada uma fibra óptica com geometria tipo D. Estes resultados serão comparados com os resultados existentes na literatura para estas estruturas a fim de garantir a eficácia do método. / It is well known that finite difference beam propagation methods have been a valuable tool for the simulation of a large variety of optical waveguides structures such as: Mach-Zehnder, Y junctions, directional couplers, switches, etc. The increasing complexity of these structures, either in terms of geometry or material composition, requires more accurate modeling techniques. Among the several techniques available nowadays the beam propagation method (BPM) is maybe the most celebrated one. This method has attracted a great deal of attention by virtue of its ease of implementation and low computational effort. Initially, the BPM was applied to solve the scalar Helmholtz equation. This approach can be quite efficient for waveguides exhibiting low refractive index contrast and no variation along the longitudinal direction. Light, by its turn, is an electromagnetic wave with intrinsically vectorial properties. The vectorial properties (polarization effects) become very important when high contrast and longitudinally varying structures are involved. In this work the polarization phenomenon is evaluated by means of the three-dimensional semivectorial Helmholtz equation, which is solved in terms of its transverse magnetic field components (H formulation). The solution of this semivectorial equation is obtained via the finite difference BPM method expanded in terms of the following Padé approximants: Padé(1,0), equivalent to the semivectorial equation in the paraxial limit, and Padé (1,1), the wide angle solution. The field propagation dynamics in both cases is performed via alternate direction implicit method (ADI), which provides good numerical stability and low computational effort. As far as the authors know, this is the first time that a wide-angle formalism based on Padé(1,1) and ADI technique is proposed to solve the semivectorial Helmholtz equation. The validation of this new wide-angle method is performed for three well known rib waveguides structures available in the literature, and its accuracy measured in terms of the following parameters: longitudinal step size, initial field (gaussian) width, transversal step size, iteration number, and reference refractive index. A D-shaped fiber is also investigated with this method for comparison purposes. The results obtained in all cases are checked against those available in the literature in order to guarantee the efficiency of the method.

No description available.

yes / Controlling polymer thin-film morphology and crystallinity is crucial for a wide range of applications, particularly in thin-film organic electronic devices. In this work, the crystallization behavior of a model polymer, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), during spincoating is studied. PEO films were spun-cast from solvents possessing different polarities (chloroform, THF and methanol) and probed via in situ grazing incidence wide angle x-ray scattering. The crystallization behavior was found to follow the solvent polarity order (where chloroform < THF < methanol) rather than the solubility order (where THF > chloroform > methanol). When spun-cast from non-polar chloroform, crystallization largely followed Avrami kinetics, resulting in the formation of morphologies comprising large spherulites. PEO solutions cast from more polar solvents (THF and methanol) do not form well-defined highly crystalline morphologies and are largely amorphous with the presence of small crystalline regions. The difference in morphological development of PEO spun-cast from polar solvents is attributed to clustering phenomena that inhibit polymer crystallization. This work highlights the importance of considering individual components of polymer solubility, rather than simple total solubility, when designing processing routes for the generation of morphologies with optimum crystallinities or morphologies.

Dans les zones de subduction, la géométrie du slab est l'un des paramètres qui contrôle les déformations tectoniques de la marge, le couplage et le potentiel sismogénique. La subduction des Antilles résulte du chevauchement de la plaque Caraïbe vers le NE sur les plaques Amériques, à une vitesse de convergence de 2 cm/an. La sismicité est hétérogène et augmente localement sous la plateforme des Iles Vierges. D’une obliquité croissante vers le nord, cette zone est favorable à un partitionnement dont les déformations sont très peu observées. Ces travaux ont permis de confirmer un substratum d’une affinité de croûte océanique épaissie par un panache mantellique et faiblement épaissi par le magmatisme formant les arcs volcaniques Deux structures accommodant le partitionnement de la déformation ont été mis en évidence. La faille de Bunce est une faille décrochante sénestre de 850 km s’étendant d’Hispaniola jusqu’à Barbuda découplant le prisme d’accrétion du substratum. Le Passage d’Anegada, dont nous avons découvert son extension vers le NE, entaille profondément l’avant-arc. Formé par extension due à la collision du Banc des Bahamas sur le nord de la marge caribéenne, ces structures sont réactivées en décrochement sénestre compatible avec du partitionnement. Les caractéristiques d’une dorsale lente (core complexe et grain océanique) entrant en subduction sont imagées pour la première fois. Elles affectent probablement la morphologie du prisme d’accrétion et le potentiel sismogène. Là où les séismes et les déformations de partitionnement (Passage d’Anegada) s'accentuent localement, le slab est moins profond. Ainsi, le couplage interplaque pourrait augmenter localement et favoriser l'activité sismique et le partitionnement tectonique sous le Passage d'Anegada. / In subduction zones, the 3D geometry of the plate interface is one of the key parameters that controls margin tectonic deformation, interplate coupling and seismogenic behavior. The North American plate subducts below the Caribbean plate with a convergence rate of 20 mm/y. The seismic activity is heterogeneous and increases locally under the Virgin Islands platform. The northward increasing convergence obliquity is favorable in partitioning which deformations were not really observed. This PhD confirms that the forearc crust is a crust of oceanic affinity thickened by hotspot magmatism and poorly affected by subduction magmatism. Two structures accommodating the partitioning of the deformation were identified. The Bunce Fault is a 850-kmlength sinistral strike-slip fault extending from Hispaniola to the east of Barbuda decoupling the accretionary prism from the Caribbean substratum. The Anegada Passage, whose extension towards the NE is highlighted, entailed deeply the forearc. The structures are reactivated in sinistral strike-slip faults compatible with the partitioning of the deformation after formation in extension due to the collision of the Bahamas Bank with the northern margin. We image for the first time the characteristics of a slow ridge formation (partly complex core and partly oceanic grain) entering in subduction. It affects the morphology of the accretion prism and probably the seismogenic potential of the subduction interface. We have highlighted a shallower slab which is located under the NE Anegada Passage and where earthquakes and partitioning deformations increase locally. Thus, the shallowing slab might results in a local greater interplate coupling favoring seismic activity and tectonic partitioning beneath the Anegada Passage.

