We present a design procedure of a leaky-wave antenna with low sidelobes based on the stub-loaded ridge-rectangular waveguide. As a typical example, we desig the antenna with the Taylor distribution of -30 dB sidelobes and fabricated it. The agreement between the measured and the numerical results validate the proposed antenna.

To find the best transformation between a "model" point set and an "image" point set is the main purpose of point pattern matching. The similarity measure plays a pivotal role and is used to determine the degree of resemblance between two objects. Although some well-known Hausdorff distance measures work well for this task, they are very computationally expensive and suffer from the noise points. In this paper, we propose a novel similarity measure using the Hilbert curve named Hilbert scanning distance (HSD) to resolve the problems. This method computes the distance measure in the one-dimensional (1-D) sequence instead of in the two-dimensional (2-D) space, which greatly reduces the computational complexity. By applying a threshold elimination function, large distance values caused by noise and position errors (e.g. those that occur with feature or edge extraction) are removed. The proposed algorithm has been applied to the task of matching edge maps with noise. The experimental results show that HSD can provide sufficient information for image matching within low computational complexity. We believe this sets a new direction for the research of point pattern recognition.

A series-fed beam-scanning array employing a MUlti-Stage Configured microstrip Antenna with Tunable reactance devices (MUSCAT) is proposed. The proposed antenna significantly expands the beam scanning range and achieves high efficiency. This antenna comprises unit element groups, whose elements are placed close to each other and employ tunable reactance devices. Analyses and experiments on the unit element groups show that their multi-stage configuration extends the phase shift range and increases the radiation efficiency, e.g., a 120phase shift and the radiation efficiency of more than 50% are achieved, when three stages are employed. The radiation pattern of the fabricated MUSCAT array antenna comprising eight unit element groups is measured. A beam scanning range of 27, which is greater than twice the beam scanning range of a non-multi-stage configuration, is achieved.

In this paper, we propose a transformation function for a user's raw iris data, an "iris code" in iris scanning verification on the server, since the iris code requires to be hidden from even a server administrator. We then show that the user can be properly authenticated on the server, even though the iris code is transformed by the proposed function. The reason is that the function has a characteristic, "The (normalized) Hamming distances between the enrolled iris codes and the verified iris codes are conserved before and after the computation of the function," that is, the normalized Hamming distance in this scheme is equal to that in the existing scheme. We also show that the transformed iris code is sufficiently secure to hide the original iris code, even if a stronger attack model is supposed than the previously described model. That can be explained from the following two reasons. One reason is that nonlinear function, which consists of the three-dimensional rotation about the x-axis and the y-axis with the iris code lengthened bit by bit, and the cyclic shift, does not enable an attacker to conjecture the iris code. The other reason is that the success probabilities for the exhaustive search attack concerning the iris code in the supposed attack models are lower than those of the previously proposed methods and are negligible.

A resonant slit-type probe is proposed in this paper that can improve measurement sensitivity in millimeter-wave scanning near-field microscopy. The probe consists of a rectangular metal waveguide incorporating the following three sections; a straight section at the tip of the probe whose height is much smaller than the operating wavelength; a standard-height waveguide section; a quarter-wave transformer section to achieve impedance-matching between the other sections. The design procedure used for the probe is presented in detail and the performance of the fabricated resonant probe is evaluated experimentally. Experiments performed at U-band frequencies in which we reconstruct 2D images show that the sensitivity of the resonant probe is improved by more than four times compared with a conventional tapered slit-type probe. Some experimental results are compared with those obtained using the finite element method (Ansoft HFSS). Good agreement is demonstrated.

The relation between resonant frequency of micromirror with vertical combdrives and applied voltage between the upper and lower comb teeth was analyzed. Resonant frequency of the micromirror was controlled by stiffness of the torsion hinge. Resonant frequency of the mirror was proportional to the applied voltage between the upper and lower comb teeth at the same tilt angle.

The lithography process on the deep trench pattern above the large cavity is proposed to fabricate the MEMS structure. Generally, bubbles generated on the trench patterns when it was baked after coating resist. The probability of the generation of bubbles was reduced by decreasing the backing rate. The fast scanning micromirror with 50.8 kHz resonant frequency was fabricated by controlling the backing rate.

