LASER ACTIVITIES AND BACKGROUND RADIATION STUDIES

Development of laser cavities for use in geodetic studies is reviewed, and experiments for the determination of background radiation from various sources are described. Laser studies include the design of laser cavities employing several different configurations for light pumping. These include three helical flashlamp configurations and one annular flashlamp configuration. Descriptions of the difficulties encountered in the design of these cavities and reports of the threshold and output energies are given. Preliminary reports of ranging techniques using the laser are given. These reports contain information from two field tests: one between two buildings of AFCRL at Bedford, Mass., and one between AFCRL, Bedford, Mass. and Mt. Wachusett (Princeton, Mass.). A triggering technique planned for increasing the accuracy of timing necessary in ranging is discussed, and a summary of the accuracies and uncertainties of this system are given. Results of daytime experiments and background radiation studies are given. Experiments were performed on the measurement of noise from the moon, but these results are inconclusive. (Author)