66 -- ADAPTIVE OPTICS BENCH FOR GEMINI SOUTH ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM

Notice Date

September 7, 2001

Contracting Office

Gemini 8-M Telescopes Project, Aura, 950 N. Cherry Ave, PO Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85719

ZIP Code

85719

Solicitation Number

N210879

Point of Contact

Andrew Flach, Gemini Contracts Manager, 520-318-8537

E-Mail Address

Click here to submit letter of interest by email. (aflach@gemini.edu)

Description

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. ("AURA") is seeking qualified vendors to provide six subsystems for the Adaptive Optics Module of the Gemini South Adaptive Optics system. The Gemini South Adaptive Optics (GSAO) System will be a subsystem of the Gemini South 8-meter telescope, Cerro Pach n, Chile. GSAO consists of the Adaptive Optics Module, laser system, laser beam transfer optics, the laser launch telescope, and the aircraft safety system. The Adaptive Optics Module has been subdivided into 6 separate work packages: (i) the Adaptive Optics Bench; (ii) Deformable Mirrors; (iii) the Diagnostic Wave Front Sensor and Source Simulators; (iv) the Natural Guide Star Wave Front Sensor; (v) the Laser Guide Star Wave Front Sensor and zoom corrector; and (vi) the integrated electronics and control software. The Adaptive Optics Bench (RFP No. N210816) will be the primary component of the Adaptive Optics Module. This package consists of everything necessary to produce the adaptive optics module except those items specifically included in the other five packages. This includes the optical table and support structure, numerous optical elements and corresponding mounting and operational hardware, electronics enclosures, controls electronics and associated cabling, and instrument enclosure. The Deformable Mirror package (RFP No. N210880) consists of the three deformable mirrors, mounting and alignment hardware, and driver electronics. The Diagnostic Wave Front Sensor and Source Simulators package (RFP No. N2100878) consists of three separate mechanisms: (i) the diagnostic wave front sensor; (ii) the natural guide star source simulator; and (iii) the laser guide star source simulator. Stages and actuators are part of this package including the control electronics and the required cabling. The natural guide star source simulator will also have fiber optic cables and one or more light sources. This package also includes a CCD detector and its controller and cabling, as well as a near infra-red camera and its controller and cabling. The Laser Guide Star Wave Front Sensor package (RFP No. N210881) consists of the laser guide star wave front sensor and the zoom corrector including the actuators, control electronics and cabling for the mechanical actuators. Also included are CCD detectors as well as the associated cabling. The preliminary design has five piezo-actuated tip/tilt mirrors and additional motors for the zoom corrector optics. The Natural Guide Star Wave Front Sensor package (RFP No. N210882) consists of three operable probe arms that will move in X and Y directions. The stages and associated control electronics and cabling, avalanche photo diode detectors, fibers and their controllers and cabling are all part of this package. The Real-time Control Electronics and Software package (RFP No. N211240) consists of the computer hardware and software necessary to implement the real-time control of the deformable and tip/tilt mirrors using measurements from the natural- and laser guide star wavefront sensors. It also includes the CCD array controllers for the LGS wavefront sensors, background optimization and display tasks, and interfaces to the higher-level elements of the MCAO control system to be developed by AURA. Vendors will be allowed to submit proposals for one or more of the packages, including submitting proposals for all packages. Vendors must submit independent proposals for each package even if they are submitting proposals for all packages, but may propose price adjustments based on being awarded more than one package. Parties who wish to receive one or more of the Request for Proposal packages for these procurements should submit a letter of interest by 21 September, 2001, to Andrew Flach, Gemini Contracts Manager, by fax at 520-318-8590 (fax). Please give the RFP number and name of the package you are interested in. The Gemini Observatory is an international collaboration to build and operate two 8 meter telescopes, one located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the other located on Cerro Pachon in Chile. The Gemini partners include the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Australia. The Gemini project is operated by AURA under contract to the National Science Foundation.

Web Link

General information about the Gemini Observatory, no (http://www.gemini.edu)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010911/66SOL002.HTM (W-250 SN50X0J5)