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Advancements in Adaptive Optics
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Wavefront Sensor
A device that measures the distortions in the wavefront of light entering an optical system, allowing for the correction of these distortions. Benefits are improved accuracy in wavefront correction leading to better image quality.
Laser Guide Star
An artificial star created by a laser beam focused in the Earth's atmosphere. It is used as a reference point for wavefront corrections in adaptive optics systems. Benefits include the ability to conduct AO corrections even when natural guide stars are not available.
Adaptive Optics (AO)
A technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing the effect of wavefront distortions. Benefits include sharper images and better resolution.
Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics (MCAO)
An advanced form of adaptive optics that uses several deformable mirrors at different altitudes to correct wavefront errors over a larger field of view. Benefits include improved image quality over larger areas of the sky.
Deformable Mirror
A mirror with a variable surface shape that can be deformed to compensate for wavefront distortions. Benefits include the ability to correct for aberrations in real time, leading to significantly sharper images.
Extreme Adaptive Optics (ExAO)
A high-precision form of adaptive optics designed to detect and image exoplanets. Benefits include the extremely high contrast imaging required to separate faint planetary signals from bright stars.
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