Abstract

A time-domain, wave-optics simulation of astronomical adaptive-optics systems has been developed. The simulation includes digital controls for the deformable mirror and steering mirror; atmospheric turbulence phase screens; wind; slewing; multiple three-dimensional beacons at various ranges, wavelengths, and offset angles; shearing and Hartmann wavefront sensors; Gaussian and Wiener reconstructors; radiometrics; and one or two deformable mirrors imaged at different altitudes with various actuator influence functions. The simulation has been used to investigate actuator spacing and bandwidth requirements, beacon combination algorithms and multi-conjugate DM algorithms.

© 1992 Optical Society of America