3-D Imaging
Dr. Eustace Dereniak. The 3-D imaging lab is home to faculty members and
students who are exploring techniques to combine snapshot imaging spectroscopy
with 3-D Laser RADAR (LADAR). A system to incorporate a spectrometer with a
LADAR system to produce contiguous spectral images is under development. Images
produced by this instrument will contain information in three spatial dimensions
(x, y and z) and in wavelength dimension, (l). Full spatial image reconstruction
is expected along with a 30-band spectral sampling. This work is applicable in
spectral target recognition for civil, industrial, and military applications.
This research is moving towards the concept of 4-D imaging, with x, y, z, and l
as dimensions as a function of time.
3-D Visualization and Imaging Systems
 Dr. Hong Hua. The art
and science to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) provides a
rich multidisciplinary research and education platform that is nicely
networked with the fields of optical sciences and engineering, computer
science, electrical and computer engineering, and cognitive science. The
mission of the 3D Visualization and Imaging System Lab (3DVIS Lab) is to
develop enabling technologies such as unique stereoscopic displays, novel
imaging systems, intelligent human-computer interface methods, and
complex vision tools to facilitate collaborative work in seamless 3D
augmented and virtual environments (AVE). For more
information, please visit
http://3dvis.optics.arizona.edu/
Aspheric Testing
 Dr. John Greivenkamp. New methods of metrology of aspheric optics are conducted
in this lab. Techniques under development include Shack-Hartman wavefront
sensors and sub-Nyquist interferometry.
Dimensional Stability
Dr. Stephen Jacobs. Projects include cryogenic actuators and ultraprecise (1
ppb) measurements of new ULE and new Zerodur dimensional stability and thermal
expansion near room temperature. The laboratory houses a variety of
instruments, capability includes measurements at very low temperatures; down to
5K.
 Interferometry
Dr. James C. Wyant. Research in the Interferometry Laboratory involves
determining the limits of computerized interferometry for determining surface
shape and microstructure. Phase-shifting and coherence probe techniques are
being studied and enhanced. Aspheric testing techniques such as
computer-generated holograms are being applied to real-life applications.
Instruments for reducing the effects of environmental conditions, such as
vibration compensated interferometers, are designed and constructed.
Metrology
Dr. John Greivenkamp and
Dr. Jose Sasian. This laboratory houses a variety of
metrology instruments used for testing optical components, including a
commercial Laser-Fizeau interferometer.
Optical Detection Facility
 Dr. Eustace Dereniak. The primary focus of the laboratories’ research is the
detection of light, not necessarily in the visible spectrum, and conversion of
detected light into electrical signals.
Polarimetry
Dr. Eustace Dereniak. Research is ongoing in the areas of imaging polarimetry
and imaging spectropolarimetry. Faculty members and students have constructed a
rotating-retarder imaging polarimeter for the 3-5 micron region of the infrared
spectrum. The instrument incorporates a form-birefringent achromatic retarder.
The retarder was fabricated with a retardance of approximately 132 degrees,
which group members have found to be optimal with respect to noise immunity. A
method of calibration of the system using known inputs from a polarization state
generator has been demonstrated and continuing efforts will emphasize its
full-scale implementation. The group is also investigating methods of making the
system agile, in the sense of reducing the number of raw measurements required
for its operation and allowing it to be tailored at the time of the measurement
for sensitivity to any prescribed target polarization. The rotating-retarder
polarimeter provides a test bed for demonstrating and refining these techniques.
Dr. Russell Chipman. Using a Mueller Matrix Imaging Polarimeter (MMIP),
researchers characterize polarization elements and optical subassemblies as a
function of pupil coordinate and/or angle of incidence and determine how the
polarization from different components will interact when cascaded. The MMIP can
be operated throughout the visible and is very suitable for the study of liquid
crystal display engines and components. Other laboratory projects include the
measurement of polarization aberrations by mapping the retardance and
polarization dependent loss across a wave front.
Spectrometry
Dr. Eustace Dereniak. In the spectrometry lab, group members design and
construct snapshot imaging spectropolarimeters that use thick, high order,
retarders to encode the spectral dependence of each Stokes vector component into
a single irradiance spectrum via sideband modulation. The spatially-resolved
spectrum can then be captured with snapshot capability by CTIS. Prototype
systems for the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum are underway.
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