optomechanical
op-toh-muh-KAN-i-kul
Definition
Relating to the design and implementation of systems that combine optical components, such as lenses or mirrors, with mechanical elements for precise movement or positioning.
Etymology
The word is a compound formed from the Greek 'optikos' (pertaining to vision or sight) and the Greek 'mekhanikos' (pertaining to machines or mechanics). It emerged in modern scientific usage to describe fields and technologies where optical performance is intrinsically linked to mechanical precision.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the specialized hardware built in Germany that allows the telescope's internal mirrors and masks to maintain extremely high stability. This technology is vital because, unlike the Hubble telescope, the Roman mission cannot be serviced or manually realigned once in space.
NASA's Roman Space Telescope Set to Launch This Week, Aiming to Directly Photograph Faint Exoplanets
Read the full article ↗International Business Times Australia