Studies of Optical Augmentation With Picosecond Pulses. Picosecond Pulses for Resolution of Optical Elements by Retroreflection.

摘要

Picosecond optical pulses generated by a neodymium-glass mode- locked laser were employed in laboratory measurements of the retro-reflection from optical surfaces. These measurements were directed at a determination of the minimum separation distance between surfaces which could be resolved using either a photodiode or an image converter camera for detection. A minimum resolvable distance of 7.5 cm was obtained with a photodiode, and the camera yielded a value of 1.5 cm. In addition calculations have been made of the range at which the retroreflection technique may be employed for analyzing optical elements using short pulses. Ranges of several kilometers appear feasible.