Adaptive optics for the CHARA array

Theo A. ten Brummelaar; Laszlo Sturmann; Judit Sturmann; Stephen T. Ridgway; John D. Monnier; Michael J. Ireland; Xiao Che; Harold A. McAlister; Nils H. Turner; P. G. Tuthill

doi:10.1117/12.927031

13 September 2012 Adaptive optics for the CHARA array

Theo A. ten Brummelaar, Laszlo Sturmann, Judit Sturmann, Stephen T. Ridgway, John D. Monnier, Michael J. Ireland, Xiao Che, Harold A. McAlister, Nils H. Turner, P. G. Tuthill

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8447, Adaptive Optics Systems III; 84473I (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.927031
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

The CHARA Array is a six telescope optical/IR interferometer run by the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy of Georgia State University and is located at Mount Wilson Observatory just to the north of Los Angeles California. The CHARA Array has the largest operational baselines in the world and has been in regular use for scientific observations since 2004. In 2011 we received funding from the NSF to begin work on Adaptive Optics for our six telescopes. Phase I of this project, fully funded by the NSF grant, consists of designing and building wavefront sensors for each telescope that will also serve as tip/tilt detectors. Having tip/tilt at the telescopes, instead of in the laboratory, will add several magnitudes of sensitivity to this system. Phase I also includes a slow wavefront sensor in the laboratory to measure non-common path errors and small deformable mirrors in the laboratory to remove static and slowly changing aberrations. Phase II of the project will allow us to place high-speed deformable mirrors at the telescopes thereby enabling full closed loop operation. We are currently seeking funding for Phase II. This paper will describe the scientific rational and design of the system and give the current status of the project.

Citation Download Citation

Theo A. ten Brummelaar, Laszlo Sturmann, Judit Sturmann, Stephen T. Ridgway, John D. Monnier, Michael J. Ireland, Xiao Che, Harold A. McAlister, Nils H. Turner, and P. G. Tuthill "Adaptive optics for the CHARA array", Proc. SPIE 8447, Adaptive Optics Systems III, 84473I (13 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.927031

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available