2021
Authors
Lamb, MP; Correia, C; Sivanandam, S; Swanson, R; Zavyalova, P;
Publication
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Abstract
We investigate the focal plane wavefront sensing technique, known as Phase Diversity, at the scientific focal plane of a segmented mirror telescope with an adaptive optics (AO) system. We specifically consider an optical system imaging a point source in the context of (i) an artificial source within the telescope structure and (ii) from AO-corrected images of a bright star. From our simulations, we reliably disentangle segmented telescope phasing errors from non-common path aberrations (NCPA) for both a theoretical source and on-sky, AO-corrected images where we have simulated the Keck/NIRC2 system. This quantification from on-sky images is appealing, as it is sensitive to the cumulative wavefront perturbations of the entire optical train; disentanglement of phasing errors and NCPA is therefore critical, where any potential correction to the primary mirror from an estimate must contain minimal NCPA contributions. Our estimates require a 1-min sequence of short-exposure, AO-corrected images; by exploiting a slight modification to the AO-loop, we find that 75 defocused images produce reliable estimates. We demonstrate a correction from our estimates to the primary and deformable mirror results in a wavefront error reduction of up to 67 percent and 65 percent for phasing errors and NCPA, respectively. If the segment phasing errors on the Keck primary are of the order of similar to 130 nm RMS, we show we can improve the H-band Strehl ratio by up to 10 percent by using our algorithm. We conclude our technique works well to estimate NCPA alone from on-sky images, suggesting it is a promising method for any AO-system.
2021
Authors
Swanson, R; Lamb, M; Correia, CM; Sivanandam, S; Kutulakos, K;
Publication
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Abstract
Predictive wavefront control is an important and rapidly developing field of adaptive optics (AO). Through the prediction of future wavefront effects, the inherent AO system servo-lag caused by the measurement, computation, and application of the wavefront correction can be significantly mitigated. This lag can impact the final delivered science image, including reduced strehl and contrast, and inhibits our ability to reliably use faint guide stars. We summarize here a novel method for training deep neural networks for predictive control based on an adversarial prior. Unlike previous methods in the literature, which have shown results based on previously generated data or for open-loop systems, we demonstrate our network's performance simulated in closed loop. Our models are able to both reduce effects induced by servo-lag and push the faint end of reliable control with natural guide stars, improving K-band Strehl performance compared to classical methods by over 55 per cent for 16th magnitude guide stars on an 8-m telescope. We further show that LSTM based approaches may be better suited in high-contrast scenarios where servo-lag error is most pronounced, while traditional feed forward models are better suited for high noise scenarios. Finally, we discuss future strategies for implementing our system in real-time and on astronomical telescope systems.
2021
Authors
Sauvage, JF; Schwartz, N; Vievard, S; Bonnefois, A; Velluet, MT; Correia, C; Cassaing, F; Fusco, T; Michau, V; Krapez, JC; Ferrari, M; Laginja, I;
Publication
SPACE TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION 2020: OPTICAL, INFRARED, AND MILLIMETER WAVE
Abstract
The volume available on-board small satellites limit the optical aperture to a few centimetres, which limits the Ground-Sampling Distance (GSD) in the visible to approximately 3 m at 500 km. We present a performance analysis of the concept of a deployable CubeSat telescope. This payload will allow a tripling of the ground resolution achievable from a CubeSat imager, hence allowing very high resolution imaging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The project combines precision opto-mechanical deployment and cophasing of the mirrors segments using active optics. The payload has the potential of becoming a new off-the-shelf standardised system to be proposed for all high angular resolution imaging missions using CubeSats or similar nanosats. Ultimately, this technology will develop new instrumentation and technology for small satellite platforms with a primary mirror size equal or larger than 30 cm. In this paper, we present the breakdown of the different error sources that may affect the final optical quality and propose cophasing strategies. We show that the piston, tip and tilt aberrations may need to be as small as 15 nm RMS to allow for diffraction-limited imaging. By taking a co-conception approach, i.e. by taking into account the post-processing capability such as deconvolution, we believe these constraints may be somewhat released. Finally, we show numerical simulation of different solutions allowing the aberrations of the primary mirror segments.
