Final laser system assembly (Apr. 2012)
We started to assemble and test the laser boxes.
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While the DX laser box (background) is already in test, we work on the SX box.
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First light! (of the alignment lasers on the ceiling...) High power test will follow soon.
The central spot is the sodium dummy laser.
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Laser box software test (Nov. 2011)
With this test setup we checked how the instrument software, which is
still under development, is working with a complex system like our
laser box. Here it has to handle several motors, cameras, diagnostic
systems, safety systems and of course the laser itself.
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More ARGOS installations on the
telescope (Aug. 2011)
The installation of the calibration swingarm is in progress. Seen on
the LBT
Live views.
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LBT
without swingarm.
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LBT
with the first ARGOS swingarm on SX C-ring extension.
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Installation
of the second swingarm.
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Operational
swingarm.
We thank and congratualte all the team for this great work!
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ARGOS consortium meeting Firenze
(Mar. 2011)
Almost the complete ARGOS team came to Acetri, Florence to join the
regularly consortium meeting.
In the background, but unfortunately not visible here, is Galileo
Galilei's house.
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ARGOS telescope simulator (Dec.
2010)
The telescope simulator will help us to integrate and test our laser
system or other sub-systems. It is capable to rotate 2 laser boxes (6
lasers), together with 4 electronic racks by 0-90°.
And a merry Christmas to everybody!
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Tilted
telescope simulator.
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Team
members after the delivery: Hans, Sebastian, Julian, Matthias and
Thomas.
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Installation of the first Argos
Platforms (Sept. 2010)
SR: "During the last week the first pieces of Argos have been brought
to mount Graham and are now installed to the telescope. As first
infrastructure two rigid platforms for the laser systems surrounded by
access platforms and mounts for the racks are now fixed in between the
windbraces. Thanks to the careful design, the excellent campaign
planning, our nice and enthusiastic installation team and a friendly
support by LBTO, the platforms where installed smoothly, in time and
perfect position.
Many thanks to the installation team: Hans, Matthias D, Mathias H &
Stefan!
"
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The
successful installation team (L to R: Stefan Huber, Mathias Honsberg,
Hans Gemperlein; Matthias Deysenroth.)
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The 2
platforms and a dummy electronics box are installed to the LBT.
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Cutting Steel (Aug. 2010)
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The
laser launch and supply platforms were manufactured and accepted. Now
they will be painted, shipped and installed to the LBT.
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In the
meanwhile the first electronics parts were manufactured. Here the fast
photodiodes, used for the laser diagnostics.
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Hardware is proceeding (May 2010)
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pnCCD
2. genreation (left). While the first test system (right) was cooeld by
a Stirling cooler and an always running vacuum pump, the new one is
cooled by peltier elements. This was a big step towards the final
design.
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The
Microgate BCU with a high coltage controller. This will capture the the
data of our wavefront sensor and control a tip-/tilt-piezo mirror to
stabilize the incoming light.
(Picture shows a similar device)
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Final Design Review (27.-28. Mar.
2010)
The Argos final design review just has finished
with the panels judgement that we have 'passed' !
 |
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The Final Design Review in
Tucson.
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Close co-operation between
ARGOS and LUCIFER. |
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28
documents, 844 pages.
Our documents for the Final Design Review are prepared and ready for
delivery (Mar. 2010)
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Testing
a lot of our final stuff:
3 lasers on one heat exchanger, the water cooled power meter and
some small electrical devices.
All operated on the 230VAC/50Hz to 120VAC/60Hz converter and on a
tilting bench. (Feb. 2010)
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| Question:
How much is the
average power output of one laser? |
3
Lasers shooting on one
powermeter (the small box on the upper border) |
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Oh
yes, there will be light
(Feb. 2010)
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| First
test of 3 lasers on
one heat exchanger. Already
operated with 120V/60Hz. |
Ready
for the telescope:
six lasers for six stars. |
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...
and the ARGOS lasers were
delivered (Nov. 2009)
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| some
of the boxes |
#1
was started up by its
proud parents. Output power is ~18.7W, pulsewidth ~26ns. Weight is
about... |
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The
ARGOS Lasers are ordered
(July 2009)
(Images from the manufacturer)
 |
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| The
InnoLas nanio
series |
NANIO
532-18-Y
532nm, 18W at 10kHz |
|
 |
 |
| While
the development of
the peltier element based cooler for the wavefront sensor
detector
is in progress.... |
...a system
of the
pnCCD arrived at our lab in Garching. (June 2009) |
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Visit
of the Solar Tower at INAF
during ARGOS consortium
meeting in May
2009.
 |
 |
LBT's
adaptive secondary
(about 15m above)
is tested here with the AGW
unit. |
Demonstration
of the
adaptive secondary. It works! |
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ARGOS Preliminary Design
Review 17./18. Feb. 2009
left->right: Bob Fugate, Richard Myers, Enrico Fedrigo
Not shown: Francois Rigaut |
PDR
Dinner |
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Ks
image of NGC 1569 taken during commissioning
with LUCIFER,
end 2008 / beginning 2009 |
Lucifer
installed on
the SX derotator, Jan. 2009 |
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MPE 
ARGOS
© Infrared and Submillimeter Astronomy Group at MPE
