Adaptive optics for the SALT
Abstract
We present a cost-effective solution for adaptive optics (AO) correction on the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), where each primary mirror segment has compensation for tip-tilt atmospheric errors and a slower, active optic loop for sensing piston and correcting for focus drift. By treating the telescope as 91 independent tip-tilt corrected units, we compute the encircled energy gains for different seeing conditions at the SALT. Finally, the optical design for a simple AO demonstrator camera is presented, using seven tip-tilt correctors to directly measure and compare closed loop and open loop performances, which will help lead a full SALT AO system design.
- Publication:
-
Adaptive Optics Systems
- Pub Date:
- July 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1117/12.789623
- Bibcode:
- 2008SPIE.7015E..63K