Professional Documents
Culture Documents
VV Rampal
(ii)
PHOTONICS IN WARFARE
VV Rampal
(iv)
Light
from the sun sustains life,
from feeble flame fights dark and dispels fear,
(is the object of concentration for many)
On reflection informs and adds to knowledge,
(lack of it casts shadows and doubts)
In cosmic garb it is the very Existence;
but as weapon of war
it carries death and destruction.
Series Editors
Editor-in-Chief
Mohinder Singh
Editors
Ashok Kumar
A. Saravanan
Asst Editor
Editorial Assts
Ramesh Chander
A.K. Sen
Production
Printing
Cover Design
Marketing
J.V. Ramakrishna
R.K. Dua
S.K. Tyagi
RK Bhatnagar
ISBN: 8186514090
Printed and published by Director, DESIDOC, Metcalfe House, Delhi-110 054.
CONTENTS
Preface
xi
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1
2
5
8
8
9
19
CHAPTER 2
DEVICES
2.1
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
2.1.5
2.1.6
2.1.7
2.2
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
2.3
2.3.1
2.3.2
2.3.3
2.3.4
2.3.5
2.3.6
2.3.7
2.3.8
2.3.9
2.4
21
Optical Sources
Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
Quantum Efficiencies
Laser Diodes
Theory of Laser Diodes
Developments in Laser Diode Structures
for Photonic Systems
Distributed Feedback Lasers
Quantum Well Structures
Optical Detectors
Theory of Solid-State Photodiodes
The RC Time Constant
Noise in Photodiodes
Integrated Optics and Photonic Circuits
Integrated Optics Technology
Proton Exchange in LiNbO3
IO Devices
Passive Star Coupler
IO Polarizers
Thin Film Lenses
Waveguide Modulators
Applications of Devices
Photonic Switching
Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)
22
23
25
26
26
29
30
31
32
33
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
41
43
44
46
47
48
(viii)
2.4.1
2.4.2
50
55
55
CHAPTER 3
DETECTION, TRAINING AIDS AND WARNING SYSTEMS
57
3.1
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
3.1.5
3.1.6
3.1.7
3.1.7.1
3.1.7.2
3.2
3.3
57
58
61
61
63
65
66
68
68
69
70
75
82
Detectors
Thermal Detectors
Photon Detectors
Photoemissive Devices
Photoconductive Devices
Noise in Optical Systems
Noise Mechanisms in Detectors
Detection Systems
Incoherent Detection
Coherent Detection
Laser-Based Training Aids and Simulators
Warning System Based on Photonic Sensors
References
CHAPTER 4
RANGING, DESIGNATION AND TRACKING
4.1
4.1.1
4.2
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.3
4.3.1
83
83
84
95
101
104
105
111
116
CHAPTER 5
LASER WEAPONS
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.4.1
5.4.2
5.4.3
Laser Threat
Antipersonnel Laser DevicesBlinding Laser Weapons
Laser Weapons for Equipment DamageKiller Beams
High-Energy Lasers for Weapons Role
Chemical Lasers
Hydrogen Flouride (HF/DF) Laser
Iodine Laser
117
117
120
123
130
131
132
134
(ix)
5.4.4
5.4.5
5.4.6
5.5
5.6
134
135
138
141
144
146
CHAPTER 6
FIBRE OPTICS IN WEAPON GUIDANCE, NAVIGATION,
AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE
6.1
6.1.1
6.1.1.1
6.1.1.2
6.1.2
6.2
6.3
147
CHAPTER 7
THERMAL IMAGING, NIGHT VISION AND
SURVEILLANCE SENSORS
7.1
7.1.1
7.1.2
7.1.3
7.1.4
7.1.5
7.2
7.2.1
7.2.2
7.3
165
Thermal Imaging
165
Materials for Thermal Imaging
167
Scanners for Thermal Imaging
170
Sensitivity of Thermal Imagers
174
Thermal Imaging Systems
178
Non-Scanning Thermal Imagers
180
Night Vision
181
Instrumentation for Night Vision
183
Systems for Night Vision
186
Photonic Sensors for Reconnaissance and Surveillance 189
References
197
CHAPTER 8
COUNTERMEASURES
8.1
8.1.1
199
(x)
8.1.2
8.1.3
8.1.4
8.1.5
8.1.6
8.2
8.2.1
8.2.2
8.3
8.3.1
8.4
Reflection Technology
Active Filters
Protection of Aircrew
Protection of Ground-based Personnel
Protection of Sighting Systems
Countermeasures Systems
Laser Warning Systems
Passive System for Missile Warning
Use of Smoke in Countermeasures Role
Decoys and Jammers
Conclusion
References
204
204
205
205
205
207
208
210
214
215
217
219
CHAPTER 9
FUTURE TRENDS
9.1
9.2
9.3
221
Smart Systems
222
Sensor Fusion
231
Modern Trends in Microstructures and Integrated Optics 238
References
240
CHAPTER 10
CONCLUSION
243
247
249
253
266
Bibliography
267
Index
273
PREFACE
The last quarter of the twentieth century has been particularly
significant for the growth and maturity of photonics. It has seen
the development of lasers and fibre optics resulting in a vast area
of application both in civil and defence sectors. It made some
optimists to declare that future belongs to photonics. To some extent
it has come true. We are now living in an age dominated by
optoelectronics and computers. Though application of lasers in
Defence have been written about and emphasised time and again,
an overall view of the role of photonics in warfare technology needed
to be discussed in a single volume for the R & D scientists and
managers. The book attempts to do just that. The literature is
scattered and at time scarce due to security considerations.
