CAMERA

A Compact, Automated MEMs-based Rayleigh Adaptive Optics System

Matthew Britton, Nick Law, Viswa Velur, Christoph Baranec

Science Cases

Adaptive optics surveys of 103 or more targetsStellar companions of all typesLensed quasars

Transient astronomyPTF / Pan Starrs / LSST followupLarge SNR gains redwards of I band

Scheduled observationsMapping of binary orbitsMonitoring of solar system objectsAppulse events

Technical Description

Diffraction limited imaging in the visible and near infrared

Automated, queue scheduled observing

Monitors transient alert feeds and responds autonomously

Offers fast frame imaging capability

Constructed from off the shelf components12x12 MEMS devicePI tip tilt stage355 nm Rayleigh laserMultiprocessor server

CAMERA Status

Testbed developed (Summer 2007)Closed loop AO demonstration using

a MEMS device. Testbed operated using a multiprocessor server driven by a web browser.

System design (Oct 2006-May 2007)

Software development (Winter, 2008)

Proposal writing (Fall 2007)

Programmatic Information

Collaboration with Pomona and Harvey Mudd CollegesInterest in fielding a natural guide star version for Pomona

1m telescope at Table Mountain.

Funding proposals submitted to DOD DURIP and NSF ATI.

Decisions expected on April 28 (DURIP) and first half of 08 (ATI)

First phase funding proposal to the W.M. Keck Foundation for Pomona 1m natural guide star system approved.

Proposal for second phase in preparation.