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Title: Method and system for controlling the position of a beam of light

Abstract

An method and system for laser beam tracking and pointing is based on a conventional position sensing detector (PSD) or quadrant cell but with the use of amplitude-modulated light. A combination of logarithmic automatic gain control, filtering, and synchronous detection offers high angular precision with exceptional dynamic range and sensitivity, while maintaining wide bandwidth. Use of modulated light enables the tracking of multiple beams simultaneously through the use of different modulation frequencies. It also makes the system resistant to interfering light sources such as ambient light. Beam pointing is accomplished by feeding back errors in the measured beam position to a beam steering element, such as a steering mirror. Closed-loop tracking performance is superior to existing methods, especially under conditions of atmospheric scintillation.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. (San Francisco, CA)
  2. Livermore, CA
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1026517
Patent Number(s):
7994460
Application Number:
12/165,425
Assignee:
Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02F - DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPTICAL OPERATION OF WHICH IS MODIFIED BY CHANGING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM OF THE DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INTENSITY, COLOUR, PHASE, POLARISATION OR DIRECTION OF LIGHT, e.g. SWITCHING, GATING, MODULATING OR DEMODULATING
G - PHYSICS G05 - CONTROLLING G05B - CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL
DOE Contract Number:  
AC52-07NA27344
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION

Citation Formats

Steinkraus, Jr., Robert F., Johnson, Gary W, and Ruggiero, Anthony J. Method and system for controlling the position of a beam of light. United States: N. p., 2011. Web.
Steinkraus, Jr., Robert F., Johnson, Gary W, & Ruggiero, Anthony J. Method and system for controlling the position of a beam of light. United States.
Steinkraus, Jr., Robert F., Johnson, Gary W, and Ruggiero, Anthony J. Tue . "Method and system for controlling the position of a beam of light". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1026517.
@article{osti_1026517,
title = {Method and system for controlling the position of a beam of light},
author = {Steinkraus, Jr., Robert F. and Johnson, Gary W and Ruggiero, Anthony J},
abstractNote = {An method and system for laser beam tracking and pointing is based on a conventional position sensing detector (PSD) or quadrant cell but with the use of amplitude-modulated light. A combination of logarithmic automatic gain control, filtering, and synchronous detection offers high angular precision with exceptional dynamic range and sensitivity, while maintaining wide bandwidth. Use of modulated light enables the tracking of multiple beams simultaneously through the use of different modulation frequencies. It also makes the system resistant to interfering light sources such as ambient light. Beam pointing is accomplished by feeding back errors in the measured beam position to a beam steering element, such as a steering mirror. Closed-loop tracking performance is superior to existing methods, especially under conditions of atmospheric scintillation.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Aug 09 00:00:00 EDT 2011},
month = {Tue Aug 09 00:00:00 EDT 2011}
}