PlaneWave CDK 14" Fused Silica
The CDK (Corrected Dall-Kirkham) Optical Design is an innovative solution for unsurpassed astroimaging quality at an affordable price. The CDK telescope design provides excellent imaging with large format CCD cameras while remaining superb for visual use. The CDK design far exceeds the off-axis performance of most commercial telescope designs including the Ritchey-Chrétien design.
FUSED SILICA
Fused Silica is a synthetic amorphous silica glass of the highest purity and one of the most transparent glasses made.
The optical and thermal properties of fused silica are superior to other types of glass due to its purity. Its transmission and homogeneity exceed those of crystalline quartz without the problems of temperature instability inherent in the crystalline form.
Fused Silica has a coefficient of thermal six times lower than Borosilicate glass, which means that as fused silica cools down, it preserves its shape to a high degree of accuracy. This translates into consistent optical performance and unchanging focus over temperature changes.
With high melting temperature (~1,600 degrees Celsius), a very low coefficient of thermal expansion and resistance to thermal shock, fused silica is the material of choice for professional observatories as well as various scientific applications.
This no-compromise design is unique in making the optical alignment forgiving and collimation very easy. This guarantees the user the best possible performance from the telescope. The end result at the image plane of the CDK design is no off-axis coma, no off-axis astigmatism, perfectly flat field (no off-axis defocus). The CDK design will give you pinpoint stars from the center to the corner of the field of view.
Features:
|
Carbon Fiber Truss Design |
Open truss tube design with carbon fiber frame minimizes thermal expansion which causes focus shift with changes in temperature. Carbon fiber truss design also promotes quick thermal cooling and provides a rigid, lightweight structure. |  |
| 3D Printed Baffles | Planewave uses digital 3D printing technology to produce lightweight baffle tubes. 3D printers add successive layers of material to construct a baffle system with precision positioned internal stray light baffles to minimize vignetting and maximize image contrast. |  |
| Dovetail Expansion Joint | Allows for the difference in thermal expansion between carbon fiber and aluminum. The expansion joint allows the aluminium dovetail expand and contract without stressing the carbon fiber lower truss. |  |
| Cooling Fans | Three cooling fans blow air inside the back of the telescope. Internal diverting fins circulate air flow behind the mirror for even cooling to help the telescope reach thermal equilibrium quickly. The fans are controlled with PWI PC software with the optional Electronic Focus Accessory (EFA Kit). |  |
| Delta-T Ready | For added dew prevention, the CDK14 is internally wired with polyimide film heater pads and temperature sensor, ready to be controlled with the optional Delta-T controller. |  |
PlaneWave CDK 14" Fused Silica Specifications
OPTICAL SYSTEM
| Optical Design | Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) |
| Aperture | 14 inch (356mm) |
| Focal Length | 2563mm (101 inch) |
| Focal ratio | F/7.2 |
| Central Obstruction | 23.5% by surface area; 48.5% by diameter |
| Back Focus from Mounting Surface | 11.09 inch (282 mm) |
| Weight | 48 lbs (22 kg) |
| OTA Length | 35 inch (889 mm) |
| Optical Performance | 3.1 micron RMS at 13mm off-axis; 6.0 micron RMS at 35mm off-axis - Spot Diagram |
| Upper Cage | Carbon Fiber Truss |
| Lower Cage | Carbon Fiber Truss and Light Shroud |
| Optimal Field of View | 70mm Image Circle |
SECONDARY MIRROR
| Diameter | 165 mm (6.5 inch) |
| Material | Precision Annealed Borosilicate |
| Shape | Spherical |
| Coating | Enhanced Aluminum - 96% |
PRIMARY MIRROR
| Optical Diameter | 14 inches (355.6) |
| Outer Diameter | 14.5 inches (468.3mm) |
| Shape | Prolate Ellipsoid |
| Material | Fused Silica |
| Coating | Enhanced Aluminum - 96% |
LENS GROUP
| Diameter | 95mm (3.7 inch) |
| Number of lenses | Two |
| Coating | broadband AR Coatings (less than .5% reflected from 400 to 700nm) |
STANDARD FEATURES
| CDK Optics | The Corrected Dall-Kirkham design yields a perfectly flat field free from off-axis astigmatism, coma and defocus. |
| Carbon Fiber Truss Design | Minimizes thermal expansion which causes focus shift with changes in temperature |
| Dovetail Expansion Joint | Allows for the difference in thermal expansion between carbon fiber and aluminum. The expansion joint allows the aluminum dovetail expand and contract without stressing the carbon fiber lower truss |
| Cooling Fans | Three cooling fans blow air inside the back of the telescope. This helps the telescope to reach thermal equilibrium quickly. The fans are controlled by a computer if the optional Electronic Focus Accessory (EFA Kit) is purchased. |
| Delta-T Ready | For added dew prevention, the CDK14 is internally wired with polyimide film heater pads and temperature sensor, ready to be controlled with the optional Delta-T controller. |
SHIPPING
| Crated Shipping Weight | 225 lbs |
| Crate Width | 31 inches |
| Crate Height | 26 inches |
| Crate Length | 53 inches |
NOTE: This product has a lengthy lead time. Please contact education@bintel.com.au for further information.