Open AccessInfluence of atmospheric phase compensation on optical heterodyne power measurements
Author(s) -
Aniceto Belmonte
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.006756
Subject(s) - optics , heterodyne (poetry) , heterodyne detection , wavefront , physics , phase (matter) , compensation (psychology) , atmospheric optics , optical power , laser , acoustics , psychology , quantum mechanics , psychoanalysis
The simulation of beam propagation is used to examine the uncertainty inherent to the process of optical power measurement with a practical heterodyne receiver because of the presence of refractive turbulence. Phase-compensated heterodyne receivers offer the potential for overcoming the limitations imposed by the atmosphere by the partial correction of turbulence-induced wave-front phase aberrations. However, wave-front amplitude fluctuations can limit the compensation process and diminish the achievable heterodyne performance.