Electro-optic testbed utilizing a dynamic range gated Rayleigh beacon for atmospheric turbulence profiling

Zuraski, Steven M.; Fiorino, Steven T.; Beecher, Elizabeth; Figlewski, Nathan M.; Schmidt, Jason D.; McCrae, Jack E.

doi:10.1117/12.2240980

Cited by 2 publications

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References 2 publications

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“…Furthermore, knowledge of the profile strength of the index of refraction structure parameter can lead to mitigation strategies for combating the undesired effects. A previously presented conceptual strategy 1 has been developed for measuring the strength of the refractive index structure parameter profile utilizing a dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacon system. A dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacon system is a modification of a traditional Rayleigh beacon system design to allow for the originating location of the backscattered field to change in the range from the collecting aperture of the telescope.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Turbulence profiling using pupil plane wavefront data derived Fried parameter values for a dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacon

et al. 2020

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Long-range optical imaging applications are typically hindered by atmospheric turbulence. The effect of turbulence on an imaging system can manifest itself as an image blur effect usually quantified by the phase distortions present in the system. The blurring effect can be understood on the basis of the measured strength of atmospheric optical turbulence along the propagation path and its impacts on phase perturbation statistics within the imaging system. One method for obtaining these measurements is by the use of a dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacon system that exploits strategically varied beacon ranges along the propagation path, effectively obtaining estimates of the aberrations affecting an optical imaging system. We developed a method for extracting tomographic turbulence strength estimations from a dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacon system that uses a Shack-Hartmann sensor as the phase measurement device. The foundation for extracting tomographic information from strategically range-varied beacon measurements obtained in rapid sequence is presented along with modeled example cases for typical turbulence scenarios. Additionally, the processing algorithm was used to simulate identification of isolated strong turbulence layers. We present the chosen processing algorithm's foundation and provide discussion of the utility of this algorithm as an atmospheric turbulence profiling methodology. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Turbulence profiling using pupil plane wavefront data derived Fried parameter values for a dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacon

et al. 2020

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Implications of polarized pupil degradation due to focal shifts in dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacons

et al. 2021

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A dynamically ranged pulsed Rayleigh beacon using sensed wavefronts across a system’s pupil plane is proposed for tomographic quantification of the atmospheric turbulence strength. This method relies on relaying light from a telescope system’s pupil plane to a wavefront sensor and having precise control of the light-blocking mechanisms to filter out scattered light from the unwanted scattering regions along the propagation path. To accomplish this, we tested and incorporated design features into the sensing system that we believe, to the best of our knowledge, are unique. Dynamically changing the range of the beacon source created focal shifts along the optical axis in the telescope sensing system. This effect induced polarization degradation in the optical pupil. As a result, polarization nonuniformity within the Pockels cell resulted in light leakages that corrupted the sensed data signals. To mitigate this unwanted effect, an analysis of the polarization pupil had to be completed for the range of possible Rayleigh beacon source distances, relating the change in polarization to the ability of a Pockels cell to function as an optical shutter. Based on the resultant polarization pupil analysis, careful design of the light relay architecture of the sensing system was necessary to properly capture sensed wavefront data from a series of intended ranges. Results are presented for the engineering design of the Turbulence and Aerosol Research Dynamic Interrogation System sensing system showing the choices made within the trade space and how those choices were made based on an analysis of the polarization pupil. Based on what we learned, recommendations are made to effectively implement a polarization-based Pockels cell shutter system as part of a dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacon system.

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Electro-optic testbed utilizing a dynamic range gated Rayleigh beacon for atmospheric turbulence profiling

Cited by 2 publications

References 2 publications

Turbulence profiling using pupil plane wavefront data derived Fried parameter values for a dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacon

Turbulence profiling using pupil plane wavefront data derived Fried parameter values for a dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacon

Implications of polarized pupil degradation due to focal shifts in dynamically ranged Rayleigh beacons

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