arXiv subjects

Thierry Fusco

Publications and source records attributed to Thierry Fusco.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

MOSAIC: the high-multiplex and multi-IFU spectrograph for the ELT

MOSAIC is the planned multi-object spectrograph for the 39m Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Conceived as a multi-purpose instrument, it offers both high multiplex and multi-IFU capabilities at a range of intermediate to high spectral resolving powers in the visible and the near-infrared. MOSAIC will enable unique spectroscopic surveys of the faintest sources, from the oldest stars in the Galaxy and beyond to the first populations of galaxies that completed the reionisation of the Universe--while simultaneously opening up a wide discovery space. In this contribution we present the status of the instrument ahead of Phase B, showcasing the key science cases as well as introducing the updated set of top level requirements and the adopted architecture. The high readiness level will allow MOSAIC to soon enter the construction phase, with the goal to provide the ELT community with a world-class MOS capability as soon as possible after the telescope first light.

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arXiv2020

Joint estimation of atmospheric and instrumental defects using a parsimonious point spread function model.On-sky validation using state of the art worldwide adaptive-optics assisted instruments

Modeling the optical point spread function (PSF) is particularly challenging for adaptive optics (AO)-assisted observations owing to the its complex shape and spatial variations. We aim to (i) exhaustively demonstrate the accuracy of a recent analytical model from comparison with a large sample of imaged PSFs, (ii) assess the conditions for which the model is optimal, and (iii) unleash the strength of this framework to enable the joint estimation of atmospheric parameters, AO performance and static aberrations. We gathered 4812 on-sky PSFs obtained from seven AO systems and used the same fitting algorithm to test the model on various AO PSFs and diagnose AO performance from the model outputs. Finally, we highlight how this framework enables the characterization of the so-called low wind effect on the SPHERE instrument and piston cophasing errors on the Keck II telescope. Over 4812 PSFs, the model reaches down to 4% of error on both the Strehl-ratio (SR) and full width at half maximum (FWHM). We particularly illustrate that the estimation of the Fried parameter, which is one of the model parameters, is consistent with known seeing statistics and follows expected trends in wavelength using the MUSE instrument ($λ^{6/5}$) and field (no variations) from GSAOI images with a standard deviation of 0.4cm. Finally, we show that we can retrieve a combination of differential piston, tip, and tilt modes introduced by the LWE that compares to ZELDA measurements, as well as segment piston errors from the Keck II telescope and particularly the stair mode that has already been revealed from previous studies. This model matches all types of AO PSFs at the level of 4% error and can be used for AO diagnosis, post-processing, and wavefront sensing purposes.

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arXiv2020

Pyramid wavefront sensor optical gains compensation using a convolutional model

Extremely Large Telescopes have overwhelmingly opted for the Pyramid wavefront sensor (PyWFS) over the more widely used Shack-Hartmann WaveFront Sensor (SHWFS) to perform their Single Conjugate Adaptive Optics (SCAO) mode. The PyWFS, a sensor based on Fourier filtering, has proven to be highly successful in many astronomy applications. However, it exhibits non-linearity behaviors that lead to a reduction of its sensitivity when working with non-zero residual wavefronts. This so-called Optical Gains (OG) effect, degrades the close loop performance of SCAO systems and prevents accurate correction of Non-Common Path Aberrations (NCPA). In this paper, we aim at computing the OG using a fast and agile strategy in order to control the PyWFS measurements in adaptive optics closed loop systems. Using a novel theoretical description of the PyFWS, which is based on a convolutional model, we are able to analytically predict the behavior of the PyWFS in closed-loop operation. This model enables us to explore the impact of residual wavefront error on particular aspects such as sensitivity and associated OG. The proposed method relies on the knowledge of the residual wavefront statistics and enables automatic estimation of the current OG. End-to-End numerical simulations are used to validate our predictions and test the relevance of our approach. We demonstrate, using on non-invasive strategy, that our method provides an accurate estimation of the OG. The model itself only requires AO telemetry data to derive statistical information on atmospheric turbulence. Furthermore, we show that by only using an estimation of the current Fried parameter r_0 and the basic system-level characteristics, OGs can be estimated with an accuracy of less than 10%. Finally, we highlight the importance of OG estimation in the case of NCPA compensation. The proposed method is applied to the PyWFS.

