Review of Gemini South laser guide star facility performance and upgrades

Vincent Fesquet, Constanza Araujo, Vincent Garrel, Andrew Serio, Fabrice Vidal, Gustavo Arriagada, Maxime Boccas, Fabian Collao, Sarah Diggs, Jeff Donahue, Celine d'Orgeville, Gaston Gausachs, Claudio Marchant, Vanessa Montes, Cristian Moreno, Benoit Neichel, Richard Oram, Peter Pessev, William Rambold, Cristian UrrutiaTomislav Vucina

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The Gemini South (GS) Observatory acquired a 50W sodium Guide Star Laser System in March 2010, as one of the key components of the Gemini Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics System (GeMS) project. After a successful post-delivery acceptance in laboratory, the system was installed on the elevation platform of the telescope. Following an intensive period of optimization, the Gemini South Laser Guide Star Facility (LGSF) delivered its first light on the sky in January 2011 [1]. Over the two years following the event, and while the LGSF was being commissioned, the GS LGSF team was able to gather substantial data concerning its laser and laser launch system, which allowed to improve both their overall performance and reliability. This work is critical, taking into account that the LGSF system will go from development to normal operations mode in March 2013. This paper will report on the LGSF performance during GeMS runs over two years of use. It will then provide an exhaustive list of the numerous findings made over this period, and will explain what has been done to enhance the system.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication3rd AO4ELT Conference - Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes
    PublisherINAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri Largo Enrico Fermi
    ISBN (Print)9788890887604
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    Event3rd Conference on Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes, AO4ELT 2013 - Florence, Italy
    Duration: 26 May 201331 May 2013

    Publication series

    Name3rd AO4ELT Conference - Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes

    Conference

    Conference3rd Conference on Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes, AO4ELT 2013
    Country/TerritoryItaly
    CityFlorence
    Period26/05/1331/05/13

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