MEMS in Astronomical Adaptive Optics Visible Light Laser Guidestar Experiments

摘要：AST-0649261 Donald T.加州大学利克天文台的研究人员将建造一个自适应光学仪器，并将其安装在汉密尔顿山天文台的1米望远镜上，以展示下一代自适应光学系统的新组件技术和控制技术。这些实验旨在证明这些技术在大型（10-30米直径）望远镜仪器上的成熟性。这一努力的智力价值。以前在夜间天文仪器中使用的自适应光学系统仅限于红外科学波长，因为系统的复杂性和成本以及缺乏合适的明亮引导星。使用微器件进行波前控制使得在大孔径望远镜上实现高阶自适应光学器件变得可行，并且特别地使得能够实现校正可见波长处的波前所需的校正程度和天空覆盖。在这个实验中，PI将测试一个微机电系统（MEMS）变形镜的实时波前校正。该实验还将包括测试一种新型的开环传感和控制架构，这将为多目标光谱仪的宽视场自适应光学校正开辟更多的可能性。如果成功，这项实验不仅将提供一个1米望远镜在可见光波长的自适应光学性能，它还将展示一种技术，可以大大降低成本和复杂性的自适应光学系统的非常大的望远镜。更广泛的影响。利克自适应光学实验室雇用了许多天文学和工程学的研究生和博士后研究人员。在实验室的实践经验，其次是在望远镜的实践经验，激发学生参与仪器设计，并提供宝贵的观察经验。它还教育下一代自适应光学仪器。研究团队的人口统计数据包括传统上代表性不足的群体：女性，美洲原住民和西班牙裔。该奖项由天文科学部资助。

ABSTRACT: AST-0649261Donald T. GavelResearchers at University of California Lick Observatory will construct an adaptive optics instrument and install it on a 1-meter telescope at the Mount Hamilton observatory site to demonstrate new component technologies and control techniques for the next generation of adaptive optics systems. The experiments are designed to prove the maturity of these technologies for use in instruments on large (10-30 meter diameter) telescopes. Intellectual Merit of this effort. Previously use of adaptive optics in night-time astronomical instruments has been restricted to infrared science wavelengths because of the complexity and expense of the system and the lack of suitably bright guide stars. The use of micro devices for wavefront control makes it feasible to implement high order adaptive optics on large aperture telescopes, and in particular enables the degree of correction and sky coverage necessary to correct wavefronts at visible wavelengths. In this experiment the PI will test a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) deformable mirror for real-time wavefront correction. The experiment will also include testing of a novel open-loop sensing and control architecture which will open up additional possibilities for adaptive optics corrections over a wide-field for multiple-object spectrographs. If successful, this experiment will not only provide a 1 meter telescope with adaptive optical performance in visible wavelengths, it will also demonstrate a technology that could substantially reduce the cost and complexity of adaptive optics systems for very large telescopes. Broader Impact. The Lick Laboratory for Adaptive Optics employs a number of graduate students and post doctoral researchers in astronomy and engineering. Hands on experience in the laboratory, followed by hands on experience at the telescope, inspires student involvement in instrument design and provides valuable observing experience. It also educates the next generation of adaptive optics instrumentalists. Demographics of the research team include traditionally underrepresented groups: women, Native American, and Hispanic. This award is funded by the Division of Astronomical Sciences.