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arXiv2020

Experimental validation of coronagraphic focal-plane wavefront sensing for future segmented space telescopes

Direct imaging of Earth-like planets from space requires dedicated observatories, combining large segmented apertures with instruments and techniques such as coronagraphs, wavefront sensors, and wavefront control in order to reach the high contrast of 10^10 that is required. The complexity of these systems would be increased by the segmentation of the primary mirror, which allows for the larger diameters necessary to image Earth-like planets but also introduces specific patterns in the image due to the pupil shape and segmentation and making high-contrast imaging more challenging. Among these defects, the phasing errors of the primary mirror are a strong limitation to the performance. In this paper, we focus on the wavefront sensing of segment phasing errors for a high-contrast system, using the COronagraphic Focal plane wave-Front Estimation for Exoplanet detection (COFFEE) technique. We implemented and tested COFFEE on the High-contrast imaging for Complex Aperture Telescopes (HiCAT) testbed, in a configuration without any coronagraph and with a classical Lyot coronagraph, to reconstruct errors applied on a 37 segment mirror. We analysed the quality and limitations of the reconstructions. We demonstrate that COFFEE is able to estimate correctly the phasing errors of a segmented telescope for piston, tip, and tilt aberrations of typically 100nm RMS. We also identified the limitations of COFFEE for the reconstruction of low-order wavefront modes, which are highly filtered by the coronagraph. This is illustrated using two focal plane mask sizes on HiCAT. We discuss possible solutions, both in the hardware system and in the COFFEE optimizer, to mitigate these issues.

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arXiv2020

Blind deconvolution in astronomy with adaptive optics: the parametric marginal approach

One of the major limitations of adaptive optics (AO) corrected image post-processing is the lack of knowledge on the system point spread function (PSF). The PSF is not always available as a direct imaging on isolated point like objects such as stars. Its prediction using AO telemetry also suffers from serious limitations and requires complex and yet not fully operational algorithms. A very attractive solution consists in a direct PSF estimation using the scientific images themselves thanks to blind or myopic post-processing approaches. We demonstrate that such approaches suffer from severe limitations when a joint restitution of object and PSF parameters is performed. As an alternative we propose here a marginalized PSF identification that overcomes this limitation. Then the PSF is used for image post-processing. Here we focus on deconvolution, a post-processing technique to restore the object, given the image and the PSF. We show that the PSF estimated by marginalisation provides good quality deconvolution. The full process of marginalized PSF estimation and deconvolution constitutes a successful blind deconvolution technique. It is tested on simulated data to measure its performance. It is also tested on experimental adaptive optics images of the asteroid 4-Vesta by VLT/SPHERE/Zimpol to demonstrate application to on-sky data.

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arXiv2020

Design of the HARMONI Pyramid WFS module

Current designs for all three extremely large telescopes show the overwhelming adoption of the pyramid wavefront sensor (P-WFS) as the WFS of choice for adaptive optics (AO) systems sensing on natural guide stars (NGS) or extended objects. The key advantages of the P-WFS over the Shack-Hartmann are known and are mainly provided by the improved sensitivity (fainter NGS) and reduced sensitivity to spatial aliasing. However, robustness and tolerances of the P-WFS for the ELTs are not currently well understood. In this paper, we present simulation results for the single-conjugate AO mode of HARMONI, a visible and near-infrared integral field spectrograph for the European Extremely Large Telescope. We first explore the wavefront sensing issues related to the telescope itself; namely the island effect (i.e. differential piston) and M1 segments phasing errors. We present mitigation strategies to the island effect and their performance. We then focus on some performance optimisation aspects of the AO design to explore the impact of the RTC latency and the optical gain issues, which will in particular affect the high-contrast mode of HARMONI. Finally, we investigate the influence of the quality of glass pyramid prism itself, and of optical aberrations on the final AO performance. By relaxing the tolerances on the fabrication of the prism, we are able to reduce hardware costs and simplify integration. We show the importance of calibration (i.e. updating the control matrix) to capture any displacement of the telescope pupil and rotation of the support structure for M4. We also show the importance of the number of pixels used for wavefront sensing to relax tolerances of the pyramid prism. Finally, we present a detailed optical design of the pyramid prism, central element of the P-WFS.

