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  • Prototype one single collimated beam that we can steer around
  • Optical source and control the light on/off (engineering milestones)
  • Then, we scale this up to six steerable beams
  • Then test these six beams on a telescope that we have HERE to test input (tight-beam demonstration)
  • check in with telescope mounting after prof. stubbs trip (phone app that captures inside of telescope dome/Mario's Solidworks model)



ItemDetailed DescriptionDeadline
Conceptual Design Review

Meghan will create a detailed presentation (4-5 slides) describing the system we are to build and its purpose, and be as detailed as possible (including part numbers).

Meghan will then present this slide deck to Prof. Stubbs and Elana - we will find a time hopefully before Friday Feb 2.

Friday, Jan 26
Software/Hardware Preliminary Decisions

Meghan and Prof. Stubbs will decide on:

  • optical mounts for the beamsplitter cubes
  • type of computer hardware to control the optical mounts
  • begin a bill of materials

Above hardware should then be ordered (asap). 

Friday, Jan 26
Steerable Collimated Beam

Have a single, steerable collimated beam working. This will involve:

  • mount the beamsplitter on its adjustable mount and standardize this mounting system
  • mounting the light source and a single beamsplitter on the rail, and align them so that light goes through the beamsplitter (will be off-axis)
  • beam will be correct size (2") and collimated
  • there will be working software that is able to control where the beam is pointing
  • we can turn the beam on and off with software
Scale to Six Steerable Beams

Add the other beamsplitters so that the system is scaled to its full size.

  • mount other beamsplitters on rail in correct order and align so that all beams are of roughly equal intensity we can only get 50:50s
  • do steering tests on all beams to make sure all parts are working properly
Local Telescope Test

Set up the system for the telescope we have here to test the differential monitoring. 

  • will need the beams to be relatively close together

preferably before 

Friday, April 26 

but there is some wiggle roomBeamsplitter options, CWS Jan 26 2024

vendorpart # sizespecsprice
Newport20BC17MB.150.8 x 50.8lambda/4 $635, stock
Edmund#32-70450.0 x 50.0 lambda/4$539, stock
ThorBS03150.8 x 50.8 lambda/4$564, stock










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