arXiv subjects

Alexandre Blin

Publications and source records attributed to Alexandre Blin.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The MICADO first-light imager for the ELT: first steps of the SCAO system MAIT

MICADO is the ELT first light instrument, an imager working at the diffraction limit of the telescope thanks to two adaptive optics (AO) modes: a single conjugate one (SCAO), available at the instrument first light and developed by the MICADO consortium, and a multi conjugate one (MCAO), developed by the MORFEO consortium. Although the project final design review process is about to be completed, the review board and ESO acknowledged that "the review of the final design can be considered complete for the majority of the MICADO sub-systems" and agreed that MICADO can start manufacturing. For the MICADO SCAO module, we have started the manufacturing of several parts: the majority of the SCAO optics and of the SCAO mechanics, the real-time computer software and the instrument control software. This manufacturing is ordered in several steps to allow the progressive integration of a first full AO close loop with the final SCAO parts. In this contribution, we will focus on the first two steps: on our AO S\'esame bench and the so-called "beta flat configuration". We will present the status of this manufacturing and the first results obtained.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

The MICADO first light imager for the ELT: the SCAO module AIT in France, from the beta flat configuration towards the flat and final configurations

MICADO is the designated ELT first light instrument, a near-infrared imager working at the diffraction limit of the telescope thanks to a SCAO and an MCAO mode. Since summer 2024, MICADO is in its AIT phase and all MICADO partners are currently integrating their subsystems. The MICADO SCAO module will follow three successive AIT phases in France: the beta flat configuration, the flat configuration and the final configuration. In this contribution I will first present the progress made in the AIT of the beta flat configuration and its closed loop results. I will then present the performed and on-going tasks for the flat and final configurations (manufacturing, delivery and integration of several SCAO subsystems and pieces of software) and the results obtained so far in the flat configuration. I will then conclude with the expected following steps of the SCAO module AIT in Garching.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer Book 2018

(Abridged) This is the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer 2018 book. It is intended as a concise reference guide to all aspects of the scientific and technical design of MSE, for the international astronomy and engineering communities, and related agencies. The current version is a status report of MSE's science goals and their practical implementation, following the System Conceptual Design Review, held in January 2018. MSE is a planned 10-m class, wide-field, optical and near-infrared facility, designed to enable transformative science, while filling a critical missing gap in the emerging international network of large-scale astronomical facilities. MSE is completely dedicated to multi-object spectroscopy of samples of between thousands and millions of astrophysical objects. It will lead the world in this arena, due to its unique design capabilities: it will boast a large (11.25 m) aperture and wide (1.52 sq. degree) field of view; it will have the capabilities to observe at a wide range of spectral resolutions, from R2500 to R40,000, with massive multiplexing (4332 spectra per exposure, with all spectral resolutions available at all times), and an on-target observing efficiency of more than 80%. MSE will unveil the composition and dynamics of the faint Universe and is designed to excel at precision studies of faint astrophysical phenomena. It will also provide critical follow-up for multi-wavelength imaging surveys, such as those of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Gaia, Euclid, the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope, the Square Kilometre Array, and the Next Generation Very Large Array.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) - The Prime Focus Subsystems: Requirements and Interfaces

MSE will be a massively multiplexed survey telescope, including a segmented primary mirror which feeds fibers at the prime focus, including an array of approximately four thousand fibers, positioned precisely to feed banks of spectrographs several tens of meters away. We describe the process of mapping top-level requirements on MSE to technical specifications for subsystems located at the MSE prime focus. This includes the overall top-level requirements based on knowledge of similar systems at other telescopes and how those requirements were converted into specifications so that the subsystems could begin working on their Conceptual Design Phases. We then discuss the verification of the engineering specifications and the compiling of lower-level requirements and specifications into higher level performance budgets (e.g. Image Quality). We also briefly discuss the interface specifications, their effect on the performance of the system and the plan to manage them going forward. We also discuss the opto-mechanical design of the telescope top end assembly and refer readers to more details for instrumentation located at the top end.

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