SPIE - Education Adaptive Optics SC135

Adaptive optics are used to improve imagery and the transmission of optical signals by sensing a wavefront disturbance and using the information for real-time control of an active optical element such as a deformable mirror. This course covers the basic principles of adaptive optics with emphasis on large ground-based telescopes. Examples show how analysis and design of wavefront sensors, deformable mirrors (including deformable secondary mirrors), and laser guide stars are integrated with control systems to implement single conjugate, multiconjugate, and tomographic imaging systems to compensate atmospheric turbulence.