Yvan Stockman

Digital holographic interferometry with CO2 lasers and diffuse illumination applied to large space reflector metrology [Invited].

Digital holographic interferometry in the long-wave infrared domain has been developed by combining a CO(2) laser and a microbolometer array. The long wavelength allows large deformation measurements, which are of interest in the case of large space reflectors undergoing thermal changes when in orbit. We review holography at such wavelengths and present some specific aspects related to this spectral range on our measurements. For the design of our digital holographic interferometer, we studied the possibility of illuminating specular objects by a reflective diffuser. We discuss the development of the interferometer and the results obtained on a representative space reflector, first in the laboratory and then during vacuum cryogenic test.

Modular bimorph mirrors for adaptive optics

This paper examines the possibility of constructing deformable mirrors for adaptive optics with a large number of degrees of freedom from silicon wafers with bimorph piezoelectric actuation. The mirror may be used on its own, or as a segment of a larger mirror. The typical size of one segment is 100 to 200 mm; the production process relies on silicon wafers and thick film piezoelectric material deposition technology; it is able to lead to an actuation pitch of the order of 5 mm, and the manufacturing costs appear to grow only slowly with the number of degrees of freedom in the adaptive optics.

Pre-flight calibration of LYRA, the solar VUV radiometer on board PROBA2

Aims. LYRA, the Large Yield Radiometer, is a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) solar radiometer, planned to be launched in November 2009 on the European Space Agency PROBA2, the Project for On-Board Autonomy spacecraft. Methods. The instrument was radiometrically calibrated in the radiometry laboratory of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) at the Berlin Electron Storage ring for SYnchroton radiation (BESSY II). The calibration was done using monochromatized synchrotron radiation at PTBs VUV and soft X-ray radiometry beamlines using reference detectors calibrated with the help of an electrical substitution radiometer as the primary detector standard. Results. A total relative uncertainty of the radiometric calibration of the LYRA instrument between 1% and 11% was achieved. LYRA will provide irradiance data of the Sun in four UV passbands and with high temporal resolution down to 10 ms. The present state of the LYRA pre-flight calibration is presented as well as the expected instrument performance.

Design status of ASPIICS, an externally occulted coronagraph for PROBA-3

The “sonic region” of the Sun corona remains extremely difficult to observe with spatial resolution and sensitivity sufficient to understand the fine scale phenomena that govern the quiescent solar corona, as well as phenomena that lead to coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which influence space weather. Improvement on this front requires eclipse-like conditions over long observation times. The space-borne coronagraphs flown so far provided a continuous coverage of the external parts of the corona but their over-occulting system did not permit to analyse the part of the white-light corona where the main coronal mass is concentrated. The proposed PROBA-3 Coronagraph System, also known as ASPIICS (Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun), with its novel design, will be the first space coronagraph to cover the range of radial distances between ~1.08 and 3 solar radii where the magnetic field plays a crucial role in the coronal dynamics, thus providing continuous observational conditions very close to those during a total solar eclipse. PROBA-3 is first a mission devoted to the in-orbit demonstration of precise formation flying techniques and technologies for future European missions, which will fly ASPIICS as primary payload. The instrument is distributed over two satellites flying in formation (approx. 150m apart) to form a giant coronagraph capable of producing a nearly perfect eclipse allowing observing the sun corona closer to the rim than ever before. The coronagraph instrument is developed by a large European consortium including about 20 partners from 7 countries under the auspices of the European Space Agency. This paper is reviewing the recent improvements and design updates of the ASPIICS instrument as it is stepping into the detailed design phase.

XMM flight mirror modules with reflection grating assembly and x-ray baffle testing

In the frame of the XMM project, several test campaigns are accomplished to qualify the optical elements of the mission. The test described in this paper are performed on a XMM flight model mirror module added with a reflection grating assembly (RGA). The mirror module contains 58 x-ray optical quality shells, an x-ray baffle (XRB) to reduce the straylight. This complete XMM flight model mirror assembly (MA) is tested in a vertical configuration at CSL, in a full aperture or partial EUV collimated beam illumination, and with an x-ray pencil beam. One of the advantages of the EUV collimated beam is to verify the correct position of the RGA when integrated in flight configuration on the mirror module structure. This is not possible in x-ray with a finite source distance. The partial EUV illumination is performed to verify the correct integration of the RGA grating stacks. The pencil beam allows to make an accurate metrology of the XRB position, and to verify the positions of the 0, 1 and 2 diffraction order foci. In this paper, the tested module is first exposed, and the approach to qualify the instrument is described. The analysis of the results achieved over the different test configurations is presented. The impact of the environmental test on the reflection grating box is also diagnosed.

SWAP and LYRA: space weather from a small spacecraft

Two scientific instruments for Sun observations are being developed to be part of the payload of the ESAs second microsatellite, Proba-II (Project for On-board Autonomy). PROBA-2 is scheduled for launch in early 2007, on a low Earth orbit. Like Proba-1, in orbit since October 2001, Proba-2 is a 100-kilogram class spacecraft. PROBA-II will demonstrate new advanced technologies on its scientific payload but also on new platform subsystems such as star tracker, digital Sun sensor, cool gas generator, solar array concentrator, Li-Ion Battery, new central processor. This paper is dedicated to the solar payload, comprising the Sun Watcher using Active Pixel System detector and image Processing (SWAP) and the Lyman alpha Radiometer (LYRA), both aiming at Sun observations. SWAP, the Belgian-led main instrument, will continuously provide detailed images of the solar atmosphere, by the light of extreme ultraviolet rays, at 17.4 nm, completely absorbed by the terrestrial atmosphere. SWAP will perform as an operational solar monitoring tool for space weather forecasting while it will also demonstrate new technological solutions: CMOS/APS detector, new off-axis telescope design, a thermal structure. LYRA (LYman-alpha RAdiometer) is a small compact solar VUV radiometer. This instrument is designed, manufactured and calibrated by a Belgian-Swiss-German consortium. It will monitor the solar flux in four UV passbands. The spectral channels have been carefully selected for their relevance to space weather, solar physics and aeronomy, ranging from 1 nm to 220 nm. On the technological side, LYRA will benefit from the pioneering UV detectors program using diamond technology. The LYRA data will produce valuable solar monitoring information, for operational space weather nowcasting and research. This paper will detail the instrument concepts and their preparation for delivery to the platform.

X-ray baffle of the XMM telescope: development and results

The high throughput x-ray spectroscopy mission XMM is the second cornerstone project in the European Space Agency (ESA) long-term program for space science. This observatory has at its heart three large x-ray telescopes, which will provide a large collection area with a spatial resolution around 15 arcsec. Five flight models of the XMM x-ray telescope have been delivered to ESA in 1998. They show optical performance, which is far better than the specifications, especially in terms of optical and x-ray stray light reduction. The low level of x-ray stray light will be an important benefit for the observation of the extended faint sources such as super nova remnants or clusters of active galaxies. This reduction of x-ray stray light is due, in particular, to the implementation of a very complex and accurate x-ray baffle mounted at the entrance of the telescope. In this paper, we present first the need, the design, the manufacturing and the integration of the x-ray baffle. Then, we concentrate on the verification of the performance of the baffle at the Centre Spatial de Liege. Finally, we will present the excellent results obtained with these baffles.

Lessons learned from the development of the XMM optics

The high throughput x-ray spectroscopy mission XMM is the second cornerstone project in the European Space Agency (ESA) long-term program for space science. This observatory has at its heart three large x-ray telescopes, which will provide a large collecting area with a spatial resolution better than 15 arcsec. In 1998, the three Flight Models and the two spare models of the x-ray telescope have been delivered to ESA, after verification and calibration at the Centre Spatial de Liege and at the Max Planck Institute near Munich. They show mechanical and optical performances much better than the specification. Their performance will undoubtedly bring an important benefit for the astronomers. The most challenging part of the development of these telescopes was the design, the manufacturing and the testing of the x-ray mirrors, during four intensive years. In this paper, we will first summarize the development and the excellent results of the mirrors. Then, we will discuss the lessons learned during this development, mainly in terms of management and technical aspects, including design, manufacturing and testing. These lessons will be drawn in perspective of the future x-ray missions such as Constellation X, Xeus and ASTRO-F.

Single-wavelength coarse phasing in segmented telescopes

Space observations of fainter and more distant astronomical objects constantly require telescope primary mirrors with larger sizes. The diameters of monolithic primary mirrors are restricted to 10 m because of manufacturing limitations. For space telescopes, the primary mirrors are limited to less than 5 m due to fairing capacity. Segmented primary mirrors thus constitute an alternative solution to deal with the steady increase of primary mirror size. The optical path difference between the individual segments must be close to 0 (a few nanometers) in order to be diffraction-limited. In this paper, we propose a new intersegment piston sensor based on the coherence measurement of a star image. This sensor is intended to be used in the co-phasing system of future segmented mirrors.

Phase control strategies for stabilization of photorefractive holographic interferometer

A current problem encountered in holographic interferometry systems is the phase variations that arise from vibrations, from the use of optical fiber in one arm, by air convection or by unwanted movement between the object and the measurement device. The holographic device developed by CSL based on photorefractive BSO crystals has the advantage of high resolution fringes with the capability of self-processing and indefinite reusability. The weakness of the technique is a response time that is often slow compared to external perturbations. For applications outside the laboratory, we decided to find solutions adapted to the holographic camera and which tend to limit or to eliminate the effect of such phase variations. An error signal is measured from one or another technique which measure the phase variations and which counteracts on an active element in the interferometer to stabilize the phase during recording. Different solutions have been analysed and are presented here. Interferograms were obtained with and without implementation of the phase control system that show the interest of such approach. Some of the system presented are only adapted to photorefractive holographic interferometry, making use of some crystal diffraction properties. Other systems can be used with other kind of interferometers.