The Karhunen-Loeve Transform (KLT) is a popular transform used in multiple image processing scenarios. Sometimes, the application of the KLT is not carried out as a single transform over an entire image Rather, the image is divided into smaller spatial regions (segments), each of which is transformed by a smaller dimensional KLT. Such a situation may penalize the transform efficiency. An improvement for the segmented KLT, aiming at mitigating discontinuities arising on the edge of adjacent regions, is proposed in this paper. In the case of moderately varying image regions, discontinuities occur as the consequence of disregarded similarity between transform domains, as the order and sign of eigenvectors in the transform matrices are mismatched. In the proposed method, the KLT is adjusted to guarantee the best achievable similarity via the optimal assignment and sign correspondence for eigenvectors. Experimental results indicate that the proposed transform improves the similarity between transform domains, and reduces RMSE on the edge of adjacent regions. In consequence, images processed by the adjusted KLT present better cohesion and continuity between independently transformed regions.

The coding and transmission of the massive datasets captured by Earth Observation (EO) satellites is a critical issue in current missions. The conventional approach is to use compression on board the satellite to reduce the size of the captured images. This strategy exploits spatial and/or spectral redundancy to achieve compression. Another type of redundancy found in such data is the temporal redundancy between images of the same area that are captured at different instants of time. This type of redundancy is commonly not exploited because the required data and computing power are not available on board the satellite. This paper introduces a coding scheme for EO satellites able to exploit this redundancy. Contrary to traditional approaches, the proposed scheme employs both the downlink and the uplink of the satellite. Its main insight is to compute and code the temporal redundancy on the ground and transmit it to the satellite via the uplink. The satellite then uses this information to compress more efficiently the captured image. Experimental results for Landsat 8 images indicate that the proposed dual link image coding scheme can achieve higher coding performance than traditional systems for both lossless and lossy regimes.

Regression Wavelet Analysis (RWA) is a novel wavelet-based scheme for coding hyperspectral images that employs multiple regression analysis to exploit the relationships among spectral wavelet transformed components. The scheme is based on a pyramidal prediction, using different regression models, to increase the statistical independence in the wavelet domain For lossless coding, RWA has proven to be superior to other spectral transform like PCA and to the best and most recent coding standard in remote sensing, CCSDS-123.0. In this paper we show that RWA also allows progressive lossy-to-lossless (PLL) coding and that it attains a rate-distortion performance superior to those obtained with state-of-the-art schemes. To take into account the predictive significance of the spectral components, we propose a Prediction Weighting scheme for JPEG2000 that captures the contribution of each transformed component to the prediction process.

Fast switching of a dual laser PM-QPSK transceiver is used to mitigate channel power excursions in amplified optical transmission under wavelength reconfiguration.

A variety of open and closed multi-layered nanoparticle structures have been considered analytically and numerically for their use as scatterers and radiators. These include metamaterial-inspired structures based on dielectrics and metals excited by either plane waves or electric Hertzian dipoles at optical frequencies. Both passive and active (gain impregnated dielectric) materials have been considered. Enhanced and mitigated scattering and radiating effects have been modeled. Nano-antenna and nano-amplifier configurations for optical applications have been emphasized. A review of these modeling efforts will be presented.

We develop a simple two-zone interpretation of the broadband baseline Crab nebula spectrum between 10(-5) eV and similar to 100 TeV by using two distinct log-parabola energetic electrons distributions. We determine analytically the very-high energy photon spectrum as originated by inverse-Compton scattering of the far-infrared soft ambient photons within the nebula off a first population of electrons energized at the nebula termination shock. The broad and flat 200 GeV peak jointly observed by Fermi/LAT and MAGIC is naturally reproduced. The synchrotron radiation from a second energetic electron population explains the spectrum from the radio range up to similar to 10 keV. We infer from observations the energy dependence of the microscopic probability of remaining in proximity of the shock of the accelerating electrons.

