The ESO multiconjugate adaptive optics demonstrator: a status report confirmation number: CS211512

Abstract

In this paper we present the final design and the status report of the MAD module that will be installed at one of the VLT unit telescope in Paranal to perform on-sky observations. MAD is a prototype MCAO system performing wide field of view (FoV) AO correction over 2 arcmin on the sky by using bright (m/sub v/ < 14) natural guide stars (NGS). Multiconjugate adaptive optics aims at performing wide field of view atmospheric turbulence correction using many guide stars (GSs) surrounding the observed target. The light coming from the GSs is analyzed through wavefront sensors whose signals are used to reconstruct the atmospheric turbulence at the different heights which some deformable mirrors are conjugated to. The European Southern Observatory in collaboration with external research institutes is building an instrument prototype, the MCAO demonstrator (MAD), to prove on the sky the feasibility of the MCAO technique using both reconstruction approaches in the view of the future 2nd generation of the VLT instrumentation and the 100-meters telescope OWL.