Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 121 - 150 of 187

Full-Text Articles in Physics

Modal Interference Techniques For Strain Detection In Few-Mode Optical Fibers, Bradley D. Duncan Nov 2015

Modal Interference Techniques For Strain Detection In Few-Mode Optical Fibers, Bradley D. Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

Interference between the modes of an optical fiber results in specific intensity patterns which can be modulated as a function of disturbances in the optical fiber system. These modulation effects are a direct result of the difference in propagation constants of the constituent modes. In this presentation it is shown how the modulated intensity patterns created by the interference of specific mode groups in few-mode optical fibers (V < 5.0) can be used to detect strain. A detailed discussion of the modal phenomena responsible for the observed strain induced pattern modulation is given and it is shown that strain detection sensitivities …


Effects Of Spatial Modes On Ladar Vibration Signature Estimation, Douglas Jameson, Matthew Dierking, Bradley Duncan Nov 2015

Effects Of Spatial Modes On Ladar Vibration Signature Estimation, Douglas Jameson, Matthew Dierking, Bradley Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

Ladar-based vibrometry has been shown to be a powerful technique in enabling the plant identification of machines. Rather than sensing the geometric shape of a target laser vibrometers sense motions of the target induced by moving parts within the system. Since the target need not be spatially resolved, vibration can be sensed reliably and provide positive identification at ranges beyond the imaging limits of the aperture. However, as the range of observation increases, the diffraction-limited beam size on the target increases as well, and may encompass multiple vibrational modes on the target's surface. As a result, vibration estimates formed from …


Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Functions Of Maple And Cottonwood Leaves, Michael Greiner, Bradley Duncan, Matthew Dierking Nov 2015

Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Functions Of Maple And Cottonwood Leaves, Michael Greiner, Bradley Duncan, Matthew Dierking

Bradley D. Duncan

We present our investigations into the optical scattering properties of both sugar maple (Acer saccarum) and eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) leaves in the near-IR wavelength regime. The bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF) describes the fractions of light reflected by and transmitted through a leaf for a given set of illumination and observation angles. Experiments were performed to measure the BSDF of each species at a discrete set of illumination and observation angles. We then modeled the BSDFs in such a way that other researchers may interpolate their values for scattering in any direction under illumination at any angle.


Demonstrated Resolution Enhancement Capability Of A Stripmap Holographic Aperture Ladar System, Samuel Venable, Bradley Duncan, Matthew Dierking, David Rabb Nov 2015

Demonstrated Resolution Enhancement Capability Of A Stripmap Holographic Aperture Ladar System, Samuel Venable, Bradley Duncan, Matthew Dierking, David Rabb

Bradley D. Duncan

Holographic aperture ladar (HAL) is a variant of synthetic aperture ladar (SAL). The two processes are related in that they both seek to increase cross-range (i.e., the direction of the receiver translation) image resolution through the synthesis of a large effective aperture. This is in turn achieved via the translation of a receiver aperture and the subsequent coherent phasing and correlation of multiple received signals. However, while SAL imaging incorporates a translating point detector, HAL takes advantage of a two-dimensional translating sensor array. For the research presented in this article, a side-looking stripmap HAL geometry was used to sequentially image …


Saturated Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Phase Modulation For Long Range Laser Radar Applications, Jennifer Carns, Bradley Duncan, Matthew Dierking Nov 2015

Saturated Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Phase Modulation For Long Range Laser Radar Applications, Jennifer Carns, Bradley Duncan, Matthew Dierking

Bradley D. Duncan

We investigate the use of a semiconductor optical amplifier operated in the saturation regime as a phase modulator for long range laser radar applications. The nature of the phase and amplitude modulation resulting from a high peak power Gaussian pulse, and the impact this has on the ideal pulse response of a laser radar system, is explored. We also present results of a proof-of-concept laboratory demonstration using phase-modulated pulses to interrogate a stationary target.


