Abstract

Adaptive control of atmospheric phase distortion will be needed if the full potential of the new generation of 6-10 m telescopes is to be realized. To date, experiments testing laser guide star methods have been limited to 1-m class telescopes; experiments using natural guide stars for infrared correction are in progress by UH at 3.6 m on CFHT and at 7-m baselines by our group on the MMT. Given the promising results arising from all of these efforts, there is every reason to believe that adaptive correction at optical wavelengths is indeed feasible. The purpose of this paper is to discuss our approach toward resolving the technical challenges that remain to bridge the gap between present capabilities and the goal of optical diffraction-limited resolution at 6-10 meters.

© 1992 Optical Society of America