The principle of magnetron sputtering explained.

Astronomy Application Specialist Dr Ines Juvan-Beaulieu is going to present Andor's high performance camera portfolio for Astronomy. The key characteristics of Andor's CCD, sCMOS and EMCCD cameras will be highlighted. Furthermore, their performance using examples of on-going astronomy projects from around the globe will be discussed. Andor offers robust and low maintenance 'off-the-shelf' camera solutions, which are in high demand especially within the astronomical community (e.g., for exoplanet studies, observations of transient phenomena, solar system objects as well as lucky and speckle imaging). This is due to, for example, the cameras high sensitivities, low noise characteristics and their exceptional longevity in remote observing locations.

CO2 Snow Cleaning is a quick and safe surface cleaning process for optics and many materials. CO2 snow cleaning can remove particles from many surfaces, ranging in size from fiber faces to large telescope mirrors. At the same time, hydrocarbon and organic stains can be removed without damage to thin film coatings. Particle removal ranges from visible to a few nanometers; hydrocarbon removal is similar to solvents. High velocity CO2 snow cleans all types of substrates, optics, coated optics, wafers, metals, analytical samples, and many other items. Our video shows data for precisions cleaning. The low velocity CO2 snow cleaning units are aimed at particle removal for telescopes and they are used at observatories around the world. Our equipment includes the typical tube set up and we have larger areas slot nozzles of 5 and 10 cm exit slots. We plan to introduce a 20 cm slot nozzle this winter. We also demonstrate these telescope units.

As a turnkey supplier for telescope, ASA is in the position to deliver a full turnkey solution. A telescope with dome, additional sensors and relevant software. We can provide telescope solution for different application. For a telescope size from 300mm to 2500mm. The preferred optical system is the Ritchey Chretien system with f6-f8, but also much faster systems as prime focus solutions from f1,3-f2. To be the supplier for ground based optical solutions, this is our passion.

For the last 35 years at CSEM we've developed compliant systems in optomechatronics; pioneering revolutionary designs for iconic terrestrial and space observation projects, such as the next generation EUMETSAT geostationary satellites: Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) - Meteosat Third Generation (MTG). In astrophysics, we've contributed to major projects including: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA); Multi-Object Spectrometer for InfraRed Exploration for KECK telescope (MOSFIRE). Thanks to flexures, our systems have infinite lifetime and reliability, suffer neither friction nor wear and don't require any lubrication. They're capable of enduring extreme conditions while maintaining high accuracy. We tailor projects to our customers' needs and support scientists in enhancing their state of the art instruments.

High brightness light sources are used to calibrate and evaluate astronomical instrumentation systems, including telescopes, optics, filters, windows, and detectors.

The Giant Magellan Telescope will be one of the next generation of giant ground-based telescopes that promises to revolutionize our view and understanding of the universe. It will be constructed at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. To learn more about the project, view our SPIE talks, and explore job opportunities, visit gmto.org/spie2020.

This paper presents the design and performance of an easily scalable Theta/Phi fiber positioner for multi-object spectrographs (which has been developed by Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) together with the Swiss manufacturer of miniature microsystems MPS). The positioner has been designed with the purpose of adapting readily to the requirements of any multi-object spectrograph, which requires precise positioning of optical fibers. Whether MOONS, PFS, MEGARA or DESI, each project has so far developed its own fiber positioner from scratch, with all of the risks linked to such a complete new development. The positioner presented in the current paper intends to significantly reduce the development time, costs and eliminate unforeseen risks. The design will be detailed and highlighted to be easily scalable in size, length and shape. We will expose in which range the main geometrical parameters can be changed within the limits of the technology. Finally, we will discuss how the experience made with four different projects have led to the design of this positioner platform as well as results of performance testing on a set of prototypes with 9mm external diameter.

High precision optics play a key role in many space programs. Hear about just a few programs that Optimax optics have been on board.

This demonstration video is a preview of our webinar series available in replay. It covers Phasics unique wavefront sensing technology and applications for laser testing, adaptive optics, optics metrology and refractive index characterization applied to waveguides and metasurfaces. To get access to the full replay please contact us at contact@phasics.com

First Contact Polymers from Photonic Cleaning Technologies have been used on many world-class telescopes for protection and for cleaning to maintain reflectivity to "as new" condition. W.M. Keck, Space Surveillance Telescope, MCAT Ascension Island, ESO, CFHT, LIGO, and others have all used First Contact to clean mirrors and optics to the molecular level.

Learn more about Photonics Media's publications and digital offerings.

Ion Beam Figuring (IBF) for surface form error correction can be used for optics of different size. Thereby by a focused ion beam scans over the mirror surface in a meander-like path and removes the exact amount needed to correct form errors. We will give an overview about the technical aspects regarding system design for doing IBF on small and big optics. Next generation x-ray telescopes consist of ten thousands of single silicon mirrors. Each of those mirrors need individual ion beam figuring. Since the mirrors are about 100 mm in size and light-weight, they can be easily moved in front of the ion beam source. In contrast the single mirror sizes for larger telescopes, like the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) build by the ESO, is much bigger. The primary mirror of the ELT consists of 798 single elements, each 1.5 m in diameter. Such large mirrors cannot be moved around due to its weight, so the ion beam source will be moved in front of the mirror. A system for mass production of such big mirrors will be introduced.

TOPTICA Projects GmbH is the leading supplier of sodium guide star laser technology to all major ground-based VIS/IR observatories. SodiumStar lasers combine a single-frequency diode-based seeder, Raman fiber amplifier technology and resonant frequency doubling. They emit > 20 W of narrow-linewidth (~ 5 MHz) continuous-wave radiation at sodium D2a resonance and include an integrated D2b re-pumping scheme for maximum return flux. Apart from the unique optical characteristics, emphasis has been placed on supplying astronomers with modular turn-key systems that are absolutely reliable even under harsh environmental conditions and in remote locations. Applications beyond astronomy include atmospheric magnetometry, space situational awareness, and free-space optical communication, in particular feeder links to LEO and GEO satellites as well as deep space probes.

Vera C. Rubin Observatory: a game changer for astronomy