Beam Propagation In Space Research Articles

Derivation and Experimental Verification of the Near-field 2D and 3D Optical Intensities From a Finite-size Light Emitting Diode (LED)

We derive the near-field light intensity distributions of an inorganic LED on its surface and in volumetric space. Our closed-form solution for 3D intensity distribution for a finite-size LED is consistent with Lambert's Cosine Law, which provides the 3D intensity distribution for an infinitesimal, flat light source. We also derive the formula for the 2D intensity distribution on a diode surface showing its similarity to a Gaussian function, which is typically used to approximate the surface light intensity profile for an LED and a laser diode. Our 2D intensity distribution function produces light propagation similar to the Gaussian beam propagation in space. However, unlike the Gaussian approximation, our formula invariably produces this behavior without assuming the refractive index inside the diode follows a quadratic function of the transverse spatial domains. Our 2D and 3D spatial intensity formulas in near-field for LEDs offer a unique way to calculate the peak intensity that occurs at the center of the flat LED source. We demonstrate, as expected, that the peak intensity increases with the size of the LED source as well as the brightness of each radiative electron-hole pair, which is a function of the drive current and quantum efficiency of the LED.

Experimental verification of the turbulent effects on laser beam propagation in space

In this work, we have modified an existing experimental setup to fully classify the thermal effects on a laser beam propagating in air. Improvements made to the setup include a new, more powerful laser, a precision designed turbulence delivery system, an imbedded pressure sensor, and a platform for height adjustability between the laser beam and the turbulence model. The setup was not only able to reproduce previous results exactly but also allowed new data for the turbulence strength Cn2, the Rytov variance (scintillation) and the coherence diameter (Fried’s parameter) to be successfully measured. Analysis of the produced interferograms has been discussed using fast Fourier transforms. The results confirm, within the Kolmogorov regime, that phase and intensity fluctuations increase relative to temperature. The turbulent region exhibited very strong disturbances, in the range of 1.1 × 10-12 m-2/3 to 2.7×10-12 m-2/3. In spite of the strong turbulence strength, scintillation proved otherwise, since the condition for a weak turbulence environment was determined in the laboratory and a low scintillation index was to be expected. This is as a result of the relatively short propagation distances achieved in the laboratory. In the open atmosphere, path lengths extend over vast distances and in order for turbulent effects to be realized, the turbulence model must generate stronger turbulence. The model was, therefore, able to demonstrate its ability to fully quantify and determine the thermal turbulence effects on a propagating laser beam.