The least-squares calibration on the micro-arcsecond metrology test bed

Chengxing Zhai; Mark Milman; Martin Regehr

doi:10.1117/12.670091

28 June 2006 The least-squares calibration on the micro-arcsecond metrology test bed

Chengxing Zhai, Mark Milman, Martin Regehr

Proceedings Volume 6268, Advances in Stellar Interferometry; 62682N (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.670091
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The Space Interferometry Mission(SIM) will measure optical path differences (OPDs) with an accuracy of tens of picometers, requiring precise calibration of the instrument. In this article, we present a calibration approach based on fitting star light interference fringes in the interferometer using a least-squares algorithm. The algorithm is first analyzed for the case of a monochromatic light source with a monochromatic fringe model. Using fringe data measured on the Micro-Arcsecond Metrology(MAM) testbed with a laser source, the error in the determination of the wavelength is shown to be less than 10pm. By using a quasi-monochromatic fringe model, the algorithm can be extended to the case of a white light source with a narrow detection bandwidth. In SIM, because of the finite bandwidth of each CCD pixel, the effect of the fringe envelope can not be neglected, especially for the larger optical path difference range favored for the wavelength calibration. We eliminate the fringe envelope effect by "projecting away" the fringe envelope, i.e. working in a subspace orthogonal to the envelope signal. The resulting fringe envelope parameters are needed for subsequent OPD estimation in SIM. We show the sensitivities to various errors. The algorithm is validated using both simulation and the fringe data obtained on the MAM test bed.

Citation Download Citation

Chengxing Zhai, Mark Milman, and Martin Regehr "The least-squares calibration on the micro-arcsecond metrology test bed", Proc. SPIE 6268, Advances in Stellar Interferometry, 62682N (28 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.670091

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available