Focus on the positive: lessons learned from focus determination of infrared space optics

Jacob Egan; Kevin Rigg

doi:10.1117/12.2239029

27 September 2016 Focus on the positive: lessons learned from focus determination of infrared space optics

Jacob Egan, Kevin Rigg

Proceedings Volume 9953, Optical Modeling and Performance Predictions VIII; 995305 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2239029
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Wide field of view optics paired with large starer infrared detector arrays can be notoriously difficult to place into focus. This paper will discuss the lessons learned in taking one such system from being more than 20x out of its focus specification to within focus in a single iteration. Traditionally the tight tolerances required for space borne applications forces the system designer to carefully consider many effects that may otherwise be negligible. These include changes in system tolerances between ambient to cryogenic temperature, lens boule property differences, test setup to properly mimic the flight thermal profile, lack of commercially available lasers with the proper wavelength, and several others. In this case, some key pieces of information were not provided when the system arrived at Northrop Grumman’s Azusa facility for unit integration and through-focus testing. The presented approach involves taking extremely out-of-focus responses from point sources at various focus positions and combining them with optical modeling parameters to determine how to best reposition the detector array to the best plane of focus. A successful implementation of the approach will be presented using data from a wide field-of-view infrared sensor.

Citation Download Citation

Jacob Egan and Kevin Rigg "Focus on the positive: lessons learned from focus determination of infrared space optics", Proc. SPIE 9953, Optical Modeling and Performance Predictions VIII, 995305 (27 September 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2239029

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KEYWORDS

Detector arrays

Sensors

Data modeling

Zemax

Cryogenics

Space telescopes

Telescopes

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