Physics – Optics
Scientific paper
Jan 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011aas...21743314c&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #217, #433.14; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 43, 2011
Physics
Optics
Scientific paper
We describe our project (KAPAO) to develop and deploy a low-cost, remote-access, natural guide star adaptive optics system for the Pomona College Table Mountain Observatory (TMO) 1-meter telescope. The system will offer simultaneous dual-band, diffraction-limited imaging at visible and near-infrared wavelengths and will deliver an order-of-magnitude improvement in point source sensitivity and angular resolution relative to the current TMO seeing limits. In order to ensure reliability, minimize costs and encourage replication efforts, off-the-shelf components that include a MEMS deformable mirror, a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor and a piezo-electric tip-tilt mirror are being adopted for the core hardware elements. We present: the instrument design; performance predictions based on AO simulations; and the current status of the testbed instrument and high-speed control system.
Beyond the expanded scientific capabilities enabled by AO-enhanced resolution and sensitivity, the interdisciplinary nature of the instrument development effort provides an exceptional opportunity to train a broad range of undergraduate STEM students in AO technologies and techniques. The breadth of our collaboration, which includes both public (Sonoma State University) and private (Pomona and Harvey Mudd Colleges) undergraduate institutions has enabled us to engage students ranging from physics, astronomy, engineering and computer science in the early stages of this project. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0960343.
Baranec Christoph
Chin R. M.
Choi Philip I.
Contreras D. S.
Gilbreth B. N.
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