Studies of Optical Augmentation With Picosecond Pulses. Picosecond Pulses for Resolution of Optical Elements by Retroreflection

Abstract

Picosecond optical pulses generated by a neodymium-glass mode- locked laser were employed in laboratory measurements of the retro-reflection from optical surfaces. These measurements were directed at a determination of the minimum separation distance between surfaces which could be resolved using either a photodiode or an image converter camera for detection. A minimum resolvable distance of 7.5 cm was obtained with a photodiode, and the camera yielded a value of 1.5 cm. In addition calculations have been made of the range at which the retroreflection technique may be employed for analyzing optical elements using short pulses. Ranges of several kilometers appear feasible.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1971
Accession Number
ADA407138

Entities

People

  • Herbert Rabin
  • Robert C. Eckardt

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cameras
  • Detection
  • Diffraction
  • Dynamic Range
  • Electronics
  • Glass Lasers
  • Laser Pulses
  • Lasers
  • Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
  • Light Pulses
  • Measurement
  • Nd:Glass Lasers
  • Neodymium Lasers
  • Optics
  • Photons
  • Quantum Efficiency
  • Radiation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy