Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] using GNU Radio for research?

[w_esco_m]

Dear Seth:

I am hoping to do this at some point in the near future.  We use lasers to 
detect individual molecules, and the signal-to-noise requirements are 
extremely severe.  See  http://www.stanford.edu/group/moerner/research and 
also L. Kador, D. E. Horne, W. E. Moerner, "Optical Detection and Probing 
of Single Dopant Molecules of Pentacene in a p-Terphenyl Host Crystal by 
Means of Absorption Spectroscopy," J. Phys. Chem. 94, 1237 (1990).

In the past, I have detected single molecules with fluorescence and with 
laser FM spectroscopy, and we are now working on optical Sagnac 
interferometry to see if a new method can be added to the mix.  The rf 
detection problem consists in detecting weak, possibly modulated rf signals 
in the MHz range that result from optical detection of lasers probing the 
sample.   Often rf excitation (transmit) is not used, but I can imagine 
scenarios where the transmitter signal might be used to pump the molecules 
in a special way, which might produce a more detectable signal on the 
receive side.  In particular, spread-spectrum excitations and detections 
have already been used for laser spectroscopy. See K. P. Dinse, M. P. 
Winters, J. L. Hall, "Doppler-free optical multiplex spectroscopy with 
stochastic excitation," J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 5, 1825 (1988).  The difficulty 
lies in the fact that we are already at the quantum limit, so new schemes 
have to be extremely good.

The gnuradio project potentially provides extreme flexibility in the 
digital processing of signals for ultimate detection at reasonably high 
data rates, and my graduate students with the proper background could alter 
the programming as needed.   I have not yet purchased the high-speed ADC 
that is required, since USB2.0 interfaces were potentially in the works, 
and naturally, this is mostly a hobby.   But in the end, I hope to use it 
for research.

73 Weo  WN6I  Prof. W. E. Moerner

At 03:30 PM 12/19/2003 -0800, you wrote:
> While it can be argued -- and has been argued -- that all current uses
> of GNU Radio are research uses, I am interested in hearing from people
> who think of themselves as using GNU Radio in traditional research or
> teaching roles, particularly at academic institutions.
>
> The FCC has issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in its
> broadcast flag docket, with comments due January 14 and reply comments
> due February 13, on issues including the status of software radios
> under the broadcast flag rule.  I would like to be able to describe
> some of the benefits in speech, science, engineering, and education
> that are resulting from the GNU Radio project.  If you can help, I
> would appreciate it very much.
>
> (The FNPRM is buried inside the FCC's Report and Order issued in
> November, which deferred and sought further comment on software
> radios.  There are many likely arguments from the movie industry, but
> one is: _Other_ software radios don't come with source code or
> encourage the public to experiment, why does _yours_ have to?)
>
> --
> Seth David Schoen <address@hidden> | Very frankly, I am opposed to people
>      http://www.loyalty.org/~schoen/   | being programmed by others.
>      http://vitanuova.loyalty.org/     |     -- Fred Rogers (1928-2003),
>                                        |        464 U.S. 417, 445 (1984)
>
>
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