Design
and manufacturing of
optical, optomechanical
and optronical
systems
SESO NEWS
THE CHAIRMAN'S WORDS
2006 confirmed the excellence of SESO's technologies, as it is showed
by the following examples. I would like to thank our clients who trusted
us, our partners who supported us in our expansion, and I would like to
congratulate SESO's personnel for his involvement and his professionalism.I
wish you all a happy new year.
SESO'S TECHNOLOGIES IN KOREA
Our collaboration with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, KARI, started
in 1996. SESO supplied first, a system of OGSE (Optical Ground Support
Equipment) for KOMPSAT-1 (Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite). KARI obtained
in 2006, the go-ahead to carry out the satellite KOMPSAT-3, behind the
successful launch of KOMPSAT-2. SESO have won a contract for manufacturing
the whole optical systems to equip the optical laboratory of KARI. KARI
has decided to have the best laboratory equipment to test the payload
of the KOMPSAT-3, AEISS (Advanced Earth Imaging Sensor System), 720 mm
aperture. SESO will supply by 2008, one moving optical bench, one collimator
of 1 meter aperture and a focal length of 30 meters, and a flat mirror
of 1 meter aperture, a vibration free system supporting all the optical
components and several optical testing equipments. They will be used in
testing the payload of KOMPSAT-3 and the ones to come.This is a great
challenge for SESO and it is as well the opportunity to keep on being
ranked among the best optical system suppliers.
PLEIADES
PLEIADES n°1 flight model is being integrated by ALCATEL ALENIA SPACE
with the equipped mirrors provided by SESO at the end of June 2006. In
parallel, SESO has just delivered the equipped mirrors of the 2nd flight
model. Those mirrors have even improved performances compared to the 1st
model. DGA, CNES, ASTRIUM and ALCATEL ALENIA SPACE congratulated SESO
for its commitment, the deadlines and specifications respect. SESO, in
turn, thanks its clients for their trust and their constructive collaboration
all the way through the project.
IASI
The launch of the 1st METOP-A European meteorological polar satellite
successfully went off the 19th of October 2006. The main target of the
new generation satellite is to improve accurately the meteorology forecasts
in the medium term.In order to reach this objective, the French Space
Agency (CNES) together with EUMETSAT designed a new optical instrument
: IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) . This is a major
technological improvement since IASI will provide the vertical profiles
of the atmosphere, with a 1°C precision for the temperature and a
10% precision for the moisture. IASI will produce on its own as much data
as the ten other instruments set on the METOP satellite.IASI is comprised
of two zerodur parabolic mirrors. Those mirrors, as well as their mount,
have been designed and manufactured by SESO, on the request of ALACATEL
ALENIA SPACE and CNES. They have been tested in thermal vacuum and vibrations
before being delivered in 2000. SESO also supplied the same elements of
the 2nd and the 3rd IASI instruments. CNES insisted on thanking SESO for
its involvement and its contribution to the achievement of an instrument
with exceptional performances.
BIMORPH MIRRORS
Bimorph mirrors technology is used for the correction of the wave
front error or the focusing of an optical beam. The bimorph mirror main
characteristic comes from the bender integrated with mirror. Bimorph mirror
technology is used, at SESO's, for the manufacturing of synchrotron mirrors
: bimorph mirrors are comprised of two polished silicon or fused silica
sandwiching piezo-electric ceramics (active optics). SESO manufactures,
today, mirrors with length up to 1050 mm and width up to 45 mm. The bimorph
design provides the opportunity of using up to 32 electrodes which ensure
the correction of high space frequencies errors (generated by the elements
of a light line), a mechanical bender can only correct the low frequencies.
SESO is able to supply this kind of mirror with a slope error better than
2 µrad RMS, which is better than 1 µrad RMS, after the application
of the correction signals. ESRF, SP8, APS HP-CAT, DIAMOND, SYNCHROTRON
SOLEIL, BESSY, APS GMCA-CAT, APS/IXS, APS BIOCAT are among the clients
who trusted SESO for the manufacturing of bimorph mirrors.
THE PRESTIGIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS OF SESO : PLEIADES AND "LA LIGNE D'INTEGRATION
LASER - a part of LASER MEGAJOULE"
PLEIADES
In 2001, a cooperation program was set between France and Italy to
develop an Earth observation dual system. The Pleiades system, an optical
component of this program runned by the CNES, is an optical observation
system with a metric resolution, constituted of a constellation of two
optical satellites, offering a high capability with a revisit lower than
24 hours to satisfy both civilian and military needs (copyright 2006-©
CNES). ALCATEL ALENIA SPACE, in charge of the instrument, has given to
SESO, at the end of 2003, the order for the realization of all mirrors
and theirs mechanical mounts of the telescope. The optical system is based
on 4 mirrors, whom 3 are aspheric and one is off-axis. All mirrors are
lightweighted (less that 50 kg/m2), support high level of vibration (launcher
Ariane (ESA) or Rockot (Russia)), also thermal vaccum environment is requested.
