A new guide star laser using optimized injection mode-locking

Jesper Munch*, Thomas P. Rutten, Nikita Simakov, Murray Hamilton, Céline D'Orgeville, Peter J. Veitch

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We describe a new, improved approach for sodium guide-star lasers for the correction of atmospheric aberrations in telescopes, which satisfies all current requirements for advanced pulse burst waveforms. It makes use of sum frequency generation (SFG) of two pulsed, Q-switched, injection mode-locked Nd:YAG lasers, resulting in a macro-micro pulseburst output, optimized in power and bandwidth to maximize the fluorescence from the high altitude sodium layer. The approach is robust and power scalable and satisfies the requirements for Multi Conjugate Adaptive Optics (MCAO) for current and future telescopes, including extremely large ground telescopes (ELTs). It is also adaptable for advanced design options. Here we describe the approach in detail, the results from critical design verification experiments, the current status and plans for further work required to demonstrate a complete sodium guide-star laser.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdaptive Optics Systems
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes
EventAdaptive Optics Systems - Marseille, France
Duration: 23 Jun 200826 Jun 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7015
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceAdaptive Optics Systems
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityMarseille
Period23/06/0826/06/08

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