Instrumental limitations in adaptive optics for astronomy

Physics – Optics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

3

Adaptive Optics, Astronomical Photography, Atmospheric Correction, Wave Front Deformation, Atmospheric Turbulence, Error Analysis, Image Correlators, Mirrors, Optimization

Scientific paper

The technology and components required to implement discrete adaptive optics systems capable of compensating wavefront errors caused by atmospheric turbulence in ground-based astronomical telescopes are reviewed. Characteristics of the major types of deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors, and wavefront reconstructors are described. The effects of device limitations such as the size of the compensation subapertures and the signal-to-noise ratio of the wavefront sensor detector on the overall performance of adaptive optics systems are discussed. This review indicates that the technology exists to enable conventional adaptive optics systems to perform close to their inherent performance limits, the major impediment being the high cost of the components required. However, a larger problem exists in that the usefulness of adaptive optics for ground-based astronomy is severely limited by external factors such as the small size of the isoplanatic patch and the small photon flux available from most astronomical objects.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Instrumental limitations in adaptive optics for astronomy 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 Instrumental limitations in adaptive optics for astronomy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Instrumental limitations in adaptive optics for astronomy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1827726

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.