Design and implementation of flexible laboratory system for beam propagation study through weak atmospheric turbulence

Carolina Rickenstorff; Jóse A. Rodrigo; Tatiana Alieva

doi:10.1117/12.2222304

27 April 2016 Design and implementation of flexible laboratory system for beam propagation study through weak atmospheric turbulence

Carolina Rickenstorff, Jóse A. Rodrigo, Tatiana Alieva

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9889, Optical Modelling and Design IV; 98890F (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2222304
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2016, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

Different applications such as astronomy, remote optical sensing and free space optical communications, among others, require both numerical and laboratory experimental simulations of beam propagation through turbulent atmosphere prior to an outdoor test. While rotating phase plates or hot chambers can be applied to such studies, they do not allow changing the atmospheric conditions and the propagation distance in situ. In contrast, the spatial light modulators (SLMs) are a flexible alternative for experimental turbulence simulation. In this work we consider an experimental setup comprising two SLMs for studying laser beam propagation in weak atmospheric turbulence. The changes of atmospheric conditions and propagation distances are properly achieved by the adjustment of the phase screens and the focal distances of digital lenses implemented in both SLMs. The proposed system can be completely automatized and all its elements are in fixed positions avoiding mechanical misalignment. Its design, propagation distance and atmospheric condition adjustment are provided. The setup performance is verified by numerical simulation of Gaussian beam propagation in the weak turbulence regime. The obtained parameters: scintillation index, beam wander and spreading are compared to their theoretical counterparts for different propagation distances and atmospheric conditions.

Citation Download Citation

Carolina Rickenstorff, Jóse A. Rodrigo, and Tatiana Alieva "Design and implementation of flexible laboratory system for beam propagation study through weak atmospheric turbulence", Proc. SPIE 9889, Optical Modelling and Design IV, 98890F (27 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2222304

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available