Dr. Alison A. Nordt Profile

Dr. Alison A. Nordt

Astrophysics Sr Manager

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (26)

SPIE Journal Paper | 23 September 2022 Open Access

Open Access

Adaptive optics performance of a simulated coronagraph instrument on a large, segmented space telescope in steady state

Axel Potier, Garreth Ruane, Chris Stark, Pin Chen, Ankur Chopra, Larry Dewell, Roser Juanola-Parramon, Alison Nordt, Laurent Pueyo, David Redding, A J Eldorado Riggs, Dan Sirbu

JATIS, Vol. 8, Issue 03, 035002, (September 2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.8.3.035002

KEYWORDS: Adaptive optics, Coronagraphy, Telescopes, Wavefronts, Stars, Device simulation, Wavefront sensors, Equipment, Optical path differences, Wavefront errors

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Proceedings Article | 31 August 2022 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Calibration approach for the Polstar spectropolarimeter

Gopal Vasudevan, Robert Woodruff, Kirstin Doney, Coralie Neiner, Roberto Casini, Mark Sullivan, Paul Scowen, Tony Hull, Alison Nordt

Proceedings Volume 12181, 1218139 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630553

KEYWORDS: Calibration, Mirrors, Polarization, Spectral calibration, Prisms, Telescopes, Modulators, Spectroscopy, Lamps, Polarimetry

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Proceedings Article | 31 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

The Polstar high resolution spectropolarimetry MIDEX mission

Paul Scowen, Richard Ignace, Ken Gayley, Gopal Vasudevan, Robert Woodruff, Coralie Neiner, Scott Richardson, Alison Nordt, Tony Hull, Shouleh Nikzad, Charles Shapiro

Proceedings Volume 12181, 1218106 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630103

KEYWORDS: Stars, Polarization, Polarimetry, Ultraviolet radiation, Staring arrays, Calibration, Mirrors, Spectroscopy, Spectral resolution, Modulators

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Proceedings Article | 27 August 2022 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Progress in demonstrating picometer class laser metrology using photonics integrated gauges

Jacob Wirth, James Mason, Alison Nordt

Proceedings Volume 12180, 121805X (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630776

KEYWORDS: Photonic integrated circuits, Metrology, Heterodyning, Interferometers, Laser metrology, Space telescopes, Photonics, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 27 August 2022 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Contrast performance of an 8m off-axis, segmented space telescope equipped with an adaptive optics system

Axel Potier, Garreth Ruane, Kiarash Tajdaran, Chris Stark, Pin Chen, Larry Dewell, Roser Juanola-Parramon, Alison Nordt, Laurent Pueyo, A.J. Eldorado Riggs, David Redding, Dan Sirbu

Proceedings Volume 12180, 121805D (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2629902

KEYWORDS: Coronagraphy, Adaptive optics, Telescopes, Stars, Image segmentation, Wavefront sensors, Space telescopes, Performance modeling, Wavefronts, Mirrors

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Proceedings Article | 27 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Line-of-sight and wavefront error dynamic stability during coronagraphic imaging for a 6.7-meter inscribed diameter UVOIR segmented telescope with non-contact pointing and vibration isolation

Kiarash Tajdaran, Larry Dewell, Michael Jacoby, Alison Nordt, John Lou

Proceedings Volume 12180, 121802L (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630343

KEYWORDS: Control systems, Space operations, Actuators, Interfaces, Sensors, Observatories, Performance modeling, Wavefronts, Coronagraphy, Telescopes

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The Ultraviolet/Optical/Infrared (UVOIR) flagship astrophysics architectures proposed by the Astro2020 Decadal Survey fundamentally challenge the current test-like-you-fly approach to space systems, because of their physical scale, multiple stages of on-orbit deployment, and extremely stringent optical performance requirements unique to visible-light coronagraphy. These limitations elevate the importance of integrated control, structural dynamics, and optical modeling, particularly in early system architecture studies. A unique non-contact observatory control architecture called Disturbance Free Payload (DFP) for next-generation large astrophysics observatories involves physically isolating the segmented telescope structure from the supporting spacecraft by means of a non-contact interface. In this control architecture, rigidbody telescope pointing is achieved by actuating the payload with non-contact voice coil actuators and maintaining positive interface gaps using spacecraft inertial actuators and interface non-contact sensors. This architecture presents distinct advantages over current state-of-the-art spacecraft vibration isolation approaches, particularly for large flexible spacecraft, but also introduces unique disturbance and coupling mechanisms that must be analyzed. In this paper, development of an integrated model is described, consisting of a 6.7-meter inscribed segmented optical system, and an unobscured telescope with 55 primary mirror segments. The paper starts with an overview of the models that directly predict time-domain lineof-sight and wavefront error dynamic stability (optics, dynamics, control system, error sources). Next, key dynamic stability performance metrics for coronagraph contrast performance are described and a systematic methodology for realizing an accurate but computationally feasible truncated modal model is presented. Finally, an exemplar point design that is compliant to 10-picometer RMS wavefront error is developed, and the necessary component errors to achieve this performance are presented.

