2019/07/30 by Bodendorf, Christof, Geis, Norbert, Grupp, Frank +3
#FOS: Physical sciences #Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det) #Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM) #Optics (physics.optics)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1907.12867
Euclid is a space telescope currently developed in the framework of the ESA Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 Program. It addresses fundamental cosmological questions related to dark matter and dark energy. The lens system of one of the two scientific key instruments [a combined near-infrared spectrometer and photometer (NISP)] was designed, built-up and tested at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE). We present the final imaging quality of this diffraction-limited optical assembly with two complementary approaches, namely a point-spread function and a Shack-Hartmann sensor-based wavefront measurement. The tests are performed under space operating conditions within a cryostat. The large field of view of Euclid's wide-angle objective is sampled with a pivot arm, carrying a measurement telescope and the sensors. A sequence of highly accurate movements to several field positions is carried out by a large computer controlled hexapod. Both measurement approaches are compared among one another and with the corresponding simulations. They demonstrate in good agreement a solely diffraction limited optical performance over the entire field of view.