Beam propagation simulation of phased laser arrays with atmospheric perturbations.

Directed energy phased array (DEPA) systems have been proposed for applications such as beaming optical power for electrical use on remote sensors, rovers, spacecraft, and future moon bases, as well as for planetary defense against asteroids and photonic propulsion up to relativistic speeds. All such scenarios involve transmission through atmosphere and beam perturbations due to turbulence that must be quantified. Numerical beam propagation and feedback control simulations were performed using an algorithm optimized for efficient calculation of real-time beam dynamics in a Kolmogorov atmosphere.