COHERENT OPTICAL ARRAY TECHNIQUES.
Abstract
Studies are being conducted to determine the feasibility of a coherent optical array radar system operating at a wavelength of 1.06 microns using neodymium-doped host materials as the active media. An important step in this study is to demonstrate coherent amplification of a laser oscillator signal introduced into two separate Nd:glass amplifiers with subsequent recombination into a single output signal. The experimental configuration for this work is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer having an input beam-splitter with separate paths for the reflected and transmitter beams, each path containing a laser amplifier. The two signals are arranged to recombine at another beam-splitter. Recombination into a single output beam occurs if optical phase lengths of the separated paths are multiples of 2 pi radians. A servo system for automatic interpulse stabilization of the path length difference between the two paths of the Mach-Zehnder has been constructed and tested with excellent results.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0488026
Entities
Organizations
- Sperry Corporation