Abstract: An imaging Doppler lidar (IDL) enables the measurement of the velocity distribution of a large volume, in parallel, and at high spatial resolution in the wake of a wind turbine. Because the IDL is non-scanning, it can be orders of magnitude faster than conventional coherent lidar approaches. Scattering can be obtained from naturally occurring aerosol particles. Furthermore, the wind velocity can be measured directly from Doppler shifts of the laser light, so the measurement can be accomplished at large standoff and at wide fields-of-view.

Abstract: An imaging Doppler lidar (IDL) enables the measurement of the velocity distribution of a large volume, in parallel, and at high spatial resolution in the wake of a wind turbine. Because the IDL is non-scanning, it can be orders of magnitude faster than conventional coherent lidar approaches. Scattering can be obtained from naturally occurring aerosol particles. Furthermore, the wind velocity can be measured directly from Doppler shifts of the laser light, so the measurement can be accomplished at large standoff and at wide fields-of-view.

Abstract: The present embodiment provides a system and method for lowering the saturated gain level of a thin-disk laser oscillator by multipassing each gain generator in such a way to cancel some of the wavefront error contributions from the disk surfaces. Wavefront aberrations introduced on one pass of the gain disk are canceled through symmetry on successive passes. The reduced wavefront error significantly improves design space for single-mode resonators. Maximum effectiveness is achieved by rotating the gain disk so that the fold plane-of-symmetry reverses the largest wavefront error or specifically chosen functional forms.

Abstract: The present embodiment provides a system and method for lowering the saturated gain level of a thin-disk laser oscillator by multipassing each gain generator in such a way to cancel some of the wavefront error contributions from the disk surfaces. Wavefront aberrations introduced on one pass of the gain disk are canceled through symmetry on successive passes. The reduced wavefront error significantly improves design space for single-mode resonators. Maximum effectiveness is achieved by rotating the gain disk so that the fold plane-of-symmetry reverses the largest wavefront error or specifically chosen functional forms.

Abstract: A laser beam correction system and related methods of use and manufacture are provided. In one example, a laser beam correction system includes a mirror having a first surface and a second surface. An actuator comprising a piezoelectric ceramic disk and a plurality of conductive electrodes on substantially opposing sides of the disk is bonded to the second surface of the mirror. The actuator includes an aperture in a center portion. A wave-front sensor is adapted to measure optical wave-front characteristics of a laser beam received by the mirror and provide electronic signals corresponding to the wave-front characteristics.

Abstract: A laser beam correction system and related methods of use and manufacture are provided. In one example, a laser beam correction system includes a mirror having a first surface and a second surface. An actuator comprising a piezoelectric ceramic disk and a plurality of conductive electrodes on substantially opposing sides of the disk is bonded to the second surface of the mirror. The actuator includes an aperture in a center portion. A wave-front sensor is adapted to measure optical wave-front characteristics of a laser beam received by the mirror and provide electronic signals corresponding to the wave-front characteristics.