Improved laser vibration ladar
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Authors
Hilaire, Pierre.
Subjects
NA
Advisors
Harney, Robert C.
Walters, Donald L.
Date of Issue
1998-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
The Naval Postgraduate School Physics Department is investigating the feasibility of identifying ground combat vehicles by measuring their frequency of vibrations. This thesis reconfigured an existing CO2 laboratory laser radar system that is capable of measuring the frequencies of vibration of a simulated target into a more compact and rugged form for field testing. The optical performance of the laboratory laser radar system was also improved with a combination half-wave plate, brewster-angle plate, and quarter-wave plate. The new device was tested under laboratory conditions using a target with known frequencies of vibration and a target with a more complex frequency spectrum. Both tests involved illuminating the targets with the laser beam. The first target was a retro-reflector driven by a piezoelectric actuator vibrating at selectable known frequencies (typically 400 Hz). The second target was a 9-volt DC motor supplied with 10 volts and 13 volts respectively in order to vary its speed. The laser radar proved capable of detecting the first target's frequencies of vibrations and the more complex frequency spectrum of the DC motor.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Applied Physics
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
ix, 45 p.;28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.