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arXiv2020

Performance limits of adaptive-optics/high-contrast imagers with pyramid wave-front sensors

Advanced AO systems will likely utilise Pyramid wave-front sensors (PWFS) over the traditional Shack-Hartmann sensor in the quest for increased sensitivity, peak performance and ultimate contrast. Here, we wish to bring knowledge and quantify the PWFS theoretical limits as a means to highlight its properties and use cases. We explore forward models for the PWFS in the spatial-frequency domain for they prove quite useful since a) they emanate directly from physical-optics (Fourier) diffraction theory; b) provide a straightforward path to meaningful error breakdowns, c) allow for reconstruction algorithms with $O (n\,log(n))$ complexity for large-scale systems and d) tie in seamlessly with decoupled (distributed) optimal predictive dynamic control for performance and contrast optimisation. All these aspects are dealt with here. We focus on recent analytical PWFS developments and demonstrate the performance using both analytic and end-to-end simulations. We anchor our estimates with observed on-sky contrast on existing systems and then show very good agreement between analytical and Monte-Carlo estimates for the PWFS. For a potential upgrade of existing high-contrast imagers on 10\,m-class telescopes with visible or near-infrared PWFS, we show under median conditions at Paranal a contrast improvement (limited by chromatic and scintillation effects) of 2x-5x by replacing the wave-front sensor alone at large separations close to the AO control radius where aliasing dominates, and factors in excess of 10x by coupling distributed control with the PWFS over most of the AO control region, from small separations starting with the Inner Working Angle of typically 1-2 $λ/D$ to the AO correction edge (here 20 $λ/D$).

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arXiv2020

Reconstruction of the ground-layer adaptive-optics point spread function for MUSE Wide Field Mode observations

Here we describe a simple, efficient, and most importantly fully operational point-spread-function(PSF)-reconstruction approach for laser-assisted ground layer adaptive optics (GLAO) in the frame of the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) Wide Field Mode. Based on clear astrophysical requirements derived by the MUSE team and using the functionality of the current ESO Adaptive Optics Facility we aim to develop an operational PSF-reconstruction (PSFR) algorithm and test it both in simulations and using on-sky data. The PSFR approach is based on a Fourier description of the GLAO correction to which the specific instrumental effects of MUSE Wide Field Mode (pixel size, internal aberrations, etc.) have been added. It was first thoroughly validated with full end-to-end simulations. Sensitivity to the main atmospheric and AO system parameters was analysed and the code was re-optimised to account for the sensitivity found. Finally, the optimised algorithm was tested and commissioned using more than one year of on-sky MUSE data. We demonstrate with an on-sky data analysis that our algorithm meets all the requirements imposed by the MUSE scientists, namely an accuracy better than a few percent on the critical PSF parameters including full width at half maximum and global PSF shape through the kurtosis parameter of a Moffat function. The PSFR algorithm is publicly available and is used routinely to assess the MUSE image quality for each observation. It can be included in any post-processing activity which requires knowledge of the PSF.

