An atmospheric turbulence generator for dynamic tests with LINC-NIRVANA's adaptive optics system

D. Meschke; P. Bizenberger; W. Gaessler; X. Zhang; L. Mohr; H. Baumeister; E. Diolaiti

doi:10.1117/12.856933

28 July 2010 An atmospheric turbulence generator for dynamic tests with LINC-NIRVANA's adaptive optics system

D. Meschke, P. Bizenberger, W. Gaessler, X. Zhang, L. Mohr, H. Baumeister, E. Diolaiti

Proceedings Volume 7736, Adaptive Optics Systems II; 773646 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856933
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

LINC-NIRVANA^[1] (LN) is an instrument for the Large Binocular Telescope^[2] (LBT). Its purpose is to combine the light coming from the two primary mirrors in a Fizeau-type interferometer. In order to compensate turbulence-induced dynamic aberrations, the layer oriented adaptive optics system of LN^[3] consists of two major subsystems for each side: the Ground-Layer-Wavefront sensor (GLWS) and the Mid- and High-Layer Wavefront sensor (MHLWS). The MHLWS is currently set up in a laboratory at the Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg. To test the multi-conjugate AO with multiple simulated stars in the laboratory and to develop the necessary control software, a dedicated light source is needed. For this reason, we designed an optical system, operating in visible as well as in infrared light, which imitates the telescope's optical train (f-ratio, pupil position and size, field curvature). By inserting rotating surface etched glass phase screens, artificial aberrations corresponding to the atmospheric turbulence are introduced. In addition, different turbulence altitudes can be simulated depending on the position of these screens along the optical axis. In this way, it is possible to comprehensively test the complete system, including electronics and software, in the laboratory before integration into the final LINC-NIRVANA setup. Combined with an atmospheric piston simulator, also this effect can be taken into account. Since we are building two identical sets, it is possible to feed the complete instrument with light for the interferometric combination during the assembly phase in the integration laboratory.

Citation Download Citation

D. Meschke, P. Bizenberger, W. Gaessler, X. Zhang, L. Mohr, H. Baumeister, and E. Diolaiti "An atmospheric turbulence generator for dynamic tests with LINC-NIRVANA's adaptive optics system", Proc. SPIE 7736, Adaptive Optics Systems II, 773646 (28 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856933

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