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
Modeling and Sizing of Segmented Mirror Telescopes -> link
Short Course at the SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation Conference
5–10 July 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark
Participants will learn to use a Python-based modeling tool (based on analytical (not ray-tracing modeling) !, that computes the optical performance and error budget of segmented-mirror telescopes of any size.
The tool accounts for segment misalignments, surface figure errors, system aberrations, and optional AO correction. It enables designers to explore trade-offs, optimize parameters, and avoid unnecessary overspecification.
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
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 currently also in charge of the development of DAG instruments, including a state-of-the-art adaptive optics and derotators modules.
