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
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
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.
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.
The detectors, despite their widespread and simple use in many everyday applications, require a very precise knowledge for use in advanced scientific instrumentation.
One of IAC’s primary objectives is to improve its own scientific and technological capabilities. The promotion of these capacities, both nationally and internationally, facilitates the dissemination of the knowledge generated in the center, through its scientific and training activities.
Within the framework of IACTec as an integrating element of large telescope projects with the national and European science industry, the IAC designs and constructs in collaboration with international consortia the most ambitious telescopes of the moment: CTA, EST and NRT.
