Short-range verification experiment of a trial one-dimensional synthetic aperture infrared laser radar operated in the 10-mu m band

A trial one-dimensional (1-D) synthetic aperture infrared laser radar (SAIL R) system for imaging static objects, with two CO2 lasers as a transmitter and a local oscillator for heterodyne detection, was constructed. It has a single receiving aperture mounted on a linearly movable stage with a length of Im and a position accuracy of 1 mu m. In an indoor short-range experime nt to confirm the fundamental functions of the system and demonstrate its u nique imaging process we succeeded in obtaining 1-D synthetic aperture imag es of close specular point targets with theoretically expected resolution. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 100.2000, 100.3010, 110.122 0, 110.3080, 110.5100, 280.6730.