Microgate’s optics capability to find deep space discoveries unlocked by Vicor
Deep space exploration has been aided by the use of Vicor’s power solution in Microgate’s optics. Vicor’s DCM3623 series of DC-DC converters have been deployed to power the telescope.
A partnership between the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and Microgate saw the pair build adaptive mirrors for the newest and largest generation of Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs). ELTs are ground zero for space exploration and finding new galaxies, stars, and planets. The difficulty of building ELTs is capturing light from the distant past.
The ESO-ELT has a primary 39-meter diameter mirror that collects the scarce photons available from space. The ESO-ELT M4 mirror is 2.4 meters in diameter and is made with a highly specialised glass, being 1.9 meters thick. Voice coil motors are driven by a precise current driver and a series of co-located permanent magnets creating the force to deform the mirror.
There is limited space inside the microscope, making the feet more challenging. This led to Microgate choosing Vicor’s DCM3623 series due to its size and power capabilities. The power system board is mounted on the underside of the gas-cooled cold plate. Each module has the capacity of powering up to 36 motor channels, removing the need for complex wiring.
The 5,316 motors, each with an inter-axis distance of 30 millimetres, perform the deformation across the entire surface of the mirror. The mirror itself floats on the magnetic field created by the motor coils, allowing for dedicated control current to locally deform the mirror and correct the shape, this can be achieved by using an equivalent number of highly-sensitive capacitive or position sensors with an accuracy in the nanometer range.
Engineers can redefine the shape of the mirror in a millisecond using the electronic systems which operate at a frequency of 100kHz, resulting in an extremely sharp and clean rendered image despite not launching the telescope into space.
Gerald Angerer, hardware engineer of Microgate, said: “Vicor’s high-efficiency and high-power density modules are very compact and reliable, and take up very little space on the circuit board. These miniaturized power converters are the best option for us. We have been using them for more than 10 years and there is currently no comparable substitute.”
Vicor’s power-dense modules have been used to power the adaptive optics, which require precise manipulation and thermal management to ensure all exposed surfaces are kept close to ambient temperature, avoiding local turbulence.
