The MCAO concept

In the Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics concept, several Guide Stars located in the Field of View are used simultaneously to perform a tomography of the atmospheric turbulence volume cone above the telescope by means of wavefront sensors. The measured wavefronts are combined in real-time to compute the commands applied to the deformable mirrors (two in the case of MAD) optically conjugated at different altitudes above the telescope. These deformable mirrors commands are optimized such as to homogeneously maximize the correction over the scientific field of view.