However, trends of developments are visible and an attempt can be
made for forecasting the level of intrusion that photonics is likely
to make in the defence instrumentation and weapons of tomorrow.
Chapter 2 to 8 emphasise the technology status in the last
decade, in particular reference to optical or optoelectronic devices
and systems used in modern warfare. Based on this information
and the impact of emerging technologies of integrated optics and
microoptoelectronic structures, an attempt is made to peep into
the future directions of micro miniaturization and intelligent
systems. It is easy to conclude that photonics does indeed have a
future in warfare technology of tomorrow. The systems are likely
to be more robust, more reliable, smaller in size and intelligent
enough to take decisions without human intervention.
I wish to put on record the contribution of Dr. A Selvarajan in
writing part of Chapter 2. I would have liked more from him, if
circumstances had permitted to do that. I also wish to acknowledge
all the help extended by DESIDOC in bringing the book into the
present form. I am thankful to DRDO for providing the necessary
(xii)
Dehradun
April 2002
VV Rampal
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Photonics has been truly described as the technology of
future. Its increasing relevance in diverse fields has made it to emerge
as a field of promise. It provides a hope to reach the frontiers not yet
achieved, particularly in areas bordering science fiction, such as
killer beams and optical computation.
Conventionally, photons are related to the optical region
of spectrum. As such, photonics deals with light and, in some cases,
with near infrared region. But over the years, rapid advancements
in the field of optics and electronics have blurred the classical
definitions of various related phenomena; thereby leading to the
use of terms like electro-optics & opto-electronics rather
interchangeably, even though conservatives would still like to use
the terms with great caution. There is however, general agreement
that the term photonics should embrace all the activities connected
with generation and manipulation of photon stream either by optical
means or by electrical methods or by both. This provides a generic
nomenclature for all techniques, which employ electro-optical or
opto-electronic components and devices for performing a particular
function.
Like any emerging field, photonics also promises
applications, which are only limited by the imagination of the users.
In some areas, it not only supplements but even surpasses the
expectations from existing techniques. There is already a vast body
of literature existing, which provides optical/electro-optical methods
for achieving desired objectives in scientific, industrial, medical and
commercial sectors. But that is not our objective in this volume.
The present monograph attempts to highlight the principles and
uses in another, rather obscure area of warfare technology where
Photonics in Warfare
Introduction
Photonics in Warfare
Introduction
PHOTONIC ENGINEERING
Photonics in Warfare
Introduction
Photonics in Warfare
1.3
Introduction
1.5
PHOTONICS IN DEFENCE
10
Photonics in Warfare
finders (LRFs) used in defence are normally of the one pulse optical
radar. Such LRFs have been developed for maximum range of
1020 km with range accuracy of 5m at all ranges. They have
now found their acceptance in the defence services all over the
world. Different versions are available for use in infantry, artillery,
tanks, observation posts, and aircrafts. The stringency of
requirements of size and weight, however, depend upon the
particular role for which the instrument is made. There is emphasis
on miniaturization and LRFs are now available in the form of
handheld binoculars. For reasons of greater penetration in fog and
lower atmospheric losses due to scattering, CO2 laser operating at
10.6 is used as the source. Sealed CO2 laser unit is necessary for
this. Range resolution is decided by the pulsewidth and the clock
frequency of range counter (one count error). The strong backscatter
in the first 100200 m causes the masking of echoes and determines
the minimum range of the instrument. The use of time variable
gain in the receiver amplifier obviates the problem due to backscatter
and unwanted echopulses in the range measuring circuits. Range
gating or range blocking is another technique to achieve the same
objective. Circuits have also been designed whereby more than one
echo can be detected and range due to each echo displayed at will.
Multiple echo discrimination and range gating capabilities are
essential features of an LRF meant for defence use.
Laser radar systems3 combine the principles of microwave
radar and optics. High frequency operation (10141015) Hz coupled
with excellent spatial and temporal coherence, results in the laser
providing diffraction limited operation, large aperture gain, high
intensity illumination at long range, photographic size spatial
information of the target, and coherent detection receiver operation.
Short wavelength (0.33 ) optical coherent detection systems
provide very large backscattered Doppler shift (2 MHz per m/s at
1 wavelength versus 200 Hz per m/s at 1 cm radar wavelength)
from moving target and allows accurate velocity measurement during
a single-short-pulse-range measurement. Modulation of the laser
beam and the addition of a coaxial passive thermal imager provides
range, velocity, and temperature measurement of the target.
Azimuth and elevation scanning of the laser beam over a target
Introduction
Ground-mounted,
Handheld by the person proceeding ahead for the selection
of target,
Placed in the attacking aircraft or the helicopter in the pod
configuration (or along side designator), and
Mounted in the remotely piloted vehicle (RPV).
The guided weapons can be either
(a)
(b)
(c)
11
12
Photonics in Warfare
Introduction
13
14
Photonics in Warfare
Introduction
15
16
Photonics in Warfare
Introduction
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
17
18
Photonics in Warfare
Introduction
19