Review: 'Integrated Optics: Design And Modeling,' By Reinhard Marz, Bradley D. Duncan Nov 2015

Review: 'Integrated Optics: Design And Modeling,' By Reinhard Marz, Bradley D. Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

My overall impression is that Integrated Optics: Design and Modeling will make a fine addition to almost anyone's collection of books on integrated optics. It will, however, serve its readers better as a reference book than as a text from which to first learn the basic concepts of integrated optics. I say this because the book is written at a fairly sophisticated technical level, though the author often moves rather quickly to the "bottom line" without providing material much beyond what is first necessary to introduce a problem or concept, and then a statement of the results and/or implications. It …


Index-Matched Boundary Techniques For The Elimination Of Acoustical Resonances, Jack H. Parker, Bradley D. Duncan Nov 2015

Index-Matched Boundary Techniques For The Elimination Of Acoustical Resonances, Jack H. Parker, Bradley D. Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

We extend the principle of optical index of refraction to apply the concept of acoustical index for transverse acoustical wave propagation in strings. The relationship between acoustical index and mass density of the acoustic material is developed. With this theoretical link established, classic index-matching techniques are explored at acoustical boundaries. Proper selection of boundary interface segments leads to the elimination of resonant vibrationalmodes that occur in rigidly supported strings, while maintaining the nonresonant vibration response.


Coupling Efficiencies For General Target Illumination Ladar Systems Incorporating Single Mode Optical Fiber Receivers, Christopher Brewer, Bradley Duncan, Kenneth Barnard, Edward Watson Nov 2015

Coupling Efficiencies For General Target Illumination Ladar Systems Incorporating Single Mode Optical Fiber Receivers, Christopher Brewer, Bradley Duncan, Kenneth Barnard, Edward Watson

Bradley D. Duncan

A rigorous method for modeling received power coupling efficiency (ηF/R) and transmitted power coupling efficiency (ηF/T) in a general-target-illumination ladar system is presented. For our analysis we concentrate on incorporating a single-mode optical fiber into the ladar return signal path. By developing expressions for both ηF/R and ηF/T for a simple, diffuse target, our model allows for varying range, beam size on target, target diameter, and coupling optics. Through numerical analysis ηF/R is shown to increase as the range to target increases and decrease as target diameter increases, and ηF/T is shown to decrease with target range. A baseline signal-to-noise …


Parametric Extension Of The Classical Exposure Schedule Theory For Angle-Multiplexed Photorefractive Recording Using The Common-Aperture Beam Geometry, Mark Delong, Bradley Duncan, Jack Parker Nov 2015

Parametric Extension Of The Classical Exposure Schedule Theory For Angle-Multiplexed Photorefractive Recording Using The Common-Aperture Beam Geometry, Mark Delong, Bradley Duncan, Jack Parker

Bradley D. Duncan

The gradual reorientations in crystal geometry encountered during angle-multiplexed holographic recording with obliquely incident recording beams can create significant parametric exposure-time and recording-angle dependencies in both grating writing- and erasure-time constants. We present a parametric extension of the classically derived backward-recursion algorithm that compensates for the intermingling effects of recording geometry, writing-beam intensity variations, and unique crystal behavior. We present experimental data for a sequence of 301 holograms recorded with the goal of equal hologram strength and, separately, the same sequence recorded with the goal of equal hologram reconstruction intensity—which are different cases for a steeply incident readout beam.


