Experimental evidence of signal-optical noise interferencelike effect in underwater amplitude-modulated laser optical radar systems

We report experimental evidence that in an amplitude-modulated laser optical radar system for underwater 3D imaging the observed contrast oscillations as a function of the modulation frequency originate from an interference-like effect between target signal VT and water backscattered radiation VW. T...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optics letters 2008-11, Vol.33 (22), p.2584-2586
Main Authors: BARTOLINI, L, DE DOMINICIS, L, FERRI DE COLLIBUS, M, FORNETTI, G, FRANCUCCI, M, GUARNERI, M, NUVOLI, M, PAGLIA, E, RICCI, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Optical elements, devices, and systems
Optics
Physics
Range finders, remote sensing devices, laser doppler velocimeters, sar, and lidar
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Summary:We report experimental evidence that in an amplitude-modulated laser optical radar system for underwater 3D imaging the observed contrast oscillations as a function of the modulation frequency originate from an interference-like effect between target signal VT and water backscattered radiation VW. The demonstration relies on the ability to perform a direct measurement of VW in a 25 m long test tank. The proposed data processing method enables one to remove the contribution of water backscattering from the detected signal and drastically reduce signal fluctuations due to the medium. Experiments also confirm the possibility to improve the signal to optical noise ratio and contrast by increasing the modulation frequency.
ISSN:0146-9592
1539-4794
DOI:10.1364/OL.33.002584