Optical Phase Element for Atmospheric Turbulence Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for simulating atmospheric turbulence in optical laboratory settings are limited, as they often require significant modifications to existing systems, are wavelength-specific, or cannot be integrated with existing optical laboratory systems, making it difficult to calibrate and test sensors under both turbulence and non-turbulence conditions in a common system.
Innovation Solution
An optical device is inserted between a target collimator and a sensor unit, featuring an optical phase element with active areas that impart wavefront aberrations to a radiation beam, allowing for simulation of atmospheric turbulence by altering the optical phase. This device includes a driving mechanism to transition between different active areas, positioning the optical phase element at an intermediate focal plane of an afocal inverter, enabling easy integration into existing test facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spatial light modulators are used to simulate atmospheric turbulence, then wavefront phase modulation is achieved, but the system is limited to visible wavelengths and creates permanent wavefront deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and material parameters of the optical phase element. By using a deformable mirror with adjustable actuators, the system can dynamically change the wavefront phase without permanent deformation. The element can be configured for different wavelengths and turbulence conditions, providing versatility across multiple parameters including wavelength range and atmospheric conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable optical phase element with multiple actuators that can change the wavefront phase in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the system to simulate varying turbulence conditions and be reconfigured for different wavelengths, overcoming the static and wavelength-specific limitations of spatial light modulators.
2Adaptability or versatility
If computer-based modeling systems are used to simulate turbulence, then flexible modeling is achieved, but integration with existing optical laboratory systems is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical phase element as an intermediary device that bridges computer-based turbulence models and physical optical laboratory systems. The element can be programmed with turbulence parameters from computer models and then physically imparts those effects to optical beams in the laboratory, enabling integration without direct modification of existing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex computer-based virtual turbulence simulation with a physical optical element that directly imparts wavefront phase modifications. This substitution allows the use of simple, well-established optical components rather than complex computational systems, while achieving the same turbulence simulation effect in a physically integrated manner.
3Ease of manufacture
If targets are integrated into the testing device, then calibration is simplified, but the system cannot be integrated with existing optical laboratory facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the turbulence simulation function from integrated targets and places it in a separate, standalone optical phase element. This element can be inserted into existing optical paths without modifying the target or sensor, allowing calibration of both turbulence and non-turbulence conditions in a common system while maintaining compatibility with existing facilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for effective simulation of atmospheric turbulence in existing optical laboratory systems, enabling calibration testing of sensors under both turbulence and non-turbulence conditions without modifying the existing setup, thereby facilitating the interpretation of sensor performance in real-world atmospheric conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an optical phase element for altering the optical phase of a radiation beam. The optical phase element includes a plurality of active areas disposed on a surface of the phase element. The plurality of active areas includes a plurality of variations for imparting wavefront aberrations to a radiation beam, thereby altering optical phase of the beam
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is an optical turbulence device configured for insertion between the target collimator and the sensor unit being tested, which simulates a turbulence effect. The turbulence device for imparting wavefront aberrations to a projected radiation beam includes an optical phase element for altering the optical phase of a radiation beam. The optical phase element includes a plurality of active areas disposed on a surface of the phase element. The plurality of active areas includes a plurality of variations for imparting wavefront aberrations to a radiation beam, thereby altering optical phase of the beam. The device further includes a driving mechanism coupled to the optical phase element for transitioning the optical phase element between a plurality of positions, thereby exposing a different active area of the optical phase element to the radiation beam. The optical phase element is configured to be positioned at an intermediate focal plane of an inverting a focal optical assembly.