COHERENT OPTICAL ARRAY TECHNIQUES.
Abstract
Studies are being conducted to determine the feasibility of a coherent optical phased array system. When fully developed, such a system would not only provide increased beam power concentration on distant targets, but could also result in electronic beam steering. The over-all plan is to demonstrate feasibility by developing a subassembly consisting of a cw laser master oscillator driving two pulsed laser power amplifiers in parallel. The required phase shifters and power dividers would be incorporated to demonstrate the principles of a coherent optical phased array. The investigation is being conducted for an operating wavelength of 1.06 microns. Solid state and gas lasers were considered for the master oscillator. No satisfactory 1.06micron transition has been found for a gas laser system. Consequently, all effort is being concentrated on solid state devices. A Nd:CaWO4 laser has produced a multimode CW output of 160 milliwatts. Single-mode work is being pursued.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0610466
Entities
Organizations
- Sperry Corporation