Alignment

System Pupil Alignment

Tweeter Pupil Alignment (F-Test)

To align the pupil on the tweeter, we perform the F-Test.

Prepare the system:

  • fwpupil.filterName in open

  • fwfpm.filterName in open

  • fwlyot.filterName in open

  • fwscind.filterName in pupil

  • fwsci1.filterName in z (or whichever filter works the best for conditions)

  • configure camsci1 so that you can see the pupil without saturating.

  • as needed, move stagesci1 to focus the pupil image. You want to be somewhat out of focus to see the test pattern well. The preset fpm works well.

Now put the test pattern on the tweeter with Pupil Alignment GUI for dmtweeter. Press the set test under tweeter

Next, use the “Pupil Steering” section to align the pupil on the tweeter using the arrow keypad . The following figure demonstrates what a good alignment looks like.

../_images/f-test-good.png

Note that you may need to change the focus by moving stagelowfs.

When done, press the zero test button on dmCtrl GUI for dmtweeter.

Pyramid Alignment

Sorry we haven’t documented this. Volunteers welcome.

Coronagraph Alignment

NOTE: these steps are out of date compared to how we now do it. Talk to Jared or Sebastiaan for more info.

Due to their (lack of) intrinsic repeatability, the three wheels holding the coronagraph components must be adjusted every time they are moved. Aligning the coronagraph should proceed in the following order so that wheels do not need to be moved after adjustment. The first step “Pupil Mask Alignment” should be conducted every time the system is started up.

Also note that the pupil imaging optics are not repeatable, so if the fwscind lens is moved, or the stagelosel position is changed, the pupil will appear to shift. This does not mean the pupil has actually shifted, but will complicate checking pupil positions.

Pupil Mask Alignment

Find and mark the pupil position on camlowfs:

  • fwpupil.filterName in open

  • fwfpm.filterName in flat

  • stagelosel.presetName in pupil

  • fwlowfs.filterName in z

  • camlowfs settings can be adjusted. Typical settings are

    • exptime = 0.05

    • readout_speed = emccd_17MHz

    • vshift_speed = 3_3us

  • camlowfs.shutter to open

  • adjust stagelowfs until features are sharp (spiders and bump). Being slightly out of focus helps locate the bump effects.

  • mark the unobstructed pupil location. The below figure shows a typical example on camlowfs

../_images/camlowfs_tgt.png

Now align the desired pupil mask. First select the presets for the mask:

  • fwpupil.filterName in desired position (e.g. bump-mask)

  • picomotors.picopupil in desired position (matching fwpupil)

Now open coronaAlignGUI and use the “Pupil Plane” buttons to move the mask. The following figure shows a typical exampe of bump-mask alignment

../_images/bump-mask_aligned.png

Do not move fwpupil anymore.

Lyot Stop Alignment

  • Set fwfpm.filterName:

  • if you are using the Lyot FPM, or any other transmissive FP optic:

    • select the desired mask

    • stagelosel.presetName = fpm

    • using the coronaAlignGUI “Lyot Plane” left-right buttons, move the spot so it is not obstructing the beam. You will see two approx equal images (one is a ghost).

    • adjust dmncp focus using such that the spots are roughly in focus.

    • note that you may need to adjust camlowfs due to saturation

  • otherwise, select open

  • fwscind.filterName = pupil

  • stagescibs = none (any position will actually work)

  • fwsci1.filterName = CH4-875

  • fwlyot.filterName = open

  • adjust stagelowfs until features are well defined.

  • mark the unobstructed pupil location.

Now select the desired Lyot mask:

  • fwlyot.filterName = LyotLg1 (e.g.)

  • picomotors.picolyot = LyotLG1 (e.g.)

and adjust Lyot Plane with coronaAlignGUI until aligned. See the below figure:

../_images/fwlyot_lyotlg1_aligned.png

Focal Plane Mask Alignment

  • fwscind.filterName = open

  • fwfpm.filterName = LyotLg (or desired mask)

  • picomotors.picofpm = LyotLg (or desired mask)

  • stagelosel.presetName = fpm

  • center camlowfs ROI on lower spot. 32x32 may be necessary to avoid saturation

  • center camsci1 on the image. Once on the spot it should not be saturating in default parameters.

Now adjust Focal Plane with coronaAlignGUI until aligned. The post-coronagraph image on camsci1 is the best indication of good alignment. Note that dmncpc also impacts alignment, and until it is also optimized you will probably find a dead band where FPM wheel alignment makes no difference. The below image illustrates this condition:

../_images/fpm_aligned_pre_eye-doctor.png

Now run eye-doctor to optimize the FPM alignment with the following command

[icc]$ dm_eye_doctor 7624 ncpcModes camlowfs 3 2...10 0.1

The following image illustrates a fairly good alignment of the Lyot coronagraph system:

../_images/fpm_aligned_post_eye-doctor.png