Compact optical delay lines concept for space interferometry

Leonid Pogorelyuk; John Monnier; Nicholas Belsten; Mason Black; Kerri Cahoy; Alex Jin

doi:10.1117/12.3018904

28 August 2024 Compact optical delay lines concept for space interferometry

Leonid Pogorelyuk, John Monnier, Nicholas Belsten, Mason Black, Kerri Cahoy, Alex Jin

Proceedings Volume 13095, Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging IX; 1309532 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3018904
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Conference Poster

Abstract

Astronomical space interferometers have the potential to achieve milliarcsecond resolution via formation-flying collectors hundreds of meters apart. The collectors’ role is to transfer the starlight beams to a combiner that coherently interferes them. One challenge is controlling optical distances within a fraction of a wavelength while maneuvering the spacecraft to maintain their relative position. Since measuring relative position is much easier than controlling it, we propose long compact delay lines that significantly relax formation flying requirements. We present a proof-of-concept demonstrating an optical 4-m free-space delay in the lab. The delay line utilizes four high-reflectance mirrors in a configuration that fits within a 10cm x 20cm footprint suitable for a CubeSat. We also describe a visible-laser metrology approach that controls the optical path across the 4-m range. The delay line and metrology system would be part of the combiner spacecraft. Such an arrangement will not only relax the relative positioning requirements but also enable a two-spacecraft (total) interferometer that would make a technology demonstration mission more feasible in the near future.

Citation Download Citation

Leonid Pogorelyuk, John Monnier, Nicholas Belsten, Mason Black, Kerri Cahoy, and Alex Jin "Compact optical delay lines concept for space interferometry", Proc. SPIE 13095, Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging IX, 1309532 (28 August 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3018904

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