Abstract

The identification and localization of laser threats in a free-space channel is an increasingly important capability as active laser sensors become more widely used in civilian and military applications. Early identification of a laser source requires o-axis detection of laser light scattered out of the optical channel by molecules and aerosols in the free-space channel. In this work we report on the development of a sensor system for the o-axis detection of scattered laser light from a non-cooperative laser source. An image processing approach to the detection and localization of a laser in a scene is presented. The performance of the sensor system is quantified with experiments performed inside the laboratory and in realistic daylight background conditions.

Date

September 12, 2021

Authors

Andrew Rittenbach, Connor Finnerty, Jonathan L Habif

Conference

Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies for Security and Defence VI

Volume

11868

Pages

22-32

Publisher

SPIE