ALFA: first operational experience of the MPE/MPIA laser guide star system for adaptive optics

Richard I. Davies; Wolfgang K. P. Hackenberg; Thomas Ott; Andreas Eckart; Hans-Christoph Holstenberg; Sebastian Rabien; Andreas Quirrenbach; Markus E. Kasper

doi:10.1117/12.321747

11 September 1998 ALFA: first operational experience of the MPE/MPIA laser guide star system for adaptive optics

Richard I. Davies, Wolfgang K. P. Hackenberg, Thomas Ott, Andreas Eckart, Hans-Christoph Holstenberg, Sebastian Rabien, Andreas Quirrenbach, Markus E. Kasper

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3353, Adaptive Optical System Technologies; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.321747
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

The sodium laser guide star adaptive optics system ALFA has been constructed at the Calar Alto 3.5m telescope. Following the first detection of the laser beacon on the wavefront sensor in 1997 the system is now being optimized for best performance. In this contribution we discuss the current status of the launch beam and the planned improvements and upgrades. We report on the performance level achieved when it is used with the adaptive optics system, and relate various aspects of our experience during operation of the system. We have begun to produce scientific result and mention two of these.

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Richard I. Davies, Wolfgang K. P. Hackenberg, Thomas Ott, Andreas Eckart, Hans-Christoph Holstenberg, Sebastian Rabien, Andreas Quirrenbach, and Markus E. Kasper "ALFA: first operational experience of the MPE/MPIA laser guide star system for adaptive optics", Proc. SPIE 3353, Adaptive Optical System Technologies, (11 September 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.321747

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