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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records

Time-multiplexed, optically-addressed, gigabit optical crossbar switch

A time-multiplexed, optically-addressed, crossbar switch (38) is provided using a two-dimensional, optically-addressed, reflective spatial light modulator (O-SLM) (20). Since the optical addressing is time-multiplexed, only N addressing lines are required for an N.times.N crossbar, rather than the N.sup.2 lines needed in the prior art. This reduction in addressing lines makes possible the development of enormous crossbar switches, such as 100.times.100, for the first time. In addition, since data paths remain entirely in the optics domain, data speeds can reach the multi-gigabit level. In the switch, a row (40) of N inputs (42) at the read wavelength is spread over one axis of the O-SLM. The light is refocused along the other axis to an output array (48) of detectors (50), so that each input has the potential to talk to any one output. The O-SLM is normally off, i.e., non-reflective, so that the output is, in the absence of an input signal, zero. A one-dimensional array (52) of lasers (54) at the write wavelength is imaged onto the O-SLM. Each laser scans across an entire row of the O-SLM; where the laser is on, it turns on a portion of the O-SLM and establishes a connection between a particular input and a particular output. A full row is scanned in a time much shorter than the response time of the O-SLM, so that state of the O-SLM is capacitively stored and dynamically refreshed. The scanning is accomplished by tuning the wavelength of the laser and passing it through a grating, which sweeps the beam in space.

Lang, Robert J.↗

Four Channel Time Multiplexed Photonic Doppler Velocimetry using an Optical Switch

Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) is a diagnostic commonly used in shock physics and dynamic compression experiments to reliably get velocity information from experiments. In PDV systems, a common method of reducing experimental cost is to use time and frequency multiplexing to increase the number of PDV probes. With time multiplexing, interference between probes is a frequent problem. In this report, we look at using a high-speed optical switch to reduce this interference, including measuring the amount of interference generated to determine if it has the potential to affect experiments and integrating a time multiplexing system into an experiment. We find that, when applied to PDV systems, there is approximately (-23.4 ± 0.9) dB of interference measured in the short time Fourier transform between switch inputs. When an optical switch based time multiplexing system was integrated into a dynamic compression experiment, the system was able to successfully combine the signals from four different PDV probes onto a single optical cable without unacceptable levels of interference in the spectrogram. An optical switch based time multiplexing system appears to be a promising method for reducing the cost of fielding larger numbers of PDV probes in an experiment.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Dual Common Planes for Time Multiplexing of Dual-Color QWIPs

A proposed improved method of externally controlled time multiplexing of the readouts of focal-plane arrays of pairs of stacked quantum-well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) that operate in different wavelength bands is based on a dual-detector-common-plane circuit configuration. The method would be implemented in a QWIP integrated-circuit chip hybridized with a readout integrated-circuit (ROIC) chip.

Rafol, Sir B.↗

Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) of High Aspect Ratio SiC Microstructures using a Time-Multiplexed Etch-Passivate Process

High aspect ratio silicon carbide (SiC) microstructures are needed for microengines and other harsh environment micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). Previously, deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) of low aspect ratio (AR less than or = 1) deep (greater than 100 micron) trenches in SiC has been reported. However, existing DRIE processes for SiC are not well-suited for definition of high aspect ratio features because such simple etch-only processes provide insufficient control over sidewall roughness and slope. Therefore, we have investigated the use of a time-multiplexed etch-passivate (TMEP) process, which alternates etching with polymer passivation of the etch sidewalls. An optimized TMEP process was used to etch high aspect ratio (AR greater than 5) deep (less than 100 micron) trenches in 6H-SiC. Power MEMS structures (micro turbine blades) in 6H-SiC were also fabricated.

Evans, Laura J.↗

Equivalence of time-multiplexed and frequency-multiplexed signals in digital communications.

In comparing different techniques for multiplexing N binary data signals into a single channel, time-division multiplexing (TDM) is known to have a theoretic efficiency of 100 percent (neglecting sync power) and thus seems to outperform frequency-division multiplexing systems (FDM). By considering more general FDM systems, we will show that both TDM and FDM are equivalent and have an efficiency of 100 percent. The difference between the systems is in the multiplexing and demultiplexing subsystems, but not in the performance or in the generated waveforms.

Timor, U.↗

Frequency and time multiplexing for multiphoton state generation

One of the primary challenges with photonic quantum information processing is that single-photon states are created and heralded probabilistically, rather than being created on demand. One solution to this problem is multiplexing , which is attempting probabilistic generation of a single photon at multiple locations, times, or frequencies, and switching one successfully generated photon into an output mode. Motivated by the development of frequency-based photonic quantum information processing, we consider multiplexing using frequency and time as our options to use to get many photon generation opportunities. We devise an approach for generating multiphoton states, with photons populating multiple frequency modes in the same spatiotemporal mode. This method uses a variable-length optical delays to manipulate the temporal mode of the photons, and spaced fiber Bragg grating (FBG) reflectors to jointly manipulate the frequency and temporal modes of the photons. Experimental progress toward implementing this multiplexing scheme is proceeding along 2 fronts, each with different ways to achieve the variable-length optical delay. First, we will implement this scheme using a free-space optical quantum memory with multiple discretely adjustable free-space delays. For this implementation method, I calculate multiphoton generation rates, accounting for loss, that are realistically achievable with commercially available hardware. This work will appear in a theory paper, currently in preparation. Second, we will implement this multiplexing scheme in an integrated manner: the variable-length optical delay will happen on-chip using a long-lifetime Q-switchable Fabry-Perot cavity. The joint manipulation of the frequency and temporal modes of the photons will still happen off-chip in fiber with FBG reflectors. I report on experimental progress in constructing integrated Q-switchable Fabry-Perot cavities.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Dynamic Time Multiplexing Fabrication of Holographic Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals for Increased Wavelength Sensitivity

