ON THE PROBLEM OF DEEP TURBULENCE: EXPANDING THE FIELD OF VIEW, BANDPASS, AND OBSERVING CONDITIONS OF THE FRESNEL WFS.
Abstract
Telescopes equipped with adaptive optics (AO) systems provide our clearest view of remoteobjects. From studying distant astronomical sources to running airborne and terrestrialprograms that are critical to national defense, AO imaging has become an essential platformtechnology — one that not only opens new vistas of exploration to study the universe, but alsoallows the United States to sustain a tactical advantage over its adversaries. Although moderntelescopes are now capable of generating high resolution images, there remains a significantgap between the capabilities of existing technologies and the performance that is possiblebased on the laws of physics. An essential component of any AO system is its wavefrontsensor (WFS). Most existing telescopes use a Shack-Hartmann WFS, which is two orders ofmagnitude less sensitive than a theoretically ideal sensor. In an effort to overcome thislimitation, the Beam Control Lab at the University of Notre Dame has developed a new type ofsensor, called a Fresnel WFS, that is not only more sensitive than the current state-of-the-art,but is also impervious to the effects of scintillation, i.e. similar to compensating for the twinklingof starlight. With this AFOSR proposal, we will conduct fundamental research that creates newcapabilities for the Fresnel WFS to address applications of interest to the Air Force, includingDirected Energy and Space Domain Awareness. In particular, we will develop new methods forexpanding the field of view, range of wavelengths, and weather conditions under which suchsensors may be used in practice. The results of our work will make it possible to: see clearlythrough volume-distributed turbulence; propagate laser light through strong turbulence;enhance the limiting magnitude of artificial satellite observations from the ground; and peerthrough optically thin haze and clouds.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502210435
Entities
People
- Justin Crepp
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Notre Dame