The effectiveness of amplitude modulation on the laser dazzling of a mid-infrared imager

Gareth D. Lewis; Robbie Struyve; Cedric Boeckx; Marijke Vandewal

doi:10.1117/12.2635447

2 November 2022 The effectiveness of amplitude modulation on the laser dazzling of a mid-infrared imager

Gareth D. Lewis, Robbie Struyve, Cedric Boeckx, Marijke Vandewal

Proceedings Volume 12273, High-Power Lasers and Technologies for Optical Countermeasures; 122730J (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2635447
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2022, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Aviation is exceptionally vulnerable to man-portable missile attacks (MANPADS), particularly during the critical stages of flight, e.g., take-off and landing. Consequently, aircraft require a further means of self-protection in addition to pyrotechnic flares. Laser Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) target the infrared guidance system present in the majority of all MANPADS, resulting in sensor dazzle and possible damage-a soft kill approach. Unfortunately, current DIRCM systems, albeit highly effective against first and second-generation seekers, are less against imaging ones (third and fourth-generation). Our paper investigates a means to increase the effectiveness of dazzle by modulating the laser at a rate close to the frame rate of the imaging sensor, i.e., a strobing effect. A continuous-wave quantum cascade laser (QCL) at 4.6 microns illuminated a mid-infrared focal plane array imager, modulated by either an optical chopper or by periodically varying the current of the QCL. The laser beam and a representative target were combined optically using plano and off-axis parabolic mirrors, resulting in the imager viewing a dazzled scene at infinity. In summary, we demonstrate experimentally that the intermittency of the laser dazzle could improve the effectiveness of a DIRCM system.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Gareth D. Lewis, Robbie Struyve, Cedric Boeckx, and Marijke Vandewal "The effectiveness of amplitude modulation on the laser dazzling of a mid-infrared imager", Proc. SPIE 12273, High-Power Lasers and Technologies for Optical Countermeasures, 122730J (2 November 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2635447

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