Publications Details
VSHOT measurement uncertainty and sensitivity study
The Video Scanning Hartmann Optical Tester (VSHOT) is a slope-measuring tool for large, imprecise reflectors. It is a laser ray trace device developed to measure the optical quality of point-focus solar concentrating mirrors. A unique tool was needed because of the diverse geometry and very large size of solar concentrators, plus their large optical errors. To study the accuracy of VSHOT as well as its sensitivity to changes in test setup variables, a series of experiments were performed with a very precise, astronomical-grade mirror. The slope errors of the reference mirror were much smaller than the resolution of the VSHOT, so that any measured slope errors were caused by the instrument itself rather than the mirror. The VSHOT exceeded its accuracy goals by achieving about {+-}0.5% (68% confidence) error in the determination of focal length and {+-} 0.1 mrad (68% confidence) error in the determination of RMS slope error. Displacement of the test mirror from the optical axis caused the largest source of measured errors.