La présente thèse s'insère dans le projet SALSA (Sergipe Alagoas Seismic Acquisition), mené en collaboration entre le Département de Géosciences Marines; I'IFREMER, I'IUEM, la Faculté des sciences de I'Université de Lisbonne (IDL, Portugal), I'Université de Brasilia (Brésil) et la PETROBRAS (Brésil). Des acquisitions conjointes de sismique réflexion (MCS) et de sismique grand-angle (OBS) ont été réalisées sur le N/O L'Atalante (IFREMER) Ie long de 12 profils sur la région du point triple de Camamú, NE, Brazil. Le point triple de Camamú, où le système de rift avorté Recôncavo-Tucano-Jatobá est relié aux systèmes de rift Jequitinhonha-Camamú-Almada et Jacuípe-Sergipe-Alagoas, a joué un rôle essentiel dans l'ouverture de I'océan Atlantique Sud. Parmi eux, cinq ont été prolongés à terre par des stations sismiques terrestres (LSS). Les modèles de vitesse d'onde P ont été construits sur Ia base de I'interprétation conjointe de données sismiques réflexion et grand-angle en utilisant le logiciel RAYINVR. Nous présentons des modèles de vitesse le long de deux profils parallèles situés dans le bassin de Sergipe-Alagoas (SL01 et SL02), s'étendant sur 220 km et 200 km, respectivement du plateau continental au bassin profond de Sergipe au nord de la zone de transfert de Vaza-Barris. L'un d'eux, le profil SL02 se prolonge sur 150 km à travers le continent, dans la partie continentale du bassin de Sergipe -Alagoas. La modélisation de la marge passive du bassin de Sergipe Alagoas contraint précisément les géométries crustales et la segmentation. Les différences entre les profils éclairent I'influence de I'héritage tectonique résultant de Ia zone de transfert de Vaza-Barris. Ces informations intégrées permettent de nouvelles conjectures autour de I'histoire géodynamique de la région. / The present thesis is inserted in the SALSA project (Seryipe Alagoas Seismic Acquisition), which was conducted by a collaboration between the Department of Marine Geosciences : IFREMER, the Laboratory of Oceanic Domain IUEM, the Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (IDL, Portugal), the Universidade de Brasilia (Brazil) and PETROBRAS (Brazil).Seismic shot, Multi-Channel Seismic acquisition (MCS) and Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) deployments were performed by the R/V L'Atalante (IFREMER) along 1-2 profiles.Among them, five were extended onshore by Land Seismic Stations (LSS). P-wave velocity models were constructed based on the joint interpretation of multichannel and wide-angle seismic data using the RAYINVR software.We present models derived from wide-angle refraction and coincident reflection data along two parallel profiles located on the Sergipe-Alagoas basin (SL01 and SL02), extending approximately 220 km and 200 km from the continental shelf to the distal Sergipe basin north to the Vaza-Barris Transfer zone, and one of them, the SL02 prolongates for 150 km through the continent, on Sergipe -Alagoas continental basin and its basement, the Sergipana FoId Belt.The foward modelling of the passive margin in the Sergipe Alagoas basin precisely constrains crustal geometries and segmentation. The crustal geometry puts in question the origin of the Sergipana Fold Belt, when compared with the geometries of the adjacent geological domains, the Sao Francisco Craton and the Borborema Province.The differences between the profiles illuminate the influence of the tectonic inheritance resulted by the Vaza-Barris Transfer Zone. These integrated information allowed some new conjectures around the geodynamic history of the region.