Gains from a ground-only adaptive optics system

Mark Richard Chun

doi:10.1117/12.459304

7 February 2003 Gains from a ground-only adaptive optics system

Mark Richard Chun

Proceedings Volume 4839, Adaptive Optical System Technologies II; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459304
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

We discuss the image improvement from an adaptive optics system that selectively corrects for phase perturbations with large angular coherence lengths. Selecting phase perturbations with large angular coherence lengths effectively sets the correction to turbulence of all spatial frequencies at the ground and to turbulence of progressively lower spatial frequencies at higher altitudes. The performance of a high-order curvature system (85 elements) on a small telescope (4 meters) across a field of view of roughly six arcminutes diameter is simulated using Monte Carlo simulations. The implementation studied assumes a single correcting element conjugate to the ground with multiple wave front sensors each pointed at a different star within the field of view. The image full-width at half maximum (FWHM) is reduced by up to a factor of two over the uncorrected case. Even though the number of guide stars is large (n~3), the sky coverage is similar to that for a classical adaptive optics system since the acquisition field is much larger (~35 square arcminutes). In principle the approach could be extended to multiple laser guide stars and larger apertures. The requirements for the laser are relaxed since the sampling of turbulence is preferentially at low-altitudes (e.g. Rayleigh beacons).

Citation Download Citation

Mark Richard Chun "Gains from a ground-only adaptive optics system", Proc. SPIE 4839, Adaptive Optical System Technologies II, (7 February 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459304

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available