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Published on: February 12, 2013
Curvature wavefront sensing performance evaluation for active correction of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
Anastacia M Manuel1, Donald W Phillion, Scot S Olivier
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
Optics Express
|February 23, 2010
Summary
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) employs curvature wavefront sensors to actively control mirror deformations. This ensures optimal image quality by minimizing aberrations caused by gravity and thermal expansion, meeting performance goals.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) features a novel three-mirror design for wide-field astronomical surveys.
- Maintaining precise optical performance requires active control of mirror deformations and positions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the methodology for measuring telescope aberrations using curvature wavefront sensors.
- To analyze the performance of the wavefront sensing system for the LSST.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing curvature wavefront sensors positioned at the camera focal plane's corners.
- Analyzing the availability of reference stars for accurate aberration measurements.
Main Results:
- The developed methodology effectively measures telescope aberrations.
- The wavefront sensing system is demonstrated to meet LSST performance specifications.
Conclusions:
- The curvature wavefront sensing system is crucial for maintaining LSST image quality.
- The system's performance ensures the achievement of the LSST's scientific objectives.
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