ZOE rad Final Report--Objective E, Task 1 December 1987 Covering the Period 1 October 1985 to 30 September 1987 POSSIBLE PHOTON PRODUCTION DURING A REMOTE VIEWING TASK: S © oe =) G@ A REPLICATION EXPERIMENT (— = J S Lt Ld By: G. SCOTT HUBBARD EDWIN C. MAY THANE J. FRIVOLD Prepared for: PETER J. McNELIS, DSW CONTRACTING OFFICER'S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SRI Project 1291 Approved by: MURRAY J. BARON, Director Geoscience and Engineering Center SMCMPAI. 1o3 dved For Reletase 2000/08/08 ACHAeRDME600769Ro0i2001 9860427 U.S.A. (415) 326-6200 « Cable: SRI INTL MPK + TWX: 910-373-2046
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 ABSTRACT Attempting to verify a claim by the Chinese that light is emitted in the vicinity of correctly identified remote viewing (RV) target material, we repeated an experiment first published in FY 1984. 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 anomalous pulses having a Signal-to-noise ratio of about 20:1 to 40:1. In the present experiment (FY 1987), 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. Our analysis of the photomultiplier tube (PMT) data shows no evidence of any anomalous high count rate pulses, no evidence of any effect on the PMT output during the RV session, and no evidence of any Significant correlation between RV performance and PMT output. We conclude that (1) the effect proposed by the Chinese is artifactual in nature. ii Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT occ ccc cence teen rere te tener bn bb bbb bree, LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES 1.0.0... cece eee c cece c cece eee teeecece cco. I INTRODUCTION 20... cece ccc cence terete eee te nbn ceeer ce. II METHOD OF APPROACH 2.0... 0 ec cc eee enter neve ecuec. A. Hypotheses and Variables........... 00.00 cece ec ceecccuucccceeee. B PMT Hardware ..... cece cece eect eee e een tvennecencee. Cc Signal Processing «2.6... ... cece cece cece eee e nena teenneecceree, D. Experimental Methodology .../.. cece ccc cece ee ee eee eee. E Control Sessions 60.6... eee eect eee een e renee eenenece. F PMT Data... eee e cece nerve, Ul RESULTS folie cece b bree ebb bend ebb bee. A. Remote Viewing Results... 0.0... cece ccc cece cece eee neceeeeeeee, B PMT/RV Correlation Results ........ cece cece tee cece ev ceeeeeeee IV DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ........00. 00 ceeeeeveveevevececees A. PMT Anomalies .. 0.0.0... ccc ccc cece cece eceeee cece. B RV/PMT Output Correlations ......... 0... 0c ccc ee vec eeeeccceeee. V ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 00... ieee cece cece ete e tenn ene eeceeeee, REFERENCES oie ccc cence eect e tere e ebb tent bbb bbb ebb ce. dii Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 LIST OF TABLES Remote Viewing Results for Viewer 009... 0... ccc ccc ccc ee cece eee ceeeeeeeece. 2. Remote Viewing Results for Viewer 105.0... 0.00 ccc cece cece cece ceececccecee. Remote Viewing Results for Viewer 177.0... 0.0.0.0 ccc ccc ccceceseeeecvcecccce. 4, Remote Viewing Results for Viewer 807... 0... ccc ccc cccceseeeeveeencececce, , FIGURE Schematic Diagram for the Photon Production Experiment ........ 0.0.00. cee eae iv Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 I INTRODUCTION We have ‘conducted an experiment to determine whether there may be detectable physical effects that can be correlated with remote viewing. * A remote viewing (RV) experiment consists of four basic elements: e A target consisting of outdoor scenes, including natural and manmade features. For convenience, experimental targets are pictures taken from National Geographic Magazine. e An individual who intends to describe the target. © A feedback procedure that displays the target. e An a priori defined analysis procedure to determine if the target has been accurately described. 7 A single trial that encompasses these elements might proceed as follows. Using a random number generator, one target is chosen from a pool of 112, and the viewer is asked to describe it without seeing it. 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: 2+ The experiment described in this report is a follow-on to an FY 1984 program that investigated possible 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. The Chinese claimed that anomalous high rate signals from a photomultiplier tube (PMT) are observed during sessions in which an RV-like ability known as “exceptional vision” was successfully employed to identify Chinese language characters concealed in the PMT housing.4, § Specifically, we experimentally examined the possibility that light is emitted in the vicinity of correctly identified remote viewing target material. During the 1984 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 a significant positive correlation (p < 0.035) between + This report constitutes the deliverable for FY 1986, Objective E, Task 1, detailing an experiment to determine fundamental parameters of feedback, shielding and limits of spatial resolution for RV. References are listed at the end of this report. t Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 —~, the quality of the remote viewing and the output of the PMT and two apparent anomalies (high count rate pulses) during RV periods. 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. reduce the PMT noise, and be conducted with more experienced viewers. We addressed all of these areas in the present experiment. Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 II METHOD OF APPROACH A. Hypotheses and Variables In the absence of light leaks or environmental interference, we wish to determine the degree to which the output of a PMT focused on the RV target slide is positively correlated with the quality of RV, as determined by FM analysis. The dependent variable in the RV portion of this experiment is the overall measure of the remote viewing, i.e., the FM. The dependent variable for the correlation portion of the experiment is the linear correlation (logistic) coefficient between the FM and PMT output. To demonstrate that statistically significant remote viewing had occurred, we required that the FM for a given session exceed a critical value for which the associated probability is < 0.05. The critical value of the FM was determined from the mean-chance-expectation for each viewer's session. To claim evidence for a statistical anomaly, we required 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 had confirmed the hypothesis, we required that the probability of observing the linear correlation coefficient calculated for the data from 24 viewings (4 viewers, 6 viewings each) must be p < 0.05. In addition to reexamining the principal result of the FY 1984 experiment, we also planned to look for possible effects on the PMT output during the RV session, independent of the FM correlation. We hypothesized that the PMT output for a given viewer’s set of sessions would be significantly different from the corresponding set of local control trials. To confirm this hypothesis, a t-test comparing the PMT output for the RV session with that for local control trials must demonstrate a significant difference (p < 0.05.) B. PMT Hardware We used the photomultiplier tube light detector system and remote viewing procedure from the 1984 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. 3 Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 The PMT 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 remained blind. A light-tight slide holder, which could be opened and closed easily, was fabricated and fitted to the end flange of the PM tube housing. The holder was positioned the slide within approximately 2.5 cm of the active surface of the tube. This distance is 1.5 cm greater than in the 1984 study because the new cooled tube housing had a quartz window to provide thermal insulation while allowing optical transparency into the UV. The PMT 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, we added cooling so that the PMT was cooled and the temperature stabilized at -20°C (41°). This modification reduced the overall dark count noise by a factor of approximately 50 from the earlier study, and eliminated slow changes in the count rate caused by ambient temperature drift. All critical pieces of electrical apparatus were isolated from common mode and differential mode noise. Because the power requirements for the key experimental apparatus were too great to make battery power a reasonable option, we surveyed the available ac voltage regulators and transient suppressors. We selected a Topaz power conditioner 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 in FY 1984; the preamplifier was close coupled to the PMT and the signal from the preamplifier was conducted through semi-rigid coaxial cable, which provides good electromagnetic interference attenuation up to GHz frequencies. Cc, Signal Processing The output of the PMT 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 PMT were counted for a specific length of time (dwell Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 time), and the resulting total was stored and displayed in a single bin (channel). This process was repeated for each of 1024 channels. In this fashion, a histogram was accumulated showing the tube count rate as a function of time over a single viewing trial (~17 minutes). We call this particular time record of PMT output a spectrum. Because the voltage output of a photomultiplier tube is directly proportional to the intensity of the incident light source, we elected to set two windows on the PMT 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 two possible outcomes: e 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 PMT consisting of mainly large amplitude pulses. Because the PMT was in total darkness and no light emitting materials were included in the sample chamber, virtually 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, we have referred to the putative effect in this report as “photon production,” and have calculated our results assuming that photons are striking the photocathode in the PMT. A multichannel analyzer (MCA) received, sorted, and stored the signals coming from the two. windows. A third MCA input came from 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 below. A schematic diagram of the equipment used is shown in Figure 1. Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 COOLED HOUSING PREAMPLIFIER SWITCH PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE 35-mm SLIDE PULSER SINGLE SINGLE CHANNEL CHANNEL ANALYZER ANALYZER 1 2 All Amplitude High Amplitude Pulses Pulses MULTICHANNEL Session Marker ANALYZER AND DISPLAY Pulses SUN 3/160 RS-232 COMPUTER INTERFACE FIGURE 1. SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM FOR PHOTON PRODUCTION EXPERIMENT Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 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/second and l0/second, respectively. By cooling the T to -20°C, we were able to reduce the average count rates in the respective regions of interest to 5/second and 0.7/second. Because a single photon can produce a count, we were sensitive to a Lo increase of approximately ./N photons, where N is the count rate. This figure would correspond to about 2 to 3 excess counts in Region I and less than 1 excess count in Region II. D. Experimental Methodology The slides that served as the targets during the session were prepared from a pool of 112 National Geographic Magazine photographs. Each slide was placed in a separate opaque envelope marked with an identification number. Prior to each session, four slides were selected from the target pool by a computer generated pseudorandom number generator (PRNG). All four slide envelopes were placed in the changing bag with the PMT housing, then shuffled. One envelope was selected in a blind fashion; the slide was removed and then placed into the special holder covering the PMT. That procedure ensured that the slide selected was unknown to everyone. Four viewers were asked to contribute six viewings each. In this experiment, the personnel consisted of four of the best available viewers participating in ongoing RV programs at SRI. The photomultiplier tube and preamplifier, the instrumentation for amplifying and counting the PMT signals, and the computer were all located in a locked instrumentation room adjacent to the RV session room. The only instrumentation in the RV room was the microswitch used to signal the start and finish of an RV data acquisition period. Prior to the arrival of a viewer, the experimenter selected the four slides using the PRNG, checked the equipment for proper functioning, shuffled the envelopes inside the PMT housing bag, and loaded the target slide. In addition, the experimenter recorded a control session under exactly the same conditions as an experimental session except for the absence of the viewer. We designated these as “local” control sessions. In the statistical analysis, these control sessions (taken before and after the RV session) serve as the baseline against which the experimental session was compared. After the arrival of the viewer, 3 minutes of data were collected before beginning the RV session. Each time the viewer was ready to give a response in the RV session, the 7 Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 experimenter marked that time with a press of a microswitch. Closing the switch sent a brief series of TTL logic pulses which registered in the MCA memory. After the response, the experimenter again closed the switch for 1 to 2 seconds. These two bursts of pulses clearly defined the period of RV effort for future analysis of the PMT output. A series of several such efforts using corresponding marker pairs was typically generated during each 17-minute viewing. This procedure was followed twice (i.e., viewings were conducted two at a time). Following the session, the accumulated data were automatically read out into the computer memory. Once this process was begun, the experimenter removed the target slide from its holder and displayed it (as feedback) to the viewer using a slide projector. Following the departure of the viewer, the experimenter recorded another local control session, and then transferred all data from the computer hard disk to magnetic tape. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations, all of the principal hardware (PMT, amplifier, MCA, etc.) remained on continuously. E. Control Sessions Prior to any RV data collection, 50 control sessions were recorded with no one present in the experimental area. After the completion of all RV sessions, another 50 control sessions were recorded. We have chosen to call these “global” control sessions to distinguish them from the data collected before and after each RV session. As discussed elsewhere in this report, these 100 sessions allowed us to examine the parent distribution of dark counts, and provided a good record of the maximum count rates observed under normal conditions. As described, the experimenter also recorded a control session under exactly the same conditions as an experimental session except for the absence of the viewer, before