New optical design of adaptive optics system at Lick Observatory

We present the requirements, design, and resulting new layout for the laser guide star/natural guide star adaptive optics (AO) system on the 3-meter Shane telescope at Lick Observatory. This layout transforms our engineering prototype into a stable, reliable, maintainable end-user- oriented system, suitable for use as a facility instrument. Important new features include convenient calibration using proven phase-shifting diffraction interferometer or phase- diversity techniques; a new scatter rejection in LGS mode and better guide-star selection NGS mode; high-sensitivity, wide-field acquisition camera; and significant improvements in adjustment motorization and optomechanical stability.