Robert K. Reich

Multifocal multiphoton microscopy (MMM) at a frame rate beyond 600 Hz

We introduce a multiphoton microscope for high-speed three-dimensional (3D) fluorescence imaging. The system combines parallel illumination by a multifocal multiphoton microscope (MMM) with parallel detection via a segmented high-sensitivity charge-couple device (CCD) camera. The instrument consists of a Ti-sapphire laser illuminating a microlens array that projects 36 foci onto the focal plane. The foci are scanned using a resonance scanner and imaged with a custom-made CCD camera. The MMM increases the imaging speed by parallelizing the illumination; the CCD camera can operate at a frame rate of 1428 Hz while maintaining a low read noise of 11 electrons per pixel by dividing its chip into 16 independent segments for parallelized readout. We image fluorescent specimens at a frame rate of 640 Hz. The calcium wave of fluo3 labeled cardiac myocytes is measured by imaging the spontaneous contraction of the cells in a 0.625 second sequence movie, consisting of 400 single images.

An integrated electronic shutter for back-illuminated charge-coupled devices

A novel electronic shutter has been integrated into the structure of a back-illuminated frame-transfer charge-coupled device (CCD) to permit short optical exposure times and to reduce the smear that occurs during the transfer of an image from the CCD detection area. The shutter consists of an n/sup +/ shutter drain placed in the vertical channel stop regions and stepped p-type buried layers formed by a high-energy implantation (1.0-1.5 MeV) located between the CCD n-type buried channel the and p substrate. These structures create electric fields that direct the photoelectrons to either the CCD detection region or the n/sup +/ shutter drain. The ratio of photons detected with the shutter open to photons detected with the shutter closed has been measured to be greater than 75000 for wavelengths below 540 nm. The corresponding shutter rise and fall times are less than 55 ns. >

Progress on color night vision: visible/IR fusion, perception and search, and low-light CCD imaging

We report progress on our development of a color night vision capability, using biological models of opponent-color processing to fuse low-light visible and thermal IR imagery, and render it in realtime in natural colors. Preliminary results of human perceptual testing are described for a visual search task, the detection of embedded small low-contrast targets in natural night scenes. The advantages of color fusion over two alterative grayscale fusion products is demonstrated in the form of consistent, rapid detection across a variety of low- contrast (+/- 15% or less) visible and IR conditions. We also describe advances in our development of a low-light CCD camera, capable of imaging in the visible through near- infrared in starlight at 30 frames/sec with wide intrascene dynamic range, and the locally adaptive dynamic range compression of this imagery. Example CCD imagery is shown under controlled illumination conditions, from full moon down to overcast starlight. By combining the low-light CCD visible imager with a microbolometer array LWIR imager, a portable image processor, and a color LCD on a chip, we can realize a compact design for a color fusion night vision scope.

Versatile alignment layer method for new types of liquid crystal photonic devices

Liquid crystal photonic devices are becoming increasingly popular. These devices often present a challenge when it comes to creating a robust alignment layer in pre-assembled cells. In this paper, we describe a method of infusing a dye into a microcavity to produce an effective photo-definable alignment layer. However, previous research on such alignment layers has shown that they have limited stability, particularly against subsequent light exposure. As such, we further describe a method of utilizing a pre-polymer, infused into the microcavity along with the liquid crystal, to provide photostability. We demonstrate that the polymer layer, formed under ultraviolet irradiation of liquid crystal cells, has been effectively localized to a thin region near the substrate surface and provides a significant improvement in the photostability of the liquid crystal alignment. This versatile alignment layer method, capable of being utilized in devices from the described microcavities to displays, offers significant promise for new photonics applications.

