Optical mount modifications for increased articulation at the Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer

James H. Clark III; Joshua P. Walton; F. Ernesto Penado; Denver Smith

doi:10.1117/12.734171

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17 September 2007 Optical mount modifications for increased articulation at the Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer

James H. Clark III, Joshua P. Walton, F. Ernesto Penado, Denver Smith

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Proceedings Volume 6665, New Developments in Optomechanics; 666512 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.734171
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Reconfigurations of the original optical mounts are required to facilitate the expanding capabilities and diverse science programs at the Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer. The mounts of current interest are tangent-arm gimbaled mounts located in vacuum chambers, remotely controlled, and precisely aligned through a narrow range of motion. In order to achieve the desired large changes in pathway reflections, the articulated range of the mount was increased from 4 to 45 degrees in elevation and from 4 to 90 degrees in azimuth. This increase was achieved on the elevation axis by fashioning and attaching a worm gear device, and a direct-drive type mechanism was used on the azimuth axis. The original alignment resolution and stability were preserved by retaining the high precision tangent-arm actuators. In this paper, we present the design modifications that achieved the form, fit, and function required for remote-controlled reconfiguration and alignment. The mechanical modifications, modes of operation, test results, and reconfigurations are described in detail.

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James H. Clark III, Joshua P. Walton, F. Ernesto Penado, and Denver Smith "Optical mount modifications for increased articulation at the Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer", Proc. SPIE 6665, New Developments in Optomechanics, 666512 (17 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.734171

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