Pupil Relay Beam Control for Airborne Laser Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tactical airborne laser systems are hindered by complexity, weight, and size due to the use of multiple steering mirrors and large primary mirrors, which increase the system's bulk and introduce aberrations, limiting their applicability in airborne and space applications.
Innovation Solution
A beam control system utilizing a plurality of pupil relays to optically overlay control points, reducing the need for multiple steering mirrors and deformable mirrors, incorporating only one high power fast steering mirror and one deformable mirror, thereby simplifying and reducing the size and weight of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple steering mirrors and large primary mirrors are used for beam control, then beam alignment and tracking capability is improved, but system complexity, weight, and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple steering mirrors into a single fast steering mirror (FSM) that provides both tip and tilt control. The pupil relay system merges the functions of multiple optical elements into a compact configuration where a single deformable mirror handles wavefront correction and a single FSM handles beam pointing, eliminating the need for multiple separate steering mirrors while maintaining full beam alignment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pupil relay system as an intermediary optical configuration that enables a single FSM to control the beam position at the primary mirror. The pupil relay acts as a mediator that translates small movements of the FSM into appropriate beam positioning at the primary mirror plane, allowing reduced component count while maintaining control authority
2Measurement precision
If multiple steering mirrors are used for beam control, then beam tracking accuracy is improved, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple steering mirror functions into a single fast steering mirror that provides both tip and tilt control. This consolidation reduces the total weight of moving optical components while maintaining full two-degree-of-freedom beam pointing control necessary for accurate tracking of off-axis targets
3Quantity of substance
If larger primary mirror is used to capture entire laser beam, then beam utilization is improved, but system size and aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pupil relay system acts as an intermediary that enables a smaller primary mirror to effectively capture and utilize the entire laser beam. By relaying the pupil through a telescopic system, the FSM can position the beam such that it is fully captured by the reduced-size primary mirror, achieving the same beam utilization as a larger mirror would provide directly
4Loss of energy
If larger primary mirror is used to ensure complete beam incidence, then beam waste is reduced, but system bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pupil relay configuration serves as a compact intermediary optical system that enables complete beam incidence on a smaller primary mirror. The relayed pupil geometry allows the FSM to steer the beam onto the entire aperture of a reduced-size primary mirror, preventing beam truncation and energy waste while avoiding the bulk associated with larger mirror systems
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
This configuration minimizes system complexity, weight, and size while maintaining effective beam alignment and tracking, enhancing the reliability and versatility of the high energy laser system for tactical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of pupil relays that are configured to control beam translation optically
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of pupil relays that are configured to optically overlay a plurality of control points
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of pupil relays are configured to optically overlay a generally corresponding plurality of control points, so as to facilitate alignment of a laser beam with respect to a plurality of optical components, such as a system entrance pupil, a deformable mirror, a steering mirror, and a system exit pupil.