An icon-based synoptic visualization of fully polarimetric radar data

The visualization of fully polarimetric radar data is hindered by traditional remote sensing methodologies for displaying data due to the large number of parameters per pixel in such data, and the non-scalar nature of variables such as phase difference. In this paper, a new method is described that uses icons instead of image pixels to represent the image data so that polarimetric properties and geographic context can be visualized together. The icons are parameterized using the alpha-entropy decomposition of polarimetric data. The resulting image allows the following five variables to be displayed simultaneously: unpolarized power, alpha angle, polarimetric entropy, anisotropy and orientation angle. Examples are given for both airborne and laboratory-based imaging

The development of a ground based polarimetric SAR interferometer (GB-POLInSAR)

Copyright © 2005 IEE

Linear optics and quantum maps

We present a theoretical analysis of the connection between classical polarization optics and quantum mechanics of two-level systems. First, we review the matrix formalism of classical polarization optics from a quantum information perspective. In this manner the passage from the Stokes-Jones-Mueller description of classical optical processes to the representation of one- and two-qubit quantum operations, becomes straightforward. Second, as a practical application of our classical-\emph{vs}-quantum formalism, we show how two-qubit maximally entangled mixed states (MEMS), can be generated by using polarization and spatial modes of photons generated via spontaneous parametric down conversion.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figure

Application of Polarization Coherence Tomography to GB-POLInSAR Data

Copyright © 2006 IEE

Structural parameter estimation of Australian flora with a ground-based polarimetric radar interferometer

Copyright © 2006 IEE

Detecting depolarized targets using a new geometrical perturbation filter

Target detectors using polarimetry are often focused on single targets, since these can be characterized in a simpler and deterministic way. The algorithm proposed in this paper is aimed at the more difficult problem of partial target detection (i.e. targets with arbitrary degree of polarization). The authors have already proposed a single target detector employing filters based on a geometrical perturbation. In order to enhance the algorithm to the detection of partial targets, a new vector formalism is introduced. The latter is similar to the one exploited for single targets but suitable for complete characterization of partial targets. A new feature vector is generated starting from the covariance matrix, and exploited for the perturbation method. Validation against L-band fully polarimetric airborne E-SAR, and satellite ALOS-PALSAR data and X-band dual polarimetric TerraSAR-X data is provided with significant agreement with the expected results. Additionally, a comparison with the supervised Wishart classifier is presented revealing improvements

A polarimetric target detector using the Huynen fork

The contribution of SAR polarimetry in target detection is described and found to add valuable information. A new target detection methodology is described that makes novel use of the polarization fork of the target. The detector is based on a correlation procedure in the target space, and other target representations (e.g. Huynen parameters or α angle) can be employed. The mathematical formulation is general and can be applied to any kind of single target, however in this paper the detection is optimized for the odd and even-bounces (first two elements of the Pauli scattering vector) and oriented dipoles. Validation against real data shows significant agreement with the expected results based on the theoretical description

Polarization Elements-A Group Theoretical Study

The Classification of Polarization elements, the polarization affecting optical devices which have a Jones matrix representation, according to the types of eigenvectors they possess, is given a new visit through the Group-theoretical connection of polarization elements. The diattenuators and retarders are recognized as the elements corresponding to boosts and rotations respectively. The structure of homogeneous elements other than diattenuators and retarders are identified by giving the quaternion corresponding to these elements. The set of degenerate polarization elements is identified with the so called `null' elements of the Lorentz Group. Singular polarization elements are examined in their more illustrative Mueller matrix representation and finally the eigenstructure of a special class of singular Mueller matrices is studied.Comment: 7 pages, 2 tables, submitted to `Optics Communications

Polarimetry: the characterisation of polarisation effects in EM scattering

This thesis is concerned with the development of a general theory for the characterisation of polarimetric scattering problems. Traditionally, two main approaches have been used in the literature: the first based on measurement of the coherent scattering matrix (Jones calculus) and the second on measurement of the wave Stokes parameters (Mueller calculus). This thesis contains three main developments which extend and complement the published work in this area: 1) The representation of nonsymmetric scattering matrices on the Poincaré sphere, using an extension of the fork analysis first introduced by Kennaugh. 2) The construction of a geometry based on the Lorentz , transformation for analysing, on the Poincaré sphere. The interaction of partially polarised waves with single targets. 3) The reformulation of polarisation scattering problems in terms of a target spinor and associated coherency matrix. This leads to the construction of a target sphere in 6 dimensions analogous to the Poincaré sphere in 3 dimensions. This new formulation also leads to the development of a decomposition theorem for dynamic targets based on the eigenvectors of the coherency matrix. This decomposition is more fundamental than that used by Huynen and the two are compared and contrasted. In order to demonstrate main features of the new theory and to highlight its importance to experimental polarimetry, a laser based optical polarimeter was constructed. Results for the measured coherency Matrix obtained for transmission through quarter and half wave plates are presented and analysed using the target spinor theory

Leveraging Multimodal Learning Analytics to Understand How Humans Learn with Emerging Technologies

Major education and training challenges are plaguing the United States in preparing the next generation of the future workforce to meet the demands of the 21st Century. Several calls have been released to improve education programs to ensure learners are acquiring 21st century knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). As we embark on the digital and automation ages of the 21st century, it is essential that we move away from traditional education programs that define and measure KSAs as static constructs (e.g., standardized assessments) with little consideration of the actual real-time deployment of these processes, missing critical information on the degree to which learners are acquiring and applying 21st century KSAs. The objective of this dissertation is to use 1 book chapter and 2 journal articles to illustrate the value in leveraging emerging technologies and multimodal trace data to define and measure scientific thinking, reflection, and self-regulated learning--core 21st century skills, across contexts, domains, tasks, and populations (e.g., medical versus undergraduates versus middle-school students). Chapters 2-4 of this dissertation provide evidence of ways to leverage multimodal trace data guided by theoretical perspectives in cognitive and learning sciences, with a special focus in self-regulated learning, to assess the extent to which learners engaged in scientific thinking, reflection, and self-regulated learning during learning activities with emerging technologies. Overall, results from these chapters illustrate that it is necessary to utilize methods that capture learning processes as they unfold during learning activities that are guided by theoretical perspectives in self-regulated learning. Findings from this research hold significant broader impacts for addressing the education and training challenges in the United States by collecting multimodal trace data over the course of learning to not only detect and identify how learners are developing KSAs such as scientific thinking, reflection, and self-regulated learning, but where these data could be fed into an intelligent and adaptive system to repurpose it back to trainers, teachers, instructors, and learners for just-in-time interventions and individualized feedback. The intellectual merit of this dissertation focuses predominantly on the importance of utilizing rich streams of multimodal trace data that are mapped onto different theoretical perspectives on how humans self-regulate across tasks like clinical reasoning, scientific thinking, and reflection with emerging technologies such as a game-based learning environment called Crystal Island. Discussion is incorporated around ways to leverage multimodal trace data on undergraduate, middle-school, and medical student populations across a range of tasks including learning about microbiology to problem solving with a game-based learning environment called Crystal Island and clinically reasoning about diagnoses across emerging technologies