MEMS in Astronomical Adaptive Optics Visible Light Laser Guidestar Experiments

摘要：加州大学利克天文台的AST-0649261 Donald T.GavelResearcher将建造一台自适应光学仪器，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。这些实验旨在证明用于大型(直径10-30米)望远镜的仪器的这些技术的成熟度。这一努力在智力上的价值。以前，自适应光学在夜间天文仪器中的使用仅限于红外科学波长，因为该系统的复杂性和费用，以及缺乏适当明亮的导星。使用用于波前控制的微型器件使得在大口径望远镜上实现高阶自适应光学是可行的，特别是能够实现必要的校正程度和天空覆盖以校正可见光波长上的波前。在本实验中，PI将测试用于实时波前校正的微电子机械系统(MEMS)可变形反射镜。该实验还将包括测试一种新的开环传感和控制体系结构，这将为多目标光谱仪的大范围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在可见光波长下具有自适应光学性能的1米望远镜，还将展示一种可以大幅降低超大型望远镜自适应光学系统成本和复杂性的技术。更广泛的影响。利克自适应光学实验室雇佣了许多天文学和工程学的研究生和博士后研究人员。在实验室的亲身体验和在望远镜上的亲身体验激发了学生对仪器设计的参与，并提供了宝贵的观测经验。它还培养了下一代自适应光学仪器专家。研究团队的人口统计数据包括传统上代表性较低的群体：妇女、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.