In 2019,the Event Horizon Telescope(EHT)released the first-ever image of a black hole event horizon.Astronomers are now aiming for higher angular resolutions of distant targets,like black holes,to understand more abou...In 2019,the Event Horizon Telescope(EHT)released the first-ever image of a black hole event horizon.Astronomers are now aiming for higher angular resolutions of distant targets,like black holes,to understand more about the fundamental laws of gravity that govern our universe.To achieve this higher resolution and increased sensitivity,larger radio telescopes are needed to operate at higher frequencies and in larger quantities.Projects like the next-generation Very Large Array(ngVLA)and the Square-Kilometer Array(SKA)require building hundreds of telescopes with diameters greater than 10 ms over the next decade.This has a twofold effect.Radio telescope surfaces need to be more accurate to operate at higher frequencies,and the logistics involved in maintaining a radio telescope need to be simplified to support them properly in large quantities.Both of these problems can be solved with improved methods for surface metrology that are faster and more accurate with a higher resolution.This leads to faster and more accurate panel alignment and,therefore,a more productive observatory.In this paper,we present the use of binocular fringe projection profilometry as a solution to this problem and demonstrate it by aligning two panels on a 3-m radio telescope dish.The measurement takes only 10 min and directly delivers feedback on the tip,tilt,and piston of each panel to create the ideal reflector shape.展开更多
Future large-scale radio telescope observatories,such as the next-generation Very Large Array,involve extremely large collection areas.These collection areas are divided into smaller shaped panels,which typically requ...Future large-scale radio telescope observatories,such as the next-generation Very Large Array,involve extremely large collection areas.These collection areas are divided into smaller shaped panels,which typically require their own unique molds to manufacture.For these projects to be cost-effective,an efficient fabrication method for the shaped panels is needed.This paper outlines the development and success of a novel adaptive freeform panel molding technology that greatly improves manufacturing efficiency due to its repeatable and reusable nature.Moreover,it presents an analysis of a proposed panel structural design for the shaped panels,which incorporates a study on surface deformation due to gravity and wind loading under realistic operational conditions.展开更多
基金funded by the National Science Foundation(NSF)Award 2009384.
文摘In 2019,the Event Horizon Telescope(EHT)released the first-ever image of a black hole event horizon.Astronomers are now aiming for higher angular resolutions of distant targets,like black holes,to understand more about the fundamental laws of gravity that govern our universe.To achieve this higher resolution and increased sensitivity,larger radio telescopes are needed to operate at higher frequencies and in larger quantities.Projects like the next-generation Very Large Array(ngVLA)and the Square-Kilometer Array(SKA)require building hundreds of telescopes with diameters greater than 10 ms over the next decade.This has a twofold effect.Radio telescope surfaces need to be more accurate to operate at higher frequencies,and the logistics involved in maintaining a radio telescope need to be simplified to support them properly in large quantities.Both of these problems can be solved with improved methods for surface metrology that are faster and more accurate with a higher resolution.This leads to faster and more accurate panel alignment and,therefore,a more productive observatory.In this paper,we present the use of binocular fringe projection profilometry as a solution to this problem and demonstrate it by aligning two panels on a 3-m radio telescope dish.The measurement takes only 10 min and directly delivers feedback on the tip,tilt,and piston of each panel to create the ideal reflector shape.
基金This work was funded by the National Science Foundation(NSF)Award 2009384.
文摘Future large-scale radio telescope observatories,such as the next-generation Very Large Array,involve extremely large collection areas.These collection areas are divided into smaller shaped panels,which typically require their own unique molds to manufacture.For these projects to be cost-effective,an efficient fabrication method for the shaped panels is needed.This paper outlines the development and success of a novel adaptive freeform panel molding technology that greatly improves manufacturing efficiency due to its repeatable and reusable nature.Moreover,it presents an analysis of a proposed panel structural design for the shaped panels,which incorporates a study on surface deformation due to gravity and wind loading under realistic operational conditions.