Point-ahead laser pointer-tracker systems with wavefront correction in both transmit and receive directions

摘要

Point-ahead laser pointer-tracker systems with stabilization and wavefront correction in both transmit and receive directions provide arrangements for sensing the wavefront correction required in two different directions, one in the received target image direction for good image quality in the tracker and the other in the point-ahead direction for good beam quality on the target. In the several embodiments, a marker beam is aligned with the target image. Wavefront aberration correction signals are produced by an output wave sensor that senses the wavefront of the marker beam in the received target image direction and the wavefront of the source laser beam in the point-ahead transmit direction. The alignment is maintained by use of the output wave sensor signals together with signals from the tracker of the target and current aimpoint positions. These signals, compared in selected pairs, control mirrors in various legs of the optical system to put the current aimpoint on the desired aimpoint and to align the marker beam along the received target image direction.