3,777 research outputs found
A Dual-Beam Method-of-Images 3D Searchlight BSSRDF
We present a novel BSSRDF for rendering translucent materials. Angular
effects lacking in previous BSSRDF models are incorporated by using a dual-beam
formulation. We employ a Placzek's Lemma interpretation of the method of images
and discard diffusion theory. Instead, we derive a plane-parallel
transformation of the BSSRDF to form the associated BRDF and optimize the image
confiurations such that the BRDF is close to the known analytic solutions for
the associated albedo problem. This ensures reciprocity, accurate colors, and
provides an automatic level-of-detail transition for translucent objects that
appear at various distances in an image. Despite optimizing the subsurface
fluence in a plane-parallel setting, we find that this also leads to fairly
accurate fluence distributions throughout the volume in the original 3D
searchlight problem. Our method-of-images modifications can also improve the
accuracy of previous BSSRDFs.Comment: added clarifying text and 1 figure to illustrate the metho
Application of coupled-wave Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation to ground penetrating radar
This paper deals with bistatic subsurface probing of a horizontally layered dielectric half-space by means of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves. In particular, the main objective of this work is to present a new method for the solution of the two-dimensional back-scattering problem arising when a pulsed electromagnetic signal impinges on a non-uniform dielectric half-space; this scenario is of interest for ground penetrating radar (GPR) applications. For the analytical description of the signal generated by the interaction of the emitted pulse with the environment, we developed and implemented a novel time-domain version of the coupled-wave Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation. We compared our solution with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) results, achieving a very good agreement. We then applied the proposed technique to two case studies: in particular, our method was employed for the post-processing of experimental radargrams collected on Lake Chebarkul, in Russia, and for the simulation of GPR probing of the Moon surface, to detect smooth gradients of the dielectric permittivity in lunar regolith. The main conclusions resulting from our study are that our semi-analytical method is accurate, radically accelerates calculations compared to simpler mathematical formulations with a mostly numerical nature (such as the FDTD technique), and can be effectively used to aid the interpretation of GPR data. The method is capable to correctly predict the protracted return signals originated by smooth transition layers of the subsurface dielectric medium. The accuracy and numerical efficiency of our computational approach make promising its further development
The Static and Dynamic Lattice Changes Induced by Hydrogen Adsorption on NiAl(110)
Static and dynamic changes induced by adsorption of atomic hydrogen on the
NiAl(110) lattice at 130 K have been examined as a function of adsorbate
coverage. Adsorbed hydrogen exists in three distinct phases. At low coverages
the hydrogen is itinerant because of quantum tunneling between sites and
exhibits no observable vibrational modes. Between 0.4 ML and 0.6 ML, substrate
mediated interactions produce an ordered superstructure with c(2x2) symmetry,
and at higher coverages, hydrogen exists as a disordered lattice gas. This
picture of how hydrogen interacts with NiAl(110) is developed from our data and
compared to current theoretical predictions.Comment: 36 pages, including 12 figures, 2 tables and 58 reference
Ab initio Calculations for SrTiO_3 (100) Surface Structure
Results of detailed calculations for SrTiO_3 (100) surface relaxation and the electronic structure for the two different terminations (SrO and TiO_2) are discussed. These are based on ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) method with electron correlation corrections and Density Functional Theory (DFT) with different exchange-correlation functionals, including hybrid (B3PW, B3LYP) exchange techniques. Results are compared with previous ab initio plane wave LDA calculations. All methods agree well on both surface energies and on atomic displacements. Considerable increase of Ti[Single Bond]O chemical bond covalency nearby the surface is predicted, along with a gap reduction, especially for the TiO_2 termination
Perception based heterogeneous subsurface scattering for film
