Know-how and expertise
Opto-mechatronics and optical systems engineering
- Development, design and prototyping of high-precision opto-mechatronics systems, integrating optics, photonics, precision mechanics, electronics and software.
- Inter- and pluridisciplinary applied science and engineering covering in particular the fields of optics, photonics, mechatronics, precision motion, embedded systems, structures, thermal analysis, environmental modeling and impact problems simulation, measurements and tests.
“End-to-end” models of complex systems
- Simulation and mathematical modeling of designs, processes and physical phenomena
- Scientific and technical software applications
News and highlights
Advanced active optics actuator
The primary mirrors of modern telescope are equipped with an active optics support that not only supports the weight of the mirror but also provides accurate force corrections to maintain the mirror in the optimum shape.
The primary objective of this project is developing an “advanced” active optics force feedback actuator with increased frequency bandwidth (~ 10 Hz) which would make it capable of dynamically compensate the buffeting wind load on the primary mirror of an open air telescope.
The current prototype was originally targeted as axial actuator for the 4-m primary mirror of the European Solar Telescope (EST). However, the project was also framed with objectives of conceptual simplicity, ease of operation and programming, and most significantly a low cost, quite below 1000 € per unit.
The main characteristics are:
- Force range -100 +500 N
- Force resolution 0.1 N
- Large stroke ±10 mm
- Low dissipation electronics can be integrated in the actuator body
Secondary and tertiary mirror cells of the European Extremely Larger Telescope (ELT)
image ©SENER
In February 2017, following an open tender process ESO has assigned the development contract for the secondary and tertiary mirror cells of the ELT to the Spanish company SENER. OptoLab.iAi contributed as a subcontractor to the successful tender and will then provide various technical analyses and mathematical models during the design phases.
These are complex mechanisms of large size (4-5 m) and extreme accuracy, which support by means of active devices and in all circumstances the surface figure of the mirror with the accuracy of a few nanometers.
Our contribution to this project comprised in particular the integrated (end-to-end) modeling of these mechanisms. This allows to evaluate in a single computation cycle the combined effects of various analyses (static, dynamic, thermal, kinematic) on the optical performance of the mirror. This integrated modeling approach results notably in more efficient design iterations and optimization of all structures and active mechanisms.
INO340 Iranian Telescope Project 
One of the international collaborations and consultancy work of AstroTe.ch and OptoLab.iAi is the project of a 3.4-m telescope currently being developed by the Iranian National Observatory.
The INO340 is the project for a new 3.4-m optical and near-infrared Cassegrain telescope embedding active optics.
DAG Telescope (ongoing)
The DAG (Dogu Anadolu Gözlemevi, Eastern Anatolia Observatory) is the project for a new state-of-the-art 4-m optical and near-infrared telescope. This project has now entered the realization phase. The installation of this new telescope is planned on a 3000 m site in eastern Anatolia near the city of Erzurum.
Lorenzo Zago was the project manager of the DAG project in its early phase, in charge namely the technical specifications and contractors' selection for the telescope and the enclosure.
Furthermore, Prof. Laurent Jolissaint of OptoLab.iAi is currenpy also in charge of the development of DAG instruments, including a state-of-the-art adaptive optics and derotators modules.
