The MICADO first light imager for the ELT: the SCAO module AIT in France, from the beta flat configuration towards the flat and final configurations
arXiv:2607.12854
The paper reports on the integration and testing (AIT) of the single‑conjugate adaptive optics (SCAO) module for MICADO, the first‑light near‑infrared imager of the ELT, describing progress through the beta‑flat, flat, and final configurations and presenting early closed‑loop results.
Abstract
MICADO is the designated ELT first light instrument, a near-infrared imager working at the diffraction limit of the telescope thanks to a SCAO and an MCAO mode. Since summer 2024, MICADO is in its AIT phase and all MICADO partners are currently integrating their subsystems. The MICADO SCAO module will follow three successive AIT phases in France: the beta flat configuration, the flat configuration and the final configuration. In this contribution I will first present the progress made in the AIT of the beta flat configuration and its closed loop results. I will then present the performed and on-going tasks for the flat and final configurations (manufacturing, delivery and integration of several SCAO subsystems and pieces of software) and the results obtained so far in the flat configuration. I will then conclude with the expected following steps of the SCAO module AIT in Garching.
in press in Proc. SPIE 14150, Adaptive Optics System X, 2026