MCAO for the European Solar Telescope: first results

Abstract

We analise the efficiency of wavefront reconstruction in the MultiConjugate Adaptive Optics system for the European Solar Telescope (EST). We present preliminary results derived from numerical simulations. We study a 4 meter class telescope with multiple deformable mirrors conjugated at variable heights. Along with common issues, difficulties peculiar to the solar case have to be considered, such as the low contrast and extended nature of the natural guide features. Our findings identify basic requirements for the EST Adaptive Optics system and show some of its capabilities.