AN EXPERIMENT TO EXPLORE POSSIBLE ANOMALISTIC BEHAVIOR OF A PHOTON DETECTION SYSTEM DURING A REMOTE VIEWING TEST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00789R003800470001-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 20
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 27, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 1, 1986
• Content Type: REPORT

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Interim Report- -Objective E, Task 1
Covering the Period 1 October 1985 to 30 September 1986
V3
AN EXPERIMENT TO EXPLORE POSSIBLE
ANOMALISTIC BEHAVIOR OF A PHOTON DETECTION
SYSTEM DURING A REMOTE VIEWING TEST
By: G. SCOTT HUBBARD EDWIN C. MAY
Prepared for:
J PETER J. McNELIS, DSW
CONTRACTING OFFICER'S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE
CONTRACT DAMD 17-85-C-5130
ROBERT S. LEONARD, Executive Director
Geoscience and Engineering Center
......... of 15 Copies.
This document consists of 20 pages.
-SR+tfrF--0296
333 Ravenswood Avenue ' Menlo Park, California 94025 ? U.S.A.
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ABSTRACT
We conducted a replication of work published in FY 1984 in which
we experimentally examined the possibility that light is emitted in the
vicinity of correctly identified remote viewing (RV) target material. In
that earlier experiment, a state-of-the-art, ambient temperature, photon
counting system was used to monitor the target material (35-mm slides of
National Geographic magazine photographs). The statistical measure derived
from the photon counting apparatus in that study showed a significant
positive correlation with the RV results (p< 0.035). That is, when the
remote viewing was good, there was an.increase in the signal detected by
the photon counting system. In addition, we observed two anomolous pulses
having a signal-to-noise ratio of about 20-40:1. In the present experiment
(FY 1986), we improved all hardware aspects of the previous work,
substantially reducing the background noise level, and improving shielding
against artifact. In addition, analysis of the remote viewing indicates
that three out of the four viewers produced independently significant
results. If the probability of success is p < 0.05, the binomial
probability of obtaining three out of four successful results by chance is
p < 0.00048. These RV results are substantially better than those
achieved in the FY 1984 study. At this time, we have not completed the
detailed statistical analysis comparing the photomultiplier tube (PMT)
output with the RV results. However, all data collection is complete and
visual inspection of the RV trials does not reveal any large anomalous
pulses. Our preliminary conclusion is that the two anomalous pulses
observed earlier were the result of transients in the experimental
apparatus arising from normal sources.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ................................................................. ii
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND TABLES ...................... . ............... iv
LIST OF FIGURES ........... .
I INTRODUCTION ................................................... 1
II METHOD OF APPROACH ........................................... 3
A. Hypotheses and Variables ........................................ 3
B. PMT Hardware ................................................ 3
C. Signal Processing ............................................... 4
D. Experimental Methodology ....................................... 6
E. Control Sessions ................................................ 8
F. PMT Data .................................................... 8
III RESULTS ......................................................... 10
A. Remote Viewing Results .......................................... 10
B. PMT/RV Correlation Results ... . .................................. 13
C. PMT Anomalies ................................................ 13
IV DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ................................... 14
REFERENCES ............................................................... 16
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LIST OF FIGURES
1. Schematic Diagram for the Photon Production Experiment ...................... 7
LIST OF TABLES
1. Remote Viewing Results for Viewer 009 ...................................... 10
2. Remote Viewing Results for Viewer 105 ...................................... 11
3. Remote Viewing Results for Viewer 177 ...................................... 11
4. Remote Viewing Results for Viewer 807 ...................................... 12
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I INTRODUCTION
We have conducted an experiment to determine whether there may be detectable
physical effects correlated with remote viewing. *
A remote viewing (RV) experiment consists of four basic elements:
? A target consisting of outdoor scenes, including natural and manmade
features. For convenience., experimental targets are pictures taken from
National Geographic Magazine.
? An individual who intends to describe (by mental means alone) the tar-
get.
? A feedback procedure which displays the target.