We present a lattice QCD study of the puzzling positive-parity nucleon channel, where the Roper resonance N∗(1440) resides in experiment. The study is based on an ensemble of gauge configurations with Nf=2+1 Wilson-clover fermions with a pion mass of 156 MeV and lattice size L=2.9 fm. We use several qqq interpolating fields combined with Nπ and Nσ two-hadron operators in calculating the energy spectrum in the rest frame. Combining experimental Nπ phase shifts with elastic approximation and the Lüscher formalism suggests in the spectrum an additional energy level near the Roper mass mR=1.43 GeV for our lattice. We do not observe any such additional energy level, which implies that Nπ elastic scattering alone does not render a low-lying Roper resonance. The current status indicates that the N∗(1440) might arise as dynamically generated resonance from coupling to other channels, most notably the Nππ .

The RHEA Spectrograph is a single-mode echelle spectrograph designed to be a replicable and cost effective method of undertaking precision radial velocity measurements. Two versions of RHEA currently exist, one located at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia (450 - 600nm wavelength range), and another located at the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii, USA (600 - 800 nm wavelength range). Both instruments have a novel fibre feed consisting of an integral field unit injecting light into a 2D grid of single mode fibres. This grid of fibres is then reformatted into a 1D array at the input of the spectrograph (consisting of the science fibres and a reference fibre capable of receiving a white-light or xenon reference source for simultaneous calibration). The use of single mode fibres frees RHEA from the issue of modal noise and significantly reduces the size of the optics used. In addition to increasing the overall light throughput of the system, the integral field unit allows for cutting edge science goals to be achieved when operating behind the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope and the SCExAO adaptive optics system. These include, but are not limited to: resolved stellar photospheres; resolved protoplanetary disk structures; resolved Mira shocks, dust and winds; and sub-arcsecond companions. We present details and results of early tests of RHEA Subaru and progress towards the stated science goals.

The GMT-Consortium Large Earth Finder (G-CLEF) will be a cross-dispersed, optical band echelle spectrograph to be delivered as the first light scientific instrument for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) in 2022. G-CLEF is vacuumenclosed and fiber-fed to enable precision radial velocity (PRV) measurements, especially for the detection and characterization of low-mass exoplanets orbiting solar-type stars. The passband of G-CLEF is broad, extending from 3500 angstrom to . This passband provides good sensitivity at blue wavelengths for stellar abundance studies and deep red response for observations of high-redshift phenomena. The design of G-CLEF incorporates several novel technical innovations. We give an overview of the innovative features of the current design. G-CLEF will be the first PRV spectrograph to have a composite optical bench so as to exploit that material's extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion, high in-plane thermal conductivity and high stiffness-to-mass ratio. The spectrograph camera subsystem is divided into a red and a blue channel, split by a dichroic, so there are two independent refractive spectrograph cameras. The control system software is being developed in model-driven software context that has been adopted globally by the GMT. G-CLEF has been conceived and designed within a strict systems engineering framework. As a part of this process, we have developed a analytical toolset to assess the predicted performance of G-CLEF as it has evolved through design phases.

A REhnu CPV module uses a 2.6 m(2), back-silvered glass reflector to focus sunlight into a 150 mm diameter receiver housing 36 multijunction cells. Current modules use commercially available 8.8 mm cells operated at 950x concentration with a cell efficiency of 41% for an AM1.5 solar spectrum. Optics in the receiver format the sunlight to illuminate the cells which are mounted slightly apart on four flat circuit boards. Active cooling is provided by liquid circulated to a radiator which can easily be configured to also provide thermal energy in the form of hot fluid at an adjustable temperature up to 80 degrees C. Modules mounted in pairs on a dual axis tracker have been tested in the field. Module conversion efficiency, corrected to 25 degrees C cell temperature (CSTC), is found to peak at 31.2% for air mass 2.75. The I-V curve shows that the concentrated sunlight is distributed between the cells with a uniformity of +/-7%. Steps are now being taken to improve uniformity, to reduce infrared losses caused by iron absorption in the reflector glass and by the receiver's antireflection coatings, and to upgrade to 42% efficient cells. Overall efficiency is projected to then increase to 35%. In hybrid mode (electrical + thermal) the total efficiency approaches 80%. REhnu's basic generator unit to be replicated for large scale installations has eight modules in a 2 x 4 array on a dual axis tracker. The first of these 6 kW units with mirrors of very low iron absorption glass has now been installed in the field, and 16 more units are under construction for a 100 kW, grid-connected plant at the Solar Zone of the University of Arizona Tech Park.