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 targetsStellar companions of all typesLensed quasars
Transient astronomyPTF / Pan Starrs / LSST followupLarge SNR gains redwards of I band
Scheduled observationsMapping of binary orbitsMonitoring of solar system objectsAppulse 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 components12x12 MEMS devicePI tip tilt stage355 nm Rayleigh laserMultiprocessor server
CAMERA Status
Testbed developed (Summer 2007)Closed loop AO demonstration using
a MEMS device. Testbed operated using a multiprocessor server driven by a web browser.
System design (Oct 2006-May 2007)
Software development (Winter, 2008)
Proposal writing (Fall 2007)
Programmatic Information
Collaboration with Pomona and Harvey Mudd CollegesInterest 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.