MCAO: a case study

摘要

Quantifying the results for a multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) system is more complex than a traditional adaptive optics (AO) system. The complexity of analyzing a MCAO system stems from using multiple deformable mirrors (DMs) and quantifying the influence functions at the wavefront sensor (WFS). In this paper, analysis tools are developed to quantify MCAO performance. Influence functions from two deformable mirrors are propagated to a WFS using CODEV to simulate an MCAO design comparable to the Dunn Solar Telescope (DST). Using MATLAB, the propagated influence functions are mapped to the appropriate field positions, and reconstructor matrices are built using the mapped influence functions. Next, a correctability analysis was performed using theoretical random phase screens. The developed tools are versatile and useful as a system design tool and in a laboratory setting.