Erectable Large Optic for Outer Space Application.

Abstract

Spaced based laser weapons and other based laser systems which are required to focus the laser beam on targets or receivers at long distances necessitate the final optic to have a correspondingly large diameter. Also, if diffraction limited performance is desired and a conventional mirror or lens is to be used, then the optical surfaces of these mirrors or lens must be accurate to a fraction of a wavelength of the laser light being used. The diameter of the exit aperture of the antenna or telescope can be determined from the range and the desired spot size at the target. In some applications, the diameter may need to be as large as 20 meters.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 05, 1983
Accession Number
ADD010497

Entities

People

  • Thomas E. Honeycutt
  • Thomas G. Roberts

Organizations

  • United States Army

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplifiers
  • Diameters
  • Diffraction
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Weapons
  • Lasers
  • Light Amplifiers
  • Light Sources
  • Optical Equipment
  • Outer Space
  • Telescopes
  • Weapons

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects