Optical Detection of Lasers with Near-term Technology at Interstellar Distances
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Clark_2018_ApJ_867_97.pdf
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Author(s)
Clark, James R
Cahoy, Kerri
Date Issued
2018
Journal
Astrophysical Journal
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Citation
Clark, James R., and Kerri Cahoy. “Optical Detection of Lasers with Near-Term Technology at Interstellar Distances.” The Astrophysical Journal 867, no. 2 (November 5, 2018): 97. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/aae380.
Version
Final published version
Abstract
© 2018. The American Astronomical Society.. This paper examines the ability to produce a laser beam detectable to a cursory survey (SNR 0.1% with a 1 m receive telescope) by an extraterrestrial intelligence using proven or near-term technology (megawatt-class lasers, telescopes tens of meters in size). We find that such lasers can produce a signal at ranges of less than 20,000 lt-yr, with a broad enough beam to overcome uncertainties in nearby exoplanet orbits (e.g., Prox Cen b) or encompass entire habitable zones of more distant systems (e.g., TRAPPIST-1). While the probability of closing a handshake with even a nearby extraterrestrial intelligence is low with current survey methodologies, advances in full-sky surveys for SETI and other purposes may reduce the mean-time-to-handshake to decades or centuries, after which these laser systems may close links at data rates of kbps-Mpbs. The next major gap to address for searching for extraterrestrial lasers is in expanding spectral searches into the infrared, where most terrestrial communication and high-power lasers are manufactured.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
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Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 unported license
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/aae380
