Investigation and Mitigation of a Prominent Off-Axis Stray Light Path in Rubin Observatory Commissioning

Alex Drlica-Wagner; Alessio Taranto; Gabriele Rodeghiero; Joshua E. Meyers; John Andrew; Douglas R. Neill; Christian Aguilar; Brian Stalder; Robert H. Lupton; Aashay Pai; Lee S. Kelvin; Aaron E. Watkins; Luca Rosignoli; Hannah M. M. Pollek; Anastasia Alexov

arXiv · 2606.31939

Investigation and Mitigation of a Prominent Off-Axis Stray Light Path in Rubin Observatory Commissioning

Alex Drlica-Wagner·Alessio Taranto·Gabriele Rodeghiero·Joshua E. Meyers·John Andrew·Douglas R. Neill·Christian Aguilar·Brian Stalder·Robert H. Lupton·Aashay Pai·Lee S. Kelvin·Aaron E. Watkins·Luca Rosignoli·Hannah M. M. Pollek·Anastasia Alexov

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Abstract

The "scratched tape" stray light feature is the most prominent and prevalent stray light artifact identified during the commissioning of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The scratched tape feature originates when light from large off-axis angles (~20 deg) passes between the mid-level and center-section light baffles, reflects off the primary mirror, and illuminates the LSST Camera focal plane. This scenario represented an unobstructed stray light path to the sky during Rubin commissioning due to delays in the integration of the dome slit light-wind screen. This document describes the identification, modeling, characterization, and mitigation of the scratched tape stray light artifact.

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Alex Drlica-Wagner, Alessio Taranto, Gabriele Rodeghiero, Joshua E. Meyers, John Andrew, Douglas R. Neill, Christian Aguilar, Brian Stalder, Robert H. Lupton, Aashay Pai, Lee S. Kelvin, Aaron E. Watkins, Luca Rosignoli, Hannah M. M. Pollek, Anastasia Alexov. 2026-06-30. Investigation and Mitigation of a Prominent Off-Axis Stray Light Path in Rubin Observatory Commissioning. https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.31939

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