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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Multi-Dimensional Wave Front Sensing Algorithms For Embedded Tracking And Adaptive Optics Applications, Christopher C. Wood Mar 2006

Multi-Dimensional Wave Front Sensing Algorithms For Embedded Tracking And Adaptive Optics Applications, Christopher C. Wood

Theses and Dissertations

Current tracking and adaptive optics techniques cannot compensate for fast-moving extended objects, which is important for ground-based telescopes providing space situational awareness. To fill this need, a vector-projection maximum-likelihood wave-front sensing algorithm development and testing follows for this application. A derivation and simplification of the Cramer-Rao Lower Bound for wavefront sensing using a laser guide star bounds the performance of these systems and guides implementation of a vastly optimized maximum-likelihood search algorithm. A complete analysis of the bias, mean square error, and variance of the algorithm demonstrates exceptional performance of the new sensor. A proof of concept implementation shows feasibility …


Control Demonstration Of A Thin Deformable In-Plane Actuated Mirror, Gina A. Peterson Mar 2006

Control Demonstration Of A Thin Deformable In-Plane Actuated Mirror, Gina A. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Current imaging satellites are limited in resolution and coverage area by the aperture size of their primary optical mirror. To get a large optical mirror into space, current launch weight and size restrictions must be overcome. Membrane-like optical mirrors can overcome these restrictions with their very lightweight and flexible properties. However, thin, deformable membrane mirrors are very susceptible to the space environment and require active control for surface stabilization and shaping. The primary goal of this research is to demonstrate that an in-plane actuated membrane-like deformable optical mirror can be controlled to optical wavelength tolerances in a closed-loop system. Fabrication …


On The Use Of Gaussian Filter Functions For Adaptive Optics, Merfit Assad Jan 2006

On The Use Of Gaussian Filter Functions For Adaptive Optics, Merfit Assad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For adaptive optic systems, the use of aperture filter functions calculated using various Zernike modes can be useful in removing lower-order aberrations caused by atmospheric turbulence. Traditionally, these filter functions are calculated using the step function depicting a hard aperture that introduces integrals that are sometimes difficult to integrate and must be done numerically. The Gaussian method can be used in place of the conventional method for calculating the aperture filter functions. Evaluation of the Gaussian approximation for modeling a finite receiver aperture can be made by comparison of reduction in phase variance with results achieved using the conventional method. …