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arXiv2020

Pushing Point spread function reconstruction to the next level. Application to SPHERE/ZIMPOL

Point spread function (PSF) reconstruction (PSF-R) is a well established technique to determine reliably and accurately the PSF from Adaptive Optics (AO) control loop data. We have successfully applied this technique to improve the precision on photometry and astrometry to observation of NGC6121 obtained with SPHERE/ZIMPOL as it will be presented in a forthcoming letter. Firstly, we present the methodology we followed to reconstruct the PSF combining pupil-plane and focal-plane measurements using using our PSF-R method PRIME (Beltramo-Martin et al. 2019), with upgrade of both the model and best-fitting steps compared to previous papers. Secondly, we highlight that PRIME allows to maintain the PSF fitting residual below 0.2% over 2 hours of observation and using only 30 s of AO telemetry, which may have important consequences for telemetry storage for PSF-R purpose on future 30-40 m class telescopes. Finally, we deploy PRIME in a more realistic regime using faint stars so as to identify the precision needed on the initial guess parameters to ensure the convergence towards the optimal solution.

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arXiv2019

Physics-based model of the adaptive-optics corrected point-spread-function

Context. Adaptive optics (AO) systems greatly increase the resolution of large telescopes, but produce complex point spread function (PSF) shapes, varying in time and across the field of view. This PSF must be accurately known since it provides crucial information about optical systems for design, characterisation, diagnostics and image post processing. Aims. We develop here a model of the AO long exposure PSF, adapted to various seeing conditions and any AO system. This model is made to match accurately both the core of the PSF and its turbulent halo. Methods. The PSF model we develop is based on a parsimonious parameterization of the phase power spectral density with only five parameters to describe circularly symmetric PSFs and seven parameters for asymmetrical ones. Moreover, one of the parameters is directly the Fried parameter r0 of the turbulence s strength. This physical parameter is an asset in the PSF model since it can be correlated with external measurements of the r0, such as phase slopes from the AO real time computer (RTC) or site seeing monitoring. Results. We fit our model against endtoend simulated PSFs using OOMAO tool, and against on sky PSFs from the SPHERE ZIMPOL imager and the MUSE integral field spectrometer working in AO narrowfield mode. Our model matches the shape of the AO PSF both in the core and the halo, with a sub 1 percent relative error for simulated and experimental data. We also show that we retrieve the r0 parameter with subcentimeter precision on simulated data. For ZIMPOL data, we show a correlation of 97 percent between our r0 estimation and the RTC estimation. Finally, MUSE allows us to test the spectral dependency of the fitted r0 parameter. It follows the theoretical $λ^{6/5}$ evolution with a standard deviation of 0.3 cm. Evolution of other PSF parameters, such as residual phase variance or aliasing, is also discussed.

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arXiv2019

Kernel formalism applied to Fourier based wave front sensing in presence of residual phases

In this paper, we describe Fourier-based Wave Front Sensors (WFS) as linear integral operators, characterized by their Kernel. In a first part, we derive the dependency of this quantity with respect to the WFS's optical parameters: pupil geometry, filtering mask, tip/tilt modulation. In a second part we focus the study on the special case of convolutional Kernels. The assumptions required to be in such a regime are described. We then show that these convolutional kernels allow to drastically simplify the WFS's model by summarizing its behavior in a concise and comprehensive quantity called the WFS's Impulse Response. We explain in particular how it allows to compute the sensor's sensitivity with respect to the spatial frequencies. Such an approach therefore provides a fast diagnostic tool to compare and optimize Fourier-based WFSs. In a third part, we develop the impact of the residual phases on the sensor's impulse response, and show that the convolutional model remains valid. Finally, a section dedicated to the Pyramid WFS concludes this work, and illustrates how the slopes maps are easily handled by the convolutional model.

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arXiv2019

Adaptive optics with programmable Fourier-based wavefront sensors: a spatial light modulator approach to the LOOPS testbed

