Exploiting Adaptive Optics with Deformable Secondary Mirrors

摘要

The major thrust of our research program has been to start the development of multiple laser beacon systems for wavefront sensing, and to tie this new technology to the unique development of deformable secondary mirrors pioneered at the University of Arizona's Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics (CAAO). The technology development funded by this award has resulted in the first practical solution for a multi-beacon laser system, enabling progress in tomographic wavefront sensing and altitude conjugated adaptive correction, and is a critical step forward for adaptive optics for future large telescopes proposed for very high resolution space situational awareness. This has been demonstrated by the first high resolution images of geostationary satellites, captured at the 6.5 m MMT telescope, using the deformable secondary adaptive optics system.