Resumen
We present the results of adaptive optics (OA) imaging of twelve (z < 0.6) quasars in the H and K bands using the PUEO system mounted on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). The QSOs ( m[V] > 15.0) themselves are used as reference for the correction. The images, obtained under poor seeing conditions, have typical spatial resolution of FWHM ∼ 0.3 arcsec before deconvolution. The deconvolved H band image of PG 1700+514 has a spatial resolution of 0.16 arcsec and reveals a wealth of details on the companion and the host galaxy. Comparison between the Hubble Space Telescope and CFHT images of PG 1700+514 shows how powerful and competitive ground-based AO can be. Close companions and obvious signs of interactions are found in four of the twelve objects. The 2D images of three of the host galaxies unambiguously reveal bars and spiral arms. The morphology of the other host galaxies are difficult to determine from 1D surface brightness profiles, and deeper images are needed, which could be obtained with AO systems on 10 m class telescopes. Analysis of mock data shows that elliptical galaxies are always recognized as such, whereas disk hosts can be missed for small disk scale lengths and large QSO contributions.