Wavefront sensors encode phase information of an incoming wavefront into an intensity pattern that can be measured on a camera. Several kinds of wavefront sensors (WFS) are used in astronomical adaptive optics. Amongst them, Fourier-based wavefront sensors perform a filtering operation on the wavefront in the focal plane. The most well known example of a WFS of this kind is the Zernike wavefront sensor, and the pyramid wavefront sensor (PWFS) also belongs to this class. Based on this same principle, new WFSs can be proposed such as the n-faced pyramid (which ultimately becomes an axicone) or the flattened pyramid, depending on whether the image formation is incoherent or coherent. In order to test such novel concepts, the LOOPS adaptive optics testbed hosted at the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille has been upgraded by adding a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM). This device, placed in a focal plane produces high-definition phase masks that mimic otherwise bulk optic devices. In this paper, we first present the optical design and upgrades made to the experimental setup of the LOOPS bench. Then, we focus on the generation of the phase masks with the SLM and the implications of having such a device in a focal plane. Finally, we present the first closed-loop results in either static or dynamic mode with different WFS applied on the SLM.

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arXiv2018

Sensing and control of segmented mirrors with a pyramid wavefront sensor in the presence of spiders

The segmentation of the telescope pupil (by spiders & the segmented M4) create areas of phase isolated by the width of the spiders on the wavefront sensor (WFS), breaking the spatial continuity of the wavefront. The poor sensitivity of the Pyramid WFS (PWFS) to differential piston leads to badly seen and therefore uncontrollable differential pistons. In close loop operation, differential pistons between segments will settle around integer values of the average sensing wavelength. The differential pistons typically range from one to ten times the sensing wavelength and vary rapidly over time, leading to extremely poor performance. In addition, aberrations created by atmospheric turbulence will contain large amounts of differential piston between the segments. Removing piston contribution over each of the DM segments leads to poor performance. In an attempt to reduce the impact of unwanted differential pistons that are injected by the AO correction, we compare three different approaches. We first limit ourselves to only use the information measured by the PWFS, in particular by reducing the modulation. We show that using this information sensibly is important but will not be sufficient. We discuss possible ways of improvement by using prior information. A second approach is based on phase closure of the DM commands and assumes the continuity of the correction wavefront over the entire unsegmented pupil. The last approach is based on the pair-wise slaving of edge actuators and shows the best results. We compare the performance of these methods using realistic end-to-end simulations. We find that pair-wise slaving leads to a small increase of the total wavefront error, only adding between 20-45 nm RMS in quadrature for seeing conditions between 0.45-0.85 arcsec. Finally, we discuss the possibility of combining the different proposed solutions to increase robustness.

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arXiv2018

Low Wind Effect on VLT/SPHERE : impact, mitigation strategy, and results

The low wind effect is a phenomenon disturbing the phase of the wavefront in the pupil of a large telescope obstructed by spiders, in the absence of wind. It can be explained by the radiative cooling of the spiders, creating air temperature inhomogeneities across the pupil. Because it is unseen by traditional adaptive optics (AO) systems, thus uncorrected, it significantly degrades the quality of AO-corrected images. We provide a statistical analysis of the strength of this effect as seen by VLT/SPHERE after 4 years of operations. We analyse its dependence upon the wind and temperature conditions. We describe the mitigation strategy implemented in 2017: a specific coating with low thermal emissivity in the mid-infrared was applied on the spiders of Unit Telescope 3. We quantify the improvement in terms of image quality, contrast and wave front error using both focal plane images and measured phase maps.

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arXiv2018

SPHERE on-sky performance compared with budget predictions

The SPHERE (spectro-photometric exoplanet research) extreme-AO planet hunter saw first light at the VLT observatory on Mount Paranal in May 2014 after ten years of development. Great efforts were put into modelling its performance, particularly in terms of achievable contrast, and to budgeting instrumental features such as wave front errors and optical transmission to each of the instrument's three focal planes, the near infrared dual imaging camera IRDIS, the near infrared integral field spectrograph IFS and the visible polarimetric camera ZIMPOL. In this paper we aim at comparing predicted performance with measured performance. In addition to comparing on-sky contrast curves and calibrated transmission measurements, we also compare the PSD-based wave front error budget with in-situ wave front maps obtained thanks to a Zernike phase mask, ZELDA, implemented in the infrared coronagraph wheel. One of the most critical elements of the SPHERE system is its high-order deformable mirror, a prototype 40x40 actuator piezo stack design developed in parallel with the instrument itself. The development was a success, as witnessed by the instrument performance, in spite of some bad surprises discovered on the way. The devastating effects of operating without taking properly into account the loss of several actuators and the thermally and temporally induced variations in the DM shape will be analysed, and the actions taken to mitigate these defects through the introduction of specially designed Lyot stops and activation of one of the mirrors in the optical train will be described.

