Design of the adaptive optics systems for GMT

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) includes adaptive optics (AO) as an integral component of its design. Planned scientific applications of AO span an enormous parameter space: wavelengths from 1 to 25 μm, fields of view from 1 arcsec to 8 arcmin, and contrast ratio as high as 10 ⁹. The integrated systems are designed about common core elements. The telescope's Gregorian adaptive secondary mirror, with seven segments matched to the primary mirror segments, will be used for wavefront correction in all AO modes, providing for high throughput and very low background in the thermal infrared. First light with AO will use wavefront reconstruction from a constellation of six continuous-wave sodium laser guide stars to provide ground-layer correction over 8 arcmin and diffraction-limited correction of small fields. Natural guide stars will be used for classical AO and high contrast imaging. The AO system is configured to feed both the initial instrument suite and ports for future expansion.