Vibration Reduction/Suppression in Receptor Sensor Optics

Both passive and active tracking optical sensors, such as infrared seekers in hypersonic missiles, or laser pointing systems, require high angular precision. Vibration-induced distortion of optical components creates image distortions, image jitter, and can seriously degrade the performance of the system. The present work investigates the feasibility of employing adaptive optical techniques for the compensation of vibration-induced optical system distortions. Similar vibration-related problems occur in many industrial applications, and it is expected that the methods and hardware compensation system developed in this program would have commercial application beyond the military.