Size of this preview: 399 × 600 pixels. Other resolution: 681 × 1,024 pixels.
Original file (681 × 1,024 pixels, file size: 124 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)
Summary
Summary
Though the caption states that this is a "sodium laser", this is actually misleading as the Starfire Optical Range LIDAR laser seen here is actually two solid state IR lasers, 1.064 and 1.319 microns, that are frequency summed in LBO within a doubly resonant cavity. The orange beam is observed due to the intense laser light scattering off particles in the air. In general, laser light travelling through a vacuum can not be seen unless aimed directly towards the observer.
Licensing
- Source: Directed Energy Directorate, US Air Force[1] Archived (Date missing) at de.afrl.af.mil (Error: unknown archive URL)
 | This image is a work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee of the Department of the Air Force, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain in the United States. |  |
File history
Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time.
| Date/Time | Thumbnail | Dimensions | User | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| current | 10:43, 18 January 2024 | | 681 × 1,024 (124 KB) | Isidore (talk | contribs) | == {{int:filedesc}} == {{Original caption|This sodium laser—being fired from the Starfire Optical Range on Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico—is used with deformable optics to help eliminate atmospheric distortions when gathering images of objects in space.}} Though the caption states that this is a "sodium laser", this is actually misleading as the Starfire Optical Range LIDAR laser seen here is actually two solid state IR lasers, 1.064 and 1.319 microns, that are frequency summed in LBO w... |
You cannot overwrite this file.
File usage
The following page uses this file:
