Radio frequency intensity modulation verses heterodyne modulation on laser beams traversing a random optical phase distortion

Nathaniel A. Ferlic; Alan E. Laux; Linda J. Mullen

doi:10.1117/12.2662839

12 June 2023 Radio frequency intensity modulation verses heterodyne modulation on laser beams traversing a random optical phase distortion

Nathaniel A. Ferlic, Alan E. Laux, Linda J. Mullen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12543, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring XV; 1254302 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2662839
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2023, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

In the underwater environment, scattering due to optical turbulence can degrade radio frequency (RF) information encoded on a laser beam’s intensity profile and can limit the effectiveness of free-space optical communications. However, for sensing applications, changes in the RF subcarrier due to turbulence could be used to characterize the underwater environment. An alternative form of modulation can be created through heterodyne detection by interfering two co-propagating beams with different optical frequencies on an optical detector. This form of modulation was used to sense spatial properties of optical turbulence using beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM). Upon detection, each modulation method results in an oscillating photocurrent; however, it is not clear if the photocurrent produced by each modulation method responds differently to the effects of turbulence. To address how these modulation schemes may be affected by turbulence, a series of experiments are conducted. The results are analyzed to identify the impact of different charges of OAM relative to a Gaussian beam.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Nathaniel A. Ferlic, Alan E. Laux, and Linda J. Mullen "Radio frequency intensity modulation verses heterodyne modulation on laser beams traversing a random optical phase distortion", Proc. SPIE 12543, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring XV, 1254302 (12 June 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2662839

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