PHASE CONJUGATE RELAY MIRROR APPARATUS FOR HIGH ENERGY LASER SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system (500) for directing electromagnetic energy. The inventive system includes a first subsystem mounted on a first platform (520) for transmitting a beam of the electromagnetic energy through a medium and a second subsystem mounted on a second platform (510) for redirecting the beam (503). In accordance with the invention, the second platform (510) is mobile relative to the first platform (520). In the illustrative embodiment, the beam is a high-energy laser beam (503). The first subsystem includes a phase conjugate mirror (510) in optical alignment with a laser amplifier (514). The first subsystem further includes a beam director (522) in optical alignment with the amplifier (514) and a platform track sensor (524) coupled thereto. In the illustrative embodiment, the second subsystem includes a co-aligned master oscillator (502), outcoupler 504, and target track sensor (506) which are fixedly mounted to a stabilized platform (507), a beam director (508), and a platform track sensor (509). In the best mode, the stable platform (507) is mounted for independent articulation relative to the beam director (508). A first alternative embodiment of the second subsystem includes first and second beam directors (508, 610). The first beam director is adapted to receive the transmitted beam and the second beam director is adapted to redirect the received beam. In accordance with a second alternative embodiment, an optical fiber (710) is provided for coupling the beam between the first platform (520) and the second platform (510).