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arXiv2018

The ELT-MOS (MOSAIC): towards the construction phase

When combined with the huge collecting area of the ELT, MOSAIC will be the most effective and flexible Multi-Object Spectrograph (MOS) facility in the world, having both a high multiplex and a multi-Integral Field Unit (Multi-IFU) capability. It will be the fastest way to spectroscopically follow-up the faintest sources, probing the reionisation epoch, as well as evaluating the evolution of the dwarf mass function over most of the age of the Universe. MOSAIC will be world-leading in generating an inventory of both the dark matter (from realistic rotation curves with MOAO fed NIR IFUs) and the cool to warm-hot gas phases in z=3.5 galactic haloes (with visible wavelenth IFUs). Galactic archaeology and the first massive black holes are additional targets for which MOSAIC will also be revolutionary. MOAO and accurate sky subtraction with fibres have now been demonstrated on sky, removing all low Technical Readiness Level (TRL) items from the instrument. A prompt implementation of MOSAIC is feasible, and indeed could increase the robustness and reduce risk on the ELT, since it does not require diffraction limited adaptive optics performance. Science programmes and survey strategies are currently being investigated by the Consortium, which is also hoping to welcome a few new partners in the next two years.

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arXiv2018

Pair-based Analytical model for Segmented Telescopes Imaging from Space (PASTIS) for sensitivity analysis

The imaging and spectroscopy of habitable worlds will require large-aperture space-based telescopes, to increase the collecting area and the angular resolution. These large telescopes will necessarily use segmented primaries to fit in a rocket. However, these massively segmented mirrors make high-contrast performance very difficult to achieve and stabilize, compared to more common monolithic primaries. Despite space telescopes operating in a friendlier environment than ground-based telescopes, remaining vibrations and resonant modes on the segments can still deteriorate the performance. In this context, we present the Pair-based Analytical model for Segmented Telescopes Imaging from Space (PASTIS) that enables the establishment of a comprehensive error budget, both in term of segment alignment and stability. Using this model, one may evaluate the influence of the segment cophasing and surface quality evolution on the final images and contrasts, and set up requirements for any given mission. One can also identify the dominant modes of a given geometry for a given coronagraphic instrument and design the feedback control systems accordingly. In this paper, we first develop and validate this analytical model by comparing its outputs to the images and contrasts predicted by an end-to-end simulation. We show that the contrasts predicted using PASTIS are accurate enough compared to the end-to-end propagation results, at the exo-Earth detection level. Second, we develop a method for a fast and efficient error budget in term of segment manufacturing and alignment that takes into account the disparities of the segment effects on the final performance. This technique is then applied on a specific aperture to provide static and quasi-static requirements on each segment for local aberrations. Finally we discuss potential application of this new technique to future missions.

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arXiv2018

Opto-mechanical designs for the HARMONI Adaptive Optics systems

HARMONI is a visible and near-infrared integral field spectrograph equipped with two complementary adaptive optics systems, fully integrated within the instrument. A Single Conjugate AO (SCAO) system offers high performance for a limited sky coverage and a Laser Tomographic AO (LTAO) system provides AO correction with a very high sky-coverage. While the deformable mirror performing real-time correction of the atmospheric disturbances is located within the telescope itself, the instrument contains a suite of state-of-the-art and innovative wavefront sensor systems. Laser guide star sensors (LGSS) are located at the entrance of the instrument and fed by a dichroic beam splitter, while the various natural guide star sensors for LTAO and SCAO are located close to the science focal plane. We present opto-mechanical architecture and design at PDR level for these wavefront sensor systems.

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