Open AccessPerformance analysis of polychromatic laser guide stars used for wavefront tilt sensing
Author(s) -
Schöck M.,
Foy R.,
Tallon M.,
Noethe L.,
Pique J.P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05967.x
Subject(s) - guide star , physics , adaptive optics , wavefront , laser guide star , formalism (music) , telescope , optics , stars , deformable mirror , laser , tilt (camera) , wavefront sensor , astronomy , mechanical engineering , art , musical , visual arts , engineering
We present a formalism for performance analyses of adaptive optics systems that use a polychromatic laser guide star to measure the tilt of atmospherically distorted wavefronts. This formalism can be applied to feasibility and design studies of polychromatic laser guide star tip‐tilt systems that are used to make the adaptive optics system of a telescope independent of natural guide stars. Using a few simplifying assumptions, the results are presented in analytical form such that a range of system parameters can be studied easily. Directions for the use of more detailed models necessitating numerical calculations are also presented in case more in‐depth studies of certain system aspects are desired. Along with the theoretical development, we also present examples of possible solutions of the planned ELP‐OA system as well as of an implementation of polychromatic laser guide star systems at large astronomical telescopes.