Dr. Abdul A. S. Awwal Profile

Dr. Abdul A. S. Awwal

Member of Technical Staff

SPIE Involvement:

Conference Chair | Conference Co-Chair | Editor | Author

Area of Expertise:

Digital Optical Computing , Pattern Recognition , Automated beam alignment

Publications (80)

Proceedings Article | 30 September 2024 Poster + Paper

Role of redundancy in boosting the robustness in image analysis in the automatic alignment system at the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. Awwal

Proceedings Volume 13136, 131360U (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3037713

KEYWORDS: Image processing, National Ignition Facility, Image enhancement, Algorithm development, Detection and tracking algorithms, Automatic alignment, Image processing algorithms and systems, Light sources and illumination

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The first demonstration of indirect drive fusion in the National Ignition Facility (NIF) has ushered in a new era of laser-based fusion work. Before every experiment in NIF all 192 laser beams passing through various laser sub-sections must be aligned to the target chamber center within 30 minutes with a 50-micron accuracy at the target chamber center. NIF uses a CCD camera-based imaging system to identify the beam location; the laser beams are then aligned using motorized mirrors within a feedback control system. The success of the automatic alignment (AA) is contingent upon calculating the exact location of the laser beam in the CCD image of the beam. When an algorithm fails due to poor imaging, gradient illumination, or high noise content, the automated operation for the affected alignment loop stops, and the alignment enters a manual mode with operator intervention. The operator/shot director must decide if the imaging condition needs to be improved to successfully pass alignment or if the beam has to be dropped from participating in the shot thus reducing the total energy delivered to the target. To minimize such failures where a legitimate but challenging beam image is present, additional alternate algorithms are added to the original algorithm. When the first algorithm fails, this alternate algorithm is executed to process the image even though it may have a slightly higher uncertainty. Although the second algorithm may report a higher uncertainty, this system design allows the loop to continue to align the laser without operator intervention. The implication of this approach may be far-reaching, for example, in the application of driver-less cars, where the original algorithm developed by training on a large set of data, may sometimes fail to account for the presence of a pedestrian and lead to a fatal accident. Here we hypothesize that a back-up algorithm based on a second approach will minimize such risks in the real-world driver-less driving scenarios.

Proceedings Article | 14 March 2023 Presentation + Paper

Beam-line parameter image processing optimization and maintenance for beam alignment in the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. Awwal, Richard Leach, Roger Lowe-Webb, Vicki Miller Kamm

Proceedings Volume 12401, 1240107 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2657715

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Image processing, Second harmonic generation, Automatic alignment, Detection and tracking algorithms, Reflection, Optical alignment

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Proceedings Article | 3 October 2022 Presentation + Paper

Role of template selection in aligning beams in the optical Thomson scattering laser at the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. Awwal, Roger Lowe-Webb, Mark Bowers, Tracy Budge

Proceedings Volume 12225, 1222502 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2647290

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Laser optics, Thomson scattering, Laser scattering, Image filtering, Image processing, Cameras

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Proceedings Article | 1 August 2021 Presentation + Paper

Alignment of pointing beam in the Optical Thomson Scattering Laser at the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. Awwal

Proceedings Volume 11841, 118410I (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2596187

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Image processing, Laser optics, Thomson scattering, Laser scattering, Beam shaping, Image analysis, Image filtering

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Proceedings Article | 8 March 2021 Presentation

LaserNetUS: A national network of high-power lasers for groundbreaking research

Félicie Albert

Proceedings Volume 11666, 1166606 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2588272

KEYWORDS: High power lasers

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Proceedings Article | 5 March 2021 Presentation + Paper

Alignment of diffraction features in the Optical Thomson Scattering Laser at the National ignition Facility

Abdul A. S. Awwal

Proceedings Volume 11666, 116660D (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2588507

KEYWORDS: Diffraction, National Ignition Facility, Image processing, Detection and tracking algorithms, Laser optics, Plasma, Image segmentation, Content addressable memory, Thomson scattering

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Proceedings Article | 5 March 2021 Presentation

Welcome and Introduction to SPIE Conference 11666

Abdul A. Awwal, Constantin Haefner

Proceedings Volume 11666, 1166602 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2592465

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Proceedings Article | 7 September 2018 Paper

