Gemini Preprint #60


A curvature-based laser guide star adaptive optics system for Gemini-South

M. Chun, C. d'Orgeville, B. Ellerbroek, F. Rigaut
Gemini Observatory Northern Operations Center, 670 N. A'ohoku Place, Hilo HI 96720

J.E. Graves, M. Northcott
Institute for Astronomy, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822

Abstract.

The Gemini Observatory and University of Hawaii are planning to install an 85-element curvature adaptive optics system with a laser guide star system on its Cerro Pachón telescope in 2001. This paper discusses the motivation, issues on implementing a laser guide star with a curvature-based system, the implementation of a laser guide star based on a commercially available 2W ring-dye laser, and the expected performance of the system. Detailed simulations show very promising results for system performance down to natural guide star magnitudes of 19-20th magnitude. The performance cross-over point between NGS and LGS is between 13-16th magnitude depending on the performance parameter of interest (e.g. Strehl, energy through a slit, etc.)

To appear in Proc. SPIE.

Download the PDF file.


Ruth A. Kneale / web@gemini.edu / April 5, 2000