Cé1ine d'Orgeville, Mark R. Chun, Jacques Sebag, Corinne Boyer, David Montgomery,
Jim M. Oschmann, François Rigaut, Doug A. Simons
Gemini Observatory Northern Operations Center, 670 N. A'ohoku Place, Hilo HI 96720
We discuss the design of the laser guide star system to be implemented with ALTAIR, the Gemini North adaptive optics system. We give an overview of the sodium physics in order to understand why some lasers are more efficient than others to produce bright 4tificial stars. We present some simulation results which set the laser output power requirement when launching a perfect beam to the sky. Preliminary designs for the beam transfer optics, the laser launch telescope and the safety systems are also presented.
Appears in Proc. SPIE 3762, "Adaptive Optics Systems and Technology".
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