The object of this research is the exploration and development of a new method for estimating and correcting phase aberrations in coherent imaging systems; it fits into the SGER guidelines as an application of new expertise or new approaches to "established" research topics. Some preliminary aspects of our new methodology have been verified for medical ultrasound type systems by both computer simulations and actual ultrasound experiments with a phantom in a water tank. The successful development of these novel adaptive autofocusing methods will improve the quality of phase aberration degraded images in a variety of coherent imaging modalities. The proposal tasks will focus on medical ultrasound and spotlight synthetic aperture radar coherent imaging modalities. These tasks will involve: the development of simulation test beds; simulation testing and optimization of algorithms; and the analysis of experimental emulation studies to validate the developed physical models and algorithms.
