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Complex Field Sensing and Control with Fiber-Array-Based Collett-Wolf Beacon for Navy Tactical HEL Applications
Navy SBIR FY2012.1
| Sol No.: |
Navy SBIR FY2012.1 |
| Topic No.: |
N121-024 |
| Topic Title: |
Complex Field Sensing and Control with Fiber-Array-Based Collett-Wolf Beacon for Navy Tactical HEL Applications |
| Proposal No.: |
N121-024-0426 |
| Firm: |
MV Innovative Technologies LLC (DBA: Optonicus)
711 E Monument Ave Ste 101
Dayton, Ohio 45402 |
| Contact: |
Mikhail Vorontsov |
| Phone: |
(937) 229-1920 |
| Web Site: |
www.optonicus.com |
| Abstract: |
A scintillations and speckle-noise resistant complex field (optical wave amplitude and phase) sensing concept referred to here as Speckle-Average Phase Retrieval (SAPR) is proposed. The SAPR concept is based on the following Optonicus' innovations: (a) Mitigation of speckle noise by creating an auxiliary incoherent light source, directly on the target surface using rapid steering (dithering) of an auxiliary laser beam that is generated by a fiber-array based target illuminator system; (b) Complex field sensing with the Optonicus' multi-aperture phase reconstruction sensor that is based on a low-resolution lenslet array in the classical Shack-Hartmann arrangement and two high-resolution photo-arrays for simultaneous measurements of speckle-averaged pupil- and focal-plane intensity distributions which are used for retrieval of wavefront phase in a two stage process: phase reconstruction inside the sensor pupil sub-regions corresponding to lenslet sub-apertures, and recovery of sub-aperture averaged phase components (piston phases). Preliminary analysis demonstrates the efficiency of the SAPR approach in conditions of strong intensity scintillations, speckle-noise and presence of wavefront branch points. During the Phase I effort, the SAPR complex field sensing concept will be analyzed through extensive wave-optics numerical simulations. Different SAPR system architectures will be considered, evaluated, and optimized. |
| Benefits: |
The payoff of this project will be the development of advanced HEL beam control techniques that enable a new class of NAVY directed energy systems for tactical applications. In addition, this effort will develop beam control components and system integration in Phase II that support multiple HEL-related NAVY missions. Commercial applications include wide range of optical systems that operate in atmospheric conditions such as free-space laser communications, active imaging. Medical applications include retinal imaging and eye aberration sensing. |
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