Operation of the Prototype Holographic Atmospheric Scanner for Environmental Remote Sensing (PHASERS)

This study represents the first successful employment of the Holographic Optical Telescope and Scanner (HOTS) technology to make atmospheric backscattering measurements in a scanning mode. In several independent attempts the system successfully detected the return signal from atmospheric structures as they moved across the field-of-view (FOV) of the rotating Holographic Optical Element (HOE). Future plans include the addition of a narrow band filter and the necessary optics for day-time measurements, along with additional automation of the system and its data handling. In part, due to the success of this demonstration of the HOTS technology a new class of light weight scanning telescopes for lidar remote sensing from air and space craft platforms are under development and being tested for additional applications.