Development of Ultra-Fast, Low grating lobe Optical Beam Scanners for Laser Radar (LADAR) Seeker

In order to track fast moving targets, increase missile cruising speed, and improve scanning resolution, higher performance (including faster scanning speed and better spatial resolution) laser radar (LADAR) seekers are critically needed. Thus, the objective of our proposed effort is to develop a next generation, high performance LADAR seeker that not only has a fast scanning speed (up to ns range), lower grating lobes, and a small footprint but also is cost effective. The unequally spaced phased array technique will be harnessed to realize this low grating lobe, fast speed optical beam scanning. Furthermore, a unique array of optical delay lines will be developed to increase the repetition rate of the laser pulses so that one can maintain the spatial resolution per scanned frame while having an increased scanning speed. This repetition rate increaser is important for reducing the cost and risk of developing and installing new laser systems. The new optical beam scanner developed under this project will significantly enhance the performance of the LADAR seeker used in tactical missiles. It will also provide an effective scanning tool for a variety of civilian applications such as large size display, free space communications et al.