Focusing infrared laser beams on targets in space without using adaptive optics

T. Stewart McKechnie

doi:10.1117/12.43551

1 May 1991 Focusing infrared laser beams on targets in space without using adaptive optics

T. Stewart McKechnie

Proceedings Volume 1408, Propagation of High-Energy Laser Beams Through the Earth's Atmosphere II; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43551
Event: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Science and Engineering, 1991, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

A prediction is made that, for small values of turbulence (L sub 0) in the range of 20-40 cm, ground-based laser beams at near infrared can be focused to diffraction limited accuracy on targets in space without using adaptive optics or other wavefront correction procedures. It is found that, at infrared wavelengths, resolution is more likely to be limited by the telescope size and aberrations than by atmospheric turbulence. By building large enough telescopes to diffraction limited standards rather than currently accepted standards which fall well short of this limit, there is almost no limit to achievable resolution.

Citation Download Citation

T. Stewart McKechnie "Focusing infrared laser beams on targets in space without using adaptive optics", Proc. SPIE 1408, Propagation of High-Energy Laser Beams Through the Earth's Atmosphere II, (1 May 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43551

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