Adaptive Optics System for Mitigating Deep Atmospheric Turbulence Effect

Efficient laser beam delivery on a distant extended target remains a key problem for practical implementation of laser systems. Since the conventional target-in-the-loop (TIL) adaptive optic concept is generally not effective in many operational environments, new solutions are needed. MetroLaser has developed an innovative approach for a TIL method to be applied for effective compensation of deep, turbulence-induced laser beam aberrations. The effect of compensation is based on building up a point-source beacon on a target and instantaneous detection of the complete wavefront formed by the beacon. The proposed approach is based on the analogy between the concepts of a TIL system and a laser resonator. Controlling the position and structure of the laser beam on the target at the image plane of the system enables essential reduction in the beacon formation time. During Phase I, we will study the operational performance of the proposed methods. The results will facilitate determining the optimal parameters of beacon formation on a scattering surface target for a laser beam propagating through a deep, turbulent atmosphere. This will reduce program risk and will lead to a robust brassboard system design that will be built, tested, and validated in Phase II.