ETMEROPE - MEasuring and Rectifying Optical Phase Errors

Problem Statement.

This project studies the wavefront control of the powerful lasers in the design of the Einstein Telescope, taking into account the superfine polished mirrors between which the powerful laser beam bounces. This project explores actuation and sensor techniques with greatly increased resolution in combination with advanced inference algorithms that allow accurate wavefront control to be realized.

Objective

A Thermal Compensation System (TCS); a real-time deformable mirror capable of stabilizing an optical (main) system. The TCS will operate fully automatically with support for known thermoelastic models and methodology, inference technology, self-learning (machine learning) technology and advanced sensors. Miniaturization and industrialization are part of the TCS. While the main laser and optics are located in cryogenic and ultra high vacuum environments, the thermal compensation system is designed to be located outside the tower in natural ambient temperatures.

Description of the innovation

Development takes place in a controlled environment using a systematic and automatic parameter inference framework and a workstation of increasing complexity. In a Single Cavity Set-up, sensors are tested first, then multiple environmental factors are added and then actuators are added. At each step, more sophisticated algorithms are tested as a result of previous physical measurements, thermal-elastic modeling and machine learning. The goal is to create fully automated control of this highly complex system. The breadboarding development ensures that all components work together and is aimed at efficient computing in time and power.