Laser Development for Sodium Laser Guide Stars at ESO

A breakthrough in the development of sodium laser guide star technology at ESO was made in 2009. The laser research and development programme has led to the implementation of a narrowband Raman fibre laser emitting at the wavelength of the sodium lines at 589 nm with demonstrated power beyond 50 W. Fibre lasers are rugged and reliable, making them promising candidates for use in the next generation of laser guide star systems, such as the Adaptive Optics Facility planned for installation on VLT UT4 in 2013.