rave optics codes are Physical optics models based on the scalar wave approximation to Maxwell's equations. These codes model the propagating wave front as a complex field of amplitude and phase. The Teledyne Brown Aero Optics Quality Code is am extension of the Systems Optical Quality (SOW code developed for the Air Force 'Weapons Laboratory as a, C0₂ gas dynamic laser resonator design tool. Aero Optics enhancements make appropriate modifications to the electromagnetic wave front as it propagates through turbulent aerodynamic flow fields. The turbulent effects are represented by a density calculated using computational fluid dynamics and integrated along the optical path between the propagation steps. Propagation steps are modeled using a, fast -fowler transform routine and the result is a complete specification of intensity and phase profile at any instant, of time, after any particular component in the optical system. Applications of this code include modeling of CO₂ laser range finders, active laser discriminators and resonator design for gas dynamic laser systems. This paper describes the Aero Optic Code and presents results validating the calculations.

Date Published: 28 July 1989
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 1042, CO2 Lasers and Applications, (28 July 1989); doi: 10.1117/12.951259

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1042:
CO2 Lasers and Applications
James D. Evans; Edward V. Locke, Editor(s)