Atmospheric Laser Optics Testbed (A_LOT): Atmospheric Propagation Characterization, Beam Control, and Imaging Results

摘要

A new Army Research Laboratory (ARL) facility, the Atmospheric Laser Optics Testbed (A_LOT), designed to support research and development for a wide range of laser communication, atmospheric optics, beam control and imaging programs is presented. A_LOT provides a research laboratory environment that includes a 2.3 km near horizontal atmospheric optical path for studying the major challenges facing applications that employ laser beam propagation or .imaging through the boundary layer atmosphere. Simultaneous and continual characterization of the meteorological and atmospheric turbulence parameters with characteristics of atmospheric imaging and laser beam propagation is accomplished with a network of various sensors connected to an automated data collection and archiving system. "Local weather" control capabilities allow generation of smoke, fog or rain. Devices and experiments can be controlled and data examined remotely via internet connection and remote client software. Examples of recent laser communication and imaging results obtained using the A_LOT facilities are presented.