Spatial-Temporal Control Applied to Atmospheric Adaptive Optics

Our proposed approach is to generate a physics- and data-based characterization of the dominant spatio-temporal modes of the phase-perturbation due to the near-field turbulent environment of an aircraft-mounted turret-based system. This modal description will depend on view angle, and will be synchronized in flight, prior to engagement. The modes will represent the necessary corrections to a deformable mirror (DM) to correct for not only the “mean deformations” due to the potential field, but also for the optical effects of the coherent spatio-temporally varying vortex fields that are predominant in the wake of the turret. BENEFIT: If this approach is successful, it will result in an improved ability to image and to compensate directed energy weapons through wakes and through shear layers. This approach will thus extend the view angle, and hence the utility of airborne imaging and directed energy systems.