? An a priori defined analysis procedure to determine if the target has
been accurately described.
A single trial that encompasses these elements might proceed as follows. Using a
random number generator, four targets are chosen from a pool of 112. One target of the
four selected is chosen blind and the viewer is asked to give a description. After the session,
the target photograph is displayed to the viewer as feedback. The description is analyzed
using a Figure of Merit (FM) technique to provide a statistically meaningful evaluation. 1, 2t
The experiment described later is a follow-on to an FY 1984 program that
investigated photon production during a remote viewing task.3 In the FY 1984 program, we
conducted a conceptual replication of work published by the People's Republic of China. It
was claimed that anomalous signals from photomultiplier tubes (PMT) are observed during
sessions in which "exceptional vision" was successfully employed to identify Chinese language
characters concealed in the PMT housing.4, 5 Specifically, we experimentally examined the
possibility that light is emitted in the vicinity of correctly identified remote viewing target
material. The experiment consisted of a brief pilot phase in order to refine the protocol; a
formal phase utilizing the same four individuals from the pilot phase; and a control phase
consisting of two types of controls.
This report constitutes Objective E, Task 1, detailing an experiment to determine
fundamental parameters of feedback, shielding and limits of spatial resolution for RV.
t References are listed at the end of this report.
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During the first study, four viewers were asked to contribute six viewings each.
The targets were 35-mm slides of National Geographic pictures of outdoor scenes concealed
within a PMT housing. Our experiments produced two apparent anomalies during RV .
periods, and a significant positive correlation (p < 0.035) between the quality of the remote
viewing and the output of the PMT. Quality assessments of the remote viewing were
performed using FM analysis. In our discussion of the FY 1984 results, we pointed out that a
follow-on experiment was required, which would remove possible sources of artifact and would
yield even better remote viewing. We addressed both areas in the present experiment. This
interim report describes the progress that has been made.
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II METHOD OF APPROACH
A. Hypotheses and Variables
In the absence of light leaks or environmental interference, we postulate that the
output of a PMT which is focused on the RV target slide is positively correlated with the
quality of RV, as determined by Figure of Merit analysis. The dependent variable in the RV
portion of this experiment is the overall measure of the remote viewing, i.e., the Figure of
Merit. The dependent variable for the correlation portion of the experiment is the linear
correlation coefficient between the FM and PMT output.
In order to demonstrate that statistically significant remote viewing has occurred, we
required that the FM for a given session exceed a critical value for which the associated
probablity is C 0.05. The critical value of the FM was determined from the
mean-chance-expectation for each viewer's session.2 To claim evidence for a statistical
anomaly, we require that the observed linear correlation coefficient between the FM and the
PMT output be significantly different from the expected lack of correlation. To declare that
the experiment has confirmed the hypothesis, the probability of observing the linear
correlation coefficient calculated for the data from 24 viewings (four viewers, six viewings
each) must be p G 0.05.
B. PMT Hardware
We utilized the photomultiplier tube light detector system and remote viewing
procedure from our previous study, incorporating certain improvements as described below.
The set of 112 35-mm slides of National Geographic Magazine sites was again used as our
target material.
The PlvIT housing and slide holder were light-tight and constructed of metal that
was grounded and shielded against rf, magnetic, and electrostatic fields. Our entire PMT
housing was further enclosed in a standard photographer's film changing bag so that the slide
selection and insertion could be accomplished on a blind basis.
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A light-tight slide holder, which could be opened and closed easily, had been
fabricated and fitted to the end flange of the PM tube housing. The slide was positioned
within approximately 2.5 cm of the active surface of the tube. This distance is 1.5 cm greater
than in the previous study because the cooled tube housing was constructed with a quartz
window to provide thermal insulation while allowing optical transparency into the UV.
The PM tube was selected to have an active area equal to or greater than the film
area of the slide. In addition, we required the tube to be sufficiently broad band and
sensitive so as to equal or surpass the device used in the first experiments by the Chinese.
