The Slope-Oriented Hadamard scheme for in-lab or on-sky interaction matrix calibration
The correct calibration of the interaction matrix affects the performance of an adaptive optics system. In the case of high-order systems, when the number of mirror modes is worth a few thousands, the calibration strategy is critical to reach the maximum interaction matrix quality in the minimum time. This is all the more true for the E-ELT, for which on sky calibration procedures have to be considered. Here, we first build a tractable interaction matrix quality criterion. We then propose the Slope-Oriented Hadamard scheme which optimizes this quality criterion.We demonstrate that for a given level of quality, the calibration time needed using the Slope-Oriented Hadamard method is ten times less than with a classical Hadamard scheme. These analytical and simulation results are confirmed experimentally on the SPHERE XAO system (SAXO).
Identification and calibration of the interaction matrix parameters for AO and MCAO systems
New tomographic Adaptive Optics (AO) concepts require a good knowledge of the system geometry and characteristics. These parameters are used to feed the tomographic reconstructors. In this paper we present a method to precisely identify the parameters required to construct an accurate synthetic set of models such as inuence functions, mis-registrations, directions of analysis or altitude of the DMs. The method is based on a multiparameter t of the interaction matrix. This identication method nds also its application in high contrast AO systems, such as SPHERE : in that case it is used as a diagnostic tool in order to precisely realign the system. The method has been tested and successfully implemented on HOMER, SPHERE and GeMS. Experimental results for these three systems are presented.
Line Arrester Energy Discharge Duties
Surge arresters could practically eliminate lightning flashovers on distribution lines, if they are properly deployed in large enough numbers, and if they could survive the current and energy discharge duties imposed by high-magnitude lightning strokes. The discharge duty depends on complex interactions between the arrester locations, grounding, shielding from nearby objects, and the local lightning environment. But many factors of traditional concern with distribution arrester application, such as the lead length, surge front time, and protective margin, play little or no role in the discharge duty. Probabilistic methods determine the expected arrester failure rate. This should be much lower than the original flashover rate on the line insulation, otherwise the design is not acceptable. A transient program such as EMTP/ATP provides the best tool for calculating the discharge duty, but simplified methods are also available