Adaptive optics system tests at the ESO 3.6-m telescope

Fritz Merkle; G. Gehring; Francois J. Rigaut; Pierre J. Lena; Gerard Rousset; Jean-Claude Fontanella; Jean-Paul Gaffard

doi:10.1117/12.48819

1 December 1991 Adaptive optics system tests at the ESO 3.6-m telescope

Fritz Merkle, G. Gehring, Francois J. Rigaut, Pierre J. Lena, Gerard Rousset, Jean-Claude Fontanella, Jean-Paul Gaffard

Proceedings Volume 1542, Active and Adaptive Optical Systems; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48819
Event: San Diego, '91, 1991, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

This paper reports the results of the observations made with the VLT Adaptive Optics Prototype System 'COME-ON' at the ESO 3.6 meter telescope. The analysis of uncorrected and corrected images in the near-IR wavelength range (below 5 microns) leads to a detailed assessment of the system performance in terms of improvement of angular resolution that nearly achieves the ideal diffraction profiles down to 1.7 micron wavelength, as well as a Strehl ratio approaching 0.6-0.8 at 3.8 microns. A resolution of 0.12 arcsec has been obtained with this system at 1.7 microns which is wavelength-dependent on the temporal parameters of the observation. The current limiting magnitude for the reference source is m sub R = 11.5 when applying the full correction capabilities of the system, and m sub R = 13 if only the wavefront tilt is corrected.

Citation Download Citation

Fritz Merkle, G. Gehring, Francois J. Rigaut, Pierre J. Lena, Gerard Rousset, Jean-Claude Fontanella, and Jean-Paul Gaffard "Adaptive optics system tests at the ESO 3.6-m telescope", Proc. SPIE 1542, Active and Adaptive Optical Systems, (1 December 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48819

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