High Performance Adaptive Optics for Astronomy in the Southern Hemisphere

自适应光学（AO）是一种用于真实的实时补偿湍流大气引起的图像退化的方法。在先前的NSF下，开发并改进了一种称为波前曲率传感和校正的新技术，然后进行了修改以在Gemini North望远镜上运行，成为第一个在8米级望远镜上使用的AO系统。双子座奉献所获得的极好结果最终证明了AO在大型望远镜上的有用性。目前，在K和H波段有良好的性能。该奖项将支持升级到85个致动器，将这种出色的性能扩展到J波段，将AO技术推向新的水平，并在南半球的Gemini South上使用自适应光学产生独特的天文结果。85元素系统将可供一般双子座社区使用。***

AST 9987356Abstract Adaptive optics (AO) is a method for compensating image degradations produced by the turbulent atmosphere in real time. Under prior NSF a new technique called wavefront curvature sensing and correction was developed and refined, then subsequently modified to operate on the Gemini North telescope, becoming the first AO system to be used on an 8m class telescope with a monolithic mirror. The superb results obtained for the Gemini dedication conclusively demonstrate the usefulness of AO on large telescopes. At present good performance is available in K and H bands. This award will support an upgrade to 85 actuators that will extend this excellent performance to the J band, push AO technology to new levels and produce unique astronomical results with adaptive optics in the southern hemisphere on Gemini South. The 85 element system will be available for use by the general Gemini community. ***