Optical image reconstruction using an astigmatic lens for synthetic-aperture imaging ladar

An optical processor for synthetic-aperture imaging ladar (SAIL) utilizing one astigmatic lens is proposed. The processor comprises two structures of transmitting and reflecting. The imaging process is mathematically analyzed using the unified data-collection equation of side-looking and down-looking SAILs. Results show that the astigmatic lens can be replaced with a cylindrical lens on certain conditions. To verify this concept, laboratory experiment is conducted, the imaging result of data collected from one SAIL demonstrator is given.