Staring phased-array radar using photorefractive crystals

We describe a photorefractive phased array radar processor which directs its look angle to the signal of interest and puts nulls in the array function at the locations of jammers. We derive the array null depth using a simple model of the photorefractive response which includes photorefractive erasure. We analyze the response time of the system, showing that it is independent of the photorefractive time constant. Finally we analyze the response of the system to multiple simultaneous jammers, and to irregular wave fronts establishing that the array response organizes itself to conform to non-planar incident waves. This last property allows the system to be used in complex radar environments and on large irregular nonrigid radar arrays.