20-W and 50-W solid-state sodium beacon guidestar laser systems for the Keck I and Gemini South telescopes

Allen K. Hankla; Jarett Bartholomew; Ken Groff; Ian Lee; Iain T. McKinnie; Grant Moule; Nathan Rogers; Bruce Tiemann; Allen J. Tracy; Paul VanHoudt; Sean M. Adkins; Céline d'Orgeville

doi:10.1117/12.670054

28 June 2006 20-W and 50-W solid-state sodium beacon guidestar laser systems for the Keck I and Gemini South telescopes

Allen K. Hankla, Jarett Bartholomew, Ken Groff, Ian Lee, Iain T. McKinnie, Grant Moule, Nathan Rogers, Bruce Tiemann, Allen J. Tracy, Paul VanHoudt, Sean M. Adkins, Céline d'Orgeville

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6272, Advances in Adaptive Optics II; 62721G (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.670054
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies (LMCT) is developing 20 W and 50 W commercial solid-state sodium beacon Guidestar Laser Systems (GLS) for the Keck I and Gemini South telescopes, respectively. This work represents a critical step toward addressing the need of the astronomical adaptive optics (AO) community for a standardized, robust, turn-key, commercial GLS that can be configured for different observatory facilities and for different AO formats - including multi-conjugate AO (MCAO) and future extremely large telescopes. These modular systems build on the proven laser technologies, user-friendly interface, and low maintenance design that were developed for the successful 12 W GLS delivered by LMCT to the Gemini North telescope in February 2005. This paper describes the GLS requirements for the Keck I and Gemini South telescopes, the design of the laser oscillators, amplifiers, sum-frequency generator, and diagnostics; the functionality of the automated remote laser control system; size, weight, power, and performance data; and the current status of the programs.

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Allen K. Hankla, Jarett Bartholomew, Ken Groff, Ian Lee, Iain T. McKinnie, Grant Moule, Nathan Rogers, Bruce Tiemann, Allen J. Tracy, Paul VanHoudt, Sean M. Adkins, and Céline d'Orgeville "20-W and 50-W solid-state sodium beacon guidestar laser systems for the Keck I and Gemini South telescopes", Proc. SPIE 6272, Advances in Adaptive Optics II, 62721G (28 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.670054

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