Adaptive Optics

In the early beginnings of astronomy, astronomers such as Galileo were only able to observe the rough surfaces of the moon and neighboring planets. Astronomy has come a long way since then due to substantial advancements in astronomical instrumentation. Telescopes allow astronomers to discover and study deep space objects, and the technological advancements thus far has only propelled human knowledge of the universe much farther than ever before. To further the study of astronomy, the Manoa Astronomical Technologies team will cultivate an interdisciplinary Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) team that will gain hands-on experience in design and develop an understanding of optics and precision engineering through research in developing an adaptive optics instrument for wavefront correction in small scale astronomy. 

The expected outcome of this project is a functioning adaptive optics instrument that corrects distorted wavefronts and is applicable to small scale astronomy, Figure 1 shows the benefits of Adaptive Optics. In the setup of the instrument, the mirror actuation shall correct (lens simulated) deviations in rectilinear projection. Precision is an especially important proponent of this project because the purpose of AO systems is to adjust for accurate results of the source wavefront; systematic errors could occur in the data reduction process if the system does not correct the distorted wavefront within 5 pixels of its actual location. The speed at which actuator can make a correction should be on the order of 2 ms as the typical first resonance of membrane mirrors is on the order of 1 kHz.

 

For adaptive optics to find applications in other areas, such as long-distance horizontal laser beam propagation or imaging, microscopy, and even amateur astronomy, the costs of the systems must be reduced by several orders of magnitude (some “small” Adaptive Optics(AO) projects are on the order of $30,000). This goal has become more realistic with recent advances in actuator technology which has broadened the market of commercially purchasable deformable/membrane mirrors. The MAT team would like to advance the future of AO into amateur astronomy by taking advantage of the new smaller deformable mirrors and implement them in this project. Through the production of this application, the team will gain hands-on experience in design and develop an understanding of optics and precision engineering. Students from various backgrounds (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Astrophysics) have come together to design and fabricate an adaptive optics instrument for a small telescope. Furthermore, students will obtain valuable experience in astronomical instrumentation— an important high-tech industry for Hawaii.

Any additional funding required for smaller optical elements such as lenses to magnify the light source are on the order of item 11, the Plano Convex Lens sourced from Thorlabs, around several hundred dollars. The team is considering holding a fundraiser to account for costs of items not accounted for in the above budget. The team is also considering requesting funding from ASUH in the Spring 2020 semester for an outreach event wherein we could purchase parts for demonstration as well as ASUH Research grants which are provided on an individual basis.

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There are 4 management roles (System Integrator, Project Manager, Program Manager, and Finance Manager) and 2 subgroup leader role (Optics Subgroup Leader and Software Subgroup Leader). The purpose of the management roles are for the sustainability of the VIP project. The System integrator, Project Manager, Program Manager, and Finance Manager are responsible for ensuring that the project is operating smoothly in its  technicalities, timeliness, human resources and finances, respectively . Due to the complex nature of VIP projects, having two subsystem leads are necessary for assisting managers with their roles as managers are unable to head every task within the project. Due to the small size of this year’sMAT team, the majority of the students are in both the optics and software subgroups. 

Optics Subgroup

The optics subsystem is responsible for designing the overall setup of the instrument. This includes determining the specific component models that will be implemented in the system as well as the specific positioning of each element on the optical breadboard.

Software Subgroup 

The software subsystem’s primary responsibility is to generate and write code that will move the adaptive element based on the data Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor outputs. The software team is also in charge of maintenance on the MAT computers and collaborating with the optics subsystem to model the optical design in software before the physical construction of the instrument.