ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope: M5 Mirror Stabilization Units and the Role of CTEC’s Piezo Actuators
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) continues to make significant strides with the development of its Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), a groundbreaking project that promises to revolutionize astronomical observation. Recently, ESO released an animation showcasing the tip-tilt motion of the M5 mirror, a key element in the ELT’s design. The M5 mirror plays a crucial role in ensuring high-quality, sharp images by correcting atmospheric distortions in real-time, enabling the ELT to observe the universe with unparalleled precision. A noteworthy aspect of the M5 mirror’s performance is its stabilization system, which relies on cutting-edge technology to maintain the correct orientation and position of the mirror during observations. One of the crucial components of this stabilization system is the piezo actuators used to perform rapid and precise adjustments.
CTEC, a key player in the ELT project, is particularly proud to highlight its contribution to this sophisticated system. The company has developed the largest APA® amplified piezo actuator used in the stabilization system for the M5 mirror: the APA500XXL. This actuator is designed to ensure the smooth and precise tip-tilt motion of the mirror, helping the ELT correct distortions caused by the Earth’s atmosphere, wind and ground’s vibrations. The APA500XXL is essential for keeping the mirror stable and aligned during telescope operations, allowing for the high precision necessary to capture the faintest and most distant celestial objects. Beyond its exceptional performance, the APA500XXL is designed to preserve the feasibility of piezoelectric active materials, aiming for 35 years of use without failure. Thanks to the APA500XXL, the M5 cell is equipped with one of the largest dynamic Fast Steering Mirrors (FSMs) in the world.
The recently released animation by ESO allows the public to witness the tip-tilt action of the M5 mirror, where the role of CTEC’s piezo actuator can be observed in action. This visual representation provides insight into the critical function that these actuators perform, ensuring the mirror’s optimal orientation in real-time.
CTEC’s involvement in the ELT project highlights its commitment to advancing cutting-edge technology for astronomical applications. The APA500XXL amplified piezo actuator is a testament to the company’s expertise in the field, and its contribution to the success of the ELT is undeniable. As ESO continues to make progress with the construction of the telescope, the technology developed by CTEC will remain vital to ensuring that the ELT reaches its full observational potential.
Once completed, the ELT is expected to become the world’s largest optical/infrared telescope, capable of probing the farthest reaches of the cosmos. CTEC’s piezo actuators will play a pivotal role in making these observations possible, contributing to humanity’s understanding of the universe on an unprecedented scale.
ESO’s ELT project represents a major leap forward in astronomy, and the contribution of CTEC’s APA500XXL amplified piezo actuator in stabilizing the M5 mirror underscores the importance of cutting-edge technology in achieving its ambitious goals.
