Internal laser metrology for POINTS

Martin Charles Noecker; James D. Phillips; Robert W. Babcock; Robert D. Reasenberg

doi:10.1117/12.155748

10 September 1993 Internal laser metrology for POINTS

Martin Charles Noecker, James D. Phillips, Robert W. Babcock, Robert D. Reasenberg

Proceedings Volume 1947, Spaceborne Interferometry; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.155748
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

We present the designs for laser distance gauges to be used in the POINTS instrument, and preliminary performance data. For the target 5 micro-arcsecond astrometric accuracy, we must hold or monitor some critical internal dimensions of the POINTS instrument with 2 picometer (pm, 10^-12 m) accuracy for a few hours. The POINTS architecture makes good use of these gauges, minimizing the number and range of dimensions that must change during operation, and maximizing the similarity of the starlight and metrology measured paths. Gauge designs have been developed for both optical-path-differencing (Michelson) and point-to-point measurements (Fabry-Perot). The Michelson fringes have been measured in a differential (comparison) test; the root-two-point variance (analogous to the Allan variance) in the difference of two measurements over essentially identical 1-meter paths was about 2 pm for averaging times between 40 seconds and 6 hours. A second design for the point-to-point measurements incorporates cornercube retro-reflectors in a resonant cavity. We discuss the new problems anticipated in this design, including the problem of maintaining laser alignment in these point-to-point gauges over the +/- 3 degree range of instrument articulation.

Citation Download Citation

Martin Charles Noecker, James D. Phillips, Robert W. Babcock, and Robert D. Reasenberg "Internal laser metrology for POINTS", Proc. SPIE 1947, Spaceborne Interferometry, (10 September 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.155748

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available