The paper reviews methods for the measurement and analysis of high precision surfaces. A number of measurement techniques are discussed with the emphasis on the application of con-focal methods. The various techniques are compared in terms of measurement times, data density, and the ability to detect near vertical surfaces, and steps. The two sensing methods discussed are the auto-focus laser method and the white light methods. Particular applications considered are in the measurement of eroded electrical contact surfaces, spherical and near spherical surfaces, and MEMS. The particular emphasis here is on the metrology of such surfaces and devices and methods for the assessment of complex micro-machined surfaces. The paper points to a number of directions for improved metrology and discusses these in the context of the application given.

We present an overview of our work on the application of scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) to photonic crystal structures. Our results show that SNOM can be used to map the subwavelength confinement of light to a point-defect in a 2D photonic crystal microresonator. Comparison with numerical modelling shows that SNOM is able to resolve patterns in the intensity distribution that are due to the slight non-uniformity in the crystal structure. We also discuss the future possibilities for applications of different modes of SNOM to photonic crystal devices.

A mechanical phase shifter is designed for beam scanning in co-phase fed single-layer slotted waveguide arrays. The multiple-way power divider in this array consists of a series of π-junctions with one guide wavelength spacing in a feed waveguide. The movable narrow walls placed between the π-junctions perturb the guide wavelength as well as the phase of output ports. Method of Moment (MoM) analysis for one unit consisting of one movable plate and two junctions is conducted to estimate the available phase shift as well as the degradation of reflection. A phase shift of 86 degrees is predicted between two π-junctions under the condition of reflection below -20 dB; experiments at 4 GHz confirmed the design. The beam scanning capability of the arrays is also surveyed and the beam-scanning of about 10 degrees is predicted.

In the past decade, significant effort has been made toward increasing the accuracy and robustness of three-dimensional scanning methods. In this paper, we present a new prototype vision system named 3D Model Studio, which has been built to reconstruct a complete 3D model in as less as a few minutes. New schemes for a probe calibration and a 3D data merging (axis consolidation) are employed. We also propose a new semi-automatic contour registration method to generate accurate contour model from 3D data points, along with a contour triangulation based surface reconstruction. Experimental result shows that our system works well for reconstructing a complete 3D surface model of a human body.

Discrete cosine transform (DCT) coding has been proven to be an efficient means of image compression coding. A lot of efforts have been made to improve the coding efficiency of DCT based coding. This paper presents an adaptive DCT coding based on geometrical edge representation. This scheme is designed to properly exploit the correlation between edge direction and distribution of DCT coefficients. Edges are extracted from original images first. Then, sub-optimal block-size and scanning order are determined at each block based on the extracted edges. In this way an adaptive DCT scheme taking account of local characteristics of image can be achieved. It is shown through the simulations that the proposed algorithm outperforms a conventional coding scheme in terms of coding efficiency by 10-15%.

The authors have been interested in a Scanning Laser Microscope (SLM) and applied it to studies of contact phenomena. In particular, a digital SLM is being currently used, and confirmed to be a successful tool for investigating the contact phenomena. In this paper, the theory and mechanism of a digital SLM are briefly explained, and some actual data obtained with the digital SLM are presented for demonstrating its usefulness for studies of contact phenomena.

Using the finite-difference time-domain method, we evaluated the performance of apertured near-field fiber probes with a double-tapered structure, which have exhibited, in recent experiments, a much higher collection efficiency of localized light in comparison with single-tapered probes. We clarified that this high collection efficiency could be attributed to the shortening of the cutoff region, and the efficient coupling to the guiding mode of the optical fiber. By reproducing the experimental results in terms of the spatial resolution and the collection efficiency as a function of the aperture diameter, our calculation was confirmed to be valid and useful for the design of probes in a variety of applications.

