An Algebraic Model of Adaptive Optics for Continuous-Wave Thermal Blooming.
Abstract
This paper presents a simple algebraic model for a continuous-wave laser beam delivered on target with spreading due to both random and deterministic phase aberrations. The number of deterministic Zernike mode phase aberrations included in sufficient to give a realistic representation for thermal blooming. The aberrations modeled generally include those applied by an adaptive optics system to compensate the naturally occurring ones. For the random phase aberrations, compensation is a linear process the net result of which is a simple scaling down. By contrast, the thermal-blooming aberrations are complicated nonlinear functions of the applied compensations. Consequently, for this case, the interaction of applied and natural aberrations must be modeled in detail. The model shows that sometimes conventional adpative optics concepts can produce counter-intuitive and very disappointing results when applied to thermal blooming. However, the analysis suggests novel remedies that will tend to optimize the corrections made, thus better realizing the full potential of adaptive optics. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA074741
Entities
People
- Cynthia Whitney
Organizations
- Charles Stark Draper Laboratory