Interfacing adaptive optics simulations with the optical model: a powerful tool for MORFEO

TL;DR

The paper introduces ASSO, an integrated tool combining adaptive optics simulations with optical modeling to predict the performance of the MCAO system for the ELT, enhancing accuracy in wavefront error estimation.

Contribution

It presents a novel interface tool that integrates PASSATA, Zemax OpticStudio, and Matlab for improved AO performance prediction in large telescopes.

Findings

Successful integration of simulation and optical modeling tools.

Enhanced accuracy in wavefront error prediction.

Application to the ELT's MCAO system.

Abstract

In the framework of the MORFEO project, the Multi-Conjugated Adaptive Optics (MCAO) module for the European Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), we developed an integrated modeling tool to interface the optical model with the adaptive optics simulations, called ASSO (Adaptive opticS Simulation interfaced with Optical model). This tool is our asso nella manica (ace in the hole) to predict the performances of the AO relay, i.e., to estimate the wavefront error within the technical and scientific fields of view after AO correction. The tool is based on the IDL based simulator PyrAmid Simulator Software for Adaptive opTics Arcetri (PASSATA), on Zemax OpticStudio for the optical modelling, and on Matlab as interface software.