Adaptive control of optical systems has many applications that are being embraced world-wide.

• Adaptive optics is being used to correct image blur due to the Earth's atmosphere on the large astronomical telescopes, and it will be central to the success of the next generation of even larger astronomical optical/infrared telescopes that are being planned.
• Adaptive optics has allowed images to be obtained of living retinal tissue that resolve individual cones. Such facilities promise to revolutionise study of eye function and the visual/brain system, and may allow early diagnosis of diseases such as glaucoma and vision loss due to diabetes. Adaptive optics imaging will permit customised laser surgery that will improve vision in patients with mis-shapen corneas, and may even improve visual performance in people with normal vision.
• Adaptive optics may soon be used with minature confocal microscopes to increase the data storage capacity of next generation DVDs. Multi-layer optical disks require adaptive focus correction to sense data stored at different depths.
• Free space optical communications are increasingly used for secure, portable, point-to-point communications in business and defence applications connecting separated fibre optic network without the need for expensive, fixed, fibre optics links. Adaptive optics can be used to correct for turbulence in the light path and building sway between the transmitter and receiver.
• Laser micromachining is another area where a tightly focused light beam is required. Potential applications exist for adaptive focus control to correct for height variations in the work piece.
• Infrared lasers are used in missile defence applications. Airborne countermeasured must correct for turbulence in the atmosphere as well as local turbulence created by the aircraft and its jet engine exhaust. Adaptive optics is well-suited to this application.

Research and industrial communities in other countries have responded to this resurgence in optics by establishing networks that draw together relevant expertise and end-users. The Center for Adaptive Optics at the University of California at Santa Cruz (USA) has been highly successful in developing adaptive optics applications in astronomy and vision science. The Smart Optics Faraday Partnership in the UK is a network of research organisations and industry that aims to improve industry competiveness by funding application-led programs to advance relevant technologies, including adaptive optics. The European Commission supported the Optical Infrared Coordination Network (OPTICON) under its Fifth Framework Program and has recently refunded the Network under the Sixth Framework Program. OPTICON brings together providers and users of European astronomical infrastructure, including adaptive optics instrumentation. The European Commission has established a Research Training Network for Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes and a Research Training Network for Laser Guide Stars for 8-m Class Telescopes. Another European Commission Research Training Network for Adaptive Optics for Retinal Imaging and Improved Vision (SHARP-EYE) has recently been established.

Adaptive optics is less prominent in Australia, as was the case in the USA prior to the formation of the Center for Adaptive Optics. Several isolated groups have begun developing adaptive optics systems for specific applications. However, Australia's research community lacks the focus that is provided by well-funded over-arching networks overseas. The Research Network for Adaptive Optics aims to coordinate these separate research activities and link researchers to end-users in ways that will be beneficial to both groups.

The Research Network for Adaptive Optics will be structured under four broad areas; AO Techniques, Astronomy Applications, Vision Science Applications, and Laser Applications. A group leader has been identified for each area. The Network Executive will consist of the Network Convenor, a Network Administrator who will be responsible for organising the activities of the Network, and the four Group Leaders. The Network Executive will be responsible for managing the Network.

The Research Network for Adaptive Optics consists of researchers and industrialists with interests and expertise in all aspects of adaptive optics systems. Participant in the Research Network will share their expertise and collaorate within the Network with a goal of develop astronomical, medical, and laser-based adaptive optics systems in Australia over the next five years. The Research Network will establish and develop linkages to other international adaptive optics networks to facilitate involvement of Australian researchers in international adaptive optics projects and to expand the pool of expertise available within this area.

The over-arching goal of the Research Network for Adaptive Optics is to involve Australian industry in the adaptive optics applications that are set to revolutionise optics and people's lives over the coming decades.