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W, iglit H.
114
Htluntley, Jr.
IEI E
Scattering
source
far-field radiation pattern of the scattering spot. Langmuir2 has indicated the similarity between this standing
pattern and the familiar problem of radar clutter wherein
the sea, chaff, or moving trees give a fluctuating return;
yet a similar pattern is involved. The pattern is simply
more stationary with coherent light scattering because
individual scattering points tend to maintain a fixed
relationship to each other.
It is interesting that most people experience an odd
psychophysical reaction when attempting to look at the
scattering spot. If the spot is small-2 mm in diameterand the observer is more than a few centimeters from the
scattering surface, it is quite difficult to focus the eyes
on the plane of the scattering surface. As a result, printing
on that surface disappears (also described by Oliver).
The reason for this illusion is that the stationary diffraction pattern exhibits granularity that always seems in
focus, no matter where the eye is actually focused. Figure
I illustrates the effect on the eye-or other imaging
system-in the far field. Each line represents the center
of one of the needle-like random lobes.
Focusing on the scattering surface produces an image
of minimum size and the granularity is crowded into a
small area. If the eye is out of focus, the over-all image
expands and the details of the granularity are enlarged.
Most observers find that their eyes focus automatically
at some average point which yields rich granular detail
and sufficiently small image size to have moderate
intensity in the individual grains. This arbitrary focal plane
almost never will coincide with the scattering surface.
Another effect can be seen from Fig. 1. If an iris is
115
Fig. 3. Duplication of Oliver's photograph, except that transmission rather than scattering
diffraction is used. (Difference in grain size is
caused by dissimilar degree of enlargement)
118
1964
119
(1)
10-1
Flat mirror
Film
Gas laser
120
L1.f0I_
._
IEEE
spectrum
JANUARY
1964
(2)
array.
While phasing poses problems that have not been
solved satisfactorily, polarization and amplitude distribution are more subject to control by the investigator.
A "quarter-wave plate" gives circular polarization when
the crystal axes are at 45 degiees to the polarization of
the incident light, and other orientation angles provide
all possible axial ratios of elliptical polarization.
It is often desirable to illuminate an array more strongly
at the center and gradually taper the illumination to
zero at the edges. The natural-mode patterns of the
laser can be used quite effectively for approximating
1964
121
D2-D1==y log E2
(3)
Conclusions
Two principal conclusions have been reached on the
basis of all the diffraction experiments described.
The new relationship between the typical size of
target-surface irregularities and wavelength will probably
cause severe amplitude fluctuations at the detector in
optical radars.
The same phenomenon gives high promise of providing
rapid tracking capability by direct measurement of
tangential target velocity.
It is evident from the previously described experiments
that the spatial and even temporal coherence of the
gaseous laser beam can produce most interesting scattering effects. These experiments also provide sufficient
information to engage in some speculation about future
optical electronic systems.
It is quite probable that the high directivity possible
in this region of the spectrum will permit practical
illumination of relatively small target areas at great
range. If so, the detector used in such a system will have
to operate in the sort of field pattern shown in Fig. 2.
If the detector aperture is small and at great distance
from the target, any tangential motion of the target withi
respect to the illuminating source can be expected to
produce large fluctuations or scintillations in the detector
output. Some initial investigation of metallic surfaces
has shown the same random intensity patterns as the
test paper, though polarization is not at random, as it is
from the paper.
If an array of detectors (with proper correlative
interconnection) or an imaging system is used to examine
the target returns, a potentially annoying effect could be
turned into a unique advantage. The sweeping motion of
the random-field pattern is a direct function of the
tangential-velocity vector of the target in the beam.
Therefore, it should be possible to obtain angular tracking
information on a nearly instantaneous basis. It is also
possible to modulate the beam to obtain range and radialvelocity data. The additional information on relative
tangential velocity is all that should be required to
maintain continuous track on a target in three dimensions.
Proposed optical electronic systems will encounter
monumental problems in acquisition-but the ability
to establish rapid tracking of an acquired target could
improve some proposed systems significantly.
REFERENCES