Time-dependent underwater optical propagation measurements using modulated light fields

Linda Mullen; Alan Laux; Brandon Cochenour

doi:10.1117/12.818588

29 April 2009 Time-dependent underwater optical propagation measurements using modulated light fields

Linda Mullen, Alan Laux, Brandon Cochenour

Proceedings Volume 7317, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring; 73170D (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.818588
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2009, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Optical imaging and optical communications systems are limited in the underwater environment due to optical scattering. For an imaging system, light that scatters back to the receiver before reaching an underwater object degrades image contrast. Light that scatters multiple times on its way to and from the object of interest tends to blur the image and further reduce its contrast. This forward-scattered light may also ultimately limit the bandwidth of a point-to-point optical communications link. While continuous wave sources with low frequency modulation (<100MHz) and pulsed sources with several nanosecond pulse durations have been used to mitigate the backscatter problem, little has been done to study the effect of higher modulation frequencies (>100MHz) or short (<2nsec) pulse durations on forward-scattered light. The challenge has been the lack of hardware and theoretical models required to examine events at these short time scales. Fortunately, short pulse and modulated pulse sources have now been developed, along with optical receivers with sufficient bandwidth and sensitivity to measure the response of the water to these sources. The purpose of this work is to use these tools to study the propagation of modulated light fields at frequencies up to 1GHz. Results from laboratory tank experiments and their impact on future underwater optical imaging and communications systems will be discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Linda Mullen, Alan Laux, and Brandon Cochenour "Time-dependent underwater optical propagation measurements using modulated light fields", Proc. SPIE 7317, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring, 73170D (29 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.818588

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