Heterodyne Ladar System Efficiency Enhancement Using Single-Mode Optical Fiber Mixers, Donald K. Jacob, Martin B. Mark, Bradley D. Duncan Nov 2015

Heterodyne Ladar System Efficiency Enhancement Using Single-Mode Optical Fiber Mixers, Donald K. Jacob, Martin B. Mark, Bradley D. Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

A theoretical performance analysis of a heterodyne ladar system incorporating a single-mode fiber receiver has been performed. For our purposes, the performance parameters of interest are the coupling and mixing efficiency of the ladar receiver, as they relate to the overall system carrier-to-noise ratio. For a receiver incorporating a single-mode fiber mixer, the received and local-oscillator fields are matched both spatially and temporally at the detector, yielding 100% mixing efficiency. We have therefore focused our efforts on determining an expression for the efficiency with which a diffuse return from a purely speckle target can be coupled into the receiving leg …


Space-Bandwidth Product Enhancement Of A Monostatic, Multi-Aperture Infrared Image Upconversion Ladar Receiver Incorporating Periodically Polled Linbo3, Christopher Brewer, Bradley Duncan, Phillip Maciejewski, Sean Kirkpatrick, Edward Watson Nov 2015

Space-Bandwidth Product Enhancement Of A Monostatic, Multi-Aperture Infrared Image Upconversion Ladar Receiver Incorporating Periodically Polled Linbo3, Christopher Brewer, Bradley Duncan, Phillip Maciejewski, Sean Kirkpatrick, Edward Watson

Bradley D. Duncan

We investigate the space-bandwidth product of a ladar system incorporating an upconversion receiver. After illuminating a target with an eye-safe beam, we direct the return into a piece of periodically poled LiNbO3 where it is upconverted into the visible spectrum and detected with a CCD camera. The theoretical and experimental transfer functions are then found. We show that the angular acceptance of the upconversion process severely limits the receiver field of regard for macroscopic coupling optics. This limitation is overcome with a pair of microlens arrays, and a 43% increase in the system’s measured space-bandwidth product is demonstrated.


Real-Time Non-Linear Image Processing Using An Active Optical Scanning Technique, Bradley Duncan, Ting-Chung Poon, Ron Piper Nov 2015

Real-Time Non-Linear Image Processing Using An Active Optical Scanning Technique, Bradley Duncan, Ting-Chung Poon, Ron Piper

Bradley D. Duncan

Real-time non-linear image processing has been achieved using an active optical scanning technique. This paper reports experimental results in edge extraction for both binary and grey-scale transmissive objects. Binary edge extraction is achieved using morphological transformations, while grey-scale edge extraction is achieved using a threshold decomposition technique. Advantages and limitation of both techniques are identified.


Wide Angle Achromatic Prism Beam Steering For Infrared Countermeasures Applications, Bradley D. Duncan, Philip J. Bos, Vassili Sergan Nov 2015

Wide Angle Achromatic Prism Beam Steering For Infrared Countermeasures Applications, Bradley D. Duncan, Philip J. Bos, Vassili Sergan

Bradley D. Duncan

The design and analysis of achromatic doublet prisms for use in laser beam steering is presented. The geometric relationships describing the maximum steering angle are given, as are discussions of first- and second-order dispersion reduction. Infrared (IR) material alternatives and optimum IR material characteristics for wide-angle achromatic prism beam steering are also investigated. Sixteen materials in 120 different combinations have been examined to date. For midwave IR applications it is shown that the minimum dispersion currently achievable across the full 2 to 5 μm spectrum is 1.7816 mrad at an average maximum steering angle of 45 deg. This is accomplished …


Optical-Fiber Preamplifiers For Ladar Detection And Associated Measurements For Improving The Signal-To-Noise Ratio, Michael Salisbury, Paul Mcmanamon, Bradley Duncan Nov 2015

Optical-Fiber Preamplifiers For Ladar Detection And Associated Measurements For Improving The Signal-To-Noise Ratio, Michael Salisbury, Paul Mcmanamon, Bradley Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

In an effort to increase achievable postdetection signal-tonoise ratios (SNRs) of continuous-wave, 1-gm all-solid-state ladar systems, a prototype rare-earth-doped optical-fiber amplifier has been included in the optical return signal path of both a heterodyne and a directdetection ladar system. We provide numerical predictions for SNR increases according to our previously developed theory. We also detail our experimental efforts and provide the results of SNR measurements for four distinct cases: direct ladar detection with and without a fiber amplifier, and heterodyne ladar detection with and without a fiber amplifier. Experimentally measured increases in SNRs for ladar systems incorporating an optical-fiber amplifier …


