Low Light Adaptive Correction in Support of the Space Situational Awareness Mission (DCT-FY08)
Abstract
Numerous wavefront sensing approaches are used in current adaptive optics systems. Each of these has features that make each attractive under certain situations. Roddier curvature (RC) adaptive optics systems use a sensor that measures the second derivative of the wavefront phase. Its use is common in astronomical adaptive optics systems and it has two key advantages: (1) a minimum number of sensors is required per wavefront sensor subaperture allowing the use of photon-counting devices and operations in very low-light level and (2) an optical gain within the wavefront sensor that allows the wavefront sensor to be tuned to existing turbulence conditions. A key question for RC adaptive optics systems is whether they remain compelling in the low-light level regime as the number of subapertures increases. This was the main avenue of study for this program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 09, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA614268
Entities
People
- Mark Chun
Organizations
- University of Hawaiʻi System