Kinematically Engaged Yoke System

This technology is a new alignment, co-phasing and assembly approach called KEYS (Kinematically Engaged Yoke System) that uses intrinsic surface profiles of multiple order diffraction (MOD) optical segments. The technology is composed of a harness that has negatively shaped semi-kinematic “keys” which fits the MOD-side-step-like mechanical profile that is manufactured with high optical precision.

Background: 
Improvements in space telescope technology are needed. For example, mirror systems may be heavy, costly, and may comprise transmission loss and reduction in light throughput. Also, segmented mirror system has very sensitive alignment and assembly tolerance, which increases the overall system complexity and budget.

Applications: 

• Space-based astronomy 
• Ground-based astronomy 

Advantages: 

• Excellent alignment
• High optical precision
• Align, co-phases, and locks optics for space or ground-based telescopes
• Quick assembly
• Very large aperture

Status: issued U.S. patent #11,204,509