Point spread function reconstruction from Woofer-Tweeter adaptive optics bench

Abstract

This paper describes a model-based and experimental evaluation of a point spread function (PSF) reconstruction technique for a Dual Deformable Mirror (DM) Woofer-Tweeter (W/T) Adaptive Optics (AO) system. In the W/T architecture, the Woofer is a low-order-high-stroke DM, and it is used to compensate for the low-frequency-high-amplitude effects introduced by the atmospheric turbulence. The Tweeter is a high-order-low-stroke DM that is used to compensate for the high-frequency-low-amplitude effects introduced by the atmospheric turbulence. The research concept of having Dual DMs allows the W/T AO system to have a high degree of correction of large amplitude wavefront distortion. The role of the UVic AO bench is to demonstrate the closed-loop wavefront control feasibility for a W/T AO concept to be used on the science instruments of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).