2004 CfAO Workshop on Analaysis Modeling and Simulation of Adaptive
Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes
U.C.
Understanding adaptive optics system behavior through the use of
analytical, semianalytical, and simulation tools is crucial to the design
efforts for large adaptive optics projects such as those for the next
generation of “extremely large” (≥ 30-meter) telescopes. The Analysis Modeling and Simulation project,
sponsored by the CfAO under Theme 2 (AO for ELTs), has goals to develop valid
analytic and simulation models for MCAO system behavior and to produce a viable
point design for an MCAO system on an ELT.
Significant progress has been made in the critical research
areas identified two years ago at the first workshop. This workshop will be oriented around these
topics, including
- Accurate
and feasible MCAO reconstruction algorithms
- An
understanding of the cone effect with multiple laser guide stars
- Techniques
for mitigating sodium laser guide star elongation
- AO
optical relay designs for laser guide star MCAO
Additional topics could include
- Optimality
and stability of closed-loop MCAO reconstructors
- Alternative
wavefront sensor concepts
- Alternative
wavefront sensor data analysis algorithms (centroiders, off-null
operation)
- Massively
parallel simulations and real-time implementations
- Models
for the atmospheric index and wind variations
- Hybrid
laser guide star arrangements (Rayleigh + Sodium)
- Number
of NGS needed to break LGS tilt ambiguity, Higher order WFS for NGSs, etc.
- Models
for sky coverage and NGS star counts
- Astrometric
accuracy in the MCAO field
- Models
for thermal emissivity of the AO system and sky background
A portion of the workshop agenda will include planning for
proposals for CfAO year 6.
Workshop organizer:
Donald T. Gavel
UCO Lick Observatory
UC
(831)-459-5464
http://www.ucolick.org/~gavel/ams2004/