Observations of faint objects with laser beacon adaptive optics

Details Observations of faint objects with laser beacon adaptive optics Observations of faint objects with laser beacon adaptive optics

May 1994

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994spie.2201...10f&link_type=abstract

Proc. SPIE Vol. 2201, p. 10-21, Adaptive Optics in Astronomy, Mark A. Ealey; Fritz Merkle; Eds.

Physics

Optics

5

Scientific paper

This paper reports progress in the use of laser beacons for compensating the images of faint objects using adaptive optics. The system describe is located at the USAF Phillips Laboratory's Starfire Optical Range near Albuquerque, New Mexico on a 1.5 m telescope. The adaptive optics system uses a 241 actuator continuous facesheet deformable mirror. A copper vapor laser beacon focused at 10 km range is used to sense higher-order distortions. A natural guide star is used for sensing full aperture tilt. The limiting factor for long exposure performance of the system is tracking--the correction of full aperture tilt. The main goal of the work reported here was to determine the performance of the tracking system under conditions of weak signal but good higher order compensation (similar to conditions encountered in laser beacon adaptive optics). Single axis rms track errors of approximately 20 milliarcsec were achieved for track signal levels equivalent to stars of 13(superscript th) magnitude. However, we cannot track stars fainter than 9 - 10(superscript th) magnitude because the laser induces very low level, long lived phosphorescence in the optical train. This appears to be a fundamental limitation for our system as it is presently configured.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Observations of faint objects with laser beacon adaptive optics does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Observations of faint objects with laser beacon adaptive optics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observations of faint objects with laser beacon adaptive optics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1681396