1064 nanometer laser propagation test and analysis at the TISTEF 1 kilometer range

This research summarizes the events of a laser propagation test at the TISTEF laser range during January 2024. A 1064 nanometer (nm) continuous-wave (cw) fiber laser was focused at 1 kilometer and propagated in a variety of conditions over a week-long period. Meteorological instruments including a Scintec BLS900, MZA DELTA, and sonic anemometers were deployed along the optical path. The propagated beam spot was recorded at 100 Hz from both transmit and receive site locations. The processed imagery from both cameras generated beam profile data such as short-term spot size, long-term spot size, and beam wander. These statistics were explored as a function of measured atmospheric parameters such as visibility, refractive index structure parameter, wind speed, and more.