Journal ArticleDOI
Two generations of laser-guide-star adaptive-optics experiments at the Starfire Optical Range
R. Q. Fugate,Brent L. Ellerbroek,C. H. Higgins,M. P. Jelonek,W. J. Lange,A. C. Slavin,W. J. Wild,D. M. Winker,J. M. Wynia,James M. Spinhirne,B. R. Boeke,R. E. Ruane,J. F. Moroney,M. D. Oliker,D. W. Swindle,R. A. Cleis +15 more
TLDR
In this paper, a laser-guide-star adaptive-optics system that is capable of continuous compensation at 65-Hz and 130-Hz closed-loop bandwidths on a 1.5m telescope is presented.Abstract:
We report results that were obtained with two generations (Generation I and Generation II) of a laser-guide-star adaptive-optics system that is capable of continuous compensation at 65-Hz (Generation I) and 130-Hz (Generation II) closed-loop bandwidths on a 1.5-m telescope. We used a copper-vapor laser that was focused at a 10-km range as the laser guide star and a range-gated Shack–Hartmann sensor to operate a continuous-facesheet deformable mirror that controlled either 149 or 241 actuators. We used a separate full-aperture sensor and a steering mirror to remove overall tilt. System performance was measured by imaging stars with a high-resolution CCD camera in a narrow spectral band that was centered at 0.88 μm, from which we computed point-spread functions, optical transfer functions, and Strehl ratios. Using the laser guide star, we achieved a FWHM image resolution of 0.13 arcsec and a Strehl ratio of 0.48. Using a natural guide star, we achieved a Strehl ratio of 0.64 at 0.13 arcsec FWHM resolution. We also obtained compensated images of the Trapezium region in Orion in H-α light, using only the laser guide star.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Adaptive Optics in Astronomy
Francois Roddier,Laird Thompson +1 more
TL;DR: An approach to design electro‐optical systems that measure and undo the effects of clear‐air turbulence in real time, delivering near‐diffraction‐limited performance at infrared and visible wavelengths at optical wavelengths.
Journal ArticleDOI
The W. M. Keck Observatory Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics System: Performance Characterization
Marcos A. van Dam,Antonin Bouchez,David Le Mignant,Erik M. Johansson,Peter Wizinowich,Randy Campbell,Jason C. Y. Chin,S. K. Hartman,R. Lafon,Paul J. Stomski,Douglas M. Summers +10 more
TL;DR: The first 8-10 m class telescope equipped with a laser guide star adaptive optics (LGS AO) system is the Keck II Telescope as mentioned in this paper, which produces K-band Strehl ratios between 30% and 40% using bright tip-tilt guide stars.
Journal ArticleDOI
Short history of laser development
TL;DR: Years of development since Theodore Maiman's small ruby rod crossed the threshold of laser emission vastly improved laser performance, and tremendously increased their variety, earning lasers important roles in scientific research, consumer products, telecommunications, engineering, medicine, materials working, and a host of other applications.
Journal ArticleDOI
Evaluating the effect of transmissive optic thermal lensing on laser beam quality with a shack-hartmann wave-front sensor.
Justin D. Mansell,Joseph Hennawi,E. K. Gustafson,Martin M. Fejer,Robert L. Byer,D.A Clubley,Sanichiro Yoshida,David H. Reitze +7 more
TL;DR: Wave-front distortion caused by high-power lasers on transmissive optics is examined using a Shack-Hartmann wave-front sensor and the theoretical shape of the thermally induced optical phase aberration is compared with measurements made in a neutral-density filter glass, Faraday glass, and lithium niobate.
Journal ArticleDOI
Two-Deformable-Mirror Concept for Correcting Scintillation Effects in Laser Beam Projection Through the Turbulent Atmosphere
TL;DR: In this article, a two-deformable-mirror concept for correcting scintillation effects in laser beam projection through the turbulent atmosphere is presented, which uses a deformable mirror and a Fourier-transforming mirror to adjust the amplitude of the wave front in the telescope pupil.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Least-square fitting a wave-front distortion estimate to an array of phase-difference measurements
TL;DR: In this article, the problem of fitting a wavefront distortion estimate to a (single-instant) set of phase-difference measurements has been formulated as an unweighted least-square problem.
Journal ArticleDOI
Bandwidth specification for adaptive optics systems
TL;DR: In this paper, a simplified expression for the bandwidth of an adaptive optics system was found to depend on a weighted path integral of the turbulence strength, where the weighting is transverse wind velocity to the 5/3 power.
Journal ArticleDOI
Measurement of atmospheric wavefront distortion using scattered light from a laser guide-star
R. Q. Fugate,David L. Fried,Guillermo A. Ameer,B. R. Boeke,B. R. Boeke,S. L. Browne,P. H. Roberts,R. E. Ruane,R. E. Ruane,Glenn A. Tyler,L. M. Wopat +10 more
TL;DR: In this article, the authors showed that the mean square wavefront error created by using an artificial guide-star at a finite distance rather than a real (infinitely distant) star is proportional to the five-thirds power of the telescope aperture.
Journal ArticleDOI
Compensation of atmospheric optical distortion using a synthetic beacon
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a pulsed dye laser to generate the beacon and a 241-channel adaptive-optics system to perform the phase correction, and obtained almost diffraction-limited resolution of star images in the visible part of the spectrum.
Journal ArticleDOI
Wave-front compensation error due to finite corrector-element size
TL;DR: In this paper, the full theory of the phase corrector in two common situations, where a particular known type of distortion such as focus or coma is to be corrected, and two, where the distortion is a random function of position, such as might arise from atmospheric turbulence, is presented.