Adaptive optics wavefront corrector using addressable liquid-crystal retarders: II

TLDR: In this paper, the authors investigated the feasibility of a wavefront corrector for adaptive optics, using nematic liquid crystal material, in order to improve the imaging quality of existing and new-generation telescopes.

Abstract: We present recent results of our investigations into the feasibility of a wavefront corrector for adaptive optics, using nematic liquid crystal material. In particular, we are aiming at a small, flexible adaptive optics module, to be located at the focal plane of existing and new-generation telescopes in order to improve imaging quality. We address some of the specific problems investigated, concerning the theoretical behavior of the LC corrector, its comparison with other state-of-the-art wavefront correctors, modal and zonal, the speed and slew rate of the actuators, and a real-time capacitive servo loop scheme controlling the actuator retardance.