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Monte-Carlo modelling of multi-object adaptive optics performance on the European Extremely Large Telescope

Basden, A.G.; Morris, T.J.

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Abstract

The performance of a wide-field adaptive optics system depends on input design parameters. Here we investigate the performance of a multi-object adaptive optics system design for the European Extremely Large Telescope, using an end-to-end Monte-Carlo adaptive optics simulation tool, DASP, with relevance for proposed instruments such as MOSAIC. We consider parameters such as the number of laser guide stars, sodium layer depth, wavefront sensor pixel scale, actuator pitch and natural guide star availability. We provide potential areas where costs savings can be made, and investigate trade-offs between performance and cost, and provide solutions that would enable such an instrument to be built with currently available technology. Our key recommendations include a trade-off for laser guide star wavefront sensor pixel scale of about 0.7 arcseconds per pixel, and a field of view of at least 7 arcseconds, that EMCCD technology should be used for natural guide star wavefront sensors even if reduced frame rate is necessary, and that sky coverage can be improved by a slight reduction in natural guide star sub-aperture count without significantly affecting tomographic performance. We find that adaptive optics correction can be maintained across a wide field of view, up to 7 arcminutes in diameter. We also recommend the use of at least 4 laser guide stars, and include ground-layer and multi-object adaptive optics performance estimates.

Citation

Basden, A., & Morris, T. (2016). Monte-Carlo modelling of multi-object adaptive optics performance on the European Extremely Large Telescope. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 463(4), 4184-4193. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stw2306

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 8, 2016
Online Publication Date Sep 12, 2016
Publication Date Dec 21, 2016
Deposit Date Sep 13, 2016
Publicly Available Date Sep 13, 2016
Journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Print ISSN 0035-8711
Electronic ISSN 1365-2966
Publisher Royal Astronomical Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 463
Issue 4
Pages 4184-4193
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stw2306
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1376727

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Published Journal Article (Advance online version) (317 Kb)
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Copyright Statement
Advance online version This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society ©: 2016 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.






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