Biological Polarized-Light Signaling: Environment, Structure, and Function

Abstract

Here we report our research progress on a grant funded by AFOSR from March 2003-December 2005. Grant-related research was performed in my laboratory at the UMBC Baltimore campus and at a number of laboratory and field sites worldwide. We applied an array of approaches to measure the properties of polarized light and polarized-light fields in natural environments, to quantitate the physics and the structural basis of polarization signals, to understand the biological significance of polarization sensitivity, and to measure the properties of polarization receptors. This work has led to six publications related specifically to the objectives of the grant (with more in preparation); 20 more publications have appeared during the term of this grant in the fields of visual ecology, design, and signaling. We attended six international scientific meetings where I and my students presented talks and/or posters. We also collaborated with many colleagues worldwide throughout the course of the work. Overall, this project has established a strong foundation in the field, has provided a basis for continued progress on the biology of polarized-light vision, behavior, and signaling, and has indicated several areas where applications may be of special interest to the Air Force.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 27, 2006
Accession Number
ADA444411

Entities

People

  • Thomas W Cronin

Organizations

  • University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Biological Laboratories
  • Birds
  • Cells
  • Circular Polarization
  • Detection
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • Geography
  • Habitats
  • Medical Personnel
  • Optics
  • Polarization
  • Polarizers
  • Research Facilities
  • Sensitivity
  • Students

Readers

  • Research Science/Academic Research
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.