VLT Laser Guide Star Facility: first successful test of the baseline laser scheme.
Abstract
The planned baseline laser for the VLT Laser Guide Star Facility (LGSF) consists of dye laser modules, capable of producing > 6.5 W CW each (1). Two such modules can fit on a 1.5 ´ 1.5 m optical table. The laser concept was developed in a preliminary LGSF study phase (2) and is a variation of the ALFA laser (3) used in Calar Alto (Spain). It uses two Coherent Inc. all-solid state Compass Verdi 10 W lasers at 532 nm, to pump a modified Coherent model 899-21, continuous-wave (cw) ring-dye l a s e r. The dye is Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G).
- Publication:
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The Messenger
- Pub Date:
- June 2000
- Bibcode:
- 2000Msngr.100...27B
- Keywords:
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- VLT: Guide Systems