Santa Barbara Instrument Group (SBIG) - Adaptive Optics accessory for STL (also compatible with dual CCD models ST-7/8/9/10/2000)

The smaller AO-7 Adaptive Optics accessory was designed for the CCDs in
the ST-7/8/9/10/2000 cameras.  It is not recommended for use with the
larger format STL series cameras.  A larger moving element is required
to eliminate vignetting of the larger CCDs and also to maintain good
image quality due tocorrections over the entier field of view.  The
50mm diagonal mirror of the smaller AO-7 would be placed too far away
from the CCD in the large format designs to be effective over the
entire field of view.  For these reasons, a new larger AO device has
been developed for the STL series cameras.  This new AO is placed in
line and has a refractive element that can be made to respond more
quickly than the moving mirror of the AO-7.  It is larger, however,
and the new AO will not make as many moves per second as the AO-7, it
will however, respond faster when making a move.

This AO is operated via the I2C port on the STL camera, and it may be
operated with other I2C accessories such as the new STL 8 position 2”
filter wheel.  It is also compatible with any ST-7/8/9/10/2000 camera
having an I2C port.  This product is currently in production.

Atmospheric Refraction Compensation:  In addition to motion
compensation, we are working on an optional set of prisms that will
fit the new AO-L to compensate for atmospheric refraction.  We will
post more about this as the product develops.