OPTIMIZATION OF ADAPTIVE-OPTICS SYSTEMS CLOSED-LOOP BANDWIDTH SETTINGS TO MAXIMIZE IMAGING-SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

We present the results of research aimed at optimizing adaptive-optics closed-loop bandwidth settings to maximize imaging-system performance , The optimum closed-loop bandwidth settings are determined as a funct ion of target-object Light levels and atmospheric seeing conditions. O ur work shows that; for bright objects, the optimum closed-loop bandwi dth is near the Greenwood frequency. However, for dim objects without the Use Of a laser beacon the preferred closed-loop bandwidth settings are a small fraction of the Greenwood frequency. In addition, under l ow light levels selection of the proper closed-loop bandwidth is more critical for achieving maximum performance than it is under high light levels. We also present a strategy for selecting the closed-loop band width to provide robust system performance for different target-object light levels, (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.