Keck Interferometer autoaligner: algorithms and techniques

Michael A. Hrynevych; Kevin Tsubota; Robert F. Smythe; Wayne Dahl; James Bell; M. Mark Colavita; John Gathright; Forrest Meggars; Christopher R. Neyman; Andy C. Rudeen; Gerard Theodore van Belle; Peter L. Wizinowich

doi:10.1117/12.552417

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20 October 2004 Keck Interferometer autoaligner: algorithms and techniques

Michael A. Hrynevych, Kevin Tsubota, Robert F. Smythe, Wayne Dahl, James Bell, M. Mark Colavita, John Gathright, Forrest Meggars, Christopher R. Neyman, Andy C. Rudeen, Gerard Theodore van Belle, Peter L. Wizinowich

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Proceedings Volume 5491, New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552417
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

The Keck Interferometer includes an autoalignment system consisting of pop-up targets located at strategic locations along the beam trains of each arm of the instrument along with a sensor and control system. We briefly describe the hardware of the system and then proceed to a description of the two operational modes of the system. These are: 1) to provide an initial alignment of the coude paths in each arm, and 2) to recover coude alignments between changes of the static delay sled positions. For the initial alignment mode, we review the system performance requirements along with the software used for image acquisition and centroiding. For coudé alignment recovery, we describe beam-train surveys through the static delay (Long Delay Line) and criteria for a successful recovery of a coudé alignment. Finally, we describe the results of testing of the autoalignment system.

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Michael A. Hrynevych, Kevin Tsubota, Robert F. Smythe, Wayne Dahl, James Bell, M. Mark Colavita, John Gathright, Forrest Meggars, Christopher R. Neyman, Andy C. Rudeen, Gerard Theodore van Belle, and Peter L. Wizinowich "Keck Interferometer autoaligner: algorithms and techniques", Proc. SPIE 5491, New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry, (20 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552417

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