The nonlinear OPC technique for laser beam control in turbulent atmosphere

P. Sprangle; J. R. Penano; Vladimir B. Markov; Anatoliy Khizhnyak; A. Ting; Bahman Hafizi; C. C. Davis; L. DeSandre

doi:10.1117/12.974256

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8 November 2012 The nonlinear OPC technique for laser beam control in turbulent atmosphere

P. Sprangle, J. R. Penano, Vladimir B. Markov, Anatoliy Khizhnyak, A. Ting, Bahman Hafizi, C. C. Davis, L. DeSandre

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Proceedings Volume 8535, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems XV; 85350F (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.974256
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2012, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

This paper discusses a novel type of beam director for effective laser beacon formation in deep turbulence conditions. The concept of the proposed beam director is based on an innovative approach employing a Brillouin enhanced four-wave mixing (BEFWM) mechanism for generating a tight (small spot size) laser beacon on a remote image-resolved target. The BEFWM technique enables both amplification and total (phase and amplitude) conjugation of the beacon-forming beam without the need for wavefront sensors, deformable mirrors or predictive feedback algorithms. Total conjugation is critical for beam control in the presence of strong turbulence, whereas conventional adaptive optics methods do not have this capability. The phase information retrieved from the beacon beam can be used in conjunction with an AO system to propagate laser beams in deep turbulence.

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P. Sprangle, J. R. Penano, Vladimir B. Markov, Anatoliy Khizhnyak, A. Ting, Bahman Hafizi, C. C. Davis, and L. DeSandre "The nonlinear OPC technique for laser beam control in turbulent atmosphere", Proc. SPIE 8535, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems XV, 85350F (8 November 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.974256

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