TOPTICA Laser Update

Gemini senior optical technician Clayton Ah Hee (left, foreground) and summit crew member John Randrup prepare GNEST for installation onto the telescope.

Progress continues with the installation of the new Gemini North TOPTICA fiber laser. With the old Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies laser removed we were able to begin modifying the telescope to accept the new laser and began preparations to install it in June. The addition of new equipment high on the telescope requires additional counterbalance weights for the telescope. These weights were designed and added in sequence so that the installation of the laser components, including the Gemini North Enclosure System for TOPTICA (GNEST) and the Electronics Cabinet (EC), would maintain telescope balance throughout. We conducted our first on-sky propagation at zenith on August 31st remotely from the Hilo Base Facility and as this issue goes to e-press we continue preparing for commissioning.