The History of the Development and Genesis of Works on Adaptive Optics at the Institute of Atmospheric Optics

Abstract

A survey of the development of adaptive optics, its methods, and tools for the elimination of irregular distortions appearing in the process of light propagation in an inhomogeneous medium is presented. Many ideas developed in recent years were put forward rather long ago; however, only now, owing to creation of state-of-the-art hardware components of optoelectronic systems and devices, they begin to be included in the widest fields of science and technology. The work also presents the current status of adaptive optics systems in solar astronomy, as well as some aspects of their use in systems correcting distortions of powerful laser systems. A retrospective analysis of investigations in the V.E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics in relation to adaptive optics is carried out.