Many real world materials exhibit complex subsurface scattering of light. This internal light interaction creates the perception of translucency for the human visual system. Translucent materials and simulation of the subsurface scattering of light has become an expected necessity for generating warmth and realism in computer generated imagery. The light transport within heterogenous materials, such as marble, has proved challenging to model and render. The current material models available to digital artists have been limited to homogeneous subsurface scattering despite a few publications documenting success at simulating heterogeneous light transport. While the publications successfully simulate this complex phenomenon, the material descriptions have been highly specialized and far from intuitive. By combining the measurable properties of heterogeneous translucent materials with the defining properties of translucency, as perceived by the human visual system, a description of heterogeneous translucent materials that is suitable for artist use in a film production pipeline can be achieved. Development of the material description focuses on integration with the film pipeline, ease of use, and reasonable approximation of heterogeneous translucency based on perception. Methods of material manipulation are explored to determine which properties should be modifiable by artists while maintaining the perception of heterogenous translucency
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Analysis of Human Faces Using a Measurement-Based Skin Reflectance Model
We have measured 3D face geometry, skin reflectance, and subsurface scattering using custom-built devices for 149 subjects of varying age, gender, and race. We developed a novel skin reflectance model whose parameters can be estimated from measurements. The model decomposes the large amount of measured skin data into a spatially-varying analytic BRDF, a diffuse albedo map, and diffuse subsurface scattering. Our model is intuitive, physically plausible, and -- since we do not use the original measured data -- easy to edit as well. High-quality renderings come close to reproducing real photographs. The analysis of the model parameters for our sample population reveals variations according to subject age, gender, skin type, and external factors (e.g., sweat, cold, or makeup). Using our statistics, a user can edit the overall appearance of a face (e.g., changing skin type and age) or change small-scale features using texture synthesis (e.g., adding moles and freckles). We are making the collected statistics publicly available to the research community for applications in face synthesis and analysis.Engineering and Applied Science
Gradient Optics of subwavelength nanofilms
Propagation and tunneling of light through subwavelength photonic barriers,
formed by dielectric layers with continuous spatial variations of dielectric
susceptibility across the film are considered. Effects of giant
heterogeneity-induced non-local dispersion, both normal and anomalous, are
examined by means of a series of exact analytical solutions of Maxwell
equations for gradient media. Generalized Fresnel formulae, visualizing a
profound influence of gradient and curvature of dielectric susceptibility
profiles on reflectance/transmittance of periodical photonic heterostructures
are presented. Depending on the cutoff frequency of the barrier, governed by
technologically managed spatial profile of its refractive index, propagation or
tunneling of light through these barriers are examined. Nonattenuative transfer
of EM energy by evanescent waves, tunneling through dielectric gradient
barriers, characterized by real values of refractive index, decreasing in the
depth of medium, is shown. Scaling of the obtained results for different
spectral ranges of visible, IR and THz waves is illustrated. Potential of
gradient optical structures for design of miniaturized filters, polarizers and
frequency-selective interfaces of subwavelength thickness is considered
A Passive Probe for Subsurface Oceans and Liquid Water in Jupiter's Icy Moons
We describe an interferometric reflectometer method for passive detection of
subsurface oceans and liquid water in Jovian icy moons using Jupiter's
decametric radio emission (DAM). The DAM flux density exceeds 3,000 times the
galactic background in the neighborhood of the Jovian icy moons, providing a
signal that could be used for passive radio sounding. An instrument located
between the icy moon and Jupiter could sample the DAM emission along with its
echoes reflected in the ice layer of the target moon. Cross-correlating the
direct emission with the echoes would provide a measurement of the ice shell
thickness along with its dielectric properties. The interferometric
reflectometer provides a simple solution to sub-Jovian radio sounding of ice
shells that is complementary to ice penetrating radar measurements better
suited to measurements in the anti-Jovian hemisphere that shadows Jupiter's
strong decametric emission. The passive nature of this technique also serves as
risk reduction in case of radar transmitter failure. The interferometric
reflectometer could operate with electrically short antennas, thus extending
ice depth measurements to lower frequencies, and potentially providing a deeper
view into the ice shells of Jovian moons.Comment: Submitted to Icaru
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