Design and performance of an 85-actuator curvature system

Malcolm J. Northcott; J. Elon Graves; Francois J. Roddier; Francois J. Rigaut

doi:10.1117/12.390287

7 July 2000 Design and performance of an 85-actuator curvature system

Malcolm J. Northcott, J. Elon Graves, Francois J. Roddier, Francois J. Rigaut

Proceedings Volume 4007, Adaptive Optical Systems Technology; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.390287
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The UH 36 element curvature AO system, Hokupa'a-36, was recently moved to the Gemini 8m telescope, where it was used with great success obtaining images for the telescope dedication. Since the 36 actuator system was optimized for performance on a 4 m (CFHT) telescope it does not provide full near IR wavelength converge on the Gemini 8m telescope. In order to address this issue we are planning to upgrade the system to 85 actuators. Given the slightly better seeing expected at the Gemini telescope, the move to 85 actuators will give Strehl ratios commensurate to those obtained with 36 actuators on the CFHT. The limiting magnitude will scale with the telescope aperture giving considerably better sky coverage than at the CFHT. Curvature AO systems can scale considerably beyond 85 actuators, at this point technology presents the most important limitations to scaling.

Citation Download Citation

Malcolm J. Northcott, J. Elon Graves, Francois J. Roddier, and Francois J. Rigaut "Design and performance of an 85-actuator curvature system", Proc. SPIE 4007, Adaptive Optical Systems Technology, (7 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.390287

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