...
Before starting to collect data Bruce worked on getting the operating parameters of the laser into a more 'normal' range where changes in the flash lamp voltage and q-switch delay would be acceptable. The automatic adjustment of the flash lamp voltage (a 10 volt increase every 3M shots) increased the 1.54 energy too high and to compensate for this we would increase the q-switch delay so the pump energy at 1.06 would be lowered resulting in a lower 1.54 energy. The response of the system was not what we expected - the 1.06 energy dropped much more than expected but the 1.54 energy did not follow. To lower the 1.54 energy into a range below 130mj used a much larger q-switch delay than expected. Bruce looked at DS's labVIEW code saw how to lower the flash lamp voltage and that allowed the q-switch delay to be restored to values used in past projects. The 154 energy is now below 120mj which is a value we should be able to maintain for the rest of the project.
The above PPI and Wind Estimates were generated at 1412 PDT.
The winds have been light with moderate gusts since late morning. Coherent structures have been observed with REAL and wind estimates generated.