Optical Tooling For Antares

W. Bauke; A. C. Saxman; N. O'Kay

doi:10.1117/12.932036

30 December 1981 Optical Tooling For Antares

W. Bauke, A. C. Saxman, N. O'Kay

Proceedings Volume 0288, Los Alamos Conf on Optics '81; (1981) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.932036
Event: Los Alamos Conference on Optics, 1981, Los Alamos, United States

Abstract

The Antares laser system is a large (40 kJ) CO2 pulse laser system. High energy pulses are transmitted between buildings over path lengths exceeding 90 m. The optical elements are contained within large steel assemblies (power amplifiers, turning chambers, and target chamber) which must be positioned with tolerances of 0.75 mm. The subassblies of optical components must be prepositioned to a precision of 0.25 mm. This precision can easily be obtained by first order surveying techniques and instrumentation.' Although this accuracy is routinely achieved in geodetic network controls and high-precision engineering projects, the Antares optical tooling techniques had to be tailored to the geometry of the system. The basic theoretical optical train centerlines were established throughout the facility. These theoretical references had to be transferred onto solid reference surfaces, often around many physical obstacles. This paper describes the use of a combination of traditional surveying techniques and modern optical tooling methods throughout the integration of building reference planes and the erection of major steel assemblies. The design and measured assembly tolerances are compared.

Citation Download Citation

W. Bauke, A. C. Saxman, and N. O'Kay "Optical Tooling For Antares", Proc. SPIE 0288, Los Alamos Conf on Optics '81, (30 December 1981); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.932036

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