Proceedings Article | 3 September 2021 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

LUVOIR-ECLIPS closed-loop adaptive optics performance and contrast predictions

Axel Potier, Garreth Ruane, Pin Chen, Ankur Chopra, Larry Dewell, Roser Juanola Parramon, Alison Nordt, Laurent Pueyo, David Redding, AJ Eldorado Riggs, Dan Sirbu

Proceedings Volume 11823, 118231L (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2595116

KEYWORDS: Adaptive optics, Wavefronts, Wavefront sensors, Telescopes, Principal component analysis, Coronagraphy, Exoplanets

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Proceedings Article | 24 August 2021 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Design drivers for the PolStar telescope and UV spectropolarimeter instrument

Matthew Gilbertson, R. Woodruff, Alyssa Ruiz, Mark Sullivan, Gopal Vasudevan, Ken Lorell, Ariana Reyes, Kirstin Doney, Larry Sokolsky, Tony Hull, Paul Scowen, Alison Nordt

Proceedings Volume 11820, 118200G (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594798

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Telescopes, Polarization, Staring arrays, Optical instrument design, Modulators, Spectral resolution, Prisms, Stars, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 20 August 2021 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

The Polstar High Resolution Spectropolarimetry MIDEX Mission

Paul Scowen, Ken Gayley, Coralie Neiner, Gopal Vasudevan, Robert Woodruff, Richard Ignace, Roberto Casini, Tony Hull, Alison Nordt, H. Philip Stahl

Proceedings Volume 11819, 1181908 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594267

KEYWORDS: Polarization, Stars, Mirrors, Spectral resolution, Polarimetry, Prisms, Calibration, Wave plates, Ultraviolet radiation, Staring arrays

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The Polstar mission will provide for a space-borne 60cm telescope operating at UV wavelengths with spectropolarimetric capability capturing all four Stokes parameters (intensity, two linear polarization components, and circular polarization). Polstar’s capabilities are designed to meet its goal of determining how circumstellar gas flows alter massive stars' evolution, and finding the consequences for the stellar remnant population and the stirring and enrichment of the interstellar medium, by addressing four key science objectives. In addition, Polstar will determine drivers for the alignment of the smallest interstellar grains, and probe the dust, magnetic fields, and environments in the hot diffuse interstellar medium, including for the first time a direct measurement of the polarized and energized properties of intergalactic dust. Polstar will also characterize processes that lead to the assembly of exoplanetary systems and that affect exoplanetary atmospheres and habitability. Science driven design requirements include: access to ultraviolet bands: where hot massive stars are brightest and circumstellar opacity is highest; high spectral resolution: accessing diagnostics of circumstellar gas flows and stellar composition in the far-UV at 122-200nm, including the NV, SiIV, and CIV resonance doublets and other transitions such as NIV, AlIII, HeII, and CIII; polarimetry: accessing diagnostics of circumstellar magnetic field shape and strength when combined with high FUV spectral resolution and diagnostics of stellar rotation and distribution of circumstellar gas when combined with low near-UV spectral resolution; sufficient signal-to-noise ratios: ~103 for spectropolarimetric precisions of 0.1% per exposure; ~102 for detailed spectroscopic studies; ~10 for exploring dimmer sources; and cadence: ranging from 1-10 minutes for most wind variability studies, to hours for sampling rotational phase, to days or weeks for sampling orbital phase. The ISM and exoplanet science program will be enabled by these capabilities driven by the massive star science.

