Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Fiber Positioner Production

TL;DR

This paper details the production and manufacturing processes of 5000 fiber positioner robots for the DESI project, which aims to measure the universe's expansion through large-scale spectroscopic surveys.

Contribution

It introduces the specific production methods developed for the large-scale fiber positioner robots used in DESI's astronomical observations.

Findings

Development of scalable manufacturing processes for fiber positioners

Successful deployment of 5000 fiber positioners on the Mayall telescope

Enhanced capability for large-scale spectroscopic surveys

Abstract

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is under construction to measure the expansion history of the Universe using the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation technique. The spectra of 35 million galaxies and quasars over 14000 sq deg will be measured during the life of the experiment. A new prime focus corrector for the KPNO Mayall telescope will deliver light to 5000 fiber optic positioners. The fibers in turn feed ten broad-band spectrographs. We will describe the production and manufacturing processes developed for the 5000 fiber positioner robots mounted on the focal plane of the Mayall telescope.