MOXTEK collaborated with 4D Technology, to develop a wire-grid pixelated polariser for their dynamic laser interferometer which was used to measure the mirrors on NASA’s long-awaited James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
Moxtek became involved with this project over a decade ago when NASA approached 4D Technology to develop an optical tool to measure the flatness of the JWST’s telescope mirrors. At that time, there wasn’t a measurement tool sensitive enough to measure the required mirror flatness.
“As we’re exploring more and more of the Universe, we’re able to look farther away in space, which equates to farther back in time. The James Webb Space Telescope will take us to depths, directly, that our present-day observing facilities cannot match, with Webb’s infrared eyes revealing the ultra-distant starlight that Hubble cannot hope to see.”
NASA / JWST AND HST TEAMS
4D Technology successfully developed an innovative approach using Moxtek’s advanced pixelated polariser, achieving NASA’s challenging requirements.
NASA’s Challenge for 4D Technology and Moxtek:
• Develop the most sensitive instrument ever made for measuring mirror flatness.
• Current measurement tools were NOT sensitive enough to verify required flatness of the telescope mirrors.
Find out how they did it
Read the full case study here:
Any questions about Moxtek Polarisers and your application?
Get in touch with our Technical Product Manager, Dr. Satyam Ladva by email or call (01372) 378822.