Proceedings Article | 1 August 2021 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

A picometer-class displacement metrology system using photonic integrated circuit

Luke Horowitz, James Mason, Timothy Hilby, Aaron Rother, Alison Nordt

Proceedings Volume 11816, 1181604 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594874

KEYWORDS: Metrology, Photonic integrated circuits, Laser metrology, Interferometers, Heterodyning, Waveguides, Space telescopes, Thermal effects, Signal detection, Sensors

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SPIE Journal Paper | 13 March 2021 Open Access

Open Access

Origins Space Telescope: trades and decisions leading to the baseline mission concept

David Leisawitz, Edward Amatucci, Lynn Allen, Jonathan Arenberg, Lee Armus, Cara Battersby, James Bauer, Ray Bell, Dominic Benford, Edwin Bergin, Jeffrey Booth, Charles Bradford, Damon Bradley, Sean Carey, Ruth Carter, Asantha Cooray, James Corsetti, Larry Dewell, Michael DiPirro, Bret Drake, Matthew East, Kimberly Ennico, Greg Feller, Angel Flores, Jonathan Fortney, Zachary Granger, Thomas Greene, Joseph Howard, Tiffany Kataria, John Knight, Charles Lawrence, Paul Lightsey, John Mather, Margaret Meixner, Gary Melnick, Craig McMurtry, Stefanie Milam, Samuel Moseley, Desika Narayanan, Alison Nordt, Deborah Padgett, Klaus Pontoppidan, Alexandra Pope, Gerard Rafanelli, David Redding, George Rieke, Thomas Roellig, Itsuki Sakon, Carly Sandin, Karin Sandstrom, Anita Sengupta, Kartik Sheth, Lawrence Sokolsky, Johannes Staguhn, John Steeves, Kevin Stevenson, Kate Su, Joaquin Vieira, Cassandra Webster, Martina Wiedner, Edward Wright, Chi Wu, David Yanatsis, Jonas Zmuidzinas, the Origins Space Telescope Mission Concept Study Team

JATIS, Vol. 7, Issue 01, 011014, (March 2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.7.1.011014

KEYWORDS: Space telescopes, Telescopes, James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Optical instrument design, Astronomy, Space operations, Cryogenics, Aerospace engineering, Cryocoolers

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SPIE Journal Paper | 10 February 2021 Open Access

Open Access

Materials evaluation for the Origins Space Telescope

Carly Sandin, Lynn Allen, Edward Amatucci, Jonathan Arenberg, Ruth Carter, James Corsetti, Michael DiPirro, Matthew East, Louis Fantano, Anel Flores, J. Scott Knight, David Leisawitz, Paul Lightsey, Gregory Martins, Ted Mooney, Alison Nordt, John Steeves

JATIS, Vol. 7, Issue 01, 011011, (February 2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.7.1.011011

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Beryllium, Silicon carbide, Manufacturing, Aluminum, Space telescopes, Silica, Metals, James Webb Space Telescope, Composites

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SPIE Journal Paper | 6 January 2021 Open Access

Open Access

Origins Space Telescope: baseline mission concept

Edward Amatucci, Lynn Allen, Jonathan Arenberg, Lee Armus, Cara Battersby, James Bauer, Porfirio Beltran, Dominic Benford, Denis Burgarella, Ruth Carter, Danny Chi, Asantha Cooray, James Corsetti, Elvire De Beck, Larry Dewell, Michael DiPirro, Matthew East, Samantha Edgington, Kimberly Ennico, Louis Fantano, David Folta, Joseph Generie, Zachary Granger, Thomas Greene, Alex Griffiths, George Harpole, Frank Helmich, Joseph Howard, Tracee Jamison, Lisa Kaltenegger, Tiffany Kataria, Charles Lawrence, Margaret Meixner, Ted Mooney, Samuel Moseley, Susan Neff, Thanh Nguyen, Alison Nordt, Michael Petach, Susanna Petro, Alexandra Pope, Daniel Ramspacker, Alison Rao, Itsuki Sakon, Karin Sandstrom, Douglas Scott, Lenward Seals, Kartik Sheth, Steven Tompkins, Cassandra Webster, Martina Wiedner, Edward Wright, Chi Wu, Jonas Zmuidzinas, David Leisawitz, Bob Beaman, Raymond Bell, Edward Bergin, Jeffrey Bolognese, Charles Bradford, Damon Bradley, Sean Carey, Tom D'Asto, Kevin Denis, Christopher Derkacz, C. Paul Earle, Gregory Feller, Jonathan Fortney, Benjamin Gavares, Maryvonne Gerin, Keith Harvey, Lawrence Hilliard, Michael Jacoby, Anisa Jamil, J. Scott Knight, Perry Knollenberg, Paul Lightsey, Sarah Lipscy, Eric Mamajek, Gregory Martins, John Mather, Gary Melnick, Stefanie Milam, Desika Narayanan, Jeffrey Olson, Deborah Padgett, John Pohner, Klaus Pontoppidan, Thomas Roellig, Carly Sandin, Larry Sokolsky, Johannes Staguhn, John Steeves, Kevin Stevenson, Eric Stoneking, Kate Su, Kiarash Tajdaran, Joaquin Vieira

JATIS, Vol. 7, Issue 01, 011002, (January 2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.7.1.011002