Volume Holographic Memory For Laser Threat Discrimination, Mark Delong, Bradley Duncan, Jack Parker Nov 2015

Volume Holographic Memory For Laser Threat Discrimination, Mark Delong, Bradley Duncan, Jack Parker

Bradley D. Duncan

Using conventional volume-holographic angle multiplexing in an Fe:LiNbO3 crystal, we have developed a compact laser threat discriminator, intended for aircraft integration, that optically detects laser spatial coherence and angle of arrival while simultaneously rejecting incoherent background sources, such as the Sun. The device is intended for a specific type of psychophysical laser attack against U.S. Air Force pilots, namely, third-world-country exploitation of inexpensive and powerful cw Ar-ion or doubled Nd:YAG lasers in the visible spectrum to blind or disorient U.S. pilots. The component does not solve the general tactical laser weapon situation, which includes identifying precision-guided munitions, range finders, and …


Analysis Of Ladar Range Resolution Enhancement By Sinusoidal Phase Modulation, Leonard Masters, Martin Mark, Bradley Duncan Nov 2015

Analysis Of Ladar Range Resolution Enhancement By Sinusoidal Phase Modulation, Leonard Masters, Martin Mark, Bradley Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

The ability of a ladar system to resolve two or more separate returns from a combined echo is related to the effective correlation bandwidth of the pulse emitted by the ladar system. Phase modulation of an outgoing pulse introduces additional frequency components, which increases the effective correlation bandwidth of the pulse and thus improves the range resolution of the system. In this paper, we discuss the general theoretical basis for achieving improved range resolution using a modulated waveform and a matched filter receiver. We then demonstrate these concepts by considering the particular case of improved range resolution for a sinusoidally …


Sensitivity Improvement Of A 1-Μm Ladar System Incorporating An Active Optical Fiber Preamplifier, Michael S. Salisbury, Paul F. Mcmanamon, Bradley D. Duncan Nov 2015

Sensitivity Improvement Of A 1-Μm Ladar System Incorporating An Active Optical Fiber Preamplifier, Michael S. Salisbury, Paul F. Mcmanamon, Bradley D. Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

In an effort to increase the SNR of a continuous wave, 1-μm all solid state ladar system, a rare-earth-doped optical fiber amplifier is investigated as a preamplifier for ladar return signals. The experimental system is detailed and a theoretical analysis of the fiber amplifier's effect on both heterodyne and direct detection schemes is provided. Beginning with the optical powers incident on the detector, the signal and noises are analyzed, through the detector electronics, to predict the SNR. The SNR is then plotted as a function of the return signal power, and a SNR threshold is defined to determine a minimum …


Aberration Production Using A High-Resolution Liquid-Crystal Spatial Light Modulator, Jason Schmidt, Matthew Goda, Bradley Duncan Nov 2015

Aberration Production Using A High-Resolution Liquid-Crystal Spatial Light Modulator, Jason Schmidt, Matthew Goda, Bradley Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

Phase-only liquid-crystal spatial light modulators provide a powerful means of wavefront control. With high resolution and diffractive (modulo 2𝜋) operation, they can accurately represent large-dynamic-range phase maps. As a result, they provide an excellent means of producing electrically controllable, dynamic, and repeatable aberrations. However, proper calibration is critical to achieving accurate phase maps. Several calibration methods from previous literature were considered. With simplicity and accuracy in mind, we selected one method for each type of necessary calibration. We augmented one of the selected methods with a new step that improves its accuracy. After calibrating our spatial light modulator with our …


Fibre-Optic Network Architectures For On-Board Digital Avionics Signal Distribution, Mohammad Alam, Mohammed Atiquzzaman, Bradley Duncan, Hung Nguyen, Richard Kunath Nov 2015

