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Subject: Re: Keck Adaptive Optics, OFF TOPIC
From: Dick.Green.
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Fri Oct 06 00:28:08 1995

-- [ From: Dick Green * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

> We have to develop and demonstrate an
> infrared optical aircraft detection system, with automatic
> laser kill switch to even hope for FAA approval. Even that
> does not deliver the redundancy that the FAA wants.
>

Could you use the laser beam itself as "radar"? After all, you're shooting
an electromagnetic beam out there and trying to detect changes in its
refelection by the sodium layer (sort of like radar). I would imagine that
the same detectors and software could determine that the return beam is
being interrupted by an opaque obstruction (the airplane or the pilot's eye)
within nanoseconds, and could shut off the laser with a fast electronic
switch. Could that be done fast enough to prevent damage to the plane or the
retina? Just a thought...

Dick Green