Chu 9803759 This research concerns the design, analysis and performance evaluation of adaptive control algorithms for adaptive optics applications. This investigation could lead to improved techniques for use in several areas of applications, including ground-based astro-imaging processing, medicine, communications, and laser technology. One specific area is the deformable mirror control computation for adaptive-optics systems to compensate for atmospheric turbulence. The challenges in this application are that atmosphere changes rapidly and that the statistics of the turbulence usually is unknown. The purpose of this study is threefold: (1) to develop a mathematical theory on how the turbulence statistics can be estimated using measured data, (2) to design a fast algorithm that enables efficient computation in real time, and (3) to integrate the theory and the algorithm into real application facilities.
