Experiments in bistatic laser line scan (LLS) underwater imaging

This paper describes an initial set of experiments being performed in the investigation of bistatic and multistatic laser line scan (LLS) extended range underwater imaging techniques. More specifically, the experiments which were performed in the large underwater laser test facility at Harbor Branch, use a short pulse (500ps) laser source to measure volumetric scatter and target signal time history to predict achievable image contrast for a range of geometries and scattering suspensions. This is in support of the development of a radiative transfer model, as well as to give an indication of the performance of the technique in various bistatic geometrical configurations. To further examine bistatic LLS imaging performance, experiments were also performed with a prototype benchtop bistatic LLS imaging system in near-identical conditions as the time-history measurements.