Jupyter simulations Using NGS Intensity with PyWFS for REDWOODS

TL;DR

This paper models and evaluates the performance of the REDWOODS pyramid wavefront sensor at ShaneAO, focusing on guide star brightness limits and mode tradeoffs, with experimental validation of the sensor mask imaging.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed model of REDWOODS' guide star magnitude limits and compares two PWFS modes, supported by experimental imaging of the sensor mask.

Findings

Model predicts guide star brightness limits under low-light conditions.

Tradeoff analysis between PWFS modes reveals performance differences.

Experimental imaging confirms the sensor mask design.

Abstract

REDWOODS on ShaneAO at Lick Observatory implements a second-stage, 3-sided reflective pyramid wavefront sensor (PWFS), which, under low-light conditions, offers an improved signal-to-noise ratio for deformable mirror commands to correct dynamic atmospheric aberrations. We modeled the REDWOODS limiting natural guide star magnitude. We also investigated performance tradeoffs between two PWFS modes that are available to REDWOODS, one with higher bandwidth error and another with higher aliasing error. We also implemented an experimental setup to image one of the REDWOODS PWFS masks.