Sky implementation of modal predictive control in adaptive optics

Abstract

We present what we believe are the first experimental results obtained with modal linear predictive control of an adaptive optics system operating on sky at a visible wavelength on a 1.52-m telescope (Observatoire de Haute-Provence, France). This system yields substantially better results than optimized integral control: a 30% relative gain in Strehl ratio is measured, even in conditions of low wind speed.