An ultra-stable, 3-axis goniometer for precise angular positioning for optical metrology of X-ray mirrors

THP06
18 Sept 2025, 16:20
1h 10m
Poster Session Room (The Loop)

Poster Session Room

The Loop

Poster Presentation Nano-positioning Poster Session 3

Speaker

Simon Alcock (Diamond Light Source)

Description

Deterministic polishing of X-ray mirror for synchrotron light and XFEL sources requires metrology instruments capable of accurately measuring optics with slope errors < 50 nrad RMS and height errors < 1 nm peak-to-valley. To improve the performance of the Diamond-VeNOM slope profiler [*], we have developed an ultra-stable, 3-axis rotation stage [**] to orient the mirror under test. The goniometer employs a spherical air-bearing, actuated by three piezo-walkers via flexure struts. This combination provides high stiffness, zero friction, and minimal parasitic errors. Linear interferometers provide positional feedback to the piezo actuators for fast, closed-loop control of 3D angles. Temperature controllers and forced air stabilisation minimise thermal drifts. FEA and dynamic model-ling optimised all components via mechatronic principles. The goniometer can accommodate X-ray mirrors up to 500 mm long and 10 kg in mass. It has an angular range of ± 10 mrad in 3 orthogonal directions, a minimal incremental step of < 100 nrad, and thermal drift of ~ 100 nrad over 30 minutes. Shielding of heat sources reduces air turbulence for probing autocollimators or laser beams. The system is controllable via EPICS to enable dynamical synchronisation with other motion stages and detectors

Footnotes

[] I-T. Nistea et al “Diamond-VeNOM: a high-speed slope pro-filer for characterizing x-ray mirrors“, Proc. SPIE, 126950A, 2023. doi: 10.1117/12.2688134
[
*] J. Kelly, “Diamond gnomiometer: ultra stable goniometer”, Precision Motion Systems & Control workshop, Euspen conference, Netherlands, Nov 2022

Funding Agency

Diamond Light Source Ltd

Author

Simon Alcock (Diamond Light Source)

Co-authors

Murilo Bazan da Silva (Diamond Light Source) Alessandro Evangelista (Diamond Light Source) Adam Howell (Diamond Light Source) Jon Kelly (Diamond Light Source) Andrew Male (Diamond Light Source) Ioana-Theodora Nistea (Diamond Light Source) Geoff Preece (Diamond Light Source) Nicolas Rubies (Diamond Light Source)

Presentation materials

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