Transcript CAMERA

CAMERA
A Compact, Automated MEMs-based Rayleigh
Adaptive Optics System
Matthew Britton, Nick Law, Viswa Velur, Christoph Baranec
Science Cases



Adaptive optics surveys of 103 or more targets
Stellar companions of all types
Lensed quasars
Transient astronomy
PTF / Pan Starrs / LSST followup
Large SNR gains redwards of I band
Scheduled observations
Mapping of binary orbits
Monitoring of solar system objects
Appulse events
Technical
Description

Diffraction limited imaging in the visible and near infrared

Automated, queue scheduled observing

Monitors transient alert feeds and responds autonomously

Offers fast frame imaging capability

Constructed from off the shelf components
12x12 MEMS device
PI tip tilt stage
355 nm Rayleigh laser
Multiprocessor server
CAMERA Status
System design (Oct 2006-May
2007)


Testbed developed (Summer 2007)
Closed loop AO demonstration using
a MEMS device. Testbed operated
using a multiprocessor server
driven by a web browser.

Proposal writing (Fall 2007)

Software development (Winter, 2008)
Programmatic Information

Collaboration with Pomona and Harvey Mudd Colleges
Interest in fielding a natural guide star version for Pomona
1m telescope at Table Mountain.
Funding proposals submitted to DOD DURIP and NSF
ATI.
Decisions expected on April 28 (DURIP) and first half of 08
(ATI)

First phase funding proposal to the W.M. Keck
Foundation for Pomona 1m natural guide star system
approved.
Proposal for second phase in preparation.
