Abstract

An adaptive optics (AO) system using a high power laser tuned to the sodium resonance to make a bright guide star has been investigated and is under development. The laser for this system has been developed for the Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation program and produces over a kilowatt of power with excellent beam quality, spectral control, and stability. The AO system uses a wavefront sensor based upon the Hartmann technique with an image intensified, CCD camera, wavefront reconstruction algorithm, fast steering mirror for tip-tilt control, and a deformable mirror for wavefront correction. The AO system will be applied to a 1-m class telescope located at LLNL adjacent to the AVLIS laser facility.

© 1991 Optical Society of America