MORFEO wavefront error budget

Abstract

MORFEO (Multi-conjugate adaptive Optics Relay For ELT Observations, formerly MAORY) is the multi-conjugate adaptive optics module of the ESO Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), designed to deliver diffraction-limited performance in the near-infrared for its first-light camera MICADO. With its 12 wavefront sensors and three deformable mirrors, MORFEO stands as the largest and most complex adaptive optics system ever developed for astronomical observations. A key aspect of its design and verification is the construction of a comprehensive wavefront error (WFE) budget, which defines the system's expected performance under a range of operating conditions. In this work, we present the structure of the MORFEO WFE budget, detailing the main contributors to the residual error and the methodology adopted to evaluate each term. The analysis includes contributions from atmospheric turbulence, optical surfaces, alignment tolerances, control residuals, and calibration uncertainties. We also discuss the external conditions, system configurations, and key assumptions used in the derivation of the budget, highlighting the interplay between requirements and instrument design choices. Importantly, the resulting error budget is being used to support end-to-end simulations of MORFEO-assisted observations, providing essential input for assessing the scientific capabilities of the system and guiding the definition of future observing strategies.