and after the RV session. These sessions were designated as “local” controls and are the baseline against which the experimental session was compared. F. PMT Data During a 17-minute RV trial, the typical data recorded from the PMT consist of three count rate records (we designate these as spectra for convenience. These three spectra are displayed concurrently. Each spectrum has a common x-axis of 1024 channels. In order to accommodate a 17-minute trial, the dwell time was set at 1 second/channel. The first spectrum displayed all pulses from the PMT, regardless of their amplitude, that were detected during each t-second counting period. The second spectrum displayed only those pulses--detected in the Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 same i-second interval--whose amplitude exceeded a preset threshold which was adjusted to eliminate all but the largest pulses. This amplitude discrimination was accomplished using a single channel analyzer (SCA) whose settings were the same as in the FY 1984 experiment. The remaining spectrum represented RV session dependent timing markers. For the all-amplitude pulse case, the average counting rate was about 5 counts per channel (1 second). Average rates in the high-amplitude spectrum were about 0.7/channel. With the dark count stability provided by the temperature controlled PMT, it was possible to collect meaningful baseline data. We accumulated one baseline for each RV session. Because two viewings were always carried out at each meeting, one control session was taken before and one after the entire RV period. Our planned statistical analysis procedure was very similar to that used in 1984: a linear correlation coefficient was computed between the FM and the number of excess (> p + 1.65 c) pulses from the All-Pass and High-Pass PMT data. Many viewers report perceiving RV data during rest periods as well as ostensible effort periods. Accordingly, we examined correlations between FMs and the entire RV session PMT output, as well as the RV data acquisition periods indicated by the microswitch closures. Because the average pulse rate during this experiment was considerably less than in 1984, a t-test comparing the average count rates in the control trials and RV trials was used to determine whether there was any significant increase in the count rate regardless of the FM. A second analysis program searched the RV sessions for unusually high or low pulse rates (as compared with the baseline data). Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 III RESULTS A. Remote Viewing Results Each RV session was judged using an FM analysis. The FM is defined as the product of two measures: accuracy and reliability. The accuracy of an RV response is the fraction of the target material that is described correctly. Reliability is the fraction of the response that is correct. Tables 1 through 4 show the RV results for each trial. The session number (9001.cr, for example) incorporates a code for each viewer as well as the chronological sequence of viewings. Table 1 REMOTE VIEWING RESULTS FOR VIEWER 009 Overall p < 0.0450 10 Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 Table 2 REMOTE VIEWING RESULTS FOR VIEWER 105 9001.rs  9002.rs 9003.rs 9004.rs 9005.rs 9006.rs Overall p < 0.0488 Table 3 REMOTE VIEWING RESULTS FOR VIEWER 177 9001.hs 9002.hs 9003 .hs 9004. hs 9005.hs 9006.hs Overall p < 0.0385 11 Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7 Table 4 REMOTE VIEWING RESULTS FOR VIEWER 807 9001.cr 9002.cr 9003.cr 9004.cr 9005.cr 9006.cr Overall p < 0.1895, n.s. From the FM analysis performed for our FY 1984 experiment, we determined that by computing the p~value for each FM we could determine an average p for each viewer and for all sessions combined. The overall probability of obtaining that average p-value was then calculated, either by an exact method for small numbers of sessions’ or by using the central limit theorem for greater than 20 sessions.§ In the current analysis, an additional test of significance, the Fisher Chi-square technique,® has been added to supplement the probability associated with average p-value for a given series. Tables 1 through 4 were calculated using the Fisher Chi-square technique. Averaging all p-values for all sessions yielded p(avg.) the central-limit theorem, value is p < 0.004. 0.0036 was calculated for all 24 sessions, between techniques. independently produced significant results, extremely rare event. The overall p-values given for each-viewer’s series as shown = 0.3437. the probability associated with that average Using the Fisher Chi-square method, a p-value of < indicating good agreement We observed that three out of the four viewers Such an outcome is an If the probability of success is p < 0.05, the in binomial probability of obtaining three out of four successful results is p <= 0.00048. These individual and overall remote viewing results are substantially better than were achieved in the FY 1984 study. 12 Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002200190001-7