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Proceedings Article | 13 December 2020 Poster + Presentation + Paper

Poster + Presentation + Paper

Non-contact vibration isolation technology demonstration on a CubeSat

Alison Nordt, Larry Dewell, Rodrigo Zeledon, Margaret Shaw-Lecerf, Matthew Gilbertson, Kiarash Tajdaran, Alexander Sireci, Alex Petrovsky, Alyssa Ruiz

Proceedings Volume 11443, 1144332 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2563019

KEYWORDS: Vibration isolation, Telescopes, Space telescopes, Astronomy, Exoplanets, Actuators, Control systems, Space operations, Integrated modeling

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Proceedings Article | 9 September 2019 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Dynamic wavefront error and line-of-sight performance predictions for the 15-meter segmented Large Ultraviolet/Optical/Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) with non-contact vibration isolation

Larry Dewell, Alison Nordt, Ankur Chopra, Matthew Bolcar, Julie Crooke, Michael Jacoby, Kiarash Tajdaran, Torben Andersen

Proceedings Volume 11115, 111150S (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2528190

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, Vibration isolation, Mirrors, Coronagraphy, Observatories, Image segmentation, Imaging systems, Control systems, Integrated modeling, Performance modeling

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Proceedings Article | 9 September 2019 Open Access

Open Access

Paper

The Origins Space Telescope

D. Leisawitz, E. Amatucci, L. Allen, J. Arenberg, L. Armus, C. Battersby, B. Beaman, J. Bauer, R. Bell, P. Beltran, D. Benford, E. Bergin, J. Bolognese, C. Bradford, D. Bradley, D. Burgarella, S. Carey, R. Carter, J. Chi, A. Cooray, J. Corsetti, T. D'Asto, E. De Beck, K. Denis, C. Derkacz, L. Dewell, M. DiPirro, C. P. Earle, M. East, S. Edgington, K. Ennico, L. Fantano, G. Feller, A. Flores, D. Folta, J. Fortney, B. Gavares, J. Generie, M. Gerin, Z. Granger, T. Greene, A. Griffiths, G. Harpole, K. Harvey, F. Helmich, G. Helou, L. Hilliard, J. Howard, M. Jacoby, A. Jamil, T. Jamison, L. Kaltenegger, T. Kataria, J. S. Knight, P. Knollenberg, C. Lawrence, P. Lightsey, S. Lipscy, C. Lynch, E. Mamajek, G. Martins, J. Mather, M. Meixner, G. Melnick, S. Milam, T. Mooney, S. Moseley, D. Narayanan, S. Neff, T. Nguyen, A. Nordt, J. Olson, D. Padgett, M. Petach, S. Petro, J. Pohner, K. Pontoppidan, A. Pope, D. Ramspacher, A. Rao, G. Rieke, M. Rieke, T. Roellig, I. Sakon, C. Sandin, K. Sandstrom, D. Scott, L. Seals, K. Sheth, J. Staguhn, J. Steeves, K. Stevenson, L. Stokowski, E. Stoneking, K. Su, K. Tajdaran, S. Tompkins, J. Turner, J. Vieira, C. Webster, M. Wiedner, E. Wright, C. Wu, J. Zmuidzinas

Proceedings Volume 11115, 111150Q (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2530514

KEYWORDS: Galactic astronomy, Planets, Stars, Telescopes, Astronomy, James Webb Space Telescope, Sensors, Space telescopes, Exoplanets, Observatories

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Proceedings Article | 24 July 2018 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

The Origins Space Telescope: mission concept overview

D. Leisawitz, E. Amatucci, R. Carter, M. DiPirro, A. Flores, J. Staguhn, C. Wu, L. Allen, J. Arenberg, L. Armus, C. Battersby, J. Bauer, R. Bell, P. Beltran, D. Benford, E. Bergin, C. Bradford, D. Bradley, D. Burgarella, S. Carey, D. Chi, A. Cooray, J. Corsetti, E. De Beck, K. Denis, L. Dewell, M. East, S. Edgington, K. Ennico, L. Fantano, G. Feller, D. Folta, J. Fortney, J. Generie, M. Gerin, Z. Granger, G. Harpole, K. Harvey, F. Helmich, L. Hilliard, J. Howard, M. Jacoby, A. Jamil, T. Kataria, S. Knight, P. Knollenberg, P. Lightsey, S. Lipscy, E. Mamajek, G. Martins, M. Meixner, G. Melnick, S. Milam, T. Mooney, S. Moseley, D. Narayanan, S. Neff, T. Nguyen, A. Nordt, J. Olson, D. Padgett, M. Petach, S. Petro, J. Pohner, K. Pontoppidan, A. Pope, D. Ramspacher, T. Roellig, I. Sakon, C. Sandin, K. Sandstrom, D. Scott, K. Sheth, J. Steeves, K. Stevenson, L. Stokowski, E. Stoneking, K. Su, K. Tajdaran, S. Tompkins, J. Vieira, C. Webster, M. Wiedner, E. Wright, J. Zmuidzinas

