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PlaneWave CDK 14" Fused Silica

SKU 140101Q
Available to order
Contact us for ETA
Original price $29,999.00 - Original price $29,999.00
Original price
$29,999.00
$29,999.00 - $29,999.00
Current price $29,999.00
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Minimum 2-Year Warranty. 

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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.

More about our Optical Design

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.