Improved Laser Vibration Radar
Abstract
The Naval Postgraduate School Physics Department is investigating the feasibility of identifying ground combat vehicles by measuring their frequency of vibrations. This thesis reconfigured an existing CO2 laboratory laser radar system that is capable of measuring the frequencies of vibration of a simulated target into a more compact and rugged form for field testing. The optical performance of the laboratory laser radar system was also improved with a combination half-wave plate, brewster-angle plate, and quarter-wave plate. The new device was tested under laboratory conditions using a target with known frequencies of vibration and a target with a more complex frequency spectrum. Both tests involved illuminating the targets with the laser beam. The first target was a retro-reflector driven by a piezoelectric actuator vibrating at selectable known frequencies (typically 400 Hz). The second target was a 9-volt DC motor supplied with 10 volts and 13 volts respectively in order to vary its speed. The laser radar proved capable of detecting the first target's frequencies of vibrations and the more complex frequency spectrum of the DC motor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA359857
Entities
People
- Pierre Hilaire
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School