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Optical turbulence influences the propagation of laser beams through random changes to their wavefront. Our approach to this established topic is to consider means of simulating atmospheric turbulence in the laboratory. Present methods include the use of spinning pipe gas lenses (SPGLs), spatial light modulators and diffractive optical elements.
SPGLs have been studied in detail previously for their lensing action and recently for their wavefront distorting properties. We are interested in experimenting with an SPGL to gain an understanding of the transition from laminar conditions to turbulent conditions, by monitoring the impact on optical aberrations with a wavefront sensor. In parallel, we will model these changes together with the aerodynamics and computation fluid dynamics research group at the CSIR to gain a better understanding of the physics at the boundary layer, which recently has shown some interesting features. In parallel to this, we simulate atmospheric turbulence using our spatial light modulator.
Video clip - simulating
atmospheric turbulence |
This work has relevance in the defence sectors for the delivery of high-energy laser beams through the atmosphere to targets, as well as in telecommunications for better signals at receivers when the laser beam propagates through non-ideal conditions.
Novel laser resonators
Digital holography
Optical vortices and vortex beams
Optical trapping and tweezing
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