Many large telescopes now employ adaptive optics on either their primary or secondary elements to counter the effects of constantly changing atmospheric conditions. The actuators for the adaptive system are typically piezo elements attached to the back of flexible elements. Understanding how these optics respond to changes in their controlling actuators is critical to ensuring excellent performance. In the past, to understand the modal response of an optic to changes in the actuators, sensors have been used to measure movement at individual points on an optic—a slow, low-resolution solution. 4D dynamic laser interferometers measure nearly instantaneously, so these systems can image an optic as it is being actuated, and verify and calibrate the response of the actuators. Dynamic systems shows the 3D response of the entire optic, providing a complete image of control system performance. 4Sight analysis software, included with all 4D interferometers, offers a modal analysis option which allows engineers to view the mirror response in real-time and to adjust the optics accordingly.
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