Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a coherent optical phased array laser source from a spatially combined array of output beams is accomplished without any external measurement devices or wavefront sensors. A master oscillator laser is split into a plurality of optical beam transport and amplifier channels to produce a plurality of optical output beams that are spatially combined in an array format. The spatial phase state of the plurality of output beams is measured at the output of a spatial combiner without use of an external measurement device or sensor. The phase of the plurality of optical output beams is controlled to compensate both for aberrations induced by the optical beam transport and amplifier paths to produce a coherent and spatially phased laser beam at the output of the laser source or to produce a phased laser beam with prescribed phase state on each output beam.

Abstract: A System and Method for Low Signal Knife Edge Wavefront Sensing in an Adaptive Optical System to provide measurement and compensation of aberrations induced by propagation through an optical system and through a turbulent medium to a target. The wavefront sensing method requires a minimum signal level for effective operation by taking advantage of the implicit gain afforded by the knife edge principle and incorporating a means for on-line calibration of the knife edge gain. This particular advantage reduces requirements on the laser utilized to generate a beacon signal for wavefront sensing and reduces requirements on the detectors utilized for wavefront sensing, ultimately reducing cost of the method relative to alternative adaptive optical systems using conventional wavefront sensing methods. The method is suitable for use with a broad range of laser sources, including continuous wave and pulsed laser sources, cooperative and non-cooperative targets.

Abstract: An Integrated Laser Phase and Amplifier Compensation System (ILPACS) for end-to-end compensation of high-energy laser for propagation through turbulence with non-cooperative target are described. ILPACS using interferometric slaving technique and stand-alone adaptive optical systems to effect pre-compensation of phase aberrations in turbulent medium, providing pre-compensation for aberrations in a laser amplifier is presented. ILPACS enables integration with a short pulse mode locked laser for use in Target Feature Adaptive Optics (TFAO) or with a mode locked ultra short pulse laser with carrier envelope phase stabilization for use in Broadband Coherent Adaptive Optics (BCAO).

Abstract: An Integrated Laser Field and Amplifier Compensation System (ILFACS) for end-to-end compensation of high-energy laser for propagation through turbulence with non-cooperative target are described. ILFACS using interferometric slaving technique and stand-alone adaptive optical systems to effect pre-compensation of amplitude and phase aberrations in turbulent medium, providing pre-compensation for aberrations in a laser amplifier is presented. ILFACS enables integration with a short pulse mode locked laser for use in Target Feature Adaptive Optics (TFAO) or with a mode locked ultra short pulse laser with carrier envelope phase stabilization for use in Broadband Coherent Adaptive Optics (BCAO).

Abstract: An Integrated Laser Phase Compensation System (ILPCS) for end-to-end compensation of high-energy laser for propagation through turbulence with non-cooperative target. ILPCS using interferometric slaving technique and stand-alone adaptive optical systems to effect pre-compensation of phase aberrations in turbulent medium, providing pre-compensation for aberrations in a laser amplifier with a minimal number of phase correction devices is presented. ILPCS enables integration with a short pulse mode locked laser for use in Target Feature Adaptive Optics (TFAO) or with a mode locked ultra short pulse laser with carrier envelope phase stabilization for use in Broadband Coherent Adaptive Optics (BCAO).

Abstract: A System and Method for Joint Compensation of Turbulence-induced-aberration and Laser Source Aberrations to provide measurement and compensation of aberrations in a laser beam projected from a laser source and the aberrations induced by propagation through an optical system and through a turbulent medium to a target utilizing only a single primary phase correction device means in the projected laser beam path and a secondary phase correction device means incorporated into the wavefront sensor path while at the same time the corrections are made using strictly null-seeking feedback control loops, thus providing a robust means of compensation. Reduction of the number of phase correction device means in the projected laser beam path can reduce cost, size, weight, and power compensation of the compensation system when the projected laser beam is a high energy laser.

Abstract: An Integrated Laser Field Conjugation System (ILFCS) for end-to-end compensation of high-energy laser for propagation through turbulence with non-cooperative target. ILFCS using interferometric slaving technique and stand-alone adaptive optical systems to effect pre-compensation of amplitude and phase aberrations in turbulent medium, providing pre-compensation for aberrations in a laser amplifier. Performing compensation functions in low-power beam paths, increasing capability, reducing cost, reducing size compensation components for phase correction devices. Pre-compensating low-power master oscillator beam for aberrations in both high-power amplifier and turbulent propagation path-to-target with configuration enabling wavefront sensing of aberrations. Can be configured to perform phase compensation, or compensation of phase/amplitude aberrations. Capability to compensate aberrations in master oscillator beam.

Abstract: A Coherent Phased Array Beam Transmission and Imaging System is disclosed for end-to-end compensation of a plurality of laser beams through a turbulent medium to a non-cooperative target where the optical device used to transmit and receive laser energy is a plurality of optical transceivers (typically a telescope, but often referred to as a subaperture telescope or transceiver). The Coherent Phased Array Beam Transmission and Imaging System controls the plurality of laser beams (that originate from a single master oscillator laser and are amplified and/or transported using separate beam paths) to coherently combine the outgoing beams from each subaperture to form a single phased beam at the target. The preferred embodiment for the Coherent Phased Array Beam Transmission and Imaging System includes a method to maintain the beam hit spot on the target aim point at the full resolution of the array.

Abstract: A system and method forming near diffraction limited size beacon for adaptive optical system using a temporally partially coherent laser source. Comprises projection of laser beams through turbulent medium having non-cooperative target using combination of adaptive optical system and short temporal coherence length laser source forming controllable focused laser target beacon. Combines adaptive optical system technology using any wavefront sensing technique making complex field measurements with short coherence length and associated broad spectral bandwidth. The partially coherent laser source forms narrow (near diffraction limited) size region of coherent laser light at target. The coherent region of return dominates signal for any measurement technique computing average of field over wavelength bandpass and can be used to pre-compensate either the partially coherent laser beam, a long coherence length beam of different wavelength or wavelength in bandpass, or both.

Abstract: A method for maximum power transmission through a turbulent medium using the minimum size telescope aperture. Two telescopes are both equipped with an adaptive optical system to correct the aberrations observed on the received beam, at the same time pre-compensating an outgoing laser beam for the effects of atmospheric turbulence. By iterating back and forth between the planes of the two telescopes, maximum power is transmitted between the two telescopes.

Abstract: A method for maximum power transmission through a turbulent medium using the minimum size telescope aperture. Two telescopes are both equipped with an adaptive optical system to correct the aberrations observed on the received beam, at the same time pre-compensating an outgoing laser beam for the effects of atmospheric turbulence. By iterating back and forth between the planes of the two telescopes, maximum power is transmitted between the two telescopes.

Abstract: A method for real-time, robust, stable closed-loop control of two phase correction devices to compensate for both amplitude and phase fluctuations induced by light passing through a turbulent medium. Two phase correction devices, in different conjugate planes, are controlled to minimize the difference in phase of the input beam corrupted by turbulence and an ideal reference beam.