Physical optics modeling and optimization of laser guide star propagation

Ronald Holzlöhner; Domenico Bonaccini Calia; Wolfgang Hackenberg

doi:10.1117/12.790907

10 July 2008 Physical optics modeling and optimization of laser guide star propagation

Ronald Holzlöhner, Domenico Bonaccini Calia, Wolfgang Hackenberg

Proceedings Volume 7015, Adaptive Optics Systems; 701521 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790907
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

We use physical optics to simulate LGS propagation and imaging in a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (WFS). We model different launch telescope (LT) sizes and realistic LT aberrations, the turbulent atmosphere, a sodium layer of finite thickness, the downlink propagation of the return light, an 8m-telescope, and finally the planned Very Large Telescope (VLT) Adaptive Optics Facility 40×40 GRAAL WFS. We study both long-exposure and instantaneous images on the WFS and compute spot size statistics. The results agree with observations obtained in the VLT telescope guider camera and enable us to optimize the LT diameter and devise design rules.

Citation Download Citation

Ronald Holzlöhner, Domenico Bonaccini Calia, and Wolfgang Hackenberg "Physical optics modeling and optimization of laser guide star propagation", Proc. SPIE 7015, Adaptive Optics Systems, 701521 (10 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790907

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