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.

Adaptive optics systems and their laboratory test environments call for a number of unusual optical components. Examples include lenslet arrays, pyramids, and Kolmogorov phase screens. Because of their specialized application, the availability of these parts is generally limited, with high cost and long lead time, which can also significantly drive optical system design. These concerns can be alleviated by a fast and inexpensive method of optical fabrication. To that end, we are exploring direct-write lithographic techniques to manufacture three different custom elements. We report results from a number of prototype devices including 1, 2, and 3 wave Multiple Order Diffractive (MOD) lenslet arrays with 0.75 mm pitch and phase screens with near Kolmogorov structure functions with a Fried length r(0) around 1 mm. We also discuss plans to expand our research to include a diffractive pyramid that is smaller, lighter, and more easily manufactured than glass versions presently used in pyramid wavefront sensors. We describe how these components can be produced within the limited dynamic range of the lithographic process, and with a rapid prototyping and manufacturing cycle. We discuss exploratory manufacturing methods, including replication, and potential observing techniques enabled by the ready availability of custom components.

We present an instantaneous phase mapping deflectometry (PMD) system in the context of measuring a continuous surface deformable mirror (DM). Deflectometry has a high dynamic range, enabling the full range of surfaces generated by the DM to be measured. The recent development of an instantaneous PMD system leverages the simple setup of the PMD system to measure dynamic objects with accuracy similar to an interferometer. To demonstrate the capabilities of this technology, we perform a linearity measurement of the actuator motion in a continuous surface DM, which is critical for closed loop control in adaptive optics applications. We measure the entire set of actuators across the DM as they traverse their full range of motion with a Shack-Hartman wavefront sensor, thereby obtaining the influence function. Given the influence function of each actuator, the DM can produce specific Zernike terms on its surface. We then measure the linearity of the Zernike modes available in the DM software using the instantaneous PMD system. By obtaining the relationship between modes, we can more accurately generate surface profiles composed of Zernike terms. This ability is useful for other dynamic freeform metrology applications that utilize the DM as a null component.

We report on the optical design of an infrared (0.85-1.8 mu m) pyramid wavefront sensor (IRPWFS) that is designed for the 6.5m MMT telescope adaptive optics system using the latest developments in low-noise infrared avalanche photodiode arrays. The comparison between the pyramid and the double-roof prism based wavefront sensors and the evaluation of their micro pupils' quality are presented. Our analysis shows the use of two double-roof prisms with achromatic materials produces the competitive performance when compared to the traditional pyramid prism, which is difficult to manufacture. The final micro pupils on the image plane have the residual errors of pupil position, chromatism, and distortion within 1/10 pixel over the 2x2 arcsecond field of view, which meet the original design goals.

Cladding pumped single-frequency Yb3+-doped fiber amplifiers at 976 nm were investigated. Over 4 W output power was obtained and further power scaling can be achieved by reducing the cladding diameter of the Yb3+-doped fiber.

Project PANOPTES (http://www.projectranoptes.org) is aimed at establishing a collaboration between professional astronomers, citizen scientists and schools to discover a large number of exoplanets with the transit technique. We have developed digital camera based imaging units to cover large parts of the sky and look for exoplanet transits. Each unit costs approximately $5000 USD and runs automatically every night. By using low-cost, commercial digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, we have developed a uniquely cost-efficient system for wide field astronomical imaging, offering approximately two orders of magnitude better etendue per unit of cost than professional wide-field surveys. Both science and outreach, our vision is to have thousands of these units built by schools and citizen scientists gathering data, making this project the most productive exoplanet discovery machine in the world.

We are developing a stable and precise spectrograph for the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) named "iLocater." The instrument comprises three principal components: a cross-dispersed echelle spectrograph that operates in the YJ-bands (0.97-1.30 mu m), a fiber-injection acquisition camera system, and a wavelength calibration unit. iLocater will deliver high spectral resolution (R similar to 150,000-240,000) measurements that permit novel studies of stellar and substellar objects in the solar neighborhood including extrasolar planets. Unlike previous planet-finding instruments, which are seeing-limited, iLocater operates at the diffraction limit and uses single mode fibers to eliminate the effects of modal noise entirely. By receiving starlight from two 8.4m diameter telescopes that each use "extreme" adaptive optics (AO), iLocater shows promise to overcome the limitations that prevent existing instruments from generating sub-meter-per-second radial velocity (RV) precision. Although optimized for the characterization of low-mass planets using the Doppler technique, iLocater will also advance areas of research that involve crowded fields, line-blanketing, and weak absorption lines.

Q-switched operation of a holmium-doped fluoride fiber laser at 1.2 mu m wavelength induced by a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) is reported. 650 ns pulses with 0.13 mu J pulse energy at a repetition rate of 260 kHz were obtained.

We developed a high-power, continuous-wave (CW), single-frequency 852nm laser source, for the purpose of fourth harmonic generation at 213nm. Our approach is the doubly resonant sum-frequency mixing (DRSFM) with two fiber sources. An in-house single-frequency master oscillator at 1907nm is amplified by an in-house clad-pumped amplifier to 5W, and a commercial single-frequency master oscillator at 1540nm is amplified by a commercial amplifier to 10W. The two beams are combined via a dichroic mirror to a single beam before incident on a dual-wavelength resonator, consisting of one set of dual-wavelength mirrors. The external resonator is locked to the 1907nm laser frequency, and the frequency of the 1540nm is locked to the resonator, realizing double-resonance. With a periodically-poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate in the resonator, the sum-frequency at 852nm is efficiently generated. All 3 waves are in the same polarization (e-ray), allowing the effective use of Brewster-cut device, eliminating reflection loss for all wavelengths without any antireflection coatings. With 4.6W at 1907nm and 7.7W at 1540nm incident onto the resonator, 5.2W at 852nm was generated, representing the efficiency of greater than 40%. The experimental result indicates our current setup will be more efficient with higher input powers at 1907nm. With both fiber sources at 1540nm and 1907nm being scalable in output power, the output at 852nm is also scalable. By the forth harmonic of 852nm, 0.456 W CW 213nm was generated.

We investigate the nonlinear optical properties of ZnSe and ZnS using ultrashort (pulse duration approximately 200 fs) midwave infrared laser pulses between 3 and 4 mu m. Multiple harmonic generation in both materials was observed, as well as significant spectral modification of the fundamental pulse. Simulations using a nonlinear polarization model enhanced with ionization compared favorably with experimental data. Random quasi phase matching in the materials is the likely generator of the observed harmonics.