Laser Wavefront Analyzer For Diagnosing High-Energy Lasers

John Van Workum; James A. PIascyk; Michael L. Skolnick

doi:10.1117/12.956513

8 August 1978 Laser Wavefront Analyzer For Diagnosing High-Energy Lasers

John Van Workum, James A. PIascyk, Michael L. Skolnick

Proceedings Volume 0141, Adaptive Optical Components I; (1978) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.956513
Event: 1978 Technical Symposium East, 1978, Washington, D.C., United States

Abstract

The Laser Wavefront. Analyzer (LWA) determines the intensity and phase of a CO2 laser operating over a spectral range from 9.1 µm to 10.7 µm. The LWA is a sliding reference interferometer and measures differential optical phase over a 32 x 32 element format of the input beam. A resolution element is scanned every 10 µsec. The theory and general design aspects of the LWA are discussed in this paper. Phase and intensity data outputs obtained with the instrument during calibration tests performed by the Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base are presented. This calibration data was obtained by utilizing low power CO2 gas lasers with appropriate optical components to magnify and alter the phase front of the beam entering the analyzer sensor aperture. Phase accuracy and precision data from these calibration tests are also presented.

Citation Download Citation

John Van Workum, James A. PIascyk, and Michael L. Skolnick "Laser Wavefront Analyzer For Diagnosing High-Energy Lasers", Proc. SPIE 0141, Adaptive Optical Components I, (8 August 1978); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.956513

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