Expand this Topic clickable element to expand a topic
Skip to content
Optica Publishing Group

Common-pull, multiple-push, vacuum-activated telescope mirror cell

Not Accessible

Your library or personal account may give you access

Abstract

A new concept for push–pull active optics is presented, where the push-force is provided by means of individual airbag type actuators and a common force in the form of a vacuum is applied to the entire back of the mirror. The vacuum provides the pull-component of the system, in addition to gravity. Vacuum is controlled as a function of the zenithal angle, providing correction for the axial component of the mirror’s weight. In this way, the push actuators are only responsible for correcting mirror deformations, as well as for supporting the axial mirror weight at the zenith, allowing for a uniform, full dynamic-range behavior of the system along the telescope’s pointing range. This can result in the ability to perform corrections of up to a few microns for low-order aberrations. This mirror support concept was simulated using a finite element model and was tested experimentally at the 2.12 m San Pedro Mártir telescope. Advantages such as stress-free attachments, lighter weight, large actuator area, lower system complexity, and lower required mirror-cell stiffness could make this a method to consider for future large telescopes.

© 2014 Optical Society of America

Full Article  |  PDF Article
More Like This
Optical characterization of the active push–pull cell for the 2.1 m telescope at OAN SPM

Joel Herrera, Esteban Luna, José A. Araiza-Durán, Luis Salas, Erika Sohn, Ilse Plauchu Frayn, Elfego Ruiz, and Irene Cruz-Gonzalez
Appl. Opt. 56(5) 1489-1494 (2017)

Active primary mirror support for the 2.1-m telescope at the San Pedro Mártir Observatory

L. Salas, L. Gutiérrez, M. H. Pedrayes, J. Valdez, C. Carrasco, M. Carrillo, B. Orozco, B. García, E. Luna, E. Ruiz, S. Cuevas, A. Iriarte, A. Cordero, O. Harris, F. Quiroz, E. Sohn, and L. A. Martínez
Appl. Opt. 36(16) 3708-3716 (1997)

Active optics primary mirror support system for the 2.6m VST telescope

Pietro Schipani, Sergio D'Orsi, Luigi Ferragina, Davide Fierro, Laurent Marty, Cesare Molfese, and Francesco Perrotta
Appl. Opt. 49(8) 1234-1241 (2010)

Cited By

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Figures (6)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Figure files are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Equations (2)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Equations are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Select as filters


Select Topics Cancel
© Copyright 2024 | Optica Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved