Technology

Engineering applied to the design, development and verification of scientific instrumentation

The IAC develops a large part of the avant-garde instruments required by its astrophysics research activities. In this way, it has acquired over time a prominent level in the most relevant technologies and knowledge areas in the development of scientific instrumentation. These technical capacities, in an interdisciplinary environment, are coordinated and optimized thanks to project management practices

  • Integrated Circuit (IC)
    Design, development and verification of Integrated Circuits
  • View of an engineer assembling a grism in the laboratory. Engineer placing a piece of glass in a metal cylinder
    Design, development and verification of optical systems

    The IAC Technology Division has the capacity for developing complete optical elements and systems from the design stages to manufacturing follow-up, integration and final verification.

  • Image of an engineer working on the electronics of the adaptive optics system for GTC in the laboratory. Engineer sitting working on a computer with an open electronics cabinet at his side
    Design, development and manufacture of electronic systems

    Within its capacity of building scientific instrumentation, the IAC has extensive experience in the design and development of electronic systems in general and, especially, for astronomical instruments and devices

  • Collage of three images of user interfaces and design of computer applications for the control of instrumentation
    Design and development of computer control systems and applications

    The advances and the complexity of the instrumentation control systems and their integration with the telescopes or infrastructures where they are going to be installed, requires the development of customized computer applications that offer the required functionality to the users and communicate with the rest of the systems.

  • Image of an engineer working on the final assembly of the grisms wheel of the EMIR instrument in the laboratory. Large black metal wheel with holes for optical components
    Design, development and manufacture of opto-mechanical systems and precision mechanics

    The mechanical engineering team of the IAC has experience and knowledge to undertake the design, manufacture and assembly of high precision structures, mechanisms and opto-mechanical systems

  • Setup in the laboratory for the characterization of optical fibers. View of a setup with several optical components and optical fibers on a laboratory table
    Design, manufacture and verification of optical fibres

    Within its capability to develop optical instrumentation, the IAC has a deep knowledge and experience in the design, manufacture and verification of optical fibres and their applications.