Effects of Strong Turbulence on Short Wavelength Laser - Experimental Determination of Mean Square Wander Angle

摘要

The objective of this experimental study was to verify analytical work concerning some effects of strong turbulence on short wavelength lasers. In particular, the r.m.s. wander angle of a transmitted laser beam, as a function of integrated path turbulence has been shown to increase to a maximum and then to decrease towards a constant value that is the same order as the diffraction limited spot size of the aperture in very strong turbulence. This means that an active correction for wander angle, applied at the transmitter, although useful at low to moderate levels of turbulence, is ineffective in increasing power density on the target for high levels of integrated path turbulence. An experimental measurement of the r.m.s. wander angle of a transmitted laser beam vs. integrated path turbulence in a simulated atmospheric path has been completed and the results are in qualitative agreement with the theory.