The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) instrument mechanism control systems

Carl T. Coker; Daniel Pappalardo; Richard Pogge; Paul Martini; Mark Derwent; Thomas P. O'Brien; Klaus Honscheid

doi:10.1117/12.2231117

9 August 2016 The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) instrument mechanism control systems

Carl T. Coker, Daniel Pappalardo, Richard Pogge, Paul Martini, Mark Derwent, Thomas P. O'Brien, Klaus Honscheid

Proceedings Volume 9908, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI; 99087P (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2231117
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is under construction to measure the expansion history of the Universe using the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation technique. The spectra of 40 million galaxies over 14,000 sq deg will be measured during the life of the experiment. A new prime focus corrector for the KPNO Mayall telescope will deliver light to 5,000 fiber optic positioners. The fibers in turn feed ten broad-band spectrographs. We present the design details of the instrument mechanism control systems for the spectrographs. Each spectrograph has a stand-alone mechanism control box that operates the unit's four remotely-operated mechanisms (two shutters and two Hartmannn doors), and provides a suite of temperature and humidity sensors. Each control box is highly modular, and is operated by a dedicated on-board Linux computer to provide all of the control and monitoring functions. We describe our solution for integrating a number of network-connected devices within each unit spectrograph, and describe the basic software architecture.

Citation Download Citation

Carl T. Coker, Daniel Pappalardo, Richard Pogge, Paul Martini, Mark Derwent, Thomas P. O'Brien, and Klaus Honscheid "The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) instrument mechanism control systems", Proc. SPIE 9908, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI, 99087P (9 August 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2231117

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