Astronomical Instrumentation for Ground- and Space- Based Telescopes

我们建议继续我们在地面和天基望远镜天文仪器研究和发展方面的成功滚动计划。主要目标是研究下一代大型和超大型望远镜的关键技术，这些望远镜将严重依赖自适应光学来发挥其全部科学潜力。在2007-2012年期间，我们建议开发自适应光学系统的高保真仿真，并在实验室中测试高阶波前校正器的性能。我们还将继续与ESO的联合项目，为未来的自适应光学系统开发下一代实时控制系统，并探索使用新技术来确定与超大望远镜相关的特征参数。我们将继续发展高精度微光元件的内部制造能力，并探索光子晶体器件的潜力，为光谱仪器提供基本的新功能。

We propose a continuation of our successful rolling programme of research and development in astronomical instrumentation for ground- and space-based telescopes. The primary goals are to investigate key technologies for the next generation of large and extremely large telescopes which will rely heavily on adaptive optics to deliver their full scientific potential. Over the period 2007-2012 we propose to develop high fidelity simulations of adaptive optics systems and to test the performance of very high order wavefront correctors in the laboratory. We will also continue our joint programme with ESO to develop a next generation real-time control system for future adaptive optics systems and explore the use of new techniques in determining site the charachterisation parameters relevant to extremely large telescopes. We will continue to develop our in-house manufacturing capability for high precision micro-optics components and explore the potential of photonic crystal devices to deliver fundamental new capabilities in spectroscopic instrumentation.