Limiting capabilities of adaptive optical systems in the atmosphere

摘要

Abstract: This paper deals with application of adaptive optical systems (AOS) in the atmosphere. The optical systems are related to solutions to the following problems: (1) transfer of optical image or contrast; (2) provision of conservation of initial qualities of optical radiation during propagation through the atmosphere; and (3) energy transfer in the atmosphere with the use of laser beams. We discuss the subject beginning with the fact that, at present, all the traditional modern opto-electronic systems, operating in the atmosphere, cannot practically realize their potential efficiency. And here one of the cardinal means for providing efficient operation of optical systems in the atmosphere is the use of systems, algorithms, and elements of adaptive optics. When describing modern atmospheric adaptive optical systems, special attention should be paid the following distorting factors of the atmosphere: refraction in atmospheric layers (along extended paths), atmospheric turbulence, molecular absorption resulting in thermal blooming high power radiation. The goal of our analysis is to determine the limiting capabilities when using adaptive optical systems. As a measure of correction quality we utilize the relative increase of the Strehl parameter or energy criterion. !2