Coherent Optical Adaptive Techniques (COAT)
Abstract
COAT (Coherent Optical Adaptive Techniques) is the name given to an optical phased array transceiver system which automatically compensates for atmospheric distortion along the propagation path of the beam (turbulence, thermal blooming, laser amplifier). Based upon the principal of transmitting a wavefront which is the phase conjugate of the received wavefront, the COAT system can lock onto and track a target of very small dimension under conditions in which a conventional single-element system would fail or perform poorly. That is, energy can be focused at the target. A previous experiment successfully demonstrated the concept for a two-element system. This report describes the implementation and test results of a multiaperture (1x6) array operating at a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers. Temporal and spatial information from the intensity distributions developed at ranges of 1 km and 10 km are presented as an evaluation of system performance. A theoretical prediction of system operation through computer simulation has also been made and shows the system to be operating near the theoretical limit.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- ADA025668
Entities
People
- C. L. Hayes
- G. E. Mevers
- J. Soohoo
- R. A. Brandewie
- W. C. Davis