3D Measurement Simulation and Relative Pointing Error Verification of the Telescope Mount Assembly Subsystem for the...

Area of Science:

• Optical Engineering
• Astronomy Instrumentation
• Metrology

Background:

• Large optical telescopes require precise engineering validation at the subsystem level.
• Relative pointing error verification is crucial for the absolute pointing performance of synoptic survey telescopes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel verification method for assessing the relative pointing error of telescope mount assemblies.
• To ensure the accuracy of large optical telescopes through advanced metrology.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing laser tracker technology and fixed floor fiducial points for relative pointing error assessment.
• Employing Monte Carlo-based simulations to validate the methodology under varying conditions.
• Investigating the potential for permanent laser tracker integration for active alignment and post-maintenance verification.

Main Results:

• The proposed methodology is robust and suitable for purpose, accommodating floor movement caused by temperature variations.
• Simulation results indicate measurement uncertainties better than 1 arcsecond with two on-board laser tracker systems and eight measurement targets.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of a reliable built-in metrology tool for large telescopes.

Conclusions:

• The novel laser tracker-based method effectively verifies relative pointing errors in large optical telescopes.
• Permanent integration of laser tracker technology offers potential for active alignment and enhanced operational accuracy.
• The developed technique provides a reliable metrology solution for large telescope structures, achieving sub-arcsecond accuracy.