Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004spie.5495..314s&link_type=abstract
Astronomical Structures and Mechanisms Technology. Edited by Antebi, Joseph; Lemke, Dietrich. Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 54
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Space interferometers consisting of several free flying telescopes, such as the planned Darwin mission, require a complex metrology system to make all the components operate as a single instrument. Our research focuses on one of its sub-systems that measures the absolute distance between two satellites with high accuracy. For Darwin the required accuracy would be in the order of 10 µm over 250 meter. To measure this absolute distance, we are currently exploring the frequency sweeping interferometry technique. Its measurement principle is to first measure a phase in the interferometer, sweep a tunable laser over a known frequency interval and finally measure a second phase. By also counting the number of fringes during the sweep it is possible to determine the absolute path length difference without ambiguities. The wavelength at the endpoints of the sweep is stabilized on a Fabry-Perot cavity. In this way the unknown distance is directly referenced to the length of the Fabry-Perot cavity.
Bhattacharya Nandini
Braat Joseph J.
Swinkels Bas L.
Wendrich Thijs J.
Wielders Arno A.
No associations
LandOfFree
Absolute distance metrology for space interferometers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Absolute distance metrology for space interferometers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Absolute distance metrology for space interferometers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1822347