With the start of the Fall 2021 semester, we’re finally back in the lab working on system development and training!
Our lab goals this semester focus around the development of existing components into a working Sodium Doppler lidar. To do this, we must first train and get familiar with the systems after such a long time away from the lab, then we can start the refurbishment of components and begin to connect the different parts of the system together to form a new lidar.
Since mid-August, we’ve disassembled and reassembled the pulsed-dye amplifier (PDA) to optimize its alignment, and we also dismantled the ring-dye laser (RDL) dye-pump system to refresh the dye, clean out the tubing, and inspect it for any issues.
After a long week of work on the pump system, we finally reassembled it and were able to get the system lasing! Now we will focus our efforts on optimizing our RDL power, and integrating these component into STAR lidar system.
Congratulations on getting the ring dye laser lasing!!! This is an important step forward.