Quantum-optimal instruments for high-contrast imaging with multi-plane light converters

Abstract

Direct imaging of exoplanets is very tricky and requires extremely well corrected wavefronts. Especially low order modes are detrimental to the performance of coronagraphs at their inner-working angle. However, that is precisely where conventional AO systems have the highest residuals that are caused by servo-lag errors. This servo-lag error can be reduced with predictive control where the control anticipates the future state of the atmospheric disturbance. We use a self-learning model predictive controller based on the concepts from sub-space predictive control (SPC). We present a novel implementation of the SPC by using an online QR-decomposition based recursive least squares approach. This approach has now been used for self-learning control of vibrations on the MagAO-X instrument. We see on average an Strehl increase of 15 percent and a decrease of the jitter to 0.9mas. I will discuss how we have implemented the controller and its on-sky perfomance.

Authors 16

1. Sebastiaan Y. Haffert Aachen Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

   Leiden University · University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

2. J. R. Males

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

3. P. T. Johnson

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

4. L. M. Close

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

5. Olivier Guyon

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

6. J. Kueny

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

7. Joshua Liberman

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

8. J. D. Long

   Flatiron Institute

   Affiliation as printed

   Flatiron Institute (United States)

9. M. Lucas

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

10. E. McEwen

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

11. T. Nguyen

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

12. A. Taras Aachen Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

    Leiden University

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

13. K. Van Gorkom

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

14. Maggie Kautz

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

15. Katie Twitchell

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

16. L. Schatz
    Affiliation as printed

    Starfire Optical Range (United States)