DLR - Institute of Technical Physics - Active Optical Systems

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Active Optical Systems

The department of Active Optical Systems (AOS) deals with laser-optical tracking of objects in the airspace and in Earth orbit and also develops and operates several stations and experimental systems for research purposes. A greater focus of the research lies in the detection and analysis of orbital objects, as well as – based on this/ building on this – the use of high-performance laser technology for the orbital lowering and collision avoidance of space debris. In order to achieve the associated goals, the department AOS operates deployable laser-optical ground stations and a large observatory within the framework of the scientific working group "Orbital Photonics" which enables the monitoring of space debris in the decimeter range. In addition to the operation of optical ground stations, the effect of laser radiation on space debris materials and the corresponding momentum transfer are being simulated, in order to use these laser-based methods in the future to increase safety in orbit. An extremely compact and thus transportable ground station for locating cooperative (i.e. equipped with retroreflectors) satellites is also available as Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) System. The objective of tracking objects in air space is the detection, trajectory analysis or protection of assets or facilities from small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). A mobile, trailer-based research platform has been developed for this purpose. Furthermore, the AOS department has expertise in the qualification of optical components that are used in space conditions, such as retroreflectors (CCR, Corner Cube Reflectors). According to ISO standards, the dielectric laser optics are subjected to standardized laser damage tests in a cleanroom or investigations for laser-induced contamination are carried out.

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Atmospheric real time laser tracking

In the propagation of laser radiation over large distances, the influence of the atmosphere due to air turbulence is no longer negligible. This effect is particularly noticeable in propagation near the bottom of the atmospheric boundary layer. These disturbances lead primarily to statistical fluctuations of beam deflections and to a broadening of the beam cross-section. Alongside the increasing demand that a laser beam must hit a specific, possibly fast-moving target ...

Atmospheric compensated imaging

In imaging, just as with laser beam propagation, atmospheric turbulence generated by wind, air pressure and temperature differences also leads to disturbances in the optical path. Consequently, the resulting images appear blurred, distorted or the brightness has changed. This corresponds to a widening of the minimum possible diffraction spot, which leads to a loss of image details. The use of adaptive optics enables a partial compensation ...

Damage threshold tests on laser optics

High-power laser systems require laser optics with high damage thresholds. The Active Optical Systems department of the Institute of Technical Physics operates a test facility for the qualification of laser optics and optronic components with which multiple pulse damage thresholds can also be determined. In this laser damage laboratory, standardised surveys ...

Laser-induced contamination

When using laser systems in space, laser-induced contamination must be taken into account, especially considering several NASA missions such as LITE, MOLA and ICESAT which have been unsuccessful for this reason or could not be carried out as planned. The optical components of laser systems ...

Qualification of frequency conversion crystals

Nonlinear optical crystals are key components for frequency conversion in many laser systems such as, for example, in the ESA ADM-Aeolus mission. The objective is to measure wind profiles from space using LIDAR methods. To this end, the emission wavelength of an Nd:YAG laser in the infrared range at 1064 nanometres ...

Contact

Wolfgang Riede
Head of department Active Optical Systems
Institute of Technical Physics
Active Optical Systems
Stuttgart
Tel.: +49 711 6862-515
Fax: +49 711 6862-788