From Twinkling Stars to Theater Missile Defense

Abstract

The Space Vehicles Directorate, in collaboration with the Airborne Laser (ABL) Program Office collected data in the measurement and understanding of atmospheric optical turbulence. Optical turbulence, or fluctuations of the index of refraction in both space and time, is not only apparent in twinkling stars, but is also a major source of performance degradation for high-energy laser systems. Optical turbulence is caused by the presence of adjacent parcels of air, at a slightly different index of refraction moving about in a beam of light. In the presence of optical turbulence, a projected laser beam appears to wander, broaden and scintillate, thereby reducing image quality, and effectively reducing the average power that arrives at a spot.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 15, 2001
Accession Number
ADA392170

Entities

People

  • G. Y. Jumper
  • R. R. Beland

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Airborne
  • Design Criteria
  • High Energy
  • High Energy Lasers
  • Laser Beams
  • Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Spacecraft
  • Teamwork
  • Theater Missile Defense
  • United States
  • Vehicles
  • Weapon Systems

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space