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Adaptive Optics with a Laser Guide Star - The ALFA system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2016

T. Ott ,
R. Davies  and
S. Rabien
T. Ott
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstr., 85740 Garching, Germany
R. Davies
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstr., 85740 Garching, Germany
S. Rabien
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstr., 85740 Garching, Germany

Abstract

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All 8-metre class telescopes will be equipped with adaptive optics systems in order to reach their highest angular resolutions. With the additional requirement for maximal sky coverage comes the mandatory use of a laser guide star. ALFA is an adaptive optics system using a sodium laser guide star, which is installed on the 3.5-m telescope at Calar Alto observatory. It has shown that it is possible to reach Strehl ratios better than 20% in the K-band. In this contribution we describe the design of the system, the observational trade-off necessary to use a laser guide star, and the performance that might be expected.

Type
Prospects for High Angular Resolution Instrumentation
Information
Symposium - International Astronomical Union , Volume 205: Galaxies and their Constituents at the Highest Angular Resolutions , 2001 , pp. 453 - 454
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2001 

References

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Ott, T., Hackenberg, W., Rabien, S., Eckart, A., Hippler, S., 2000, Experimental Astronomy 10, 89.Google Scholar
Davies, R., Eckart, A., Hackenberg, W., Ott, T., Butler, D., Kasper, M., Quirrenbach, A., 2000, Experimental Astronomy 10, 103.Google Scholar