Compensated coherent imaging for improved imaging and directed energy weapons applications
US7405834B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/87
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An imaging method and associated system for producing high-resolution images. The method includes illuminating an object or scene with coherent radiation such as beams from a laser and then, collecting scattered light with a plurality of subapertures rather than a single large aperture. The method continues with coherently detecting, such as with heterodyne detection, the scattered light to measure the complex amplitude incident on each subaperture and digitally reconstructing images from the coherently detected light for the subapertures. Then digital co-phasing is performed on the subapertures using an image sharpness or quality metric to form an image having the resolution of the total subaperture area. The method may also include determining an aimpoint in the formed image, calculating a phase screen, directing laser beams through the subapertures towards the aimpoint, and co-phasing the laser beams by applying the phase screen to form a single beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.