Multiple field of view layer-oriented adaptive optics

Nearly whole sky coverage on 8 m class telescopes and beyond

¹ INAF–Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125 Firenze, Italy
² Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Königstuhl 17, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany as W. Paul awardee by the Alexander Von Humboldt Society
³ Department of Astronomy, University of Padova, vicolo dell'Osservatorio 2, 35122 Padova, Italy
⁴ European Southern Observatory, Karl–Schwarzschild Strasse 2, 85748, Germany
⁵ INAF–Astronomical Observatory of Padova, vicolo dell'Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy
⁶ Center for Astrophysics and Space Science, UCSD, MS0424, La Jolla, CA 92093–0424, USA

Corresponding author: R. Ragazzoni, ragazzoni@arcetri.astro.it

Received: 28 August 2001
Accepted: 16 September 2002

Abstract

In layer-oriented adaptive optics, multiconjugation is performed in a much more efficient way than conventional wavefront sensing. This improved efficiency is impressive for high altitude layers and moderate for ground ones. On the other hand, high altitude layers can be covered with only a limited field of view (where one can search for natural guide stars) while for ground layers the usable field of view is limited essentially by practical reasons. We introduce the further concept of multiple field of view layer-oriented adaptive optics where a combination of sampling and covered field leads easily to sky coverages for 8 m class telescopes that nearly approach the whole sky with the usage solely of natural guide stars. The extension of the concept to much larger apertures is also discussed.