This is a summary of a research project that has come to be known as SUNLITE, initially standing for Stanford University - NASA laser in space technology experiment. It involves scientists from the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC), Stanford University, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA), and a growing number of other institutions. The long range objective of the SUNLITE effort is to examine the fundamental linewidth and frequency stability limits of an actively stabilized laser oscillator in the microgravity and vibration-free environment of space. The ground-based SUNLITE activities supporting that objective will develop a space-qualified, self-contained and completely automated terahertz oscillator stabilized to a linewidth of less than 3 Hz, along with a measurement system capable of determining laser linewidth to one part in 10(exp 16). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the critical technologies needed to place stabilized lasers in space and to describe the progress made by the SUNLITE project to develop these technologies. Buoncristiani, A. M. and Sandford, S. P. and Amundsen, R. M. Langley Research Center ...

宇宙という静寂の極致で、人類が追い求める「究極の光」の軌跡。本書は技術報告書の枠を超え、重力から解き放たれた真の静止を求める科学者たちの挑戦を記した叙事詩です。一兆分の一をも凌駕する精度で光を制御しようとする意志には、宇宙の理を解く求道的な美しさが宿っています。 地上では到達し得ない「無垢な光」への渇望。そこには物理法則で綴られた宇宙への愛とも呼べる情熱が流れています。SUNLITEが刻む静謐な鼓動は、未来を照らす希望の灯火です。光の極限に挑む知性の躍動を、ぜひこの一冊から感じ取ってください。