Adaptive Optics

Special Topic in Astrophysics (ASTRON250)

Instructor: Gaspard Duchêne

Time: Wed 1-3pm
Location: Hearst Field Annex B-40

Overview:

This course provides an overview of adaptive optics (AO), whose use has become increasingly mainstream over the last two decades. The course first discusses the motivation for, basic principles, and key elements of AO systems, then expands to a variety of "modern" flavors of AO. The primary emphasis is on night-time astronomical systems, but AO systems in other contexts will also be covered during the class. Accompanying instrumentation and post-processing techniques will also be discussed. The course is primarily intended for potential future AO users and students interested in developping an AO system for their own science.

Course Syllabus:
  1. Syllabus (PDF)
Key readings:
  1. Principles of Adaptive Optics, R. K. Tyson  (available in the Engineering Library)
  2. Adaptive Optics for Astronomical Telescopes, J. Hardy  (available in the Physics/Astronomy Library)
  3. Adaptive Optics in Astronomy, F. Roddier ed.  (available in the Physics/Astronomy Library)
  4. Adaptive Optics for Biological Imaging, J. Kubby ed.  (available electronically through OskiCat)
Useful links:
Lecture slides (updated after class):
  1. Week 1
  2. Week 2
  3. Week 3
  4. Week 4
  5. Week 5
  6. Week 6
  7. Week 8
  8. Week 9
  9. Week 10
  10. Week 11
  11. Week 12
Last updated: 04 September 2013