Described herein is a new holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) medium with broadband reflective properties, and a new technique for fabrication of broadband HPDLC mediums. The new technique involves dynamic variation of the holography setup during HPDLC formation, enabling the broadening of the HPDLC medium's wavelength response. Dynamic variation of the holography setup may include the rotation and/or translation of one or more motorized stages, allowing for time and spatial, or angular, multiplexing through variation of the incident angles of one or more laser beams on a pre-polymer mixture during manufacture. An HPDLC medium manufactured using these techniques exhibits improved optical response by reflecting a broadband spectrum of wavelengths. A new broadband holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin film polymeric mirror stack with electrically-switchable beam steering capability is disclosed. XXXX Described herein is a new holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) medium with broadband reflective properties, and a new technique for fabrication of broadband 10 HPDLC mediums. The new technique involves dynamic variation of the holography setup during HPDLC formation, enabling the broadening of the HPDLC medium's wavelength response. Dynamic variation of the holography setup may include the rotation and/or translation of one or more 15 motorized stages, allowing for time and spatial, or angular, multiplexing through variation of the incident angles of one or more laser beams on a pre-polymer mixture during manufacture. An HPDLC medium manufactured using these techniques exhibits improved optical response by reflecting 20 a broadband spectrum of wavelengths. A new broadband holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin film polymeric mirror stack with electrically switchable beam steering capability is disclosed.

Fontecchio, Adam K.↗

Optically multiplexed neutron time-of-flight technique for inertial confinement fusion

Neutron time-of-flight (nTOF) detectors are crucial in diagnosing the performance of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments, which implode targets of deuterium–tritium fuel to achieve thermonuclear conditions. These detectors utilize the fusion neutron energy spectrum to extract key measurements, including the hotspot ion temperature and fuel areal density. Previous work [Danly et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 94, 043502 (2023)] has demonstrated adding 1D spatial resolution to an nTOF-like detector using a neutron aperture and streak camera to measure the ion temperature profile of an ICF implosion. By contrast, the study presented herein explores modifying the 1D detector to use a fast photomultiplier tube (PMT) to validate the design of a 2D spatially resolved instrument based on reconstruction from 1D profiles. The modification would collect time-of-flight traces from separate scintillators in an imaging array with one PMT using optical fibers of varying lengths to time-multiplex the signals. This technique has been demonstrated in ride-along experiments on the OMEGA laser with 20 fiber-coupled scintillator channels connected to a Photek PMT210. Results provide constraints on the fiber lengths and PMT gating requirements to promote pulse fidelity throughout all channels. Calibration of the detector to fixed nTOFs can provide a preliminary estimate of the instrument response function (IRF), although measurement of the IRF is currently under way. These results suggest that nTOF signals can potentially be time-multiplexed with fibers so long as the design is strategic to mitigate signal-to-noise reduction, modal dispersion, and charge build-up in the PMT, which has implications beyond ion temperature imaging.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Queueing analysis of synchronous time division multiplexing with individual source buffering

Synchronous time division multiplexing is analyzed. Packets of information arrive at the system as a compound Poisson process, and are transmitted only during individual periodic intervals. Packet arrivals are blocked (lost) if the system has a finite capacity and is congested. Using the theory of semiregenerative processes, the distribution of the number of packets in the system (system size) is found. This nonstationary distribution is used to determine the complete system behavior, including the delay distributions, the blocking probability, and the density of the system size at arrival instants. Numerical examples illustrate applications of the results given.

Clare, L.↗

Mitigation of Finite Bandwidth Effects in Time-Division-Multiplexed SQUID Readout of TES Arrays

Time division multiplexing (TDM) is being developed as the readout technology of the X-ray integral field unit (X-IFU), a 3,168-pixel X-ray transition-edge sensor (TES) imaging spectrometer that is part of the European Space Agency's Athena satellite mission. Recent improvements in the low X-ray event count rate performance of TDM have been driven by increases in multiplexer bandwidth and the mitigation of settling transients. These methods and design changes have improved the 32-row multiplexed resolution of a NASA LPA 2.5a array from an initial (2.73 ± 0.03) eV to (1.97 ± 0.01) eV resolution at 5.9 keV. We discuss these recent advances in TDM readout, which have been implemented in an 8-column × 32-row spectrometer that will be deployed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory electron beam ion trap (EBIT) facility, and present a model that will inform the design of future systems.

Transition-edge sensors↗

Results and Limits of Time-Division Multiplexing for the BICEP Array High-Frequency Receivers

Time-division multiplexing is the readout architecture of choice for many ground and space experiments, as it is a very mature technology with proven outstanding low-frequency noise stability, which represents a central challenge in multiplexing. Once fully populated, each of the two BICEP Array high-frequency receivers, observing at 150 GHz and 220/270 GHz, will have 7776 TES detectors tiled on the focal plane. The constraints set by these two receivers required a redesign of the warm readout electronics. The new version of the standard multichannel electronics, developed and built at the University of British Columbia, is presented here for the first time. BICEP Array operates time-division multiplexing readout technology to the limits of its capabilities in terms of multiplexing rate, noise and cross talk, and applies them in rigorously demanding scientific application requiring extreme noise performance and systematic error control. Finally, future experiments like CMB-S4 plan to use TES bolometers with time-division/SQUID-based readout for an even larger number of detectors.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