i-heliostat6/8 update

Amy Whitcombe, Kendall Pletcher, Eric Kolker, Kiefer Hicks

Revised SOW

Research, design, construct, and test a prototype communication system which modulates sunlight to send information over large distances—such as between the moon and the earth—in a vacuum. This system should be significantly more efficient than traditional laser communication systems.

Questions for Steve What is our budget?

Can we get access to the roof?

Does Olin have a telescope that we can have access to?

Questions for Jeff What will you be giving us?

Is it correct that essentially the only constraint you have on this communication system is that it uses sunlight instead of lasers to transmit a signal?

To what extent do you care about the alignment of the system?

Do you want a proof of concept or a functional transmission system?

Progress Researched current solutions Researched historical optical communication systems Generated preliminary ideas, researched feasibility

Electro-optic modulation, Acousto-optic modulation Pockels cells and kerr cells (optic) Brag cells (acoustic)

Solar Aldis lamp Shutters over mirror (req two mirrors?) Mirrors which compose shutters

Plain ol’ mirror (possibly using speakers to modulate)

Acousto-Optic Modulator

Solar Aldis Lamp

Plain ol’ Mirror

The Next Step We need to set up tests for these ideas to find

the most feasible. Materials we need

Mirrors Shutter (aldis) Or Mirrors to make shutters (aldis)

CDs? Speakers Pockels cells and kerr cells (electro) Brag cells (acoustic) Lamps of different levels of brightness Lasers (for testing alignment) Set of physics demo lenses?