ThermoTrex Corp. to build adaptive optics for University of Arizona

ThermoTrex Corp. to build adaptive optics for University of Arizona

The Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) has awarded Thermo Electron Corp. (Waltham, MA) subsidiary ThermoTrex Corp. (San Diego, CA) a $2.1 million contract to build an adaptive-optics system for the Multiple Mirror Telescope, which is being converted to a 6.5-m single-mirror telescope. Under previous funding from Steward Observatory, ThermoTrex developed a small-scale, prototype deformable mirror that functions as the telescope secondary, unlike conventional adaptive optics in which the deformable mirror is a separate component with a special interface. The current contract calls for the company to produce a full-scale deformable secondary mirror for the converted telescope.