Open AccessAtmospheric turbulence correction using digital holographic detection: experimental results
Author(s) -
Joseph C. Marron,
Richard L. Kendrick,
Nathan L. Seldomridge,
Taylor D. Grow,
Thomas Höft
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.011638
Subject(s) - optics , turbulence , atmospheric turbulence , holography , physics , phase (matter) , adaptive optics , image processing , atmospheric optics , digital image processing , metric (unit) , remote sensing , computer science , computer vision , image (mathematics) , geology , meteorology , operations management , quantum mechanics , economics
The performance of long distance imaging systems is typically degraded by phase errors imparted by atmospheric turbulence. In this paper we apply coherent imaging methods to determine, and remove, these phase errors by digitally processing coherent recordings of the image data. In this manner we are able to remove the effects of atmospheric turbulence without needing a conventional adaptive optical system. Digital holographic detection is used to record the coherent, complex-valued, optical field for a series of atmospheric and object realizations. Correction of atmospheric phase errors is then based on maximizing an image sharpness metric to determine the aberrations present and correct the underlying image. Experimental results that demonstrate image recovery in the presence of turbulence are presented. Results obtained with severe turbulence that gives rise to anisoplanatism are also presented.