Raytheon Company

Timothy P Johnson

Ian S Robinson

Matthew J Klotz

Lacy G Cook

An apparatus includes a reflective beam shaper configured to receive an input optical signal having a first energy distribution and generate an output optical signal having a second energy distribution different from the first energy distribution. The reflective beam shaper includes multiple reflective mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror may include a first aspheric reflector configured to reflect the input optical signal as a first intermediate optical signal having a changing energy distribution. The second mirror may include a second aspheric reflector configured to reflect one of the first intermediate optical signal or a second intermediate optical signal as the output optical signal. A third mirror may include a third aspheric reflector configured to reflect the first intermediate optical signal as the second intermediate optical signal having another changing energy distribution.

Reflective gaussian to flat-top and other beam shapers

A LADAR system includes a transmitter configured to emit a directed optical signal. The LADAR system includes an optical aperture through which the directed optical signal is emitted. The optical aperture receives a return optical signal that is based on the directed optical signal. The system includes a detector to generate a measurement by comparing an attribute of the return optical signal to a predefined threshold. The measurement is based on an amount of backscatter in the return optical signal. The system includes an obstructive element that is controllable, based on the measurement, to move either into or out of a path of the return optical signal. The obstructive element is configured to block the return optical signal at least partly. The system includes a focal plane located in the path of the return optical signal. The obstructive element is disposed between the optical aperture and the focal plane.

Optical system that detects and blocks backscatter

A LADAR system includes a transmitter configured to emit a directed optical signal. The LADAR system includes a shared optical aperture through which the directed optical signal is emitted. The shared optical aperture includes a first pupil plane. The shared optical aperture receives a return optical signal that is based on the directed optical signal. The system includes a mirror with a hole through which the directed optical signal passes. The mirror also reflects the return optical signal towards an imager. The imager receives the return optical signal and generates an image. The image is based on a portion of the return optical signal. The system also includes a partial aperture obscuration at a second pupil plane. The partial aperture obscuration may block a portion of internal backscatter in the return optical signal. The system also includes a focal plane to record the image.

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Waltham, MA, United States of America

Timothy P Johnson