Analysis of measured photon returns from sodium beacons

We describe an approach to the computation of photon returns from mesospheric sodium beacons excited by laser pulse trains and discuss as specific examples the required numbers of photons for adaptive-optical compensation of atmospheric turbulence. Computed photon return signals are compared with reported measurements for pulses that are long, short, or comparable to the D2 radiative lifetime (16 ns). Analytical approximations in good agreement with the numerical computations are derived. The results are consistent with experimental data for the different pulse durations.

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