YOU to the POWER of COULD SEE the FUTURE in the STARS Australian Astronomical Optics 2 AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMICAL OPTICS
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FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING YOU TO THE POWER OF COULD SEE THE FUTURE IN THE STARS Australian Astronomical Optics 2 AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMICAL OPTICS ABOUT US PURPOSE Joining Macquarie University on 1 July 2018, Macquarie brings to the AAO a well-demonstrated Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) is a track record in developing new technologies, recognised world leader in astronomical with a commercialisation focus, alongside instrumentation. AAO-Macquarie has significant industry partners on campus. AAO-Macquarie’s expertise in developing innovative technology for team of experts will build on the University’s use in astronomical instruments, in developing existing strengths in astronomy, photonics, laser data systems for the storage and access of data technology, microfabrication, applied optics, from such instruments, and in using these sensing and communications. instruments for scientific research. This collaboration will combine unique AAO-Macquarie is the Sydney arm of what used capabilities in wide-field and adaptive optics, to be the Australian Astronomical Observatory, precision mechanical and optical engineering, which opened in 1974. After Australia entered design and test, and software to build cutting-edge into a 10-year strategic partnership with the instruments for the world’s leading 8-metre European Southern Observatory (ESO) in 2017, telescope and next-generation 30-metre telescope. the observatory’s operating model changed Together, we also seek to increase industry – moving from the government sector to the engagement, identify opportunities to apply university research sector. AAO-Macquarie’s expertise to medicine and Macquarie is excited to take a significant role in defence, and expand our presence in the fields growing Australia’s global position in astronomical of optics and sensing, as well as progress our instrumentation. We are partnering with the ongoing mission of world-leading excellence in Australian National University, the University of astronomical instrumentation. Sydney and Astronomy Australia Ltd to establish RESEARCH CENTRES a new national capability for astronomical AAO-Macquarie researchers collaborate with instrumentation under the banner Australian researchers from the Department of Physics and Astronomical Optics. Astronomy at: AAO-Macquarie is continuing and developing • Macquarie University Research Centre for the team’s decades-long reputation for building Astronomy, Astrophysics and Astrophotonics world-class optical instrumentation with projects • Macquarie University Photonics Research Centre that include: • the 4MOST (4-metre multi-object spectrograph telescope)/AESOP positioner for ESO’s VISTA (Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy) telescope, Chile • the TAIPAN robotic starbug-based instrument for the UK Schmidt Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory, Australia • the design, construction and delivery of a near-infrared camera for diffraction-limited operation on the Ataturk University’s 4-metre DAG (Eastern Anatolia Observatory) telescope, Turkey • MANIFEST (many instrument fibre system), a proposed fibre positioner for the Giant Magellan Telescope, Chile. AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMICAL OPTICS 3 Milky Way above the Anglo-Australian Telescope PHOTO: Angel Lopez-Sanchez RESEARCH AREAS ASTRONOMY RESEARCH ASTRONOMY TECHNOLOGY AAO-Macquarie is home to a dynamic and diverse AAO-Macquarie’s key technology strengths include: research group. AAO-Macquarie astronomers collaborate with astronomers across the globe • Photonics and other optical-fibre technologies and are recognised leaders in many areas of that capture and filter light research. Our astronomers and instrument • Positioning systems that place optical fibres scientists work together to produce some of the with maximum efficiency world’s most innovative and groundbreaking • Spectrographs that analyse captured light instrument technologies. aao.org.au/macquarie/technology aao.org.au/macquarie/astronomy-research ASTRONOMY DATA MANAGEMENT AAO-Macquarie is also at the forefront of developing an e-research platform and data archive that facilitates cutting-edge science through its Data Central capability. It provides web-based tools and archive functionality for scientists from a range of disciplines to explore, collaborate and make new discoveries. datacentral.org.au 4 AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMICAL OPTICS CAPABILITIES ELECTRONICS Astronomical instruments are used to collect • Systems analysis, design and integration data in the form of images and spectra from • Schematic and PCB design using Altium astronomical sources such as stars, galaxies and CAD