The Effect Of An Argon Laser's Spectral Content On A Phased Array's Search For Zero Optical Path Difference

Stephen A. Hanes

doi:10.1117/12.975533

13 October 1986 The Effect Of An Argon Laser's Spectral Content On A Phased Array's Search For Zero Optical Path Difference

Stephen A. Hanes

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 0643, Infrared, Adaptive, and Synthetic Aperture Optical Systems; (1986) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.975533
Event: 1986 Technical Symposium Southeast, 1986, Orlando, United States

Abstract

The Air Force Weapons Laboratory phased array experiment, PHASAR, uses a multiline argon laser to phase together the output of three beam expanding telescopes. A two beam interference technique is used to compare the optical path differences (OPD) between the three telescope's beam paths. Generally, one telescope is designated as a reference and the other two telescopes are phased to it. One limitation of the system is its inability to positively identify the zero OPD point when scanning over a large range of OPDs. Due to the argon laser's limited spectral content, there are OPDs other than zero OPD where the various wavelengths are nearly back in phase, resulting in positions which are essentially indistinguishable from zero OPD. A simple procedure for determining OPDs that will be difficult to discriminate from zero OPD is described. This procedure provides a convenient means for evaluating sources for use in OPD sensors based on the two beam interference technique.

Citation Download Citation

Stephen A. Hanes "The Effect Of An Argon Laser's Spectral Content On A Phased Array's Search For Zero Optical Path Difference", Proc. SPIE 0643, Infrared, Adaptive, and Synthetic Aperture Optical Systems, (13 October 1986); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.975533

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available