Compact laser projection systems and methods

摘要

An automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is described. The automated adaptive optics and laser projection system includes an adaptive optics system and a compact laser projection system with related laser guidance programming used to correct atmospheric distortion induced on light received by a telescope. Control of the automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is designed in a modular manner in order to facilitate replication of the system to be used with a variety of different telescopes. Related methods are also described.

主权项

1. A compact laser projection system comprising:
a housing; a mounting platform located inside the housing; a cantilever lens mount having a proximal end attached to the mounting platform and a free-standing distal end projecting beyond an edge of the mounting platform; an output lens mounted at the distal end of the cantilever lens mount; a laser source mounted at a first location on the mounting platform, the laser source configured for projecting a beam along a first axis; a movable beam steering mirror mounted at a second location on the mounting platform for intercepting the beam projected by the laser source and reflecting the beam along a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis; a positive lens mounted at a third location on the mounting platform, the third location selected to a) place the positive lens in the second axis for intercepting the beam reflected by the movable beam steering mirror, and b) to create an image of the output lens at the second location wherein the movable beam steering mirror is mounted; and a fold mirror mounted at a fourth location on the mounting platform for intercepting the beam projected through the positive lens and to further reflect the beam along a third axis that is substantially orthogonal to the second axis, the third axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cantilever lens mount whereby the further reflected beam is incident upon the output lens for projecting out of the laser projection system.