The MARTINI adaptive optics instrument

The Multi-Aperture Real Time Image Normalisation Instrument (MARTINI) is an adaptive optics system designed to operate at one of the Nasmyth focal sta tions of the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope. Correction of atmosphericall y distorted images is achieved by the action of a six element segmented mir ror in a real-time servo loop controlled by the signal from a CCD based Sha ck-Hartmann wavefront sensor. A unique aspect of the MARTINI instrument is that, from its conception, it was designed to be capable of image sharpenin g at visible wavelengths. An outline of the mechanical and electronic arran gement of MARTINI is given, together with a description of its modes of ope ration, facilities and performance. Also described are some of the first sc ientific results obtained with the instrument. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.