INCREASE IN THE COMPENSATED FIELD-OF-VIEW WITH A DOUBLE-CONJUGATE ADAPTIVE-OPTICS SYSTEM

We analyze and quantify the capabilities and limitations of a double-c onjugate adaptive-optics system. In the proposed system the contributi on of two turbulent layers is treated separately, with Rayleigh guide stars for the bottom layer, sodium guide stars for the top layer, and two adaptive mirrors conjugate to the respective layers. The system su bstantially increases the compensated field of view. We give calculate d results for the estimated number of guide stars needed, the wave-fro nt sensor, and the adaptive-mirror resolution. Simulation results are also presented, and the residual error remaining after correction in o ur proposed system is compared with a conventional single-adaptive-mir ror system.