@inproceedings{ff9be4afa66946b88922ccd065f096e2,
title = "Commissioning a laser metrology truss for active optics on the Large Binocular Telescope",
abstract = "LBTO, in partnership with GMTO, has been developing a laser-truss-based metrology system for the active alignment of telescope main optical components. Positive initial results convinced LBTO to commence to develop a {"}pathfinder{"}integrated operational active-optics system at prime focus, utilizing this technological approach. The prime-focus active-optics system benefits LBTO directly in improved system performance and is also very useful for GMTO in developing and gaining experience with a critical technical component of the GMT Telescope Metrology System. This paper describes the current system, which is now commissioned and operates in support of regular scientific observing. Technical aspects unique to direct laser truss metrology, such as system stability, the effects of correlated and uncorrelated noise, and the benefits of channel redundancy, will be discussed. Commissioning results and general system performance will also be reported. The paper will conclude with a section discussing some of the unexpected insights and improvements that the TMS has brought about at LBT by enabling the measurement of {"}clean{"}aberration data for aberrations arising from shape change on the borosilicate primary mirrors.",
keywords = "3-D Metrology, LBT, Laser Tracker, Optical Alignment, Telescope Alignment",
author = "Andrew Rakich and Heejoo Choi and Christian Veillet and John Hill and Olga Kuhn and Matthieu Bec and Yang Zhang and Trenton Brendel and Breann Sitarski and William Schoenell",
note = "Funding Information: Jim Fanson of GMTO and Christian Veillet of LBTO gave this system a {"}chance to be{"} back when it was just a proposal. John Hill has been the key figure in managing the very complex integration with the LBT TCS. The whole team have brought interest, enthusiasm and talent together to produce a {"}world first{"} direct-metrology active optics system. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 SPIE.; Ground-Based and Airborne Telescopes IX 2022 ; Conference date: 17-07-2022 Through 22-07-2022",
year = "2022",
doi = "10.1117/12.2629904",
language = "English (US)",
series = "Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering",
publisher = "SPIE",
editor = "Marshall, {Heather K.} and Jason Spyromilio and Tomonori Usuda",
booktitle = "Ground-Based and Airborne Telescopes IX",
}