DIFFRACTION AND GEOMETRIC-OPTICS APPROXIM ATIONS IN THE PROBLEM OF LASER-RADIATION BEAMING ACROSS A TURBULENT ATMOSPHERE TO DISTANT MOVING-OBJECTS

The Rytov approximation is used to obtain expressions for the correlat ion function of the phase and amplitude of radiation which experiences phase conjugation and additional rotation on reflection from an adapt ive mirror. The rotation allows for the angular aberration and is due to motion of the target. The parameters that ensure that the angular a berration is insufficient to prevent effective energy transfer are fou nd. The range of validity of the geometric-optics method in dealing wi th this problem is also determined.