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US 12,726,278 B1Granted
Laser-induced artificial ionosphere communications
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsScott C. McGirr, Ronald J. Wroblewski
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Abstract
A method comprising the steps of: using laser pulses to produce a surface pattern of ionization filaments that serve as a first ion plasma reflector in open air at a first location; and reflecting radio frequency (RF) signals off of the first ion plasma reflector.
Claims19
A method comprising the steps of:
- using laser pulses from a first laser to produce a first surface pattern of ionization filaments that serve as a first ion plasma reflector in open air at a first location;
- and
- reflecting radio frequency (RF) signals off of the first ion plasma reflector;
- using laser pulses from a second laser to produce a second surface pattern of ionization filaments via the Kerr effect that serve as a second ion plasma reflector in open air at a second location that is remote from the first location;
- and
- reflecting the RF signals that were reflected off the first ion plasma reflector off of the second ion plasma reflector.
3 more elements
A method comprising the steps of:
- using a first laser array mounted on a first platform to generate a first series of femtosecond laser pulses such that each laser pulse creates an ionization filament according to the Kerr effect in open air;
- aiming the first laser array such that the ionization filaments form a first ion plasma reflector in open air at a first location such that the first ion plasma reflector has a free-electron density of approximately 1015/cm3;
- reflecting high frequency radio frequency (RF) signals off of the first ion plasma reflector;
- using a second laser array that is beyond the horizon from the first platform to generate a second series of femtosecond laser pulses such that each laser pulse of the second laser array creates an ionization filament according to the Kerr effect in open air;
- aiming the second laser array such that the ionization filaments form a second ion plasma reflector in open air at a second location such that the second ion plasma reflector has a free-electron density of approximately 1015/cm3;
- further reflecting the RF signals that were reflected off the first ion plasma reflector off of the second ion plasma reflector such that the RF signals are directed toward a receiver mounted to a second platform, and;
- receiving the reflected RF signals with the receiver.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.