Imaging Q-switched CO2 laser radar with heterodyne detection: design and evaluation
Abstract
A Q-switched CO2 laser radar with heterodyne detection has been designed and evaluated. A simplified theory has been used to optimize the Q-switched laser for high-resolution ranging. The return signal statistics from diffuse, glint, and topographical targets have been investigated, and statistical distributions have been fitted to the experimental data. Detection of specific targets in laser radar images using range gating has also been studied.
- Publication:
-
Applied Optics
- Pub Date:
- September 1986
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 1986ApOpt..25.2891A
- Keywords:
-
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Optical Heterodyning;
- Optical Radar;
- Q Switched Lasers;
- Radar Imagery;
- Target Recognition;
- Glint;
- Speckle Patterns;
- Statistical Distributions;
- Surface Roughness Effects;
- Topography;
- Lasers and Masers;
- HETERODYNING;
- REFLECTANCE;
- LASERS: CARBON DIOXIDE;
- LIDAR;
- IMAGE FORMATION;
- RANGING;
- SPECKLE PHENOMENA;
- TURBULENCE