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  Cornell University

MAE Publications and Papers

Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

New article: Performance of the Gemini Planet Imager’s Adaptive Optics System

Article:  Poyneer, LA; Palmer, DW; Macintosh, B; Savransky, D; Sadakuni, N; Thomas, S; Veran, JP; Follette, KB; Greenbaum, AZ; Ammons, SM; Bailey, VP; Bauman, B; Cardwell, A; Dillon, D; Gavel, D; Hartung, M; Hibon, P; Perrin, MD; Rantakyrt, FT; Sivaramakrishnan, A; Wang, JJ; (2016)  “Performance of the Gemini Planet Imager’s Adaptive Optics System”, Applied Optics, 55 (2): 323-340

DOI

Abstract:  The Gemini Planet Imager’s adaptive optics (AO) subsystem was designed specifically to facilitate high-contrast imaging. A definitive description of the system’s algorithms and technologies as built is given. 564 AO telemetry measurements from the Gemini Planet Imager Exoplanet Survey campaign are analyzed. The modal gain optimizer tracks changes in atmospheric conditions. Science observations show that image quality can be improved with the use of both the spatially filtered wavefront sensor and linear-quadratic-Gaussian control of vibration. The error budget indicates that for all targets and atmospheric conditions AO bandwidth error is the largest term.

Funding Acknowledgement:  U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) [DE-AC52-07NA27344]

Funding Text:  U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) (DE-AC52-07NA27344).

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