Flat-Field Response And Geometric Distortion Measurements Of Optical Streak Cameras

D. S. Montgomery; R. P. Drake; B. A. Jones; J. D. Wiedwald

doi:10.1117/12.942241

4 February 1988 Flat-Field Response And Geometric Distortion Measurements Of Optical Streak Cameras

D. S. Montgomery, R. P. Drake, B. A. Jones, J. D. Wiedwald

Proceedings Volume 0832, High Speed Photography, Videography, and Photonics V; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.942241
Event: 31st Annual Technical Symposium on Optical and Optoelectronic Applied Sciences and Engineering, 1987, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

To accurately measure pulse amplitude, shape, and relative time histories of optical signals with an ontical streak camera, it is necessary to correct each recorded image for spatially-dependent gain nonuniformity and geometric distortion. Gain nonuniformities arise from sensitivity variations in the streak-tube photocathode, phosphor screen, image-intensifier tube, and image recording system. These nonuniformities may be severe, and have been observed to be on the order of 100% for some LLNL ontical streak cameras. Geometric distortion due to optical couplings, electron-optics, and sweep nonlinearity not only affects pulse position and timing measurements, but affects pulse amplitude and shape measurements as well. By using a 1.053-μm, long-pulse, high-power laser to generate a spatially and temporally uniform source as input to the streak camera, the combined effects of flat-field response and geometric distortion can be measured under the normal dynamic operation of cameras with S-1 photocathodes. Additionally, by using the same laser system to generate a train of short pulses that can be spatially modulated at the input of the streak camera, we can effectively create a two-dimensional grid of equally-spaced pulses. This allows a dynamic measurement of the geometric distortion of the streak camera. We will discuss the techniques involved in performing these calibrations, will present some of the measured results for LLNL optical streak cameras, and will discuss software methods to correct for these effects.

Citation Download Citation

D. S. Montgomery, R. P. Drake, B. A. Jones, and J. D. Wiedwald "Flat-Field Response And Geometric Distortion Measurements Of Optical Streak Cameras", Proc. SPIE 0832, High Speed Photography, Videography, and Photonics V, (4 February 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.942241

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