Development of a Receiver for a Space-Based Laser Radar System.

摘要

The objective of the contract was to perform basic measurements of quantities relevant to determining the engineering viability of a T1-Cs atomic line filter (ALF) for use as a receiver to predict the performance of such cells, by improving the theoretical model. A space-based laser radar system must be capable of operating in the presence of intense broadband background from the sun and other bright sources likely to be present in the field of view. Background immunity can be greatly enhanced by exploiting the narrow band feature of the laser transmitter, provided a matched narrow band receiver is available. An additional requirement is that the receiver have a sufficiently fast response for the system bandwidth not to be compromised. These requirements are similar in many respects to those applicable to satellite-based laser communication systems, and previous work on the system of present interest was performed with a view toward using it for communicating through sea water from a satellite to a submarine at operational depths. (RRH)