Astrophysical instrumentation

Adaptive Optics

This line includes instrumental projects designed to measure and correct the disturbances introduced by the atmosphere on the light received by the scientific instruments. We develop highly specialized devices to measure and characterize the atmospheric turbulence and also specific instruments that, placed in the telescope, are able to compensate the effects of the atmosphere and deliver a corrected beam to the scientific instrument.

  • GTCAO installed at the Nasmyth B platform of GTC telescope
    GTCAO LGS. Adaptative Optics and Laser Guide Star for GTC
    The Adaptive Optics (AO) for the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) corrects the effect of the atmospheric turbulence on the light, to exploit the high spatial resolution capability of GTC. The Laser Guide Star (LGS) extends the coverage of GTCAO to any part of the sky, increasing dramatically the capability to do high spatial resolution science.
    Víctor Javier
    Sánchez Bejar
    In progress
  • Optic path of the multi-conjugate adaptive optics demonstrator
    Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics for EST
    IAC is developing a Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics (MCAO) bench, with the purpose of demonstrating in laboratory solutions of some of the main problems related with solar MCAO to be applied to the European Solar Telescope (EST).
    In progress
  • AOLI más GHaFaS en WHT.
    AOLI-Adaptive Optics Lucky Imaging
    AOLI (Adaptive Optics Lucky Imager) is a state-of-the-art instrument that combines the two best existing techniques to improve spatial resolution: adaptive optics and "lucky imaging". The objective is to obtain images in the diffraction limit in the visible spectrum, with the WHT telescope and, in the near future, with GTC.
    Rafael
    Rebolo López
    In progress
  • El equipo del proyecto en el laboratorio de óptica
    Óptica Adaptativa con FPGAs
    A project for the technological demonstration of the use of FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) in the field of adaptive optics systems.
    Luis Fernando
    Rodríguez Ramos
    Closed
  • Izquierda: Láser de la OGS iluminando la cúpula Derecha: Esquema de los experimentos. El láser es lanzado desde la OGS y focalizado en la capa de sodio. Desde el telescopio IAC-80 se observa la estrella artificial creada.
    Laser Guide Star with OGS
    The aim of this project is to create a sodium Laser Guide Star (LGS) using the 1m telescope OGS and a sodium dye laser. LGSs are needed by the Adaptive Optics systems in all the large telescopes, to increase their sky coverage for high spatial resolution science.
    JESUS JIMENEZ FUENSALIDA
    Closed