ASTRONOMY

Bertin ALPAO’s adaptive optics solutions are widely used in leading astronomical observatories and research institutions around the world. Our deformable mirrors (DMs) contribute to the performance of some of the most advanced telescopes and instruments, supporting high-resolution imaging, precise wavefront correction, and enhanced observation of deep space phenomena.

Our technologies are integrated, or soon to be deployed, in renowned facilities such as:

The four Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the Cerro Paranal Observatory in Chile and the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)
Prestigious observatories in Asia, Oceania and Americas, including the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), The Thai National Observatory or the SLR Telescope
Cutting-edge systems in Hawaii, featuring the Keck Observatory, Subaru Telescope and Gemini north
European research initiatives, including the Einstein Telescope, Asiago Observatory, and the Observatoire de Paris.

With a wide range of deformable mirrors, from 97 to 2,844 actuators, our solutions are tailored to meet the demanding needs of astronomy, from laboratory benches to large-scale instruments.

Bertin Alpao’s contribution helps astronomers push the limits of ground-based observation by correcting atmospheric distortion and enabling sharper, more accurate data collection.

These collaborations reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting the astronomical community in its mission to explore and understand the universe.

Our Sate-of-the-art Deformable Mirrors for astronomy applications feature a large number of actuators, a large stroke (no separate tip-tilt mirror) and short settling time.

As turbulence introduced by the atmosphere degrades telescope images, Bertin Alpao’s adaptive optics enable the recovery of critical information that would otherwise be lost due to distortion, enhancing both the quantity and quality of scientific data collected.

Our componenets and systems provide solutions to key challenges such as :

Low Photon flux
High frequency of atmospheric turbulences

Example of results

Night observation with AOLI at the 4.2-meter William Herschel
Telescope (WHT) located at Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos
Credit: AOLI team, Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands