A new generation active arrays for optical flexibility in astronomical instrumentation
2012
Throughout the history of telescopes and astronomical instrumentation, new ways were found to open up unexplored
possibilities in fundamental astronomical research by increasing the telescope size and instrumentation complexity. The
ever demanding requirements on instrument performance pushes instrument complexity to the edge. In order to take the
next leap forward in instrument development the optical design freedom needs to be increased drastically. The use of
more complex and more accurate optics allows for shorter optical trains with smaller sizes, smaller number of
components and reduced fabrication and alignment verification time and costs.
Current optics fabrication is limited in surface form complexity and/or accuracy. Traditional active and adaptive optics
lack the needed intrinsic long term stability and simplicity in design, manufacturing, verification and control. This paper
explains how and why active arrays literally provide a flexible but stable basis for the next generation optical
instruments. Combing active arrays with optically high quality face sheets more complex and accurate optical surface
forms can be provided including extreme a-spherical (freeform) surfaces and thus allow for optical train optimization and
even instrument reconfiguration. A zero based design strategy is adopted for the development of the active arrays
addressing fundamental issues in opto-mechanical engineering. The various choices are investigated by prototypes and
Finite Element Analysis. Finally an engineering concept will be presented following a highly stable adjustment strategy
allowing simple verification and control. The Optimization metrology is described in an additional paper for this
conference by T. Agocs et al.
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