Intermediate stations for the transfer of high power laser beams into free space

The study of the propagation of laser beams into free space is of interest for a number of modern applications, such as free space optics communications and laser power beaming. In order to compensate for the atmospheric effects, diffraction and aberrations, an intermediate station can be placed in orbit to handle the high power lasers. In this work, an optical simulator able to foresee the response of specific optical systems such as telescopes was developed. It can work both for geometrical and for wave optics. The tool has the advantage of being easily integrable with more functionalities for the study of more complex optical systems. Finally, a preliminary laser power beaming system design is presented, including considerations on the power efficiency processes, on the pointing systems and on the thermal loads.