Adaptive optics for the CHARA Array

Stephen T. Ridgway; Harold A. McAlister; Theo ten Brummelaar; Antoine Merand; Judit Sturmann; Laszlo Sturmann; Nils Turner

doi:10.1117/12.790230

28 July 2008 Adaptive optics for the CHARA Array

Stephen T. Ridgway, Harold A. McAlister, Theo ten Brummelaar, Antoine Merand, Judit Sturmann, Laszlo Sturmann, Nils Turner

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7013, Optical and Infrared Interferometry; 70133B (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790230
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

The efficiency of the CHARA Array has proven satisfactory for the scientific programs enabled by the first-generation beam combination and detector systems. With multi-beam combination and more ambitious scientific goals, improvements in throughput and efficiency will be highly leveraged. Engineering data from several years of nightly operations are used to infer atmospheric characteristics and raw instrumental visibility in both classic optical and single- mode fiber beam combiners. This information is the basis for estimates of potential gains that could be afforded by the implementation of adaptive optics. This includes reduction of static and quasi-static aberrations, reduction of residual tilt error, compensation for differential atmospheric refraction, reduction of diffractive beam propagation losses, each leading to improved flux throughput and instrumental visibility, and to associated gains in operability and scientific productivity.

Citation Download Citation

Stephen T. Ridgway, Harold A. McAlister, Theo ten Brummelaar, Antoine Merand, Judit Sturmann, Laszlo Sturmann, and Nils Turner "Adaptive optics for the CHARA Array", Proc. SPIE 7013, Optical and Infrared Interferometry, 70133B (28 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790230

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