This technology is in the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)

Optical system This technology is in the Extremely Large Telescope

2025-03-31 From Vicor | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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The "Extremely Large Telescope" ELT is currently being built in the Chilean desert. With its adaptive mirrors, extremely high-resolution images are possible. Among other things, power supply modules from Vicor are being installed here.

Artistic rendering of the ELT: The Extremely Large Telescope is being constructed on Mount Cerro Armazones in the Chilean desert.(Image: ELT concept /ESO/L. Calçada / CC BY ) — Artistic rendering of the ELT: The Extremely Large Telescope is being constructed on Mount Cerro Armazones in the Chilean desert.
(Image: ELT concept /ESO/L. Calçada / CC BY )

Driven by the desire to understand the origins of the universe, humanity explores space. For the Italian company Microgate, however, gazing at the night sky is not just inspiration but also daily bread: the company's engineering team develops motor control systems for large, ground-based telescopes. In doing so, they rely, among other things, on power supply solutions from Vicor.

Exploring space with the largest telescopes on Earth

Microgate, together with the European Southern Observatory (ESO), an international research organization for ground-based astronomy, is building the adaptive mirrors for the newest and largest generation of "Extremely Large Telescopes" (ELTs). They form the basis for the exploration of galaxies, stars, and planets. The task of these telescopes is to capture light from the distant past to learn more about the origins of our universe.

The diagram shows the new five-mirror system of the ELT: The light is first reflected off the 39-meter mirror M1, then off two other mirrors, one of which is convex (M2) and the other concave (M3). The last two mirrors (M4, M5) form an adaptive optical system. In this way, extremely high-resolution images are possible.(Image: The optical system of the ELT showing the location of the mirrors /ESO / CC BY ) — The diagram shows the new five-mirror system of the ELT: The light is first reflected off the 39-meter mirror M1, then off two other mirrors, one of which is convex (M2) and the other concave (M3). The last two mirrors (M4, M5) form an adaptive optical system. In this way, extremely high-resolution images are possible.
(Image: The optical system of the ELT showing the location of the mirrors /ESO / CC BY )

The new ESO-ELT utilizes a system of five specialized mirrors (M1 - M5). The primary mirror M1 has a unique diameter of 128 feet; it collects the few available photons from distant stars and galaxies. Particularly interesting is the M4 mirror of the ESO-ELT. It has a diameter of 7.9 feet and is made of highly specialized glass about 0.075 inches thick. Linear motors are used to deform the mirror, powered by a precise current driver and a series of permanent magnets. This process is carried out over the entire surface of the mirror with 5,316 motors, each with an axis spacing of about 1.2 inches.

The adaptive mirror physically floats on the magnetic field generated by the motor coils. This allows a dedicated control current to locally deform the mirror and correct its shape with the help of a corresponding number of highly sensitive capacitive position sensors with nanometer accuracy (millionths of a millimeter). By using electronic systems operating at a frequency of approximately 100 kHz, the Microgate teams can completely redefine the shape of the mirror within a millisecond. The result is an extremely sharp and clean image without the need to launch a telescope into space.

Gallery

The aerial photograph from June 2024 shows the progress of the construction work. The ELT is scheduled to be operational before 2030.(Image: Drone image of the ELT dome construction /ESO / CC BY )

The secondary mirror is an adaptive mirror made of highly specialized glass with a thickness of about 1.9 millimeters. The copper-colored coils are the linear motors.(Image: Vicor)

Microgate uses the DCM3623 series DC-DC power module from Vicor to mechanically deform the mirror and physically correct these atmospheric disturbances. This process is essential for improving image quality.(Image: Vicor)

High power density modules control the adaptive optics

The precise handling and thermal management of the adaptive optics system are crucial: All exposed surfaces must be kept close to ambient temperature to avoid local turbulence. Limited space further complicates the demands on the power supply system.

Microgate specifically chose the DCM3623 series power supply modules from Vicor to power this process. The power supply board is mounted on the underside of the gas-cooled heat sink, and each module supplies power to up to 36 motor channels, eliminating complex wiring.

“Vicor’s high-efficiency, high-power modules are very compact and reliable, and take up little space on the PCB,” says Gerald Angerer, hardware engineer at Microgate. “These miniaturized converters are the best choice for us. We’ve been using them for over ten years and there is currently no comparable replacement.”

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Optical system This technology is in the Extremely Large Telescope

Exploring space with the largest telescopes on Earth

High power density modules control the adaptive optics

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