software nebulae. Such instruments typically comprise • PCB assembly and rework with through-hole bulk optics (lenses, mirrors, diffraction gratings, and surface-mount technology components filters), photonic elements (optical fibres and • Electronics enclosure and front panel design waveguides), optomechanics (to accurately using mechanical CAD software position all of the optical elements), mechatronics • Electronics enclosure wiring and integration (fibre positioning robots and alignment • Electronics enclosure test and debug mechanisms), detectors (charge-coupled device • Cable assembly design and wiring and infrared arrays), and software systems • Programmable logic controller and (for control and data processing, storage and programmable automation controllers design management). and programming The techniques and competencies required • Embedded controller and microprocessor for these complex and high-precision systems design, including C/C++ firmware development are provided by our staff across the following and test key areas. • Motion control and servo systems design, build and test PROJECT MANAGEMENT • Detector controller and detector system • Project management using waterfall and design, build and test agile approaches • Fibre positioner design incorporating advanced • Systems engineering (documentation and robotics, including piezo actuator systems requirements tracking) • LTspice circuit simulation • Risk analysis, mitigation and management • Radio frequency-related design, including • Quality assurance electromagnetic compatibility compliance and • Project financial forecasting and budget tracking antenna design • Cryostat electronics design support and MECHANICAL ENGINEERING manufacture. • Mechanical conceptual design and development OPTICAL DESIGN • Mechatronic design • Optical systems design (Zemax) • Optomechanical mounting design • FRED scattered light and thermal analysis • Cryogenics design and detector development • Optical systems assembly, integration and • Mechanical fabrication (ie standard milling, testing lathing and computer numerical control (CNC)) • Micron-level alignment and testing • Inventor 3D modelling • Photometric metrology • Jigs, fixture and tooling design • Interferometric metrology • Metrology (eg coordinate measuring machine) • Large volume-phase holographic grating • Vibration and earthquake analysis characterisation • Heat transfer modelling • Fibre characterisation • Pneumatic systems • Fibre and photonic chip polishing • Hydraulic systems PHOTONICS • Finite element analysis • Photonic beam propagation, finite element • Failure modes and effect analysis simulations and finite difference time domain simulations • Nanophotonic alignment and testing AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMICAL OPTICS 5 Starbug robotic fibre positioners under development for the TAIPAN instrument PHOTO: Andy Green INSTRUMENT SCIENCE RESEARCH DATA AND DEVELOPMENT • Configuring, administering and managing: • Robotic fibre positioning technologies Hadoop clusters, PrestoDB, SQL databases • OH suppression with fibre Bragg gratings (including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL • Silicon photonics for astronomy Server), MongoDB databases • Photonic simulations and modelling • Developing with Docker images and containers • Fluoride fibres • Building web applications using various web • Fibre bundles for adaptive optics frameworks (Python/Django, Node.js, PHP) wavefront sensing • Configuring and managing web servers, • Focal plane positioning technologies including Apache httpd and Tomcat for large payloads • Managing cluster hardware, including • Low surface brightness imaging arrays from deployment, networking (Ethernet and low-cost telephoto lenses Infiniband) and maintenance TELESCOPE INSTRUMENTATION SOFTWARE ASTRONOMY • Software algorithm and systems design Research areas include: • Astronomical instrumentation control • Galaxy evolution software development, testing and integration • Star formation • Instrument control and monitoring • Stellar evolution • Data reduction, analysis and pipeline software • Chemical evolution of stars and galaxies design and development • Galaxy dynamics • Full software lifecycle for instrumentation and Major international survey programs include: data reduction projects • GAMA (gama-survey.org) • Main languages used at the moment include • GALAH (galah-survey.org) C/C++ 11+, Python, Fortran 2003, Java, Perl, • TAIPAN (taipan-survey.org) Shell, Tcl/Tk running on Linux/Unix, MacOS, • EMU (emu-survey.org) and VxWorks platforms 6 AUSTRALIAN ASTRONOMICAL OPTICS The AESOP fibre positioner comprising 2448 spines for the ESO VISTA telescope. PHOTO: Rebecca Brown Meet our dedicated leadership and LEWIS WALLER management team. ELECTRONICS GROUP MANAGER E: [email protected] DIRECTOR • Anglo-Australian Telescope detector system support MARK CASALI • Instrument control systems PROFESSOR for 4MOST/AESOP and GHOST E: [email protected] • Astronomical