In this paper, we focus on an image encryption scheme based on a truncated Baker transformation. The truncated Baker transformation globally preserves the original dynamics of Baker transformation but incorporates a random local rotation operator between two neighbor elements in the mapping domain in order to keep a finite precision. It generates binary sequences (the dynamics of elements) which have statistically good features on ergodicity, mixing and chaotic properties. The image encryption scheme extended from the truncated Baker transformation efficiently shuffles the input gray level image satisfying fundamental conditions on confusion and diffusion required for image encryption schemes. However, this scheme uses many binary sequences and thus needs to keep a large volume of secret keys. In order to solve this problem we introduce Peano space-filling curve in this scheme, which remarkably reduce the key size and mapping iterations without deteriorating good shuffling properties attained by this scheme.

The optical recording on an azopolymer surface by the optical fiber probe with a 100 nm diameter aperture was demonstrated. The 150 nm diameter pit was formed by the optical fiber probe coupled with a 50 ns pulse of 10 mW and 488 nm wavelength coherent light.

Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) is capable of delivering a high axial resolution, and with this instrument even thin layers of cells can be imaged in good quality. Therefore, intracellular uptake and distribution properties of photosensitizer zinc coproporphyrin III tetrasodium salt (Zn CP-III) in human lung small cell carcinoma (Ms-1) were examined by using CLSM. In particular, the uptake of Zn CP-III in cytoplasm, plasma membrane, and nucleus was individually evaluated for the first time from fluorescence images obtained by CLSM. The results show that the Zn CP-III content in three cellular areas correlates with extracellular Zn CP-III concentration and time of incubation with Zn CP-III. Furthermore, it was found that the cytoplasmic fluorescence was approximately two times higher than that in the nucleus under all uptake conditions. In addition, cellular accumulation of Zn CP-III was compared with photodynamic cytotoxicity. The photocytotoxicity was to a great extent dependent on the uptake of the photosensitizer. The damaged site of Ms-1 cells induced by photodynamic therapy was plasma membrane. However, the content of Zn CP-III accumulated in cytoplasm was the highest among the three areas, implying that, besides the direct damage on plasma membrane, an oxidative damage to cellular component arose from the cytoplasmic Zn CP-III may also play an important role in photocytotoxicity. The quantitative information obtained in this study will be useful for further investigation of the photocytotoxicity as well as the uptake mechanism of photosensitizer.

Most of the current research is focused on the row-column scanning keyboard interface for English letter and number input. At the present time, there are insufficient methods to control the computer mouse effectively. In this study, a categorized row-column scanning computer interface is developed to improve the conventional single key-in row-column scanning method. The beneficial developments include: speed enhancement by categorizing radicals of keyboard, input control of mouse, and multiple selection of input methods such as surface electromyographic (SEMG) control, breath pressure sensibility control with puff, force sensibility control, infrared sensibility control and single key-in control. Meanwhile, an enhancement software package is developed to increase the row-column scanning keyboard capabilities and to upgrade the completeness of the computer mouse for the disabled persons to control the operation of data entry and the associated implementation better.

Electric beam scanning reflector antennas provide beam scanning and pattern control, and can create narrow beams efficiently. However, they are not popular because the beam control circuit is large and difficult to realize. This paper proposes a new BFN configuration for cluster feeding of highly functional scanning antenna. The Enhanced PAttern Control nonswiTch (EPACT) BFN simplifies the beam control circuit and its control algorithm by using a fast Fourier transform (FFT) circuit, phase shifters, and a power divider. Furthermore, this paper proposes a design technique that uses modules to implement the FFT circuit and a method that optimizes amplifier placement to improve antenna efficiency. The design technique facilitates the manufacture of large-scale FFT circuits. The optimized amplifier location improves the antenna efficiency by eliminating the partial concentration of signal power.

A simple embedded lossless wavelet-based image coding algorithm called Successive Partition Zero Coder (SPZC), which uses hybrid bit scanning and non-causal adaptive context modelling, is proposed. By successive partition the wavelet coefficients in the spatial-frequency domain, the coefficients are ordered based on their absolute range. The prioritized coefficients are quantized in a successive approximation manner to generate a binary sequence, which is divided into subsources and encoded by arithmetic coder with non-causal adaptive context modelling. This method is suited for progressive image transmission (PIT). Experimental results show that SPZC outperforms other state-of-the-art coders such as SPIHT, CREW and LJPEG, but slightly inferior to ECECOW and CALIC in lossless mode. SPZC is simple in both context modelling and implementation.