Image processing strategies and multiple paths toward solutions

Abdul A. Awwal, Richard Leach

Proceedings Volume 10751, 107510R (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2321958

KEYWORDS: Image processing, National Ignition Facility, Edge detection, Image analysis, Cameras, Image segmentation, Detection and tracking algorithms, Image filtering, Hough transforms, Digital image correlation

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Proceedings Article | 12 September 2017 Paper

Optical beam classification using deep learning: a comparison with rule- and feature-based classification

Md. Zahangir Alom, Abdul A. S. Awwal, Roger Lowe-Webb, Tarek Taha

Proceedings Volume 10395, 103950O (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2282903

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Deep-learning methods are gaining popularity because of their state-of-the-art performance in image classification tasks. In this paper, we explore classification of laser-beam images from the National Ignition Facility (NIF) using a novel deeplearning approach. NIF is the world’s largest, most energetic laser. It has nearly 40,000 optics that precisely guide, reflect, amplify, and focus 192 laser beams onto a fusion target. NIF utilizes four petawatt lasers called the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) to produce backlighting X-ray illumination to capture implosion dynamics of NIF experiments with picosecond temporal resolution. In the current operational configuration, four independent short-pulse ARC beams are created and combined in a split-beam configuration in each of two NIF apertures at the entry of the pre-amplifier. The subaperture beams then propagate through the NIF beampath up to the ARC compressor. Each ARC beamlet is separately compressed with a dedicated set of four gratings and recombined as sub-apertures for transport to the parabola vessel, where the beams are focused using parabolic mirrors and pointed to the target. Small angular errors in the compressor gratings can cause the sub-aperture beams to diverge from one another and prevent accurate alignment through the transport section between the compressor and parabolic mirrors. This is an off-normal condition that must be detected and corrected. The goal of the off-normal check is to determine whether the ARC beamlets are sufficiently overlapped into a merged single spot or diverged into two distinct spots. Thus, the objective of the current work is three-fold: developing a simple algorithm to perform off-normal classification, exploring the use of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for the same task, and understanding the inter-relationship of the two approaches. The CNN recognition results are compared with other machine-learning approaches, such as Deep Neural Network (DNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The experimental results show around 96% classification accuracy using CNN; the CNN approach also provides comparable recognition results compared to the present feature-based off-normal detection. The feature-based solution was developed to capture the expertise of a human expert in classifying the images. The misclassified results are further studied to explain the differences and discover any discrepancies or inconsistencies in current classification.

Proceedings Article | 14 September 2016 Presentation + Paper

Image processing for the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) at the National Ignition Facility

Richard Leach, Abdul A. Awwal, Roger Lowe-Webb, Victoria Miller-Kamm, Charles Orth, Randy Roberts, Karl Wilhelmsen

Proceedings Volume 9970, 99700M (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2239434

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Image processing, Image sensors, Image analysis, Detection and tracking algorithms, Image segmentation, Diagnostics, Laser processing, Mirrors, Reticles

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Proceedings Article | 14 September 2016 Presentation + Paper

Designing projects for motivating students towards scientific exploration: application to student mentoring

Abdul A. Awwal

Proceedings Volume 9970, 99700R (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2239306

KEYWORDS: Optical filters, National Ignition Facility, Image filtering, Laser optics, Optical testing, Optical alignment, Ronchi rulings, Logic, Optical computing, Optoelectronics

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Proceedings Article | 9 September 2015 Paper

Alignment mask design and image processing for the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) at the National Ignition Facility

Richard Leach, Abdul Awwal, Simon Cohen, Roger Lowe-Webb, Randy Roberts, Thad Salmon, David Smauley, Karl Wilhelmsen

Proceedings Volume 9598, 959819 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2189563

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Image processing, Reticles, Image segmentation, Signal processing, Photomasks, Evolutionary algorithms, X-rays, Image compression, Image processing algorithms and systems

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Proceedings Article | 9 September 2015 Paper

Automated alignment of the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) target area at the National Ignition Facility

Randy Roberts, Abdul A. Awwal, Erlan Bliss, John Heebner, Richard Leach, Charles Orth, Michael Rushford, Roger Lowe-Webb, Karl Wilhelmsen

Proceedings Volume 9598, 959814 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2190252

