Rethinking the telescope for a sharper view of the stars

Article Abstract:

Adaptive optics systems in new telescopes helps astronomers negate the effects of atmosphere and gravity. They have smaller, multiple mirrors, each backed by computer-controlled active pistons that correct mirror shape to a tolerance of a mere tens of nanometers, producing unprecedentedly clear pictures.

Cover Story, Telescope, Telescopes, Optics, Adaptive, Adaptive optics

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Laser pulses make fast work of an optical switch

Article Abstract:

A team of Hitachi researchers have developed an optical switch that can be turned on and off with light pulses. The switch is 10,000 times faster than optical switches that can be switched on but must recover on their own rather than being switched off.

Fiber optics, Switches

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Astronomers tame a workhorse laser

Article Abstract:

Astronomer Gordon Chin and his colleagues chaos control techniques to regulate frequency fluctuations of a tunable infrared semiconductor laser. The laser is used to study a simulation of how the atmospheres of outer planets absorb infrared light.

Usage, Chaos theory, Chaotic systems, Semiconductor lasers, Chin, Gordon

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