arXiv subjects

Luke Mckay

Publications and source records attributed to Luke Mckay.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Robo-AO-2: entering the era of automated science operations, hybrid wavefront sensing, and adaptive secondary integration

We present the first science results and new technical milestones from the Robo-AO-2 facility at the University of Hawaii 2.2-m telescope. Following successful commissioning, the system began science operations in 2025. We are starting a large-scale survey of young stars in the Scorpius-Centaurus association to detect sub-stellar companions, vetting the Habitable Worlds Observatory Target Stars and Systems list, and discovering stellar blends for TESS exoplanet host candidates. We report on the commissioning of the natural guide star wavefront sensor, supporting science and future hybrid laser-stellar sensing demonstrations. Finally, we detail the automation of the telescope facility, Robo88, via updated telescope control systems and absolute encoders, and the integration of Robo-AO-2 with the telescope's new adaptive secondary mirror.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2024

Commissioning results from the Robo-AO-2 facility for rapid visible and near-infrared AO imaging

We installed the next-generation automated laser adaptive optics system, Robo-AO-2, on the University of Hawaii 2.2-m telescope on Maunakea in 2023. We engineered Robo-AO-2 to deliver robotic, diffraction-limited observations at visible and near-infrared wavelengths in unprecedented numbers. This new instrument takes advantage of upgraded components, manufacturing techniques and control; and includes a parallel reconfigurable natural guide star wavefront sensor with which to explore hybrid wavefront sensing techniques. We present the results of commissioning in 2023 and 2024.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

Brillouin-based phase shifter in a silicon waveguide

Integrated silicon microwave photonics offers great potential in microwave phase shifter elements, and promises compact and scalable multi-element chips that are free from electromagnetic interference. Stimulated Brillouin scattering, which was recently demonstrated in silicon, is a particularly powerful approach to induce a phase shift due to its inherent flexibility, offering an optically controllable and selective phase shift. However, to date, only moderate amounts of Brillouin gain has been achieved and theoretically this would restrict the phase shift to a few tens of degrees, significantly less than the required 360 degrees. Here, we overcome this limitation with a phase enhancement method using RF interference, showing a 360 degrees broadband phase shifter based on Brillouin scattering in a suspended silicon waveguide. We achieve a full 360 degrees phase-shift over a bandwidth of 15 GHz using a phase enhancement factor of 25, thereby enabling practical broadband Brillouin phase shifter for beam forming and other applications.

physics.optics↗