Prof. Claire Max, University of California at Santa Cruz

Date: Dec. 24, 2006

Title: Adaptive Optics: A Sharper Image

Abstract:

Adaptive optics is a new technology that corrects for blurring due to
turbulence in the earth's atmosphere, so that telescopes on the ground
can "see" as clearly as if they were in space. I will describe the use
of adaptive optics on the 10-meter Keck Telescope to study the cores
of nearby active galactic nuclei. I will then discuss recent advances
in adaptive optics technology, including the use of MEMS
(micro-electro-mechanical systems) devices as the correcting optical
element, and the design of adaptive optics systems for use over wider
fields of view and with larger future telescopes. I will conclude by
showing how the same technologies are being used to image the retina
in the living human eye.