Mirrors with mounts had performed successful qualification tests. This
is linked to the fruitful work made between SESO and ALCATEL ALENIA SPACE
for the definition and the optimization of mirrors and mounts. SESO has
delivered at the end of June, the first flight model compliant with all
requirements. The optical quality of the 4 mirrors is so that the optical
quality of the instrument will be limited only by diffraction law. In
particular the off-axis mirror has a surface quality, for all sub-pupills,
which is better than lambda/100rms. This is very attractive compared to
its high aperture (F/1). SESO has demonstrated during this program that
the performances of their computer controlled polishing equipments are
equivalent or better than ion beam system. Indeed, a comparison was made
with two similar mirrors and the results were exactly the same in term
of surface quality and the number of runs of finishing. These advantages
for SESO's technology are the easiest implementation and the low roughness.
"LA LIGNE D'INTEGRATION LASER - a part of LASER MEGAJOULE"
CEA designs and manufactures nuclear heads for the army and is in charge
of their maintenance. From now on, CEA must guarantee the reliabilty and
the safety of these weapons without performing nuclear tests. This is
the Simulation program's goal that was launched in 1995. The LMJ project,
(Laser Megajoule), which is the core of this ambitious program, will allow
validation of both models and softwares used in the numerical simulation
and the expertise of the physicists involved in the contribution of the
guarantee.
CEA has built the LIL (Ligne d'Integration Laser), a LMJ prototype. The
LIL is located at Bordeaux as will be the LMJ.The LIL consists of 8 laser
beams with a 60 kilojoules delivery capability.This prototype uses full
sized optics (400 x 400 mm2) with very tight specifications. SESO has
supplied optical components such as filtering lenses, thin flat plates
(continuous phase plates and debrishield) and thick windows, all used
at 351 nm. All these optics are in fused silica and combine good wavefront
specifications, very low roughness and no or few surface quality defects.
SESO's manufacturing has been recognized for its optimised technique in
grinding, polishing and finishing.
Indeed,
SESO is equipped with a computer controlled polishing robot for lenses
and a double side polishing machine for flat optics which give excellent
results. Two international patents have been registered. Our collaboration
in this project demonstrated our ability to manufacture very specific
optics, and to be recognized as a competent and reliable partner.
OFF-AXIS MIRROR FOR BRITISH LABORATORY
In 2004, the CCLRC (Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research
Councils) has selected SESO for the manufacturing of an off-axis parabolic
mirror for the Vulcan Laser System.The delivery has been carried out in
february 2006 and the CCLRC was very satisfied with the implementation
: a mirror diameter of 620 mm with 130 µm departure from true sphere,
a focal length of 1800 mm, a surface quality of 10 nm rms and better than
l/8 ptv. The component was polished by SESO's computer controlled polishing
equipments offering off-axis surface polishing capabilities. The obtained
performances and especially the slopes smaller than l/20 per cm show our
abililty to meet extreme specifications. SESO was a precursor in the polishing
activity as early as 2000. SESO's technology and expertise in polishing
make the company a leader in the off-axis mirrors' industry.
GRANTECAN SELECTS SESO
Designed and initiated by the IAC (Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias),
the Gran Telescopio Canarias (G.T.C.) is to become one of the most advanced
telescope in the world. SESO supplied the optics of the spectrograph and
imager, ELMER (UV + visible 365 nm - 1000 nm) which is installed at the
focal plane of the telescope (large size lens optics + VHPs' prismes).SESO's
teams have once again demonstrated their skills and know-how and congratulations
were received from the G.T.C. project manager of Elmer : "the results
are impressive and all the supplies are within our specifications and
beyond our expectations".Thanks to this succes, SESO has obtained
a new contract : the manufacturing of a cryogenic infra-red spectrograph
called EMIR which must be supplied some time in 2006.
MONITORING THE SEA
IFREMER'S missions (French Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) are
based on the research, the protection and the development of the sea.
SESO has supplied an optical corrector equipment to this laboratory within
the framework of the submarine film and scientific applications and research.The
goal of this optical corrector equipment is to obtain high definition
pictures. It compensates for distorsions endured by the use of a submerged
window. IFREMER has developped this project thanks to POPSUD (photonic
and optical commitee which promotes photonics).
