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- Improved angular resolution at optical and infrared wavelengths
- Uniform and selective compensation of low-altitude turbulence
- A relatively wide field (3 arcminutes)
- Image quality improved by a factor of 2 to 5
- Correction achieved using a low-altitude Rayleigh laser guide star
- Additional tip-tilt correction from two or one guide stars (R<18)
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July 21, 2008. The SOAR Adaptive Module, SAM, is coming together in the
optics lab. Here optical engineer Roberto Tighe (right), and software engineer Rolando Cantarutti
test the realtime adaptive software with all of the final opto-mechanical components placed in the
SAM module. Meanwhile, work proceeds in parallel on: completion of control electronics, cabling of
the module, design of the laser guide star system (for the second phase), and design of the detector
mount and dewar for the SAMI imager.
The instrument is currently scheduled to be commissioned on the telescope in the Natural Guide Star
(NGS) mode in mid-2009. The laser system is scheduled for commissioning a year later.
See other SAM pictures
January 3, 2008. This is the status of the SAM bench being built in the shop. The front
plate is missing in the picture, but it is 80% fabricated. The side plate is being built now.
March 5, 2007. A new SDN is available!! SDN-8307 on Tilt Error Signals has
been uploaded. (PDF).
November 23, 2006. A new SDN is available!! SDN-3207 on NGS Wavefront Design.
(PDF)
November 17, 2006. A new version of the SAM Optical Alignment has been uploaded.
Team members comments are welcome! (PDF)
October 31, 2006. The mechanical design of the SAM bench is nearly finished.
The mock-up bench is used to trace the cabling and to check access for alignment [click to enlarge].
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