Femto Second Laser Adaptive Optics

Ultra-Short Pulse Lasers demonstrate great potential to meet military capability requirements but are typically limited to short range applications. The objective of this Phase 1 proposal is to define, specify and recommend an Adaptive Optics (AO) System for an Army Ultra-Short Pulse Laser which will permit a wider variety of applications with longer ranges of interest to the Army and the DoD. Envisioneering proposes to perform a trade study to determine the cost, availability and time to procure such a system. In order to provide an effective AO system, an intimate knowledge of the requirements for the various applications must be known, as well as, knowledge of the physical processes taking place not only at the target, but also during atmospheric propagation. Other important aspects necessary for a successful system are a technical understanding and familiarity with the state of the art of current USPL technology, an understanding of the various nonlinear processes involving laser-material interactions, experience with the unique issues involving USPL propagation, and an appreciation of the types of systems likely to be fielded for particular DoD missions which determine the required wavelength, bandwidth, repetition rate, pulsewidth and energy of the USP laser system.