A Novel Wave Front Method Used for Tracking Terrestrial Concentrator Focal Spot Location

Abstract

This paper presents a new sensing method for tracking terrestrial concentrator focal spot location. The new method utilizes the shape and mirror-like surfaces of the absorber as a wave front sensor. The paper begins with a discussion of wave front sensing and how it can be used in optical systems to measure phase differences in light waves across an aperture. The wave front sensing method is then modified from an aperture or lens system into a mirror system. After the method wa-s developed for mirrors, it was developed into a method of detecting focal spot location errors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 26, 2004
Accession Number
ADA422658

Entities

People

  • Joseph N. Beasley

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cameras
  • Energy Transfer
  • Heat Transfer
  • High Temperature
  • Intensity
  • Military Research
  • Mirrors
  • Misalignment
  • Ray Tracing
  • Reflection
  • Stainless Steel
  • Telescopes
  • Wavefronts

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Geodesy
  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.