Fibre-Optic Network Architectures For On-Board Digital Avionics Signal Distribution, Mohammad Alam, Mohammed Atiquzzaman, Bradley Duncan, Hung Nguyen, Richard Kunath

Bradley D. Duncan

Continued progress in both civil and military radio-frequency (RF) digital avionics applications is overstressing the capabilities and reliability of existing RF communication networks based on coaxial cables on board modern aircrafts. Future avionics systems will require high-bandwidth on-board communication links that are lightweight, immune to electromagnetic interference, and highly reliable. Fibre-optic networks can meet all these challenges in a cost-effective manner. Recently, on-board fibre-optic communication systems, where a fibre-optic network acts like a local area network (LAN) for digital data communications, have become a topic of extensive research and development. However, modern digital avionics systems require a system capable of …


Wide Angle Decentered Lens Beam Steering For Infrared Countermeasures Applications, Jennifer L. Gibson, Bradley D. Duncan, Edward A. Watson, John S. Loomis Nov 2015

Wide Angle Decentered Lens Beam Steering For Infrared Countermeasures Applications, Jennifer L. Gibson, Bradley D. Duncan, Edward A. Watson, John S. Loomis

Bradley D. Duncan

A beam-steering system consisting of three cemented achromatic doublets is presented. Intended for use in IR countermeasure applications, our system is designed to operate over the 2- to 5-μm spectrum with minimum angular dispersion. We show that dispersion can be minimized by using doublet lenses fashioned from AMTIR-1 and germanium. Our system is designed to be compact and lightweight, with no internal foci, while allowing steering to ±22.5 deg. We also maintain a minimum 2-in. clear aperture for all steering angles, and a nominal divergence of 1 mrad. Plane wave and Gaussian beam analyses of our system are presented.


Interferometric And Holographic Imaging Of Surface-Breaking Cracks, James Lawrence Blackshire, Bradley D. Duncan Nov 2015

Interferometric And Holographic Imaging Of Surface-Breaking Cracks, James Lawrence Blackshire, Bradley D. Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

Two advanced nondestructive evaluation systems are developed for imaging surface-breaking cracks in aerospace materials. The systems use scanning heterodyne interferometry and frequency-translated holography principles to image ultrasonic displacement fields on material surfaces with high resolution and sensitivity. Surface-breaking cracks are detected and characterized by visualizing near-field ultrasonic scattering processes, which in turn results in local intensification of ultrasonic displacement fields in the immediate vicinity of a crack. The local intensification permits cracks to be easily distinguished from background levels, and creates unique displacement field images that follow the contours and morphology of the cracks with microscopic precision. The interferometric and …


Visualization Of Surface Acoustic Waves By Means Of Synchronous Amplitude Modulated Illumination, Bradley Duncan Nov 2015

Visualization Of Surface Acoustic Waves By Means Of Synchronous Amplitude Modulated Illumination, Bradley Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

A simple technique for visualizing two-dimensional traveling surface acoustic wave (SAW) phenomena in real time was developed. The technique requires illumination of a SAW carrying substrate with a collimated, sinusoidally amplitude-modulated laser beam. Though at first the technique may appear to be stroboscopic in nature, it in fact has its foundations in spatiotemporal correlation theory. It is shown that if the modulation frequency of the illumination beam is equal to, or an integer fraction of, the SAW frequency (i.e., if they are temporally correlated) then, after simple spatial filtering, high-visibility stationary fringes can be produced. In fact, it is shown …


A Technique For Removing Platform Vibration Noise From A Pulsed Ladar Vibration Sensor, Troy Sturm, R. Richmond, Bradley Duncan Nov 2015

A Technique For Removing Platform Vibration Noise From A Pulsed Ladar Vibration Sensor, Troy Sturm, R. Richmond, Bradley Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

A technique has been developed for removing platform-induced vibration noise from a pulsed ladar vibration sensor. Deriving the vibrational characteristics of the platform is accomplished by simulating ambient atmospheric aerosols as a stationary reference target. Using a pulsed coherent detection ladar, the instantaneous Doppler frequency shifts from both aerosols and a distant hard target are measured and recorded, while the data acquisition is range gated so that both Doppler measurements are made from a single pulse. Periodic measurements are then made to develop a time history of the fluctuations in the Doppler signals, after which two vibration spectra are derived …


Real-Time Frequency-Translated Holographic Visualization Of Saw Interactions With Surface-Breaking Defects, James Blackshire, Shamachary Sathish, Bradley Duncan, Mike Millard Nov 2015

Real-Time Frequency-Translated Holographic Visualization Of Saw Interactions With Surface-Breaking Defects, James Blackshire, Shamachary Sathish, Bradley Duncan, Mike Millard

Bradley D. Duncan

A real-time, frequency-translated holographic imaging system has been developed by use of bacteriorhodopsin film. The system provides a capability for imaging surface acoustic waves and has been utilized to detect and characterize surface-breaking defects through near-field ultrasonic scattering effects. Frequency-plane filtering was used to discriminate between ultrasonic standing-wave and near-field scattering features, dramatically enhancing the holographic visualization of the defect sites. A detailed description of the system is presented, along with representative holographic images showing the interaction of surface acoustic waves with surface-breaking cracks and small notches in aluminum and titanium substrates.


High-Speed Shack-Hartmann Wave-Front Sensor Design Utilizing Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Optics, Jeffrey Widiker, Scott Harris, Bradley Duncan Nov 2015

High-Speed Shack-Hartmann Wave-Front Sensor Design Utilizing Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Optics, Jeffrey Widiker, Scott Harris, Bradley Duncan

Bradley D. Duncan

Several trade-offs relevant to the design of a two-dimensional high-speed Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor are presented. Also outlined are some simple preliminary experiments that can be used to establish critical design specifications not already known. These specifications include angular uncertainty, maximum measurable wavefront tilt, and spatial resolution. A generic design procedure is then introduced to enable the adaptation of a limited selection of CCD cameras and lenslet arrays to the desired design specifications by use of commercial off-the-shelf optics. Although initially developed to aid in the design of high-speed (i.e., megahertz-frame-rate) Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensors, our method also works when used for …


Real-Time Optical Holography Using A Spatial Light Modulator, Ting-Chung Poon, Bradley Duncan, Ming Hsien Wu, K. Shinoda, Y. Suzuki Nov 2015

Real-Time Optical Holography Using A Spatial Light Modulator, Ting-Chung Poon, Bradley Duncan, Ming Hsien Wu, K. Shinoda, Y. Suzuki

Bradley D. Duncan

Paper proposes a real-time technique for recording and reconstructing optical holograms. Holographic recording is accomplished by scanning an object with two superposed light beams of different temporal frequencies. For reconstruction, the scanned information is transferred to an electron beam addressed spatial light modulator for coherent processing and optically read out to reconstruct an image of the scanned object.


Adaptive Beam Director For A Tiled Fiber Array, Mikhail Vorontsov, Jim F. Riker, Ernst Polnau, Svetlana Lachinova, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla Nov 2015

Adaptive Beam Director For A Tiled Fiber Array, Mikhail Vorontsov, Jim F. Riker, Ernst Polnau, Svetlana Lachinova, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla

Mikhail Vorontsov

We present the concept development of a novel atmospheric compensation system based on adaptive tiled fiber array architecture operating with target-in-the-loop scenarios for directed beam applications. The adaptive tiled fiber array system is integrated with adaptive beam director (ABD). Wavefront control and sensing functions are performed directly on the beam director telescope primary mirror. The beam control of the adaptive tiled fiber array aims to compensate atmospheric turbulence-induced dynamic phase aberrations and results in a corresponding brightness increase on the illuminated extended object. The system is specifically designed for tiled fiber system architectures operating in strong intensity scintillation and speckle-modulation …


