Performance measurements of generation III wavefront sensors at the Starfire Optical Range

The adaptive optics system for the 1.5-m telescope at the Starfire Optical Range, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico has recently been upgraded. Two of the key components in the new system are improved Generation III Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensors (WFSs) built by Adaptive Optics Associates (AOA). The performance of the new WFSs has been measured. Measurements indicate a factor of two improvement in noise performance and less inter- subaperture pixel crosstalk resulting in improved closed loop stability. System design and performance measurements are presented.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.