Sparse Aperture Optical Alignment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large aperture optical systems, such as telescopes, face challenges in manufacturing and transportation due to their size, and require precise alignment of multiple optical elements to achieve optimal performance, which is difficult to achieve with existing methods.
Innovation Solution
A system using a combination of light sources with varying coherence path lengths and an interferometer procedure to align optical segments, employing coarse and fine measurements to adjust the position of mirror segments and ensure precise alignment, utilizing a remote optical source module and collimating modules to direct light beams and detect reflections for accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical elements are used to create a large aperture system, then angular resolution is improved, but manufacturing and transportation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The large aperture optical system is divided into multiple smaller optical segments (mirror elements) that can be manufactured and transported separately. These segments are then assembled to form the complete large aperture system, achieving fine angular resolution without the manufacturing and transportation challenges of a single large mirror.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical segments are designed to be physically movable, allowing them to be positioned closer together for storage and transportation in a compact nested configuration, and then deployed to their operational positions to form the large aperture system when in use.
2Volume of moving object
If optical elements are moved closer for storage, then system compactness is improved, but alignment precision during operation becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The optical segments are designed with movable mounting structures that allow dynamic adjustment of segment positions. During storage, segments are positioned close together for compactness, while during operation, they can be moved to precise operational positions and maintained there through active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment sensors and control systems continuously monitor the positions of optical segments and provide feedback to adjustment mechanisms, enabling automatic correction of alignment errors and maintenance of precise positioning during operation, even after movement from storage configuration.
3Reliability
If multiple optical segments are used, then system performance is improved, but alignment measurement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment lasers and sensors are introduced as intermediary tools to facilitate the measurement and adjustment of optical segment positions. These instruments project reference beams and detect positional deviations, converting complex alignment measurements into simple, quantifiable signals that guide the alignment process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise alignment of segmented mirrors in optical systems, improving the angular resolution and performance of large aperture telescopes by allowing for accurate alignment of mirror segments, even in adverse environments, and maintaining optical performance throughout deployment and operation.
Implementation Method 1
an optical source module to generate a first beam of light having a first set of coherence path length characteristics and a second beam of light having a second set of coherence path length characteristics
Implementation Method 2
directing the at least one beam of light toward at least one segment of the plurality of optical segments, detecting a reflection or transmission of the at least one beam of light off of the at least one segment
Implementation Method 3
determining a characteristic of the reflected or transmitted light, and based on the characteristic of the reflected or transmitted light, determining an alignment of the at least one segment
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3F
AI summary
According to one aspect, a sparse optical system is provided. The sparse optical system includes optical segments, an optical source module to generate beams of light, a collimating module to direct the beams of light towards two adjacent optical segments, a detector to receive a reflection of the beams of light from the optical segments, and a processor. The processor instructs the optical source module to generate a first beam of light, determines a first measurement of an alignment of the two adjacent segments based on the reflection of the first beam, adjusts a position of an optical segment based on the first measurement, instructs the optical source module to generate a second beam of light, and determines a second measurement of the alignment of the two segments based on the reflection of the second beam.