Gemini multiconjugate adaptive optics system review – II. Commissioning, operation and overall performance

Abstract

The Gemini multiconjugate adaptive optics system -GeMS, a facility instrument mounted on the Gemini South telescope, delivers a uniform, near diffraction limited images at near-infrared wavelengths (0.95-2.5 m) over a field of view of 120 arcsec. GeMS is the first sodium layer based multilaser guide star adaptive optics system used in astronomy. It uses five laser guide stars distributed on a 60 arcsec square constellation to measure for atmospheric distortions and two deformable mirrors to compensate for it. In this paper, the second one devoted to describe the GeMS project, we present the commissioning, overall performance and operational scheme of GeMS. Performance of each subsystem is derived from the commissioning results. The typical image quality, expressed in full with at half-maximum, Strehl ratios and variations over the field delivered by the system are then described. A discussion of the main contributor to performance limitation is carried out. Finally, overheads and future system upgrades are described.