Adaptive Optics for Sky Applications

Adaptive Optics for Astronomy, Satellite Communication and Atmospheric Observation

Adaptive optics (AO) for sky applications is a key technology to overcome the limitations imposed by atmospheric turbulence, thermal effects and optical misalignments in ground-based telescopes. By measuring and correcting wavefront distortions in real time, adaptive optics systems significantly improve image resolution, pointing stability and optical coupling efficiency.

At Imagine Optic, we design compact, high-performance adaptive optics solutions tailored for astronomy, satellite communication, free-space optics, quantum key distribution, and space situational awareness. Our CIAO product family is specifically engineered to integrate seamlessly with existing telescopes, providing a powerful yet easy-to-deploy AO upgrade for sky observation and optical links.

Why Adaptive Optics for Sky Observation?

Ground-based telescopes suffer from several sources of optical degradation:

• Atmospheric turbulence that blurs images and reduces resolution
• Static aberrations caused by mirror misalignment, gravity load or thermal drift
• Pointing instability that limits fiber coupling efficiency and signal stability

Adaptive optics systems correct these effects in real time using a wavefront sensor, a deformable mirror and a fast control loop. The result is:

• Sharper astronomical images
• Higher Strehl ratio and improved contrast
• Increased coupling efficiency into single-mode fibers
• More stable and higher data-rate optical communication links

CIAO: Compact Adaptive Optics for Sky Applications

CIAO is Imagine Optic’s compact adaptive optics add-on designed for ground-based telescopes from 200 mm up to 1 m diameter. It is installed directly between the telescope focal plane and the user instrument (camera, spectrometer or fiber holder) without modifying the optical path.

Thanks to its embedded alignment tools and internal calibration source, CIAO can be installed and operated quickly. The adaptive optics loop can be closed with a single click, making advanced AO accessible to observatories, research labs and industrial users.

CIAO VIS – Adaptive Optics for Astronomy and Visible Wavelengths

CIAO VIS is the reference adaptive optics solution for visible and near-infrared astronomy. It is optimized to improve angular resolution and image quality by compensating for atmospheric turbulence and static aberrations.

Key Benefits for Astronomy

• High-resolution imaging of planets, stars and solar surface
• Improved performance for spectroscopy and interferometry
• Enhanced pointing stability for demanding observations

Key Features

• Easy-to-install AO add-on for telescopes from f/22 to f/8, 200 mm to 1 m diameter
• Fast low-light Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor operating up to 1 kHz
• Spectral range from 400 nm to 1100 nm
• Internal calibration source for fast and reliable setup
• Embedded tip-tilt alignment interface
• Optional single-mode fiber holder for spectroscopy and interferometry

Typical Applications

• High-resolution astronomical imaging
• Stellar interferometry
• High-performance spectrometry
• Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

CIAO SWIR – Adaptive Optics for Optical Links and Communication

CIAO SWIR is a compact adaptive optics system dedicated to short-wave infrared applications, where stability and coupling efficiency are critical. It is specifically designed for satellite communication, free-space optics and quantum key distribution.

By drastically reducing the impact of atmospheric turbulence and correcting static aberrations, CIAO SWIR significantly improves coupling efficiency into single-mode fibers, leading to higher and more stable data rates.

Key Benefits for Optical Communication

• Improved link budget and data rate
• Increased stability of optical downlinks
• Reliable operation in daytime and nighttime conditions

Key Features

• Easy-to-install AO add-on for ground-based telescopes from 200 mm to 1 m diameter
• Piezo-electric deformable mirror correcting up to 40 modes
• High-speed SWIR Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (> 4.5 kHz)
• Internal source for simple auto-calibration
• User-accessible beamsplitter (spectrally neutral or dichroic)
• Integrated single-mode fiber holder
• Compatible with up to 100 µW (-10 dBm) at 1550 nm input

Typical Applications

• Satellite downlink communication (SATCOM)
• Horizontal path free-space optics (FSO)
• Quantum key distribution (QKD)
• Atmospheric characterization in SWIR

Advanced Adaptive Optics Software

Both CIAO VIS and CIAO SWIR are delivered with dedicated adaptive optics control software, allowing users to fine-tune loop parameters according to the telescope, atmospheric conditions and application.

WAVESKY Adaptive Optics Software

• Runtime-based architecture without graphical interface
• Server-client communication via TCP/IP
• Real-time AO loop control and diagnostics
• C++ and Python client examples for easy integration

This flexible software environment makes CIAO particularly suitable for research, experimental setups and advanced operational scenarios.

A Scalable and Customizable Adaptive Optics Platform

CIAO is a compact and innovative adaptive optics solution that enhances the performance of ground-based telescopes for a wide range of sky applications. At Imagine Optic, we work closely with our customers to adapt hardware and software configurations to their specific needs.

Contact us to discuss how CIAO adaptive optics solutions can benefit your astronomy, communication or atmospheric observation project.