Monte Carlo modelling of multiconjugate adaptive optics performance on the European Extremely Large Telescope

Basden, Alastair

Abstract

The performance of a wide-field adaptive optics system depends on input design parameters. Here we investigate the performance of a multiconjugate adaptive optics system design for the European Extremely Large Telescope, using an end-to-end Monte Carlo adaptive optics simulation tool, DASP (Durham adaptive optics simulation platform). We consider parameters such as the number of laser guide stars, sodium layer depth, wavefront sensor pixel scale, number of deformable mirrors (DMs), mirror conjugation and actuator pitch. We provide potential areas where costs savings can be made, and investigate trade-offs between performance and cost. We conclude that a six-laser guide star system using three DMs seems to be a sweet spot for performance and cost compromise.

Citation

Basden, A. (2015). Monte Carlo modelling of multiconjugate adaptive optics performance on the European Extremely Large Telescope. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 453(3), 3036-3042. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stv1875

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 11, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Sep 3, 2015
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Feb 9, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 9, 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: 453
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 3036-3042
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stv1875
• Keywords: Instrumentation: adaptive optics, Methods: numerical.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1392412
• Related Public URLs: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2015MNRAS.453.3035B&db_key=AST&link_type=ABSTRACT