The final design for the Extremely Large Telescope prefocal stations

Asier Larringan; Amaya Múgica; Gaizka Murga; Paul Jolley; Steffan Lewis

doi:10.1117/12.2559880

13 December 2020 The final design for the Extremely Large Telescope prefocal stations

Asier Larringan, Amaya Múgica, Gaizka Murga, Paul Jolley, Steffan Lewis

Proceedings Volume 11445, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VIII; 114451G (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559880
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

Located at the Nasmyth Platforms A and B, the Prefocal Stations of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) are the last opto-mechanical components before the light from the giant telescope comes to a focus. The mission of the Prefocal Stations are threefold. Firstly, these high-precision opto-mechanical and optical sensing devices propagate the light collected on the telescope into science instruments and other test equipment. Very high optical quality, stability, and low vibration are key characteristics of the deployable M6N and M6C mirrors, that provide the optical propagation function. Secondly, by means of three Sensor Arms, they pick and adapt the light from up to three guide stars for its use in the Acquisition, Guiding and Wavefront Sensing to support the telescope active and adaptive optics. The active optics stabilize the images delivered to the science instruments, despite the constantly changing effects of wind and other disturbances on the telescope, and periodically realign the telescope to keep the adaptive optics working in their operating range. The adaptive optics compensate for the wavefront distortion caused by the atmospheric turbulence by acting on the deformable mirror (M4). Thirdly, the Prefocal Stations provide optical sensing to support phasing of the ELT primary mirrors, diagnostics, and maintenance of the optics. These tasks are performed by the Phasing and Diagnostic Station, which is located on the Coudé path. The functions provided by the Prefocal Stations are critical for the commissioning and operation of the ELT telescope. Here we report on the final design of the Prefocal Stations, with an emphasis on the Prefocal Station Main System.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Asier Larringan, Amaya Múgica, Gaizka Murga, Paul Jolley, and Steffan Lewis "The final design for the Extremely Large Telescope prefocal stations", Proc. SPIE 11445, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VIII, 114451G (13 December 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559880

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