Full-system laboratory testing of the F/15 deformable secondary mirror for the new MMT adaptive optics system

P. C. McGuire, M. Lloyd-Hart, J. R.P. Angel, G. Z. Angeli, R. L. Johnson, B. C. Fitz-Patrick, W. B. Davison, R. J. Sarlot, C. J. Bresloff, J. M. Hughes, S. M. Miller, P. Schaller, F. P. Wildi, M. A. Kenworthy, R. M. Cordova, al et al

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

We will present a system to perform closed-loop optical tests of the 64 cm diameter, 336 actuator adaptive secondary made at the Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory. Testing will include Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing and modal correction of static and dynamic aberrated wavefronts. The test optical system (called the 'Shimmulator') is designed so that experiments can be made with both the focal plane instrument and secondary installed in their normal configuration at the MMT, or with the same 9 m spacing in a laboratory test tower. The convex secondary will be illuminated at normal incidence through two 70 nm diameter lenses mounted just below. The artificial, aberrated star is projected from near the wavefront sensor in the Cassegrain focus assembly. Computer generated holograms correct for spherical aberration in the relay optics at the test wavelengths of 0.594 and 1.5 μm. Atmospheric turbulence is reproduced by two spinning transmission plates imprinted with Kolmogorov turbulence. The Shimmulator will give us the opportunity to test fully the adaptive optics system before installation at the new MMT, hence saving much precious telescope time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)28-37
Number of pages10
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume3762
StatePublished - 1999
EventProceedings of the 1999 Adaptive Optics Systems and Technology - Denver, CO, USA
Duration: Jul 21 1999Jul 22 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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