Adaptive Laser System for Space Control and Protection

Space control missions require a high angular brightness and minimal jitter laser beam on the target. These characteristics are difficult to achieve on a real beam path through turbulent atmospheric conditions. MetroLaser's proposal outlines an innovative approach in designing a laser system based on a combination of linear and non-linear optical phase conjugation mirrors. This concept enables correction of the wavefront of a high-energy laser, resulting in a high Strehl ratio of the beam and significant increase of the energy density on the target. During Phase I, we will perform a systematic analysis of the phase-conjugate mirror based laser, and proof-of-concept experiments to characterize key system parameters. The operational limits and constraints imposed by spatial aberrations on the beam path and the delivered energy requirements will be identified and the projected performance envelope estimated. A design trade-off analysis of the prototype architecture will be conducted in order to provide the optimal concept appropriate to a more detailed design and experiment definition study. During Phase II, we will extend the performance capabilities of the proposed laser system, design and build a breadboard for verifying and optimizing the predicted system performance, demonstrate and refine laboratory operation, and estimate the working envelope.