Proceedings Volume 10698, 1069815 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2313823

KEYWORDS: Space telescopes, Telescopes, Spectroscopy, Sensors, Mirrors, Astrophysics, Astronomy, James Webb Space Telescope, Aerospace engineering, Cryocoolers

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Proceedings Article | 18 September 2013 Paper

Paper

Implementing stray light baffles for improved JWST NIRCam performance

Paul Mammini, Tom Birge, Paul Dineen, Craig Hom, Michael Jacoby, Alison Nordt, Rob Shivitz

Proceedings Volume 8836, 88360T (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2024374

KEYWORDS: Stray light, Staring arrays, James Webb Space Telescope, Optical fabrication, Epoxies, Mirrors, Neodymium, Computer aided design, Cameras, Cryogenics

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Proceedings Article | 1 October 2011 Paper

Paper

Lessons learned during the development of components for NIRCam

Alison Nordt, Charles Clark

Proceedings Volume 8150, 81500L (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.897750

KEYWORDS: Coating, Contamination, Beryllium, Titanium, Cryogenics, Gold, James Webb Space Telescope, Optical mounts, Scanning electron microscopy, Optical fabrication

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Proceedings Article | 18 September 2009 Paper

Paper

Cold alignment prediction of the NIRCam instrument components

Alison Nordt, Michael Jacoby

Proceedings Volume 7439, 74391G (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827951

KEYWORDS: Finite element methods, Titanium, Content addressable memory, Optical mounts, Interfaces, Integrated optics, Cameras, James Webb Space Telescope, Mirrors, Optical benches

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Proceedings Article | 22 August 2009 Paper

Paper

Cryogenic adhesive testing for the NIRCam optical bench assembly

Michael Jacoby, Alison Nordt, Bryan Hurlbut

Proceedings Volume 7425, 74250J (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.828262

KEYWORDS: Adhesives, Cryogenics, Beryllium, Optical benches, Optical fabrication, Failure analysis, Finite element methods, Near infrared, Cameras, Stress analysis

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Proceedings Article | 22 August 2009 Paper

Paper

NIRCam optical bench assembly qualification vibration testing

Michael Jacoby, Alison Nordt

Proceedings Volume 7425, 74250K (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.828256

KEYWORDS: Optical fabrication, Optical benches, Cameras, Beryllium, Transducers, Finite element methods, Aerospace engineering, James Webb Space Telescope, Analytical research, Imaging systems

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Proceedings Article | 12 September 2007 Paper

Paper

NIRCam fold mirror and mount designs

Alison Nordt, Michael Jacoby, Brent Biggs, Todd Kvamme, Ted Cahoon

Proceedings Volume 6692, 66920F (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.742101

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Mirror mounts, Prototyping, Interfaces, Tolerancing, Distortion, Shortwaves, James Webb Space Telescope, Manufacturing, Error analysis

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Proceedings Article | 25 August 2005 Paper

Paper

Optical bench assembly for the near-infrared camera

Alison Nordt, Derek Edinger

Proceedings Volume 5904, 590406 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.613797

KEYWORDS: Beryllium, Optical benches, Optical components, Interfaces, Safety, James Webb Space Telescope, Content addressable memory, Cameras, Optics manufacturing, Titanium

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Proceedings Article | 18 August 2005 Paper

Paper

Selection of I-220-H beryllium for NIRCam optical bench

Derek Edinger, Alison Nordt

Proceedings Volume 5868, 58680X (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.614571

KEYWORDS: Beryllium, Optical benches, James Webb Space Telescope, Cryogenics, Heat treatments, Adhesives, Mirrors, Optical components, Optical alignment, Manufacturing

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Proceedings Article | 27 October 2003 Paper

Paper

Sensitivity evaluation of mounting optics using elastomer and bipod flexures

Paul Mammini, Alison Nordt, Buck Holmes, David Stubbs

Proceedings Volume 5176, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.509739

KEYWORDS: Optical mounts, Wavefronts, Thermography, Distortion, Adaptive optics, Mirrors, Temperature metrology, Epoxies, Optical fabrication, Mirror mounts

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Showing 5 of 26 publications

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