Gimbal mechanism for cryogenic alignment of 1-meter diameter optics

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

A two axis optical gimbal mechanism for aligning 1 meter diameter telescope primaries and test flat mirrors at temperatures from 300 to 4.2 K was constructed for use in the SIRTF Telescope Test Facility (STTF). This mechanism consists of an aluminum frame, pivoting on a monoball bearing, and driven in tip and tilt by tungsten di-sulfide lubricated lead screws with external drive motors. Flexures decouple the optical support frame from stresses generated by differential rates of cooling. A second set of flexures decouples the mirror mechanically and thermally from distortion in the gimbal mechanism. The mechanism provides sub arc-second resolution in either axis, while limiting the heat leak to less than 100 mW at 4.2 K. Linear variable differential tranformers are used at temperatures from 300 to 4.2 K to measure a home position. The STTF and gimbal are presently operational, and have been used in two separate interferometric measurements of a 0.5 meter, f 4.0 beryllium spherical mirror at 6 K. The gimbal will be used in the interferometric testing of a beryllium telescope primary mirror from the Infrared Technology Testbed, for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility at JPL.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Gimbal mechanism for cryogenic alignment of 1-meter diameter optics 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 Gimbal mechanism for cryogenic alignment of 1-meter diameter optics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gimbal mechanism for cryogenic alignment of 1-meter diameter optics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-990613

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.