Adaptive Optics is a prime example of how progress in observational astronomy can be driven by technological developments. At many observatories it is now considered to be part of a standard instrumentation suite, enabling ground-based telescopes to reach the diffraction limit and thus providing spatial resolution superior to that achievable from space with current or planned satellites. In this review we consider adaptive optics from the astrophysical perspective. We show that adaptive optics has led to important advances in our understanding of a multitude of astrophysical processes, and describe how the requirements from science applications are now driving the development of the next generation of novel adaptive optics techniques.

Adaptive Optics for Astronomy

Vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) are the most versatile laser sources, combining unique features such as wide spectral coverage, ultrashort pulse operation, low noise properties, high output power, high brightness and compact form-factor. This paper reviews the recent technological developments of VECSELs in connection with the new milestones that continue to pave the way towards their use in numerous applications. Significant attention is devoted to the fabrication of VECSEL gain mirrors in challenging wavelength regions, especially at the yellow and red wavelengths. The reviewed fabrication approaches address wafer-bonded VECSEL structures as well as the use of hybrid mirror structures. Moreover, a comprehensive summary of VECSEL characterization methods is presented; the discussion covers different stages of VECSEL development and different operation regimes, pointing out specific characterization techniques for each of them. Finally, several emerging applications are discussed, with emphasis on the unique application objectives that VECSELs render possible, for example in atom and molecular physics, dermatology and spectroscopy.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6463/aa7bfd/pdf

Optically pumped VECSELs: review of technology and progress

Embodiments described herein include a system for producing ultrashort tunable pulses based on ultra broadband OPA or OPG in nonlinear materials. The system parameters such as the nonlinear material, pump wavelengths, quasi-phase matching periods, and temperatures can be selected to utilize the intrinsic dispersion relations for such material to produce bandwidth limited or nearly bandwidth limited pulse compression. Compact high average power sources of short optical pulses tunable in the wavelength range of 1800 - 2100 nm and after frequency doubling in the wavelength range of 900 - 1050 nm can be used as a pump for the ultra broadband OPA or OPG. In certain embodiments, these short pump pulses are obtained from an Er fiber oscillator at about 1550 nm, amplified in Er fiber, Raman-shifted to 1800 - 2100 nm, stretched in a fiber stretcher, and amplified in Tm-doped fiber. To produce short pulses in the 900 - 1050 nm wavelength range, the pulses are frequency-doubled with a chirped frequency doubler for nearly bandwidth-limited output.

Optical parametric amplification, optical parametric generation, and optical pumping in optical fibers systems

VISTA, the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy, is a 4.1-metre wide-field survey telescope, equipped with a 1.65-degree field, (67-Mpixel) nearinfrared (NIR) camera, for performing extensive surveys of the southern skies with sensitivity matched to the needs of 8-metre-class telescopes. Over its first five years of operations, the majority of VISTA’s time will be used for six ESO Public Surveys (Arnaboldi et al., 2007). NIR imaging surveys particularly target the cold, the obscured, and the high redshift Universe, to generate science directly and also in order to select objects worthy of further study by the Very Large Telescope (VLT).

The Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA): Looking Back at Commissioning

A breakthrough in the development of sodium laser guide star technology at ESO was made in 2009. The laser research and development programme has led to the implementation of a narrowband Raman fibre laser emitting at the wavelength of the sodium lines at 589 nm with demonstrated power beyond 50 W. Fibre lasers are rugged and reliable, making them promising candidates for use in the next generation of laser guide star systems, such as the Adaptive Optics Facility planned for installation on VLT UT4 in 2013.

/pdf/laser-development-for-sodium-laser-guide-stars-at-eso-49q1lf0zid.pdf

Laser Development for Sodium Laser Guide Stars at ESO

11W of 938nm light was produced in an Nd3+ fiber laser. Optimization of the ratio of the fiber core and cladding areas permitted operation of the laser at room temperature by minimizing 1088nm gain.

Scalable 11W 938nm Nd3+ doped fiber laser

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Laser Development for Sodium Laser Guide Stars at ESO

Scalable 11W 938nm Nd3+ doped fiber laser