Patent ID: 7289736
Filing Date: 2007-10-30
Classification: G02B,H04B

Abstract:
1. An adaptive optics imaging system with object acquisition capability comprising: a primary imaging subsystem comprising: an acquisition imaging subsystem located in a fixed position relative to the primary imaging subsystem, the acquisition imaging subsystem comprising: a beamsplitter that splits the telescope's optical axis upstream of the variable phase device and also splits the optical imager's optical axis, wherein the wavefront sensor is located at an image plane of the optical imager, the acquisition detector is located at an image plane of the telescope, and a field of view of the acquisition detector is larger than a field of view of the wavefront sensor; a first controller that controls the variable phase device to align the reference object and the wavefront sensor; and a second controller that controls a beam steering mechanism for the telescope, to align a target object for the telescope and the reference object.