Abstract

A variety of unconventional techniques for imaging targets using coherent (laser) illumination have recently been proposed and analyzed.^1,2 These techniques were primarily derived and developed for the observation of objects, such as spacecraft, at long distances through atmospheric turbulence. Several of the techniques exploit the idea of making 2-D spatial measurements of the coherent optical wave front at the receiver plane. In this paper we briefly review two laser imaging techniques that utilize wave front measurements and we discuss some of the merits, limitations and application of the techniques. References are provided for further investigation.

© 1996 Optical Society of America