We also required the dark count (background) rate to be as low as possible. To achieve this
goal, the PMT was cooled and the temperature stabilized at -20'C (?I*). This
modification reduced the dark count noise by a factor of approximately 50 from the earlier
study, and eliminated slow changes in the count rate caused by temperature drift. .
All critical electrical apparatus (MCA, NIM bins and modules, PMT) were isolated
from common mode and differential mode noise, and were protected from line surges by a
Topaz power conditioner. Because the power requirements for the key experimental
apparatus were too great to easily employ batteries, we surveyed the available ac voltage
regulators and transient suppressors. The Topaz unit was selected as having the most modern
design and providing the best specifications for transient suppression (1 kHz to 10 MHz per
IEEE Standard 587), for voltage regulation (+4% to -8% for a +15% to -25% variation about
120 V), and noise rejection (130-dB common mode, 58-dB normal mode at 10 kHz).
Low level signals from the PMT to the preamplifier and preamplifier to amplifier
were more heavily shielded than earlier; the preamp was close coupled to the PMT and the
signal from the preamp was conducted through semi-rigid coaxial cable. (Semi-rigid coax
provides good electromagnetic interference attenuation up to GHz frequencies.)
C. Signal Processing
The output of the PM tube was processed and displayed by state-of-the-art
instrumentation used in nuclear radiation spectroscopy. We selected the multichannel scaling
(MCS) mode of signal processing as the most appropriate for our experiment. In this type of
data acquisition, the amplified pulses from the PM tube were counted for a specific length of
time (dwell time), and the resulting total was stored and displayed in a single bin (channel).
This process v. as repeated for each of 1024 channels. In this fashion, a histogram was
accumulated showing the count rate of the tube as a function of time over the duration of a
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single viewing trial (---17 minutes). For the sake of.clarity, we shall define this particular time
record of PM tube output as a spectrum.
Because the voltage output of a photomultiplier tube is directly proportional to the
intensity of the incident light source, we decided to set two "windows" on the PM tube signal.
One window displayed the entire voltage range output which is dominated by numerous small
amplitude background pulses. We designated this window Region I. The window for Region
II was adjusted to show only large voltage pulses. In this fashion, we were able to monitor
the system for either of two possible outcomes:
? A significant increase in the number of small amplitude pulses.
An increase in the frequency of relatively rare, large amplitude events.
The original Chinese claim was that an individual having "exceptional vision" (an
ability roughly equivalent to remote viewing) could produce an anomalous signal from the PM
tube consisting of mainly large amplitude pulses, .
Because the PM tube was in total darkness and no light emitting materials were
included in the sample chamber, all background counts were due to thermionic emission at
the photocathode or dynodes.6 A photon striking the photocathode will produce a signal that
is indistinguishable from that resulting from thermionic emission. Therefore, one cannot say
conclusively whether a statistically significant increase in count rate (above background) is
caused by enhanced thermionic emission or photon production. For simplicity in this report,
we have referred to the putative effect as "photon production," and have calculated our
results assuming that photons are striking the photocathode in the PM tube.
A multichannel analyzer (MCA) with three signal inputs received, sorted and
stored the signals coming from the two windows. The third input was connected to a signal
generator that could be triggered by a microswitch in the adjoining RV room. That switch was
used to. mark the beginning and end of data taking in the RV session. Details of the session
are contained in the methodology section later in this Chapter. A schematic of the equipment
used is shown in Figure 1.
Following an experimental session, the data collected by the MCA were transferred
to a Sun Microsystems 3/160 computer via an RS-232 interface. In our FY 1984 study, the
count rates during control periods in our two regions of interest were approximately
300/seconds and 10/seconds, respectively. By cooling the tube to -200C, we were able to
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reduce the average count rates in the regions of interest to 5/seconds and 0.7/seconds,
respectively. Because a single photon can produce a count, we were sensitive to an increase
of approximately v'N photons, where N is the count rate. This figure would correspond to
about 2 to 3 excess counts in Region I and