MAVIS: performance estimation of the adaptive optics module

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the performance of MAVIS, an adaptive optics module for the VLT, using analytical and simulation methods to inform its design and assess its capability to achieve high correction levels and sky coverage.

Contribution

It provides an updated performance estimation of MAVIS's adaptive optics system based on realistic parameters and comprehensive simulations, guiding its design process.

Findings

Performance estimates indicate high correction levels achievable.

Simulations show effective sky coverage at various galactic latitudes.

Design adjustments improve system robustness and efficiency.

Abstract

The MCAO Assisted Visible Imager and Spectrograph (MAVIS) is a new visible instrument for ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT). Its Adaptive Optics Module (AOM) must provide extreme adaptive optics correction level at low galactic latitude and high sky coverage at the galactic pole on the FoV of 30arcsec of its 4k x 4k optical imager and on its monolithic Integral Field Unit, thanks to 3 deformable mirrors (DM), 8 Laser Guide Stars (LGS), up to 3 Natural Guide Stars (NGS) and 11 Wave Front Sensors (WFS). A careful performance estimation is required to drive the design of this module and to assess the fulfillment of the system and subsystems requirements. Here we present the work done on this topic during the last year: we updated the system parameters to account for the phase B design and for more realistic conditions, and we produced a set of results from analytical and end-to-end simulations that should give a as complete as possible view on the performance of the system.