Adaptive optics and its applications

Abstract

The adaptive optics (AO) system combines technologies that enable corrections in real time for the deleterious effects of the atmosphere allowing terrestrial telescopes to achieve their near diffraction-limit. Such a system introduces controllable counter wavefront distortions, which both spatially and temporally follow that of the atmosphere. AO system has advantages over post-detection image restoration techniques that are limited by noise and recovers near diffraction-limited images and improves the point source sensitivity. This system may become standard tool for the new generation large optical imaging systems. Development of such a technique was made possible due to the significant improvements in technological innovation over the past few decades. After a brief introduction on the deleterious effects of the atmosphere on the image, this article discusses in detail about required components in order to develop the AO system and its applications in various fields, particularly in observational astronomy.