Laser beam guidance systems and methods

摘要

An automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is described. The automated adaptive optics and laser projection system includes an adaptive optics system and a compact laser projection system with related laser guidance programming used to correct atmospheric distortion induced on light received by a telescope. Control of the automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is designed in a modular manner in order to facilitate replication of the system to be used with a variety of different telescopes. Related methods are also described.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
activating a laser projection system to propagate a laser beam, whereby at least a portion of the laser beam is returned to the system for detection of an error; configuring an adaptive optics system to detect the detected error to perform a compensating action comprising modifying an operating characteristic of at least one optical component contained in the laser projection system; and executing a computer-controlled automated acquisition procedure to automatically align the laser projection system, the automated acquisition procedure comprising:
capturing in a wavefront sensor, an image associated with a portion of the projected laser beam returned;using information obtained by processing the captured image to perform a compensating operation directed at addressing the error; andexecuting an iterative routine that comprises:
a) processing the image captured in the wavefront sensor to determine if an overall brightness level in the captured image exceeds an acquisition threshold;b) when below the acquisition threshold, changing at least one of an orientation or a curvature of a reflecting surface of the laser steering mirror; andc) repeating steps a) and b) and when equal to or exceeding the acquisition threshold, terminating the iterative routine.