First results of the PML monitor of atmospheric turbulence profile with high vertical resolution

Laboratoire J.L. Lagrange UMR 7293, Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis/CNRS/OCA 06108 Parc Valrose Nice France
e-mail: ziad@unice.fr

Received: 9 August 2013
Accepted: 23 September 2013

Abstract

Aims. Future extremely large telescopes will certainly be equipped with wide-field adaptive optics systems. The optimization of the performances of these techniques requires a precise specification of the different components of these AO systems. Most of these technical specifications are related to the atmospheric turbulence parameters, particularly the profile of the refractive index structure constant C_N²(h). A new monitor called Profiler of Moon Limb (PML) for the extraction of the C_N²(h) profile with high vertical resolution and its first results are presented.

Methods. The PML instrument uses an optical method based on the observation of the Moon limb through two subapertures. The use of the lunar limb leads to a continuum of double stars allowing a scan of the whole atmosphere with high resolution in altitude.

Results. The first prototype of the PML has been installed at Dome C in Antarctica and the first results of the PML are presented and compared to radio-sounding balloon profiles. In addition to the C_N²(h) profile obtained with high vertical resolution, PML is also able to provide other atmospheric turbulence parameters such as the outer scale profile, the total seeing, and the isoplanatic and isopistonic angles.