On-sky performance of the tip-tilt correction system for GLAS using an EMCCD camera

Jure Skvarč; Simon Tulloch

doi:10.1117/12.787974

14 July 2008 On-sky performance of the tip-tilt correction system for GLAS using an EMCCD camera

Jure Skvarč, Simon Tulloch

Proceedings Volume 7015, Adaptive Optics Systems; 70154B (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.787974
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

Adaptive optics systems based on laser guide stars still need a natural guide star (NGS) to correct for the image motion caused by the atmosphere and by imperfect telescope tracking. The ability to properly compensate for this motion using a faint NGS is critical to achieve large sky coverage. For the laser guide system (GLAS) on the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope we designed and tested in the laboratory and on-sky a tip-tilt correction system based on a PC running Linux and an EMCCD technology camera. The control software allows selection of different centroiding algorithms and loop control methods as well as the control parameters. Parameter analysis has been performed using tip-tilt only correction before the laser commissioning and the selected sets of parameters were then used during commissioning of the laser guide star system. We have established the SNR of the guide star as a function of magnitude, depending on the image sampling frequency and on the dichroic used in the optical system; achieving a measurable improvement using full AO correction with NGSes down to magnitude range R=16.5 to R=18. A minimum SNR of about 10 was established to be necessary for a useful correction. The system was used to produce 0.16 arcsecond images in H band using bright NGS and laser correction during GLAS commissioning runs.

Citation Download Citation

Jure Skvarč and Simon Tulloch "On-sky performance of the tip-tilt correction system for GLAS using an EMCCD camera", Proc. SPIE 7015, Adaptive Optics Systems, 70154B (14 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.787974

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
11 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Stars

Telescopes

Cameras

Adaptive optics

Electron multiplying charge coupled devices

Photons

Signal to noise ratio

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years