Publication Date

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Committee Members

Elizabeth Beecher (Committee Member), Tamara Payne (Committee Member), Douglas Petkie (Committee Chair)

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

Atmospheric Turbulence has long remained one of the great unsolved problems in physics. Laser guide stars were invented in order for telescopes to overcome atmospheric turbulence while used in combination with adaptive optics. This study focuses on the design and implementation phase of a Rayleigh laser guide star for the John Bryan State Park Observatory, owned and operated by the United States Air Force. Atmospheric simulations, as well as optical modelling of proposed equipment, were completed to optimize the design of this laser guide star. In addition, a novel method for the implementation of the guide star onto this very unique four axis telescope platform is presented.

Page Count

89

Department or Program

Department of Physics

Year Degree Awarded

2015

ORCID ID

0000-0002-4422-217X


Included in

Physics Commons

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