Efficiency of off-axis astronomical adaptive systems: Comparison of theoretical and experimental data

Abstract

The efficiency of off-axis adaptive astronomical systems is estimated using both the theoretical Hufnagel model and recently obtained experimental Cn2 profiles. The efficiency of interest is considered through the Strehl ratio of the corrected image. The experimental Cn2 profile used in calculations is a result of measurements carried out at the Observatorio Astronomica Nacional at San Pedro Mártir (Mexico). It is found that there is a significant difference in the efficiency calculated from both profiles because they differ strongly in structure. The experimental one has a pronounced layered structure with a great amount of the turbulence strength concentrated near the ground, while the theoretical profile suggests more smooth behavior of Cn2 with altitude.