Free-space optics using adaptive optics test bench: new forms of control and first corrections

This presentation explores the possibilities of using AO, which is widely applied to the correction of turbulent phases in astronomy but is now used in free-space communications (FSO). Optimal controllers have been demonstrated to be a helpful way of improving the error budget on extremely demanding AO systems in astronomy. Still, no recent study shows the full benefits of implementing an optimal control AO in a working FSO communication system. Here, we present our first results after implementing a closed-loop AO system in the Universidad de los Andes laboratory that allows us to test real-time controllers and implement the AO correction directly to FSO communication systems.