Next Generation Adaptive Optics

Abstract

Adaptive Optics (AO) is an integral part of modern astronomy. Current systems are pushing the limits of large diameter telescopes to achieve near diffraction limited performance. Historically, AO systems have been limited to a small field-of-view, a constraint that must be addressed to achieve the full capability of next-generation extremely large telescopes (ELTs) (e.g. Thirty Meter Telescope). As the size of the deformable mirror (DM) scales to meet the requirements of these large diameter telescopes, traditional technologies commonly employed on smaller telescopes are reaching their breaking point in terms of the number of high voltage connections and the overall power dissipation of the DM system.

This thesis addresses the need for a scalable DM electronics driver topology in high actuator count applications and provides the foundation for a science case targeted at resolving star-formation dynamics in the host galaxy of hyper-luminous quasi-stellar objects (HLQSOs) using adaptive optics. The DM driver explored in this thesis is the first effort towards a scalable low-voltage integrated solution for pairing with a low-voltage/current micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) DM. A 9-channel prototype driver is shown experimentally to provide ±20 μm of stroke on a Lorentz force MEMS actuator using a ±5 mA current in a 0.1T magnetic field.

One of the main applications for this technology is future AO systems destined for ELTs, which will provide the resolution and sensitivity required to study host galaxy properties of systems containing extremely bright QSOs. In the second half of the thesis, a population of rare and extremely bright HQSOs and their host galaxy environments were explored to understand how the relationship between QSO luminosity and host galaxy IR luminosity scales to the most luminous HQSOs. This thesis finds that QSOs can continue to become more luminous while the host galaxies have reached their maximal SFR, and that only approximately 1/3 of our galaxies truly are abnormally luminous after accounting for the general trend in increasing LUV with LIR and the fractional of population expected have host galaxies in a starburst mode.