Approaches to constructing a mock-up of a system for focusing laser radiation on distant objects using both adaptive optics elements and nonlinear-optical wave-front reversal methods providing compensation for turbulent distortions are considered. Numerical calculations were preliminarily performed, in which the split-step method was used as a numerical method for solving a second-order partial differential wave equation for the complex amplitude of the wave field of a laser beam. This method, combined with methods of spectral-phase Fourier transforms and statistical tests, is the most effective way to obtain reliable quantitative results for solving engineering problems of atmospheric wave optics. Quantitative data are obtained on the effect of turbulent atmospheric distortions along propagation paths on the main parameters of coherent laser beams – focusing, effective average radius, and the proportion of the beam energy in its diffraction spot. The preliminary results obtained of the system mock-up performance confirm the conclusions of the theory.
Commercial ranging systems (both beam modulation and pulsed time of flight systems) have an operating range and
accuracy far below the needs for moving target system qualification testing and model validation. A new, eye-safe,
long operating range, accurate (order of cm) ranging system must be developed. The most feasible approach to
achieve this capability requires an ultrashort pulse laser system in conjunction with time-of-flight measurement
methods. Accordingly, the Institute of Applied Physics and Sandia National Laboratories are developing an
advanced ranging system for use in Sandia's mobile laser tracker for quantification of the flight dynamics of high
speed moving targets. Key to this development is a new laser. This paper presents a new picosecond Raman laser
capable of range measurements to 50 km with 1 cm accuracy in the presence of atmospheric turbulence.
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