System concept and some characteristics of the coupled-cavity laser system for active target tracking

Abstract

We performed architecture and design analyses of coupled-cavity laser systems to arrive at a concept for tracking distant objects. We also conducted an experimental study of such a system using a pulsed ruby laser as a prototype for the laboratory tests. Both laser cavities were coupled through the dynamic holographic grating. Special attention was paid to characterization of the coupled-cavity laser system and its operation. In particular, we studied the formation of holographic grating that serves to couple the cavity; the slope efficiency of the master and slave arms and their dependence upon cavity parameters. The resulted experimental data and analyses verified the tracking principle and proved the feasibility of the proposed phase-conjugate double cavity laser system for tracking moving object at distance with high accuracy.