The achromatic design of an atmospheric dispersion corrector for extremely large telescopes

Mehdi Bahrami, Alexander V. Goncharov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

For off-zenith observations with ground-based astronomical telescopes, the effect of atmospheric dispersion relative to diffraction on image size increases with telescope diameter. Correction of atmospheric dispersion in extremely large telescopes (ELTs) might become critical. A common solution for ELTs is to use linear atmospheric dispersion correctors (ADCs). In spite of their simplicity, the intrinsic chromatic aberrations of linear ADCs could render diffraction-limited imaging impossible when used in a fast focus. The chromatic problems of the linear ADC in ELTs can be resolved by replacing the linear ADC by the achromatic ADC designs presented here, which provide diffraction-limited image quality and offer several opto-mechanical advantages over linear ADCs.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17099-17113
JournalOptics Express
Volume19
Issue number18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Note: This paper was published in Optics Express and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?uri=oe-19-18-17099. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.

This work was supported by Science Foundation Ireland [grant number: 07/IN.1/1906].

Keywords

  • Physics

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