Laser Beam Propagation through the Low Atmosphere in Deep Turbulence

ISR-affiliated Professor Christopher Davis (ECE) has been awarded a Multidisciplinary Research Initiatives (MRI) contract worth $4M over five years from the Joint Technology Office, “Laser Beam Propagation through the Low Atmosphere in Deep Turbulence.” Professor Davis will partner with Professor Thomas Antonsen (ECE/Physics/IREAP), Professor Stuart Milner of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Professors Ron Phillips and Larry Andrews from the University of Central Florida. The research aims to develop new and improved techniques for characterizing the optical properties of the turbulent atmosphere along lengthy paths close to the ground. Such paths are described as involving “deep turbulence.” The ultimate goal is to provide improved information to adaptive optics systems that are used to project high energy laser beams at targets.