Point spread function reconstruction simulations for laser guide star multi-conjugate adaptive optics on extremely large telescopes

This paper discusses point spread function reconstruction (PSFR) simulations for laser guide star (LGS) multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) on extremely large telescopes (ELTs). The Multithreaded Adaptive Optics Simulator (MAOS), configured to simulate the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Narrow Field InfraRed Adaptive Optics System (NFIRAOS), provided simulated telemetry. For median Mauna Kea turbulence conditions (0.55arcsec seeing) and for the expected NFRIAOS laser guide star (LGS) wavefront sensor (WFS) measurement noise, the actuator error based PSFR algorithm leads to Strehl Ratio (SR), enclosed energy (EE) and PSF profile errors below 8% in Z-band, 5% in J-band and 2% in K-band assuming perfect knowledge of the turbulence and wind profiles and of measurement noise. Further algorithm optimization could in principle reduce this residual error level.