Analysis of measured photon returns from sodium beacons

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998 · Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part A: Optics and Image Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAA.15.000217· OSTI ID:565736

Milonni, P W ^[1]; Fugate, R Q; Telle, J M ^[2]

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1. Atomic and Optical Theory Group (T-4), Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)
2. Starfire Optical Range, Air Force Research Laboratory, 3550 Aberdeen Avenue SE, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico 87117 (United States)

We describe an approach to the computation of photon returns from mesospheric sodium beacons excited by laser pulse trains and discuss as specific examples the required numbers of photons for adaptive-optical compensation of atmospheric turbulence. Computed photon return signals are compared with reported measurements for pulses that are long, short, or comparable to the D{sub 2} radiative lifetime (16 ns). Analytical approximations in good agreement with the numerical computations are derived. The results are consistent with experimental data for the different pulse durations. {copyright} 1998 Optical Society of America

• OSTI ID: 565736
• Journal Information: Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part A: Optics and Image Science, Vol. 15, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1998
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
PHOTONS
SODIUM
BEACON PROCESS
TURBULENCE
SIGNALS
LASERS
PULSES
LIFETIME
MESOSPHERE