ANALYSIS OF UNDERWATER OPTICAL DETECTION SYSTEMS UTILIZING PHOTOLUMINESCENT TARGETS

摘要

An underwater optical detection system utilizing a cooperative photolumines-cent target to reduce the deleterious effects of backscattering is evaluated. A com¬parative analysis between this system and those detecting noncooperative targets is presented. Maximum underwater detection range estimates based on theoretical signal-to-noise calculations are presented for four source-target combinations. In all four cases, the sigrial-to-noise ratio is found to decrease rapidly with target distance (-30 dB/attenuation length). When used with a continuous wave laser or white light source, the system with the cooperative target yields detection ranges which are approximately twice those obtainable with systems detecting noncooperative targets. Materials suitable for use in coating these cooperative targets are dis-cussed.