Abstract
The paper describes the basic concepts and parameters of astronomical adaptive optic (AO) systems. In particular, the paper introduces and discusses the main parameters and error sources that determine the performances of an AO system. From this discussion, the current limitations of AO systems are derived. Following this, the laser-generated reference star method is described, being the best technique to solve the main limitation of Astronomical AO system, namely the limited sky coverage. Then advantages and disadvantages of such technique are given. Using the considered matter, the case of LBT, the first 8m class telescope using a deformable secondary mirror, is described. The LBT AO system performances in the single telescope case are briefly outlined. Then some concepts of optical interferometry are reported. They are used to analyze the definition of homothetic interferometer, the LBT case, and explain its differences from the Michelson stellar interferometer configuration. Finally a short description of the LBT interferometric instruments is given.
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Esposito, S., Pinna, E. (2008). Basic Concepts and Parameters of Astronomical AO Systems. In: Bacciotti, F., Testi, L., Whelan, E. (eds) Jets from Young Stars II. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 742. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68032-1_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68032-1_3
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