Adaptive Optics

Adaptive optics is a technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by correcting distortions in real-time. It is commonly employed in astronomy to counteract the effects of atmospheric turbulence, optical aberrations, or imperfections in the optical components. The system uses a combination of sensors, such as wavefront sensors, to detect distortions in the incoming light, and actuators, like deformable mirrors or liquid crystal devices, to adjust the optical path and correct these distortions. This dynamic correction allows for clearer and more detailed images, significantly enhancing the resolution and quality of observations or measurements. In astronomy adaptive optics helps compensate for the blurring effects of Earth's atmosphere, providing sharper images of celestial objects.