Dr. José Luis Alvarez Profile

Dr. José Luis Alvarez

at European Southern Observatory

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Author

Publications (10)

Proceedings Article | 25 July 2024 Presentation + Paper

Integrating advanced analytics and AI for enhanced performance optimization and maintenance efficiency in the 4LGSF system at Paranal Observatory

José Luis Álvarez, Leonardo Blanco, Juan Beltrán, Álvaro Diaz, Guillermo Valdes, Cesar Cárdenas, Chester Rojas

Proceedings Volume 13098, 1309817 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019950

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Laser systems engineering, Directed energy weapons, Observatories, Equipment, Adaptive optics, Relative humidity, Artificial intelligence, Laser guide stars, Data analysis

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The ESO Paranal Observatory is the site of the UT4 YEPUN telescope, which accommodates four TOPTICA-MPB Laser Guide Star Units (LGSUs) within its Adaptive Optics Facility (AOF). Additionally, three similar laser systems are scheduled for installation, with each telescope housing one laser unit, resulting in a total of seven lasers at Paranal. Preparations are underway at the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) to integrate six more lasers. Recently we have introduced innovative strategies to guarantee the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of operations and technical maintenance. Pivotal initiatives include enhancing real-time monitoring of systems and subsystems. This approach enables a comprehensive evaluation of system usage, leading to optimized strategies and a 20% increase in the lifespan of critical components. Furthermore, the implementation of automated monitoring for critical system parameters has effectively decreased the necessity for visual inspections, thereby optimizing staffing allocation. The meticulous monitoring of environmental parameters within the telescope, coupled with the development of AI tools, facilitates the timely detection of deviations from technical specifications, triggering warnings and alarms. The AI tools also exhibit the potential to predict dangerous variations in the environment that affect system performance, enabling proactive measures to reduce troubleshooting time and ensuring data-driven interventions. The development of tools for comprehensive data analysis, covering health checks and operational logs of laser units, has resulted in a remarkable 25% reduction in staffing allocation for this activity. This streamlined process expedites fault analysis and facilitates the swift identification of the root cause of critical issues. Through the implementation of these strategic initiatives, we are not only enhancing the performance and longevity of the 4LGSF but also securing its sustained contribution to the scientific community. These efforts underscore our commitment to advancing technological capabilities and operational efficiency in astronomical research.

Proceedings Article | 25 July 2024 Poster + Paper

Application of root cause analysis in a critical failure of the VLT deformable secondary mirror

Rodrigo Huerta, Marcos Ortega, José Luis Álvarez, Luis Caniguante, Javier González

Proceedings Volume 13098, 1309823 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020422

KEYWORDS: Failure analysis, Humidity, Liquids, Relative humidity, Telescopes, Sensors, Water, Deformable mirrors

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Proceedings Article | 18 July 2024 Poster + Paper

Navigating instruments operational challenges and extending traditional maintenance frontiers

Patricia Guajardo, Javier Valenzuela, Maxime Boccas, Eduardo Garces, Chester Rojas, Roberto Castillo, Jose Luis Alvarez, Alvaro Diaz, Laurent Pallanca, Juan Beltran, Sergio Abadie, Nicolas Haddad, Marcos Ortega, Alex Morales, Rodrigo Badinez

Proceedings Volume 13096, 130967F (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019916

KEYWORDS: Equipment, Observatories, Telescopes, Adaptive optics, Contamination, Sensors, Inspection, Head, Windows, Large telescopes

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Proceedings Article | 29 July 2010 Paper

Laser guide star facility at La Silla Paranal Observatory: latest upgrades, operation, and performance

J. Alvarez, J. Beltran, I. Munoz, G. Valdes, F. Gutierrez, M. Tapia, C. Ramirez

Proceedings Volume 7736, 77364X (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856976

KEYWORDS: Adaptive optics, Telescopes, Laser guide stars, Observatories, Stars, Sodium, Imaging systems, Optical amplifiers, Lanthanum, Laser stabilization

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Proceedings Article | 21 July 2010 Paper

Instrumentation at Paranal Observatory: maintaining the instrument suite of five large telescopes and its interferometer alive

Gordon Gillet, José Luis Alvarez, Juan Beltrán, Pierre Bourget, Roberto Castillo, Álvaro Diaz, Nicolás Haddad, Alfredo Leiva, Pedro Mardones, Jared O'Neal, Mauricio Ribes, Miguel Riquelme, Pascal Robert, Chester Rojas, Javier Valenzuela

Proceedings Volume 7735, 77355U (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856218

KEYWORDS: Observatories, Telescopes, Instrumentation engineering, Cameras, Cryogenics, Large telescopes, Interferometers, Optical spheres, Control systems, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 10 July 2008 Paper

Operation of Laser Guide Star Facility at La Silla Paranal Observatory

J. Alvarez, E. Bendek, J. Beltran, F. Gutierrez, I. Munoz, G. Valdes, N. Kornewibel

Proceedings Volume 7015, 70152O (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.788454

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Adaptive optics, Observatories, Laser systems engineering, Laser stabilization, Amplifiers, Stars, Imaging systems, Laser guide stars, Sodium

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Proceedings Article | 10 July 2008 Paper

LGSF operational problems management at La Silla Paranal Observatory

Eduardo Bendek, Jose Alvarez, Jose Parra

Proceedings Volume 7015, 70152U (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.790468

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Observatories, Lanthanum, Control systems, Camera shutters, Databases, Laser guide stars, Relays, Fiber lasers, Telecommunications

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Proceedings Article | 4 July 2006 Paper

First light of the ESO laser guide star facility

D. Bonaccini Calia, E. Allaert, J. Alvarez, C. Araujo Hauck, G. Avila, E. Bendek, B. Buzzoni, M. Comin, M. Cullum, R. Davies, M. Dimmler, I. Guidolin, W. Hackenberg, S. Hippler, S. Kellner, A. van Kesteren, F. Koch, U. Neumann, T. Ott, D. Popovic, F. Pedichini, M. Quattri, J. Quentin, S. Rabien, A. Silber, M. Tapia

Proceedings Volume 6272, 627207 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.674484

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Sodium, Laser guide stars, Adaptive optics, Fiber lasers, LIDAR, Scattering, Continuous wave operation, Laser scattering, Observatories

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Proceedings Article | 29 June 2006 Paper

VLT(I) instrument operations and maintenance at the Paranal Observatory

A. Kaufer, J. Alvarez, E. Bendek, F. Caruso, R. Castillo, J. Jimenez, G. Gillet, N. Haddad, A. Leiva, M. Marchesi, P. Mardones, M. Riquelme, P. Robert, U. Weilenmann

Proceedings Volume 6270, 627009 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.670888

KEYWORDS: Observatories, Telescopes, Instrumentation engineering, Camera shutters, Calibration, Control systems, Inspection, Interferometry, Reliability, Large telescopes

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Proceedings Article | 25 October 2004 Paper

Laser-guide-star-related activities at ESO

Domenico Bonaccini Calia, Wolfgang Hackenberg, Constanza Araujo, Ivan Guidolin, Jose Alvarez

Proceedings Volume 5490, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552947

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Fiber lasers, Relays, Laser guide stars, Adaptive optics, Photonic crystal fibers, Diffraction, Laser development, Space telescopes, Raman spectroscopy

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Showing 5 of 10 publications

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