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Keck Adaptive Optics Current and Future Roles as an ELT Pathfinder
Peter Wizinowich  1@  
1 : W.M. Keck Observatory
65-1120 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI 96743 -  United States

The segmented nature of the 10-m Keck telescopes combined with facility-class AO systems and science instruments, and a history of science-driven upgrades to these systems, offers a uniquely powerful pathfinder for future AO science facilities on the segmented ELTs. Keck's 2035 Strategic Vision includes visible, high contrast and ground layer AO facilities all of which could support ELT AO pathfinding. Keck's pathfinder strength is not just demonstrating new techniques or technologies but developing them into operational science capabilities. For example, since first Keck AO science in 1999, Keck has successfully implemented three generations of sodium-wavelength lasers and is currently implementing its third generation of real-time controller (this time GPU-based). Current pathfinder-related developments include laser tomography, near-infrared low order wavefront sensing and PSF-reconstruction for high Strehl ratio and high sky coverage on the Keck I AO system. Current AO-based primary mirror phasing techniques under development include the use of Zernike, pyramid and phase diversity techniques. High-contrast AO developments include near-infrared pyramid wavefront sensing, on-sky phase diversity, speckle nulling and predictive wavefront control. Another pathfinder development is the NASA Goddard-led ORCAS satellite to provide a bright artificial point source for AO-correction. A fast, visible science camera has been implemented in support of ORCAS, demonstrating 15 mas FWHM, and, in a further move toward the visible, ALPAO is developing a 2.5 mm spacing, 60x60 actuator deformable mirror for Keck. In addition, three new AO science instruments are planned: Liger as a prototype of TMT's IRIS, HISPEC which is the same as TMT's MODHIS (based on KPIC's science success), and SCALES.


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