Linear phase conjugation for atmospheric aberration compensation

Robert J. Grasso; Eddy A. Stappaerts

doi:10.1117/12.298058

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15 January 1998 Linear phase conjugation for atmospheric aberration compensation

Robert J. Grasso, Eddy A. Stappaerts

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Proceedings Volume 3219, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems II; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.298058
Event: Aerospace Remote Sensing '97, 1997, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Atmospheric induced aberrations can seriously degrade laser performance, greatly affecting the beam that finally reaches the target. Lasers propagated over any distance in the atmosphere suffer from a significant decrease in fluence at the target due to these aberrations. This is especially so for propagation over long distances. It is due primarily to fluctuations in the atmosphere over the propagation path, and from platform motion relative to the intended aimpoint. Also, delivery of high fluence to the target typically requires low beam divergence, thus, atmospheric turbulence, platform motion, or both results in a lack of fine aimpoint control to keep the beam directed at the target. To improve both the beam quality and amount of laser energy delivered to the target, Northrop Grumman has developed the Active Tracking System (ATS); a novel linear phase conjugation aberration compensation technique. Utilizing a silicon spatial light modulator (SLM) as a dynamic wavefront reversing element, ATS undoes aberrations induced by the atmosphere, platform motion or both. ATS continually tracks the target as well as compensates for atmospheric and platform motion induced aberrations. This results in a high fidelity, near-diffraction limited beam delivered to the target.

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Robert J. Grasso and Eddy A. Stappaerts "Linear phase conjugation for atmospheric aberration compensation", Proc. SPIE 3219, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems II, (15 January 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.298058

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