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Optical design and testing of a fast, large aperture, infrared space telescope

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Abstract

An optical design study for a next generation infrared space telescope has been performed. The concept is that of a passively cooled telescope of minium aperture 2.5 metre with an F/1.2 primary and wavelength coverage from λ = 2 to at least 40 μm, and possibly to 100 μm. Compactness, low thermal emission from the optics and structure, diffraction limited imaging at λ = 2 μm, and sensitivity to misalignment aberrations and manufacturing errors were the main considerations for this study. Ray tracing results are presented showing the characteristics of the various designs considered. A preliminary investigation of stray light properties is also given. Special emphasis has been placed on the testing of such a fast primary, and optical systems using a lateral shearing interferometer are described for testing both the primary and the primary/secondary combination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Observatory, EH9 3HJ, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, UK

    C. M. Humphries, Y. Nevo, E. Ettedgui-Atad & J. W. Harris

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  1. C. M. Humphries
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  2. Y. Nevo
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  3. E. Ettedgui-Atad
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  4. J. W. Harris
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Humphries, C.M., Nevo, Y., Ettedgui-Atad, E. et al. Optical design and testing of a fast, large aperture, infrared space telescope. Space Sci Rev 61, 211–232 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212484

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