Exploiting Adaptive Optics with Deformable Secondary Mirrors

Abstract

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.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 08, 2007
Accession Number
ADA466096

Entities

People

  • Hart

Organizations

  • University of Arizona

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adaptive Optics
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheric Motion
  • Boundary Layer
  • Data Sets
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Diffraction
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • High Resolution
  • Optics
  • Situational Awareness
  • Space Situational Awareness
  • Telescopes
  • Wavefronts

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects