Gemini multiconjugate adaptive optics system review - I. Design, trade-offs and integration

Abstract

The Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System (GeMS) at the Gemini South\ntelescope in Cerro Pach{\\'o}n is the first sodium-based multi-Laser Guide Star\n(LGS) adaptive optics system. It uses five LGSs and two deformable mirrors to\nmeasure and compensate for atmospheric distortions. The GeMS project started in\n1999, and saw first light in 2011. It is now in regular operation, producing\nimages close to the diffraction limit in the near infrared, with uniform\nquality over a field of view of two square arcminutes. The present paper (I) is\nthe first one in a two-paper review of GeMS. It describes the system, explains\nwhy and how it was built, discusses the design choices and trade-offs, and\npresents the main issues encountered during the course of the project. Finally,\nwe briefly present the results of the system first light.\n