Fielding TNO’s LPT (Laser Propagation Testbed) for the first time in an international trial, a 3.6 km optical propagation path was created in a maritime environment between the city of Den Helder and the island of Texel in the Netherlands. Using a 1 W, 1556 nm laser beam, atmospheric propagation was investigated by capturing the resulting beam profile on a capture plate, which was imaged with a high-speed SWIR camera. Meteorological conditions were monitored using standard meteo stations, two visibility meters, two scintillometers and aerosol equipment. Over two weeks of measurements, propagation conditions varied from windy with clear, blue skies to significantly limited visibility. In this paper, the setup is introduced and a first discussion of the relation between beam behaviour and meteorological conditions is presented.
A 1.55µm Laser Propagation Testbed (LPT) has been deployed over a 3.5 km stretch of open water between the port of Den Helder and the island of Texel in The Netherlands. The laser intensity and beam profile have been measured after propagation and reflection off a capture plate. Supplementing data was provided by large-aperture scintillometers, aerosol counters, visibility meters and standard meteorological equipment. The LPT will be presented, as well as a selection of data to demonstrate the potential of this setup. The LPT is expected to validate and verify laser propagation models and thereby to contribute in the field of atmospheric propagation, optical communication and high energy laser systems.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.