UNC-CH Physics and Astronomy Colloquium

Christoph Baranec, University of Hawaii

“Advances in Adaptive Optics Technology at the University of Hawai`i”

Since the 1990s, adaptive optics systems have opened up high acuity imaging of astronomical objects from the ground. In response to new scientific opportunities, astronomers are developing adaptive optics systems and architectures that go beyond the initial narrow-field of view, near-infrared observation space. I will highlight new directions and advances in adaptive optics, and detail several adaptive optics projects at the University of Hawai`i: the Robo-AO-2 system that will provide very time efficient, visible and near-infrared imaging approaching the resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope; the ‘imaka ground layer AO system that achieves partial image correction over a field of view of several arc minutes; the use of new infrared avalanche photodiode arrays; and future demonstrations of hybrid adaptive optics for exoplanet imaging and near-infrared energy concentration for more efficient integral field spectroscopy.