Multi-beam array stitching method based on scanning Hartmann for imaging quality evaluation of large space telescopes.

To test large-aperture space optical systems in a simple and highly efficient manner, the scanning Hartmann test (SHT) has been used to measure the sub-aperture wavefront slopes of optical systems by scanning with a collimated beam followed by retrieval of the overall wavefront form. However, the use of such a method contains a crucial flaw in that pointing errors of the translation stage can severely affect the test accuracy. Therefore, a multi-beam stitching method is proposed to correct pointing errors by stitching together data obtained by successive sub-aperture acquisition. In this paper, a test principle and a data processing method are detailed. Simulation results theoretically verify a high precision for the stitching algorithm. Furthermore, a multi-beam array stitching test system (MASTS) is developed and used to successfully test an actual space optical system of ∅800 mm. The MASTS shows a deviation of 1/50 λ (λ = 632.8 nm) root mean square (RMS) from the interferometric results and a repeatability of 1/80 λ RMS, which demonstrates high precision, high repeatability and low sensitivity to air turbulence compared to interferometric measurement. In future engineering applications, the MASTS has great potential to solve the test problems of space optical systems using ultra-large apertures.