A hybrid system for beam steering and wavefront control

Vladimir V. Nikulin

doi:10.1117/12.529509

16 June 2004 A hybrid system for beam steering and wavefront control

Vladimir V. Nikulin

Proceedings Volume 5338, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVI; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.529509
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2004, San Jose, Ca, United States

Abstract

Performance of long-range mobile laser systems operating within Earth's atmosphere is generally limited by several factors. Movement of the communicating platforms, such as aircraft, terrain vehicles, etc., complemented by mechanical vibrations, is the main cause of pointing errors. In addition, atmospheric turbulence causes changes of the refractive index along the propagation path that lead to phase distortions (aberrations), thus creating random redistribution of optical energy in the spatial domain. The combined effect of these factors leads to an increased bit-error probability under adverse operation conditions. While traditional approaches provide separate treatment of these problems, suggesting the development of high-bandwidth beam steering systems to perform tracking and jitter rejection, and wavefront control for the mitigation of atmospheric effects, the two tasks could be integrated. In this paper we present a hybrid laser beam steering/wavefront control system comprising an electrically addressed spatial light modulator (SLM) installed on the Omni-Wrist sensor mount platform. The function of the Omni-Wrist is to provide coarse steering over a wide range of pointing angles, while the purpose of the SLM is twofold: it performs wavefront correction and fine steering. The control law for the Omni-Wrist is synthesized using the decentralized approach that provides independent access to the azimuth and declination channels, while the algorithm for calculating the required phase profile for the SLM is optimization-based. This paper presents the control algorithms, the approach to coordinating the operation of the both systems and the simulation results.

Citation Download Citation

Vladimir V. Nikulin "A hybrid system for beam steering and wavefront control", Proc. SPIE 5338, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVI, (16 June 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.529509

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KEYWORDS

Spatial light modulators

Wavefronts

Control systems

Beam steering

Atmospheric optics

Optimization (mathematics)

Adaptive control

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