2022
Authors
Chin J.C.Y.; Cetre S.; Wizinowich P.; Ragland S.; Lilley S.; Wetherell E.; Surendran A.; Correia C.; Marin E.; Biasi R.; Patauner C.; Pescoller D.; Glazebrook K.; Jameson A.; Gauvin W.; Rigaut F.; Gratadour D.; Bernard J.;
Publication
Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Abstract
The W. M. Keck Observatory Adaptive Optics (AO) facilities have been operating with a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based real time controller (RTC) since 2007. The RTC inputs data from various AO wavefront and tip/tilt sensors; and corrects image blurring from atmospheric turbulence via deformable and tip/tilt mirrors. Since its commissioning, the Keck I and Keck II RTCs have been upgraded to support new hardware such as pyramid wavefront and infrared tip-tilt sensors. However, they are reaching the limits of their capabilities in terms of processing bandwidth and the ability to interface with new hardware. Together with the Keck All-sky Precision Adaptive optics (KAPA) project, a higher performance and a more reliable RTC is needed to support next generation capabilities such as laser tomography and sensor fusion. This paper provides an overview of the new RTC system, developed with our contractor/collaborators (Microgate, Swinburne University of Technology and Australian National University), and the initial on-sky performance. The upgrade includes an Interface Module to interface with the wavefront sensors and controlled hardware, and a Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) based computational engine to meet the system's control requirements and to provide a flexible software architecture to allow future algorithms development and capabilities. The system saw first light in 2021 and is being commissioned in 2022 to support single conjugate laser guide star (LGS) AO, along with a more sensitive EMCCD camera. Initial results are provided to demonstrate single NGS & LGS performance, system reliability, and the planned upgrade for four LGS to support laser tomography.
2022
Authors
Chapman S.C.; Conod U.; Turri P.; Jackson K.; Lardiere O.; Sivanandam S.; Andersen D.; Correia C.; Lamb M.; Ross C.; Sivo G.; Veran J.P.;
Publication
Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Abstract
The Gemini Infra-Red Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS) is a four-arm, Multi-Object Adaptive Optics (MOAO) IFU spectrograph being built for Gemini (commissioning in 2024). GIRMOS is being planned to interface with the new Gemini-North Adaptive Optics (GNAO) system, and is base lined with a requirement of 50% EE within a 0.100 spaxel at H-band. We present a design and forecast the error budget and performance of GIRMOS-MOAO working behind GNAO. The MOAO system will patrol the 20 field of regard of GNAO, utilizing closed loop GLAO or MCAO for lower order correction. GIRMOS MOAA will perform tomographic reconstruction of the turbulence using the GNAO WFS, and utilize order 16x16 actuator DMs operating in open loop to perform an additional correction from the Pseudo Open Loop (POL) slopes, achieving close to diffraction limited performance from the combined GNAO+MOAO correction. This high performance AO spectrograph will have the broadest impact in the study of the formation and evolution of galaxies, but will also have broad reach in fields such as star and planet formation within our Milky Way and supermassive black holes in nearby galaxies.
2022
Authors
Wizinowich P.; Lu J.R.; Cetre S.; Chin J.; Correia C.; Delorme J.R.; Gers L.; Lilley S.; Lyke J.; Marin E.; Ragland S.; Richards P.; Surendran A.; Wetherell E.; Chen C.F.; Chu D.; Do T.; Fassnacht C.; Freeman M.; Gautam A.; Ghez A.; Hunter L.; Jones T.; Liu M.C.; Mawet D.; Max C.; Morris M.; Phillips M.; Ruffio J.B.; Rundquist N.E.; Sabhlok S.; Terry S.; Treu T.; Wright S.;
Publication
Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Abstract
We present the status and plans for the Keck All sky Precision Adaptive optics (KAPA) program. KAPA includes (1) an upgrade to the Keck I laser guide star adaptive optics (AO) facility to improve image quality and sky coverage, (2) the inclusion of AO telemetry-based point spread function estimates with all science exposures, (3) four key science programs, and (4) an educational component focused on broadening the participation of women and underrepresented groups in instrumentation. For this conference we focus on the KAPA upgrades since the 2020 SPIE proceedings1 including implementation of a laser asterism generator, wavefront sensor, real-time controller, asterism and turbulence simulators, the laser tomography system itself along with new operations software and science tools, and modifications to an existing near-infrared tip-tilt sensor to support multiple natural guide star and focus measurements. We will also report on the results of daytime and on-sky calibrations and testing.
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