Displacement sensors for the primary mirror of the W. M. Keck telescope

Robert H. Minor; A. A. Arthur; George Gabor; Hunter G. Jackson Jr.; Richard C. Jared; Terry S. Mast; Barbara A. Schaefer

doi:10.1117/12.19270

1 July 1990 Displacement sensors for the primary mirror of the W. M. Keck telescope

Robert H. Minor, A. A. Arthur, George Gabor, Hunter G. Jackson Jr., Richard C. Jared, Terry S. Mast, Barbara A. Schaefer

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19270
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1990, Tucson, AZ, United States

Abstract

The Primary Mirror of the Keck Observatory Telescope is made up of an array of 36 hexagonal mirror segments under active control. The measurement of the relative orientations of the mirror segments is fundamental to their control. The mechanical and electronic design of the sensors used to measure these relative positions is described along with the performance of the sensors under a variety of tests. In use, the sensors will measure relative positions with a resolution of a few nanometers. This resolution and the low noise, drift and thermal sensitivity of the sensors are adequate to stabilize the primary mirror figure to the precision require for optical and infrared astronomy.

Citation Download Citation

Robert H. Minor, A. A. Arthur, George Gabor, Hunter G. Jackson Jr., Richard C. Jared, Terry S. Mast, and Barbara A. Schaefer "Displacement sensors for the primary mirror of the W. M. Keck telescope", Proc. SPIE 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV, (1 July 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19270

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