Why Adaptive Secondaries ?

J. H. Lee, B. C. Bigelow, D. D. Walker, A. P. Doel, R. G. Bingham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Adaptive optics (AO) combines technologies that enable the correction in real time of the wavefront distortion caused by the terrestrial atmospheric turbulence. An adaptive secondary mirror (ASM), unlike conventional adaptive optics systems, does not add any polarization, reflective losses, and emissivity. Following successful implementation of tip/tilt secondary mirrors, most recent large telescope projects have considered the possibility of incorporating ASMs. This paper briefly reviews the development of ASMs and examines the issues which have arisen and also presents the predicted performance of an ASM system. It is concluded that adaptive secondary approach is an equally satisfactory or preferred solution to conventional AO systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)97-107
Number of pages11
JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Volume112
Issue number767
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2000
Externally publishedYes

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