The Astrophysics Institute of the Canary Islands uses an innovative metrology tower to set up its production centre

The Advanced Optical Systems Centre (CSOA) is Spain’s only infrastructure owned by the Astrophysics Institute of the Canary Islands (IAC) dedicated to manufacturing high accuracy optical elements for applications associated with astrophysics and other demanding technological sectors. In the world, only a few scientific players have the kind of cutting-edge technology that can be found in this space divided into three interconnected laboratories whose purpose is to boost innovation and excellence in this area.

In order to address the challenge of optimising production at this infrastructure, the Tekniker technology centre, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) with extensive experience in the development of new technologies for cutting-edge scientific facilities, has designed, built and installed an innovative metrology tower at CSOA that will enable IAC to run high-precision interferometric trials on optical components measuring up to 1.5 metres in diameter that are currently being manufactured or polished on a machine installed for this purpose.

This unique piece of equipment is divided into two 3.3 and 7 metre tall platforms, respectively, where measuring equipment has been installed so that CSOA may ensure that optical parts for astrophysical and space instruments and other research areas are developed correctly.

Andoni Delgado, in charge of the Science Industry Sector at Tekniker explains that one of CSOA’s goals is to produce mirrors for large telescopes. This tower will allow the organisation to perform all the necessary checks without manipulating the substrate of the components involved, which ensures maximum precision in the polishing process and guarantees traceability when measuring.

Three laboratories

Each one of the three CSOA laboratories focuses on a specific task. Optical elements and telescopes measuring up to 500 mm in diameter are made at CSOA 0.5 located at IAC’s headquarters situated in La Laguna where parts are produced, cut to size, polished and coated. Each crucial stage is carried out accurately by a highly qualified team with experience in previous projects.

CSOA 1.5, on the other hand, is a laboratory where larger optical elements with maximum 1.5 metre diameters are polished and coated. Physically located in one of IACTEC’s so-called clean rooms equipped with the technical resources and hydraulic platforms required to handle and move very large and heavy components, cutting-edge machinery is used to ensure quality and meet accuracy requirements.

Finally, the metrology laboratory verifies and validates the workmanship of all optical elements and plays an essential role in terms of the production chain.

The tower designed by Tekniker ad-hoc for this project is located in the second of these spaces for trials involving optical components produced on-site on the substrate polishing unit for which no manipulation is required.

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