Use of laser scanning system on mobile underwater platforms

An underwater laser-based synchronous scanning system which produces high quality images through turbid waters is described. A prototype system has been developed to demonstrate the operational feasibility of the synchronous line scan architecture. This prototype system incorporated an argon ion laser operating at 488 and 514.5 nm. Operational systems could incorporate a frequency doubled Nd:YAG solid-state laser operating at a wavelength of 532 nm. Both laser configurations operate at wavelengths attractive for use in underwater systems due to minimum light attenuation at these wavelengths. The operational platform results presented were performed on a research submarine and a towed body.<<ETX>>