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Mirrors, Diagnostics, Cameras, Image processing, X-rays, CCD cameras, Charge-coupled devices, Optical alignment, Tolerancing

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Proceedings Article | 9 September 2015 Paper

Detecting fiducials affected by trombone delay in ARC and the main laser alignment at the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. Awwal, Erlan Bliss, Victoria Miller Kamm, Richard Leach, Randy Roberts, Michael Rushford, Roger Lowe-Webb, Karl Wilhelmsen

Proceedings Volume 9598, 959812 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2190065

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Distortion, X-rays, Image processing, X-ray imaging, Optical alignment, Fusion energy, Diagnostics, Free space optics, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 26 February 2015 Paper

Centroid stabilization in alignment of FOA corner cube: designing of a matched filter

Abdul Awwal, Karl Wilhelmsen, Randy Roberts, Richard Leach, Victoria Miller Kamm, Tony Ngo, Roger Lowe-Webb

Proceedings Volume 9345, 93450L (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2083537

KEYWORDS: Composites, Image filtering, Phase only filters, National Ignition Facility, Electronic filtering, Optical amplifiers, Optical filters, Crystals, Laser crystals, Frequency conversion

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Proceedings Article | 14 October 2014 Paper

Analysis of the confluence of three patterns using the Centering and Pointing System (CAPS) images for the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) at the National Ignition Facility

Richard Leach, Abdul Awwal, Erlan Bliss, Randy Roberts, Michael Rushford, Karl Wilhelmsen, Thomas Zobrist

Proceedings Volume 9216, 92161Q (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2064664

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Image processing, Image segmentation, Image analysis, Image fusion, Signal processing, Algorithm development, Cameras, Diagnostics, Near field optics

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Proceedings Article | 19 September 2014 Paper

Image analysis algorithms for the advanced radiographic capability (ARC) grating tilt sensor at the National Ignition Facility

Randy Roberts, Erlan Bliss, Michael Rushford, John Halpin, Abdul Awwal, Richard Leach

Proceedings Volume 9216, 92160B (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2062679

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Binary data, Sensors, Cameras, Image analysis, Reticles, Mirrors, Algorithm development, Image sensors, Beam analyzers

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Proceedings Article | 19 September 2014 Paper

Detecting objects with partial obstruction at the ARC split beam injector images at the National Ignition Facility

Abdul Awwal, Richard Leach, Randy Roberts, Karl Wilhelmsen, David McGuigan, Jeff Jarboe

Proceedings Volume 9216, 92160E (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2062678

KEYWORDS: Image processing, National Ignition Facility, Beam splitters, Image segmentation, Electronic filtering, Optical alignment, Image filtering, Control systems, X-rays, Diagnostics

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SPIE Journal Paper | 24 January 2014 Open Access

Special Section Guest Editorial: Optical and Hybrid Imaging and Processing for Big Data Problems

Khan Iftekharuddin, Abdul Awwal, S. Susan Young, Ghaleb Abdulla

OE, Vol. 53, Issue 01, 011001, (January 2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.53.1.011001

KEYWORDS: Analytical research, Image processing, Optical imaging, Hybrid optics, Optical engineering, Data processing, Sensors, Computer engineering, Data acquisition, Computer generated holography

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Proceedings Article | 26 September 2013 Paper

Monte Carlo simulation of neutron noise effects on beam position determination at the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. Awwal, Richard Leach, Philip Datte, Anastacia Manuel

Proceedings Volume 8855, 88550L (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2026455

KEYWORDS: Cameras, National Ignition Facility, Monte Carlo methods, Photomasks, Radiation effects, Sensors, Detection and tracking algorithms, Image processing, Image fusion, Image filtering

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Proceedings Article | 20 February 2013 Paper

The National Ignition Facility: beam area increase

S. Burkhart, A. Awwal, M. Borden, T. Budge, J. Campbell, S. Dixit, M. Henesian , K. Jancaitis, D. Jedlovec, R. Leach, R. Lowe-Webb, B. MacGowan, S. Pratuch, J. Palma, T. Salmon, D. Smauley, L. Smith, S. Sommer, P. Wegner, K. Wilhelmsen, M. Witte, N. Wong

Proceedings Volume 8602, 860203 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009402

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Relays, Optical amplifiers, Telescopes, Image processing, Fusion energy, Data acquisition, Mirrors, Laser energy, Spatial filters

