Laser guide stars for adaptive optics systems: Rayleigh scattering experiments

Laird A. Thompson; Richard M. Castle; David L. Carroll

doi:10.1117/12.48798

1 December 1991 Laser guide stars for adaptive optics systems: Rayleigh scattering experiments

Laird A. Thompson, Richard M. Castle, David L. Carroll

Proceedings Volume 1542, Active and Adaptive Optical Systems; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48798
Event: San Diego, '91, 1991, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Experiments have been conducted in the atmosphere above Mt. Laguna Observatory to measure the properties of laser guide stars. The experimental system consists of a high frame rate video camera which records the backscattered light from an Excimer laser working in the near-UV at 351 rim. The Mt. Laguna 1-meter telescope is used to both transmit the outgoing beam and to image the return beam. The outgoing laser pulse triggers a time-gated image intensifier within the video camera which, with an appropriately selected time delay, records a time slice of the backscattered return signal. Preliminary results from the experiment can be used to calibrate the laser power needed to operate a large ground-based adaptive optics telescope.

Citation Download Citation

Laird A. Thompson, Richard M. Castle, and David L. Carroll "Laser guide stars for adaptive optics systems: Rayleigh scattering experiments", Proc. SPIE 1542, Active and Adaptive Optical Systems, (1 December 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48798

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