Beamforming Techniques for Focusing Light Through Atmospheric Turbulence - Topic 4.2 Optoelectronics
Abstract
The objective of this research program is to implement a new paradigm for wavefront correction for direct-energy applications. In this paradigm, À Wavefront distortion is not directly measured using conventional optical techniques, but rather is estimated using channel-estimation techniques from communications theory. À Wavefront correction is not realized directly using adaptive optics, but rather is synthesized using modal superposition. Our scientific approach borrows heavily from techniques routinely employed in communication systems. In this vein, light contained in the space subtended from the transmitter to the receiver/target can be decomposed as a superposition of spatial modes, such as the Hermite- Gaussian or Laguerre-Gaussian modes. The characteristics can then be represented by a transfer matrix between the input and output vector of mode amplitudes. Two channel estimation methods, one based on lumped estimation of the round-trip transfer matrix and the other based on distributed estimation of the transfer matrices of many slices of space that comprise the free-space channel, will be investigated. The beamforming apparatus will be implemented using modulators to realize the input vector and a mode multiplexer to realize summation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 06, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710553
Entities
People
- Guifang Li
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Central Florida