A design study for adaptive primary mirrors in 1-2 meter class telescopes

J. Fowler; Rachel Bowens-Rubin; Philip M. Hinz

doi:10.1117/12.2596654

24 August 2021 A design study for adaptive primary mirrors in 1-2 meter class telescopes

J. Fowler, Rachel Bowens-Rubin, Philip M. Hinz

Proceedings Volume 11820, Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems III; 118200Y (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2596654
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2021, San Diego, California, United States

Conference Poster

Abstract

Adaptive optics (AO) offers an opportunity to stabilize an image and maximize the spatial resolution achievable by ground based telescopes by removing the distortions due to the atmosphere. Typically, the deformable mirror in an AO system is integrated into the optical path between the secondary mirror and science instrument; in some cases, the deformable mirror is integrated into the telescope itself as an adaptive secondary mirror. However including the deformable mirror as the primary mirror of the telescope has been left largely unexplored due to the previous cost and complexity of large-format deformable mirror technology. In recent years this technology has improved, leaving deformable primary mirrors as a viable avenue towards higher actuator density and a simplification in testing and deploying adaptive optics systems. We present a case study to explore the benefits and trade-offs of integrating an adaptive optics system using the primary mirror of the telescope in small-to-mid-sized telescopes.

Citation Download Citation

J. Fowler, Rachel Bowens-Rubin, and Philip M. Hinz "A design study for adaptive primary mirrors in 1-2 meter class telescopes", Proc. SPIE 11820, Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems III, 118200Y (24 August 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2596654

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available