A Compact, Real-Time Adaptive Optical System for Astronomical Imaging

地面天文成像受到能见度差的限制 由观察路径中的大气湍流引起的条件。 大型望远镜需要对这些影响进行主动校正， 其孔径尺寸中固有的最大分辨率。 传统的自适应光学系统是昂贵的，并且在应用方面受到限制。 可以实现的元素的数量。 本研究将探讨 天文学主动波前校正的新方法。 下 第一阶段SBIR奖一个紧凑的系统运行在真实的时间将 研究了 它在设计上完全是光学的， 大量的电子处理，以降低成本，提高速度， 允许扩展到许多活动元素。 成功发展 这项技术还可以使光学测试和激光 通讯

Ground-based astronomical imaging is limited by the poor seeing conditions that result from atmospheric turbulence in the viewing path. Large telescopes require active correction for these effects to obtain the maximum resolving power inherent in their aperture size. Traditional adaptive optical systems are costly and limited in the number of elements that can be implemented. This research will examine a new approach to active wavefront correction for astronomy. Under a Phase I SBIR award a compact system operating in real time will be investigated. It is all optical in design, eliminating substantial amounts of electronic processing to reduce cost, increase speed, and allow expansion to many active elements. Successful development of this technology could also benefit optical testing and laser communications.