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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
Coherent optical link through the turbulent atmosphere
Khelifa Djerroud1, Ouali Acef, André Clairon
1LNE-SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, UPMC, 61 av. de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France.
Abstract:
We describe the realization of a 5 km free-space coherent optical link through the turbulent atmosphere between a telescope and a ground target. We present the phase noise of the link, limited mainly by atmospheric turbulence and mechanical vibrations of the telescope and the target. We discuss the implications of our results for applications, with particular emphasis on optical Doppler ranging to satellites and long-distance frequency transfer.
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