Title

Ultra-low loss laser communications technique using smart beamforming optics

Authors

Authors

N. A. Riza;S. A. Khan

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Opt. Commun.

Keywords

wireless; laser communications; freespace optics; Gaussian beam; propagation; liquid crystals; variable focus lens; low loss; IN-ORBIT TEST; LENS; LINK; ARTEMIS; Optics

Abstract

Theory and design is presented for a technique for ultra-low loss laser communication that uses a combination of strong and weak thin lens optics, hence obeying the paraxial approximation. As opposed to conventional laser communication systems, the Gaussian laser beam is prevented from diverging at the receiving station by using a weak thin lens that places the transmitted beam waist mid-way between a symmetrical transmitter-receiver link design. The weak lens can be a fixed optic for static link distances or programmable for mobile scenarios. The programmable weak optic can be a single pixel or multi-pixel lens made by liquid crystal or mirror technologies. The proposed link design is appropriate for low air turbulence links such as short-range or indoor links and space based links. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Optics Communications

Volume

257

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

225

Last Page

246

WOS Identifier

WOS:000233960000002

ISSN

0030-4018

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