Results from the commissioning of the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI) at Gemini South Observatory

Abstract

We present the results from the commissioning of the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI). Capable of delivering diffraction limited images in the near-infrared, over an 85′′ ×85′′ square field-of-view, GSAOI was designed for use with the Gemini Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics (GeMS) system in operation at the Gemini South Observatory. The instrument focal plane, covered by an array of four HAWAII-2RG detectors, contains 4080×4080 pixels and has a plate scale of 0.02′′ – thus capitalizing on the superb image quality delivered by both the all-refractive optical design of GSAOI and the Gemini South MCAO system. Here, we discuss our preliminary findings from the GSAOI commissioning, concentrating on detector characterization, on-sky performance and system throughput. Further specifics about the Gemini MCAO system can be found in other presentations at this conference.