SBIR-STTR Award

The performance of Rayleigh beacons can be substantially improved by using a laser pulse with a peak power close to the critical energy for self-focusing. The self-focusing pulse provides a beacon spot smaller than that can be obtained using diffraction limited optics and provides a more coherent return wave front at the primary telescope. Picosecond lasers are the ideal light source for such a self-focusing beacon. This proposal describes a high-speed, self-focusing beacon system based on a rugged, compact, all-solid state picosecond laser combined with a photodiode-based, high-speed Hartmann-Shack sensor.

Keywords:
Self-Focusing, Picosecond Pulses, Beacon, High Energy Laser, Turbulence, Sensor, Coherent Return

We will assemble the adaptive optics system intended for imaging targets with diffraction limit resolution through atmospheric turbulence. This system will be based on the brand new laser developed by Passat Inc. and intended for the excitation of a backward Stimulated Raman Scattering in air at distances of 200 feet and more. Testing of that system will be done using a telescope consisting of 16 sub-apertures. We will be able to achieve imaging of targets located at the distance up to 200 feet. We will demonstrate our ability to achieve the diffraction limited resolution in conditions when the best target resolution without adaptive optics is in 4 times worse than the diffraction limit. The main commercial product created during the Phase II will be the beacon picosecond laser allowing to excite the backward emission with spherical wave front at distances up to 200 feet.

Keywords:
Imaging, Adaptive Optics, Local Beacon, Stimulated Raman Scattering, Self-Focusing In Air