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Proceedings Article | 18 February 2013 Paper

Image processing and control of a programmable spatial light modulator for spatial beam shaping

Abdul A. Awwal, Charles Orth, Eddy Tse, JoAnn Matone, Mitanu Paul, Carla Hardy, Gordon Brunton, Mark Hermann, Steve Yang, J. M. DiNicola, Matt Rever, Sham Dixit, John Heebner

Proceedings Volume 8602, 86020A (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2008542

KEYWORDS: Calibration, Beam shaping, National Ignition Facility, Image processing, Transmittance, Control systems, Liquid crystal on silicon, Spatial light modulators, Process control, Modulation

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SPIE Press Book | 21 March 2012

Field Guide to Image Processing

Khan Iftekharuddin, Abdul Awwal

KEYWORDS: Image processing, Image filtering, Fourier transforms, Image compression, Transform theory, Linear filtering, Convolution, Signal processing, Electronic filtering, Image segmentation

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Proceedings Article | 22 September 2011 Paper

Effects on beam alignment due to neutron-irradiated CCD images at the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. S. Awwal, Anastacia Manuel, Philip Datte, Mark Eckart, Mark Jackson, Steve Azevedo, Scott Burkhart

Proceedings Volume 8134, 81340J (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.897312

KEYWORDS: Cameras, National Ignition Facility, Charge-coupled devices, Sensors, Image processing, CCD cameras, Image fusion, Radiation effects, CCD image sensors, Detection and tracking algorithms

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Proceedings Article | 19 February 2011 Paper

Recent advances in automatic alignment system for the National Ignition Facility

Karl Wilhelmsen, Abdul A. Awwal, Dan Kalantar, Richard Leach, Roger Lowe-Webb, David McGuigan, Vicki Miller Kamm

Proceedings Volume 7916, 79160O (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.878496

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Automatic alignment, Cameras, X-ray sources, X-ray imaging, X-rays, Control systems, Image processing, Tolerancing, Computing systems

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Proceedings Article | 19 February 2011 Paper

Programmable beam spatial shaping system for the National Ignition Facility

John Heebner, Michael Borden, Phil Miller, Steve Hunter, Kim Christensen, Michael Scanlan, Chris Haynam, Paul Wegner, Mark Hermann, Gordon Brunton, Eddy Tse, Abdul Awwal, Nan Wong, Lynn Seppala, Mark Franks, Ed Marley, Kevin Williams, Tracy Budge, Mark Henesian, Christopher Stolz, Tayyab Suratwala, Marcus Monticelli, Dan Walmer, Sham Dixit, Clay Widmayer, Justin Wolfe, Jeff Bude, Kelly McCarty, Jean-Michel DiNicola

Proceedings Volume 7916, 79160H (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.875794

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Liquid crystals, Beam shaping, Liquid crystal on silicon, Laser systems engineering, Optical amplifiers, Light valves, Silicon, Oxides, Relays

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Proceedings Article | 19 February 2011 Paper

Image processing and control of a programmable spatial light modulator

Abdul A. Awwal, Richard Leach, Gordon Brunton, Eddy Tse, JoAnn Matone, John Heebner

Proceedings Volume 7916, 79160Q (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.876399

KEYWORDS: Calibration, Image processing, Liquid crystal on silicon, Control systems, National Ignition Facility, Spatial light modulators, Detection and tracking algorithms, Apodization, Process control, Optical components

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Proceedings Article | 2 December 2010 Paper

A programmable beam shaping system for tailoring the profile of high fluence laser beams

John Heebner, Michael Borden, Phil Miller, Chris Stolz, Tayyab Suratwala, Paul Wegner, Mark Hermann, Mark Henesian, Christopher Haynam, Steve Hunter, Kim Christensen, Nan Wong, Lynn Seppala, Gordon Brunton, Eddy Tse, Abdul Awwal, Mark Franks, Ed Marley, Kevin Williams, Michael Scanlan, Tracy Budge, Marcus Monticelli, Dan Walmer, Sham Dixit, Clay Widmayer, Justin Wolfe, Jeff Bude, Kelly McCarty, Jean-Michel DiNicola

Proceedings Volume 7842, 78421C (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.867728

