Can laser self-focusing in air replace interferometer siderostats and delay lines?

Erez N. Ribak

doi:10.1117/12.802837

28 July 2008 Can laser self-focusing in air replace interferometer siderostats and delay lines?

Erez N. Ribak

Proceedings Volume 7013, Optical and Infrared Interferometry; 70130K (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.802837
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

Recent experiments in high-power lasers show that they modulate of the density of air at long ranges, up to filamentation in a restricted volume. There are two effects: light concentration and plasma filamentation, depending on the laser power. Two such laser-heated volumes can scatter stellar light into a central station, where they are made to interfere in speckled fringes. Usually the density modulations deflect the light only slightly, so the maximum baseline is not extended. However, if either the modulation of the density of air is strong, or its spatial frequency is high, then the stellar beam deflection is significant. In such a case, the scattering volumes can be further off to the sides, and baselines of hundreds of meters can be envisaged.

Citation Download Citation

Erez N. Ribak "Can laser self-focusing in air replace interferometer siderostats and delay lines?", Proc. SPIE 7013, Optical and Infrared Interferometry, 70130K (28 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.802837

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available