Adaptive Optics (AO) concepts involve sometimes very complex behaviors of rays, waves and optical elements. Just think, to be convinced, the way multiple probes aim to correct for a large field of view Multi Conjugated AO, and to how these deploy onto a dynamic turbulent atmosphere. In order to explain the behavior of novel concepts we developed visualization techniques that involve the display of three dimensional images and the creation of movies to explain how the concept deals with an evolving situation, or, in other words, adding the fourth dimension of time. We produce solid models of the optical concepts we are developing, including the evolving temporal behavior of the turbulence, and these can be manipulated in a virtual manner in order to allow for the production of different means of visualization. These ranges from so called "static movies" where a three dimensional concept is just explored in three dimension by handling it around the observer, to the creation of three dimensional anaglyphs or anaglyphs movies. While the paper is mainly focused onto the ways these techniques are exploited in order to produce satisfactory results, the poster allow the visitor to experience some of these images and movies. The aim of this work is not only of a sort of high level didactical purpose, but we think it would be useful into scientific discussion and during meeting to develop engineering concepts of several AO concepts.

Date Published: 28 July 2010
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 7736, Adaptive Optics Systems II, 77365I (28 July 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.857354

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7736:
Adaptive Optics Systems II
Brent L. Ellerbroek; Michael Hart; Norbert Hubin; Peter L. Wizinowich, Editor(s)