High-power QCW microsecond-pulse solid-state sodium beacon laser with spiking suppression and D2b re-pumping

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics

Background:

• Laser guide stars are crucial for adaptive optics in astronomy.
• Developing powerful and stable sodium beacon lasers is essential for astronomical observations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-power, stable solid-state sodium beacon laser.
• To demonstrate the laser's capability in creating a sodium laser guide star.

Main Methods:

• Utilized sum-frequency mixing of 1319 and 1064 nm diode-pumped Nd:YAG master-oscillator power-amplifier systems.
• Implemented feedback control for wavelength stability and frequency doublers to suppress spiking.
• Employed an electro-optic modulator for sodium D2b re-pumping.

Main Results:

• Developed a 65 W quasi-continuous-wave microsecond-pulse laser with a 0.3 GHz linewidth and M2=1.38.
• Achieved wavelength stability of less than ±0.15 GHz.
• Generated a bright sodium laser guide star with 1820 photons/cm²/s photon return.

Conclusions:

• The developed solid-state sodium beacon laser is effective for creating high-quality laser guide stars.
• The laser system demonstrates significant potential for enhancing astronomical observations through adaptive optics.