Introduction to the Center for Adaptive Optics

1
Introduction to theCenter for Adaptive Optics

• Winter 2003

2
What is Adaptive Optics?

• Adaptive Optics (AO) refers to optical systems
  which adapt to compensate for optical effects
  introduced by the medium between the object and
  its image.
• In Astronomy
• AO technology can remove the blurring/twinkling
  effect of the Earth's atmosphere that has long
  plagued ground-based astronomers.
• It allows ground-based telescopes to achieve
  image clarity previously attainable only by
  space-based instruments.
• In Vision Science and Ophthalmology
• AO makes it practical for scientists to study
  individual photoreceptors in the retinas of
  living human eyes. Without AO, the eyes lens
  and cornea distort images of the retina, making
  it impossible to study individual cells on the
  retina.
• In addition, AO can help ophthalmologists make
  better glasses and contacts, and improve overall
  diagnosis/study of eye diseases.

3
Astronomical AO Example Neptune
Without adaptive optics
With adaptive optics
2.3 arc sec
Credit Keck Observatory, LLNL, UCB
4
Vision Science AO Example
Without adaptive optics
With adaptive optics
Scale Individual photoreceptors are 2 microns
across.
Credit Austin Roorda, University of Houston
5
What is the Center for Adaptive Optics?

• The CfAO is one of 5 National Science Foundation
  Science and Technology Centers started in Fall
  1999.
• Funded by NSF for 5 years (through 2004) at 4
  million per year, and renewable for an additional
  5 years (through 2009).
• CfAOs Purpose
• To advance and disseminate the technology of
  adaptive optics in service to science, health
  care, industry, and education.
• CfAOs Goal
• To lead the revolution in AO, by developing and
  demonstrating the technology, creating major
  improvements in AO systems, and catalyzing
  advances nationwide within the next decade.

6
CfAOs Research Themes

• Theme 1 - Education and Human Resources
• Increase interest and knowledge of CfAO
  activities in broader community.
• Professional development of graduate students and
  postdoctoral researchers.
• Promote increased participation, retention, and
  advancement of underrepresented high school and
  college students in Science, Math, Engineering
  and Technology careers.
• Theme 2 - AO for Extremely Large Telescopes
• Complete AO system design for the next generation
  of large telescopes (30-100 meters in diameter).
• Key technologies Laser guide stars,
  Multi-conjugate AO
• Theme 3 - Extreme Adaptive Optics
• Advanced AO systems optimized for ultra-high
  contrast astronomical imaging of extra-solar
  planets and planetary systems.
• Key technologies Coronographs, Wavefront Sensors
• Theme 4 - Compact Vision Science Instrumentation
• Develop compact AO imaging instruments for
  mainstream clinical and scientific use.
• Key technologies MEMS Deformable Mirrors

7
Example CfAO ProjectLaser guide stars (Theme 2)
Keck Observatory
Credit John McDonald, Canada-France-Hawaii
Telescope Corp.
Lick Observatory
Credit UCO Lick Observatory
8
CfAO Members

• Members
• UCSC (Center Headquarters)
• UCB, UCI, UCLA, UCSD
• California Institute of Technology
• University of Chicago
• University of Rochester
• University of Houston
• Indiana University
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Carthage College
• W.M. Keck Observatory

• Partners
• Gemini Observatory
• National Optical Astronomy Observatory
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• Canadian Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
• Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope
• Industrial Partners
• Lucent Technologies
• Bausch Lomb
• Boston Micromachines Corporation
• MEMS Optical
• Rockwell

9
Center Attributes

• Encourages technology transfer , knowledge
  sharing, and collaboration between vision
  science, astronomy, and engineering.
• Most CfAO member sites are equipped with
  videoconferencing equipment used for
• Casual meetings between members.
• Remote auditing of graduate courses.
• CfAO Executive Board meetings.
• Event planning meetings.
• Supports building industry partnerships.
• Supports multi-site collaborations.
• Supports travel for members visiting other sites.

10
Summer ResearchInternship Program

• Winter 2003

11
What is it?

• A paid, full-time 8-week program for interns to
  participate in ongoing research projects at
  various CfAO sites.
• Program includes orientation at UCSC during first
  week and student symposium at end of 8-week
  program.
• The program is for
• Community college students
• Undergraduates from 4-year universities

12
Whats in it for you?

• Experience working with professors, researchers,
  and graduate students on cutting-edge research in
  astronomy, vision science, and engineering.
• Your own research project at a CfAO Institution.
• Involvement in a nationally recognized community
  of scientists.
• 2500 stipend, plus housing and travel expenses.
• An overall experience that will help you
  formulate and refine goals for your future
  education and career.

13
Opportunities for Summer 2003

• Indiana University - 2 interns
• Analysis of data and/or hardware from retina
  camera.
• LLNL - 3 interns
• Variety of projects involving astronomy, vision
  science, communications, remote sensing and
  lasers.
• University of Rochester - 2 interns
• Operation of AO camera for the eye, and
  experiments for biomedical applications.
• UCLA - 2 interns
• Analysis of AO observations of the center of our
  Galaxy, and of distant galaxies.
• Assembly and testing of AO instrumentation.

• UCSC - 3 interns
• Evaluation of HIRES spectrograph dewar upgrades.
• Improvements to the thermal environment of the
  Lick 120-inch telescope.
• Development of AO demonstration tools.
• Montana State University - 1 intern
• Analysis and mathematical post-processing of eye
  data from University of Houstons AO Scanning
  Laser Ophthalmoscope.
• University of Houston - 2 interns
• Creation of large mosaicked image maps of
  research subjects retinas.
• Interpretation of 3-D images of human retinas.

14
Where to get more information

• Todays Speaker
• Flyer
• Application Packet
• CfAO Web Site
• http//cfao.ucolick.org
• Flyer
• Application Packet
• 2002 Intern Profiles
• 2002 Symposium Presentations
• Contact CfAO
• Phone [phone]
• Email cfao_at_ucolick.org

15
Dates and Deadlines

• Applications Due
• February 14, 2003 at 500pm
• Selection Notification
• By March 15, 2003
• Placement Notification
• By March 20, 2003

• Orientation at UCSC
• June 23-29, 2003
• Internship Projects
• June 30-August 8, 2003
• Symposium at UCSC
• August 11, 2003