KEYWORDS: Adaptive optics, Beam shaping, Liquid crystals, Liquid crystal on silicon, Light valves, Modulation, Wavefront distortions, National Ignition Facility, Custom fabrication, Fusion energy

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Proceedings Article | 8 September 2010 Paper

Detection of Hohlraum target position for laser fusion experiments

Abdul A. S. Awwal

Proceedings Volume 7797, 77970G (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.861994

KEYWORDS: Target detection, Image filtering, Laser welding, National Ignition Facility, Detection and tracking algorithms, Image segmentation, Optical filters, Image processing, Electronic filtering, Automatic alignment

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 November 2009

Design and acceleration of phase-only filter-based optical pattern recognition for fingerprint identification

Kenneth Rice, Tarek Taha, Arshad Chowdhury, Abdul Awwal, Damon Woodard

OE, Vol. 48, Issue 11, 117206, (November 2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.3265549

KEYWORDS: Field programmable gate arrays, Databases, Phase only filters, Fingerprint recognition, MATLAB, Optical filters, Fourier transforms, Optical pattern recognition, Detection and tracking algorithms, Image processing

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Proceedings Article | 1 September 2009 Paper

Avoiding the false peaks in correlation discrimination

Abdul A. S. Awwal

Proceedings Volume 7442, 74421F (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.830518

KEYWORDS: Image filtering, National Ignition Facility, Optical filters, Image processing, Cameras, Electronic filtering, Video, Automatic alignment, Fusion energy, Image enhancement

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Proceedings Article | 3 September 2008 Paper

Shadow extraction

Karl Gudmundsson, Abdul Awwal, Francis Cagatin

Proceedings Volume 7072, 70720U (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.797108

KEYWORDS: Light sources, Image processing, Model-based design, Electronic filtering, Phase shift keying, Light, Convolution, Light sources and illumination, Cameras, Satellite imaging

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Proceedings Article | 3 September 2008 Paper

Higher accuracy template for corner cube reflected image

Abdul Awwal, Kenneth Rice, Richard Leach, Tarek Taha

Proceedings Volume 7072, 70720V (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.798704

KEYWORDS: Field programmable gate arrays, Image processing, Image filtering, Image quality, National Ignition Facility, Electronic filtering, MATLAB, Phase only filters, Image enhancement, Video

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Proceedings Article | 18 October 2007 Paper

Uncertainty detection for NIF normal pointing beam images

Abdul A. S. Awwal, Clement Law, S. Walter Ferguson

Proceedings Volume 6695, 66950R (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.740149

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Image processing, Detection and tracking algorithms, Gaussian beams, Fusion energy, Image quality, Monte Carlo methods, Automatic alignment, Sensors, Interference (communication)

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Proceedings Article | 8 September 2006 Paper

Best angle to orient two intersecting lines

Abdul Awwal, Walter Ferguson, Pete Shull

Proceedings Volume 6310, 63100S (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.682656

KEYWORDS: Hough transforms, National Ignition Facility, Error analysis, Computer simulations, Optical alignment, Fusion energy, Detection and tracking algorithms, Cameras, Laser engineering, Mechanical engineering

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Proceedings Article | 8 September 2006 Paper

Multi-object feature detection and error correction for NIF automatic optical alignment

Abdul Awwal

Proceedings Volume 6310, 63100Q (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.682240

KEYWORDS: Image processing, National Ignition Facility, Detection and tracking algorithms, Optical alignment, Image quality, Electronic filtering, Image filtering, Tolerancing, Error analysis, Feature extraction

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Proceedings Article | 16 September 2005 Paper

Detection of off-normal images for NIF automatic alignment

James Candy, Abdul Awwal, Wilbert Mcclay, S. Walter Ferguson, Scott Burkhart

Proceedings Volume 5907, 59070B (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.621322

KEYWORDS: Image processing, National Ignition Facility, Automatic alignment, Sensors, Image classification, Detection and tracking algorithms, Fusion energy, Image fusion, Imaging systems, Mirrors

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Proceedings Article | 15 September 2005 Paper

Hough transform based corner detection for laser beam positioning

Abdul Awwal

Proceedings Volume 5907, 59070I (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.621315

KEYWORDS: Hough transforms, Image processing, Corner detection, National Ignition Facility, Image filtering, Image quality, Fusion energy, Tolerancing, Edge detection, Linear filtering

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