SIGHT is a new approach to adaptive optics emphasizing panchromatic image sharpening from 360 nm – 2500 nm with specific intent to increase spectrograph observing sensitivity and operational efficiency. Utilizing a single, pilot-safe ultraviolet (invisible) Rayleigh laser guide star (LGS), we prioritize all-sky seeing enhancement and energy concentration, with minimal observing overheads, over absolute spatial resolution. We accomplish this by releasing the system requirement for natural guide star (NGS) tip-tilt wavefront sensing, seeking instead partial tip-tilt information obtainable with LGS telemetry alone. By implementing an ultra-compact (17 cm x 20 cm x 56 cm) parfocal AO relay installed permanently ahead of the Cassegrain focus, we enable high-spatial-frequency AO correction over a field of view of up to 30 arcseconds in diameter. The development of AO differentiated for specific scientific goals represents a further maturation of AO technology beyond the gilded cage of Strehl ratio
SIGHT (Sharpening Images using Guidestars on the Hale Telescope) is an innovative concept for an integrated image sharpening system for the 200" (5.08m) diameter Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory. When commissioned in 2023, SIGHT will be available for use with any single-object (< 30 arcsec field of view) Cassegrain instrument, for the first-time providing AO compensation spanning the wavelength range 360 nm - 1000 nm with 100% sky coverage. SIGHT is unique in several aspects including that it uses open-loop wavefront correction, UV Rayleigh laser guide star (RLGS) on a 5m aperture, and a novel laser generalized-Optical Differentiation Wavefront Sensor (LODWFS). The LODWFS provides a large, lineary dynamic range of wavefront phase measurement. Our wavefront sensor design uses five lenses, a KDP Pockels Cell as a fast optical shutter, two Wollaston prisms, and a custom liquid crystal polarization rotation mask. Simulation results of its performance show promising characteristics including little to no aliasing noise. In this proceeding, we show the design of the LODWFS, and the results of its laboratory component characterization.
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