Physikingenieurwesen (PHY)
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- Englisch (32)
- Deutsch (6)
- Mehrsprachig (1)
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- adaptive optics (3)
- deformable mirror (3)
- active optics (2)
- active optics, adaptive optics, sharpness metrics, aberration compensation, algorithm design (2)
- deformable mirrors (2)
- laser machining (2)
- space optics (2)
- space telescopes (2)
- Active or adaptive optics (1)
- Deformable mirror, adaptive mirror, unimorph mirror, high-power laser (1)
Fachbereich / Studiengang
Active optics is an enabling technology for future large space telescopes. Image-based wavefront control uses an image-sharpness metric to evaluate the optical performance. A control algorithm iteratively adapts a corrective element to maximize this metric, without reconstructing the wavefront. We numerically study a sharpness metric in the space of Zernike modes, and reveal that for large aberrations the Zernike modes are not orthogonal with respect to this metric. The findings are experimentally verified by using a unimorph deformable mirror as
corrective element. We discuss the implications for the correction process and the design of control algorithms.
With a view to the next generation of large space telescopes, we investigate guide-star-free, image-based aberration correction using a unimorph deformable mirror in a plane conjugate to the primary mirror. We designed and built a high-resolution imaging testbed to evaluate control algorithms. In this paper we use an algorithm based on the heuristic hill climbing technique and compare the correction in three different domains, namely the voltage domain, the domain of the Zernike modes, and the domain of the singular modes of the deformable mirror. Through our systematic experimental study, we found that successive control in two domains effectively counteracts uncompensated hysteresis of the deformable mirror.
We present a novel pump concept that should lead to single-frequency operation of thin-disk lasers without the need for etalons or other spectral filters. The single-frequency operation is due to matching the standing wave pattern of partially coherent pump light to the standing wave pattern of the laser light inside the disk. The output power and the optical efficiency of our novel pump concept are compared with conventional pumping. The feasibility of our pump concept was shown in previous experiments.
Astronomy is driven by the quest for higher sensitivity and improved angular resolution in order to detect fainter or smaller objects. The far-infrared to submillimeter domain is a unique probe of the cold and obscured Universe, harboring for instance the precious signatures of key elements such as water. Space observations are mandatory given the blocking effect of our atmosphere. However the methods we have relied on so far to develop increasingly larger telescopes are now reaching a hard limit, with the JWST illustrating this in more than one way (e.g. it will be launched by one of the most powerful rocket, it requires the largest existing facility on Earth to be qualified). With the Thinned Aperture Light Collector (TALC) project, a concept of a deployable 20 m annular telescope, we propose to break out of this deadlock by developing novel technologies for space telescopes, which are disruptive in three aspects: • An innovative deployable mirror whose topology, based on stacking rather than folding, leads to an optimum ratio of collecting area over volume, and creates a telescope with an eight times larger collecting area and three times higher angular resolution compared to JWST from the same pre-deployed volume; • An ultra-light weight segmented primary mirror, based on electrodeposited Nickel, Composite and Honeycomb stacks, built with a replica process to control costs and mitigate the industrial risks; • An active optics control layer based on piezo-electric layers incorporated into the mirror rear shell allowing control of the shape by internal stress rather than by reaction on a structure. We present in this paper the roadmap we have built to bring these three disruptive technologies to technology readiness level 3. We will achieve this goal through design and realization of representative elements: segments of mirrors for optical quality verification, active optics implemented on representative mirror stacks to characterize the shape correction capabilities, and mechanical models for validation of the deployment concept. Accompanying these developments, a strong system activity will ensure that the ultimate goal of having an integrated system can be met, especially in terms of (a) scalability toward a larger structure, and (b) verification philosophy.
We have developed, manufactured and tested a unimorph deformable mirror for space applications based on piezoelectric actuation. The mirror was designed for the correction of low-order Zernike modes with a stroke of several tens of micrometers over a clear aperture of 50 mm. It was successfully tested in thermal vacuum, underwent lifetime tests, and was exposed to random vibrations, sinusoidal vibrations, and to ionizing radiation. We report on design considerations, manufacturing of the mirror, and present the test results. Furthermore, we discuss critical design parameters, and how our mirror could be adapted to serve recently proposed space telescopes such as HDST and TALC.
We have developed and manufactured a unimorph deformable mirror for space telescopes based on piezoelectric actuation. The mirror features 44 actuators, has an aperture of 50 mm, and is designed to reproduce low-order Zernike modes with a stroke of several tens of µm. We assessed the space compliance by operating the mirror in thermal vacuum, and exposing it to random and sinusoidal vibrations, as well as to ionizing irradiation. Additionally, the operational life time and the laser power handling capability were tested. The mirror was successfully operated in thermal vacuum at 100 K. We report on the conducted tests and the methods used to evaluate the mirror´s performance, and discuss the compliance with the demanded requirements