Investigation and Analysis of the Ingot Wavefront Sensor Response to Varying Na-LGS Profiles

With the development of next-generation telescopes like the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), there is a pressing need to enhance adaptive optics technology to take full advantage of their sensitivity and resolution. These future telescopes will use both natural guide stars (NGS) and laser guide stars (LGS) for wavefront correction. While NGS are relatively straightforward to use, LGS, created by exciting elements in the atmosphere, face the problem of elongation due to the atmosphere’s thickness. To address this elongation and atmospheric distortion, Roberto Ragazzoni proposed the innovative Ingot Wavefront Sensor (I-WFS) concept. Working with the Adaptive Optics Group at INAF-OAPD, this thesis focuses and explores the potential of the I-WFS as a promising solution to enhance adaptive optics performance by effectively compensating for atmospheric distortions and the elongation of the Na LGS. My work on the Ingot-bench has included depicting the Na-LGS profiles on the setup followed by calibration and alignment with the Ingot using defined python commands. With different tests I have also characterized some properties of the Ingot. Along with this I also work on the data collected during the lab tests and compare it to the existing simulation results.