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Session 76 - Adaptive Optics.
Display session, Wednesday, January 17
North Banquet Hall, Convention Center

[76.03] A facility laser beacon system for astronomy

We describe the development and implementation of a 9 Watt, 1 GHz sum frequency laser for excitation of mesospheric sodium atoms for the Chicago Adaptive Optics system. This laser is constructed as a facility instrument with a long duty cycle, excellent beam quality, high efficiency, and compact design. A discussion of the physics of the sodium layer is presented along with its implications on the different methods of generating the artifical beacon.

Program listing for Wednesday