LGS AO requests for engineering nights for period Aug.-Oct., 2003

PI: A. Contos, R. Lafon

Purpose: For laser and laser guide star adaptive optics (LGS AO) engineering

Rationale for nighttime testing: most tests either require the use of (1) a propagated laser beam (2) tip/tilt sensing requiring active turbulence, or (3) a combination of both. 

Plan for data reduction, analysis, and reporting:

A. Contos is responsible for data management and reduction, with analysis assistance from I. Lynn and the rest of the LGS AO team, as well as LGS AO reporting.  Laser analysis and reporting is lead by R. Lafon and J. Chin.

Preferred dates: we have tentatively been set aside the following dates: Aug. 6 (2^nd half), Aug. 10, Sept. 17-18, Oct. 10-11, 2003.

Test Descriptions: see preliminary test descriptions and associated (night-time related) intermediate milestones below, for each night.  The intermediate milestones can be found on KeckShare at  http://keckshare.keck.hawaii.edu:3636/View/Collection-1250

August 6, 2003 (2^nd half) & August 10, 2003

1.      STRAP

a.       Control loop performance test on bright and dim stars (Vmag ~8 to ~18)

b.      Operation in conjunction with laser

2.      LBWFS

a.       Eavesdrop during STRAP testing for general performance tests

b.      Operation in conjunction with laser

c.       Imaging of laser spot

d.      Plate scale verification with a binary

3.      Laser

a.       LGSGOIM laser acquisition to offset & reacquire laser to particular pointing origins.

b.      Stability of laser and atmosphere at zenith

c.       Beam quality and focus by elevation (45 deg, 65 deg, 85 deg)

4.      Intermediate Milestones

a.       Demo LGS spot size of < 1.5”, even for lower power.

b.      Measure/document LGS elongation vs. sodium layer variations, seeing & elevation angle.

c.       Demo ability to position LGS to < 1” anywhere within 10” of AO optical axis using the pointing and centering mirrors (LSGOIM).

d.      Demo good (residual < 5 mas rms) tip/tilt correction on an on-axis, V > 13 magnitude NGS.

September 17-18, 2003

1.      STRAP

a.       Diaphragm control for dim stars

2.      LBWFS

a.       Manager tools and controls

3.      TSS

a.       Motion and capture off-axis

4.      Laser

a.       Stability of laser and atmosphere at zenith

b.      Record power and quality

5.      Imaging with LGS + NIRC2

a.       First light images (Strehl > 0.2 in Kp)

6.      Intermediate Milestones

a.       Demo real-time tools to monitor/record laser power & beam quality.

b.      Demonstrate adequate sodium rejection.

c.       Implement initial version of LBWFS quicklook tools

d.      Implement initial version of LBWFS manager

e.       Implement initial version of TSS & LBS alignment manager

f.        Implement centroid offsets to wavefront controller

g.       Demo ability to nod telescope & TSS to reposition appropriately. (TSSGOIM)

h.       Demo a stable OBS-SC/WFC/IDL version prior to 1st light.

October 10-11, 2003

1.      STRAP

2.      LBWFS

3.      TSS

4.      Laser

5.      Imaging with LGS + NIRC2

6.      Intermediate Milestones

a.       AO-LGS control algorithm (many items)

b.      Carry-over from prior milestone tests

c.       Additional Milestones leading up to