An orthogonal-transfer CCD imager

We describe a new two-dimensional CCD imager structure capable of transferring charge packets in all four directions, as well as experimental results on a 64/spl times/64-pixel prototype device. Applications include astronomical imaging where the charge shifting can be made to track the tip-tilt correction for atmospheric turbulence and thereby improve image resolution. >

Genosensors: microfabricated devices for automated DNA sequence analysis

A new technology is introduced for developing potentially low cost, high throughput DNA sequence analysis. This approach utilizes novel bioelectronic genosensor devices to rapidly detect hybridization events across a DNA probe array. Detection of DNA probe/target hybridization has been achieved by two electronic methods. The first method utilizes a permittivity chip which interrogates the miniature test fixtures with a low voltage alternating electric field. The second method, which is the emphasis of this paper, utilizes a charge- coupled device (CCD) to detect the hybridization of appropriately tagged (radioisotope, fluorescent, or chemiluminescent labels) target DNA to an array of DNA probes immobilized above the pixels. Such direct electronic-biologic coupling is shown to provide a tenfold sensitivity improvement over conventional lens-based detection systems.

IOTA: Recent Technology and Science ⁄

The Sydney University Stellar Interferometer (SUSI) is a long-baseline optical interferometer operating at an observatory near Narrabri in Australia. SUSI features a 640 m long North-South array with 11 fixed siderostat stations. New science from the Blue (400-500 nm) and from the recently commissioned Red (500-950 nm) fringe detectors will be presented. Recent technological developments, mainly associated with the new Red detection system, encompassing wavefront correction, fringe encoding, wavelength switching and data analysis strategies, are described.Closure-phase science and technology are dominant features of the recent activity at IOTA. Our science projects include imaging several spectroscopic binary stars, imaging YSOs including Herbig AeBe stars, detecting asymmetries in a large sample of Mira stars, and measuring water shells around Miras. Many technology projects were pursued in order to make these science observations possible. These include installation of a third-generation integrated-optics 3-beam combiner (IONIC), completion of the real-time control system software, installation of fringe-packet tracking software, use of narrow sub-H band filters, validation of the phase-closure operation, development of CPLD control of the science camera (PICNIC) and star-tracker camera (LLiST), installation of a new star-tracker camera, expansion of the observing facility, and installation of new semi-automated optical alignment tools.

High-speed, electronically shuttered solid-state imager technology (invited)

Electronically shuttered solid-state imagers are being developed for high-speed imaging applications. A 5 cm×5 cm, 512×512-element, multiframe charge-coupled device (CCD) imager has been fabricated for the Los Alamos National Laboratory DARHT facility that collects four sequential image frames at megahertz rates. To operate at fast frame rates with high sensitivity, the imager uses an electronic shutter technology designed for back-illuminated CCDs. The design concept and test results are described for the burst-frame-rate imager. Also discussed is an evolving solid-state imager technology that has interesting characteristics for creating large-format x-ray detectors with short integration times (100 ps to 1 ns). Proposed device architectures use CMOS technology for high speed sampling (tens of picoseconds transistor switching times). Techniques for parallel clock distribution, that triggers the sampling of x-ray photoelectrons, will be described that exploit features of CMOS technology.

640/spl times/480 back-illuminated CCD imager with improved blooming control for night vision

We describe a back-illuminated 640/spl times/480 CCD imager which operates at 30-Hz frame rates with 5 e/sup -/ noise and which is capable of high resolution down to near starlight illumination levels. A new process for fabricating a compact blooming control is also described.

Effects of humidity and surface on photoalignment of brilliant yellow

ABSTRACT Controlling and optimising the alignment of liquid crystals is a crucial process for display application. Here, we investigate the effects of humidity and surface types on photoalignment of an azo-dye brilliant yellow (BY). Specifically, the effect of humidity on the photoalignment of BY was studied at the stage of substrate storage before coating, during the spin-coating process, between film coating and exposure, and after exposure. Surprising results are the drastic effect of humidity during the spin-coating process, the humidity annealing to increase the order of the BY layer after exposure and the dry annealing to stabilise the layer. Our results are interpreted in terms of the effect of water on the aggregation of BY. The type of surface studied had minimal effects. Thin BY films (about 3 nm thickness) were sensitive to the hydrophilicity of the surface while thick BY films (about 30 nm thickness) were not affected by changing the surface. The results of this paper allow for the optimisation of the BY photoalignment for liquid crystal display application as well as a better understanding of the BY photoalignment mechanism. Graphical Abstract