Ground-based optical imaging of space objects and free-space optical communications are strongly affected by atmospheric turbulence. Adaptive optics can compensate effects like seeing, image blurring, and beam wander.

At TOPTICA Projects, we develop lasers for both adaptive optics and for free-space optical communications. The SodiumStar, our guide star laser, generates artificial sodium guide stars in the upper atmosphere that are used as a reference source for adaptive optics systems. These systems are used in ground-based telescopes, both for astronomical research and space debris monitoring, to correct for atmospheric turbulence and to maintain sharper images, as well as for uplink correction in free-space optical communications between ground and satellites to minimise intensity fluctuations on the receiver and to maximise data throughput.

We’re constantly working to improve our products, with the latest developments improving the return flux of our guide star lasers to allow for daylight operations of adaptive optics systems.