Characterization Of Atmospheric Turbulence Effects Over 149 Km Propagation Path Using Multi-Wavelength Laser Beacons, Mikhail Vorontsov, Gary W. Carhart, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla, Thomas Weyrauch, Eric Stevenson, Svetlana Lachinova, Leonid A. Beresnev, Jony Jiang Liu, Karl Rehder, Jim F. Riker Nov 2015

Characterization Of Atmospheric Turbulence Effects Over 149 Km Propagation Path Using Multi-Wavelength Laser Beacons, Mikhail Vorontsov, Gary W. Carhart, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla, Thomas Weyrauch, Eric Stevenson, Svetlana Lachinova, Leonid A. Beresnev, Jony Jiang Liu, Karl Rehder, Jim F. Riker

Mikhail Vorontsov

We describe preliminary results of a set of laser beam propagation experiments performed over a long (149 km) near-horizontal propagation path between Mauna Loa (Hawaii Island) and Haleakala (Island of Maui) mountains in February 2010. The distinctive feature of the experimental campaign referred to here as the Coherent Multi-Beam Atmospheric Transceiver (COMBAT) experiments is that the measurements of the atmospheric-turbulence induced laser beam intensity scintillations at the receiver telescope aperture were obtained simultaneously using three laser sources (laser beacons) with different wavelengths (λ1 = 0.53 μm, λ2 = 1.06 μm, and λ3 = 1.55 μm). The presented experimental results on …


Comparison Of Turbulence-Induced Scintillations For Multi-Wavelength Laser Beacons Over Tactical (7 Km) And Long (149 Km) Atmospheric Propagation Paths, Mikhail Vorontsov, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla, Gary W. Carhart, Thomas Weyrauch, Svetlana Lachinova, Ernst Polnau, Joseph Rierson, Leonid A. Beresnev, Jony Jiang Liu, Jim F. Riker Nov 2015

Comparison Of Turbulence-Induced Scintillations For Multi-Wavelength Laser Beacons Over Tactical (7 Km) And Long (149 Km) Atmospheric Propagation Paths, Mikhail Vorontsov, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla, Gary W. Carhart, Thomas Weyrauch, Svetlana Lachinova, Ernst Polnau, Joseph Rierson, Leonid A. Beresnev, Jony Jiang Liu, Jim F. Riker

Mikhail Vorontsov

We report results of the experimental analysis of atmospheric effects on laser beam propagation over two distinctive propagation paths: a long-range (149 km) propagation path between Mauna Loa (Island of Hawaii) and Haleakala (Island of Maui) mountains, and a tactical-range (7 km) propagation path between the roof of the Dayton Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) and the Intelligent Optics Laboratory (IOL/UD) located on the 5th floor of the University of Dayton College Park Center building. Both testbeds include three laser beacons operating at wavelengths 532 nm, 1064 nm, and 1550 nm and a set of identical optical receiver systems with …


Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation Of Point Source Images Using Asynchronous Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent Technique On Amos 3.6 M Telescope, Mikhail Vorontsov, Jim F. Riker, Gary W. Carhart, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla, Leonid A. Beresnev, Thomas Weyrauch Nov 2015

Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation Of Point Source Images Using Asynchronous Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent Technique On Amos 3.6 M Telescope, Mikhail Vorontsov, Jim F. Riker, Gary W. Carhart, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla, Leonid A. Beresnev, Thomas Weyrauch

Mikhail Vorontsov

The Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent Technique-based Adaptive Optics (SPGD-AO) system described in this presentation does not use a conventional wavefront sensor. It uses a metric signal collected by a single pixel detector placed behind a pinhole in the image plane to drive three deformable mirrors (DMs). The system is designed to compensate the image for turbulence effects. The theory behind this method is described in detail in [1]. However this technique, while widely simulated and tested in the laboratory, was not yet verified in astronomical field site experiments. During the month of May 2007, a series of experiments with SPGD-AO …