Optical Reverse Optimisation of astronomical instruments

Optical Reverse Optimization is a procedure that could allow to obtain the alignment of an optical system starting from the computation of the alignment (pseudo)matrix, using an optical modelling like Zemax, reversing it and, starting from known initial misalignment conditions, applying remote corrections to the system actuators in order to reach the good alignment. This technique is already used in space applications, where access to the instrumentation is impossible, but there is little expertise at ESO in this field.


Goal of the master thesis could be:

  • Development of a simple simulation model, in which the alignment matrix and its inverse can be computed starting from a known misalignment condition.
  • Verification of the possibility to use this system to recover the alignment.