Adaptive Optics Development at Lincoln Laboratory

For almost two decades Lincoln Laboratory has been developing adaptive optics for the purpose of improving the quality of propagated laser beams. Results of significance in this program have been: (1) compensation for atmospheric turbulence on a ground-to-space link; (2) proof-of-principle of the use of mesospheric sodium as a source for synthetic beacons; and (3) demonstration of synthetic-beacon adaptive optics using Rayleigh backscatter as a source. These events are all “firsts” in the development of adaptive-optics technology. As a result of a 1990 decision by the U.S. Air Force, we are now in the position to make the results of these programs available to the astronomical community, for whom adaptive optics is clearly a boon in highresolution imaging of celestial objects. In particular, the systems used in the aforementioned experiments are being applied to astronomy at both the Mount Wilson Observatory and the Firepond Optical Site in Massachusetts.