BRITISH
ASTRONOMY BUYS FRENCH OPTICS
The
United-Kingdom
Astronomy
Technology Center (Edimbourg) awarded to SESO the manufacturing of optics
systems for the new Wilde Field Infrared Camera (WFCAM). Installed on
the UK infrared telescope located in Hawaii, this camera, unique in the
world, is now operational and will allow large surveys of the galaxy.
SESO manufactured the primary and secondary mirrors and the field lens
which appearead very efficient and have led to a very high image's quality.
SESO INVOLVED IN JASON 2 PROGRAM
Following the different satellite's programs TOPEX/POSEIDON and JASON
1, JASON 2 is a spatial program which ensures the setting up of the operational
oceanography. The mission of this program (the launch is foreseen in 2008),
will be the measurement of the oceans' height (accuracy to within a centimeter
!). It will help in forecasting the climatic variations at short term.
The system used to realize this measurement
is
called the radar altimetry. Parallel to this system, SESO has been solicited
to work on a complementary tool, the "T2L2 instrument" (Time
Transfer by Laser Link). This experiment will allow
the measurement of very accurate absolute times (adjustment and regulations
of clocks within a few pico seconds) which is one the main input to reach
such accurate altimetry measurements.
FRENCH MIRRORS FOR AUSTRALIAN SYNCHROTRON
SESO,
internationally well-known for manufacturing X mirrors, have won a contract
of manufacturing optical systems to equip the australian's synchrotron.
Recognized as a worldwide leader in this activity, SESO will design and
manufacture the mirrors for three of the first five beamlines of the australian
synchrotron. The size of the manufactured mirrors is a challenge. These
mirrors have large dimensions (longer than 1.4 meter length) and the requested
quality is in the range of one micro radian rms with 2 Angström roughness
(10-10
meters). These mirrors will be equipped with benders some of which generating
an elliptic profile. There were two goals for SESO to be successfull in
this technological challenge : to confirm its position of worlwide leader
and to penetrate the australian market.
NARVAL : A NEW GENERATION OF SPECTROPOLARIMETER
The Bernard LYOT Telescope, located at the Observatory of the Pic du MIDI
near Toulouse is about to be transformed by getting a new generation of
spectropolarimeter
: the Narval. The Narval belongs to actions led by OPTICON (Optical Infrared
Coordination Network) european program. SESO has just delivered the camera
lens to the Observatory : a 220 mm large diameter dioptric optic, aperture
F 1,9. The image quality (encircled energy at 80%) has been measured less
than 10 microns within all the field of view of ± 4,5 degrees.
The setting up of Narval is due to some time in 2006. It will collect
very accurate data of stellar magnetic fields and stellar surfaces.
EXPANDING ASIAN MARKET
SESO
won two contracts during 2005, one with China and one with Taiwan, proving
that SESO's asian exportations are still flourishing. These contracts
concern one of the most recognized activity of SESO, the manufacturing
of X mirrors for synchroton. The Institute of High Energy Physics of Beijing
ordered eight mirrors for the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
and six will be delivered to the National Synchrotron Radiation Research
Center of Taiwain.
BIGGER THAN HUGE : OWL
The
idea of designing a new generation of Extremely Large Telescope (E.L.T.)
was born during a OPTICON's (Optical Infrared Coordination Network) program
meeting. This concept of new telescopes as the OWL (OverWhelmingly
Large Telescope), which could have a 100 meters diameter, would
be a huge adavance in telescope size and capability never achieved before.
It will give the opportunity to study planets around others stars, to
examine how planetary systems set up and to measure the spectra and velocity
of stars in distant galaxies to better understand how they formed. OWL's
concept is in feasibility's phase and scale models are being studied.
ESO awarded to SESO two diffferent contracts :
- evaluation of the manufacturing and the setting up of a complete plant
for the mass production of the segments of the primary and secondary mirrors
-
within the framework Program 6, "E.L.T. Design Study", manufacturing
of some moke-ups of these mirrors (hexagonal 1 meter flat-to-flat silicon
carbide mirrors) as well as some 650 mm diameter thin shells for demonstrators
of future adaptative mirrors.
SESO IN THE SPACE
SESO
has been selected by ALCATEL SPACE for the manufacturing of the Equiped
Mirrors of the PLEIADES HR Instrument. This choice materializes the efforts
of intellectual and material investments made by SESO during the last
9 years, and emphasizes the recognition of SESO's competence and competitiveness.
NEW
FACILITIES
In the scope of its development strategy, SESO has launched the works
of enlargement of its Aix en Provence facility. The area of production
is going to be doubled, which will bring the total area ( offices, laboratories,
production and assembly workshops) to 5000M2.
LAST INVESTMENTS
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 Grinding machine (for mirors lightweightening and complex parts manufacturing) |
Double side polishing machine |
