A Laser Guide Star Using a High Power Synchronously Pumped Optical Parametric Oscillator

We will develop a novel high power source of 589nm coherent (laser) light to be used to create a laser guide star by exciting sodium atoms in the earth s upper atmosphere (the mesosphere). This is needed to determine the distortion caused by the atmosphere on an optical beam propagating through it and generate the information needed to correct those distortions using an adaptive optics telescope. This project focuses on the development of a novel high power 589nm source based on a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator.