ARGOS is an innovative multi-star adaptive optics system being built for use with LUCIFER on the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). LUCIFER is a wide field imager and multi-object spectrograph. Using a constellation of laser guide stars permits PSF correction over a wide field in exchange for a relatively small sacrifice in achievable correction. The laser constellation consists of three stars per each of the two eyes of the LBT. The stars are nominally positioned on a circle 2' in radius, but each star can be moved by upto 0.5' in any direction. Nd:YAG (SHG) lasers from InnoLas Laser GmbH are used to create the green (532nm) laser stars, and have an output above 18 W each at the planned pulsing frequency of 10kHz. The lasers are launched using a 40cm telescope and focused at a height of 12 km. The laser system is designed to be optically simple yet configurable. It also provisions for a central sodium laser to be installed later. We detail the characteristics of the laser system and the current state of its development.

Date Published: 22 July 2010
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 7736, Adaptive Optics Systems II, 77364D (22 July 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.862448

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7736:
Adaptive Optics Systems II
Brent L. Ellerbroek; Michael Hart; Norbert Hubin; Peter L. Wizinowich, Editor(s)